Fingernail Health – Nutrition for Dry, Brittle Nails (2024)

FAQs

Fingernail Health – Nutrition for Dry, Brittle Nails? ›

Not sure what to eat? Follow these guidelines for a nail-nourishing diet: - B-vitamins are abundant in organ meats, like liver and kidneys, as well as fish, cheese, yogurt, milk, eggs, mushrooms, beans (especially chickpeas), avocadoes, bananas, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

Nutritional deficiencies: Nutrients such as biotin (vitamin B7), zinc, and iron are essential for strong and healthy nails. A deficiency in any of these nutrients can contribute to brittle nails.

Hydrate and Add Oils.

Use creams, oils and ointments on your nails every day, after they've been wet. The best hydrating ingredients for nails are Shea Butter, Jojoba oil, avocado oil, or other rich natural oils. The thicker the cream the better, and oils or ointments are best.

If your nails keep splitting, you could be low on iron, biotin, collagen and vitamins A and C. These nutrients build up nail strength and maintain growth at a normal level.

2 Nail changes in vitamin B₁₂ deficiency present as hyperpigmentation of nails like bluish discoloration of nails, blue-black pigmentation with dark longitudinal streaks, and longitudinal and reticulate darkened streaks. The nail pigmentation associated with B₁₂ deficiency is more frequent in patients with dark skin.

Dark, Leafy Greens: The calcium, iron and antioxidants in dark, leafy greens, like spinach, broccoli, kale and collard greens, can boost nail health. Hanna is a big fan of spinach, especially, because it contains Vitamin A, as well as folate (one of numerous B-vitamins), iron, Vitamin E and calcium.

Moisturizing the nails at least once a day helps combat brittleness. Vaseline works, and so does any cream that that seals in moisture like Eucerin or Aquaphor, dermatologists say.

If nails are soft but brittle, they may have gotten too moist, so cut back on the lotions and oils. Try a strengthening polish. A layer of strengthening polish can help protect soft, brittle nails. Avoid peeling the polish off or changing it too often, especially with acetone-based removers.

Olive oil penetrates the nail and promotes quicker and stronger nail growth. Thus, olive oil is good for dry brittle nails. Warm olive oil in a microwave for 10 to 15 seconds and massage it into your nails and cuticles for five to ten minutes. After that, put on cotton gloves and leave them on overnight.

Does drinking water help brittle nails? ›

Having brittle nails that constantly break or peel can be a sign of dehydration. By drinking more water on a daily basis, you'll promote nail growth and prevent dry, flaky cuticles. Truthfully, liters of water a day won't magically erase fine lines and wrinkles. Our clinic has many treatments for those, however!

Buff your nails in the same direction as the nail grows. Avoid back-and-forth motion that can cause splitting. Consider applying a nail hardener to help strengthen nails. Opt for a nail polish remover that doesn't contain acetone, and try to avoid frequent use of the remover.

Reduce how often you wet and dry your nails. Wear plastic or rubber gloves over thin cotton gloves while doing all housework, including food preparation. Keep the nails trimmed short. Apply thick moisturizers (eg, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream) or petroleum jelly (eg, Vaseline) to improve nail hydration.

Hapalonychia (soft nails) has been associated with deficiencies of vitamins A and D among other causes. Longitudinal melanonychia of the nail plate has been reported in vitamin D deficiency.

B12 is also essential for keeping nails strong and healthy. B12 specificially enables iron to be absorbed by the body, ensuring the formation of enough red blood cells. Low iron levels or anaemia can directly affect nail health – in fact it's a classic symptom – making them white, thin and prone to breakage.

Zinc is an essential mineral for cell multiplication and protein absorption, functions that are important for thick, lustrous hair. White spots on the nails - sometimes called Beau's lines - are one of the important signs of a zinc deficiency. Nails can grow slowly, become brittle and break easily.

Koilonychia is an abnormal shape of the fingernail. The nail has raised ridges and is thin and curved inward. This disorder is associated with iron deficiency anemia.