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Nutrition for Dry, Brittle Nails
Brittle nails are usually not associated with a medical disease. Brittle fingernails are
a common condition, occurring in about 20 % of people; more women than men develop
brittle nails. 1 Brittle nails usually break or peel off in horizontal layers, starting
at the nail's free end. Brittleness in the nail may be caused by trauma, such as repeated
wetting and drying, repeated exposure to detergents and water, and excessive exposure to
harsh solvents, such as those found in nail polish remover. Other possible causes include
skin diseases ( psoriasis , lichen planus, alopecia areata) as well as endocrine
disorders, tuberculosis, Sjogren's syndrome syndrome, and malnutrition. The incidence of
brittle nails in the European and North American population is approximately 20%, and
women suffer from nail brittleness twice as often as men.
People who clean on a frequent basis will often have brittle nails, unless they take the
necessary steps to protect themselves from being susceptible to such a nail condition.
Brittle nails are more of a problem for women with lower estrogen levels. Just as lower
estrogen levels are know to cause dry, brittle hair and skin, it has a similar effect on
nails. Dry, brittle nails are a problem that many women face. Nails dry out in the winter
time because of intense hand washing to stay healthy and all the dry air that is around
because of heaters. Health Nutrition help maintain your fingernail health and remedy dry,
brittle nails. A deficiency in B-complex vitamins, especially biotin, will produce ridges
along the nail bed. A diet lacking in calcium contributes to dry, brittle nails. Several
vitamins and minerals have been proposed for the prevention of brittle nails.
A lack of folic acid and vitamin C can lead to hangnails. Insufficient dietary essential
oils, like omega-3, cause cracking. Use nail polish remover no more than once a week.
Avoid nail polish removers with acetone and remove nail polish at most once a week. You
can always touch up your nails during the week if your nail polish chips. cosmetic
moisturizers, which provide immediate relief of dryness but last only while they are
applied. For people with mild or intermittent brittle nails, a cosmetic moisturizer may
be enough to keep the skin from feeling dry. Use a glass file or an emery board instead
of a metal nail file. Also, make sure you file only in one direction. Therapeutic
moisturizers, which have been shown to act as a barrier that keeps water from evaporating
from the nails. Calcium-rich foods include all dairy foods, especially yogurt, dark green
leafy vegetables, almonds, beans, and sardines.
Dry, Brittle Nails Nutrition Tips
1. Use nail polish remover no more than once a week.
2. Avoid nail polish removers with acetone and remove nail polish at most once a week.
3. Wear gloves.
4. Avoiding prolonged exposure to water, such as swimming.
5. Avoiding exposure to chemicals that irritate the skin and nails.
6. Use hand lotion on your nails, too. Rub it in after you wash your hands or take a
shower.
7. Several vitamins and minerals have been proposed for the prevention of brittle nails.
8. Use a glass file or an emery board instead of a metal nail file.
