The quality of your nails may be an indicator of how healthy you are. Having healthy nails is important to many and taking the right vitamins can help to promote nail growth. However, problematic nails may be an indicator of an underlying health condition and vitamins should not be a substitution for medical treatment; consult with your health-care provider to discuss any potential risks.
Vitamin H
Vitamin H, or biotin, is in the vitamin B complex group and helps you to convert carbohydrates from food to glucose for energy. Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning you do not store it in your body. It produces keratin, which is essential for nail growth. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, biotin is an ingredient you will find in cosmetic products for the nail and skin, and is also recommended for strengthening hair and nails.
A study done in 1993 by the Department of Dermatology at Columbia University, New York, suggests a positive response when using biotin for the treatment of brittle nails in some patients.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy teeth, soft tissue, mucous membranes and skin. Vitamin A promotes good vision because it produces the pigments in the retina of your eyes. A deficiency in vitamin A may cause you to have dry, brittle nails, or hangnails due to the problems processing protein, which reduces nail growth. Eating more dark green vegetables, or yellow and orange fruits are natural ways to get vitamin A.
Calcium
Calcium is essential for proper healthy nail growth. When you are choosing a calcium supplement, choose one that contains magnesium and boron. A misconception of calcium deficiency is white spots on the nail, which is really a zinc or iron deficiency. If you have weak, brittle and dry nails, adding more calcium may help promote nail growth. Dietary ways to add additional calcium is to choose from dairy products.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps to boost your overall health and in strengthening weak or deformed nails. Deficiencies in vitamin C may cause brittle and fragile nails, which lead to hangnails. Citrus is an excellent source for vitamin C, or eating some fresh green and red peppers for a snack.
Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that you can take to aid with hair loss and brittle nails. Zinc aids in tissue repair, wound healing and hormone production. According to a 1994 study, published in the journal Pneumologie, Dr. Helgo Magnussen reports positive effects with using oral zinc with symptoms of yellow nail syndrome. You can incorporate more zinc in your diet by eating more kidney beans, chicken, rice or cheese.
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