The history of do-it-yourself beauty remedies is filled with myths and urban legends, one of the more popular being that gelatin makes your nails grow out stronger and longer. As much as you might wish this cheap fix to be true, eating, drinking or soaking your nails in gelatin won't strengthen them or make them grow out. However, home remedies to strengthen and protect weak, brittle nails do exist–and they're much simpler than you think.
About Your Nails
"Much like the hair we are born with, the kind of nails we have is pretty much genetically predetermined," says skincare expert Paula Begoun. You may have nails that are strong and resilient against chipping and breaks, or you may get stuck with nails that splinter and peel easily. Nail growth in general is dictated by circumstance. According to Celeste Robb-Nicholson, M.D., Editor in Chief of "Harvard Women’s Health Watch," your nail growth speeds up during pregnancy due to hormonal influences, and slows down at others, such as while you're breastfeeding. People who go through cancer treatment may notice slower nail growth, as may those who are paralyzed or suffer from decreased circulation or malnutrition. Only rarely do serious medical conditions cause extreme changes in your nails.
History of the Gelatin Myth
Radio talk show host, author and syndicated columnist Dr. Gabe Mirkin traces the gelatin-for-nails craze back to before the turn of the 20th century, when Charles Knox and his wife, Rose, created the first granulated gelatin around 1890. Gelatin was promoted for purposes of cooking, but the Knoxes found a secondary marketing pitch: gelatin for stronger nails. Gelatin is derived from slaughterhouse remnants that aren't consumed, Mirkin explains, including the hooves, bones, tendons and skin of cows. Charles and Rose Knox used the reasoning that because cows' hooves are strong, gelatin, made of the same stuff, would also make human nails stronger. According to Kraft Foods, Knox Drink for Nails was one of the Knox brand's more popular items.
How Gelatin is Processed
Your nails are comprised of keratin, a type of protein. While logically, it might make sense that eating more gelatin–which is derived from animal sources–would make for hardier nails, dietitian Joanne Larsen explains that any protein you consume is broken down into amino acids that are used to repair and build muscles and organs, as well as other parts of your body that are made up of protein, such as hair and nails. Gelatin contains a small amount of protein, but no other special nutrients that are beneficial to nails, says Dr. Mirkin. Better sources of protein include beans, meat, chicken and fish, he says.
Other Nail Myths
According to Begoun, there's either scant or no research to suggest that there's anything you can eat or take to make your nails stronger–no vitamins, minerals or herbal supplements. One B vitamin, biotin, may give you healthier nails; however, Dr. Robb-Nicholson states that evidence weighing in favor of biotin comes from a single, small controlled study.
What You Can Do
Environmental damage is toughest on your nails, says Begoun, specifically repeated wetting and drying, which causes them to swell and then shrink again. Protect your nails by wearing rubber gloves when you perform household chores such as dish-washing and mopping. Begoun advises rubbing a moisturizer or olive oil into your nails to give them added protection. Avoid frequent use of nail polish remover, which can dry out your nails, Begoun says. When you trim and file, do so gently using nail clippers and a nail file to polish away rough edges.
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