Your nails are a hardened skin cell, made from a protein called keratin. Nails serve many roles such as protecting your tissues and fingernails, and allowing you to scratch objects. Nails are prone to infections, so its important to keep them healthy. One way to have healthy nails is to consume a selection of specific vitamins and minerals.
Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that can be obtained through foods. It is the most common trace mineral in your body. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), zinc can be used to help heal damaged nails. It also contains antioxidant properties, which prevent the formation of free radicals -- unstable substances which can harm your nails, causing them to become brittle. The UMMC says that white spots on your fingernails is a symptom of zinc deficiency.
Vitamin H (Biotin)
Vitamin H, or biotin, is part of the eight B group of vitamins. It assists in keeping your nails strong, while also helping to improve finger and toenails that may be brittle, thin or splitting, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is water soluble, meaning that it is not stored in your body and exits through urination. It is recommended that you have a continuous supply of vitamin C in your daily diet. Vitamin C is needed to manufacture a protein called collagen, used to make skin, ligaments and scar tissue.It is also important for healing wounds and repairing damaged tissues, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Vitamin C, like zinc, contains antioxidant properties, protecting your nails from damage that free radicals can cause. Chet Day says that low levels of vitamin C in your body can cause your fingernails to become dry and brittle, and contribute to the development of hangnails.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is part of the eight B group of essential vitamins. Chet Day says that a lack of vitamin B12 in your body can prone fingernails to become brittle and break easily. In addition, a deficiency in vitamin B12 can also cause your nails to become discolored and very dry.
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