Nerd Alert: Tips For Fab Nails
Hello Beauties,
If the eyes are windows to the soul, the nails are keys to understanding overall health. Hidden in your nails are important clues that can tell us about the wellbeing of your liver, thyroid, lungs, immune system and heart, as well as your nutritional status. So, it goes without saying that the best way to nurture strong, beautiful nails is to optimize your overall health from the inside out.
First, let me get the doctor-y rant out of the way.
If you have discoloration, pitting, cracking, or rippling of your nails, or inflammation of your cuticles, you should point this out to your doctor. They may want to do lab tests to check for serious underlying health conditions that need to be addressed. Rant over.
Now, let’s nail the nutrition.
Here are some key nutrients to consider when optimizing nail health.
Collagen + Vitamin C: It is NO secret I am obsessed with consuming collagen. And here is yet another reason to make it part of our daily beauty routines. Research has found orally consuming 2500mg of collagen peptides per day for 24 weeks “promoted an increase of 12% nail growth rate and a decrease of 42% in the frequency of broken nails. Additionally, 64% of participants achieved a global clinical improvement in brittle nails, and 88% of participants experienced an improvement 4 weeks post-treatment. The majority of participants (80%) agreed that the use of [collagen peptides] improved their nails' appearance, and were completely satisfied with the performance of the treatment.” Combining collagen with vitamin C, a key nutrient in the process of collagen synthesis, is also important for nail integrity. Deliciously, each SkinTē provides 3000mg of collagen peptides and your daily dose of vitamin C in each can.
Silica: This is little-talked-about mineral that plays an important role in the structure of your nails. Horsetail, one of the super herbs in SkinTē, is an excellent source of silica. Nailed it! Another reason you can sip SkinTē confidently knowing you are doing something supportive for your nails and overall wellbeing.
Iron: Many of us are running a little low in this department. Make sure your doctor has checked your iron status, especially if your nails are misshapen at all. Your doctor can suggest the correct dose of iron if it is appropriate for you to take it.
Zinc: A deficiency of this mineral can leave small white spots on your nails. The recommended amount of zinc is 11 mg and 8 mg per day for men and women, respectively. Food sources of zinc include legumes, seeds, nuts and animal proteins.
Magnesium: If you lack magnesium it may show as ridges in your nails. Guess what… Dark chocolate just so happens to be a delicious source of magnesium… yum!
Biotin: Many doctors and patients have seen improvements in nail strength when the vitamin biotin is boosted. Biotin is found in most high-quality B Complex supplements. Your doctor may be able to suggest a source and dose for you as well.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3s (found in cold water fish, nuts and seeds, and supplements) are especially important for dry, dull nails, and have a host of other health benefits.
As always, if you have questions, ideas, or comments don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly at amy.bader@skinte.com. I love your feedback and am here for you.