The role of the nails is to protect the finger tips and tips of the toes from injury. Made mostly of a protein called keratin, the nails are a substructure of the outer layer of the skin known as the epidermis. Nails can grow from 005 to 1.2 millimeters a week and if a nail is lost for any reason, it usually takes about seven months to fully grow back.

The skin on top of which the nails grows is called the nail bed and when they are pink, it is a sign that they are getting adequate blood supply and are healthy. Abnormalities on either the fingers or the nails can often be a good signal of what's going on inside one's body. In many cases, these abnormalities can indicate an underlying disorder.

Listed below are some of the changes than can be produced in the nails as a result of nutritional deficiencies:

Lack of vitamin A and calcium - Causes dryness and brittleness.

Lack of folic acid, vitamin C and protein - Causes hangnails.

B vitamin deficiency - Causes fragility with horizontal and vertical ridges.

Zinc deficiency - May cause white spots to develop on nails.

Iron deficiency - May result in nails that develop a concave shape (spoon nails) and/or vertical ridges

Lack of hydrochloric acid (HCI) - contributes to nail splitting.

Insufficient vitamin B1 intake - leads to very dry, round and curved nail ends as well as darkened nails.

Following the regimen outlined below can help maintain healthy nails and avoid nail problems safely & naturally:

The diet should be protein rich and include nuts, seeds, legumes and oatmeal.

Avoid simple carbohydrates and refined sugars.

Drink plenty of pure water.

Apply a natural hand cream to the hands and nails regularly.

Always wear gloves when working outside, washing dishes and in cold weather.

Keep the fingernails and toenails neatly trimmed and avoid biting and picking the nails.

Do not trim the cuticles.

Cut toenails straight across to prevent ingrown toenails.

If nails tear or detach from the bed, trim the nail and file smooth.

Do not tear a hangnail; instead, clip the nail close to the skin and apply a natural hand lotion.

Acidophilus (take as directed on label) - Inhibits harmful bacteria that causes infection.

Vitamin B complex (take as directed on label) - Fragile nails are a sign of a deficiency.

Silica (take as directed on label) - Supplies silicon, which is needed for healthy hair, bones and nails.

Black Current Seed Oil (500 mg twice daily) - Helpful for weak, brittle nails.

Calcium (take as directed on label) - Necessary for nail growth.
Magnesium (take as directed on label) - Balances with calcium.
Vitamin D₃ (take as directed on label) - Increases calcium absorption.

Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids (3,000 - 6,000 mg daily) - Helps ward off hangnails and inflammation.

Alfalfa, Black Cohosh and Dandelion - Strengthen the nails.

Butcher’s Broom and Chamomile - Good for circulation, which nourishes the nails.