10 Tips to Nutrition to the Nails – Healthy Nails

Nails are not just for looks, they have a purpose too! Nails protect the ends of our fingers and toes from infection and environmental hazards. Fingernails also help us to grip things. So, it is important that we keep our nails healthy by providing them with the right nutrients. Here are 10 tips for nutrition to the nails:

1. Get Enough Protein

Protein is one of the essential nutrients your body needs for healthy nails. Your nails are made up of keratin, a protein also found in hair, and skin, so it makes sense that healthy hair and healthy skin means healthy nails! You can get more protein by eating fish or other seafood, eggs, white meat chicken, and lean red meat.

2. Eat the Right Fats.

Like with anything else in life, what you eat directly affects your health! And this goes for nails too because healthy fats help to repair dry and damaged cuticles while strengthening them at the same time. Avocados contain healthy oils that keep cuticles from drying out while keeping them flexible! They also have high amounts of vitamin E, which is beneficial for healthy nails. Other good sources of healthy fats include nuts, seeds, olive oil, and coconut oil.

3. Drink Lots of Water

Drinking enough water is essential for healthy skin, hair, and nails! When you are dehydrated, your body starts to ration the water it has, including sending it to your skin and nails instead of your other vital organs. This can cause your nails to become dry and brittle. So drink up and keep your body – and nails – hydrated!

4. Take a Multivitamin.

A multivitamin is a great way to make sure you are getting all the nutrients your body needs, including those that are beneficial for healthy nails If you don’t have time to keep track of every morsel that goes into your mouth then a multivitamin is an easy way to supplement healthy nails, hair and skin!

5. Don't Bite Your Nails

We’ve all been there before… you are under stress or nervous about something and the best way to relieve tension is by nibbling on those sharp little talons – don’t do it!! Biting your nails can actually lead to nail loss! When you bite at them, you subject them to a lot of pressure which causes micro-tears on the surface of the nail. The fingernails continue to grow from underneath so over time, these tiny tears cause the nails to become thin and brittle. There also may be bacteria under your nails that can cause an infection. So, stop biting! If you feel like you need to chew on something, get yourself a healthy snack like celery or carrots instead of your nails.

6. Take Care of Your Nails.

Your fingernails and toenails are the hardest part of your body, but they still require some maintenance. It’s important to keep them clean and moisturized, so they don’t dry out, and crack, which can lead to infections. Wash hands frequently with soap, and water, then apply lotion after drying hands thoroughly to keep cuticles healthy-looking and prevent cracking or splitting.

7. Eat More Citrus Fruits.

Citrus fruits contain high levels of vitamin C which not only help to keep healthy and prevent anemia but can also help to strengthen nails. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that not only fights free radical damage, but also helps with collagen production which strengthens healthy hair, healthy skin, and healthy nails!

8. Eat More Vegetables.

A healthy diet filled with vegetables will benefit you in more ways than one – healthy hair, healthy skin, and healthy nails included! In addition to all the other benefits of eating your veggies – fiber, vitamin E, potassium – they are also high in calcium which keeps nails strong! Broccoli, brussels sprouts and kale are some of the healthiest veggies for healthy bones.

9. Cut Down on Acidic Foods

The foods we eat have a direct impact on the pH of our bodies, and when the pH is too acidic, it can lead to health problems. One way this acidity shows up is in the condition of our nails. Too much acidity can cause nails to become dry, brittle, and cracked. To help keep your body – and nails – more alkaline, cut down on foods that are acidic such as caffeine, processed foods, sugary drinks, and alcohol.

10. Use a Nail Polish with UVA/UVB Protection

Just like you need sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, you also need to use nail polish with UVA/UVB protection to safeguard your nails from sun damage. Excessive sun exposure can cause nails to become dry, yellow, and brittle. Look for a nail polish that advertises itself as being “sunscreen” for nails.

1. Drink plenty of water
2. Take a multivitamin
3. Don't bite your nails
4. Take care of your nails
5. Eat more citrus fruits
6. Eat more vegetables
7. Cut down on acidic foods
8. Use a nail polish with UVA/UVB protection.​

Personal Care

Many people ignore their fingernails and cuticles, but these parts of the hands are actually filled with nerve endings that allow them to feel things. Although they're not as sensitive as fingertips, they're still pretty effective sensors that contribute to how we "get a grip" on objects and sense vibrations.

So it's essential to take care of your nails. Healthy looking nails indicate healthy-looking skin around them- so let us see what can be done to have healthy looking nails:

1) Drinking water is indispensable for maintaining the health of our entire body, including fingernails. It helps eliminate chemicals from the body through urine and sweat, which prevents toxins from building up in the fingernail beds. Water also promotes nail growth because it keeps the nail matrix (the skin layer under the nails where new nail cells originate) hydrated. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, and more if you're active or live in a warm climate.

2) A balanced diet is key to keeping fingernails healthy. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which are all packed with nutrients that help keep nails strong and healthy-looking. Include some protein in your diet too, as it's necessary for building healthy nails.

3) Avoid biting your nails, as this can damage the nail matrix and hinder nail growth. In addition, biting your nails can cause bacteria and fungus to grow, which can lead to infection.

4) Keep your hands clean by washing them every time they're dirty. Use mild soap and warm water to kill bacteria, then rinse well with cool water to close the pores in your nails and skin.

5) When you're done cleaning your hands, dry them completely- don't just dab at them with a towel because moisture can lead to infection. Air-drying is best, but if you must rub them dry use gentle strokes. Rough handling of clean hands can cause tiny tears in the skin that become entry points for germs and irritants.

6) Trim nails straight across so as not to create jagged edges that catch on clothing or scratch other people or pets during handshakes.

7) Try using aloe vera gel instead of commercial moisturizers, which can contain ingredients that actually damage nails. Rub a small amount of aloe vera gel or pure petroleum jelly onto cuticles and fingernails right after you wash your hands to moisturize them without chemicals.

8) Apply a nail hardener if you have soft, flexible nails that tend to bend and break easily. Nail hardeners contain calcium or other minerals that bond with the protein in your nails to make them stronger while filling in ridges and grooves for a flatter surface that's easier to polish.

9) Give yourself a manicure at least once a week to keep fingernails looking neat- trimming hangnails also helps prevent infection. Be sure to use papers designed for fingernails, as standard toenail clippers can be too big and cause nails to split or tear.

10) If you have a nail infection, see a doctor for treatment. Ignoring an infection can lead to serious health problems, such as cellulitis (a potentially dangerous bacterial skin infection that spreads rapidly under the skin).

By following these tips, you can help keep your fingernails looking healthy and happy!

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Zinc is required for many reactions in your body, including the growth and division of cells. Nails are made up of a type of cell that grows and divides rapidly. Because of this fast production, a steady supply of Zinc is needed to promote healthy nails.

Zinc is required for many of the biochemical reactions involved in the growth and division of cells. Types of cells that are growing and dividing rapidly, such as the cells that produce skin, hair, and fingernails.

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