02 Aug What Are Your Nails Telling You About Your Health?

What are your nails indicating about your health? Nails are composed mainly of keratin, a type of protein. Healthy nails are light pink, indicating a rich blood supply. Nutritional deficiencies often show up in changes or abnormalities of the nails.

HEALTH INDICATORS

• Hangnails are often caused by a lack of protein
• White bands across the nails are an indication of protein deficiency
• Dry nails can mean an insufficient intake of vitamin B12
• Spoon nails (nails that develop in a concave shape), fragility or vertical ridges are caused by a deficiency of Vitamin B12
• White spots indicate a zinc deficiency
• Brittle nails may be indicative of circulatory problems, iron deficiency, impaired kidney function or thyroid problems
• Chipped, cracked, easily broken or peeled nails may be indicative of a nutritional deficiency such as minerals, protein or insufficient amounts of hydrochloric acid
• Dark nails may be indicative of a Vitamin B12 deficiency, may also indicate anemia
• Deep blue nails may indicate a pulmonary obstruction such as asthma or emphysema
• A downward curvature of the nail may be indicative of heart, liver or respiratory disorders
• Frayed nails or split ends could indicate psoriasis or a folic acid, protein and/or Vitamin C deficiency
• Ridges up and down the nail may be indicative of developing arthritis
• Nails that are separate from the nail-bed could indicate a thyroid condition
• White lines across the nails may be indicative of liver disease or a condition of the liver
• White nails may be indicative of possible kidney or liver dysfunction, may also indicate anemia
• Yellow nails (if not caused from smoking) may be indicative of internal disorders long before symptoms show up elsewhere in the body (diabetes, liver, lymphatic or respiratory conditions)