Change in Diet = Breaking Nails!

Hi L.. I have a book called You Are What You Eat (Dr. Gillian McKeith). For breaking nails, the book says it may be sign of calcium, zinc, or essential fatty acid deficiencies or low stomach acid. Recommends milk thistle (herb), nettle tea, and eating broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbagge,amaranth (a grain), chicory, seeds, and sea vegetables.
Good job with eating a healthier diet!

A calcium supplement will help. Ensuring that the calcium supplement also had Vitamin D and magnesium (which helps the calcium to absorb into the bones/nails).

The calcium product I use is called Osteomatrix. It has worked great for me and my family.

It is great that you know drinking water is important. Your body may be going through an adjustment phase too.

Since you work in the medical field, I am sure you are washing your hands quite a bit and in anti-bacterial soap, right? If this is true, using a good lotion that will absorb into your hands and cuticles will strengthen your nails. I use one with vitamin C and E. I have never found a lotion that has worked as well as Enfuselle Hand and Body Lotion. It is very nice for men too as there isn't a fragrance.

Hope this helps.

M.

Hi L.,

Could I ask a couple of questions? As you are making healthier choices what changes have you made in protein?

How are your hormone levels? Are you noticing any changes in your cycle?

M.

Are you taking any medications, or using too many products on your nails? I once had lots of ridges, weak nails from taking too many migraine drugs, and when I stopped that plus stopped using any polish/removers on my nails and just buffed the nails instead, they slowly smoothed out and improved. Good luck!

Our bodies really are unique and complicated, aren't they? That used to be the story of my life. Now I take high quality dietary supplements that are isotonic (they are readily accepted by the body and 90-95% absorbed in 5-10 minutes) and almost never have a split or break any more. It's amazing what a difference that good quality vitamins can make.

There is a nutra-physical on my web site that you can take for free if you want that can help you to identify if you are getting all of what you need from your new eating lifestyle. Just let me know if you want the address and I will direct you!

Be well,
S.

I used to have the same problem. I started taking prenatal vitamins & problem solved. I've been taking them for years with no problems & my nails grow beautifully & strong now.

Could be you're still lacking in some particular nutrient.

You could: 1. Get some bloodwork done and see that way where you are lacking 2. Find an herbalist that does muscle testing and find out that way.

Just remember that healthier eating might show its full potential with organic foods, and that taking vitamins does not mean going to CVS and getting Centrum or One A Day. It means getting some good quality supplements. Depending on your economics, Amway has an excellent vitamin, Double X. They do cost tho. I use a liquid multi vitamin that I get through Neways. Some people just do better with liquids, as they're absorbed faster into the body.

Make sure to take a vitamin suppliment, and E vitamin, you can also use a nail streghthener, but it sound to me the nails are brital, hopefully this will get better in time, use a good oil on the nail as well. Nice to here someone is not forgetting their New Year's Resolution, hang in there, your body is adjusting. If it persists, I work in a Hair Salon, we do not do nails, but I have lots of friends who do, a manicure would also help, contact for app. ###-###-#### B.

I don't know what it is... But every year around this time my nails also start breaking and cracking... Very badly...
I attribute it to not enough natural vit. d that you get from the sun... Or don't get from the sun when you are bundled up in 16 layers of clothes and blankets. It seems like as soon as it gets warmer and sunny again and we can shed our winter coats my nails toughen up again and grow beautifully again...
I don't know if it makes any sense or not... Do your nails need vit d to be strong? The only time I didn't have this problem was when I was Preggers over the winter and was taking prenatal vit...

I use Nutrilite Hair Skin & Nails vitamin. It is amazing!!! Let me know if you want more information. I can get you contact information so you can buy it direct!! Thanks!!

2 things occur to me: 1) dry, winter skin and nails. 2) With the changes in your diet, are you getting protein at every meal?

I don't know why this would happen with a "healthier" diet. I used to be a dental hygienist and my nails were awful, not only breaking, but peeling and flaking off in layers. I have left the dental profession and am taking great supplements by Shaklee- the Osteomatrix clacium product is awesome, but you also could be lacking in protein. Did you go vegetarian? You can get a complete protein by serving grains and legumes together. Shaklee also makes a wonderful Soy protein powder- I have truthfully never felt better and my nails are great now.
M.

I have trouble every winter with my nails breaking. It may not be your diet, but just a coincidence. I always thought it was the cold air and dry weather. ???

Hi L.---My first thought is that you could be detoxing with your new, healthier diet and it is manifesting itself through your nails. Be patient. If you are consuming a diet consisting mostly of fruits, veggies, whole grains and legumes, you should be getting everything you need in your diet...unless you are deficient in a specific nutrient. You can only know that by testing.

Be careful of supplementing because too much of the wrong kinds can put your body out of balance and that will create more free radicals in your body.

My nails were always bad, peeling and breaking. They are actually pretty good right now. I've been taking a whole food supplement for about 6 years now and I think that has helped. I also use Burt's cuticle cream regularly, as well as a Jason's Tea tree treatment for nails, comes in a bottle like polish. When I massage these products in every day, my nails and cuticles are great.

I know of a great Naturopath that practices in St. Josephs. Let me know if you'd like her name. Just a quick reminder, you and I have 'talked' before through Mamasource. Hope this helps. Talk to you soon. In health, D. ###-###-####

Hi! So sorry to hear about your weakened nail situation, I hope I can help. You don't mention how long ago you got into the medical field, but I know as a former CNA and Home Health Aide that this work requires a lot of hand washing; in addition to the fact that you are also a mom with many household chores where your hands are again exposed to water often. I also had very weak nails due to these factors, and I also eat a healthy diet. I had done some research on hair and nails and found that Biotin was very helpful for them both. Well, low and behold, within a month of taking 2 capsules 1,000 mcg each has had miraculous results. My hair and nails have become longer, stronger, more resilient, and their growth rate has never been so good since I was a teen. In any event, do some research for yourself, I think you'll find much promising info.n the web so you can make an informed decision for yourself.

Good luck L.!

A little about me:

I am a SAHM with my youngest child who is almost 16, and mother to 3 fully grown children in their 20's. I am very happily married to my second husband of almost 9 yrs.

I L.,
I am getting this from a book, "are a common ailment especially in teenagers, pregnant women and individuals with food allergies. The cause of brittle nails are malabsorption or deficiencies of essential fatty acids, amino acids (low protein-vegeterian diets), calcium, iron or zinc. Treatment includes dealing with food allergies to improve absorption, gelatin, essential fatty acids at 5 gm, 3x a day, vit. E at ###-###-#### iu/day, baseline supplements and betaine HCL..." Contact me for more info...
you can get essential fatty acids (omega 3) for only $15 for 120 capsules and they don't have any fishy taste, easy to swallow - these I know help your nails along with many other benefits
L.