What your nails say about your health

Want to know what your nails say about your health? Just as your eyes are the window to your soul, your nails provide an outward clue to inner health. You are what you eat, and taking a closer look at your fingernails can indicate where you may be lacking nutritionally. Spots, discolouration or dryness or brittle nails can be key signs that you need to re-think your diet. Eating well overall can contribute to good nail health but even better – specific foods can go one step further, helping to ward off health conditions and make sure your nails look nothing less than manicure-ready! Here’s the warning signs to look out for and what to eat for super-healthy talons.

Problem 1: Pale nails

If your nails are on the pale side, you might be low in iron or even suffer from the iron deficiency anaemia. Low levels of this mineral result in poor circulation, which causes the nail tissue to become pale. If you think you may be at risk, ask your GP for a full blood count and iron level test. If results show that you are anaemic you will be advised to take an iron supplement and make some simple tweaks to your diet such as eating more iron-rich foods, such as dark green leafy vegetables, (spinach, kale and broccoli), red meat and more pulses and beans.

Problem 2: White spots

Zinc is the ultimate get-gorgeous nutrient and white spots on your cuticles are a key sign that you may be low in this important beautifier. Along with boosting collagen production and maintaining proper hormone balance, zinc plays a role in cuticle health. Keep a packet of pumpkin seeds in your handbag for snack time nibbles and incorporate pulses like chickpeas into your diet.

Problem 3: Dry cuticles

Dry cuticles may mean you need to increase your fatty acid intake. Load up on omega-3-packed oily fish like salmon and mackerel along with nuts and seeds, as these all help to ward off dryness by keeping the cuticle lubricated. It’s also worth getting into the habit of applying almond or olive oil to your cuticles daily to help to keep dryness at bay.

Problem 4: Splitting nails

Peeling nails can be caused by many different factors, from genetics to harsh nail care products or even a thyroid hormone imbalance. Eating biotin-rich foods like eggs and avocado can help to strengthen and thicken the nail bed, reducing the likeliness of splitting. If your nails are extra weak, you may want to consider taking a biotin supplement for an extra nutrient lift.

Problem 5: Yellow nails

Unfortunately, yellow nails don’t just look unsightly, they could be a sign of a fungal infection on the nail bed. Along with discolouration, the entire nail often becomes thicker and brittle but thankfully, this condition can be treated with medication from your GP. Good nail hygiene and making sure you eat a nutritionally balanced diet that’s packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals can also help to minimise the risk of a fungal infection.