The key to successful nail growth is to establish and maintain healthy nails. On average, your nails grow .5mm to 1.2mm each week. But even the swiftest-growing nails will not stay around for long if they are in weak or poor condition.
Healthy nails are strong, free of fungus, discoloration, peeling, ridges and hangnails. And while the thickness and strength of nails is largely hereditary, there is much that can be done to naturally improve the overall condition of your nails, thus optimizing their growth and longevity.
Healthy natural nails
The Nail-Body Connection
Nutrients for nail health.
The condition of your nails, in large part, reflects the state of your physical health. Nails rely on sufficient supplies of protein, minerals and vitamins to stay healthy. When your body does not receive enough of these nutrients, or does not utilize them properly, it is manifested in the condition of your nails. Having (and keeping) long, strong and healthy natural nails, then, relies on the consistent intake of proper nutrition.
Your Nails Reflect Your Overall Health
Natural sources of nail nutrients.
Overall nail health---the basis of proper nail growth---can be improved by eating a balanced and nutritious diet, supplemented with the use of a high-potency vitamin and mineral complex. There are formulations that have been created specifically to meet the nutritional needs of nails, with a mix of vitamins, minerals and herbs selected due to their effectiveness when taken together. However, a basic vitamin and mineral complex formula can be just as effective for ensuring optimum nail condition and growth, provided it contains the following stars of nail health.
Vitamins A, B, C, D for Nail Health and Growth
Supplements for nail growth and health.
Vitamin A. A lack of vitamin A can cause dry, brittle nails. Vitamin A also helps the body process protein, needed to sustain the nail bed (made of the protein hard keratin) and ward off hangnails.
Vitamin B. A lack of vitamin B may cause ridges and fragile nails. The following of the vitamin B family are notable in their support of nail health: riboflavin (also known as vitamin B2), folic acid (also known as vitamin B9) and biotin (also known as vitamin B7).
Vitamin C. Persistent hangnails usually indicate an inadequate intake of vitamin C, folic acid and protein. As an antioxidant, vitamin C also helps the body fight fungal infections, including nail fungal infections.
Vitamin D. This vitamin helps your body absorb calcium, which improves the strength and growth of nails. Fish liver oil is an excellent natural source of vitamin D.
Minerals for Nail Health and Growth
Minerals for nail growth and health.
Calcium. Calcium is needed to prevent dry, brittle nails, and is especially beneficial for nail growth. A stand-alone calcium supplement should contain magnesium and boron.
Iron (also known as ferrous sulfate). Anemia or lack of iron can cause darkened, pale or thin nails. Vertical ridges, or a whitish, crescent shape at the base of the nail may also result from a lack of iron.
Zinc. This mineral supports your body's utilization of enzymes and minerals, and increases the strength of nails. A lack of zinc may cause white speckles on the nail.
Other Natural Aids for Nail Health and Growth
The following are excellent for boosting the overall condition and optimum growth rate of your nails:
Essential fatty acids. Fatty acids moisturize the nail bed, thus reducing dry, brittle nails and encouraging healthy . Fatty acids are found in omega fatty acids from fish oil, flax seed oil, evening primrose oil and borage seed oil. (Essential fatty acids work well in tandem with the amino acid methionine.)
Silica. This trace mineral helps the body utilize calcium properly, and improves the strength of nails. A natural source of silica is found in the following herbs: horsetail, nettle and oat straw.
Sulfur. This mineral helps in the formation of keratin. (Note that your nails are principally composed of hard keratin.) Organic sulfur is available as a stand-alone supplement known as MSM, short for methylsulfonylmethane.
Phosphorus. This mineral is needed for the growth, maintenance and repair of all tissues and cells, and helps harden nails. Phosphorus also helps your body assimilate nail star nutrients vitamin D, calcium, magnesium and zinc.
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