The proliferation of beauty shops devoted to fingernails is a clue to the importance so many women give to this part of their anatomy. It is certainly true that the hands and nails get a lot of attention when we are visiting with other people or just sitting in a group. It's also true that well-kept nails add to our attractiveness. It's worthwhile to think about what makes nails healthy and also to explore some things we can safely do to make them more attractive.
Harbinger of Health
Some primary care doctors look at their patients’ nails before they conduct a physical examination. If you've wondered what that's about, the following may be helpful. The nails can hold clues to one's overall health, and they can signal the presence of serious diseases.
| • | Liver diseases including hepatitis | White nails |
| • | Diseases of the lung such as emphysema | Thick, yellow nails that grow slowly |
| • | Diseases of the lung | Thickness at the end of the fingers |
| • | Diseases of the lung | Nail is inverted |
| • | Diabetes | Yellow, just a little pink at the base |
| • | Kidney problems | Half and half white and pink |
| • | Heart problems | Nail beds are red |
| • | Anemia | Nails are pale |
| • | Psoriasis or arthritis | Nail surface shows pitting or rippling |
| • | Connective tissue disorders or lupus | Base of the nail shows irregular red lines |
| • | Melanoma | Beneath the nail there are dark lines |
However, doctors only consider these symptoms as a single clue. Before liver disease is diagnosed, for example, the doctor would need corroborating evidence. In fact, it's unlikely that the appearance of the nails would be the first symptom. There would be many other signals that there is a serious disease at work. Even so, it does indicate how important overall health is to healthy nails, and we can do something about that.
On the other hand, if your nails change appearance, particularly if the color or texture changes, it's more likely to be because of an underlying fungus. These infections can cause nails to have many of the symptoms mentioned above as well as cracking and peeling. If you suspect that you might have a fungus, it's a good idea to see your dermatologist. Other, even more sinister ailments can also cause some of these symptoms such as warts under the nails that can develop into squamous cell cancer, so it's a good idea to have a dermatologist take a look just to be on the safe side.
Maintaining Healthy Nails
The nails are a part of the skin, and many of the lifestyle choices we make to keep our skin healthy and glowing also apply to the nails. However, following are some steps you can take to keep your nails healthy:
- File in only one direction and round the tip slightly. The “squared” approach has become popular, but it's only practical if you don't use your hands.
- Ingrown toenails. Don't dig them out! If they’re a problem, see your dermatologist.
- If you do get manicures, take your own instruments and require that your manicurist use them instead of the ones she has used on other people.
- Keep your nails clean and dry.
- Don't bite your nails.
- Moisturize your nails and cuticles every day. There are many good, organic, natural moisturizers that won't expose your system to unwelcome chemicals.
- Leave your cuticles alone and don't probe too deeply under nails. It's easy to get an infection.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Avoid artificial nails. Grow your own!
A Healthy Diet for Healthy Nails
What makes your skin healthy will also make your nails healthy. If the skin is not nourished properly, then the nails will not be nourished properly, and the effects will become apparent very quickly. A raw foods diet carefully planned contains the nutrients your nails need. Raw foods are better quality than cooked foods because cooking depletes vitamins and does damage to proteins and fats, all elements in keeping the nails healthy. In addition, cooking destroys enzymes that are beneficial to digestion, and a malfunctioning digestive system shows up in the nails pretty quickly. Raw foods provide a balance of water, nutrients, and fiber–essential to good health. Besides protecting you from the cancer-causing free radicals, a byproduct of cooking, a raw-foods diet will protect you from many of the other acute diseases that will show up in your nails. For example, eat plenty of whole grains. Some specialists recommend limiting the percentage of wheat in your consumption of grains because many people have sensitivities to wheat that they are unaware of and it can aggravate some nail conditions. Eat plenty of the carbohydrates that nature created such as fresh vegetables and fruits.
By TTS Cofounder Botanical Chef Omid Jaffari
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