If you want to know more about the innermost state of someone’s health, look at their nails.
Yes, really. For just as the skin is an indicator of how we are functioning on a deep down level, so too do our fingernails provide an invaluable insight.
From their colour to their shape, strength and texture, FEMAIL takes a look at what the condition of your nails really means.
Australian expert, author and nutritionist, Fiona Tuck, provides her commentary, adding what you can eat to boost your talons’ health.
From their colour to their shape, strength and texture, FEMAIL takes a look at what the condition of your nails really means – with the help of expert, Fiona Tuck (pictured)
Your fingernails are a great indicator of your overall health (stock image) – often, the signs can illustrate various nutritional deficiencies
If they are brittle, this may signify a fatty acids, protein, vitamin A, iron or calcium deficiency (stock image)
First and foremost, it’s important to know that, while your toenails can also indicate good or bad health, it’s your fingernails that will be more accurate:
‘Toenails are often exposed to more trauma,’ Fiona Tuck explained – ‘therefore their appearance is not always a reliable source of information’.
When studying your fingernails, Ms Tuck said that the signs you need to look out for are myriad.
‘Brittle nails that break easily may indicate a fatty acids, protein, vitamin A, iron or calcium deficiency,’ she said.
Meanwhile, white spots or lines on the nail bed are likely to be down to a ‘zinc or vitamin B6 deficiency’.
‘Pale nail colour may occur due to iron or protein deficiencies or kidney and liver disorders,’ Ms Tuck said – if your nails flake, you might not be eating enough animal protein (stock image)
According to Ms Tuck, while smokers might be more susceptible to discoloured nails, if your nails are merely pale, it’s more than likely for a dietary reason:
‘Pale nail colour may occur due to iron or protein deficiencies or kidney and liver disorders,’ she said.
If you find you’re struggling with excessively dry or flaking nails, it could be because you are not eating enough animal protein.
‘Nails that are dry or grow slowly may be indicative of a vitamin A or iron deficiency,’ she added.
Also worth keeping an eye on are if you have any ridges on your nails – and whether they’re horizontal or vertical.
‘Horizontal nail ridges are usually caused by trauma or damage to the matrix of the nail bed. Vertical nail ridges may relate to a possible weakness in the digestive tract that results in compromised assimilation of nutrients.’
However, you can eat for optimum nail health – and when you eat the right things, you will instantaneously see an improvement in your skin, hair and nails (pictured: Fiona Tuck)
Ms Tuck recommends leafy green vegetables (left, stock image), as well as plenty of raw nuts and seeds (right) – snack on walnuts and sunflower seeds and up your intake of oily fish
So what should you eat for optimum nail health – and how can you improve the state of your manicure by diet?
Firstly, as with everything, one of the keys lies with good-quality protein:
‘Organic chicken, eggs, non-GM tofu, lean red meat, fish, raw nuts an seeds will all results in improved vitality and better hair skin and nails,’ Ms Tuck said.
‘Silica-rich foods such as cucumbers, barley, oats, root vegetables, leafy green vegetables, onio, celery and cereals are also beneficial.’
Snack on walnuts and sunflower seeds and up your intake of oily fish and avocado.
Fiona Tuck’s new book, The Forensic Nutritionist, is out now. For more information, you can click here.