Get stronger-looking nails
Do you have strong nails? Have a close look at them! Do you find them dry and brittle or healthy-looking and shiny? Either way, still you have to take care of them. Follow the said tips for strong, shiny, and healthy nails. There are certain vitamins for strong nails.
Nails are something that we had even before we we4 Best Vitamins For Strong Nails? 8 Tips, Tricks And Morere born. Interesting right?
What are nails made up of?
Nails consist of a protein called keratin. It is the same protein from which hair, the epidermal layer of skin, animal horns, and hooves are made.
Does a nail grow after death?
It is a common misconception that nails and hair grow even after a person dies but the fact of the matter is that the skin and other soft tissues shrink after death which tricks the human eye as if the hair and nails have grown although they are of the same size.
Your dominant hand’s nails grow faster.Â
5 Top food for strong nails
We can grow strong nails by consuming the following food that makes our nails stronger.
1. Proteins
Including lean meat (chicken, beef, poultry, and turkey), eggs, pulses, and grains in your diet will work wonders for your nail’s overall health. As proteins will fortify proteins! 🙂
2. Fatty Fish
Fatty fish like sardines, Salmon, tuna, mackerel, and trout has plenty of omega-3 fatty acids. It is helpful in treating the inflammation in the nail bed and it is also helpful in giving the nails a shiny and lustrous appearance.
3. Fruits
Berries
Blueberries, raspberries, Goji berries, and strawberries are full of antioxidants that help fight against free radicals. The free radicals affect all parts of the body, including hair and nails.
Citrus fruits
Orange, Lemon, limes, and grapefruit are rich in collagen, which is one of the building blocks of nails.
4. Vegetables
Leafy Greens
Spinach, Lettuce, Salad, Kale, and broccoli are rich in folate, calcium, and iron, which makes the nails grow strong.
5. Nuts and seeds
Sunflower seeds and almonds are rich in magnesium. If you have vertical ridges on your nails, it means you are magnesium deficient.
4 best vitamins For strong nails
You can get the best vitamins for strong nails from different sources like:
1. Vitamin A
Red and orange vegetables
Carrots, tomatoes, and bell pepper are excellent sources of Vitamin A, which has antioxidant properties, making the nails rock solid.
2. Vitamin C
3. Vitamin E
4. Vitamin B7/Vitamin H
Nowadays, you would be seeing biotin supplement ads popping up on your screen now and then. Biotin is a B vitamin that is vital in a number of body functions. It is also called Vitamin B7 and vitamin H. Biotin transports nutrients throughout the body. It is important during pregnancy for embryonic growth. Biotin strengthens the hair, nails, and skin.
It is present in food like egg yolk, whole grains, nut and their butter, soya bean, mushrooms, and legumes but you can take it in the form of a supplement also only after a doctor’s advice.
8 Marvelous tips for strong nails
1. Keep your water intake in check
It is a cliché’ that taking 8 glasses of water a day is important for overall health, the same goes for our nail health. Taking enough water in a day helps prevent the nail from going dry and brittle.
2. Check the ingredients of nail care products for strong nails
Nail care products like nail creams, hand creams as well as nail polishes sometimes have hazardous chemicals. So, read the label before setting your hands on them. Choose acetone-free nail polish remover.
3. Keep your nails trimmed
Long nails tend to get caught in things and break, and they also become weak and brittle with time. To ensure strong and healthy nails, trim them up.
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4. Limit your use of nail polish and nail extensions
Although they beautify the nails to a great extent, both nail polishes and nail extensions result in weakening the nails. Limit your use of nail extensions and nail polish.
5. Limit water exposure
Earlier, we mentioned keeping yourself hydrated to ensure strong nails, but here we are asking you to keep your nails away from water as much as possible, as they may get weak and brittle. Do the dishes with gloves on.
Although it seems quite impossible to keep your hands away from water but give it a try for your nail’s good health.
6. Use house cleaning products cautiously for strong nails
House cleaning chemicals are sometimes very strong. While using them, wear gloves. Do not bring your hands and nails in direct contact with them as they are maybe corrosive or dry, making the hands’ blister and the nails weaken.
7. Do not use your nails to do things
If you want to scratch a card or a coupon or if you have to open a soda can, use anything sharp instead of your nails.
8. Excessive use of hand sanitizers
Ever since the pandemic hit us, hand sanitizers have become our best friends, but this best friend is doing us wrong unknowingly by drying our nails. Whenever you use a hand sanitizer, practice applying a good hand or nail cream. This will moisturize your nails which were stripped off earlier.
Strong nails shape
If you are looking to strengthen the nails, then it is better to opt for square, squoval, or dome-shaped nails. In this way, fewer nails run along your nail tip, making it stronger.
Nails grow faster during the day and in summer.
Home remedies for strong nails
1. Garlic
The Selenium in garlic is good for making the nail grow stronger and longer. Either rub a slice of raw garlic on your fingers or dip it in garlic oil for 10-20 minutes.
2. Best oil for growing strong nails
Coconut oil
It is antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial in nature and is packed with Vitamin E, which helps the nail strengthen.
Warm a little extra virgin coconut oil in a bowl and soak your fingers in it for some time. It is better not to wash your fingers for a few hours. Do this before going to bed.
Olive oil
Olive oil has Vitamin E in it, which promotes blood circulation, making healthier-looking nails grow. It also moisturizes the nails. Soak your nails in warm olive oil for 10 to 20 minutes.
3. Citric fruits
Lemon and Orange contain vitamin C and folic, which is good for collagen production making healthier-looking nails.
Also read:Â 13 Top reasons why eyelashes fall out
Either rub a slice of orange or lemon on your nails or soak it in its juice for 5 to 10 minutes. Then wash with warm water. Moisturize your fingers.
Visible changes in your nails, and what do they mean?
Have a close look at your nails. Are they smooth or do they have some visible ridges on them? If you find any kind of lines on your nails, then you can easily overcome them by taking proper measures.
What do vertical ridges on nails mean?
Vertical ridges on nails are quite normal as we age, but it may also mean some underlying health issues, so it is better not to ignore them and consult a dermatologist immediately to find the root cause.
Severely raised vertical ridges may be because of iron deficiency, magnesium or keratin deficiency, Vitamin A, B, B12, biotin deficiency, or diabetes.
What do horizontal ridges on nails mean?
Horizontal ridges also called Beau’s lines on nails, are characterized by physical trauma, kidney disease, thyroid problem, or malnutrition.
What do transverse white bands on nails mean?
Transverse white bands are called Mees’ lines, Reynolds’ lines, or Aldrich’s lines. They indicate underlying health issues like malfunctioning kidneys, heart failure, malignant disease, or severe infection.
Mees’ lines may also appear because of fluorosis, arsenic, or thallium poisoning.
Nail Clubbing
Enlarged fingertips and curved nails from the tips characterize it. It is harmless on its own but indicates an underlying lung or heart issue. If aggravated, it can lead to low blood oxygen levels.
Takeaway points
Strong nails mean your body is well functioning and is getting enough nutrition, but if we find your nails getting weak and brittle or if any lines start appearing on your nails. You can overcome it by taking proper dietary measures and through the best vitamins for strong nails. Proper care of the nails by applying oil, keeping them well moisturized, and regular manicures will be beneficial in the long run.
If the problem persists, then book an appointment with a dermatologist asap so that they can address the health issue.