Your fingernails say a lot about you - and if you pay attention, they can tell you a lot about your health. NHS nurse and natural health expert Cherry Francis shares 3 warning signs of poor health you can find on your fingernails
What does a healthy nail look like?
Healthy fingernails are smooth with no pits or grooves to be seen. In some cases, fingernails may develop harmless vertical ridges that run from the cuticle to the tip of the nail that become more prominent with age. Cherry says:
“Smooth nails with no discolouration are indicators of a healthy nail. Ridges, cracks, and peeling can all indicate bad health - not just for the nail, but for the entire body”.
Cherry shares 3 warning signs of poor health that you can spot on your fingernails:
Horizontal ridgesWhat it means - horizontal lines or ridges on the fingernails - also known as Beau's lines - are often accompanied with a grey/white nail colour which indicates poor blood circulation and a vitamin B1 (Thiamin) deficiency. A B1 deficiency may also mean you have a lower tolerance to stress and anxiety.
What to do - try reducing your intake of refined white rice, white bread, and sugar and try more fortified cereals, beans, lentils and green peas.
Brittle nails and peeling cuticlesWhat it means - nails being too moist or too dry typically causes them to become brittle, but in some cases they may be an indication of a vitamin B7 (biotin) deficiency which often also causes peeling cuticles.
What to do - reduce refined foods, take a probiotic and eat more raw fruit and vegetables to support your gut health and reduce imbalances in the digestive system.
White spotsWhat it means - white spots on fingernails - called leukonychia - are generally of no concern and typically a result of nail bed damage related to dryness or trauma. But they may be a sign that you're deficient in minerals like calcium or zinc.
What to do - eat more zinc rich foods such as pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, chickpeas and cashews and green leafy vegetables rich in calcium like curly kale and okra.
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