Who wouldn’t like to have beautifully manicured fingernails? But instead your nails are brittle and break easily? A nutrient deficiency may be the cause. We clarify which four minerals and vitamins you may be missing.
Instead of being blessed with beautiful long fingernails, are your nails brittle and tear easily? There can be different reasons. In addition to harmless reasons such as improper nail care, cracked and brittle nails can also indicate more serious skin or thyroid disorders. In all likelihood, there is a lack of vitamins and nutrients .
Table of Contents
Brittle nails? You may be missing these 4 nutrients
Calcium
The mineral is necessary for the maintenance of our teeth and bones. The so-called “bone mineral” is also needed for blood clotting, muscle and nerve activity and defense against inflammation. Calcium is also required for our heart, lungs and kidneys to function properly. In addition to brittle and broken nails, a calcium deficiency is noticeable through other signs such as dry skin, muscle cramps and restricted mobility. In order to be optimally supplied with calcium, you should consume cow’s milk, cheese and green leafy vegetables. By the way: It is often wrongly assumed that white spots on nails indicate a deficiency. The spots are usually a result of inflammation or injury to the nail root.
Biotin
The good news first: If you eat a balanced and healthy diet, you don’t have to worry about a biotin deficiency. Vitamin B7 is also considered a “beauty vitamin” and is essential for the formation of keratin. This fibrous protein is the main component of healthy nail and hair cells. If we lack biotin, our nails are brittle and our hair is weak and without shine. You can find biotin in oatmeal , tomatoes and walnuts.
Requirements
We need iron for various metabolic processes. Among other things, we need the mineral for oxygen transport. If we lack iron, our nails are also affected. Externally, apart from broken, pale and brittle nails, transverse grooves and an upwardly curved nail shape can indicate an iron deficiency. Hair loss, fatigue and a higher susceptibility to infections are also typical of iron deficiency . Due to menstruation and the associated blood loss, women are more likely to suffer from iron deficiency. Good sources of iron are meat, legumes and pumpkin seeds.
Selene
The trace element is an important component of enzymes, helps to protect our immune system and has an antioxidant effect. This means that selenium protects our cells from free radicals. It also helps keep our nails healthy. If we are missing selenium, this is noticeable, among other things, by brittle and brittle nails. However, a selenium deficiency is rather rare in this country – with the exception of people who suffer from chronic inflammatory bowel diseases or renal insufficiency. Selenium suppliers are meat, fish and eggs. Vegetable sources are lentils and asparagus.
