Don’t Miss These 5 Vitamins for Brittle Nails Plus Things to Eat
Medically Reviewed By Margaret Etudo, BPharm. Written By The Vitamins For Woman Team.
If you notice your nails are dry and keep breaking, you may be lacking vitamins A, E, D, B12 and biotin. These vitamins for brittle nails all play various roles in keeping not just your nails but skin and hair healthy.
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Having dry, cracked, or irregularly shaped nails is never a good look for anyone. However, you are not alone. Weak nails may be a result of several reasons, including terrible manicures, stress, and poor nutrition.
Yes. If you are not getting enough nutrients from your diet, it can weaken your nails from the inside. Some people may find it easier to get these nutrients from supplements and vitamins for brittle nails. A regular daily intake of vitamins that supply these nutrients is all you need to maintain healthy fingernails.
It’s important to know the vitamins and minerals you need, so you can incorporate them into your diet. So, what vitamin are you lacking for brittle nails? Let’s find out in this article.
Causes of Brittle Nails
Dry and brittle nails may occur as a result of little or too much moisture in your body. When you constantly wet and dry your nails from activities such as hand washing, it can remove moisture from the nails. At the same time, brittle nails may also occur when you use too much moisturizer on the hand. Some people also have brittle nails from overexposure to chemicals like nail polish remover, detergents, and household cleaners.
Other causes of brittle nails include:
- Age: As you get older, you may notice your nails becoming dull, thinner, and brittle. This is not the same as toenails because they get thicker and harder instead. A normal characteristic change occurs in the growth rate and morphology of your nail plate.
- Iron deficiency: When your body is not getting enough iron you may experience a deficiency, which leads to low red blood cell levels. Apart from the low blood production, iron deficiency anemia makes your nails weak and brittle.
- Medical conditions: Certain health conditions may lead to brittle nails. Apart from the lack of nutrition mentioned, fungal infections, hypothyroidism, and Raynaud’s syndrome may cause brittle nails. Hypothyroidism is characterized by symptoms of low thyroid levels, which include depression, fatigue, hair loss, and thin nails. Your doctor can treat hypothyroidism with the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine, which can be taken orally. Raynaud’s syndrome is a result of major blood circulation problems in the vessels, which can affect your nails.
Sign of Vitamin Deficiency in Nails
If you have a vitamin deficiency for brittle nails, it can show up as various signs on the nail.
A deficiency in B-complex vitamins such as biotin, will cause ridges along the nail bed. These ridges happen when new skin cells under the surface of your skin rise to take the place of discarding dead cells from the surface. Vertical ridges in nails are usually common and harmless, while horizontal ridges may be a sign of an underlying condition.
Another B vitamin to look out for when it comes to signs and deficiency is vitamin B12. A deficiency in B12 can cause an unusual dark color or bluish tint on the nail if it is not taken for long.
Lack of folic acid and vitamin C can lead to hangnails. This nail condition is a small and torn piece of skin next to a fingernail similar to ingrown nails. It is usually found at the base or along the sides of the nail. A person with this condition may experience a lot of pain and irritation.
A person who lacks a good amount of calcium in their diet may experience weak, brittle, or slow nail growth. It is easier for brittle nails to break, causing a fungal nail infection if a fungus gets under the nail. In some cases, Calcium deficiencies in nails can lead to serious health complications like bone fractures.
Treatment and Home Remedies
There aren’t so many treatments for brittle nails. Sometimes, a doctor may just recommend supplements and vitamins for brittle nails to maintain them. However, the following are a few home remedies you can try out to keep your nails strong and bright.
Use Good Moisturizers
If you have nails that feel dry and hard, it may be a good idea to consider using a hand moisturizer for your nails. You can use it during the day before stepping out or at night when you are ready to sleep. Regular moisturizing makes your dry nails less brittle.
Apply Nail Hardeners
This will be a much better option for people with soft and breakable nails. Nail hardener or polish can improve the strength of your nails, making them harder to break.
Wear Hand Gloves
If you are used to washing dishes with your hands, especially when you use chemical cleaning products, get a glove. Manual dishwashing is already a tough job for your pretty hands, so use a glove to prevent any further damage to your nails.
Diet and Nutrition
Getting healthy nails usually works from the inside, which is why it is important to watch what you eat. You may need to make some necessary changes to your diet to keep strong nails. These changes include:
- Taking supplements and vitamins: A doctor may prescribe some of the best vitamins for brittle nails to keep them healthy. These supplements or vitamins may take months before you can notice some changes but they are effective in most cases.
- Eat iron-rich foods: If you have anemia or iron deficiency, you need to eat more foods rich in iron. As earlier explained, iron deficiency restricts the flow of blood in the vessels under your nails, causing a low nail growth rate. You could consult your doctor about what vitamins to take for brittle nails in such cases.
- Incorporate protein in your diet: Most parts of your nails are made of a protein called Keratin, so it makes sense to eat a good amount of protein. This nutrient is great for boosting keratin production and strengthening your nails.
Tips for Good Nails Health
Here are a few tips you may want to practice to maintain your healthy nails and prevent them from breaking.
- Avoid using products such as nail polish remover that contains acetone on your natural nails
- Always take care of your nails by trimming them
- Do not pick or bite on your nails
- Avoid using metal tools on your nails when taking care of them
- If you must file your nails, gently file away the rough edges to avoid breakage.
Vitamins for Brittle Nails
The following are some of the best vitamins for brittle nails and how they can affect the health of your nails.
Vitamin A
This vitamin is essential for improving the growth of epithelial tissue in the body. So, if you lack this vitamin, you will most likely notice your nails growing thin and crooked. Vitamin A is great for improving the strength of your nails but also ensures its clear and shiny appearance. You can get vitamin A from foods like fatty fish, chicken liver, dairy, eggs, and certain fruits.
Vitamin B7
Biotin or Vitamin B7 is one of the best vitamins for hair loss and brittle nails. A study showed that people with brittle nails consumed biotin supplements for 6 months and had an overall thickness of nails by 25% increase. One can find this vitamin in meat, fish, eggs, seeds, and nuts. However, vegetarians who don’t eat a lot of nuts and seeds may consider taking biotin supplements to keep healthy nails. For adults, the recommended daily intake for Biotin is 30 mcg.
Folate
Folate is a B-Vitamin that produces red blood cells, which can transport oxygen and nutrients to the nail beds. As earlier stated, a folate deficiency can lead to nail discolorations or ridges in your nails. Some of the foods you can get folate from are spinach, sprouts, Brussels, black-eyed peas, cereals, and beef liver. Persons who are not fans of liver or vegetables could go for supplements and vitamins for brittle hair and nails. For adults, the recommended daily allowance for Folate is 400mcg.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 or Cobalamin is a much-required vitamin if you want your body to properly absorb iron and produce adequate red blood cells. A healthy production of these cells is good to keep your blood flowing to the nail beds. It may not be easy to get B12 into your body, so supplements are made available for people to purchase under recommendation. You can also get vitamin B12 from meat and dairy products.
Collagen
Collagen is a fibrous protein that serves as a building block for nails. Not only can it help to strengthen and shape your nails, but it also builds resistance against nail breakage. It serves as a form of glue that holds the protein cells together, improving your nail flexibility and strength. One more thing you should know about collagen is that it is a perfect moisturizer for your nails because it prevents dryness.
Natural Food Sources for Nail Growth
The following are a few natural dietary sources for strong, healthy nails:
Water and Foods Containing Water
Water is vital for every part of the body, including the nails. Even while oil improves the look of your nails, water does the majority of the internal job. Water, for example, aids in the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the cells beneath the nails. Foods including apples, cucumbers, lettuce, celery, watermelon, broth, and peaches all contain water.
Nutritious Fatty Foods
Foods high in fatty acids are excellent for promoting healthy cell development, which includes the growth of your hair and nails. Flaxseed is believed to strengthen hair and nails since it is rich in thiamine and omega-3 fatty acids. Oily fish like salmon and mackerel are also good fatty food sources for nail growth. If you don’t get enough essential fatty acids from your diet, you may want to get supplements.
Grapefruit and Berries
This type of food contains vitamins A, and C, and fiber, which is a necessity for your nail health. Grapefruit and berry extract has potent anti-fungal qualities that are an effective natural treatment for nail fungus and athlete’s foot.
Eggs
One excellent source of protein that will strengthen and shine your nails is one egg. It is an excellent option for those who have stunted nail growth because of its high protein, vitamin D, B12, and biotin content. Include eggs in your diet if you have easily breakable, dull-looking nails.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have weak and dry nails, you may be lacking vitamins for brittle nails such as Biotin (vitamin B7), vitamin B12, vitamin A, calcium, and zinc. A deficiency in any of these vitamins can give you unhealthy-looking nails from the inside and out.
You can naturally strengthen your brittle nails with proper hydration, a nutritious diet, and taking the best supplements or vitamins for brittle nails.
There are several ways to treat brittle nails, and most of them require consistency. For instance, the use of hand moisturizer regularly before bed and the use of gloves can help. A professional dermatologist is in a good position to recommend a better treatment for brittle nails.
Final Thoughts For You
It’s true what they say, ‘your eyes are like the windows to your soul’. What you may not know is that your nails are also like a window to your health. It is for this reason you need to take good care of your nails with the right diet and nutrition.
Other ways to help maintain your nail health are habits you can practice regularly. Moreso, you can always grab high-quality hair, skin, and nail supplements to fill in your daily nutritional gaps. Choosing the right supplement will always be easy when you schedule an appointment with your doctor.
- Das KC, Herbert V. Vitamin B12–folate interrelations. Clin Haematol. 1976 Oct;5(3):697-745. PMID: 10122.
- Scheinfeld N, et al. Vitamins and minerals: their role in nail health and disease. J Drugs Dermatol. 2007;6(8):782–7.
- De Berker D. Clinical practice. Fungal nail disease. N Engl J Med 2009; 360(20): 2108-2116.
- Tosti A, et al. The nail in systemic diseases. Dermatol Clin. 2006;24(3):341–7.
- Tully, A. S., et al. 2012. Evaluation of nail abnormalities. Am. Fam. Physician 85:779–787
medically reviewed by margaret etudo, BPharm. written by the vitamins for woman team.
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hey, was reading about the vitamin stuff for nails. Does hitting the gym a lot mess with how vitamins work for your nails? not sure if i’m missing something.
Workouts shouldn’t interfere with vitamin absorption. Maybe focus more on hydration and balanced diet to boost nail health!
Actually, intense training can demand more from your body, including vitamin needs. Maybe supplement a bit more.
using moisturizers always worked for me but never thought about the food i eat affecting my nails that much. gonna try adding more berries to my diet, see if that helps.
Interesting read, Vitamins For Woman. However, what’s the science behind nail hardeners? Some sources suggest they could actually lead to brittleness over time.
i read the part about nutritious fatty foods, but what about us who stick to plant-based diets? we got plenty of options like avocados and nuts, right?
So if I chug a gallon of water, will I turn into wolverine with those indestructible nails? Asking for a friend.
vitamin b12 for nails, huh? next you’ll tell me breathing air makes them grow faster.
Embracing a healthy diet full of water, fruits, and nutrients really is the secret to not just strong nails, but overall well-being. Lovely reminder, Vitamins For Woman.
While the focus on vitamins is valid, one must not overlook potential underlying health conditions that manifest as brittle nails. It’s crucial to seek professional advice.
Love the tips on good nails health! I swear by nail hardeners, they’ve been a game changer for my manicures.
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