This is a bit random, but just the other day I noticed how long my nails were getting and how strong they were. I found this intriguing because I'm not used to that. I used to keep my nail short for violin (if I were to show up with long-ish fingernails, my teacher would make me trim them immediately). But honestly, my nails would usually break off before they got close to the tip of my finger because they weren't very strong. However, right now, these suckers are strong. I've heard in the past people say that there are certain foods that will help with nail health, such as "eating avocados improves your nails." Obviously what you eat affects your overall health ("You are what you eat," right?), so I'm sure eating Paleo and feeling healthier has to affect my nails. I've also heard in the past that the condition that your nails are in can provide insight into your overall health.
Dryness and brittleness can result from a lack of vitamin A, vitamin D, and calcium. Insufficient amounts of vitamin A and B can lead to vertical or horizontal ridges in your nails. Want healthier nails? Make sure you get enough omega-3 fatty acids, lean proteins and iron. Hello, Paleo!
So your fingernails are kind of like a barometer for your health... Health issues involving your liver, kidneys, lungs, and heart can appear in your nails. Here's some of the things that you're nails can tell you:
- Pale nail beds can imply anemia or malnutrition (the nails can reflect deficiencies of iron, biotin and protein) the
- White nails with dark rims can indicate liver problems.
- Besides fungal infections, yellow nails are also associated with thyroid disease, lung disease, diabetes, or psoriasis.
- Bluish nails may mean that your body is low on oxygen, which can be a lung infection, heart condition, asthma, etc.
- If the surface of the nail is rippled, it could mean psoriasis or arthritis.
- Frequently cracked or split nails is indicative of thyroid disease.
- Inflamed nail fold (cuticle area) can be an infection or even an auto-immune disorder, such as lupus.
- Dark lines under the nail could be a form of melanoma.
- If your nail separates from the nail bed, this could also indicate thyroid disorder. Another possible effect of thyroid disorder is "spoon nail," where the nail is concave away from the finger.
- Splinter hemorrhages are thin red/brown lines under the nail that look like splinters but is blood. They can be associated with cardiovascular issues or can result from severe injury to the nail bed. (I have these on one of my nails that got ripped off when I was 7. Yes, you read that right. Ripped off. It wasn't pretty. The nail bed is not pleasant to look at, and it took roughly 6 months to grow back.)
- And obviously, if you're a severe nail-biter, you might have an anxiety or compulsive disorder. Though it could just mean that you're stressed or bored.
A few other facts: The human fingernail is made out of the protein keratin, the same protein from which animals' horns and hooves are made. Fingernails grow an average of 3mm per month, though it varies for each individual based on sex, age, exercise, diet, and season (your nails grow faster in the summer, how strange). The world record for longest nails (4.8 ft) is held by Shridhar Chillal. Click here for a photo. Personally I think his nails look terrifying. The record-holder for women is Lee Redmond (2'11"). Click here for a photo. Yikes!
References:
(1) Trimarchi, Maria, and Sellers, Jennifer. "Top 10 Things Your Nails Say About Your Health" Discovery Fit and Health. http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/nail-care/health/5-things-nails-say-about-health.htm
(2) Stamatis Gregoriou, MD, et. al. "Nail disorders and systemic disease: What the nails tell us." The Journal of Family Practice. August 2008 · Vol. 57, No. 8: 509-514
(3) "Nail Abnormalities." Medline Plus. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003247.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment