[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Have you ever admired long,
beautiful fingernails on others, wondering how they manage it? Attractive, well-tended nails are not only a lovely accessory for the hands, but they are also an indicator of overall good health. So, why do nails become weak and brittle in the first place? There are actually numerous reasons, one being an insufficient intake of key nutrients, such as B-complex vitamins, calcium, iron and essential fatty acids.
Nail health may also be compromised by overexposure to moisture, such as dishwater or long baths, as well household and personal care products like liquid detergents, cleaning fluids, nail polish and nail polish remover, especially mass-market brands that contain hazardous chemicals. Becoming hip to these factors allows you to be proactive in nurturing your own healthy, strong nails moving forward. Consider these tips for success:
How to Strengthen Nails
Nutrify your nails
Your daily menu is one of the first places to look when it comes to improving your well-being on many levels, including the integrity of your fingernails. They are, in fact, a barometer of your nutritional health. For best results, embrace a well-balanced, protein-rich diet based on fresh, whole plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains,
beans, legumes,
nuts and seeds.
Dietary fat is also important, but rather than saturated animal fats or nutritionally bereft processed oils, choose whole food sources, such as avocado, nuts and seeds. Emphasize
hemp,
chia and
flax seeds, which offer complete protein and
essential fatty acids (EFAs), both required for optimal nail health. Take some time to learn about
vegan EFA options. It is also wise to avoid junk foods and refined sugar, which deplete your system of nail-building nutrients.
Supplement for strength
Even if you generally eat well, you may still run low on nail-friendly nutrients, especially in busy or stressful times, as many are water soluble; they cannot be stored by the body and must be replaced daily. To avoid the cost and hassle of managing numerous products, consider instead a comprehensive, synergistic
hair, skin and nails formula.
One excellent option is
Life Extension Hair Skin & Nails Collagen Plus Formula which combines bioactive collagen peptides with nail-friendly nutrients. This formula also includes a patented combination of solubilized keratin, zinc, copper, biotin and vitamins B3, B5 and B6 to promote
keratin formation, which is the
protein that makes up your hair, skin and nails.
† Or try
BioSil Advanced Collagen Generator which supports healthy collagen production.
†
Another possibility is
Gaia Herbs Hair Skin & Nail Support, a proprietary blend of organic, concentrated herbs including burdock, alfalfa, nettle, horsetail and others used traditionally for supporting healthy growth and radiance.
† If you prefer a chewable supplement, you might like
Nature's Way Hair Skin & Nails with Collagen Gummy, which includes 300 mg. collagen and 5,000 mcg. biotin per serving, as well as silica and antioxidants A, C and E.
Be nail-protective
Your nails are affected from the inside out
and the outside in. So, along with your menu and supplement regimen, it makes sense to protect your nails from environmental factors that could damage them. For starters, try to keep them from getting water-logged, since this causes the nail bed to swell, and then contract as it dries, setting the stage for cracks and damage.
Use rubber gloves when washing dishes, and, after a long bath or swim, dry hands thoroughly and apply a moisturizer to nails and cuticles, such as
Honey Girl Organics Cuticle & Nail Crème, this
Miracle Oil or perhaps
Jason Purifying Tea Tree Nail Saver, which helps to revitalize dry cuticles and brittle nails to enhance strength and reduce breakage.
Groom with care
When you manicure your nails, it is best to file in one direction, rather than “sawing” back and forth, which can fray the nail and damage the nail bed. Additionally, look for a fine-grain file, as those with a rougher grain may destabilize your nails, paving the way for breakage. Another useful tool is this
Earth Therapeutics Nail Brush, to clean under nails, and to buff the nail bed and tips to a healthy shine.
As weak nails are more prone to breakage, consider finishing with a nail strengthener.
Natures Plus Ultra Nails® Nail Strengthener with calendula, lavender, tea tree, cucumber, aloe vera, protein and vitamins is a formaldehyde free, non-irritating formula that absorbs quickly, encouraging stronger, more resilient nails.
Adorn mindfully
It’s hard to resist the allure of brightly polished nails. The trick is finding nail décor that supports nail integrity
and your overall health. It pays to be discerning, as according to the United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, many mass-market polish and polish-removing products contain a
wide range of dangerous chemicals such as:
- Acetone (nail polish remover): headaches; dizziness; and irritated eyes, skin and throat.
- Acetonitrile (fingernail glue remover): irritated nose and throat; breathing problems; nausea; vomiting; weakness; and exhaustion.
- Butyl acetate (nail polish, nail polish remover): headaches and irritated eyes, skin, nose, mouth and throat.
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), (nail polish): nausea and irritated eyes, skin, nose, mouth and throat. Long-term exposures to high concentrations may cause other serious effects.
- Ethyl acetate (nail polish, nail polish remover, fingernail glue): irritated eyes, stomach, skin, nose, mouth and throat; high levels can cause fainting.
- Ethyl methacrylate (EMA), (artificial nail liquid): asthma; irritated eyes, skin, nose and mouth; difficulty concentrating. Exposures while pregnant may affect your child.
- Formaldehyde (nail polish, nail hardener): difficulty breathing, including coughing, asthma-like attacks, and wheezing; allergic reactions; irritated eyes, skin and throat. Formaldehyde can cause cancer.
- Isopropyl acetate (nail polish, nail polish remover): sleepiness, and irritated eyes, nose and throat.
- Methacrylic acid (nail primer): skin burns and irritates eyes, skin, nose, mouth and throat. At higher concentrations, this chemical can cause difficulty breathing.
- Toluene (nail polish, fingernail glue): dry or cracked skin; headaches, dizziness and numbness; irritated eyes, nose, throat and lungs; damage to liver and kidneys; and harm to unborn children during pregnancy.
Fortunately, there are both nail polish and remover brands that make a point of excluding hazardous ingredients, allowing you to enjoy beautifully decorated tips with peace of mind. To remove polish, one of the safest and most effective options is
Mineral Fusion Nail Polish Remover, which gently cleans and preps nails with a non-drying, acetone-free formula. It also comes in a handy
3-ounce travel size.
As for nail polish brands that exclude the toxic chemicals listed above, especially the "toxic trio" of toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate, you have many cool choices, such as
Suncoat Products Girl Water Based Nail Polish, as well as Hype Fast-Drying Nail Polish, which offers snazzy 4-piece samplers in both
soft, pretty shades or dramatic
“glam at night” hues.
One of the most highly-rated options is
Mineral Fusion Nail Lacquer, which comes in 61 gorgeous shades. This long-lasting, chip-resistant, mineral nail polish formula pairs perfectly with Mineral Fusion
polish remover. Simply add
organic cotton balls and you’re all set.
As we know, strong, healthy fingernails are a product of both nature and nurture, so our daily efforts really do make a difference. With these ideas in mind, you can enjoy beautiful, strong “tips”
naturally!
†These statements have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title="Featured Products" border_width="2"][vc_row_inner equal_height="yes" content_placement="middle" gap="35"][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="163542" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1668955496096{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="#https://www.vitacost.com/vitacost-synergy-hair-skin-nails-formula"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="163540" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1668955513369{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/naturesplus-ultra-nails-nail-strengthener"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="163541" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1668955531317{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/earthly-body-miracle-oil"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
