Healthy Nails
Like most body parts, our fingernails rarely measure up to our idea of perfection. Either they are too brittle, too fragile, too short, or too dull. However, healthy and attractive nails needn't be a costly, time-consuming affair involving salon manicures. There are many inexpensive and natural ways to put health, strength, and beauty back into your nails. Golden rule number one is diet. The single most important thing you can do for your nails is to eat right. To feed your nails the nutrients they need, you must eat foods rich in iron, protein, calcium, vitamin B, and potassium. These nutrients can be found in bananas, celery, yogurt, seafood, and dark, leafy greens. Biotin–rich foods such as eggs, soy products, whole grains, and liver are also extremely helpful to nails, along with foods rich in sulfur minerals like apples, cucumbers, grapes, garlic, asparagus, and onions. Foods rich in essential fatty acids--the good fats--such as salmon, tuna, nuts, seeds, flaxseed oil, borage oil, and evening primrose oil help to keep nails shiny and pliable.
Stephanie Tourles, esthetician and author of The Herbal Body Book, says, "For healthy nails, watch your stress level. Stress zaps your body of iron and vitamins A, B, and C-- necessary nutrients for strong, healthy nails. It also reduces the blood flow to your fingertips, leaving your nails looking pale and lifeless. Nothing packs a more nutritious punch than dark green leafy vegetables--foods such as kale, seaweed, bok choy, collard/mustard greens, romaine lettuce, and dandelion leaves. Drinks made from spirulina, chlorella, barley grass, and alfalfa are chock full of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein. Try to enjoy at least 2-3 servings of these foods daily and watch your nails blossom with health and vitality." It's also a good idea to drink lots of water. Two liters a day is a healthy yet safe water intake.
|
