01 Apr The Best Supplements for Strong and Healthy Nails

Handwashing is one of the most effective ways to guard against illnesses that range from the common cold to severe headaches and diarrhea. Though frequent handwashing is the easiest way to stay healthy, all that extra scrubbing can result in side effects such as having dry skin, eczema, and brittle nails.

The first two skin conditions can be solved by applying lotion or hand cream after washing your hands, but it will take more than slathering on moisturizer to prevent your nails from peeling or cracking. To get strong nails, you need to nourish them from within by taking essential vitamins and nutrients. If you’re tired of having brittle nails, here are the best supplements for strong and healthy nails.

Biotin or Vitamin B7

If your nails are dry and are showing signs of brittleness, there some things that you can do to prevent matters from getting worse. Wearing gloves while doing the dishes, using hand and nail cream after washing, and applying nail hardener or nail strengthener on its own or under nail polish can all help to prevent nails from splitting.

But once you see horizontal splits in the tips of your nails, or if you notice that your nails aren’t growing as normally as they should, then start taking biotin supplements to improve the health of your nails. Clinical trials have shown an improvement in hardness, firmness, and thickness of brittle nails after taking biotin orally. It may also reduce splitting and help to get rid of ridges to make the surface of your nails look smoother.

Biotin, or vitamin B7, is available in tablet form, but you may also eat more foods that contain biotin to enhance nail health, such as meats, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, and sweet potatoes.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is often added to nail products to hydrate and encourage the growth of thin and brittle nails. Most nail creams and nail strengtheners in the market contain vitamin A, but you can also eat foods rich in this nutrient to boost nail health. Consider eating fortified cereals, dairy products, fish, and liver to increase your intake of this vitamin and to improve nail thickness.

Vitamin C and Collagen

Vitamin C and collagen work hand in hand to give you stronger and more beautiful nails. Vitamin C is crucial to produce collagen, which is a protein that strengthens the nails, hair, and skin. Since the human body cannot produce vitamin C naturally, you need to include it in your diet by eating green and leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, and potatoes.

Meanwhile, collagen can be found in the connective tissues of the body, such as the ligaments, tendons, skin, and muscles. While the body produces collagen naturally, production starts to decline in our mid-20s. Eating vitamin C rich foods can boost your body’s production of collagen to rebuild your nails and prevent brittleness.

The right foods and supplements can have a positive impact on your nails. Consider increasing your intake of biotin and vitamins A and C to keep your nails strong and healthy.