The doctor says…
The key to great-looking nails is nourishment. It all comes down to the way we absorb nutrients in food.
• Improve your digestion by beginning each day with lemon juice in warm water. This little kick-start allows your body to begin to produce enzymes, which help you digest food more effectively.
• Since stress can affect how well our body performs, try taking up a restorative practice, such as t’ai chi or yoga – anything to promote better diaphragmatic breathing.
• Soft nails can be a sign you are not getting enough protein. Nails are mostly made up of amino acids,which are the building blocks of protein. They also have minerals built into their matrix, including calcium, magnesium, boron and zinc.
• Changes in the appearance of your fingernails can indicate something deeper is going on in your body. They can provide clues to your overall health and nutritional status. If your nails aren’t what you want them to be, use this as a signal from your body that something needs to change.
Top tips
• Have some thorough blood tests done, as nail and cuticle health can be affected by iron and B12 deficiency – or essential fatty acids.
• White spots on your fingernails can be a sign you may be low on zinc. Good sources of this are nuts, seeds and red meat.
• Pale, brittle or weak nails can be an indication your liver needs some love. Eat more from the brassica group of vege, such as broccoli, kale and cauliflower.
• Do some basic exercises every day, or stretching. You can even just lie with your legs up the wall for five minutes. * *
