http://www.care2.com/greenliving/brittle-nails-brittle-bones.html
Brittle Nails, Brittle Bones?
Q: My nails just suddenly started breaking all the time about six months ago, and I worry about what’s happening to my bones. Is there any correlation between the two things?
A: Most likely not.
Most people as they get older will suffer from brittle nails. The most common culprit is a lack of moisture. This can be easily remedied by rubbing olive oil or lotion onto the nails daily.
If you are accustomed to wearing nail polish or fake nails, removing these and allowing the nails to “breathe” will also help the situation.
Other potential (but less common) causes of brittle nails are iron deficiency anemia, fungal infections, and thyroid or parathyroid problems.
Brittle nails do not correlate with brittle bones; however, if you are a man or a woman over the age of 50, discuss with your physician about getting a routine screening test to measure bone density.
Dr. Brent Ridge is the health expert for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. You can call and ask him a question live every Tuesday at 2 p.m. Eastern on Sirius Satellite Radio, Channel 112 (1.866.675.6675). You can also follow along as he learns to grow his own food and raise goats on his farm in upstate New York by visiting www.beekman1802.com.
Got a health question for Dr. Brent? E-mail him at drbrent@care2.com.
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Kabin
Konteyner
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I love everyone on this whole page, and wish you could all come over so we can all do our nails!! Muawwwww.. xoxoxo
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hmmm kool its realy beneficial....keep it up
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Forget the fish oil. Walnuts and flaxseed oil are much safer -and more humane- sources of the same nutrients (omega fats). They taste a lot better, too!!
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Seriously, drink more water - I have noticed that when I neglect to do this and become dehydrated my nails become brittle and break. As soon as I restore my fluid intake with water the problem is remedied.
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I absolutely agree Marian. Don't forget a good bone health, natural supplement as well. One that includes magnesium as well as calcium, mine has also got boron in it which I gather is brilliant for bones, but you mustn't take too much.
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I have been taking fish oil supplements to help with my extreme dry eyes, and have found that a bonus is that my finger nails have become less brittle. You must take them for a few months before you notice an effect, and start off with a high dose then gradually decrease to a level that sustains the desired effect. However, if you stop taking it or take too little, the benifits won't be felt.
Also - here in the UK you can buy Toe Nail Softener. It is superb for hard, sharp, brittle toe nails. You rub it in the nail after a shower or before bed. Basically it's main ingredient is petroleum gel. So you could maybe us petroleum jelly if you can't buy a specific toe nail softener.
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Add super B complex vitamins,this is what vets use on horses hoofs and it reaasly works. I started taking one vitamin a day of super B complex about six moths ago and my nails are back to growing again. It also appears that they are much stronger. It works!
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Routine screening for bone loss may be a good idea, but routine treatment with pharmaceuticals is not! Please do your research before accepting medication for osteopenia. A good place to start is womantowoman.com. And don't forget the importance of sun exposure and weight bearing exercise on bone health. Get out there, everyone.
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