The best nutritional recommendation for healthy nails is to have a well-rounded diet that includes a wide variety of fresh foods in reasonable portion sizes. Nutritional deficiencies have been known to cause certain nail symptoms. For example, too little iron in the diet may result in spoon-like depressions in the nails, a sign of anemia. Many studies have examined the effects of dietary supplements on nail health. In a recent review of these studies, doctors at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York concluded that only supplements of biotin, a B vitamin, were found to improve nail health, specifically to improve brittle nails. The dose that seemed most effective and safe was 2.5 milligrams (mg) of biotin a day. Biotin is also found in many foods, especially meats and cereals.
The best nutritional recommendation for healthy nails is to have a
well-rounded diet that includes a wide variety of fresh foods in
reasonable portion sizes. Nutritional deficiencies have been known
to cause certain nail symptoms. For...
More
Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:The best nutritional recommendation for healthy nails is to have a well-rounded diet that includes a wide variety of fresh foods in reasonable portion sizes. Nutritional deficiencies have been known to cause certain nail symptoms. For example, too little iron in the diet may result in spoon-like depressions in the nails, a sign of anemia. Many studies have examined the effects of dietary supplements on nail health. In a recent review of these studies, doctors at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York concluded that only supplements of biotin, a B vitamin, were found to improve nail health, specifically to improve brittle nails. The dose that seemed most effective and safe was 2.5 milligrams (mg) of biotin a day. Biotin is also found in many foods, especially meats and cereals.The best nutritional recommendation for healthy nails is to have a well-rounded diet that includes a wide variety of fresh foods in reasonable portion sizes. Nutritional deficiencies have been known to cause certain nail symptoms. For... More
Dr. Alan Gaby answered:Biotin at a dose of 2.5 mg per day for an average of 5 to 6 months has been reported to increase the strength of brittle fingernails. Other nutritional supplements that are possibly effective include calcium, zinc, magnesium, silica, evening primrose oil, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and glucosamine sulfate. The use of these supplements to treat brittle nails is discussed in chapter 173 of my textbook, Nutritional Medicine (www.doctorgaby.com).Helpful? 2 people found this helpfulBiotin at a dose of 2.5 mg per day for an average of 5 to 6 months has been reported to increase the strength of brittle fingernails. Other nutritional supplements that are possibly effective include calcium, zinc, magnesium, silica, evening... More
