Vitamin for nails is important to keep your nails healthy, but which vitamins are really effective? It is worth mentioning that other factors can also cause the weakening of nails, such as onychophagia (nail biting), excessive exposure to water and age (over 60 years, menopause and post-menopause). We talked to a dermatologist about the main nutrients that contribute to nail health. Follow up!
Top vitamins for nails
Dermatologist Andreia Leverone (CRM 543555-RJ) clarifies all doubts and indicates the main beneficial vitamins for nails. Know which foods to find them in:
Biotin nail vitamin
According to Andreia, “it is a water-soluble B-complex vitamin and plays a key role in maintaining skin integrity. It contributes to increased thickness, hardness and increased nail plate growth threshold.” Biotin is present in peanuts, tree nuts, egg yolks, tomatoes, onions, carrots, lettuce, meat, milk and bananas.
Vitamin E, D and B12 for nails
These vitamins are important for the proper functioning of the body and are present in various foods. However, the dermatologist warns that, although people believe it, there is no scientific proof that these vitamins are effective for nails – neither in the prevention nor in the recovery of weak and brittle nails, for example.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) + Vitamin C
Andreia thinks it is important to emphasize that “a vitamin deficiency could make the nails weak, but concomitantly, and not as a cause.” There are several published contents that indicate the intake of these vitamins for nails, however, there is nothing documented about their effectiveness for this purpose.
In addition to vitamins, there are preventive measures that can be taken to keep your nails healthy, such as keeping them short, clean and hydrated, wearing gloves when they come in contact with chemicals, and replacing acetone with nail polish remover.
Other beneficial nutrients for nails
Andreia also comments that some minerals are essential to keep nails healthy. Check out the nutrients and tips from the dermatologist:
organic silicon
Andreia explains that silicon plays an important role in the synthesis of type 1 collagen. “The nail is formed by keratin and this mineral acts directly on it, guaranteeing the firmness and resistance of the nail. The main food sources are: cereals, grains and vegetables, fish, wheat and bananas. Supplementation for nail treatment should be 50 mg or at medical discretion.”
Iron
Iron favors the growth and strengthening of nails, and the lack of this mineral can make the nails opaque and cause flaking. According to information from the Ministry of Health, the nutrient can be found in beans, red meat (liver and offal), dark green vegetables, legumes, among other foods. The recommended daily amount for adults is 14mg per day.
With these tips, keeping your nails beautiful and healthy has become an easier task, right? Enjoy and read about peeling nails to learn how to identify signs of disease.
Erika Balbino
Graduated in Letters and post-graduated in Digital Journalism. Passionate about books, plants and animals. She loves to travel and research other cultures. She writes on a variety of subjects, especially health, wellness, beauty and behavior.
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