KEEPING FINGERNAILS AND TOENAILS HEALTHY WITH THE RIGHT CARE.
Contrary to popular belief, the nails on your fingers and toes are not insensate appendages, but rather extensions of the skin. Nail care therefore begins with a healthy diet.
If your nails lack zinc and selenium over the long term, for example, they can start to look unattractive. But as well as that, dish detergent, soap and water, nail polish and nail polish remover are especially likely to dry out the fingernails. Dry nails easily become brittle, cracked, or susceptible to breaking. Their natural protection also decreases, which increases the risk of nail fungus.
WHAT EXACTLY IS KERATIN?
Keratin is a primary component of fingernails and toenails, and it is one of the most essential parts of our body. It is a strong, fibrous protein that maintains our cell stability, and also gives our hair, skin and nails their resilience and strength. As a natural protein, the body can produce keratin itself, but there are foods that can provide support, e.g., eggs, almonds, nuts, anchovies, and tuna. Zinc is also involved in keratin synthesis, which means that vegetables with a high zinc content, like beans and lentils, are beneficial here. Brewer’s yeast, amaranth and cold-pressed olive oil are other good sources.
