Healthy Habits for Beautiful Nails: How Diet and Lifestyle Affect Nail Health

Achieving strong, beautiful nails requires more than quality manicures and nail care treatments. The state of your nails stems primarily from internal factors related to your overall health and daily habits. By adopting healthy lifestyle practices and making smart diet choices, you can build better nails from within.

Key Nutrients for Nails

What you eat directly impacts the condition of your nails. Make sure to consume enough of these key vitamins and minerals:

• Biotin - This B vitamin aids keratin production for firm, thick nails. Foods like eggs, fish, nuts, and seeds are rich sources.
• Calcium - Needed for hardening nails; get calcium from dairy, leafy greens, legumes, and supplements.
• Iron - Boosts blood circulation to the nail bed for growth. Found in red meat, beans, and dark leafy greens.
• Zinc - Supports nail maturation and prevents splitting. Oysters, nuts, red meat, and fortified cereals can provide zinc.
• Omega-3s - Healthy fats make nails flexible and lubricate cuticles. Get these from fish, flaxseed, walnuts, and olive oil.

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration can quickly lead to brittle, splitting nails. For strong, flexible nails, drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day minimum. Some people find upping their intake of hydrating fruits and veggies also improves nail condition. You want very light yellow urine to know you are well hydrated.

Take a Multivitamin

Even with a balanced diet, getting all the key nutrients for optimal nail health daily can be challenging. A daily multivitamin helps fill dietary gaps and provides a consistent dose of essentials like biotin and calcium for better nails. Timed-release capsules maintain vitamin levels throughout the day.

Quit Smoking

Smoking restricts blood flow to extremities like fingers, reducing oxygen to the nail bed. This can result in slower nail growth and discoloration in smokers. Kicking the habit allows proper circulation for pink, healthy nails. Moisturize often to combat the drying effects smoking has on nails.

Protect Hands from Irritants

Frequent exposure to water, chemicals, detergents, and other irritants breaks down the nail's protective layer. Wear gloves during chores and use mild, moisturizing soaps. Apply thick creams after washing to replenish moisture lost from hands and nails. This nail care routine prevents redness and itching around the nail.

Manage Medical Conditions

Underlying medical issues like anemia, thyroid abnormalities, and diabetes can manifest in nail changes like splits, ridges, and fungal infections. See your doctor to rule out health concerns if the condition of your nails suddenly gets worse or if you observe changes in their shape or color. Managing it can help restore nail appearance.

Reduce Stress

Stress and anxiety disrupt hormone levels, circulation, and sleep, slowing nail growth. Cortisol floods during high stress, depriving nails of nutrients. Try relaxing activities like yoga, walking outside, and meditation to lower stress for improved nail health. Even five minutes of deep breathing daily helps.

See a Professional

Get manicures every two to three weeks to keep hands and nails looking their best. Have a nail care technician shape and buff nails, remove cuticles safely, and treat nail problems early before they worsen. Request nail strengthening products and moisturizing soaks during your appointment.

Making nails a priority starts on the inside. With a balanced, nutritious diet, hydration, and healthy habits, you give your body what it needs to build strong nails. Pair it with Jada Kenya's high-quality nail care treatments, and you will have an unbeatable combination for your most beautiful, dazzling nails yet.