What vitamin am I lacking if my nails have ridges?

What am I lacking in my diet if I have ridges in my nails?

As a vegetarian and someone who can only eat certain foods, it has been a little frustrating when the advice I've gotten from people has not fit in with my lifestyle choices.

People have always suggested that I eat more calcium for their own dietary reasons, but it took years for me to really connect with that. If you are vegetarian then no, you don't need to get more calcium. However, it seems like a lot of times they aren't thinking about what you are actually doing, and are giving you one-sized fits that don't really fit. This is especially true of things that I have noticed in my diet, so this seems to be a pretty big thing for some people. Here are my thoughts on what I'm lacking in my diet that would be making me have these ridges in my nails.

Iron - The first step that we really need to think about when it comes to our nail growth is iron. If you eat a plant-based diet you should be getting plenty of iron, but your total diet will also be important to making sure you have enough iron. To get iron from your diet, you need meat, dried beans and nuts, and dark leafy green vegetables. My iron supplement of choice is a spray called Multivitamin Fe (and its even cheaper if you want the liquid). If you are an iron deficiency, it may cause your nails to not grow or grow slower. So, yes, you do need to eat more iron and you're more likely to have ridges on your nails because you are in need of more iron. Check out all of the things you should do to increase your intake.

Rhodes - The second ingredient that causes ridges and cracks in nails is rhodium. Most of my friends and family have not realized that the nails are not actually made out of rock. They are basically metal plates that are placed right on top of the nail bed and allow the skin underneath to grow. Ridding your nails of the rhodium will keep them from having these cracks and holes. That said, there is no reason to rid your nails of this material. If the reason you need to reduce it in your diet is due to vitamin B3 problems, you can get that from eating more whole foods with vitamin B3 compounds.

What vitamin am I lacking if my nails have ridges?

I can't seem to pull off a nice, even manicure/pedicure.

Do any of you have any suggestions or hints on how to prevent the ridges? Thanks :)

I haven't had much luck w/ the ridges. They never really go away for me. I do tend to find them harder to maintain. Once I let them grow all out, they are pretty hard to get back. If I am not careful though, I will always have a couple of tiny bumps there. (Maybe because my husband loves me too much to see the small imperfections? :lol:)

Thanks to the ladies who replied. It was very helpful! If I have any more questions I'll sure post a comment.

What does zinc deficiency look like on nails?

Nails look healthy when they are a solid shade of green and evenly-textured.

Sometimes this is referred to as "coated nails". Healthy nails with a green/blue coating have good circulation, can have a better growth of blood cells within the nail, and should grow faster than nails that are less coated.

The coating is the outermost part of the nail. It protects the nail from damage, but unfortunately it also absorbs harmful factors from the environment that can accelerate the development of nail fungus. A zinc deficiency can lead to brittle nails that turn into the dreaded "peeling nail", as zinc plays a role in supporting the nail matrix.

Healthy nails do not have visible ridges, but some people experience some nail growth ridges around their cuticles due to uneven nail growth. When nails have ridges, it's often a result of an illness.

Healthy nails: Are green/blue. Are even in texture. Do not have sharp edges that can bleed. Do not have visible ridges or grooves. Have pink edges that can be easily peeled off. Are smooth (no ridges). Are dark (not white, yellow or any other colour). Have thick, dense growth. Do not have a shiny or "sparkly" appearance. Are thick and smooth, without splitting and crumbling. Have natural growth pattern. Peeled off nails: Have cracks at the end of the nails. Have long, cracked nails. Are white or yellow. Have nailbed that shows under the nail. Are thin. Shouldn't have ridges or grooves. Nails with no growth at all. Nails that grow normally, but slowly. What is zinc deficiency? Zinc deficiency can occur when a person eats a diet low in zinc. Zinc is found mostly in shellfish, meats, poultry, nuts and beans. Vegetables such as peas, spinach and broccoli also contain zinc. Aspartame, a sweetener commonly used in food and drinks, can interfere with zinc metabolism. The FDA has asked aspartame makers to make sure aspartame formulations are not sold without information that clearly indicates zinc deficiency is a possible side effect.

What are the five signs of zinc deficiency?

Zinc deficiency affects nearly everyone, but it is not that common to find a zinc deficiency in developed countries.

It occurs more often in tropical and subtropical areas because of the increased demands of sweating. A classic sign of zinc deficiency is diarrhea. Other common signs are loose stools, fatigue, anorexia, lack of growth, and abdominal discomfort. Less commonly, zinc deficiency results in dermatologic changes. Zinc deficiency can result in skin changes that look similar to acne or psoriasis. The itching is usually worse after stress or when the weather is hot. Other signs of zinc deficiency include poor nail growth, delayed wound healing, loss of teeth, impotence, loss of appetite, and infertility.

What are the symptoms of zinc deficiency? The most common symptoms of zinc deficiency are the following: Loose stools. Abdominal discomfort. Fatigue. Impotence. Anorexia. Poor growth. Dermatologic changes. What are the risk factors for zinc deficiency? The risk factors for zinc deficiency include age. Children from ages 2 to 5 and adolescents may be at a greater risk of developing zinc deficiency. The risk factors for zinc deficiency also include low body weight, low income, and poor nutrition.

What is the etiology of zinc deficiency? Zinc deficiency can occur at any age. Zinc is an essential element for the function of all organs and tissues in the human body. It is needed to stimulate the immune system and it also helps to repair cells. The body stores zinc in cells called metallothionein, which is released when zinc levels are low.

Does zinc deficiency result in any complications? Zinc deficiency can lead to skin changes that look like acne or psoriasis. It also increases the risk of bacterial infections, including pneumonia and tuberculosis. This is one of the reasons why it is recommended that a daily intake of 25 mg of zinc is necessary for children who live in areas of high risk of parasitic infections.

How to test for zinc deficiency? How to treat zinc deficiency? Treatment for zinc deficiency involves supplements and diet. Supplementation should begin with zinc citrate and be maintained as part of a well-balanced diet.