Split Fingernails and Omega 3 Deficiency

Do Split Fingernails indicate Omega 3 Deficiency? Yes they do. Lack of essential fatty acids or EFAs in our diet can be observed through various symptoms. These include dry and itchy skin, joint problems, brittle hair and nails, acne and more. Keep reading to know more about these.

Omega 3 fats are polyunsaturated fats that are good for our heart, brain, joints and skin. Studies show that more than 85% of the Western population is deficient in omega 3. This is a huge number considering the endless health benefits of essential fatty acids.

One of the most common symptoms of the lack of essential fatty acids is acne and skin disorders such as psoriasis and eczema. Our skin is a reflection of our diet and this stands absolutely true in the case of EPA and DHA deficiency.

There are various symptoms of omega 3 fatty acids deficiency. These include excessive thirst, dry and flaky skin, brittle hair and nails, joint pain, frequent urination, irritable behavior, extreme mood swings, slow wound healing and chronic inflammations.

However, including more cold-water fatty fishes such as salmon, tuna, Hoki, mackerel and sardines can provide respite from these problems. Other than fish green leafy vegetables, walnuts, hemp seeds, flaxseed oil and canola oil are also a good source of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Joint problems such as arthritis and inflammation are also a sign of EFA deficiency. Fish oils help in improving blood circulation throughout the body and inhibit the formation of blood platelets. This provides relief from Reynaud's disease, varicose veins and joint pain.

Fish oil supplements are essential for the healthy functioning of our brain. They are beneficial in treating mental disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, Alzheimer's disease and ADHD. Children who consume fish oil regularly have better memory and higher I.Q. levels.

EPA and DHA fats control cholesterol levels in the blood stream and protect against cardiovascular disorders. They are very effective in controlling blood sugar levels in the blood and help in treating diabetes.

Superior quality Fish oils can provide relief from various physical and mental problems. But not just any fish oil, you need molecular distilled oils that are free of all toxins such as mercury, PCBs and other contaminants.

Also make sure that the supplement you use has a high percentage of EPA and DHA fats. One such product is the Fish oil extracted from the Hoki fish, found in New Zealand. Oil extracted from the Hoki fish has approx. 40% higher DHA content than other supplements.

Split fingernails indicate omega 3 deficiency but there can be more severe symptoms too. To keep yourself and your loved ones healthy, regularly consume Pharmaceutical grade, molecularly distilled fish oil supplements.

By Micheal Thomas

Eight Ways to Help You Keep Healthy Beautiful Nails

Although nails may seem to be unimportant growths in the body, these hard little things can actually determine the state of your health. Your fingernails and toenails can even reflect your personality and how much you value hygiene and cleanliness. But if you want to make your nails strong and beautiful, using strengthening products available in the market may not be the best thing to do. Below are some tips you can do to strengthen your nails and keep them healthy and beautiful.
1. Know That Water Is Bad For Your Nails
It is important for you to know that water is the number one nemesis of your nails. Thus, it would be better if you do not soak your nails in water for a long time. However, if you think that you will be doing activities that will require your nails to get soaked in water for a long time; you can wear rubber gloves or shoes to protect the nails in your hands and feet. If you cannot do that, be sure to eat healthy foods that are helpful in keeping your nails stronger.
2. Eat Well For Stronger Nails
Proteins are important in keeping your nails hard and strong. If you are vegetarian, just look for other sources of protein aside from meat and poultry. Sulfur is also helpful in keeping them beautiful and strong. Other types of food that you may want to include in your diet to boost the health of your nails are garlic, leafy greens and fruits.
3. Nails Should Not Be Used As Tools
Many think that nails are created to help people remove stickers from surfaces, get rid of stubborn grease and food particles in pots and pans, or open letters and cans. However, it is important to note that your nails are not meant to be used as tools. If you break or chip your nails, you will be more susceptible to diseases and infections, such as warts and nail fungus.
4. Keep An Emery Board At Hand At All Times
It may be a wise idea to keep an emery board available in areas where you spend a lot of time working. This way, you can easily smoothen nails when you see chips and cracks to prevent further damage. As mentioned earlier, even small breaks and cuts in your nails and skin can make you prone to several nail problems and conditions.
5. Never Bite Your Nails
Aside from being unsanitary, biting your nails is not a very good habit to keep. Will you trust a person who is chewing on his or her nails in front of you? No. Besides, nail biting can make nails ugly, uneven and too short.
6. Make Sure That Your Nails Are Short
Ideally, nails should be trimmed and cut regularly so their length is just a few centimeters longer than the base of your fingers. Keeping nails short can make it easier for you to clean and maintain them. If ever you plan to keep your nails long, make sure that you keep them clean regularly and strengthen them with oils and lotions whenever you can.
7. Always Wear Rubber Gloves
It would be a great idea to wear gloves every time you handle water, chemicals and cleaning products. The ingredients in soaps and other cleaning materials can be harmful not only to your nails, but also to your hands.
8. Medicate At First Sign Of Infection

Once you see that your nails may be suffering from infection like nail fungus, it would be ideal to use medication immediately. Most common nail problems spread to your other nails easily if not quickly eliminated. An all-natural anti-fungal system that is helpful in fighting nail fungus is Somasin.

Janet Martin

Peeling Nails? Here’s 8 Reasons Why It’s Happening

 Chipped, peeling, flaky fingernails are never in style. If you're reading this, you've probably tried a lot of different products and strategies to stop the problem from happening. Understanding how your nails got that way in the first place could help you come up with a better strategy.

Here are eight of the top causes of peeling fingernails.

Climate Changes

No, we're not talking about carbon emissions. Your nails are not suffering from global warming the way the polar bears are. It's just that sudden changes in the weather, or extreme weather conditions, might be affecting your nails. Usually the culprit is cold, dry weather that dehydrates the nail plate, causing layers to separate and flake off. To solve it, try rubbing in a rich lotion or moisturizer every morning and evening—and wear gloves!

Dietary Issues

Many people will say that if your nails are peeling, it's a lack of protein that's the cause. This is really unlikely in North America or Western Europe, even if you're a hard-core vegan. Usually, if diet's to blame for your fingernail problems, it's a lack of biotin, sulfur, or B-vitamins (which is a concern for vegans). A good supplement, along with a few extra servings of raw vegetables and fruit, should alleviate the chipping.

Prescription Medications

Some medicines have a drying effect on the skin and nails. If your peeling nails became an issue after you started taking a certain drug, you should head to the manufacturer's website to double-check side effects. We'd never recommend quitting any physician-prescribed drug just for the sake of your fingernails. Instead, try improving your diet, as in step 2, and moisturizing, as in step 1. If that doesn't work, pick a good nail strengthener (see step 8).

Psoriasis, Yeast Infections, or Other Skin Conditions

If you're suffering from a skin condition such as psoriasis or a yeast infection, there could be knock-on effects for your nails. Many psoriasis patients also report chipping and peeling nails. If you've been given a prescription ointment or cream for what's on your skin, try rubbing it on your nails, too.

Chemical Exposure

Lots of people don't take proper precautions when cleaning the house or conducting pest control. For the sake of your lungs, ventilate the room. For the sake of your nails, wear gloves. Chemicals and solvents present in many cleaning products can dry out or damage your fingernails, leading to peeling.

Immersion in Water

Water swells and separates the layers of the nail plate. If you keep re-wetting the nails, they never dry properly, leading to flaking and peels. If you're in a job where you soak your hands or have to wash them regularly, you're going to have nail problems unless you take evasive action. Wear gloves wherever possible, and moisturize at least twice a day, if not more. Fitness swimmers who spend more than an hour in the pool should rub olive oil or petroleum jelly into their nails before starting their laps.

Post-Fake Nail Trauma

Really well-done acrylic nails look great, but it's pretty much inevitable that your nails will be paper thin and damaged once you have the fakes taken off. You'll have to be patient, and stimulate new growth with diet, moisturizers, and nail strengtheners. But don't just pick any nail strengthener…

The Wrong Kind of Nail Treatments

Nail strengtheners and peeling nail solutions contain a lot of chemicals. Most of them are designed to make your nails bond back together to prevent breaking and peeling. Some of them may actually be making the problem worse. Formaldehyde, an ingredient in several popular strengtheners, can cause drying and irritation of the skin and nails—not to mention being a suspected cause of breast cancer. Switch to a nail care product that's free of formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl pthalate, such as Nail Aid's Peeling Nail Intense Repair Gel. Your entire body, not just your nails, will thank you.

Jen Denero