Natural treatments for brittle nails
Brittle nails are a common condition, affecting approximately 20% of the population, particularly women. Characterized by breaking or peeling in horizontal layers or lengthwise splits, brittle nails may result from various factors including trauma, exposure to harsh chemicals, and underlying medical conditions. To address this issue, several natural treatments have been proposed.
The primary natural treatment suggested is biotin, a B vitamin that preliminary studies indicate may improve nail thickness and reduce splitting. Other potential treatments include silicon, which has shown some promise in limited studies, and horsetail, a herb high in silicon. Additional nutritional therapies like calcium, iron, and collagen may be beneficial, although evidence supporting their efficacy is lacking.
Moreover, maintaining a well-balanced diet rich in B vitamins, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids, alongside adequate hydration, is believed to support nail health. Topical treatments such as olive oil, coconut oil, and apple cider vinegar have also been noted for their potential to strengthen brittle nails. Before pursuing natural treatments, it is advisable to rule out any serious underlying health issues that could be contributing to nail brittleness.
Natural treatments for brittle nails
- DEFINITION: Treatment of a condition of the fingernails that leads to brittleness.
- PRINCIPAL PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENT: Biotin
- OTHER PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: Calcium, collagen, cysteine, external moisturizing and strengthening treatments, gelatin, horsetail (Equisetum arvense), iron, Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), silicon, vitamin A, zinc
Introduction
Brittle fingernails are common, occurring in about 20 percent of people and, more commonly, in women. Brittle nails usually break or peel off in horizontal layers, starting at the nail’s free end. The term “brittle nails” can also refer to a condition in which lengthwise splits appear in the nail. In either case, the nail’s structure is faulty.
Brittleness in the nail may be caused by trauma, such as repeated wetting and drying, repeated exposure to detergents and water, and excessive exposure to harsh solvents, such as those found in nail polish remover. If the nails are regularly exposed to such stresses, it may be worth trying protective gloves when washing dishes and doing other chores. Gentler, less toxic brands of nail polish remover are available. One should check with retailers of natural cosmetic products.
Nail brittleness may also be caused by an underlying medical condition such as Raynaud’s disease, low thyroid function (hypothyroidism), or lung conditions. Other possible causes include skin diseases (psoriasis, lichen planus, alopecia areata), endocrine disorders, tuberculosis, and Sjögren’s syndrome. Selenium poisoning can also cause brittle nails.
Because of all these possibilities, it is important to rule out a serious underlying problem before trying nutritional or herbal treatments for brittle nails. If a medical cause for this condition is not found, some of the approaches described may be worth considering.
Principal Proposed Natural Treatments
Although no herb or supplement has been proven effective for brittle nails, there is some evidence that the B vitamin biotin might help. Animal studies suggest that biotin supplementation can be helpful for deformed hooves in horses and pigs. Because animal hooves are made of keratin, the same substance from which human nails are made, these findings have encouraged researchers to study the effects of biotin on brittle nails in humans.
Preliminary evidence from a small, controlled study suggests that biotin may increase the thickness of brittle nails, reduce their tendency to split, and improve their microscopic structure. To arrive at their results, the researchers used a scanning electron microscope to examine the effects of biotin in eight women with brittle nails who were given 2.5 milligrams (mg) of biotin daily for six to nine months. An additional twenty-four persons were also studied; ten served as controls, and fourteen were examined in a way that made interpreting their results questionable. Because all nail clippings were examined without the researchers being aware of whose clippings they were looking at, these results have some validity. However, the study was too small to allow definitive conclusions.
Two small open studies also reported the benefits of biotin supplementation. However, because neither study had a control group, the results cannot be considered reliable. Increased large-scale, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials on humans taking biotin for brittle nails are necessary to determine whether biotin is effective for treating brittle nails.
Other Proposed Natural Treatments
The mineral silicon has been widely marketed for decades as a treatment for brittle nails, brittle hair, and aging skin. However, the first potentially meaningful clinical trial was not reported until 2004. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study of fifty women, the use of 10 mg daily of silicon (as orthosilicic acid) for twenty weeks did appear to improve the condition of the women’s nails. However, this study, performed by the manufacturer of a silicon product, leaves much to be desired in design and reporting.
The herb horsetail (Equisetum arvense), naturally high in silicon, is also sometimes mentioned as a treatment for brittle nails. Several other nutritional therapies also have been tried, including calcium, cysteine, gelatin-containing preparations, iron, vitamin A, and zinc. However, there is no evidence that any of these treatments are effective. Individuals suffering from brittle nails have also been advised to increase their intake of B vitamins, magnesium, protein, vitamin C, and omega-3 fatty acids. As individuals age, their collagen production declines. Collagen is a protein that provides structure to hair, skin, and nails. Therefore, supplementing collagen from marine and bovine sources may benefit brittle nails. Very preliminary evidence suggests that methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) may benefit brittle nails by providing sulfur, an essential component of keratin. A well-balanced and nutritious diet and adequate hydration are believed to effectively strengthen nails. Finally, topical nail treatments involving apple cider vinegar, sea salt, olive, tea tree, coconut oils, and Shea butter have increased the strength of brittle nails.
Bibliography
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