I have been eating lc for about the last 9 weeks. My nails have developed lines in them. They also seem to be splitting or breaking more often. Does anyone have any suggestions or know why this is happening? Is is some kind of vitamin definciency? (sp?)

shawny

I think that taking a good mulit will really help this, but you can always check with your doctor to be sure.

My fingernails have been a lot stronger since I have been on Atkins. I also take plenty of vitamins though.

Michelle
265/233/160

Oddly enough, I was just noticing that mine are a lot smoother. At least the ridges going across the nail have gone away.

Rave
232/199/130

Since resuming the diet last December, my fingernails have become as hard as stone, the hardest I can ever remember them. I could claw my way out of Alcatraz Prison.

I don't take a lot of extra multi-vitamins. Just beta-carotene and vitamin E, which I've been taking anyway for about 25 years.

I'm also growing NEW hair on my forehead!!

I think that this may be because I always eat until I'm full. I never allow myself to go hungry. I lost 51 pounds in 8 months doing this, so it works. Other times that I've dieted, I've experienced hair loss and weaker nails with the little "moons" in them, probably because I tried to limit my food intake, not just my food types.

You might want to try eating more food.

Also, I recall reading a long time ago that Selenium or zinc supplements can get rid of the lines in fingernails. Onions and garlic are rich in selenium and zinc.

The amino acid cysteine which is present in eggs has a reputation for making fingernails grow harder. You might want to eat more eggs or try a cysteine supplement.

Oh, man, before I began eating this way, my nails were so weak! They would chip and split easily and they never looked nice.

Once I became established in this woe, my nails started becoming hard and strong. Now they grow faster than I know what to do with!

I would definitely suspect a vitamin deficiency or an underlying thyroid problem.
Have you ever had a thyroid function test?
Make sure you are getting adequate calcium, too!
Good luck,

Summer


www.herstorygirl.com

Shawny~

Are you talking about white, vertical lines? Or neutral-colored horizontal lines? Are the lines ridged or smooth? Is there just one line across each nail, or multiple lines? More on one hand than the other? Do the lines extend to the tips, or are they concentrated around the base?

Funny-looking fingernails can signify a number of things, but it does sound like it could be a nutritional thing, especially if they are weak and brittle too. Most people do seem to find their nails getting stronger when they eat this way, but that's not true for everybody. If you snoop around the internet a bit, and you're likely to find an explanation that feels right to you. There are lots of "home remedies" out there to try.

Do make sure you're taking a good muilti-vitamin, and if the problem persists, you oughta mention it to you doctor on your next visit.

Best wishes,

Sky
186/144/under 150

I'm concerned about a deficiency, too, shawny. I hope you are not still at induction levels, and getting your carbs from a variety of good veggies. Please do take a good multi if you are not already, one especially generous in the B vitamins. (A biotin deficiency often produces weak nails.)

My personal experience is that when I added omega3 supplements to my program, I noticed an immediate increase in nail strength--and a corresponding decline whenever I stop taking them.

BC
172/108/108
Zone since 4/98

ditto what Summer said..... I couldnt grow my nails to save my life.. now they are nice and hard... growing like crazy

Terese
LCE Member since 12/00
My LC web site

What she says. My nails are stronger than they have been in years. Before, they were always splitting, even when I took multivits. I have a thickened toenail which is always hard to cut, but it's thinning - someone on these boards said this is a sign of declining yeast levels.

My skin is better too. No more dry skin on my elbows! This might be due to the water, however.

Shawny, are you eating enough?

I vote for a vitamin deficiency too. Mine are better than ever!!!



Barb
Atkins-3/14/03
174/149.4/135
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."

Mine are nice and strong and I have painted them for the first time in about 6 months. They look MARVELOUS (to quote Billy Crystal)!

Thank you all for the replies.

The lines are raised and run all the way to the tips of my nails. Like you can feel them. Lots and lots of them it seems. And ummmmm I guess vertical? from skin to tips. I would have guessed vitamin deficiency also, but I have been taking a multi and "B" everyday. I now have added extra calcium too. I haven't taken any omega 3 though. I will try that. And no I am not in induction still. I have been eating a healthy portion of salad greens every day for lunch and for dinner I usually have cauliflower or broccoli or spaghetti squash, sometimes mushrooms. Usually a combination of two of those. And I was eating eggs everyday for breakfast. However, two days ago I decided to go back to induction for a few days to see if it would kick start any weight loss for me.

You see, I have only lost about 2lbs since I started this diet over 2 months ago and I got discouraged and cheated a couple times recently so I think I knocked myself out of ketosis and I want to get back in.

shawny

Ok, here's a good site for reference. Appears it could be iron deficiency, poor absorbtion of nutrients (even if you are taking supplements, they might not be utilized), up to and including kidney disease..... might be time for a checkup.

Fingernails and Nutrition


BC
172/108/108
Zone since 4/98