ÿþ<html> <head> <title>Foods That Can Help Solve Nail Problems</title> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='tab-interval:.25in'> <img alt="[Hand Logo]" align="left" src="./image002.jpg"> <H1><b><i>Nails Your Way</i></b></H1> <hr size=1 color="gray" width="100%" align=center> <a href="./index.htm" title="[Nails Your Way Home Page]"> HOME</a> | <a href="./aboutNYW.htm" title="[A Therapeutic Nail Care Salon]"> About NYW</a> | <a href="./articles.htm" title="[Articles from Chapel Hill News &amp; Views]"> ARTICLES</a> | <a href="./listserv.htm" title="[List of Services]">SERVICES & PRICES</a> | <a href="./Map-NYW.htm" title="[Location: Directions & Map]">MAP</a><br> <hr size=1 color="gray" width="100%" align=center> <H2>Foods That Can Help Solve Nail Problems</H2> <p>Most nail problems are a result of self-picking and biting; or from improper use of electric drills at discount salons during nail enhancement maintenance; or from nail fungus infections. Damage from nail biting can be treated with a series of manicures and daily application of <i>Bite No More</i> cream. Nail biting can also be solved by the application of non-damaging full-cover nail enhancements (<i>Prescription Nails</i>) that do not require fill-ins or electric drills. Mild fungus can be treated with liquid drops containing thymol applied twice daily. However, some instances of unhealthy nails are the result of nutritional deficiencies or other medical problems.</p> <p>Normally, nails grow 1/8 inch a month, although illness, aging, and cold weather will slow their growth. Nails are made of keratin, the same protein that forms skin and hair. The nail plate sits over the tips of the fingers and toes and grows out of the lunula (the pale half-moon). The cuticle provides a protective seal between the skin and the nail. The lunula is living tissue but the rest is made up of dead cells that grow out from the base of the nail.</p> <p>Even though nails are mostly dead tissue, they are an important indicator of a person s state of health; this is why a doctor examines nails for clues to many diseases. This is also why a doctor will request that you remove nail polish or artificial enhancements before performing surgery on you.</p> <p>Healthy nails are strong and smooth, with a pinkish color. Like hair, they need moisture for flexibility; without it they break or chip easily. Brittle nails are usually caused by excessive dryness, which increases with aging and is made worse by exposure to detergents and cleaning chemicals. Applying a moisturizing oil or cream conditioner made for nails will usually reduce excessive dryness. Applications of nail hardeners containing aloe vera, calcium and garlic help seal-in moisture and give a protective surface over the nails. Lavender and grape-seed oil-soak manicures are excellent for restoring moisture to dry brittle nails. A fluoride treatment formulated for nails will help restore health to nails that break and split easily.</p> <p>To produce keratin and maintain healthy growth and strength, nails require a steady supply of oxygen and other vitamins and nutrients. In order to make keratin, the body needs foods that are high in protein such as lean meat, poultry, fish, seafood and a combination of grain products and legumes.</p> <p>A common nutrition related nail problem involves iron-deficiency anemia, in which the blood does not deliver adequate nutrients to the nails. Eating more iron-rich foods such as lean meat, poultry, fish, dried apricots, and enriched cereals and breads may be enough to help cure mild cases of iron-deficiency anemia. Another type of anemia that affects the nails is caused by a deficiency of folate, an essential B vitamin. Foods such as whole grains, legumes, dark green leafy vegetables, and fruit juices are good sources of folate and B vitamins that can often help solve many nail problems.</p> <hr size=1 color="gray" width="100%" align=center> <p><a href="./Map-NYW.htm" title="[Location: Directions & Map]"><img alt="[Look for the Hand]" align="left" src="./5900hand.jpg"></a> Read Jeanne's Latest Monthly Article In Chapel Hill News & Views.</p> <p></p><a href="./Map-NYW.htm" title="[Location: Directions & Map]"><img alt="[MAP]" align="right" src="./MAP-NYW1-tn.jpg"></a> <p><b>Nails Your Way</b><br> <i>Jeanne Grace Curtis</i><br> <i>5900 Orchard Road</i><br> <i>Douglasville GA 30135-4726</i></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Look for the Hand Sign pointing at the gate!<br> (All the way at the end of Orchard Road)</p> <p align=right>Click on Map for Printable Copy. </p> <h3 style="color:red">By Appointment Only</h3> <TABLE border="3" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="3"> <TR style="color:black"> <TD align=right><b>Sun-Mon</TD> <TD align=left><b>Closed</TD> </TR> <TR> <TD align=right><b>Tues-Sat</TD> <TD align=left><b>11am-7pm</TD> </TR> </TABLE> </b> <h2 style="color:red">770-949-3113</h2> <hr size=1 color="gray" width="100%" align=center> <a href="./index.htm" title="[Nails Your Way Home Page]"> HOME</a> | <a href="./aboutNYW.htm" title="[A Therapeutic Nail Care Salon]"> About NYW</a> | <a href="./articles.htm" title="[Articles from Chapel Hill News &amp; Views]"> ARTICLES</a> | <a href="./listserv.htm" title="[List of Services]">SERVICES & PRICES</a> | <a href="./Map-NYW.htm" title="[Location: Directions & Map]">MAP</a><br> <hr size=1 color="gray" width="100%" align=center> </body> </html>