The condition of the nails are a helpful tool for a Naturopath. Changes in the nails gives the Naturopath clues about the overall health and nutritional status in the body. Depending on their shape, texture and colour, your nails can provide important clues to underlying disorders and nutritional imbalances.
What can your nails tell you?
- White spots can indicate either injury or calcium, zinc or silica deficiency.
- Bitten nails can be linked to stress. In this case Magnesium and B vitamins may be depleted.
- Vertical ridges that run along the nail can be a sign of ageing or low in silica. Vertical splits in the nail is also a sign of silica deficiency and usually an indication of malabsorption of nutrients and poor digestive function.
- Thin peeling or flaky nails indicates a need for Calcium phosphate.
- Nails that are thin and turn upwards can indicate Iron deficiency.
- Lack of crescent shape moons at the base of the fingers and thumb can be an indicator of circulatory problems.
- Yellow nails can indicate a fungal infection which may affect one or multiple toes. Other common cause is jaundice or other liver issues, tuberculosis, lung infections, or side effects from medications.
- Pale nails typically show anemia (low red blood cells) in the system.