|  | Diet Nutrition | Vitamins

Vitamins to Grow Nails

A woman will likely experience the inability to grow her nails during at least one point in her lifetime. Although there are expensive serums to apply to nails for growth, the solution may be as simple as having a balanced diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals. Folic acid, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B12 and zinc all encourage natural nail growth.

  1. Folic Acid

    • Pregnant women tend to have strong, fast-growing nails as a result of the extra folic acid contained in their prenatal vitamins. Folic acid, or folate, is a type of B vitamin that helps to strengthen nails, thus ensuring proper growth. Folic acid is available in supplements, but can also be derived from bananas, cereal, eggs, orange juice, pasta, rice, salad, whole wheat foods and yeast.

    Iron

    • Brittle nails which refuse to grow are often the sign of an iron deficiency. A lack of iron in the diet can also make nails grow with vertical ridges. Iron deficiencies are usually the mark of anemia. See a doctor for a blood test and possible iron supplement.

    Vitamin A

    • A lack of vitamin A hinders nail growth by making the nails extremely brittle and dry. Vitamin A is readily available in plant foods, known as beta-carotene, such as broccoli, cabbage, carrots, dried apricots, kale, mangoes, peas, parsley, spinach, sweet potatoes and tomatoes.

    Vitamin B12

    • A lack of vitamin B12 causes very dry nails and can even darken them. A vitamin B12 deficiency may also cause the nail ends to become curved, which is not a favorable condition for effective growth. Vitamin B12 works with folic acid to create body cells, so if you are deficient in one, you are likely to be deficient in the other. Try cereal, chicken, cheese, clam, crab, eggs, flounder, haddock, halibut, lamb, lean beef, milk, salmon, sardines, shiitake mushrooms, swordfish, trout, tuna and turkey to increase levels of vitamin B12.

    Zinc

    • White spots may develop on nails as a result of a zinc deficiency. Although these spots do not necessarily hinder nail growth, they do not disappear until they grow out with the rest of your nails. This process can take some time, especially if your nails do not grow efficiently. To replenish zinc in your diet, eat almonds, cashews, crab, cheese, chicken, fortified cereal, lobster, milk, oyster and yogurt.

Vitamins - Related Articles