Fingernail Strength and the Vegan Diet

[Gianni]

After previously being ovo-lacto vegetarian for almost 20 years, I've since become vegan for 8 months now, and a couple of months ago I noticed how much stronger my nails were. I reckon it took about 6 months for the nails to grow from the base to the tip, and then I noticed it. They were much stronger. In fact, they have become so much stronger that when I bite on them, they don't easily break. The result is longer, stronger, better looking nails.

Now, here is the kicker: Nails are made out of protein. So why then do vegans have stronger nails than non-vegans if a vegan diet is considered by many to be inferior in terms of protein consumed?

The answer must be that contrary to popular opinion, a diet of plant protein must be superior to a diet of animal sourced protein, at least as far as building strong nails is concerned. Has anyone else noticed their nails getting stronger on this diet?

[Arky]

After previously being ovo-lacto vegetarian for almost 20 years, I've since become vegan for 8 months now, and a couple of months ago I noticed how much stronger my nails were. I reckon it took about 6 months for the nails to grow from the base to the tip, and then I noticed it. They were much stronger. In fact, they have become so much stronger that when I bite on them, they don't easily break. The result is longer, stronger, better looking nails.

Now, here is the kicker: Nails are made out of protein. So why then do vegans have stronger nails than non-vegans if a vegan diet is considered by many to be inferior in terms of protein consumed?

The answer must be that contrary to popular opinion, a diet of plant protein must be superior to a diet of animal sourced protein, at least as far as building strong nails is concerned. Has anyone else noticed their nails getting stronger on this diet?

Whilst I wouldn't entirely rule out the possible relevance of protein in your experience, I think it is pertinent to note that there are many other contributory factors to nail growth.

* An increase in raw foods (e.g. raw fats) may lead to improved cellular function, including transfer of nutrients in and out of the cells involved in nail growth. The lipid membranes of cells are intimately involved in the overall function, and efficiency of function, of the cell, and raw fats are precisely what best serves this aspect of cellular functioning.

* A high-raw diet may improve cellular detoxification (partly on account of the aforementioned potential improvements in cell lipid membrane function, arising from increased consumption of raw, unoxidised fats (lipids). Toxicity can impair the efficiency of a multitude of physiological and metabolic functions, so improved detoxification might reasonably be expected to support improved function of many, many aspects of physiological and metabolic function, with nail growth being no exception.

* Nails are dependent not only on amino acids (protein) but also on several minerals, such as silicon, zinc, sulphur, selenium etc. A high-raw diet; particularly one inclusive of plenty of raw dark leafy greens, will be quite abundant in a spectrum of easily-absorbable minerals (e.g. silicon and sulphur). Zinc and selenium are fairly abundant in raw nuts and seeds.


And of course there are many other possible contributory factors..

[Supa]

* Nails are dependent not only on amino acids (protein) but also on several minerals, such as silicon, zinc, sulphur, selenium etc. A high-raw diet; particularly one inclusive of plenty of raw dark leafy greens, will be quite abundant in a spectrum of easily-absorbable minerals (e.g. silicon and sulphur).

I have read that iron is among the crucial minerals for nails, which is abundantly present in dark leafy greens (with a squeeze of citrus to increase absorption).

[Gianni]

Thank you for your responses.

Well, my diet has definitely improved dramatically compared to what it used to be. I am eating more leafy greens, and over the past 4 to 5 months I have been eating a lot of watermelon which is also relatively high in iron.

However, I think there is more to it than just that. I was thinking about the studies that show that the countries which consume the most dairy have the weakest bones. They say that consuming dairy makes the blood acidic and the body then leeches calcium from the bones in an attempt to normalize the acidity of the blood. Perhaps something similar happens to the nails. Perhaps minerals that would have been destined to the nails end up in the bloodstream when the body is too acidic. Certainly my diet was acidic before becoming vegan, and it is certainly alkaline now.

All I know is that my nails are stronger, and I credit that to my high raw vegan diet, and other vegans have made similar comments, Alicia Silverstone for example.

[queenbee]

My nails grow stronger and faster on high raw. I'm typically high raw, but I've been 100% raw since the beginning of this year and my nails are at their best. I've also read/watched/learned about the link between high dairy and low bone density/increased osteoporosis. Interesting idea on connecting it to nails - something to look into. :)

[Arky]

Out of respect to the vegan ethos of RFT, I won't get into a debate about it here, but suffice to say that the 'milk consumption is associated with osteoporosis' thing is a red herring, and a very dubious one at that.

I find it remarkable that people on a raw food diet are so quick to believe it.

Why?

1) Because 'milk' isn't just 'milk'. There is a MASSIVE difference between pasteurised milk and RAW milk, just as there is between other foods which are cooked vs those that are raw. Those of us on a raw foods diet should know better than to ignore this extremely pertinent distinction. How likely do you think it is that statistical analyses of possible links between osteporosis and milk consumption will take account of this critical distinction between pasteurised and raw..? Not very.

2) There is a massive difference between pasture-fed (grass-fed) dairy and dairy from grain-fed feedlot operations. The chemical composition of the feed is entirely different, and differences are reflected in the dairy obtained, in each instance.

3) Many otherwise-non-vegan Raw foodists tend to gravitate towards veganism by virtue of starting a raw diet and, understandably, not wishing to consume raw foods of a non-plant-based nature. Of course, there are also those who are already vegan on a philosophical basis, prior to starting raw. Whatever the case, 'factoids' about supposed links between osteoporosis and consumption of dairy tend to be most bandied about within the vegan and raw vegan communities. In other words, there is a major bias in propogating this supposed link.


Again, I appreciate that this is a vegan board, and I'm neither arguing 'for' or 'against' dairy. I'm simply pointing out that the supposed link between osteoporosis and dairy consumption is riddled with inconsistencies and oversights, and is often propogated by those with an existing philosophical bias. Dogma is all-too-common and whatever one's philosophical or dietary leanings, one should still question any 'received wisdom' rather than unquestioningly accepting it to be factual.



Back to the fingernails, inflammation might also play some role. A high raw natural foods diet (particularly one high in dark leafy greens) will tend to be anti-inflammatory, in contrast to many other diets. Inflammation can have a surprisingly wide range of negative effects (including upon hair growth, which, incidentally, is closely related to nail growth). It's certainly interesting that some folks on high-raw experience improved nail growth. It'd also be worth considering the colouration of the nails, as white flecks, ridges, undulations, flakiness etc., or cessation of these, can provide useful clues.


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[kitlynne]

My nails grow stronger and faster on high raw. I'm typically high raw, but I've been 100% raw since the beginning of this year and my nails are at their best. I've also read/watched/learned about the link between high dairy and low bone density/increased osteoporosis. Interesting idea on connecting it to nails - something to look into. :)

I hope I see that change again! My nails and my hair are both brittle. >< Here's hoping that they come back.

[Gianni]

I hope I see that change again! My nails and my hair are both brittle. >< Here's hoping that they come back.

It took me about 6 months to notice the change, so stick with the diet and it should happen for you.