Guest guest Posted April 7, 2008 Report Share Posted April 7, 2008 I have no other information then what I found in my archives, copy/paste below. Hanneke Volume 74, Issue 3 Some changes in fingernails may be indicative of problems somewhere in the body. In a section from Part Two of " Prescription for Nutritional Healing--Second Edition " (James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C., 1997), some nail conditions were listed that we thought informative enough to include here: " ...Ridges can appear in the nails either vertically or horizontally. Vertical ridges indicate poor general health, poor nutrient absorption, and/or iron deficiency; they may also indicate a kidney disorder. Horizontal ridges can occur as a result of severe stress, either psychological or physical, such as from infection and/or disease. Ridges running up and down the nails also indicate a tendency to develop arthritis. " Deep blue nail beds show a pulmonary obstructive disorder such as asthma or emptysema.. . " Black, splinterlike bits under the nails can be a sign of infectious endocarditis, a serious 'heart infection; other heart disease; or a bleeding disorder. " Brittle nails signify possible iron deficiency, thyroid problems, impaired kidney function, and circulation problems. " Brittle, soft, shiny nails without a moon may indicate an overactive thyroid. " Dark nails and/or thin, flat, spoon-shaped nails are a sign of Vitamin B12 deficiency or anemia. Nails can also turn gray or dark if the hands are placed in chemicals such as cleaning supplies (most often bleach) or a substance to which one is allergic. " Downward-curved nail ends may denote heart, liver, or respiratory problems... " Nail beading (the development of bumps on the surface of a nail) is a sign of rheumatoid arthritis... " Nails that chip, peel, crack, or break easily show a general nutritional deficiency and insufficient hydrochloric acid and protein. Minerals are also needed... " Pitted red-brown spots and frayed and split ends indicate psoriasis; Vitamin C, folic acid, and protein are needed. " Red skin around the cuticles can be indicative of poor metabolism of essential fatty acids or of a connective tissue disorder such as lupus... " Thick nails may indicate that the vascular system is weakening and the blood is not circulating properly. They may also be a sign of thyroid disease. " Thinning nails may signal lichen planus, an itchy skin disorder. " Two white horizontal bands that do not move as the nail grows are a sign of hypoalbu-minemia, a protein deficiency in the blood. " Unusually wide, square nails can suggest a hormonal disorder. " White lines show possible heart disease, high fever, or arsenic poisoning... " If the white moon area of the nail turns red, it may indicate heart problems; if it turns slate blue, then it can indicate either heavy metal poisoning (such as silver poisoning) or lung trouble. " Yellow nails or an elevation of the nail tips can indicate internal disorders long before other symptoms appear. Some of these are problems with the lymphatic system, respiratory disorders, diabetes, and liver disorders. " Interesting reading ----and overall a pretty good book... (WaterOz Newsletter, June, 2003) ------------ A deficiency of the B vitaminss causes fragility, with horizonal and vertical ridges. Horizonal ridges can occur as a result of severe stress, either physical or emotional, such as an infection and or disease. Ridges running up and down the nails usually indicates a tendency to developing arthritis. A zinc deficiency may cause the development of whites spots on the nails. White bands across the nails are an indication of a protein deficiency. A half-white nail with dark spots at the tips points to possible kidney disease. Nails raised at the base, with small, white ends, show a repiratory disorder or this can simply be inherited. Two white hortizonal bands that do not move as the nail grows is a sgn of a protein deficiency. White lines can show a possible heart disease, high fever or arsenic posioning. White lines across the nail may indicate liver disease. White nails indicate possible liver or kidne disorders and/or anemia. White nails with pink near the tips are a sign of cirrhosis. Harsh chemicals can damage the nails and so can artifical nails. --------------------- Simple Solution: As early as 400 B.C.E., Hippocrates taught that the nails reflect the condition of the inner body. It is true that abnormalities of the nails can often provide early clues to common medical problems or severe systemic diseases. Take a few moments and examine your unpolished fingernails under a good light. You will gather a new appreciation for how your lifestyle affects your nails and overall health. Nails grow at different rates due to age, nutrition, and health factors. Under the best of conditions, a nail grows about .004 inches a day or 1/8 of an inch each month. It takes about six months for a new nail to grow from cuticle to tip. Use this diagnostic chart to look at and understand the condition of your nails: COMPLETE LOSS OF NAIL Trauma NAIL PLATE LOOSE Injury; nail psoriasis; fungal or bacterial infections; medicines; chemotherapy; thyroid disease; Raynaud’s phenomenon; lupus WASTING AWAY OF NAILS; NAIL LOSES LUSTER AND BECOMES SMALLER Injury or disease THICKENED NAIL PLATE Poor circulation; fungal infection; heredity; mild, persistent trauma to the nail PITTED NAILS SOMETIMES WITH YELLOW-TO-BROWN “OIL” SPOTS Eczema or psoriasis; hair loss condition VERY SOFT NAILS Contact with strong alkali; malnutrition; endocrine problems; chronic arthritis SPOON-SHAPED NAILS Iron deficiency; thyroid disease CLUBLIKE NAILS GROWING AROUND SWOLLEN FINGER ENDS Chronic respiratory or heart problems; cirrhosis of the liver HORIZONTAL RIDGES Injury; infection; nutrition LONGITUDINAL RIDGES Aging, poor absorption of vitamins and minerals; thyroid disease; kidney failure BRITTLE, SPLIT NAILS Nail dryness; nails in contact with irritating substances (detergents, chemicals, polish remover); silica deficiency INFECTED NAILS: RED, TENDER, SWOLLEN, PUS Bacterial or yeast infection OVERLARGE MOONS Overactive thyroid; genetics; self-induced trauma (habit tick) NO MOONS Underactive thyroid; genetics DISCOLORED FINGERNAILS Colorless: May indicate anemia Red or deep pink: Can indicate a tendency to poor peripheral circulation Blue: Blood may not be receiving adequate oxygen due to respiratory disorders, cardiovascular problems, or lupus erythermatosus. Yellow: Could indicate fungus, diabetes, psoriasis, use of tetracycline, or heredity. White, crumbly, soft: May be a result of a fungus infection Half white/half pink: May indicate fungal infection or, more seriously, kidney disease Small white patches: Usually a sign of injury to the nail matrix Purple or black: Usually due to trauma, or may also be a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency. A brown or black streak that begins at the base of the nail and extends to its tip could be a diagnostic clue to a potentially dangerous melanoma. See your healthcare provider. According to the book " Prescription for Nutritional Healing, pages 532-535: • A lack of protein, folic acid, and vitamin C causes hangnails. White bands across the nails are also an indication of protein deficiency. • A lack of vitamin A and calcium causes dryness and brittleness. • A deficiency of the B vitamins causes fragility, with horizontal and vertical ridges. • Insufficient intake of vitamin B12 leads to excessive dryness, very rounded and curved nail ends, and darkened nails. • Iron deficiency may result in " spoon " nails (nails that develop a concave shape) or vertical ridges. • Zinc deficiency may cause the development of white sots on the nails. • A lack of sufficient " friendly " bacteria (lactobacilli) in the body can result in the growth of fungus under and around nails. • A lack of sufficient hydrochloric acid (HCI) contributes to splitting nails. The book goes on to tell you recommendations At 12:56 PM 7/04/2008, you wrote: I have been asking that one too--not much come out of it yet. Mine are vertical---used to have them on just thumbs but now on all fingers. Near as I can tell its a mineral imbalance of some sort...would love to get a good answer to that myself. Have had lots of guesses but nothing professional. Cheers Bea annielovenlife <annielovenlife wrote: I have read where you can tell a lot about a persons health by their fingernails. Keeping that in mind, I have a question. I have ridges, grooves, and sometimes dimples in my fingernails. My nails are pretty tough, and do not break or splinter, I normally have to cut and file them before they would break. Does anybody have any ideas on this health subject? Annie You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.519 / Virus Database: 269.22.7/1361 - Release Date: 5/04/2008 7:53 AM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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