Synopsis of Nails
Nails are protective, keratin-based structures that grow from the dorsal surface of the fingers and toes. Composed primarily of hardened keratin—a type of protein also found in skin and hair—the nail plate rests atop the nail bed and grows continuously from the nail matrix at the base. Fingernails grow at an average rate of 2–3 mm per month, while toenails grow more slowly. Healthy nails are generally smooth, evenly colored, and slightly convex in shape.
Nails serve several biological functions. They protect the sensitive tips of the fingers and toes, enhance fine motor tasks by providing counter-pressure for precision grip, and can act as visual indicators of overall health. Changes in nail color, thickness, or texture may reflect nutritional deficiencies, systemic illness, or exposure to toxins.
Common nail issues include fungal infections (onychomycosis), brittleness, ridging, discoloration, and ingrown nails. Nails are especially vulnerable to environmental stress, such as frequent water exposure, chemicals, trauma, or nutritional imbalances.
Natural remedies to support Nails
Nutrient intake: Ensure adequate levels of biotin, iron, zinc, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Hydration: Keep nails and cuticles moisturized with oils or hand creams, especially in dry climates.
Protective care: Wear gloves during cleaning or prolonged water exposure to prevent brittleness.
Avoid harsh chemicals: Limit use of acetone-based nail polish removers or harsh nail products.
Gentle grooming: Trim nails regularly and file them in one direction to avoid splitting.
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to support Nails.
amino acids
bamboo
biotin
bovine
bovine collagen
bovine gelatin
bovine liver
calcium
ceramides
chlorella
collagen
fish protein
folate
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
gelatin
horsetail
l-isoleucine
iron
kale
kelp
l-cysteine
l-cystine
l-methionine
methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
omega-3 fatty acids
pea and rice protein blend (proprietary)
polypeptide complex (proprietary)
protein
pumpkin
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
selenium
silica
silicon
keratin
soybean
spinach
almond fruit
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin E
seaweed
zinc
bee pollen
sunflower
trace minerals
wheat germ
herbal blend (proprietary)
melaleuca alternifolia
algae
chickpea protein
brown rice protein
thyroid substance
bladderwrack
Animal Tissue
Algalin protein
Amino Acid Chelate
Algae (unspecified)
Algas calcareas
Ascophyllum nodosum
Algae
Amino Acid (unspecified)
Algae protein
Algal protein
Amino Acid Blend/Complex
Argan nut oil
Albumen
Animal protein
Bone
Brown Rice Protein
Bovine Collagen
Bee Pollen
Bee Pollen
Bladderwrack (Kelp)
blend (herb/botanical)
botanical (unspecified)
Beef Protein
Beef
Beef liver
Bovine (unspecified)
Bovine Protein
Beet Molasses
Blend (Mineral)
Boron
Brazil nut
Blend (Amino Acid/Protein)
Beef
Blend (Fatty Acid or Fat/Oil Supplement)
Brewer's Yeast
Bee products
Brewer's Yeast
Bovine (not specified)
Biotin
Bovine (unspecified)
Beef liver
Chia seed
Coral
California chia
Coral
Crustaceans
Chicken Protein
Chicken collagen
Collagen (unspecified)
Collagen Peptides
Chicken
Cupric ascorbate
Chia Protein
Collagen (mixed)
Cysteine compounds (unspecified)
Cellulose silica
Cane Molasses
collagen (unknown source)
Cysteine
Cystine
Crustaceans
Collagen
Chicken
Calcium Carbonate
Diatomaceous Earth
DL-Methionine
Diatomite
Dry Milk
Dry Milk
Egg Albumen
Eggshell
Egg
Egg white protein
Egg
Emu Oil
Essential oil (unspecified)
Egg protein
Evening Primrose oil
Fruit & Vegetable Blend
food additive (unspecified)
Ferritin
Free Form Amino Acid
Fulvic Acid
Fish
Fungus
Fish
Fish protein
Flaxseed Protein
Fish (including shell)
Fish (including shell)
Gamma Linolenic Acid
Gelatin
Gamma-linolenic acid
Growth factors
Glycosaminoglycans
Green seaweed (unspecified)
Gooseberry
Hemp Protein
Horsetail
Hydrolyzed gelatin
Hydrolyzed beef collagen
Hydrolyzed keratin
Iron ascorbate
Iron
Iron
Iodine
Jojoba Oil
jojoba
Keratin
Kelp (various)
Kelp
Keratin
Kelp
Kelp (unspecified)
Keratin Peptides
Lithothamnion
L-Cystine
Liver
Lithothamnium
L-Methionine
Legume protein
L-Cysteine
Laminara
Lanolin
Liver
Lentein
Laminaria
Liver
Molasses
Mineral Blend
mineral (unspecified)
mineral (unspecified)
Mineral Water
Moringa
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)
Molluscs
Marine Protein
METHIONINE
Marine oil (unspecified)
Milk Protein
Mica
Milk protein
Marine colloids
Methylated silica
Nettle (mixed)
Neem
Norwegian Kelp
Nutritional Yeast
Nori
Oil (unspecified)
Omega Blend
Proprietary Blend (Amino Acid/Protein)
Proprietary Blend (Fatty Acid or Fat/Oil supplement)
peptides (unspecified)
Potato Protein
Proprietary Blend (Herb/Botanical)
Plankton (unspecified)
Potassium silicate
Proprietary Blend (Vitamin)
Peptides (unspecified)
Plant oil (unspecified)
Protein (vegetable)
Protein
Palm (unspecified)
Panthenol
Pearl
Protein (unspecified)
plant (unspecified)
Peptide (unspecified)
Proprietary Blend (Herb/Botanical)
Pea protein
Pearl
Pine Pollen
Quinoa
Quinoa Protein
Roe
Resin (unspecified)
Royal Jelly
Rice Protein
Softgel/ Soft gel
Selenium
Silicon
Sea vegetation (unspecified)
Silicon yeast
Serum Protein
Sesame Seed
Selenomethionine
Sea Buckthorn Oil
Silk protein
Salmon Oil
Sea vegetable (unspecified)
Selenium Yeast
Selenium Yeast
Sea Buckthorn
Seleno Methionine
Seaweed (unspecified)
Sacha Inchi Protein
Sodium silicate
Shrimp
Silicate
Shrimp
Skin
Silica calcium phosphate
Silica cellulose
Silicon
Selenium
Sulfur
Silicic Acid
silica
Shellfish
Shellfish Exoskeleton
seaweed
sunflower
Selenomethionine
Sulfur compounds (unspecified)
Sulphur
Tissue (unspecified)
Thyroid
Thyroid
Tofu
Tea Tree
Type-A Polymers
Torula Yeast
Tallow
Tea Tree Oil
Vegetable (unspecified)
Vegetable Protein
Veal
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopheryl acetate)
Vitamin E (mixied tocopherols and tocotrienols)
Vitamin E (unspecified tocopheryl acetate)
Vitamin B7 (biotin)
Vegetable Juice
Vitamin B
Vitamin (unspecified)
Yeast (Brewer's Yeast)
Yeast
Zinc L-Carnosine
Zinc alpha keto-glutarate
Zinc Picolinate
Zinc-l-Carnosine
Zinc osporotate
Zinc Yeast
Zinc
Zinc
