You may glance at your nails to check if you need to wash your hands or if it’s time to trim them. However, your nails can give insight into your health.
Fingernails can show your biological age and give clues as to how long you will live. Biological age is how old a body acts, while chronological age is how long a person has been alive. How quickly nails grow indicates how efficiently the body regenerates healthy cells.
On average, fingernail growth rate slows down by 0.5 percent every year after age 30. If a person’s nails grow quickly, it can be a sign that they are aging slower and are less likely to have age-related health concerns.
As we age, our circulation slows; the less oxygen and nutrients get to our nails, the slower they grow. They can also become dull and brittle.
Nails can give people insight into other aspects of their health. Nail ridges are a common sign of aging. But they can also indicate blood sugar concerns, deficiencies of vitamin A, zinc, calcium or iron or other medical concerns. White spots can be a deficiency of zinc, calcium or iron. It could also be a fungal infection. Black spots under the nail could be a blood blister, wart or potentially a symptom of cancer.
Brittle and easy-to-chip nails can be a sign of multiple things. One explanation can be a lack of protein. The body needs protein to make keratin for the nails. However, a lack of iron or vitamin B could be the root cause. Plus, damaging the cuticles through biting, picking or exposure to abrasives can cause bacterial or fungal infections that can harm the nails.
Changes in the shape, color or texture of nails can indicate many things. Paying attention to your hands can help you as you age. And watching your body for changes can help you stay on top of your health before problems become apparent in more significant ways. If you see your nails change, you should bring it to your doctor’s attention. It can be a symptom of a concern with few other outward signs. Knowing about issues early can help you take healthy steps. Being proactive in your health enables you to enjoy your life more!
