Your Nails Can Tell You a Lot About Whats Going on Inside Your Body

Symptom: Ridged nails

Diagnosis: Ridged nails could be something as harmless as nail dehydration, but could indicate an iron deficiency. Spoon-shaped nails can also indicate this, says nutritional advisor Laura Williams from Future Perfect (www.fperfect.com, call 020 7515 7630). Getting enough iron is vital as it delivers oxygen to the blood and generates energy. Too little can lead to anaemia.

Treatment: Many women suffer from iron deficiencies around the time of their period. To ensure you get enough iron, eat more red meat and fish. Vegetarian sources include wholegrain cereals, leafy green vegetables and pulses such as lentils. Eat these along with foods rich in vitamin C to help your body absorb the iron (eg, lean steak with fresh orange juice). Avoid drinking tea and coffee with meals as these can strip iron from your body before its absorbed.

Symptom: White spots

Diagnosis: White spots can mean a zinc deficiency, particularly if they occur on more than one nail, says Laura. Zinc helps heal wounds and is vital for healthy skin and an efficient immune system. But if you up your zinc levels and they still dont go, white spots could simply be down to over-zealous manicuring or a minor knock to the nail bed, she adds.

Treatment: If you have white spots and are also feeling run-down and prone to illness, try increasing your zinc levels. Beef, pork, lamb and the dark meat of chicken are good sources. If youre a veggie, you can get plenty of zinc from pumpkin seeds, dairy products, beans and lentils, nuts, seeds and wholegrain cereals.

Symptom: Blue nails

Diagnosis: Blue-tinged nails can be caused by a bruise, or it may be a sign you need to boost your circulation, says Laura. If your fingertips often feel icy even when its not cold, it could be worth seeking medical advice. Some people are just born with poor circulation, but in some cases it can point to hormonal imbalances, such as an underactive thyroid.

Treatment: Make sure you get checked by a doctor. If its nothing serious, its still a good idea to improve your circulation, as its good for overall health if your blood is flowing easily around your body. Get your blood pumping with regular exercise, and try taking a cayenne supplement, as it stimulates the heart and strengthens your capillaries. Ginkgo biloba (pounds 8.99 for 30 capsules, from Health Aid) is another all-round circulation booster and recommended for people who suffer Raynauds disease, a condition where blood flow to the fingertips is restricted by over-constriction of the tiny blood vessels.

Yellow nails can be caused by a fungus beat it by including live yoghurt in your diet

Symptom: Yellow nails

Diagnosis: Yellow nails are more common on feet than hands, and usually indicate a fungus which can be caused by something as simple as poorly fitting shoes, says Laura. It easily spreads and your nail may also go thick, crumbly or smelly. Very rarely, yellow nails are one of the signs associated with a lung condition involving recurrent pneumonia and destruction of the lungs muscular tissue.

Treatment: Nail fungus is made up of tiny organisms that love dark, warm places and happily take up residence under your nails. Fungus thrives if you havent got enough friendly bacteria in your body, so include live yoghurt and fortified probiotic drinks in your diet. Also, get down the chemist and pick up an over-the-counter antifungal formula or Tea tree oil (pounds 4.10 from Thursday Plantation) to wipe on your nails every day until they look better. If all else fails, see your doctor for prescription-strength anti- fungal tablets.

Symptom: Flaking nails

Diagnosis: You obviously arent on the Atkins diet if you have nails like this. Flaking nails can be a sign youre not getting enough protein in your diet, says Laura. Vegetarians are more likely to have a shortfall than meat-eaters.

Treatment: Healthy protein sources include eggs, fish, soya and lean meat, advises Laura. If youre veggie, you can still get enough just make sure you mix different types of protein to get whats known as complete protein as, unlike meat, plants such as wholegrains, nuts, seeds and beans only contain some of the essential acids you need. Soy is the only complete vegetarian protein. You could also try a protein strengthening treatment such as Elegant Touch Diamond Shield, pounds 5.95, which is painted on to the nails for a month to help re-nourish them.

Symptom: Dull nails

Diagnosis: If the surface of the nail is dull and is accompanied by a powdery surface, this can indicate the yeast infection candida, says Laura.

Treatment: Candida is a common infection which many women suffer in the form of thrush, but it can also affect the nails. Its caused by yeasts which live inside us all the time, but mutate into a fungal form when they overgrow. Antibiotics can trigger an infestation. If you suffer candida regularly, you could try taking a herbal supplement to boost your immune system and stop the problem recurring. Pau dArco (pounds 7.99 at Holland & Barrett), a Brazilian plant extract, has been shown to reduce external fungal infections.

Symptom: Splitting nails

Diagnosis: Fragile nails which easily break or split can be down to a deficiency of one of the B vitamins, most probably vitamin B2, says Laura. Stress, illness or a change of medication can also affect nails strength and texture.

Treatment: Getting enough B vitamins wont just benefit your talons. Theyre used in the making of blood and nerve tissue, and help process other vitamins and minerals. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) not only helps your body cope with stress, it also helps release energy from carbs. And its easy to increase your levels find it in fortified cereal and bread, leafy green veg, eggs, nuts and dairy products, or try taking Perfectil (pounds 8.50), a daily multi-vit which doubles as a nail and skin booster.

Symptom: Bendy nails

Diagnosis: Nails that bend are nails that have been weakened or damaged in some way, and are often found on women who wear nail extensions, says Laura. Nails that are brittle and dehydrated tend to bend. This problem can also be a reminder youre not getting enough calcium.

Treatment: You dont have to eat loads of cheese to up your calcium levels healthier sources include yoghurt, skimmed milk, nuts, seeds and leafy greens. A touch of TLC should take care of the rest. Nails, like hair, are technically dead, but they still need moisture to keep them strong and supple. Standard hand creams dont usually soak easily into the nail, but sit on top, so you need to use a product specifically designed for the job, such as Creative Solar Oil (from pounds 9.95). Rub nail oil in every night before you nod off so your nails have all night to absorb the moisture.