Brittle Nails

The common condition of brittle nails is often not definitively linked with any known cause. Nonetheless, natural medicine may be able to help strengthen brittle nails.

Most conditions that affect nails are unrelated to nutrition; they are caused by a lack of oxygen associated with lung conditions, hemorrhage due to infection, or inflammation around the nail due to infection. If there is any question about what the problem is, it is important to get a diagnosis from a healthcare practitioner.

Checklist for Brittle Nails

Rating Nutritional Supplements Herbs
2Stars Biotin
Glucosamine		  
1Star Gelatin Horsetail
3Stars Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
2Stars Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
1Star An herb is primarily supported by traditional use, or the herb or supplement has little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit.

What are the symptoms of brittle nails? People with brittle nails may have frequent or easy breaking, cracking, splitting, or tearing of their nails.

How is it treated? Conventional treatments for brittle nails include ensuring adequate nutrition (especially protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, niacin, calcium, and iron), the use of gloves when doing dishes, and the avoidance of drying chemicals, such as nail polish remover. In some cases, the treatment of an underlying medical condition, such as thyroid deficiency or poor circulation, may be recommended.

Nutritional supplements that may be helpful: Nutrition can affect the health of nails in a variety of ways. Iron deficiency may cause spoon-shaped nails.1 For years, some doctors have believed zinc deficiency causes white spots to appear on nails. In China, excessive selenium has been linked to nails actually falling out.2

Biotin, a B vitamin, is known to strengthen hooves in animals. As a result, Swiss researchers investigated the use of biotin in strengthening brittle fingernails in humans, despite the fact that it remains unclear exactly how biotin affects nail structure. An uncontrolled trial of 2.5 mg biotin per day found improved firmness and hardness in almost all cases after an average treatment time of 5.5 months.3 In a controlled trial using 2.5 mg of biotin per day, women with brittle nails, who had their nail thickness measured before and at six to fifteen months after, found their nail thickness increased by 25%. As a result, splitting of nails was reduced. In an uncontrolled study of people who had been taking biotin for brittle nails in America, 63% showed improvement from taking biotin.4 Although the amount of research on the subject is quite limited and positive effects do not appear in all people, those people having brittle nails may want to consider a trial period of at least several months, using 2.5 mg per day of biotin.

Gelatin has been marketed as a remedy for brittle nails since the turn of the twentieth century and has been mentioned in medical journals at least since the 1950s.5 6 7 Gelatin is a slaughterhouse byproduct, made from the hooves and other inedible connective tissue of cows. While some people claim success using gelatin to strengthen brittle nails, others claim that the remedy is ineffective,8 9 and that the real cause of brittle nails is lack of moisture, not protein deficiency.

One doctor has observed that supplementation with glucosamine sulfate (amount not specified) can increase the growth rate and strength of fingernails and toenails;10 however, no controlled trials have been done.

Are there any side effects or interactions? Refer to the individual supplement for information about any side effects or interactions.

Herbs that may be helpful: Anecdotal reports suggest that horsetail may be of some use in the treatment of brittle nails.11 This may be due to the high content of silicic acid and silicates in horsetail, which provide approximately 2 to 3% elemental silicon.

Are there any side effects or interactions? Refer to the individual herb for information about any side effects or interactions.

References:

1. Bates B. A guide to physical examination, 2d ed. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott, 1979, 51.

2. Yang G, Wang S, Zhou R, Sun S. Endemic selenium intoxication of humans in China. Am J Clin Nutr 1983;37:872–81.

3. Floersheim GL. Treatment of brittle fingernails with biotin. Z Hautkr 1989;64:41–8 [in German].

4. Hochman LG, Scher RK, Meyerson MS. Brittle nails: response to daily biotin supplementation. Cutis 1993;51:303–5.

5. Halliday C. A new treatment for brittle nails. Canad Nurse 1959;55:348.

6. Rosenberg S, Oster KA, Kallos A, Burroughs W. Further studies in the use of gelatin in the treatment of brittle nails. AMA Arch Derm 1957;76:330–5.

7. Derzavis JL, Mulinos MG. The brittle nail. Its treatment and prevention with gelatin. Med Ann DC 1961;30:133–7.

8. Mirkin G. Gelatin doesn’t cure brittle nails. Health Topics from The Dr. Gabe Mirkin Show and DrMirkin.com. http://www.drmirkin.com/nutrition/8472.html [accessed 3/20/01].

9. The Editors of Prevention Magazine Health Books, ed. The Doctor’s Book of Home Remedies for Women. New York: Bantam Books, 1998.

10. Swinburne LM. Glucosamine sulphate and osteoarthritis. Lancet 2001;357:1617 [Letter].

11. Hamon NW, Awang DVC. Horsetail. Canadian Pharm J 1992;Sep:399–401.