Nails can become weak and brittle with age, because of dietary deficiencies or harsh manicures. A varied diet, a file instead of scissors, well-cared-for cuticles, enough fluids and a professional for gel and semi-permanent polish all help. Among nutrients, zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal nails.
Having weak and brittle nails is a problem many people share. The reasons can vary, even though the issues that arise are similar.
Nails in this condition usually have an altered structure and shape, and they also lack elasticity, which makes them more prone to breaking.
To the eye, they show striations, grooves, cracks or a jagged shape caused by the peeling of the nail’s surface layers.
It is a problem that goes beyond mere appearance, because it is linked to one or more factors related to the health or habits of the person affected.
The good news is that, once you have found the main cause, you can take suitable action to tackle the problem and prevent it.
Everyday habits make a big difference: diet, hydration and gentle nail care.
In this article we will look at the most common causes that make nails weaken to the point of breaking easily, and the secret to keeping them healthy and beautiful over time.
When nails can become brittle
You can tell that a nail is in excellent health just by looking at it. In fact, it has a few features that are easy to recognise.
The visible part (the nail plate) is semi-transparent and pink in colour, thanks to the underlying nail tissue, which is rich in blood vessels. The surface of a healthy nail looks strong, smooth and even.
So what are the reasons that can cause these important protective plates to weaken to the point of breaking easily?
Weak and brittle nails can be the result of:
- Poor eating habits or drastic diets. Nails, just like the rest of the body, are affected by a deficiency of vitamins A, E, C and B6 and of important minerals such as iron, zinc, copper, calcium, phosphorus and selenium.
- Excessive or aggressive nail care. When a manicure is too aggressive, nails can take on a wavy appearance, with ridges, dips and brittleness.
- Natural ageing. This is a fairly common problem and easy to recognise. The nails show striations of varying depth, which appear as vertical parallel lines.
- Environmental factors. Nail health can be affected by prolonged contact with water and by frequent use of solvents, detergents and soaps.
- Onychomycosis. This happens when fungi, moulds and yeasts invade the nail plate and damage it. It mainly affects toenails, making them white or yellowish, jagged and crumbly.
How can you tackle or prevent weak and brittle nails?
Collagen: a great ally for your nails
To say goodbye to brittle, weak nails, you need to take care not only of how they look but also of their health.
With age, nails also tend to become more brittle.
How can you increase collagen production to have beautiful, strong nails?
Through your diet, you can eat foods that contain collagen. Here are a few:
- bone broth;
- chicken;
- beef;
- veal;
- turkey;
- prawns;
- salmon;
- mackerel;
- sardines;
To these foods we add fruit and vegetables such as kiwis, oranges and red peppers, which are sources of vitamin C.
Although these are all excellent sources of collagen, they are often not enough to meet the body’s needs. So how can you supplement this important protein?
Drinkable collagen: how valuable it is for your nails
If your nails are weak, you can turn to food supplements such as Collagen PRO5, Mialica’s drinkable collagen: each vial contains 7.5 mg of zinc, and zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal nails. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Each vial contains Verisol® collagen peptides, combined with avocado dry extract, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, zinc, vitamin A, biotin and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine.
Hair and nail supplements: what to look for on the label
Nails and hair have a lot in common: both are made of keratin and grow slowly, so any change takes weeks to show. When you choose a hair and nail supplement, there are two main nutrients to look for on the label.
- Zinc: contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and nails.
- Biotin: contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.
Collagen PRO5 contains both (7.5 mg of zinc and 50 µg of biotin per vial), along with 5 g of Verisol® collagen peptides, vitamin C and vitamin A.
Collagen for hair: what to know
Collagen is the protein that gives structure to the dermis, the layer of the skin where hair roots are anchored and on which the nail matrix rests. That is why collagen for hair and nails is talked about more and more often. In a supplement, what counts is the formula as a whole: the collagen, the dose and the nutrients that go with it.
For stronger nails, in addition to what we have just described, you can also follow a few good habits. Let’s see what they are.
3 useful tips for beautiful, strong nails
Here are three valuable tips to follow if you want to keep your nails healthy over time.
- Be careful who does your manicure. If they are not done properly, treatments such as gel nail extensions and the removal of semi-permanent polish can lead to thinning of the nails. So it is always better to rely on skilled professionals.
- Nail care. When it comes to a DIY manicure, it helps to start with a softening soak for your hands or feet. Then push back the cuticles and file the nails. To shorten them, it is advisable not to cut them with scissors or nail clippers but to use a file: this way you avoid micro-injuries that can even take a long time to heal.
- The importance of hydration. Getting enough fluids ensures the well-being of your whole body, nails included. Nails are made up of 20% water, so if hydration is poor, they become brittle. To help them, you can use specific products or natural ointments made at home.
Taking care of yourself also means caring about the health of your nails.
Taking a collagen supplement such as Mialica’s, a diet rich in vitamins A, B, C, D and E and biotin, and a few good habits are all effective and important solutions with the same aim: keeping your nails beautiful and strong over time.
This article is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a doctor or healthcare professional. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are undergoing treatment, ask your doctor for advice before taking supplements.
