Losing nails one layer at a time

[Niko]

I've been on Atkins since January 1st and while I've always had weak nails, they're getting so much worse the longer I'm on this diet. I've tried applying clear coats of nail strengthener to my nails but that stuff actually pops off my nail at work. I really need some help finding a way to get my nails so that they can stand up to daily usage.

The multi vitamin I take already has 167% of vitamin E but even my thumb nails are so weak I can't even open ziplocked baggies without them fraying. I have some vitamin E pills laying around but they're 1,333% of the daily value and I feel anxious about adding that to the 167% I'm already getting.

Can I go ahead and take that much E in hopes of strengthening my nails or is there another vitamin that can do the job? My multi has 100% B6 and B12 but those're it for the Bs.

[Georgiana]

The tolerable upper intake level for vitamin E is ~6666%. So most people will not have any adverse effects on their health by taking this amount of vit E.

Here is something I found online. Maybe it helps you.

My nails just keep getting worse. They split, peel, and
break terribly. Is there anything I can do. I have
tried different nail treatments and nothing seems to work. I had a Hysterectomy in June and bunion correction in October. They have been worse since these surgeries. Any suggustions?
Thank you.

Source: SPLITTING, BREAKING NAILS

Eat a healthy balanced diet, take vitamin suppliments that contain the B complex vitamins (specifically biotin), and oil your nails several times daily with a good cuticle and nail oil. The reason they split is because they are dried out. The natural nail bed will release a tidal flow of oils and moisture into the nail plate which is the cement that holds the nail plate together. It is also the substance that keeps the nail plate flexible. I recommend Botanical Oil which you can purchase at a Sally Beauty Supply, or Solar Oil which is available in most quality nail salons. Both of these oils contain jojoba and vitamin E along with other moisturizing and conditioning oils. Vitamin E on its own cannot penetrate the surface layer of the skin or the nail palte as the molecular structure is too large. The jojoba has a tiny mosecule which will penetrate the skin and nails and draw the vitmain E in after it. Many people believe that a 'hard' nail is a strong nail, when in fact, a hard nail will break very easily. A nail that is FLEXIBLE and strong will bend under pressure, which is why applying oil several times daily will improve nail health. Keep the nails short, keep them out of water (as water will act as a sponge and remove the moisture from your skin and nails), and do not wear polish or ANY kind. Nail strengtheners contain large amounts of formaldehyde and toluene which actually remove natural oils and moisture to make the nails appear hard. A glass rod is hard, but will easily break. A flexible rod is stronger because it will bend under pressure. Hope this helps!

Source: Re: SPLITTING, BREAKING NAILS

[hopejoy]

My nails grow like crazy which surprisingly, I find annoying because I'm always having to cut them. I think it's due to the calcium and magnesium I take daily.
liz

[Niko]

I'm already getting +100% of calcium and magnesium so I guess I'll just double up on the E and try to find a nice nail oil. Thanks for the suggestion, Georgiana!

[chinadoll]

I take Biotin to help with my nails. They have been much stronger since I started taking it.

[Niko]

I went to Ulta and bought a nail cream called Barielle which is massaged into the nail several times daily. I'm really hoping this works. My nails already just look nicer after massaging the cream into them yesterday but whether they'll become stronger and stop peeling is yet to be seen.