If This Happens To Your Fingernails, You Might Not Be Getting Enough Protein

If you're someone who feels amazing after leaving the salon with a fresh manicure, we get it. Perfectly painted nails and a little pampering can lift almost anyone into a brighter mood. But before you slather on polish to your always manicured nails, take a good hard look at your fingernails first because your fingernails can reveal surprising things about your health. Strong, well-rounded, and slightly pink nails are a sign of being in great health, according to Everyday Health. If this is not a description for your nails sans fresh polish, then it might be a clue to an underlying health-related issue. 

There is no need to panic. A lot of times, nail issues can be fixed with a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, per Healthline. The outlet claims that the addition of iron and biotin into your diet may be all that is needed for discolored nails, for example. Healthline also suggests adding more protein to your diet if your nails are giving you this specific sign. 

If you notice your fingernails are dry and tend to break easily, then protein deficiency could be the clue! And If you think you might not be getting enough protein in your diet, then trust us, you are not alone. According to Healthline, approximately one billion people worldwide have a protein deficiency. A severe protein deficiency can cause your nails to appear and feel thin and brittle. Protein in our diet is what makes keratin, a structural protein that comprises most of our fingernails, per Healthline. So eating enough protein to help boost your keratin production is the key to strong, healthy fingernails. In addition to hair and nails, a more serious protein deficiency can lead to weaker bones and stunted growth in children.  

Medical News Today shares that consuming foods like lean meats, fish, eggs, and beans are all excellent protein sources to help you feel fuller longer, give you more energy, and, yes, keep your nails and hair from breaking. So before you head into the salon to pick your next color, take a good look at your nails. Because they might be a tell-tale sign that it's time to add more protein to your diet.