Nails opaque, white spots/bands = zinc, vitamin B6
Peeling nails =     vitamins A, C, calcium
Ridges on nails, longitudinal =     vitamin A, protein, calcium (anemia, poor circulation, thyroid/parathyroid glands)
Ridges on nails, transverse = fever, infection, inflammation, menstrual problems, period of protein deficiency
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nails/AN00591

I was always told that the number of white spots on your nails is the number of guys in love with you...  

Apparently - "...vertical ridges are the 'rails and grooves' on which the nail plate rides forward on the nail bed. The 'rails' are on the nail bed and act much like train tracks, whereas the 'grooves' are on the underside of the nail plate and act much like the wheels on a train. This is how the nail plate rides forward on the nail bed - much like the train rides forward on its tracks.
As we age, or if our nail plate does not contain the proper levels of oil and moisture, the 'rails and grooves' will appear on the surface of the nail plate as ridges or 'lines' that run vertically from the cuticle to the free edge.

If they run from side to side 'across' the nail plate, this is a different matter and is usually the result of some sort of trauma to the matrix (where the nail plate cells are born), or is some sort of genetic malformation.

If they run from the cuticle to the free edge, this is easily changed. The nail plate is constantly being 'bathed' by an upward tidal flow of oils and moisture that transmit from the nail bed, up through the layers of nail plate to the surface, and are what create the natural 'matte' shine to the nail plate surface. This same oil and moisture will keep the nail plate cells flexible so they will 'slide' across and over each other under pressure. If the oil and moisture levels are depleted or reduced for any reason or from any outside source, they can be replaced by applying a good quality nail and cuticle oil at least 3 times a day, and ALWAYS at night.

Once the nail oil penetrates all 3 layers of the nail plate, your nails should begin to look better and the lines should begin to reduce in size and depth."
http://www.healthboards.com › ... › Health Issues › Nail Problems
Or obviously supplement internally with the good oils... Come to think of it; when I re-examined my nails just now, the ridges have evened out heaps...They used to be quite pronounced...

Come to think of it, I did increase my oil (almond, flax and olive) intake. I am also taking fish oil capsules these last weeks.

I get plenty of oils/fats in my diet, and my nails are very shiny.  The ridges are quite pronounced, but only on some nails, not all of them.  You know, I always get these things that indicate "thyroid issues", but when I ask my MD to check thyroid function I always get a "thyroid normal" result from the blood test.

Very interesting indeed, Possum.

Quoted from O in Virginia

I get plenty of oils/fats in my diet, and my nails are very shiny.  The ridges are quite pronounced, but only on some nails, not all of them.  You know, I always get these things that indicate "thyroid issues", but when I ask my MD to check thyroid function I always get a "thyroid normal" result from the blood test.

Yes, I suspect some sort of thyroid deficiency myself but the test results always come back normal. I have a normal low body temp consistently--to the point of feeling extremely cold sometimes and feel much better if I use iodine.

pantethine vs pantothenic acid

When my husband saw Dr. D he gave him pantethine and told him to make sure he did not get pantethinic acid.


I believe that it has to do with the enzymatic action that takes place in the body that is important.
I would follow Dr. D's advice he knows lots more about biochemistry then I will ever begin to grasp.

Makes sense as pantethine can serve as a precursor for generation of vitamin B5... but pantethine is considered to be a more potent form of vitamin B5 than pantothenic acid...

Quoted from Andrea AWsec

pantethine vs pantothenic acid

When my husband saw Dr. D he gave him pantethine and told him to make sure he did not get pantethinic acid.
I believe that it has to do with the enzymatic action that takes place in the body that is important.
I would follow Dr. D's advice he knows lots more about biochemistry then I will ever begin to grasp.

Actually, I take both pantethine and pantothenic acid and have for many years. For different reasons. And neither of them have done anything for my nails - I'm looking forward to seeing if SWAMI corrects this problem. Wow. I'm dropping the weight for sure.

Gut health will fix the nails, A's have SIBO and the nutrients  get eaten up by the bad bacteria

Correcting it is simple, Dr. D makes targeted supplements just for this purpose.

Taking both  supplements is probably unnecessary.
  Money would be better spent on other things.

Quoted from O in Virginia

I get plenty of oils/fats in my diet, and my nails are very shiny.  The ridges are quite pronounced, but only on some nails, not all of them.  You know, I always get these things that indicate "thyroid issues", but when I ask my MD to check thyroid function I always get a "thyroid normal" result from the blood test.

Have you checked you TSH in comparison to your T3? A (very) high TSH with a low(er) T3 (but within normal range) is also an indication that something is not right.

Quoted from Spring

Yes, I suspect some sort of thyroid deficiency myself but the test results always come back normal. I have a normal low body temp consistently--to the point of feeling extremely cold sometimes and feel much better if I use iodine.

My body temp runs slightly low, too.  How do you use iodine?  Is iodized salt sufficient?

Quoted from SandrAruba

Have you checked you TSH in comparison to your T3? A (very) high TSH with a low(er) T3 (but within normal range) is also an indication that something is not right.

I didn't even know to ask for such a thing.     I will make a note of it, thank you.

Quoted from Andrea AWsec

Gut health will fix the nails, A's have SIBO and the nutrients  get eaten up by the bad bacteria

Correcting it is simple, Dr. D makes targeted supplements just for this purpose.

Taking both  supplements is probably unnecessary.
  Money would be better spent on other things.

I'm happy with my supplements so I will be sticking with them. A blanket statement like that about A's is rather extreme. I have been taking probiotics, as I have already mentioned, for over twenty-five years, I have no "bloating," or any of those other "gut" symptoms.  I have been on one type or other of Dr. D.s diets since 1999. So, apart from this present allergy complication, I am doing very well considering my age!   What I am counting on now is SWAMI, and Dr. D.'s hard work with that to fix the nail problem. We will see.

My body temp runs slightly low, too.  How do you use iodine?  Is iodized salt sufficient? O in V

I just paint it on my arm somewhere. Whatever comes up on the applicator after the bottle is shaken works for me. People who eat a lot of salt probably get enough, but I have never been fond of salt so I don't eat very much of it. I understand that commercial products are not salted with iodized salt in a lot of cases.

Quoted from Spring

My body temp runs slightly low, too.  How do you use iodine?  Is iodized salt sufficient? O in V

I just paint it on my arm somewhere. Whatever comes up on the applicator after the bottle is shaken works for me. People who eat a lot of salt probably get enough, but I have never been fond of salt so I don't eat very much of it. I understand that commercial products are not salted with iodized salt in a lot of cases.

Someone posted recently about using iodine in the way you describe, with a link to a method to test if you're iodine deficient.  I thought that was interesting, but I haven't tried it yet.  I don't even have any iodine in the house.  If I can remember to pick some up next time I'm in the drugstore I will.  I just bought some iodiezed sea salt today.  I like salt so that may suffice for me.  

O in Va, just regular old Morton salt has 45% of the "daily value" in 1/4 teas.   So, you're right, it might be just fine for you. I wonder if your sea salt gives the amount in it. I read somewhere that a person only absorbs about 10 per cent of iodine painted on the skin. It makes me feel better to do it now and then because I don't get a lot from any source. If it takes longer than four or five hours for the iodine to absorb, I feel like I'm doing all right. I have seen it disappear in less than three! So I paint another day or two to "catch up."

someplace I read that there is something in the salt that hinders the iodine.  Try googleing I want to say I've read it in the Live Right Book. (out on loan) but I really can't be sure. It was stated on a thread you might find info there.

Most iodized salt contains corn-based dextrose to "glue together" the iodine and the salt. Corn is an avoid for Os. I never buy iodized salt, although I do buy sea salt that contains some iodine (far less than iodized salt, though) and I use sea vegetables regularly in cooking. Seaweeds are a good source of iodine, much better than iodized salt.

Quoted from ruthiegirl

Most iodized salt contains corn-based dextrose to "glue together" the iodine and the salt. Corn is an avoid for Os. I never buy iodized salt, although I do buy sea salt that contains some iodine (far less than iodized salt, though) and I use sea vegetables regularly in cooking. Seaweeds are a good source of iodine, much better than iodized salt.

Argh!!     Naturally, I just bought some iodized sea salt as I had run out of my regular sea salt.  Well, anyway, I also have some dried seaweed.  I'm just trying to figure out how I want to eat it.

Spring, maybe I will try the iodine painting exercise to see how quickly it is taken up by skin.  It will be interesting.

This is a great topic...
My nails are still neither here nor there...
But, I started taking flax seeds and sesame seeds one teaspoon every day. It has been a week now. And the results are not as I want them to be-read as : I'm very impatient!
I'm also thinking of taking fish oil. Before the BTD and GTD my nails were non existing.
So I guess I have to patient?!

Healing takes time. When talking about nail health, it generally takes at least a month to see improvement, sometimes 2 or 3 months. That's because nails  grow so slowly.

Are the flax and sesame seeds ground when you eat them? If you're eating the seeds whole, you may not be able to use the good fats found inside them.

Quoted from ruthiegirl

Healing takes time. When talking about nail health, it generally takes at least a month to see improvement, sometimes 2 or 3 months. That's because nails  grow so slowly.

Are the flax and sesame seeds ground when you eat them? If you're eating the seeds whole, you may not be able to use the good fats found inside them.

Yeah, it just danwed on me. I was eating the seeds whole. I'll start eating them grounded. Thanks.

I have ridges and no moons...is that bad? I'm O- and am new to this and am not even sure what a secretor is yet...guess i'll learn all this in good time.

Quoted from Brimstone

I have ridges and no moons...is that bad? I'm O- and am new to this and am not even sure what a secretor is yet...guess i'll learn all this in good time.

Welcome, and you might find some good basics here.

http://www.dadamo.com/knowbase/newbie/1.htm