brittle nails/1200 calories a day

heis4u2004
heis4u2004 Posts: 176 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Is there a link between the two? Since I have been trying to stick with around 1200 calories per day, my nails want to split and peel. What do you reccomend? I have tried to take this hair,skin, nails supplement, but something in it seems to make me feel funny. Maybe it has too much of something.
I eat plenty of good fats such as almonds everyday. Should I up my calories? And how would I do this without going over in sugar and sodium?
Thanks

Replies

  • samedame
    samedame Posts: 36
    Brittle nails are not caused by low calorie intake. Low thyroid hormone is a common cause, and there are some skin conditions and inflammatory conditions that cause it. Most common though is water exposure, like using too much detergent or scrubbing. Also acetone nail polish remover. Maybe ask the doc to check your thyroid.
  • stephylove321
    stephylove321 Posts: 32 Member
    How much iron are you getting? Are you eating leafy greens everyday? Nails usually tell us what nutrients we are missing.
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Brittle nails are not caused by low calorie intake. Low thyroid hormone is a common cause, and there are some skin conditions and inflammatory conditions that cause it. Most common though is water exposure, like using too much detergent or scrubbing. Also acetone nail polish remover. Maybe ask the doc to check your thyroid.
    That could be the cause if the low intake results in insufficient nutrition. I've seen lots of posts here from women eating 1200 or less and they had similar issues - hair falling out, brittle nails, etc.

    Without knowing your info, I can't say for sure, but 1200 is too low for most women. Do you eat back your exercise cals? That would help. As for sugar and sodium - if you have no health issues with either of them, I wouldn't worry about going over. A couple pieces of fruit will put most of us over MFP's sugar settings - I don't even track sugar anymore. As for sodium - I manage to keep mine under most days, but don't fret if I'm over. We lose a lot in sweat and need to replenish it, but if I'm way over then I just make sure to drink plenty of water that day.

    If you want to fine tune things a bit, have a read through this topic: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/974888-in-place-of-a-road-map-2k13 It's a lot of info, but great stuff, with links to tools and step by step instructions on figuring out how much you should be eating. When I got down to my last 10-15lbs I went with this method and have had my absolute best success with losing the fat and inches since then.

    Hope that helps.
  • heis4u2004
    heis4u2004 Posts: 176 Member
    Thanks for all the tips and advise. I am trying to eat closer to 1400 today. And I eat loads of spinach every day. It has been a staple in my home.
  • Ed98043
    Ed98043 Posts: 1,333 Member
    I've noticed that since I started increasing my protein intake, my nails are much healthier. I don't always make it to the 113 grams suggested by MFP, but I eat (or drink with protein shakes) much more than I used to. It's really the only major change I've made outside of decreasing calories.

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