Fragile nails since weight loss???

daisy888mfp
daisy888mfp Posts: 31 Member
edited November 22 in Health and Weight Loss
I've always had very strong, long fingernails, and I've noticed that my nails have been breaking and peeling like crazy lately. Has anyone else notice this happening to them? I've lost about 25 lbs so far (gradually over the course of the summer) and I still have another 70 lbs to go. I've started taking Biotin, but I haven't noticed any improvements.

Replies

  • caffeinatedcami
    caffeinatedcami Posts: 168 Member
    I would see a doctor. Peeling nails can be a sign of a health condition. When you say you lost 25 pounds over the summer do you mean over 2 months or longer than that? Maybe you lost weight too rapidly or you are missing out on nutrients? Sorry I don't have any better answers.
  • bpetrosky
    bpetrosky Posts: 3,911 Member
    What calorie level are you eating at currently? One possibility is that you may be too low and are not getting adequate nutrition.
  • gaelicstorm26
    gaelicstorm26 Posts: 589 Member
    Are you eating enough fat? Getting enough iron? It could be any number of things, including things that are unrelated to weight loss. I second the "see a doctor" idea. Your nails can be a great indicator of your overall health.
  • pstegman888
    pstegman888 Posts: 286 Member
    Fingernails are primarily protein. Check your macros for adequate protein. My nails used to flake & crack, but since I've been more concientious about my protein intake, they are strong & growing like crazy.
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  • gaelicstorm26
    gaelicstorm26 Posts: 589 Member
    It's mean to talk about donuts at 1 am. ;)
  • Merkavar
    Merkavar Posts: 3,082 Member
    I've been at a defict a while now. No nail issues.

    Wish they would fallout so I can stop cutting them.

    But yeah I agree with others, visit a doctor but in the mean time check your protein etc macro levels.

    Maybe even start eating at maintenance till you can see a doctor. Just to be safe.
  • daisy888mfp
    daisy888mfp Posts: 31 Member
    Thank you for your responses. I don't think I'm at a significant deficit as my weight loss has been quite slow. I'm definitely worried that I might be deficient in something though. I'll go ahead and increase my protein. I'll also visit my doctor soon. Thanks again!
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    I found my nails have gotten stronger. I incorporated a wider variety of vegetables into my diet, which means I'm likely getting a wider range of nutrients. And I'm focused more on hitting my protein and fat goals.
  • karahm78
    karahm78 Posts: 505 Member
    I eat a varied diet with healthy fat (olive, avocado, fish, etc), but my nails look healthiest and shine when I take a fish oil supplement daily.
  • kk_inprogress
    kk_inprogress Posts: 3,077 Member
    daisy888mfp wrote: »
    Thank you for your responses. I don't think I'm at a significant deficit as my weight loss has been quite slow. I'm definitely worried that I might be deficient in something though. I'll go ahead and increase my protein. I'll also visit my doctor soon. Thanks again!

    What's your definition of "slow?" 25 lbs across how many weeks?
  • daisy888mfp
    daisy888mfp Posts: 31 Member
    kkenseth wrote: »
    daisy888mfp wrote: »
    Thank you for your responses. I don't think I'm at a significant deficit as my weight loss has been quite slow. I'm definitely worried that I might be deficient in something though. I'll go ahead and increase my protein. I'll also visit my doctor soon. Thanks again!

    What's your definition of "slow?" 25 lbs across how many weeks?

    About 8 weeks.
  • kk_inprogress
    kk_inprogress Posts: 3,077 Member
    daisy888mfp wrote: »
    kkenseth wrote: »
    daisy888mfp wrote: »
    Thank you for your responses. I don't think I'm at a significant deficit as my weight loss has been quite slow. I'm definitely worried that I might be deficient in something though. I'll go ahead and increase my protein. I'll also visit my doctor soon. Thanks again!

    What's your definition of "slow?" 25 lbs across how many weeks?

    About 8 weeks.

    That's REALLY fast! At 3 lbs a week, your body is probably responding to aggressive weight loss. What's your intake? I suspect a nutritional deficit.
  • MondayJune22nd2015
    MondayJune22nd2015 Posts: 876 Member
    daisy888mfp wrote: »
    kkenseth wrote: »
    daisy888mfp wrote: »
    Thank you for your responses. I don't think I'm at a significant deficit as my weight loss has been quite slow. I'm definitely worried that I might be deficient in something though. I'll go ahead and increase my protein. I'll also visit my doctor soon. Thanks again!

    What's your definition of "slow?" 25 lbs across how many weeks?

    About 8 weeks.

    That's rapid, your losing too much weight; too soon. I myself have 54.4 pounds to lose & I only aim to lose 1 pound a week. Slow & steady, wins the race.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    You're over restricting yourself and this is one of the reasons it's not healthy to do so. Next will be your hair.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Yeah you're not meeting your nutritional needs. Losing too fast with 100 pounds to lose? Possibly, though I'm sure you lost a lot of water weight as well. But you definitely need to watch your macros and micros. How many calories are you eating?
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  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    When I could not get enough calories my nails got brittle. You may need more protein as has been mentioned, or any number of vitamins or minerals.

    http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/vitamins/vitamin-deficiency/nails.html

    It's been slow getting my nails back. I take vitamin supplements, watch my protein intake, trim my nails shorter, and massage nail strengthener in to the nails daily.

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