Just like your skin and hair, your nails rely on a steady supply of nutrients to support their health. If you’re wondering what vitamins and minerals are good for nails, or how to support them through your diet and daily routine, you’re in the right place.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the most important vitamins and minerals for healthy nails, answer common questions, and highlight our best supplements to consider for your nails.
Vitamins & Minerals for Healthy Nails
Nails are made primarily of keratin – a protective protein that forms the structure of your nails, skin and hair. While nail health can be affected by everything from regular hand washing to seasonal changes, nutrition plays an important role in supporting healthy nails.
Here are two important minerals that are known to support the maintenance of normal nails:
Selenium
Selenium is a trace mineral that your body only needs in small amounts – but it still contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. It also contributes to the maintenance of normal nails.
You can get selenium through a range of everyday foods, including:
- Brazil nuts
- Eggs
- Tuna
- Sunflower seeds
- Wholegrains
Selenium is also available as a supplement, take a closer look at our selenium supplements and see how they could support your everyday wellbeing.
Zinc
Zinc is another important mineral when it comes to nail health. It contributes to the maintenance of normal nails.
Zinc can be found in:
- Meat and poultry
- Shellfish
- Lentils and chickpeas
- Seeds (especially pumpkin seeds)
- Dairy products
Some people choose to supplement with zinc, particularly if they want to give their skin, hair and nails a bit of extra support - zinc also contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and skin. Explore our full range of zinc supplements to support your daily routine.