Brittle Nails and Hair
Brittle nails and hair can indicate a vitamin deficiency, specifically the essential ones such as vitamin C, protein, vitamin B, and biotin.
Vitamin C is necessary to make collagen, which gives the nails strength and elasticity. Therefore, a deficiency in vitamin C leads to weak, brittle nails prone to splitting and cracking.
Protein is necessary for healthy cell growth, including the nail bed cells. A protein deficiency can cause the nail bed cells to weaken and break down, causing them to detach from the nail plate.
Meanwhile, vitamin B helps with cell division and growth. It’s needed for healthy hair follicles and sebaceous glands that produce skin and scalp health oil.
Biotin (another type of B vitamin) is also important for healthy hair growth; it’s needed for cell metabolism. A biotin deficiency can lead to painful inflammation of the skin around the hair shafts called “hot comb alopecia,” as well as excessive dryness, scaling, fissures (cracks), thinning of the hair shafts, and dullness or brittleness of the hair itself.
