Strong As Nails

Food-Does It Heal Or Hurt?

You are what you eat. We've all heard that one a million times, although most of us don't believe it is true. While we may not be exactly what we eat, it is true that our diets have a profound effect upon our health and well being.

What we choose to consume can end up healing us or hurting us, although it may take some time before the effects are recognized. It is commonly understood these days that diet plays a very vital role in curing any ailment and you can find a diet to fix almost anything that has gone wrong in your body. Likewise, you can determine to eat in such a fashion as to keep your body healthy.

Preventative Health Through Eating

Here's another saying for you: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Now, that one is probably a lot easier to agree with, and when you think about it, life is just more fun when you are healthy and strong. A proper diet which includes foods that are rich in certain vitamins and minerals will go a long way to keeping everything in your body-including your toe nails-healthy.

What's that you say? A diet for your toe nails? Toe nail fungus can be the result of a number of different things. Some people are born into a family where there is a propensity to fungus under the nails. Other people are dealing with diabetes or have an overgrowth of Candida in their bodies which shows up in their nails as well as other places. Toe nail fungus can be the result of improper hygiene or injury to the toes. Regardless, it can be warded off to a large extent by dietary measures. Of course, that doesn't preclude the obvious things like hygiene and good grooming.

Eat Your Veggies...

People who suffer with toe nail fungus often have a lack of good bacteria in their diets. In order to side-step fungus, a diet that includes probiotics (lactobacilli) such as is found in yogurt and kefir is important. Vitamin A helps your body utilize protein and without an adequate supply of this vitamin the immune system is weakened. A weak immune system allows for the growth of unhealthy bacteria in the body which cause infection-like toe nail fungus. You don't have to take a pill to get this vitamin, just eat your veggies. Leafy greens, bright yellow and orange veggies (like squash and carrots); beets and asparagus all contain good levels of Vitamin A. Add fish or cod liver oil, which you can get in pill form, and your intake will be good.

...And Drink Your Milk

The trio of minerals that make for healthy nails are calcium, magnesium and zinc, which aid in growth and protection of the nails. This is where a good vitamin supplement comes in to help balance out the calcium you can get from dairy products. Another vital part of healthy nail growth is amino acids. There is a complete protein the body cannot produce on its own, casein. You can get casein in the same glass of milk where you get your calcium.

By simply adding these foods and minerals to your diet, you will strengthen your immune system and keep your body strong enough to keep toe nail fungus at bay.