What actually helps with brittle nails
Nails that are thin, weak, and prone to splitting, peeling, or breaking, often indicating nutritional deficiencies in biotin, iron, or zinc.
Biotin enhances nail plate thickness by stimulating keratinocyte growth and improving the cross-linking of keratin proteins in the nail matrix. Clinical trials show 25% increase in nail thickness with supplementation.
Dose: 2500–5000 mcg
Collagen peptides provide structural amino acids for nail matrix keratin synthesis. Increases nail growth rate.
Dose: 2.5–5 g
Iron is essential for hemoglobin production and oxygen delivery to nail matrix cells. Iron deficiency causes nail bed hypoxia, resulting in thin, concave (koilonychia), and brittle nails due to impaired keratin synthesis.
Dose: 18–36 mg
Zinc is essential for nail matrix cell division and keratin protein synthesis. It regulates matrix metalloproteinases that remodel the nail plate and supports superoxide dismutase activity that protects nail cells from oxidative damage.
Dose: 15–30 mg
Cofactor for prolidase in collagen synthesis. Required for mucopolysaccharide formation in nail matrix.
Dose: 2–5 mg