Your Nails Are the Crystal Ball of Your Internal Health (feat. Dr. Dana Stern)

When’s the last time you really looked at your nails? Could they be revealing something more than just your latest manicure? What if they were giving you clues about your internal health? 

This week on Salad with a Side of Fries, host Jenn Trepeck welcomes renowned dermatologist and nail health expert Dr. Dana Stern to uncover what your nails are trying to tell you. From decoding nail color and shape to the truth about nail polish, gel manicures, and whether nails need to "breathe"—this episode is packed with everything you need to know for healthy nails from the cuticle to the tip. Tune in to learn how your nails can serve as your body’s early warning system—and what you can do to care for them, inside and out. 

The Salad With a Side of Fries podcast is hosted by Jenn Trepeck, who discusses wellness and weight loss for real life, clearing up the myths, misinformation, bad science & marketing surrounding our nutrition knowledge and the food industry. Let’s dive into wellness and weight loss for real life, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store. 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (05:43) Dr. Dana explains some of the underlying health conditions indicated by your nails
• (11:49) Breakthrough study on brittle nails
• (15:36) Discussion about gel manicures, nail polishes, and UV exposure 
• (20:50) Do nails breathe, and cuticle care
• (22:52) What does the cuticle tell us about our nails
• (28:36) Giving your nails a break, and what about polish removers
• (33:11) What products and supplements will promote nail health, and what about biotin
• (42:44) Get a precision glass nail file for ultimate nail care

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Nails can be indicators of underlying health conditions. Changes in the nails, such as unusual color or shape (like spoon-shaped nails indicating iron deficiency or white nails potentially signaling diabetes or heart issues), can be early signs of systemic diseases.  Observing nail health can provide valuable clues for early diagnosis and intervention.  
• Many standard nail enhancements, like gels, acrylics, and dips, can damage the nail plate and surrounding skin. In particular, the removal process of soak-off gels has been scientifically proven to thin and weaken the nail plate, making it more prone to brittleness and breakage. Potential risks are associated with UV lamps used in gel manicures. Switch to a precision glass nail file for smoother, healthier nail edges and reduced breakage. 
• Nails don't breathe, but good blood flow is crucial for their health. Therefore, maintaining good peripheral circulation through cardiovascular activity or even hand massage is vital for healthy nail growth and preventing issues like brittleness and peeling, especially as we age and tend to have poorer circulation.
• The cuticle is a vital protective barrier for the nail and should not be removed. It acts as a natural seal, protecting the nail matrix (the nail's growth center) from water, moisture, and pathogens. Disrupting the cuticle can lead to nail abnormalities like patches, surface irregularities, bumps, and even separation. Liquid cuticle removers essentially destroy the cuticle, just like cutting it.  

QUOTES:         

(08:46) “If I see a white situation in someone's nails, I get general labs. I'm taking a thorough history and trying to uncover it. Something has been missed or something is brewing.” - Dr. Dana Stern

(09:21) “We see this a lot with oral health too, that it's, you're seeing things before it manifests in the symptoms that everybody seems to be looking for.” - Jenn Trepeck

(10:51) “If you have spec, a single pigmented band, meaning that one of your nails has this brown streak, that's something you want to see a board-certified dermatologist for, to examine.” - Dr. Dana Stern

(18:47) “The take-home message is use protection because we know that UV rad