Positive Side Effect!

[digmom1014]

I look like I have fake nails! All ten! I think my body is starting to absorb some of the nutrients it was lacking all of these years! It is a miracle! My son even noticed how nice my nails look.

I know it is a superficial thing but, I grasp all the positives I can. I guess I'll have to go get a fancy manicure now!

Anyone else having the positive side effect?

[caligirl2001]

Yes, I have noticed a difference in my nails as well. I have been gluten-free for 7 months now.

[Mrs. Smith]

OMG! My nails are amazing! So strong and growing quickly! They used to be so brittle and gross! No more hang nails. I have even gotten compliments from my friends! They are so jealous!

[TrillumHunter]

I am noticing that as well. They are super hard now. I used to have a funny curve to a couple of them but no more. I have to cut them down every two weeks to keep them a reasonable length.

I think I will go get a manicure!

[RiceGuy]

Yep! Mine had started growing slower and slower, before I figured out the whole gluten thing (self-diagnosed). They got so thin, brittle, cracked, etc. It really had me worried. Now, thankfully, they're really looking much better. I have to cut them every 4-5 days. Still not perfect, but getting there! The half-moons are coming back too.

As for nails being superficial, I'd say no, they're not. Nails are a reflection of what's going on inside you, as is your skin and hair.

[shirleyujest]

How long does this take? I am soooo looking forward to not having split nails!!! Please someone tell me. I'm in week 5.

[Amyleigh0007]

My son's nails used to have that curve. They are perfect now.

[DDD]

hah! i just told my mom today that i realized i havent bitten my nails in a year. i bit them for 21 years before going Gluten-Free.

i thought it was just because my anxiety went away but i guess the fact that i absorb all my nutrients now makes sense too. prob a combo of both, for me at least.

i notice i dont feel the need to chew gum anymore, which i feel was probably i stress/anxiety thing. regardless, i went Gluten-Free had the best check-up at the dentist i have ever had in my life! i usually always have tons of cavities even though i am ocd about my teeth.

coincidences? i think not.

[BigDogz]

LOL! I thought I was the only who noticed the "nail thing". As long as I can remember I've had fingernails that had deep ridges and were so dry and nasty that they flaked and peeled right off the top. I couldn't grow a fingernail if I'd tried. I grew up wanting to have pretty, painted nails like all my friends and the models and actresses you saw but mine were always so chipped and short they looked like I'd stuck them in a wood chipper!

I'd blamed it on growing up on a farm and the abuse my hands took in caring for the animals, but since I went gluten free...WOW! I've whacked them with a hammer (accidentally, of course), stacked hay, scrubbed buckets, groomed and tacked up horses, cleaned stalls, mended fences, etc. and haven't broken ANY! For the first time in my life, I've actually had to use a fingernail clipper! Funny thing is, now that they look so smooth, pink and healthy, I don't want to cover them up with polish!!

[GFinDC]

My nails still have the lengthwise ridges and no half moons after 1 1/2 years. I have some hypo-thyroid issues and am wondering if that is the cause. Ah well, I don't know. Sometimes I have read it's from B- vitamins or some other vitamin lacking too. But after 1 1/3 years they didn't change so I am guessing thyroid related. There are some other threads around about nails and half moons if you search the forum. It's neat that some of your nails are improving. That does seem like a positive thing!

[pholsten]

I was just diagnosed with Celiac 2 days ago and am amazed at what I am learning. I have had a variety of "issues" for many years and have probably been Celiac for 5-10 years. My NAILS have been "lifting" for some time and have deep ridges and no half moons. My dermatologist thought it was psoriatic arthritis but all tests for that were negative. Doctors have been stumped and assumed it may be thyroid... although thyroid panel within normal levels the doctor put me on Armour thyroid medicine anyway. But no change in the nails.

I'm very hopeful after reading this that my nails will change for the better. They are very unsightly. They do grow and have length but they are so very ugly that I don't want them long...very small nail beds due to the lifting.

Has anyone experience nail lifting prior to diagnosis of Celiac? and has it gotten better?

Thanks so much.

Pat

Wilmington, NC

[LeAnne8790]

Well, this is encouraging. I have always had thin, weak nails and had to have acrylics put on if I really wanted long nails. I didn't realize ridges and no half moons were indicative of problems. It will be interesting to see if that improves once I'm gluten free. I have my endoscopy on Friday.

[dream77]

I am only on week3 and already see a small difference in nails.. they are getting back to being stronger like when I was younger in my 20's (now I am ~32)

[TotalKnowledge]

How long does this take? I am soooo looking forward to not having split nails!!! Please someone tell me. I'm in week 5.

You may also try eating more gelatin and or taking vitamin E supplements. Now that you can actually absorb it

[lunasmom]

Yes - I've been gluten-free since Jan. 6/09 and all of a sudden my nails are fabulous. The nails on my baby toes were misshapen, thick and ugly, and they too are growing out with nice healthy toenails coming in. I too used to pay to get fake nails and now I don't have to. Love this perk!!!

[jerseyangel]

My fingernails look so much better--like someone upthread said, they look almost artificial! My toe nails, too.

I used to have horizontal ridges (almost like a scoop) in both of my thumbnails. Even after going gluten-free, that persisted for a while but now they're completely gone.

[Jana315]

My nails are nicer, I've got new baby hairs growing at my hairline & - get this - my feet are smaller???? about a half size - must be the bloat or something. Just a few things that I've noticed since going gluten-free aside from the improvements in my digestive & neurological symptoms. I'm not complaining!

[Wolicki]

Yes - I've been gluten-free since Jan. 6/09 and all of a sudden my nails are fabulous. The nails on my baby toes were misshapen, thick and ugly, and they too are growing out with nice healthy toenails coming in. I too used to pay to get fake nails and now I don't have to. Love this perk!!!

I have acrylic, so I am not sure, but my hair! Growing like wildfire and looks fantastic. I can almost see it growing Yeah for recovery!

[vampkestrel]

amazing isn't it! the tips of my tails are no longer nearly see through and the ridges are becomeing less noticible ah now if only my hair will take a cue and start growing back thicker