One of the biggest indicators of good (or bad) health may be literally right in front of you all day. According to to The Prescription for Nutritional Healing, the nails can indicate a slew of health conditions:
- A hangnail may be indicative of a lack of protein, folic acid, or vitamin C.
- A white band on the nail may indicate a lack of protein.
- Fragile or ridged nails indicates a lack of B vitamins.
- Dryness, curved or darkened ends of nails indicates a lack specifically of vitamin B12.
- “Spoon” (concave) nails and vertical ridges indicate an iron deficiency.
- White spots indicate a zinc deficiency.
So always remember to check your nails if you suspect a possible vitamin or protein deficiency! 
Thanks for the info – looks like I need some B vitamins.
I developed really bad ridges on one of my nails and my bf told me to start eating more iron rich food like red meat. As soon as I increased my intake the nail became healthy again. I didn’t know about all of the other nail indicators. thanx.
Information is very helpful. Now I know what my dietiary needs are
Very helpful little article…I’ve.had the spoon nail and none of my doctors knew that it meant iron deficiency…they didn’t know why it was happening..Im taking iron and it is slowly growing back to normal….Thanks