fingernail question

[Rhonda]

I'm getting those little white spots in my fingernails that everyone calls "calcium deposits". Does this mean I'm getting too much calcium? I don't take extra calcium - just a multi vitamin every day.

I do eat one container of BB yogurt, and I have cream in my coffee, and about an ounce of cheese every day too. So, I guess I'm getting a lot of calcium from my food.

Should I cut back on these dairy products?

 

[Kabuli1]

Rhonda, I get those (have them now) when I'm dieting - I would guess that they are cause by lack of nutrients - not excess.

Karyn

 

[Rhonda]

So, do you think I should add a calcium pill to my daily routine?

 

[Rhonda]

I found an article about it! I guess it has nothing to do with calcium! I'm guessing it's probably from hitting my nails on something recently.

White Spots on Fingernails

 

[MelanieC]

Hi Rhonda,
I did a little searh on the internet. It seems that everything I am reading (but I didn't do a thourough search) seems to say that it's not caused by a deficiency or too much calcium, that it is actually trauma to the nail.

Here are some links:
E-diets-UK
UAB Health
AAD

Hope this helps. Maybe calcium deposits in those areas when there is an injury to the nail?

Melanie

 

[Rhonda]

LOL - we posted at the same time! Well, now we know the answer! Thanks!

 

[MelanieC]

That is so funny how we were posting the exact same thing. I like when you learn something new. Thank's for posting the question. It's always cool to expand your knowledge!!

Melanie

 

[froglady]

No white spots, but my nails were breaking and splitting more easily, and I was losing lots of hair! I asked my doctor about it (I was concerned that I wasn't getting enough nutrition) and she told me that when you lose a certain % of your body weight (somewhere around 30%) your metabolism thinks you're starving, and starts shutting down non-essential functions (hair and nails) to focus the "food" on your organs. Once you reach your goal, and stop losing, things should go back to normal.

I've found that since I've hit a plateau, my hair loss has almost stopped. (Fortunately, I have extremely thick hair, so the loss actually made it look better. )