Nails, this small space, seems to be the most inconspicuous corner of the body. They are painted, trimmed, and polished by us every day, but few people realize that the health message code is hidden under this thin cuticle. If the body is compared to a precision machine, the nails are like the buoy on the oil gauge, and the internal operation status can be revealed by a slight shake.
The growth cycle of nails is like a miniature epic of life. From the methyl group to the fingertips, each nail cell undergoes the process of birth, migration, and extinction. The growth rate of healthy nails is about 3 mm per month, but hypothyroidism will slow down this process, just like pressing the pause button on the migration of cells; and the nails of people with long-term anxiety are often covered with white spots, which are "glimpses" left by minor trauma or nutritional deficiency. What's more interesting is that the crescent shape on the nails - the half-moon mark, its size and color fluctuations are like a water level gauge for the body's energy reserves. When there is excess nutrition, it is full like a new moon, and when the vitality is lost, it is dim and faded.
When we turn our eyes to the microscopic world of nails, we will find its secret connection with other systems of the body. The convex and concave texture of nails is like the trace of information exchange between skin and bones. The raised ridges may indicate digestive system disorders, just like the waves of a river due to the disrepair of the dam; and the deep grooves that are born with it may be the "fossils" of gene expression during embryonic development. What is even more amazing is the resonant relationship between nails and the circulatory system - when there is a small obstruction in the cardiovascular system, the capillaries of the nail bed will respond first, showing bruises or whitening, like a warning light in the dark night.
In daily life, nails suffer countless "invisible injuries". The chemical reagents in nail salons will deprive the nails of their natural keratin armor, making them fragile and easy to break, just like pulling out the protective layer of the rainforest, allowing fungi to take advantage of the opportunity; and frequent contact with detergents will destroy the sebum barrier around the nails, causing the nail edges to dry and crack, which is a signal that the skin's immune defense line has been torn open. Those who habitually bite their nails are biting the roots of their nails with their teeth - every bite may bring bacteria into the nail bed, planting the hidden danger of infection.
The health of nails is like a silent dialogue, which requires us to interpret with professional eyes. The spoon-shaped depression under the nail bed may be an early sign of iron deficiency; thinning and easy stratification of nails indicates insufficient reserves of vitamin A and zinc. What is more worthy of attention is that the unprovoked barbs on the edge of the nails are often a water shortage alarm issued by the body. The secrets hidden deep in the nail texture will only be quietly revealed when we slow down the pace of life and touch the nail surface with our fingertips.
Rather than saying that nails are a healthy "mirror", it is better to say that it is the first line of defense between the body and the outside world. Protecting the health of nails is not only for a smooth appearance, but also a gentle care for the body's micro-ecology. Wash your nails with warm water every day to avoid erosion by strong detergents; regularly supplement your nails with nutrients rich in biotin, just like oiling a machine; more importantly, learn to listen to the whispers of your nails - those subtle discolorations and deformations are the body's most primitive way of having a conversation with us across the epidermis.
