According to Dr David Sinclair, your fingernails can say a lot about the state of your health. In reality, he claims that there is a sign that appears on your fingernails that can reveal about your life expectancy. However, what is this sign and what should you do if you see it? Let’s find out more about the connection between this sign and life expectancy below.
Your Life Expectancy According to Your Fingernails
Dr. Sinclair states that he closely examines his fingernails regularly to determine how rapidly he is aging. Now, for most people, this is typically the last part of the body they would think of looking at to gauge their health. Most of us tend to pay more attention to our diet, lungs, heart, and overall health than our nails when it comes to determining how healthy we are. Still, according to Dr. Sinclair, the state of your nails reveals the rate at which new healthy cells are produced in your body. The quicker the rate that in which new cells are produced, the greater the protection your body has against health decline related to aging.
Signs of Biological Aging
Your actual age can very often differ from your biological age. Your biological age is determined by observing how well the tissues and cells in your body appear to function. This can be clearly observed in the rate at which your nails grow. The doctor claimed that he specifically pays attention to whether his nail growth has slowed down or not and notes how long ago he previously cut them. He made reference to a specific study conducted in 1979 in which scientists observed the growth rate of hundreds of people’s fingernails. What they found was that the participant’s fingernail growth rate slowed down by 0.5% annually from the age of 30 onwards. This suggested that if your nails grow faster than this anticipated rate, then you are aging at a slower rate than average.
Other Health Signs Revealed Through Your Nails
Your nails can reveal more than your biological age, though. There are many health conditions that change the appearance of your fingernails. For instance, a dark streak on a fingernail could indicate the development of melanoma. Nails with numerous little dents could indicate that you have psoriasis or atopic dermatitis. Yellowing nails can be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis or lung disease. Clubbed or curved nails could indicate health issues associated with your heart, lungs, liver, and stomach. White nails can figure out that you have diabetes or liver disease and pale nails could signal that you are anemic. If your nails are blue, it could indicate that you are not getting enough oxygen in your bloodstream.
Sometimes It Is Simply A Nail-Related Disease
Though the state of your nails can reveal much about your overall health, sometimes the issue is isolated to the fingernails themselves. Brittle nails can occur because of the repeated wetting and drying of nails. It could also be an indication of an iron deficiency or hypothyroidism, though. Certain lotions, such as those containing lanolin or alpha hydroxy acids, can help get rid of brittle nails. Nails can also sometimes peel due to the removal of nail polish or soaking in sudsy water for too long. Additionally, it could point to external issues, though. If you are not sure if the peeling is caused by external or internal factors, simply look to see if your toenails are also peeling. If you find that the factors are internal, you can try consuming more iron-rich foods or supplements.
The Bottom Line On Fingernails and Life Expectancy
Your fingernails can provide surprising information about your body’s aging process and underlying diseases. As per Dr. Sinclair, tracking your nail development may help reveal how well your body regenerates and ages. Changes in the color, texture, or shape of your nails may also indicate health issues that need medical treatment. While not every nail anomaly is cause for concern, being aware of these warning signs can help you take preventative measures for improved health. If you observe substantial changes in your nail development or look, see a doctor to rule out any underlying health problems.