Having brittle nails is a problem common to many women, which many simply dismiss as naturally occurring for people who need to use soap and water frequently. Not many are aware that perennially weak or brittle nails are also symptoms of poor blood circulation.

Blood should reach every part of the body during circulation, so that every cell and body tissue making up each body part or organ, can receive proper supplies of oxygen and nutrients. During circulation, the capillaries that deliver blood to the cells and tissues also take out toxins, which the kidney will filter and later excrete out of its system.

How Does Poor Blood Circulation Affect the Health of Nails

Poor blood circulation occurs if the blood pumped by the heart cannot flow freely in the arteries, blood vessels and capillaries that reach the cells and tissues. The likeliest areas that will immediately be affected are those located in the body’s extremities — the arms, hands, legs and feet where the nails are located. If these areas lack oxygen and nutrients, the first signs of a serious circulation problem will be manifested by way of unhealthy nails.

Risk Factors that Can Aggravate the Condition of Weak Nails

There are several risk factors that can aggravate the weak condition of unhealthy nails, such as, but not limited to the following:

Nail Stress or Trauma, which is usually related to one’s occupation or hobby, where hands-on activities apply constant bumps, pressure and/or compression on the nails. If the cells of the nails cannot repair and generate new cells fast enough, they become weak and brittle.

Overwashing– This risk factor constantly exposes the nails to washing liquids or detergents and at the same time soaking the nails with too much water. The chemical components of the detergents and dishwashing liquid, as well as the excessive water, will strip the nails of natural oil and cause them to turn brittle.

Constant Application of Nail Polish and Acetone-Based Removers – Constantly covering one’s nails with nail polish and applying acetone-based solutions to remove them can rapidly weaken nails, especially if there is poor blood circulation. As opposed to overwashing, nail polish and polish removers reduce hydration, which lead to dry conditions.

While regular application of moisturizing creams can help alleviate dry and weak conditions of the nails, improving one’s blood circulation can bring better and longer lasting effects in improving nail health.

Increasing the Body’s Nitric Oxide Production to Improve Blood Circulation

Nitric oxide production is part of the natural processes occurring during metabolism or the breaking down of food into useful nutrients like nitrate. However for nitrates to be useful in the production of nitric oxide, it must come from plants and not from synthetically formulated additives like sodium nitrates that occur in processed meats. As additional source, there are nitric oxide supplements that contain combinations of nitrates extracted from nitrate-rich organic raw materials.

The importance of the natural nitric oxide produced by the body is that they act as muscle relaxants specifically for the inner muscles of the blood vessels. That way, the blood vessels will open wide and allow the blood to flow freely to the network of capillaries that deliver oxygen and nutrients to every cell and tissue; reaching not only the organs in the upper body but down up to the tips of arms and legs, including the nails.

The most common examples of nitrate-rich vegetables are arugula, beetroots, celery, cress, lettuce and spinach. At , readers can find an example of a nitric oxide supplement that contains a combination of nitrate-rich exotic organic herbs like ginseng, maca, tongkat ali, tongkat ali, tribulus terrestris and yohimbe. However, before taking this supplement or any kind of nitric oxide booster, it would be best to consult with your family doctor first.