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Your everyday environment can have a noticeable effect on the appearance and condition of your nails: soaps; detergents; solvents; waxes; paints; dyes; varnishes; bleaches and cleaning fluids can all have detrimental effects on your nails when used regularly. Since the nail plate grows slowly (about a quarter inch in six weeks) it takes almost six months for the nail to completely regenerate itself, from the matrix to the tip of the finger.

Many products currently on the market attempt to deal with poor nail condition and appearance by covering them with paint-on or glue-on plastic nails. These can interfere with the health of your nails by cutting off the outside oxygen and interrupting portions of the blood supply to the nail from the nail bed, and can also further dry and damage already unhealthy nail structures. Proper nutrition to the nails and sensible care and protection are the natural way to return them to their most attractive and healthiest condition.  

Head Start Vitamins For Your Nails ® supply supplementary daily amounts of those specific nutrients shown in laboratory studies to be necessary to the formation of strong, healthy nails through their contributions to production of keratin protein in the matrix, or root of your nails.

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It has been proven in five different clinical studies that Knox Gelatine, taken daily, promotes healthy, less brittle and non-splitting nails in three out of four cases. Gelatin is a rich source of nine essential amino-acids; Histidine; Lysine; Leucine; Tryptophan; Valine; Phenylalanine; Methionine; Threonine; and Isoleucine; as well as ten other amino-acids, all of which are considered building blocks of cell protein. Casein is itself rich in these same amino-components, and is in fact used as the standard in the US RDA Protein Efficiency Ratio for rating protein content of foods due to its high quality supply of these nutrients. 

To these basic ingredients we have added Vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin) for its action in protein conversion through increased absorption and better hardening of the nail structure. Magnesium is used as well for its role in improved digestion and absorption of amino-acid proteins, with the added benefit of its soothing effect on the stomach lining.  

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Unlike your hair, which grows in cycles, your nails grow continuously throughout life and are not normally shed in the normal course of their growth. For this reason, it is best to nourish the matrix every day since a regular regimen supplies a steady nutrient source to ensure the strength and condition of the entire nail, not just intermittent sections, haphazardly fed. &emdash; It's no miracle or magic bullet, just a commonsense approach to helping your nails do their job and look their best at the same time.  

The nail, as hair, is a direct outgrowth or appendage of the skin, and is composed of keratin. Keratin also makes up the substance of feathers and beaks of birds - shells of turtles, lobsters, crabs, etc. - the claws of animals and the scales of fish. Keratin is quite remarkable. It is tough, resists changes in heat and cold and is resistant to acidity and chemical actions.  

Protection - Nails protect the fingertips from outside elements, and also serve to protect the sense of touch which is so delicate in the fingertips. Support Nails serve to support the tip of the finger. Tools - Nails are useful as aids in picking up small objects, for scratching, and as vestiges of self-defense weapons.  

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The structure of the nail and how it grows is very similar to the hair. The nail is formed in a pocket of skin which has grown inward - the nail fold. Matrix - This is the area that generates or grows the nail; the root of the nail. It appears wedge shaped with the nail plate fixed at the opening. The outer layer of the matrix is epidermal cells which transform their nourishment into keratin making the nail plate. The lower branch or floor of the matrix produces a greater number of cells than the upper branch or root. Nail Bed - The nail bed is a continuation of the matrix, composed of similar cells. The nail bed does not contribute to the growth of the nail plate. The surface of the nail bed appears to have vertical ridges or depressions. The nail plate has interlocking ridges, thereby assuring a strict and firm adhesion between the nail bed and the nail plate. The nail bed grows out along with the nail plate. An elaborate network of blood capillaries is under the nail bed, providing nutrition for the nail plate. If the nail plate is separated from the nail bed it becomes discolored, cloudy and distorted.

Nail Plate - The nail or nail plate is hard, smooth, shiny, slightly convex and rectangular. Translucent and essentially colorless, it appears pink because of the vast network of blood vessels under the nail bed. The nail plate grows as if in a tunnel. It's surrounded by the nail folds, grooves or sulci - lateral on the sides and proximal at the base.

The Dorsal Layer is the uppermost layer of the nail plate. The cells are soft keratin and less flat than those of the intermediate layer. The Intermediate Layer is the middle layer of the nail plate. The cells are hard keratin and larger, flatter, and more compact than those of the other two layers. The Ventral Layer is the lowest layer of the nail plate. The cells are soft keratin, almost exactly like those of the dorsal layers. The thickness is also similar to the dorsal layer. It is not always possible to identify the ventral layer as it sometimes overlaps the nail bed, from which it cannot be easily differentiated. The cells forming the nail plate are firmly bound to each other by numerous tiny fibers. As the nail cells are formed at the matrix they progressively broaden and flatten.  

Hyponychium - The portion of the fingertip underneath the free edge of the nail. The top (or horny) layer of this skin is connected to the under side of the nail plate, giving the whitish color to its free edge.  

Lunula - The half-moon shaped, whitish area visible at the base of the nail plate. It represents the junction between the matrix and the nail bed. The difference in color of the lunula is due to: The nail cells of the lunula are not fully mature and keratinized, therefore the three layers of the nail plate are not yet differentiated; The lunula is not closely connected to the tissue under it; The size and shape of the lunula varies in each finger of every individual. In some people it is well marked, while in others it is undefined or hazy. The lunula tends to disappear in advanced age.  

Eponychium and Cuticle - An extension of the skin of the roof of the nail bed (eponychium). The upper ridge meets with the cuticle which is an extension of the skin of the finger.

Unlike hairs, your nails grow continuously throughout life and are not normally shed. Your nails grow approximately one-half to one millimeter per week. It takes from five to seven months for a nail plate to completely replace itself - from the time it is formed at the root, until it reaches out beyond the finger tip. Toenails grow more slowly, a third to half the rate of fingernails. A thicker nail usually grows more slowly than a thin nail. Nails grow more quickly in the daytime and during the summer. The nail on the middle finger grows fastest, with the rate progressively decreasing on the fourth, second and fifth fingers with the thumb the slowest. If a nail is injured and falls off, it is usually replaced at the normal growth rate. If the matrix is destroyed, a new nail will not grow. If the matrix is damaged, the new nail will grow distortedly. In right-handed people the nails grow more quickly on the right hand, with left hand nail growth faster on left-handed people.

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1. Dial the telephone with the end of a pencil, not your fingertips.

2. Avoid picking up objects when it means your fingertips may strike a hard surface - slide the object off into your hand.

3. Don't use your nails to pry, cut or scrape.

4. Use a letter opener, not your fingernail, to open envelopes and packages.

5. Wear rubber gloves when doing dishes or other "tough on the nails" jobs.

6. Manicure your nails regularly since nail polish can protect the nail surface.

7. Dig your nails into a bar of soap before gardening to prevent dirt getting under the nails - or wear gardening gloves.