9 Things Doctors Don’t Know About Women’s Health

That your nails could reveal vitamin deficiencies

Think back to your last physical with your primary care doctor. More than likely, they took blood samples, had you take several deep breaths in while they listened to your lungs and chest, and asked you a bunch of questions. But did they ask you about what’s going on underneath your manicure? Likely, not. However, certified culinary health educator, Ken Immer says our nail beds can be very telling. “Your nails are a window into your bone health, and is closely related to diet,” he explains. “Brittle, flaky nails can be an indication of a deficiency in vitamins A, C, or biotin. When it comes to the relationship to bones—in women especially—this could also be an early indication of osteoporosis, as both nails and bones require similar protein chemical reactions to maintain structural integrity.” These are the secrets hospitals don’t want to tell you (but every patient should know).

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