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We might think that nail health is mani’s and pedi’s, but in reality, keeping your nails healthy and strong is actually a way to protect your hands. Without adequate nail health, your barrier (nail and cuticles) won’t be able to protect your hands from environmental pollutants like fungus and infections. As much as manicures can help keep your nails in good shape, there are nutrients you could be lacking that could be the reason behind your weak or unhealthy nails. 

We might not realize it, but we put our nails through a lot. Our gel manicures last us increasingly longer than regular polish, but they wreak havoc on nail health and put our hands under intense UV light. Not to mention whenever we need to scratch a label off, get into hard-to-open bottles, or do other small tasks. Our nail beds and nail health is something that we usually notice goes downhill as we age. So what do we do? 

Signs of Weak Nails

Some signs of weak or brittle nails might include:

• Nails crack
• Chip 
• Split 
• Peel
• Breaking often 

Other reasons why your nails might be weak other than poor diet, nail treatments, or low levels of collagen might be in your daily chores. Some detergents, household cleaners, and nail polish remover can cause brittle nails over time due to the over-moisture. This can be solved by wearing gloves to protect from moisture but also to chemicals. 

Benefits of Aiding Nail Health 

Having healthy nails that do not break or crack is beneficial because it helps keep your nail beds protected and clean. Your nails help create a shield for your hands while you are working or using your hands. 

Also having long, healthy nails are nice for when you do get manicures. The trend #nakednails also shows people that are ditching nail polish for nail health and the health of the planet as some polishes have pollutants in them. 

Whole Foods that Help Nail Health 

At Copina Co. we like to also address how you can help overall health outside of supplementation. Learning how to add whole foods into your diet that can help your body gain antioxidants, fiber, and other natural ingredients can help reduce the number of supplements you take. 

If you think your diet might be low in nutrients like iron, vitamins A and C, then it might explain why your nails might feel short, dehydrated, or your nails break easily. If you think you might be suffering from an iron deficiency we recommend asking your doctor for a blood test to see if you should be supplementing your nails or maybe for your iron levels.

Biotin 

Biotin is a member of the vitamin B complex family. You probably have seen biotin in the daily supplements you may take or on shampoo labels.  Its primary functions include turning the nutrients we ingest (i.e. proteins, fats, and carbohydrates) into energy that our body can use. Each Copina Co. blend contains 1,500mcg Biotin per serving. That amounts to over 5,000% of your daily value.* 

Biotin – aka vitamin B7- is an essential water-soluble B vitamin that helps fuel many intricate pathways in the body. It’s critical for our daily utilization of fats, carbohydrates, amino acids (like those found in collagen), and energy (ATP).*

Here at Copina Co, we made sure to include vegan Biotin in our Plant-Based Collagen Boosts for you to maintain your B7 levels in the body so that you can get health benefits such as stronger nails.* Having health biotin combined with enough nutrients daily can help your nails grow long and strong. 

Bamboo Leaf Extract 

Bamboo extract is a rich source of silica, a naturally occurring mineral found in plants, which supports the body's collagen production as well as healthy hair, skin, and nails. Silica-rich bamboo has been used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine and Chinese herbal medicine for centuries as a remedy to heal skin ailments, relieve congestion, promote bone health, and more.* 

You can supplement with Bamboo Leaf Extract through one of our Beauty Blends in your daily coffee or matcha. 

What is not commonly known is that plant sources contain much higher levels of silica than animal sources and that bamboo contains the richest amount of silica of any plant! Bamboo is composed of nearly 70% silica (nearly 10x the amount of silica in horsetail herb or stinging nettle) making it one of the richest and most sustainable sources on our planet. Silica from bamboo extract helps promote strong nails by supporting increased collagen production and supplementing our bodies with extra nutrients.*

Collagen Supports 

Another important factor in collagen when talking about nail health. Having healthy collagen levels means that your collagen is helping our nail beds by supplying them with amino acids that help promote nail health. 

If you are above the age of 25 your collagen levels are beginning to decline which means your nails might not be growing as long or feeling as strong as they used to. This might mean you are interested in supporting your collagen levels either through animal or vegan supplements. If you are trying to figure out which might be right for you, check out our blog on the differences between the two supplements. 

At Copina Co. our products are plant-based supplements for your collagen production. So, we instead are supporting your body’s natural collagen production through our holistically-sourced ingredients.* 

Other than bamboo leaf extract and biotin, our ingredients include: 

• Organic Tremella Mushroom Extract: This superfood mushroom (also known by its nickname “the beauty mushroom”) contains amino acids and zinc, which are both essential for collagen production. It is also packed with carbohydrate chains called polysaccharides, which help promote collagen synthesis in the skin. This leads to improved skin elasticity and the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles!*
• Organic Amla Berry: Amla berry is popular in ayurvedic medicine, as it is one of the most potent sources of antioxidant-rich vitamin C – one of the key vitamins needed for collagen production. It is also a great source of copper, which experts say the body also needs in order to produce collagen.*
• Gotu Kola: Also known as centella asiatica, this powerful anti-inflammatory herb has been shown to support collagen production while also protecting existing collagen.*

These all help support your body’s natural production process and help keep your nails (skin and hair) healthy and happy as you age. 

Here are 3 tasty flavors of ours that are perfect to add to your daily coffee or matcha for collagen-boosting power:

• Original Beauty – an unsweetened blend of coconut milk powder and collagen-boosting botanicals that tastes a bit like white chocolate. 
• Matcha Beauty – a nourishing, slightly sweetened, and energizing blend of matcha, coconut milk powder, and collagen-boosting botanicals. 
• Cacao Calm Beauty - a calming and cozy blend of cacao, ashwagandha, coconut milk powder, and collagen-boosting botanicals that’s lightly sweetened.

If you are interested in finding a way to help supplement your nail health, it is important to take into consideration your daily habits. Making sure what you eat and how it is supplementing your body should always be the first way to address dry and brittle nails. If you simply want to find a supplement that helps support your nails and collagen production, try out our Beauty Blends and see how our vegan ingredients help your nails. 

If you want some fun ways to boost your collagen production, check out some fun recipes we have on our website: 

• Chocolate Beauty Chia Pudding
• Vegan Coconut Cloud Smoothie
• Collagen Boost Chocolate Milk