I'm considering trying this expensive collagen powder to help improve my nail strength. The ridges on my finger nails started 5 years into the onset of M.E. My nails and hair grow like weeds but the quality of my fingernails is poor. I've also read that taking a marine based collagen powder enhances joint health and can be beneficial for those of us who can't exercise. I eat enough protein and fish oil et but I can't get rid of the ridges.
I tried a collagen supplement earlier this year in powder form. Quite expensive. I gave up trying new supplements etc. years ago but this was bought for me. My hair condition did seem to improve but I have a super sensitive stomach that reacts to weird things and I think it may have upset my stomach (always hard to know if that's what it was) so I stopped. I don't think it did much for my nails but probably wasn't on it long enough. I'd be interested to hear how it goes for you.
I found this study that showed positive results after 12 weeks from taking a particular supplement brand.
If this is something you eat, it will do nothing. Collagen is a protein, meaning your digestive system will break it down into its component amino acids before it's absorbed.
Moreover, nails are not made of collagen. Nor is hair. They are made of keratin. Even IV collagen would do nothing.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319867 I know you can google as well as the rest of us @Mij, but I thought I'd share that link to discuss it. It, like other websites, mentions vertical ridges as being very common in nails as people get older. It also mentions anemia/iron deficiency as a cause, and, perhaps interestingly for people with ME/CFS, peripheral vascular disease. It would be interesting to know if people with ME/CFS develop the vertical finger nail ridges while they are still young.
I use cuticle oil to improve the condition of my nails I have ridges that are more noticeable nowadays. Buffing the nails makes them a bit smoother or a clear base coat of polish if either of those is tolerable
Thanks, Hutan. Interesting re vascular disease. The ridges started in my mid 30s, five years after M.E onset. At first I thought it was from malabsorption b/c my ferritin was always tanking and I had to take iron for years. But after meno my ferritin has always stayed in the normal/higher range w/o taking any iron for the last 7 years. Normally nails and hair share the same health? My hair isn't dry or brittle. I massage my cuticles every night with jojoba oil which helps give them a smoother appearance but I have to keep them very short.
