White little specks in your nails?
By S. G. Sikora

White little specks in your nails?

Hello Suzy,
I heard that when you get white little specks in your nails it means you are lacking calcium.   Is this true?  Thanks!
Sarah

Dear Sarah,
Those white spots that develop on the nail bed may have two possible causes, neither of them a lack of calcium.

Because our hands are some of the more active parts of our body, they are also some of the most abused.   Much of the damage that can happen isn't even felt, but later is seen as tiny white spots (called leukonychia) under our nails in the area it was bruised and over time they grow out.   If the trauma were greater, the nail bed may bleed causing a black spot, rather than a white one.

Another possible cause is a zinc deficiency.  It's easy to become deficient in this mineral if you regularly consume caffeine, alcohol, and foods that are high in sugar or highly processed.  Smoking and stress can also cause you to lose zinc at a  rate more rapid than it can be replaced in your diet.

Try taking a zinc supplement and look for zinc citrate, which is better absorbed.   Just 15 mg of zinc per day should be enough.