The White Spots On Nails Myth

I hear this a lot and I have no doubt that you have heard it too.  White spots on the nails is a sign of a calcium deficiency.  In fact, this is a bit of a myth.  It is true that one’s inner health can be reflect in the nails and that vitamins/minerals do contribute to healthy nail growth, but in the case of white spots on the nails, this is not (at least not directly) the case.

The white spots are called ‘Leuconychia’ (lu-co-nic-ee-ah) and are actually caused by slight damage or injury to the nail matrix (from where the nail originates) or to the nail plate, leading to minor separations of the nail plate from the nail bad (the pink area visible through the nail upon which, the nail is adhered to).

Unfortunately, nothing can be done to resolve this.  But it is worth noting that it is harmless, is not a reflection of a nutritional deficiency (although there’s a lot to be said for a good, balanced diet, rich in vitamins and minerals) and will eventually grow out.  In the meantime, it can be disguised with nail enamel.