What does jello do for your nails?

Question

I heard it makes your nails grow faster, strengthens them and makes them really hard to break. Is that true? What does it do for your nails in general?

Answer 1

Eating Jell-O (gelatin is the basic ingredient) or unflavored gelatin does not strengthens nails. Nails are composed of protein with a high sulfur content. All protein you eat is broken down and circulates in your body protein pool (as amino acids) that is used to build and repair muscles, organs and other protein structures like hair and nails. (By the way, excess protein is stored as body fat.)

Nail strength seems to be more effected by environmental damage (i.e. any work that hits the end of the nail like housework, dishwashing or gardening), trauma to the nail (slamming it in a door) or some prescription drugs drugs (steroids). People tend to use nails as tools which increases breakage and can lead to separation of the nail from the bed below which will show up as a white line under the tip of the nail. Nails are ten times more porous than skin and can become chapped (dry) which can increase breakage. Increased exposure to water (dishwashing, cooking and swimming) does increase chapping of nails. So, protect your hands and nails when washing dishes. While nail polish and artificial nails may tend to superficially protect nails, there doesn't seem to be a problem with nail products other than irritation or allergy to some chemicals in polish, polish remover and glue (formaldehyde, acetone and nathacrylate respectively). Infants tend to have very thin nails that can be torn rather than cut. Finger nails tend to thin with age as nail growth slows in senior populations, but toe nails tend to get thicker in seniors.

Finger nails can reflect some nutrient levels though. If a person's nail bed (skin under exposed nail) is spoon shaped (depressed in the middle like a spoon) or pale rather than pink, it can reflect low iron in the blood (hemoglobin). Nails can develop side to side ridges (bows ridges) because of fever, inflammation in the body or a short term illness (acute). Fine longitudinal ridges from cuticle to nail tip tend to develop with age and are not significant. Protein malnutrition will effect nail growth and health since it is the building material that comprise nails. Biotin deficiency can be seen in nails (also as reddened skin) though it is extremely rare. There is no Recommended Dietary Allowances for biotin as it is present in many foods throughout the food chain. Other than that, once damaged, a nail takes approximately 9 months to grow from the cuticle (growing end) to the tip of a person's finger where it can be trimmed off. Other nail changes like white lines in the nail occur because of damage to the nail base when pushing back the cuticle or an abnormal hardening (keratinization) of the nail during formation.

Answer 2

somewhat of a myth. gelatin is made from bone marrow.... protein. protein DOES make nails stronger, but you'll need 5 lbs of jello per day.
I do a lot of planter gardening without using gloves. From spring to fall my nails are stronger from all the minerals in the soil, the fact that I have to clean my nails more = more oxygen under the nail and it encourages growing!

Answer 3

The only thing Jello would do to your nails is STAIN them.

Jello is basically gelatin, sugar and coloring.

If it were fortified with calcium or some Vitamin E I might think it were plausible.

Answer 4

I just saw this on the Tyra Banks show where they were "busting beauty myths." They said it absolutely does nothing. However, it's not bad for you. The old wives tale was that it helped them grow stronger.

Answer 5

I believe it strengthens them.

Answer 6

I've read that is doesn't do anything for them.