Nail diseases
Nails are important for many reasons, including aesthetic appeal. They can also serve as important barometers offering clues to a person's overall health. Common nail complaints include brittle, dry nails and infection with a variety of pathogens.
Paronychia : Paronychia infection of nail folds is caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses. This condition causes pain, redness and swelling of nail folds and seen in people who keep their hands in water for extended periods.
Brittle nails : Brittle nails are one of the most common complaints. They are generally characterized by vertical splitting or separation of nail plate at the end of nail. This is often a consequence of aging as flow of moisture and natural oils to nail bed declines.
Ingrown toenail : In grown toenails typically affect the great (“big”) toe and occur when a corner of nail curves downward into the skin. This condition can be very painful and leads to infection. Improper nail trimming, poor posture or tight shoes usually cause ingrown toenails. Nails should always be cut longer than tips of toe to prevent advancing edge of nail plate from “digging in” to soft tissue of nail folds.
Nail psoriasis : This nail abnormality occurs primarily in patients who also have psoriasis of the skin and is seen in about 80% of people who have inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis, especially when the arthritis affects toes and fingers. Characteristics include yellow-red discoloration of nail, pitting, separation of nail plate from nail bed, crumbling or splitting of nail plate.
Onychomycosis : It is a fungal infection, which invades nail plate, causing nail to separate from nail plate (onycholysis) and chalky debris to form under nail plate. More than 90% of cases are caused by one of two pathogens : Trichophyton rubrum or Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Factors which have an important effect on development of onychomycosis include increasing age; genetics and presence of diabetes, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or peripheral arterial disease. One multicenter study reported that diabetics are nearly three times more likely to develop onychomycosis than nondiabetics and that upto one third of diabetics may develop nail fungus .
Pitting : Formation of tiny depressions in the nail plate is known as pitting. It is caused by any localized skin condition that interrupts natural growth of nail. Pitting occurs in up to 50% of patients who have psoriasis and is also a common problem in people who have connective tissue disorders, including Alopecia areata, Incontinentia pigmenti, pemphigus, Reiter's syndrome and sarcoidosis.
White nails (Terry's nails) : This nail abnormality is characterized by a white nail bed with a pink band that is 1 to 2 mm wide at the tip. In most cases, all the fingernails are affected, although it affects a single finger. White nails affect about 80% of people who have severe liver disease. It is also seen in people with type 2 diabetes, chronic renal failure or congestive heart failure and is associated with advancing age as well.
Role of Noni in Nail Diseases
Nutrient supplement like Noni stands out for their ability to support a strong and healthy nails. It helps to facilitate formation of collagen, necessary for the strength and healthy development of epithelial and skeletal connective tissue.
Vitamin E : The results of several studies show that vitamin E can be effective in the treatment of nail changes in yellow nail syndrome, which also has profound effects on heart and lung function that must be treated separately. Noni contains vitamin E in abundant quantity.
Biotin : Noni contains biotin including all the B complex vitamins. In one study, supplementation with the B-complex vitamin biotin increased nail thickness by 25% in majority of participants (63%) who had brittle nails.
In another study, researchers reported that patients who took biotin daily for three to six months experienced a significant decrease in brittleness and splitting. Long term use of Noni would be beneficial for those who have various nail problems.
Zinc : Noni contains zinc with all trace minerals. A zinc deficiency is associated with poor nail health, manifesting as deformed nails, hangnails, inflamed cuticles and white spots in nail plate.
L-cysteine : L-cysteine is a conditionally essential amino acid, one of only three sulfur-containing amino acids. The others are taurine (which can be produced from L-cysteine) and L-methionine, from which L-cysteine can be produced in the body by a multistep process. L-cysteine is an important component of keratin, hair and nails. Noni contains 17 amino acids including all the essential amino acids.
Recommended Dosage
Divine Noni Concentrate
5ml morning and 5ml evening for 3 days. Then
10ml morning and 10ml evening for next 3 days. Then
15ml morning and 15ml evening for next 8 months.
