We have lost touch with our bodies and with nature over the years. At one time, it was common practice not just to ask a person what was troubling them but to look at a their eyes, tongue, throat, skin, nails and what their hair felt like to try and find an accurate diagnosis of what may be ailing them. It is always a good idea to have a good look at yourself occasionally to see if you may not be having the nutrition that your body requires. If you are feeling a little run down or you may be short of a nutrient then it is a good idea to have a check-up at the doctors.
Here is a chart that explains what to look for and which vitamins/minerals/micronutrients you may be short of at a fairly quick glance:
My finger nails are a nightmare at the moment, constantly peeling, I take my calcium tablet every day as prescribed. Just started taking multi vitamins.
I cut mine and they grow like weeds. I've mined the following from my wide seam of beauty wisdom. (I used to be a beautician.) Hope it helps.
Those peeling areas are like a ladder in your tights; as the nail grows, the peely bit works its way down and you can never be free of it. If you cut them short, let them grow a little and cut them back again, you'll (hopefully) find they're in better shape. Use a toenail clipper (those tiny fingernail clippers are rubbish) and keep the outside of the clipper down (keep the clipper at a 45 degree angle to your finger) so you don't split the side of the nail when you clip.
Don't file them more than a little shaping, don't file into the sides and keep them lubricated (olive oil is good). They also respond to stimulation, so a little massage, typing, etc are good for growth.
Do you deal with white paper in your job? I don't know what it is about paper, but it's a nightmare for your hands. A low fat diet will also make them dry and papery.
Nails are meant to protect the nail bed, which is why they fall off once they extend beyond it. So as long as your fingertips are safe, your nails are doing their job.
Thanks, will try this, have cut the ones I can do, and will cut the worst right forfinger) as soon as it reaches a stage where I can....No I am retired now, but I do draw quite a bit, so it may be the paper thing.........
According to the above chart, Hollyberry, it suggests that you are short of Vitamin A and Vitamin C as well as Calcium. I have suffered with this particular problem myself several years ago and couldn't understand why. I had cod liver oil every day which is rich in Vitamin A but my peeling nails finally went away completely when I began to take 1000 mcg's of Vitamin C every day. The problem we face as humans is that we do not make any Vitamin C in our bodies, whereas our cousins the gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutangs, bonobos, etc all make around 3000 mcg's of Vitamin C every day. Nobody seems to know why man no longer makes this particular vitamin - as we don't all live in areas of plentiful supply in our foods. If you do decide to take a course of Vitamin C then look for good quality ones with bioflavonoids and obviously gluten free (watch out for maltodextrin in chewable versions).
I have found a couple of additional sites that may be of use to you as it shows which foods contain high doses of Vitamin C, etc.
*Peeling nails ... vitamins A, C, calcium (this is from the chart above)
You are most welcome. My nails are now shiny, soft and bendy, the tops are naturally snow white and every time I am tempted to put on nail varnish I look down at them and think no they look so nice, I won't cover them up!
Just an added note - I used to also have white spots and slashes in my nails but found out that this was through not having enough zinc in my diet. I began to take supplements for zinc and the white marks disappeared and as an added surprise I found it also kept the colds and coughs at bay!
Thanks Penel, This is a really good link! I have always believed that there will at some time in the future be a major payback in health situations through the amount of low fat foods that are being pushed as a 'good diet.' Animals that are either carnivors, omnivors and even herbivors do not eat low fat diets and our health is definately (the human race, that is) in a far worse state than the rest of the wild animal kingdom.
I think that many do not realise that they do need good quality fats firstly because many contain the fatty vitamins of A, D, E and K and those that don't as you say above require fat to act as a taxi service to make sure they travel everywhere.
Did you also see the note to say that fat is essential to transport calcium to the bones?
Re fat being essential to the transport of calcium - I have been trying to find other science papers that say the same thing ... but without success. I would guess that the author is referring to fat soluble Vit D being needed for calcium absorption.
Will have a go at also finding out more information on this as this possibly affects us all both coeliacs and gluten intolerant so it will be worth checking out further. Thanks for coming back on this one, though!
This is not necessarily what we are looking for Penel but adds a little more information on calcium absorption:
"Many dietary factors also reduce calcium absorption. Foods that are high in oxalic acid, such as spinach, rhubarb, chard, and chocolate, can interfere with calcium absorption by forming insoluble salts in the gut. Phytic acid, or phytates, found in whole grain foods or foods rich in fiber, may reduce the absorption of calcium and other minerals as well. Protein, fat, and acid foods may help calcium absorption, but high-protein diets may increase calcium elimination through the intestines. Calcium absorption is sensitive and requires energy to transport it into the body. Calcium is often chelated with proteins or amino acids (specifically, glutamic or aspartic acid) to make it more absorbent."
"Factors Affecting Calcium Absorption
Increased by:
Body needs—growth, pregnancy, lactation
Vitamin D
Milk lactose
Acid environment—hydrochloric acid, citric acid, ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Protein intake and amino acids such as lysine and glycine
Useful additional information about calcium - I think that you may well be right, Penel. At lease so far, all I have found it the link of the fat soluble Vitamin D requirement for the intake of calcium.
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(I used to be a beautician.) Hope it helps. 
Don't always blame it on Gluten: Does anyone have a soya lecithin allergy / reaction?