Natural health: Ridges on nails and genital warts
My nails have developed vertical ridges along them, particularly the thumbnails.
I eat a healthy diet, and take a multisupplement daily.
I am 46, and have not gone through the menopause yet.
I don’t have any other issues with my nails, they are strong and don’t have any patches of white, often associated to to a zinc deficiency.
Is there anything I can do to repair my nails?
One of my first questions when it comes to nail health issues is whether or not there may be an underlying deficiency, so I’m glad that you are ensuring that your nutritional needs are being met.
The fact that your fingernails are not flaking, breaking, or discoloured is a good sign.
Nail ridges are often seen as a natural side-effect of the ageing process, but it is certainly worth looking at possible causes.
It is interesting that you mention the menopause, since it is worth noting that pre-menopausal changes typically begin from as young as 35 years onwards.
While you may still be experiencing monthly menstruation and ovulation, your hormone levels are likely to be changing and causing various symptoms in your body.
Oestrogen in particular is important for moisture retention in the body, which is why so many women experience issues with dry hair, skin, and internal tissues as their oestrogen levels drop.
When the nails are lacking in moisture, they will often form vertical ridges (horizontal ridges are another issue, and may be caused by chemotherapy or indicative of an underlying condition).
Getting plenty of fats in your diet, and massaging rich moisturising cream or oil into your nail bed is a good start.
Two other main conditions worth checking for are thyroid disorders — whether it be underactive, overactive, or fluctuating between the two as can happen with autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and sometimes Grave’s disease — and Rheumatoid Arthritis, another autoimmune disorder.
Individuals who suffer from psoriasis may also find themselves with vertical ridges on their nails due to the dry nature of this condition, but you would certainly already be aware of it if you were dealing with this issue.
I have genital warts, a venereal disease that I have been told there is no cure for.
My doctor freezes them off, but I find this deeply embarrassing and stressful.
Is there really nothing that can be done?
Genital warts, which are caused by a strain of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus), are a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease.
While many people will be exposed to this virus, not all people who are carriers of HPV will exhibit any symptoms or have health issues related to the virus.
Unfortunately this means that they can pass on the virus without even knowing that they have it.
Folic acid is a key nutrient in both the prevention and treatment of HPV and genital warts.
Studies have shown that a deficiency in this nutrient increases the risk of contracting the virus, and that individuals who already have genital warts are more likely to have an outbreak if their folic acid levels are low.
The Asian mushroom, Coriolus versicolor, when taken in conjunction with folic acid helps to stimulate the immune system and clinical trials have suggested that the strain of HPV responsible for cervical cancer may be destroyed by this powerful combination.
The Coriolus should be taken at a dosage of 2 x 500mg capsules or tablets, three times daily with food for two weeks.
Following this, you will need to reduce the dosage to 1 x 500mg capsule/tablet, three times daily until the warts are no longer present. You will need to take 400 micrograms of folic acid daily as well.
If you are unable to purchase Coriolus locally, then you can get it online from www.revital.co.uk, where 90 x 500mg tablets cost £22.95.
Solgar’s 400mcg folic acid is available from health stores where 100 tablets cost €6.71.
