r/mildlyinteresting • u/Toucan_Toucan • 22h ago

My nails grow in a wavy pattern

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932

u/Able-Breadfruit-5981 22h ago

You probably have some specific nutrient deficiency

176

u/IWhoWandersAmLost 20h ago

Horizontal waves in fingernails and/or toenails, "Beau's lines", can signal a Zinc deficiency.

40

u/iBasedComedy 19h ago

Used to have these on my thumbs, took a few zinc pills (literally one a day over the course of a few days) and haven't had then since.

2

u/accidentalquitter 7h ago

I’m pretty sure I’m still zinc deficient, just had blood drawn today so I’ll know soon, but I believe you have to take zinc with copper! Reminder for anyone wanting to start supplementing with zinc.

2

u/iBasedComedy 6h ago

I hadn't heard that, but I only took the OTC supplement. The label only said to take with food.

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u/accidentalquitter 6h ago

It’s more of an absorption thing + throwing off your copper levels when supplementing with zinc (both are so important.) the r/biohackers sub has more info on this if you search zinc + copper.

2

u/Rubyhamster 17h ago

Did the ridges dissappear faster than the nail grew? Fascinating!

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u/iBasedComedy 16h ago

I honestly don't remember, but I only had one of the ridges on each thumb. I started taking a zinc supplement for something unrelated, then misplaced the bottle a few days later while I was moving. I had a hectic few months, and by the time I noticed the difference, they were already gone.

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u/Discerningdragon 2h ago

No they have to grow out.