The doctor warned that people might not realise they have the deficiency
A doctor has revealed that white spots on your nails could be a sign of mineral deficiency, though most people will be unaware they have it. Dr Sami (MBBS BSc Lifestyle Medicine) often posts educational content on TikTok as @ask.doctor.s. In a recent video, he discussed signs of zinc deficiency.
Dr Sami’s caption said: “Most people don’t realise they’re zinc deficient — until their nails, skin, or immunity start showing it. Here’s how to spot the signs and how to treat it.”
His video explained: “Do you have these white spots on your nails, or maybe your hair is thinner than usual? It could be down to a zinc deficiency. You see, zinc is needed to make keratin and collagen, which are proteins that support your hair, skin and your nails.
“But that’s not all. Zinc is essential to over 300 other enzymes that support wound healing, your hormones and your immune system.
“You can have low zinc levels if you don’t eat much meat or seafood or if you have a gut issue that affects the absorption of the zinc, like Coeliac or IBS, or if your diet is too high in sugar or alcohol, or if you’re chronically stressed, like most of us.”
The doctor said: “The good news is it’s pretty easy to fix. Eat more pumpkin seeds, lentils, chickpeas, eggs, nuts and seafood. In fact, oysters are actually one of the richest sources of zinc. And if you do use a supplement, don’t take more than 25mg daily unless your doctor tells you.
“That’s because too much zinc can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhoea and a metallic taste in your mouth. It also competes with copper to be absorbed by the gut, and copper is really important to move iron around your body. So you’ll end up becoming anaemic and just lose your hair that way instead.”
According to the NHS, you should be able to get all the zinc you need from your daily diet. This is typically 7mg per day for women and 9.5mg per day for men (aged 19-64). Good sources of zinc include meat, shellfish, dairy foods, bread, and cereal products, reports the Express.
The advice states: “You should be able to get all the zinc you need by eating a varied and balanced diet. If you take zinc supplements, do not take too much as this could be harmful. Do not take more than 25mg of zinc supplements a day unless advised to by a doctor.”
Healthline explains that white spots on your nails can have various causes. “You may notice white spots along your nails if you’re deficient in certain minerals or vitamins. The deficiencies most commonly linked to this issue include zinc deficiency and calcium deficiency.
“A doctor can determine if you’re at risk for any mineral deficiency.” However, white spots could be caused by something else entirely, such as an allergic reaction or a fungal infection. You should speak to a GP about any health concerns.
