Fingernails might give you clues about how well you are ageing, according to an expert in genetics. Dr David Sinclair, a professor at Harvard Medical School, shared that the speed at which your fingernails grow could tell you whether your body is ageing slower or faster than your actual age.
He explained that the rate of nail growth might reflect how quickly your body is producing new, healthy cells. This process is important because it helps protect your body from the natural decline that comes with ageing.
On his podcast, Lifespan, Dr Sinclair mentioned, “The rate of your nail growth is a really good indicator of how you’re ageing or not ageing.” He pointed to a study from 1979, where scientists discovered that after the age of 30, fingernail growth slows down by about 0.5 percent each year. This suggests that there is a connection between how fast your nails grow and the ageing process.
Dr Sinclair also shared that he personally keeps an eye on his own nail growth. He said, “I do pay attention to whether my nails are slowing down in their growth or not. Every time I have to cut my nails, I’m thinking, how long ago did I cut my nails?” If your nails grow quickly and you find yourself cutting them more often than others your age, it could mean your body is ageing more slowly than average.
The slowing down of nail growth is believed to be related to changes in blood circulation as we get older. As blood flow decreases with age, nails receive fewer nutrients, which can affect their growth. This insight into nail growth offers a simple way to think about how our bodies are changing over time and how we might be able to gauge our overall health and ageing process.
