Our nails reveal important insights about our health and cell function. But could the speed of nail growth indicate how long we might live?
More and more people are becoming conscious of healthy living, but one small detail has largely been overlooked when it comes to longevity: the rate at which our nails grow.
It’s well known that nails can signal underlying health conditions and change with age. But what did scientists at Harvard University discover about the connection between nail growth and lifespan?
Can our nails really predict how long we will live?
Dr. David Sinclair, a world-renowned expert on human lifespan and a Harvard scientist, recently investigated whether nail growth could be a clue to our longevity.
Since nail growth reflects overall health and cellular activity, Sinclair suggests:
“The faster our nails grow, the more protected we are against age-related diseases.”
His study differentiates biological age from chronological age—the latter being our actual age as recorded on paper, while the former reflects the condition of our body’s cells and tissues. According to Sinclair, nail growth can indicate our true biological age.
Science and nail growth
The idea that nail growth and lifespan may be linked dates back to 1979, when researchers measured the nail growth of hundreds of volunteers over several years. The findings showed that after age 30, nail growth slows by 0.5% each year.
According to Sinclair, if we find ourselves trimming our nails more often than our peers, it could mean we are ageing more slowly.
“Every time I cut my nails, I ask myself—when was the last time I did this?” he admitted.
Why does nail growth slow down with age?
The answer lies in blood circulation. As we age, blood flow declines, delivering fewer nutrients to cells—including those in our nails. This reduction in circulation slows nail growth and signals the ageing process.
Are you ageing slower than others?
- If you trim your nails more often than before, it’s a positive sign.
- If your nail growth noticeably slows, it may indicate accelerated ageing.
A healthy diet and regular exercise can improve circulation, encouraging faster nail growth—which could be a sign that your body is biologically ageing at a slower rate. And that’s good news for longevity.
This article was originally published by Zsófia Lampert on the Marie Claire Hungary Website.
Translated and syndicated for Marie Claire Nigeria by Tobi Afolabi.
