Can we really discover a lot about our state of health from examining our fingernails?

In many ways our inner health is arrayed before us within our outer appearance.

Some indicators may be more reliable than others, but we can get a general sense of ourselves with remarkably little knowledge and careful observation.

Charlotte Vohtz nails the subject in her book, Naturally Gorgeous, Essential Health and Beauty Sectrets.

Here are some indicators from the book:

1. White spots or flecks on nails indicate a zinc deficiency, which may have many causes — too much alcohol or even side effects from taking the contraceptive pill.

2. Ridged or brittle nails may highlight a calcium deficiency or lack of vitamin A.

3. Cracked or broken nails — in the absence of any other reason such as heavy manual work — may show up a lack of fluids. Dehydration can cause many conditions including blocked sinuses.

4. Nails which split easily may indicate a lack of fatty acids in the diet.

5. Dryness and very rounded and curved ends could be a lack of vitamin B12, which may be linked to an iron deficiency.

6. For super-healthy nails make half your diet consist of fresh fruit and vegetables, some raw. This will boost your intake of vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

7. Add foods rich in sulphur and silicon, like fish, broccoli and onions. Also foods high in biotin, such as soya and whole grains.

8. Foods like wild seaweed (kelp tablets will do), which contain iodine for the thyroid gland, an organ that plays a part in the growth of nails, hair, skin and teeth.

It seems we can discover a lot just by looking at our fingernails.

Few women think about the toxins they may be absorbing through the skin from makeup and skincare products.

Research suggests that there may be a link between the aluminium found in deodorants and breast cancer and with the growing number of products we use on a daily basis, women could be absorbing hundreds of chemicals through their skin every day.

You could start to make a difference by ditching that chemical-based deodorant stick and trying some natural solutions to deal with body odour. Limiting the intake of strong smelling foods can help with problem odour, because such foods actually exacerbate the problem as they are sweated out. The obvious culprits are garlic, curry spices and onions. Chewing fresh parsley is thought to help freshen the system, and it will sweeten the breath at the same time.

Herbs such as nettle and sage can reduce perspiration – these can be steeped in water to create an herbal infusion or you can buy ready made tea bags in most health food stores.

Simple, natural solutions that can be applied under the arms as an alternative to deodorant include vinegar, witch hazel and radish juice. Alternatively you can make up a simple body wash by adding a few drops of essential oil to some warm water. Pine, sage or tea tree essential oils are pleasantly fragranced and have cleansing or anti-bacterial properties.

If you’re not confident enough to stop using a deodorant stick then you could try one of the mineral salt products available in health food stores. These sticks, which look like opaque crystal, are fragrance free and completely hypo allergenic. They leave a layer of mineral salt on the skin that eliminates the bacteria that create body odour.

It’s advisable to wash well before applying the product, however, so that any existing bacteria are removed. As mineral salts don’t clog your pores like traditional anti-perspirants you can’t expect to remain dry under the arms if you use this option.

Rhian Gibbings

A year or two ago there was a big fuss about Triclosan, which was the main antibacterial agent in most toothpastes. The publicity resulted in many products being taken off the shelves and other agents being substituted for Triclosan.

Now, however, I’ve noticed Triclosan is back, at least in the cheaper own-brand products of the big supermarkets.

The original fuss occurred because it apparently reacted with the chlorine in normal domestic water to produce toxins that could be harmful over time. Despite that, it remains the best of the antibacterials.

On an individual level, we can simply use filtered water to brush our teeth. Popular filter systems, like Brita, do remove most of the chlorine in water, and osmotic systems are even better.

So, stick to Triclosan and eliminate the chlorine instead. That is the healthy alternative to reading every toothpaste label.

Can you protect yourself against too much alcohol consumption? Herbalists believe you can.

The milk thistle plant whose seeds are beneficial

The seeds of the milk thistle plant contain a powerful antioxidant called silymarin, which is said to protect not just the liver, but also the gall bladder and spleen against the demon drink.

Milk thistle is a member of the daisy family of plants and is rich in flavonolignans, a group of compounds which help to repair liver cells damaged by alcohol and other toxins.

Silymarin also has anti-inflammatory properties that protect new liver cells from destruction. Add the presence of phytochemicals which fight against toxic overload and, all in all, the humble milk thistle is a great little helper if you have a tendency to overdo it from time to time.

You can take milk thistle as a capsule, in tablet, tincture or liquid extract form, before or after drinking.