datboijj
Fuchsia
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- Nov 15, 2020
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1. The Basics: What is the Lunula?
It’s the visible part of the nail matrix. It’s white because the stratum germinativum (the thick layer underneath) hides the underlying blood vessels.
2. Blood Health & "The Ghost Lunula"
If you have Anolunula (missing half-moons), you might be dealing with a lack of "fuel" in your system.
- Iron-Deficiency Anemia & Malnutrition:
"Absent lunulae can be a normal variation but are frequently associated with systemic disorders including iron-deficiency anemia, malnutrition, and chronic renal failure." (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7813076/) - Terry's Nails: "In Terry's nails, the lunula is lost and the nail bed appears white and ground-glass like... This is a c clinical sign often secondary to deu.ased vascularity and increased connective tissue in the nail bed, seen in 80% of patients with severe liver cirrhosis." (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5448267/)
This is the most underrated part. A study found a direct correlation between absent lunulae and depression.
• The Study:"A case-control study found that the number of absent lunulae was significantly higher in the depressive group compared to the healthy control group... The severity of depression was positively correlated with the number of missing lunulae."
(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22959530)
4. Autoimmune & Thyroid Status
Thyroid Regulation:”The size of the lunula is often a reflection of the rate of nail growth. Macrolunula (enlarged lunula) can be a sign of hyperthyroidism, whereas anolunula is seen in hypothyroidism where metabolic rates are slowed." (Nail Abnormalities: Clues to Systemic Disease | AAFP
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2004/0315/p1417.html)
5. Circulation & Cardiac Health
The lunula is highly vascularized. If your blood flow is trash, your lunulae will show it first.
• Red Lunulae: Associated with cardiac failure and hypertension.
"Red lunula has been associated with various systemic conditions, most notably cardiac failure, where it is thought to result from increased arteriolar blood flow
or a vasodilatory capacitance phenomenon." (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2645322/)
The "Checklist" for Looksmaxxing Your Health:
1.Check your thumbs: These should always have a visible lunula. If they are gone, you are likely severely deficient in something.
2.Check your pinkies: These rarely have them; if you do have them on your pinkies, your circulation and metabolic rate are likely elite.
3.Monitor Color: You want stark white. Red, blue, or yellow means you need to get bloodwork done ASAP.
