What causes fingernails to chip and NOT grow? other than taking calcium, any ideas on what will help? thanks?

For about 2 years have had trouble growing my fingernails and before was never a problem, and have not drastically changed my diet.

Soaking them in Gelatin helps, also tapping your fingers or simply massaging your hands will stimulate blood circulation that will help your nails to grow. Hard as nails by Sally Hansen will help them get stronger so they will not break as easily and also they sell a special vitamin for hair and nails you can get at Wal-mart or GNC

make sure you keep them well groomed. make sure that you keep them filed so that the ends are always strong, i know you dont want to shorten them but make sure you file off the fragile parts to keep it from "growing" to the rest of the nail. also try getting some of that Sally Hansen nail hardner called "hard as nails", it helps keep them nice and firm as well. also know that just wear and tear is going to take effect on your nails a lot so just make sure you keep the coated with that Sally Hansen stuff (which can be found at your local grocery or drug store) and if you start to feel them get brittle file them down a little bit.

believe this one or not....i found that taking prenatal vitamins and gelatin supplements help a lot.....the vitamins also help your hair.....think about it....why do they give it to pregnant women????? feed them

Nails are actually "waste". Poor nail condition is generally an indication of poor diet.

Vitamins will work, one of the best supplements is Biotin. You will find a remarkable improvement in not only your nails, but your hair as well (another waste byproduct of the body).

Keeping them well groomed will help as well, but you really will see results using Biotin (try the sublingual kind,.... fast acting). Good Luck.