What causes nail ridges?
In Eastern medicine there are all sorts of explanations given for markings on nails but I think it’s fair to say none of them have much substance. You’ll find vertical ridges mentioned in reference to everything from digestive, kidney or liver weakness to deficiency of calcium or stomach acid, and the links seem quite random and non-specific. Medical conditions that do seem to be reliably associated with vertical ridging (according to leading dermatologists) are the rare skin conditions lichen planus and Darier’s disease. However in the majority of cases, these ridges are nothing to worry about and simply associated with normal ageing. I would guess that this is almost certainly so in your case, escpecially as you mention no other health problems and there is a family history of these ridges occuring. For general health and flexibility of nails, try to eat plenty of essential fats (nuts and seeds), two lean portions of protein daily and plenty of good sources of zinc (grains, lean meat
