What is the best supplement for nails?
Zinc and selenium are the two with an authorised claim. Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal nails, and selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal nails. Biotin, the usual nail ingredient, has no nail claim on the GB register. VH Life provides zinc at 15mg, 150% of the NRV, and selenium at 70µg, 127% of the NRV.
What does the NHS say?
The NHS says nails normally become thicker or more brittle with age, suggests rubber gloves and regular hand cream, and says to see a GP if a nail has changed shape or colour, or has fallen off, and you do not know why. Source: NHS: Nail problems.
Which authorised claims come closest?
In Great Britain a food or supplement may only make health claims that are on the GB register, worded as registered, for nutrients at 15% of the NRV or more per portion. These are the registered claims that touch this question and apply to VH Life:
| Nutrient, in one sachet | Authorised claim, as registered |
|---|---|
| Selenium, 70µg, 127% NRV | Selenium contributes to the maintenance of normal nails |
| Zinc, 15mg, 150% NRV | Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal nails |
Health claims apply as part of a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle; the pattern of use is one sachet a day.
Where does VH Life fit?
VH Life is a UK-made food supplement: one 11.8g berry sachet a day in cold water, with 87 active ingredients including 26 vitamins and minerals with declared amounts. It carries the claims above because it provides those nutrients at qualifying levels; it makes no claim beyond them. On subscription VH Life is £49.99 for 28 sachets every 4 weeks, which works out at £1.79 a day. There is also a 7-day trial (7 sachets, £12.99, one per customer) and one box of 14 sachets for £34.99, with free UK delivery. See the full label or the ingredients index.
If you take any medicine, ask your GP or pharmacist first. If you take warfarin, ask your anticoagulant clinic first: the sachet contains vitamin K, cranberry, co-enzyme Q10, ginkgo, turmeric and ginseng.
Questions people also ask
Is biotin good for nails?
Biotin's authorised claims cover hair and skin, not nails. VH Life provides 1,000µg of biotin for its hair and skin claims.
Why are my nails brittle?
The NHS says it is normal for nails to break more easily with age. If they change shape or colour without a clear reason, see a GP.
Is 15mg of zinc too much?
The NHS says 25mg a day or less from supplements is unlikely to cause harm. Add up zinc from anything else you take.
Related
Sources
- Great Britain nutrition and health claims (NHC) register, 19 May 2026 edition.
- NHS: Nail problems, accessed 3 November 2026.
- The VH Life box, 7 October 2026 print.
Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. One sachet a day. Do not exceed the recommended intake. Not suitable for children, adolescents, or pregnant or breastfeeding women. VH Life is a food supplement, not a medicine. If symptoms persist, see your GP or pharmacist.