Toenails predict heart disease risk

by cynthia yoo | June 6, 2008 at 10:28 am

21245 views | 11 Recommendations | 24 comments

A study of the toenails from some 62,500 women in the US showed that measuring the nicotine content of toenail clipping helped predict the women's heart disease risk.

Analysis of toenails from more than 62,500 women showed double the level of nicotine in those with heart disease than those without the condition.
The researchers said the test may be more accurate than simply asking a person about their smoking history.

It is well established that smokers have a higher risk of heart disease.

There are existing tests for the presence of nicotine in the body, for example testing the amount of nicotine breakdown products in saliva or urine, but they only reflect recent exposure to cigarette smoke.

Study leader, Dr Wael Al-Delaimy said because toenails grow slowly - at a rate of around 1cm a year - they may offer a longer-term estimate of a person's total exposure to tobacco smoke.

And would take into account exposure to passive smoking and smoking habits such as how much smoke a person inhales with each puff.

Study leader, Dr Wael Al-Delaimy said because toenails grow slowly - at a rate of around 1cm a year - they may offer a longer-term estimate of a person's total exposure to tobacco smoke.

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Barry ORegan

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 22:14 on June 6th, 2008

cynthia yoo, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Interesting read Cynthia,

LilyGrace48

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 05:15 on June 7th, 2008

cynthia yoo, I like this story. It's good stuff.

ijerf

at 05:38 on June 7th, 2008

Thanks for using my photo!

ijerf has contributed a photo to this story.

Maureen Vanessa

at 06:01 on June 7th, 2008

Toetally Beautiful

Maureen Vanessa has contributed a photo to this story.

Skye_Gazer

at 06:03 on June 7th, 2008

This picture was taken in Galveston, Texas. I was the only one daring enough to step into the chilly water with my bare feet. This is the pic I got! I didnt know people thought it was good, so thanks!!!

Skye_Gazer has contributed a photo to this story.

pixieclipx

at 06:45 on June 7th, 2008

thanx for using my 3 photos!

Az Jade

at 07:29 on June 7th, 2008

A fresh pedi to start the week.

Az Jade has contributed a photo to this story.

amber {in the shadow of za'ha'dum}

at 08:11 on June 7th, 2008

amber {in the shadow of za'ha'dum} has contributed a photo to this story.

René

at 08:30 on June 7th, 2008

What the? My toenails grow much much faster than that!

Paul Conneally

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 08:43 on June 7th, 2008

cynthia yoo, I like this story. It's good stuff.

fascinating - i would assume that toenails might also hold other chemical clues that could be health indicators

itsthatgirljess

at 09:23 on June 7th, 2008

Thank you for requesting to use my photo.

Welsh Totty

at 11:54 on June 7th, 2008

Wel I was amazed that anyone wanted to see a photo of my rather large size 9 (UK) feet, but hey ho, thanks for requesting it! Happy to oblige.

Welsh Totty has contributed a photo to this story.

chingbee'smom

at 12:11 on June 7th, 2008

I woulf likr to know the result of this study. I am a clinical research professional myself.
Thanks for the opportunity to participate in the study.

chingbee'smom has contributed a photo to this story.

kraskacz

at 12:19 on June 7th, 2008

This photo was taken as a test shot of my new camera, it is my own foot and toenails with fresh pedicure.

kraskacz has contributed a photo to this story.

middleagedteacher

at 14:25 on June 7th, 2008

Thank you for using my 'green toenails' photo. I think it lends itself beautifully to this article!

ciokkolata

at 00:18 on June 8th, 2008

My niece's toes... she never smoked.

Thanks for asking my pics for this story.

ciokkolata has contributed a photo to this story.

cembi4clembi

at 00:24 on June 8th, 2008

Photo of my tattoo'ed feet. Here just without forthcoming tattoo of a bullhead. I'm no smoker.

cembi4clembi has contributed a photo to this story.

SweetMeow

at 09:40 on June 8th, 2008

My photo was taken right after I had a pedicure, and wanted to show off the art work done on the toes. It was amazing and exacting work! Not sure what this shows about nicotine in the nails, though. I do not smoke, nor have I ever smoked!

sunasak

at 13:47 on June 8th, 2008

My son is happy his toenails have grown in, and that his big toe, which had ingrown toenail surgery, is looking better. No nicotine has been around his nails, so though they may not look great, they probably won't predict heart disease.

sunasak has contributed a photo to this story.

Lisa West

at 06:45 on June 9th, 2008

I would be interested to see if you can tell a difference just by looking at them.... mine are in the non-smoking category.

ashmystir

at 11:34 on June 9th, 2008

Thanks for using my photo. Great article. =)

milky way

at 16:40 on June 9th, 2008

thanks for using my photo as a sign of the health picture. it shows that we have to be healthy by not smoking. it kills your body, and that's not a good way to do it. we all shouldn't jeopardize our health by smoking a cigarette. it's nasty thing to do. i have never have smoked and never will. i'm a very healthy person and i take care of my health. i eat right and excersise great, too.

btw, the picture of my toes were meant for the Halloween humor, and i have never expected this website to email me about this, but i'm glad that i looked through the website. this site shows that we all have to take care of our health. thanks again for using my photos as a health image.:-)