A doctor reveals a clear sign on your fingernails that could indicate how much time you have left to live.

What if your nails could give you clues about your health and even your life expectancy? According to Dr. David Sinclair, a genetics expert at Harvard, observing the growth and appearance of your nails could be a key indicator of biological aging and certain serious health problems. So, what are the signs you shouldn’t ignore?

Nail growth: an indicator of aging

Dr. Sinclair points out that  the rate of nail growth  is a good way to measure  cell regeneration . A 1979 study   found that  nail growth slows by about 0.5% per year after age 30. The slower your nails grow, the more likely this is to be the case.

It is therefore important to  monitor how often you need to cut your nails .
If you notice  a sudden slowdown , this could be  a sign that your body is not functioning optimally .

Abnormalities to watch out for on your nails

Beyond the growth rate,  certain visible changes  in your nails can  reveal underlying health problems . Here are the  main signs  to watch for:

1. Black spots under the nail: a possible sign of melanoma

A  dark spot under the nail  can be harmless (like a simple  bruise from an impact ), but if it  persists for no apparent reason , it’s important to consult a doctor. It could be a sign  of skin cancer under the nail , called  subungual melanoma .