Q: I have followed the Zone Diet and have taken the recommended dosage of EPA for six months with good results, except in one area: My finger nails continue to be brittle and soft. Any suggestions?
A: I would increase levels of EPA as the brittle finger nails are an indication that your arachidonic acid levels are still too high. The most effective way to reduce arachidonic acid is to follow an even stricter Zone Diet that excludes all grains and starches, uses limited amounts of fruits, and includes virtually unlimited amounts of non-starchy vegetables.