Zinc & White spots on nails

[Ali (Aiello) Lemaitre]

I was wondering if anyone could explain WHY a zinc deficiency causes white spots on the nails.
Is it because there is a minor injury to the nails and since zinc is vital to wound healing, the nail isn't able to repair itself properly?  or are the white spots/wound healing 2 separate issues.  Thanks.

[jodi f.]

I have two articles on fingernail abnormalities, one of them a scholarly, referenced work discussing nail abnormalities seen with serious health conditions. Both articles make only minor mention of white spots on the nails, with it being due to damage done to the nail bed. A little Googling around brought up this article that I found interesting. Hope you do, too:  http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/643/what-causes-white-spots-on-your-fingernails