Body odor is mainly caused when the sweat produced by the apocrine glands is broken down by bacteria that live on the surface of the skin. Apocrine sweat contains proteins and lipids that bacteria love to feed on. The end result of this process is waste compounds in the form of sulfides, propionic acids, and isoveric acids. Each is found to varying degrees in sweat, and each has distinct odors that we most often associate with body odor.
sulfur compounds – tends to have a smell similar to that of rotten eggs.
propionic acid – Gives off an odor comparable to vinegar.
isoveric acid – has often been compared to the smell of old cheese.
In addition to the interaction between sweat and bacteria, other factors that cause body odor come from inside the body. For example, much of what you eat can influence how you smell. Food contains many different types of compounds. Certain foods tend to contain high amounts of sulfides that are absorbed into the body as the food is digested. These sulfides find their way out of the body through openings such as breaks in the skin and through the mouth.
Common causes of body odor
Now that we have established an overview of body odour, we will focus on the specific contributors. As we know, sweat and food are the main reasons that make us smell. However, the degree to which it affects body odor can differ greatly from person to person. Other factors may include certain medical conditions as well.
Biological and Genetic
ethnicity – People of East Asian descent naturally have fewer apocrine sweat pads than other ethnicities and therefore experience fewer problems with body odor. Obviously, if less apocrine sweat is produced, there is less material for bacteria to break down into smelly compounds.
Hormonal changes – Fluctuating hormone levels can affect how much a person sweats. Women going through menopause often experience hot flashes, which in turn causes them to sweat more.
Medicine
A common side effect of many medications and over-the-counter medications is increased sweating. This is more common in antidepressant, antipsychotic, and pain reliever medications.
stress and anxiety
When a person is under stress, the body’s natural response is to increase sweat. The reason for this is thought to be related to a fight or flight response. Others theorize that because sweat contains pheromones, it was used as a way to signal signs of danger or distress to others nearby.
medical conditions
Sickness and disease can alter a person’s body odor. Scurvy can make the body smell like rotten meat. Diabetes can make a person smell fruity and, in some cases, ammonia. Trimethylminuria is a genetic condition in which the compound trimethylamine is not metabolized properly, resulting in a fishy odor. Phenylketonuria is a liver disorder that can cause a person to smell rancid and old.
What can help reduce the causes of body odor
Deodorants and antiperspirants
The most common method of controlling body odor and sweat is with roll-on, stick, and spray deodorants and antiperspirants. These products work by controlling both surface bacteria and sweat production. Alcohol is the most common ingredient used as an antimicrobial. In the case of sweat prevention, aluminum-based salts such as aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum zircronium are used. As they dissolve in sweat, they form a barrier over the sweat pads, which in turn prevents sweat from being released to the skin’s surface.
Chlorophyllin supplements
Chlorophyllin has been used as a deodorant for a long time. It works internally by binding to odor-causing compounds and neutralizing them before they are emitted by the body. It also has the added benefit of working to reduce bad breath and foot odour.
breathable clothing
Wearing clothing that allows air to pass through easily will help cool the body and minimize sweating. Clothes made from natural fabrics or designed for athletic use tend to be the most effective. Synthetic fabrics like polyester tend to trap heat and cause you to sweat more.
eat your vegetables
It’s not vegetables by themselves that will reduce body odour, but supplementing foods rich in sulfur compounds with vegetables will. As mentioned above, foods that contain high amounts of sulfur compounds tend to cause body odor. By balancing your diet with vegetables and good starches, you will help limit the amount of sulfur intake.