Every year we spend millions of dollars covering up our natural and/or offensive body odor. Starting with scented shampoos and crème rinses, body soap, after-shower body lotion or talc, scented hair spray, even makeup, shoe deodorizers, underarm deodorizers, scented laundry soap, dryer scented stuff, and perfumes, colognes, or, if more naturally inclined, essential oils, as the last touch. We have toothpaste, mouthwashes, gum, mints, etc. to hide our mouth odor. In our homes we have scented candles, things that plug into the walls, sprays that we use on our furniture, carpet or in the air. We are obsessed with covering up the smells of people and animals.
Why do we smell bad enough that we feel we need all this to cover it up? As with everything I discuss, we need to dig deep to find out “WHY?” Yes, we all have body odor, but it shouldn’t be offensive and if it is, there is a reason for it. Here are some of the reasons:
Many medications have a weird odor as a side effect. The first time I made that connection was when a newborn baby had abnormally stinky feet! At 10 months old, the baby no longer needed the medication and after it was withdrawn, he had the normal odor you would expect a baby to have.
Exercise itself doesn’t cause body odor, but because of sweating, you become more aware of it. You may know of people who sweat that you can’t smell anything, and others are so bad you have to get out of there!
People can have body odor due to a poorly functioning digestive system. Especially the ability to digest meats and other protein. Certain foods can cause odor, such as asparagus, garlic, onions.
People that smell sweet or sugary could be a sign of diabetes. While not offensive, it is a sign that something is wrong. Several diseases have characteristic smells – liver disease, cancer, wounds that won’t heal, Irritable Bowel, reflux and others.
Hormones are a huge contributor to body odor. Anyone who’s housed a pubescent male or has been in the locker room with a bunch of young men knows it can be so strong it could knock you over! Women who are cycling and even peri-menopausal women have a change in their odor. Also, your skin has a natural flora – healthy bacteria and yeasts. When out of balance, that can contribute to an offensive smell.
To resolve it, you have to know the cause. Eating more veggies and fruit can help. Chlorophyll is one of the best remedies – eating lots of it and consuming water soluble chlorophyll.
Acupuncture helps by restoring digestion, balancing hormones, and handling the reasons why you are needing medications.
Want to hear more from Dr. Carling? Check out our podcast. Search for VitalHealth4You on your favorite podcast listening app or go to vitalhealthcda.com/podcasts/
