What causes body odor?

To begin with let us make an important point.

Perspiration itself has no particular smell. 

It is the bacteria present on the skin and other sources that always cause the odor. Anaerobic bacteria which begin flourishing when the body doesn’t have enough oxygen may very well be the cause of underarm odor.

Also as the body’s metabolism begins to work the process creates unpleasant odors which is the body’s way of ridding itself of waste products. Any imbalances in metabolism invariably result in stronger odors.

Even more simply body odor is sometimes simply a result of irregular bathing or inadequate or no cleaning of clothes. If that is the cause then the solution is equally simple. Follow a better hygiene routine; make sure you bathe and wash your clothes regularly and when you buy your clothes try and make sure they are made of natural fibers like cotton wool and silk.

Talking about waste products we must consider toxins as a possible source of body or underarm odor. In today’s world we are constantly exposed to toxins in our homes diets and external surroundings. These toxins accumulate in our bodies when the organs that are meant to eliminate them cannot satisfactorily do so.

In other words when the liver intestines and kidneys are clogged or malfunctioning the result is that odors emanate from the body. You may already be under medication for liver and kidney-related ailments but if not you can go through a detoxification program by cleansing the liver kidneys and colon.

If your diet is imbalanced resulting in constipation or a deficiency of minerals like magnesium and zinc you can fall victim to body odor. Because of certain people’s body chemistry they can emit a very distinctive and offensive body odor.

For instance you can radiate a ‘fishy’ smell if your body cannot metabolize foods containing large amounts of protein such as eggs fish liver and legumes.

Onions, garlic, curry, certain spicy foods, coffee and alcohol are also prime causes of offensive body odor. Fried and baked food items may contain rancid fats and oils that lead to body odor.

The  sweat glands under the arms and in the groin secrete a substance which is also a major cause of body odor. This substance containing protein, carbohydrates and lipids is often secreted owing to a surge in sex hormones and it is attacked by bacteria very rapidly thus causing body odor. Also children today reach the stage of puberty much sooner than was previously the case and this change in hormones may lead to body odor at a younger age than usual.

Other causes of body odor may be specifically disease-related. Such problems as low blood sugar, liver disease, diabetes, parasites, metabolic dysfunction, menopause or emotional stress may also trigger excessive sweating and body odor. Diabetics, especially those who depend on insulin can sometimes smell of acetone more familiar to us as nail-varnish remover. Such individuals require urgent medical attention.

Excessive sweating known as hyperhidrosis and/or body odor are sometimes an indication of an underlying ailment. If you have experienced a sudden and persistent change in perspiration or body odor it is important to consult your health care provider to exclude an underlying medical condition.

Patients with liver disorders may smell of ammonia and some people with systemic yeast conditions (Candida) sometimes give out a ‘beer’-like smell. These conditions can be brought under control by safe natural anti-yeast dietary and herbal methods.

When they have high fever some people sweat more so body odor can be a problem. Diseases such as malaria and cancers like leukemia or lymphoma can also produce unusual or profuse sweating patterns.

Some medications like morphine high doses of the hormone thyroxin and overdoses of analgesics such as aspirin are all known stimulators of body odor.

Another important cause of body odor is emotional stress. The physiological effect of emotional trauma or distress is excessive sweating.