Body odor is mainly produced when 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 are 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 rotten eggs.

proiponic 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 an exit from the body through openings such as openings in the skin and through the mouth.

Common Causes of Body Odor

Now that we’ve established a general overview of body odor, we’ll 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 puffs 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 – Fluctuation in 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 sweating. The reason for this is believed to be related to a flight or fight 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

Illness and disease can alter a person’s body odor. Scurvy can cause the body to smell like rotten meat. Diabetes can cause a person to 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. PKU is a liver disorder that can cause a person to smell musty 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 zirconium are used. As they dissolve in sweat, they form a barrier over the sweat puffs which, in turn, prevents sweat from being released onto 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 released from the body. It also has the added benefit of working to reduce bad breath and foot odor.

breathable clothing

Wearing clothing that allows air to pass through easily will help cool the body and minimize sweating. Clothing made from natural fabrics or designed for sports use tends to be the most effective. Synthetic fabrics like polyester tend to trap heat and make you sweat more.

eat your vegetables

It’s not the vegetables themselves that will reduce body odor, but supplementing foods high 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.