Month: October 2014

Human sweat is odorless by its nature.

Yes, you read it right. But how come it turns to an unpleasant body odor?

When sweat glands secrete sweat out of the body they interact with bacteria or sulfur which releases a foul smell.

Other main causes of body odor are listed here.

The food you eat has a great impact on body odor. For instance alcoholics sweat, breathe and urine gives an alcoholic smell. Likewise if you’ve garlic body odor, avoiding those particular things can reduce odor.

4 Reasons Why You’ve Garlic Body Odor

1. Allium Family

Plant belonging to Allium family has a pungent sulfur compound which comes out of the body through skin pores. Onion, garlic, chive and leek come under this category. National Institutes of Health (NIH) says that pungent smell released from eating garlic persists for days.

Avoid onion and garlic for few days, to remove the sulfur effect boil or fry them before consuming.

Related post: Home made deodorant for sensitive skin

2. Cumin Consumption

Cumin which is added in cuisine in India, Mexico and Middle East countries may cause garlic-like body odor.

3. Sulfur Based Medicines

Medicines who take may have sulfur in them, which may cause garlic body odor. Main reason for the odor is sulfur content in it. Drugs.com says that this persist for up to 72 hours.

Also read: Tips to get rid of shoe odor

4. Emotional Stress

Apocrine glands (a type of gland present in body) secret sweat when you’re in emotional stress, which consists of fats and proteins. Though this sweat is odorless bacteria feed on them to release garlic body odor.

It’s recommended to practice meditation and stay away from stress causing issues.

Image source 1, 2, 3, 4

Treat Itchy Acne with these Natural Remedies

Zinc and body odor are closely related. Surprised! Thinking how zinc controls body odor?

First let’s know about the importance of zinc in the body.

Zinc is a trace element and plays a vital role in more than 300 enzymes in the human body. Every part of your body contains zinc including organs, tissues, bones, fluids, bones, muscles and cells.

Main functions handled by zinc include cell growth, fertility, strengthens T-cells which is important for immune system, skin, taste, hair and nails.

What’s Causing Your Body to Sweat?

Sweating is normal and it’s healthy. Mainly your body contains 2 sweat glands which secret fluid in when you’re in emotional stress or when your body temperature raises.

Though this fluid (sweat) is odorless the bacteria present on your body feed on the fats and proteins present in sweat leaving organic acid which smells unpleasant.

Food, hygiene and your habits affects body odor.

Here is the detailed post on causes of body odor.

Zinc Deficiency Causes Body Odor

With the above mentioned functions zinc also helps detoxify the body and handle waste; so deficiency in zinc raises problems by worsening body odor says Dr. David Y. Wong.

Zinc Dosage

Red meat, poultry, fish, whole cereals and dairy products are major sources zinc. If you practice a balanced diet then it’s enough to get sufficient zinc.

An adult body contains 2-3 grams of zinc. Depending on age zinc dosage varies.

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Note: Must consult Doctor before taking large doses of zinc.

Dietary Sources of Zinc

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Not just body odor, zinc deficiency cause many problems like dry and rough skin, dull looking hair, brittle finger nails, white spots on nails, reduced taste and smell, loss of appetite, mood swings, reduced adaptation to darkness, frequent infections, delayed wound healing, dermatitis and acne.

Source, Image source

In my college days we were asked to remove our shoes to enter computer lab. The computer lab class would last for about an hour and we had to tolerate that foul smell coming from shoes, feet and socks.

And we never tried to find out the person, probably thinking he will be ashamed.

You might have experienced this at-least once in your life. At that time I was not aware of the remedy to remove shoe odor, but now I do.

Let’s share this post and save those people who’re tolerating this unpleasant odor.

Steps to Get Rid of Shoe Odor

#1 Deodorize Shoes with Baking Soda

After taking shoes off, sprinkle some baking soda into them and in the morning clap them together before wearing to remove excess powder. This kills odor causing bacteria.

#2 Wash Your Shoes Regularly

If your shoes are washable then wash them. Sweat absorbed by shoes gives a foul smell if you don’t wash.

#3 Put Odor-Control Insoles

Select insoles which can absorb sweat. Change if your old insoles are torn.

#4 Wear Sweat Absorbing Socks

Running socks have good quality to absorb sweat leaving your feet dry.

#5 Try Alternate Shoes

If you’ve other pair of shoes, try them. Sweat gets accumulated when you wear same shoes throughout the week.

#6 Wear Chappals or Sandals

Let your feet breathe some fresh air. If you got chance to wear sandals then try them.

#7 Free Your Shoes

Like your feet your shoes also need sometime alone. Leave them outside on a sunny day.

#8 Personal Hygiene

• Wash your feet regularly and rub vinegar or alcohol on feet. You can also try antibacterial powder or cream.
• After washing pat them dry, bacteria loves moist environment.

#9 Watch What You’re Eating

Food we eat affects our body. Stinky food is of among the causes of bad odor.

#10 Consult Doctor

Even after striving from your end if your feet smell bad then it’s time to look for doctor, because it can be hereditary problem.

Image source 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7