The two B-vitamins that might have some connection to body odor are vitamin B-1 (thiamin) and the B vitamin choline, Jasonides tells Lucy.
- Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) - This vitamin helps with olfactory dysfunction and thus helps with complete or partial loss of body odor. So people who are sweating the most should eat vitamin B12 food sources such as fish, meat, eggs, etc.
When you're deficient in magnesium, your body's ability to break down sweat into different compounds can get thrown off. That means that instead of just breaking down into water and carbon dioxide, some of the compounds in sweat can form sulfur compounds that smell like rotten eggs or garlic.
The menopausal drop in estrogen also leaves our bodies with relatively higher levels of testosterone — produced by our ovaries in small amounts — than before. This can attract more bacteria to sweat, making it smell funkier.
It helps regulate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a chemical that keeps the body moving. It can also help reduce body odor from excessive perspiration.
Rich in Dead Sea magnesium minerals, it is gentle on skin yet highly effective at controlling odor and delivering sweat absorption. It has a unique crystalline structure that absorbs excess sweat and sebum, preventing biotransformation of these compounds into malodorous substances.
Body odor is caused by a mix of bacteria and sweat on your skin. Your body odor can change due to hormones, the food you eat, infection, medications or underlying conditions like diabetes. Prescription-strength antiperspirants or medications may help.
During menopause, your hormonal balance shifts. This shift can also lead to stronger body odor. Estrogen and progesterone levels fall relative to your testosterone, while cortisol tends to increase. Higher levels of both testosterone and cortisol have been linked to stronger body odor.
They are often the result of lifestyle changes, such as an altered diet or exercise regimen. However, in some cases, a sudden change in body odor can be a sign of an underlying health condition. Generally speaking, body odor can affect anyone, and it should not usually cause a person to worry.
Sweating and body odor are common when you exercise or you're too warm. They're also common when you're feeling nervous, anxious or stressed. Unusual changes in sweating — either too much (hyperhidrosis) or too little (anhidrosis) — can be cause for concern. Changes in body odor also may signal a health problem.
Magnesium deficiency is diagnosed via a blood test and sometimes a urine test. Your doctor may order the blood test if you have symptoms such as weakness, irritability, abnormal heart rhythm, nausea and/or diarrhoea, or if you have abnormal calcium or potassium levels.
Nutrient Deficiencies:
Mineral deficiencies, particularly Zinc, cause body odour. A zinc deficiency may occur due to underactive thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) that produces few thyroid hormones and affect the detoxification process, resulting in body odour.
Internal health issues may result in unpleasant body odors (BO), as well, such as liver and kidney disease and hyperthyroidism, which can lead to excessive sweat and increased BO. Stagg recommends talking with your doctor if you notice a strong smell from your skin.
You may have heard about probiotics for gut health. But did you know they're also important for your skin? Probiotics are good bacteria that inhibit the growth of bad bacteria. Maintaining a harmonious habitat in your pits is key to getting rid of body odor.
For a natural deodorant that fights odor from the inside out, Dr. Kamhi recommends taking a daily acidophilus supplement. Acidophilus is a probiotic bacteria that helps aid digestion.
Changes in body odour could also mean you might be sick or have an underlying condition. Conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease can make body odour worse. If you have diabetes and your blood sugar levels get too high, your breath may start to smell fruity.
Sudden changes to body odor
Alcohol can also have this effect. Consuming certain foods and drinks may, therefore, lead to a sudden change in body odor around the armpits. Stress and anxiety can make people sweat more than usual. Sometimes, this can lead to a sudden change in the way the armpits smell.
A zinc deficiency may affect the detoxification process, resulting in body odor. Thyroid hormones are essential for zinc absorption, so an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) that produces too few thyroid hormones may result in a zinc deficiency.
Since estrogen and progesterone protect the olfactory function, changes in their levels in particular physiological states in women (in pregnancy and posmenopause) exert an influence on the ability to feel and recognize smells.
Bacterial infections:
Excessive panties are always wet vaginal discharge can be caused due to bacterial vaginosis. The discharge is thin, grey coloured and smells like a fish. It also causes itching around the vagina. Having multiple sexual partners and frequent douching are the common causes of bacterial infection.
Some metabolic diseases can cause a distinctive body odor, particularly in their later stages. These include diabetes, as well as advanced kidney and liver disease.