A dermatologist says: When the bacteria that grow
naturally on your skin mix with sweat, the result is body odor. To smell
fresh, you need to keep your skin dry and decrease bacteria on the
parts of your body that trap moisture, such as the underarms.
Treatment: Shower with a body wash that includes a
natural astringent, such as tea tree oil, which shrinks pores and limits
how much you sweat. Follow with a powder pat down to absorb moisture;
look for products made with baking soda rather than talc, which can
irritate your lungs. Finish with a natural deodorant that contains
potassium or ammonium alum to reduce bacteria, and essential oils made
from anti-microbial herbs, such as rosemary, goldenseal or oregano, to
mask odor. —
Valori Treloar, M.D., dermatologist at Integrative Dermatology in Newton, Mass.
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| Photography by: courtesy of Shutterstock |
A dietitian says: Foods such as broccoli, cabbage and
cauliflower contain the mineral sulfur, which causes an odorous gas
that’s eliminated through your skin. Other types of body odor are
usually a sign that it’s time for a nutritional detox. Undigested food
in your gastrointestinal tract can produce smelly toxins that, as they
build up, begin seeping out of your pores.
Treatment: Limit the aforementioned sulfuric foods,
and cut hard-to-digest gluten, dairy and red meat from your diet. Also
avoid tuna, shark and swordfish, which have high levels of the toxin
mercury. In addition, eat at least 25 grams of flaxseeds, chia, hempseed
or whole grains each day to boost your fiber intake, and drink eight or
more glasses of water to help expel toxins. —
Erica Kasuli, M.S., R.D., New York City-based integrative dietitian
A naturopathic doctor says: If you’ve ruled out
hygiene and diet as causes of your body odor, look for underlying health
conditions. Yeast infections can give you a fishy scent, as can a
genetic disorder called fish odor syndrome, which occurs when your body
can’t properly metabolize an organic compound known as trimethylamine.
Treatment: Zap a yeast infection with 500-milligram
capsules of oregano oil, taken twice daily for two weeks. If you’re
diagnosed with fish odor syndrome, stay away from foods high in
trimethylamine, including milk, eggs, liver and peanuts. Large doses of
the B vitamin choline (above 3.5 grams a day) from diet, supplements, or
a combination of both, can also make you smell fishy. —
Holly Lucille, N.D., R.N., West Hollywood, Calif.-based naturopathic doctor
Written by Vicky Uhland for
Natural Health Mag
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