Is Body Odor More Common Among Older People?

Body odor is the bacterial breakdown of sweat that causes an odor. 2-Nonenal is the substance found in body odor that has an unpleasant greasy and grassy odor. Researchers from Japan sought to find out if this substance of body odor is more commonly found in older people.

The study, which is published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, analyzed the body odor of people between the ages of 26 and 75. And yes, it was found that body odor is more common among older people, because 2-Nonenal was only detected in the participants that were aged 40 or older.

Although sweating helps maintain body temperature, hydrates skin, and balances body fluids, body odor is surely a negative result of the process. The answer for the cause of odor can be found in the body's sweat glands. Eccrine glands and apocrine glands are the two types of sweat glands; the former are located over most of the body and the latter are located in hairy sections of the body. Similarly enough, the eccrine glands are composed of water and salt, which creates an odorless perspiration. The apocrine glands secrete a fatty sweat, and the bacterial breakdown of this process is usually the cause for bad odor.

Deodorant is the obvious solution, but there are various other ways to subdue body odor, especially since deodorant is sometimes ineffective. Perspiration is inevitable, but emitting a horrific odor is not. Here are some ways you can support your cleanliness and keep your friends around:

(1) Shower or bathe every day to reduce bacteria on your skin; (2) thoroughly dry your feet after showering/bathing to prevent bacteria from nestling in the moisture in between your toes; (3) wear clothing made of cotton and wool; (4) wear shoes made of leather, and rotate your shoes accordingly; (5) go barefoot whenever possible; (6) consider new diet options if you're eating foods with strong odors; and (7) consider relaxation techniques such as yoga to help maintain control of the stress that causes perspiration.

To read more about these issues of body odor, visit this Live Science article.