Body odor

[xemcats]

What sorts of things would cause someone's body odor to change? I've noticed that my boyfriend's body odor has definitely changed somehow, and it's only been in the last 2 weeks. I know there are foods (like garlic). Are there other foods that could be to blame? What else could it be?

Comments

[joolee]

I think that allergies and sinus problems can cause a definite odor. I don't have any scientific proof for this, but when my bf gets his seasonal fall allergies, there's an ucky odor that comes along with it.
Also, alcohol comsumption really changes the way your sweat smells. Even beer.
My .02

[xemcats]

Come to think of it, the body odor changes started at pretty much the same time his horrible seasonal allergies did! Hmm...

[michelanious]

There are a whole lot of little bacteria and microorganisms that live on (and in!) people. In fact, there are probably more of these cells in your body than your own!! (but not by volume- they're very small.) Anyway they all coexist and usually have a happy balanced equilibrium. Many of these critters can have an effect on scent, because of the compounds they secrete. So if one particular kind becomes more numerous, a new kind is introduced, or an old kind dies off, this can have an effect on body odor.
(by the way, this is the same principle for yeast infections- when something happens to the bugs keeping the yeasties in check they get out of control. That's why when women take a lot of antibiotics they often get yeast infections afterwards...)

of course, this is hardly the only explanation. I agree that diet can have a pretty strong effect too... and kinds of soap, and stress, and alien mind control plots of dOOOOOOm...........

[xemcats]

So if one particular kind becomes more numerous, a new kind is introduced, or an old kind dies off, this can have an effect on body odor.

Hmm...so do you suppose that it's bad for something like that to happen, or is it just the natural ebb and flow of body odor? =oD

[michelanious]

well, i suppose there must be some instances where it would be bad, but I can't think of any examples (except that time my friend came back from Cambodia with flesh-eating bacteria on his arm...) I think most of the time it's like you say, the 'natural ebb and flow'...
of course, if you don't like the new odor, you could try altering habits, soap, etc to bring back the old equilibrium....

[rochelle]

I read recently that if someone isn't getting enough zinc in their diet, their body odor can change. That is, too little zinc makes your body odor worse. Make sure your boyfriend's getting enough zinc! :)

[xemcats]

Thanks!

[footnotefetish]

Does he use any vitamins? Sometimes increasing the amount of vitamins you eat--or changing vitamins--can alter how your sweat and urine smell. Eating a lot of nutrient-dense foods might do the same, too.

[xemcats]

We both take a multivitamin, but it's the same one we've always taken.

Curiouser and curiouser...

[tree]

illness can also cause someone's scent to change, hormonal fluctuations, anything that alters body chemistry, really.