Why Your Body Odor Might Be a Red Flag for Missing Nutrients in Your Diet
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Time to read 5 min
Did you know that body odor can be linked to nutrient deficiencies?
We often think of body odor as just a matter of hygiene, but it can actually be linked to what’s missing from your diet. That’s right—your body odor could be signaling a deficiency in essential nutrients.
Whether you’re dealing with strong body odor in a teen or pre-teen, or you’ve noticed an unpleasant smell when you catch a whiff of yourself, these tips can make a big difference.
Nutrient Deficiencies That Can Cause Body Odor
Magnesium Deficiency
Low levels of magnesium can lead to stronger body odor. Magnesium is essential for so many bodily functions, including odor neutralization. Without adequate magnesium, your body might struggle to manage and neutralize odor-causing compounds effectively, resulting in a more noticeable smell.
Just Ingredients Magnesium Complex includes a blend of five different magnesium sources that ensure effective absorption and can support various bodily functions, including muscle and nerve health, energy production, and relaxation. Unlike many supplements that include magnesium oxide, which can have strong laxative effects, our formula avoids this ingredient, making it a gentler option for those looking to increase their magnesium intake without gastrointestinal discomfort.
Zinc Deficiency
A zinc deficiency can cause various skin issues, which might make body odor more noticeable. Zinc plays a role in maintaining healthy skin and supporting proper immune function.
Just Ingredients Organ Complex features freeze-dried bovine liver, brain, spleen, and heart, providing essential vitamins and minerals, including zinc. Zinc supports immune function, brain health, and cell health, while the spleen’s high iron, zinc, and vitamin B12 content boosts energy and aids in nutrient absorption. This nutrient-rich blend can enhance overall well-being, metabolism, and vitality.
Just Ingredients Liver Complex is also a good option to help address zinc deficiencies, as it provides about 273% of your daily zinc requirement, along with a rich supply of B vitamins.
B Vitamins Deficiency
Missing B6 or B12 vitamins can affect your body’s ability to process and eliminate odor-causing byproducts. These vitamins are involved in metabolism and the breakdown of amino acids. A deficiency can lead to the production of more odor-causing compounds, impacting your body’s natural scent.
Just Ingredients Liver Complex includes methylated B vitamins (including B6 and B12), which are crucial for optimal absorption and utilization in the body. Methylated forms of B vitamins are more readily absorbed and used by the body compared to their non-methylated counterparts. These active forms can support essential processes like energy production, DNA synthesis, and nervous system health, ensuring that your body can fully benefit from the B vitamins in the supplement.
Choline Deficiency
A lack of choline can lead to trimethylaminuria, commonly known as fish odor syndrome. This condition results in a fishy smell due to the body’s inability to break down trimethylamine, a compound that can accumulate and be excreted through sweat.
The Just Ingredients Brain Complex is formulated with choline and other herbs. Not only can choline help with body odor, but it’s also essential for brain health and function at every stage of life, from prenatal development to aging. Your brain and nervous system need it to regulate your memory, as well as mood, muscle control, and so many other functions.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Low levels of vitamin D can negatively impact skin health, which in turn can worsen body odor. Vitamin D is vital for maintaining skin health and immune function. Without sufficient levels, your skin might not perform optimally, leading to an increase in body odor.
When it comes to Vitamin D supplements, you want to be sure that yours also includes vitamin K. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, but without vitamin K, that calcium might not end up in your bones - where it’s needed and instead could build up in your arteries. Vitamin K ensures calcium is directed to your bones and not your arteries, making it important to take both vitamins together. Looking for a high-quality Vitamin D+K supplement? Try the Just Ingredients Vitamin D3 + K2 Complex.
Additional Reasons for Body Odor
Diet: A diet high in sugar and processed foods can disrupt the balance of good gut bacteria, leading to an overgrowth of bacteria and yeast, which can contribute to unpleasant body odor.
Liver Health: An overburdened liver may struggle to detoxify the body properly, which can result in increased body odor as toxins are not effectively eliminated.
Exercise and Sweating: Regular exercise and sweating are natural ways for your body to detoxify. However, if your sweat interacts with bacteria on your skin, it can contribute to body odor.
5 Tips for Managing Body Odor in Teens and Adults
If you or your teen is struggling with body odor, consider these practical steps:
1. Stay Hydrated
We may sound like a broken record when talking about hydration, but it really is one of the most important things we can do! Drink plenty of water to help flush out toxins and maintain hydration.
2. Practice Good Hygiene
Shower daily using a gentle soap, free from endocrine disruptors to support hormone balance without stripping natural skin oils.
Some body washes I recommend are:
3. Consider Supplements
Certain supplements can help address deficiencies and improve overall functioning. If you or someone you know struggles with body odor, magnesium and zinc supplements could be a good place to start.
Try Just Ingredients Magnesium Complex and/or the Liver Complex which includes zinc and methylated B vitamins. And remember what we always say: Test, don’t guess. Get tests to determine any deficiencies your body may have so you aren’t supplementing just to supplement.
4. Eat a Nourishing Diet
Focus on whole foods and increase fiber intake to support digestion and help the body flush out toxins.
Some high-fiber foods are:
- Avocado
- Artichoke
- Pear
- Chia Seeds
- Flax Seeds
- Lentils
- Dark Chocolate
- Beets
- Chickpeas
5. Wear Deodorant
More so than just wearing deodorant, you want to wear the RIGHT one. Many deodorants on the market contain aluminum and other endocrine disruptors. Opt for natural deodorants that use magnesium to neutralize odor-causing bacteria effectively. Here’s our favorite magnesium deodorant.
Why You Should Swap Out Your Deodorant
Did you know that you actually want to sweat? You’ll notice that many deodorants also contain an antiperspirant. Antiperspirants block sweat pores, reducing or stopping sweating altogether, often using aluminum compounds.
Studies suggest aluminum from antiperspirants can be absorbed through the skin, potentially accumulating in the body. The absorption of aluminum from antiperspirants raises worries about long-term health effects.
Deodorants, on the other hand, are designed to neutralize odor without affecting perspiration. Natural deodorants typically use ingredients to control odor and neutralize bad bacteria.
So, the sweat itself isn’t what smells, it’s the bacteria on your skin combined with the sweat.
Just Ingredients Magnesium Deodorant
Natural deodorants use ingredients like baking soda, charcoal, or magnesium to effectively neutralize odor without blocking sweat glands. But baking soda can lead to irritated skin or a rash, which is why we recommend magnesium. Magnesium is particularly effective because it reduces bacterial growth without disrupting skin pH or sweat gland function.
Just Ingredients Magnesium Deodorant is a refreshing, natural alternative to conventional deodorants. Infused with magnesium, it effectively neutralizes odor-causing bacteria while maintaining a balanced skin pH. This deodorant is crafted without synthetic fragrances or harsh chemicals, ensuring it’s gentle on your skin. Perfect for daily use, it combines the benefits of magnesium with a vibrant fragrance to provide long-lasting odor protection and a naturally invigorating experience.
Remember, sweating is a natural detox process, and maintaining that process is crucial for overall health. By addressing nutrient deficiencies and choosing the right products, you can manage body odor effectively while supporting your body’s natural functions.
