As you get older, your body is more likely to develop odors. People who never had any body odor when they were young may feel surprised by these sudden changes. What could be the reason for these unwelcome changes?

 

As people age, an excessive amount of a substance called nonenal aldehyde is produced. Nonenal aldehyde is a substance formed when fatty acids in sebum oxidize. It accumulates in pores, creating a musty smell. Nonenal aldehyde is not produced when young, but

Due to aging starting in the 40s

Decrease in beneficial skin bacteria and increase in harmful bacteria

▲Skin Acidification

It is created due to changes in lipid components, among other factors.

 

As you age, your ability to eliminate acetaldehyde also decreases. This is because metabolism slows down with age, and reduced activity levels and neural degeneration lead to decreased sweat secretion. Along with aging, enjoying alcohol and cigarettes increases the secretion of acetaldehyde, resulting in a stronger odor. Drinking promotes the production of acetaldehyde, while smoking inhibits its breakdown. Both alcohol consumption and smoking can cause not only body odor but also bad breath.

To reduce the elderly odor caused by nonenal aldehyde, lifestyle habits should be improved. First, it is advisable to reduce the intake of greasy foods. Older adults have difficulty digesting greasy foods, leading to the accumulation of metabolic substances in the skin and other areas, which also promotes the production of nonenal aldehyde. At this time, especially, body odor from the armpits becomes more intense.

 

It is good to thoroughly wash your body with soap or cleansing agents and to soak your body in water at least twice a week if possible. soaking helps to soften the skin and effectively remove oxidizing substances.

 

In addition, it is recommended to take walks in the sunlight and change underwear frequently. Ultraviolet rays have a sterilizing effect that helps eliminate odors. Also, moderate exercise increases sweat production, helping to expel waste products and reduce odors.

 

Meanwhile, not only body odor but also bad breath can become severe. This is because saliva production decreases due to aging. Saliva plays a role in washing away food debris and bacteria in the mouth, but when saliva is insufficient, foreign substances are not washed away properly, leading to buildup and odor in the mouth. Therefore, to reduce bad breath, it is necessary to promote saliva secretion and keep the mouth moist.

 

To do so, you need to frequently drink small amounts of water to keep your mouth moist. When drinking water, sip slowly to wet your entire mouth. Eating sour fruits like lemons and oranges is also good. Consuming sour fruits increases saliva production.

 

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Have you heard of oral exercises??

Massage under the chin or place the tip of the tongue inside the lips.

Oral exercises that involve pressing strongly in clockwise and counterclockwise directions are also effective.