Our bodies are made with perfect precision and everything it is designed to do, believe it or not, is for a reason. The problem isn’t what your body is doing it’s why your body is doing it. For example, we sweat for a reason! Did you know that we, as Americans, spend over $18 billion a year trying to stop or change the less than fragrant aroma of our sweat? Sounds crazy right? But let’s examine some facts and some myths about body odor.
Everyone who cares about body odor and under arm health – and let’s face it, that should be everyone – knows that the first deodorant was created and trademarked in 1888. Except it turns out that’s not remotely true, because the truth is, deodorant has been around in various forms since the times of Ancient Egypt, which also began the formal tradition of “scented bathing.”
Body odor is the process of bacterial interaction with the sweat that is produced by our sweat glands, not only in our armpits, but our feet and other areas of the body. While some will fall into the myth that all bacteria cannot be controlled, a great deal of it could be controlled and or changed simply by changing what you eat and drink on a regular basis.
While there are numerous studies out that show ingredients such as aluminum-based compounds and parabens in many of our cosmetics, including our deodorants, have contributing factors towards cancer, there are an equal number of studies and articles to try and discredit the findings as well.
Here are some foods you can use to help defend your body against microbes and bacteria:
- Garlic– Garlic is one of the most powerful anti-microbial foods you can eat. It contains several components that will fight against yeast, fungus, worms and even candida overgrowth.
- Coconut Oil– Coconut oil contains a medium chain fatty acid calledlauric acid which lends coconut its antibacterial properties.
- Ginger– The compound in ginger known asgingerol has been shown to help fight infections, specifically those in the mouth.
- Fermented Foods– Fermented foods carry all of the benefits of their raw components, as well as the proactive antimicrobial component ofprobiotics. These good bacteria are a large part of your body’s defense arsenal.
- Turmeric –Turmeric has some of the most reliable scientific backing when it comes to its anti-microbial power. It has studies to prove its effectiveness against Bacilluscereus, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The compound that lends the bright orange color to turmeric is the same compound that gives it its anti-microbial power.
- Honey –Honey was actually one of the first anti-microbial medicines that could be used long before pharmaceuticals were around. Honey contains an enzyme that releases hydrogen peroxide, which effectively kills off certain kinds of bacteria. Make sure that your honey is raw and unprocessed. Pasteurized honey will not have the same effect.
- Cabbage –A member of the Brassica family of veggies, cabbage has been used as a treatment for a plethora of ailments. It has cancer fighting properties, as well as a high vitamin C content, which we all know boosts our immune systems and helps us to fight off foreign invaders. Cabbage juice is also an effective remedy for stomach ulcers.
Now, simply making the adjustment of adding one or more of these items will not make your body immune to sweat or body odor, but making whole lifestyle changes will certainly bring the body back to a natural state to function the way it’s supposed to. In the end, if you care about your body from the inside out, you will at least take consideration to erring on the side of caution. Consider all of the options when looking for the truth as it relates to how and why the body functions the way it does. It’s just the stinking truth.
Jade Gold (www.JadeGoldFitness.com)