In my previous entry, I went through the best body odor products that are used in external applications. This list will instead focus on products to take internally by ingesting them, compiling the most well-reviewed and popular ones.

 Note: This list is not in any particular order:

First on the list is Body Mint’s Deodorant Tablets, made from a natural, highly specialized derivative of chlorophyll to help you combat and alleviate a range of everyday body odors such as bad breath (halitosis), underarm odor, perspiration odor and foot odor. Body Mint Deodorant Tablets is the first all-natural, all-body deodorant ingestion product for both men and women of all ages and lifestyles. Working naturally from the inside out, Body Mint works to heighten your scent appeal all day and night, thus eliminating or reducing body odors from head to toe. Customer testimonials for this product have demonstrated its effectiveness in deodorizing from the inside, and additionally assisting with uncontrollable perspiration, a condition known as hyperhydrosis.

Meant to be taken twice daily, Body Mint Deodorant Tablets have become a popular daily hygiene habit for those who value having fresh breath and a nice-smelling body. Adding these little tablets to your daily hygiene routine will most certainly give you freedom in letting you forget those odor issues and the worries associated with smelling bad. As a plus, the tablets are also relatively inexpensive, a small price to pay for confidence and peace of mind.

Similar to the Body Mint Deodorant Tablets is this product by D & E Pharmaceuticals, namely the Body Odor Blocker. Unlike deodorants and anti-perspirants which mask odor, this product targets the root of body odors to stop them before they start.

Specially formulated with chlorophyllin, a derivative of the natural deodorizer chlorophyll, Body Odor Blocker tablets work by killing the odor causing bacteria before odors are generated, effectively elminating a wide range of body odors. These include underarm, breath, feminine and foot odors. Working within days, Body Odor Blocker is fast-acting due to its natural blend of chlorophyllin and zinc. A good all-natural solution to body odor, these tablets only need to be taken once or twice daily to be free of bad smells within days.

Customers who have bought this product have been satisfied, noting that it lets them feel fresh all day long and makes them feel less sweaty. This product is also relatively inexpensive, an extra plus point for a great product which has been proven to reduce or completely eliminate odors.

Nature’s Way’s Chlorofresh is another alternative treatment for people primarily wanting to reduce odor from a colostomy or ileostomy and/or wanting to reduce fecal odor due to suffering from incontinence. It is also a good option for those seeking an internal breath freshener. Containing special chlorophyll from premium alfalfa leaves, Chlorofresh softgel tabs are concentrated for maximum effectiveness. Apart from oral ingestion, capsules may also be added to empty colostomy or ieostomy bags for any additional odor control.

Customer reviews have stated that the product helps them feel fresh, effectively ridding nasty breath problems. It is important to note that this product is not for children under the age of 12, and pregnant women or women who are nursing should consult their doctors before consumption.

Chlorophyll & Mint tablets will help with odor problems, helping to cleanse from inside, out. The chlorophyll components in the tablets not only work as a system cleanser and deodorizer, but also contains antioxidant properties and helps soothe the gastrointestinal system. Customer testimonials have demonstrated that these chewable tablets leave refreshing minty feelings in their mouths and lets them feel fresh from the shower all day long.

This product by Femanol has been formulated to be a totally feminine product and specifically targets issues associated with vaginal odors and discharge, amongst others. Femanol’s capsules have been designed to attack the root causes of bacterial vaginosis and its recurrence, with its ingredients providing assistance in the re-establishment of the vagina’s natural lactobacilli. The product also helps to significantly boost your immune system and help with bad breath control, lactose intolerance, gas, bloating and flatulence.

In searching for products in the treatment of body odor one may be overwhelmed by the choice available. Who’s to say what’s effective and what’s not? Money spent on something that doesn’t work is money wasted, especially when you think about how it could have been spent on something that actually helped with your problem. I’ve compiled a list of the most effective products available on Amazon.com as decided by user reviews, so you know it works based on real feedback by people with body odor problems. In this first list, I’ll be focusing on product that you apply externally, often at the underarms or other affected areas like feet.

Note: This list is not in any particular order: 

First up is the Crystal Body series of products. These are natural deodorant sticks, made from mineral salts and ammonium alum and do not contain scented perfumes or artificial chemicals. Note that they do NOT contain aluminum chlorohydrate, which has been said to be linked to various health issues. It’s also hypoallergenic, thus causing fewer allergic reactions. 

It’s not an antiperspirant, but rather a protection against odor-causing bacteria, which is the fundamental cause of body odor as noted in a previous article. These products have been highly reviewed by many users which you can read by clicking on the individual links, which have reports on seemingly miraculous effectiveness that deliver unscented, odorless, non-staining, non-sticky results. It is fairly cheap and each lasts a long time.

Above, from left to right I have listed the variety of products available. They are all based on the same formula, but having variations like a men’s version (although it has no apparent difference other than packaging), a 4-pack economical package, a liquid version package and a spray version package. They have all been highly rated on Amazon.com with near-unanimous positive results.

These are essentially the same thing as the Crystal Body products – that is, it’s based on the alum block formula. It’s just a matter of preference, such as people claiming this to be "more authentic". Comes in stone and mist spray forms. Again, as mentioned above this is not an anti-perspirant which is a good thing as the human body does require perspiration, but there is NO odor produced from your sweat! Although not recommended unless conditions require so, people who reviewed it have gone for days without shower using these with little to no unpleasant scents from sweat due to the odor-causing bacteria being inhibited.

If your excessive sweating is as much or more of a problem than the odor produced, you may require an anti-perspirant. The Maxim anti-perspirant is FDA approved, recommended by dermatologists and doctors and does not contain alcohol. It’s unscented too, so you can still apply perfume or deodorant over it. Many users who have previously suffered from excessive sweating issues have praised this product tremendously, which of course means it works! No more problems with sweat staining your clothes, looking unprofessional in your job and odor problems. Furthermore, it lasts from 24 to 96 hours after application.

This is another highly regarded anti-perspirant as reviewed by many people on Amazon.com as of this writing. It even comes with a guarantee offering a full refund if you’re not satisfied. Again, it’s not a deodorant, so it would be good to apply one or a perfume after using it.

So far only topical treatment products have been listed, categorized into natural deodorants and anti-perspirants. However, there are healthy, natural supplements that may be ingested to help with the problem of body odor as well. These will be discussed int he enxt entry.

MORE TIPS ON SWEAT-PROOFING YOUR WARDROBE (mostly for men)

Sweat can ruin a wardrobe and make you wonder why you spent so much money on those precious designer labels in the first place. Here are some more tips on making sure sweat doesn’t become a big problem for you in relation to your clothes.
 

A tip would be to wear moisture-wicking undershirts. While it may seem insane to layer during hot weather, the truth is smart layering can help sweat-proof your clothes and lessen the undesirable effects of perspiration. A good option would be to layer a sports undershirt under a T-shirt. If you have to wear a dress shirt, select a sports undershirt in a solid colour that won’t be too obvious. Sport clothes are specifically designed to wick moisture away from the body and dry off quickly so you won’t feel like you’re soaking in your perspiration. Many sport shirts use mesh, allowing your skin to breathe better. They are also often treated to be anti-microbial, making it harder for odor-forming bacteria to grow on your body.

In the process of sweat-proofing your clothes, ensure your clothes hold the smell of fresh laundry all the time by dispersing a few fabric softener sheets throughout your closet and drawers. Remember to not put them directly on your clothes because you may receive surprise stains. These sheets may not actually sweat-proof your shirts, but will most definitely make them smell better, thus helping in making any odors less noticeable. Don’t forget to check the sheets about once a month so you can change any that appear to have lost their potency.

Another step would be your choice of wardrobe. Try choosing natural-fiber clothing and wearing light colors. These include fabrics such as cotton, silk, linen or light wool as opposed to polyester or other synthetics and blended fabrics. This is especially useful on particularly hot days because natural fibers allow your skin to breathe more, meaning that you will sweat less. If it is really hot, try choosing feather-light pieces and choose shirts that are slightly larger than the size you usually wear. This will encourage air circulation and sweat evaporation. With regards to colors, white or pale pastels will deflect more of the sun’s rays, so you will feel less heat in these softer shades.

Remember that sweating is a natural process and it is hard to stop this bodily function entirely. But if it bothers you or you feel as if perfectly decent clothes are being ruined due to perspiration, incorporating a few of these tips into your daily lives should go a long way to help keep cool during hot days.
 

SWEAT-PROOFING YOUR CLOTHES (mostly for men)

Men are usually larger, hairier and more muscular than women, hence tending to sweat much more. While women don’t normally have to consider this bodily process in relation to their wardrobe, for a large number of men sweat is much more than an unpleasant sensation. Sweat can actually ruin clothes. Such a prospect is especially worrisome when faced with the daunting months of summer.
 

To start with, one could sweat-proof clothes with a good heavy-duty anti-perspirant during summer. An alternative would be using rock crystals which naturally protect against bacteria, hence neutralizing odor from sweat. These are usually available at most health or natural food stores, are effective for up to 24 hours and the sticks last for great lengths of time. Rock crystal sticks can likewise be applied to any part of the body which tends to perspire greatly.

If you perspire more than most people, you might want to consider products specially formulated to combat this problem. These include SweatBlock pads, cloths which have been presoaked in industrial-strength anti-perspirant. These pads should be applied to your underarms once a week to assist in sweat prevention. Another option would be to use underarm sweat pads which have a sticky side to adhere to your skin, forming a physical barrier between your sweat and clothing.

To combat foot odor, one way would be using the right shoes. Choose leather shoes or sandals if possible over canvas shoes as they breathe more, decreasing foot sweat and odor. Appropriate footwear should likewise be treated properly. You might want to think about slipping a moisture-absorbing insole into your shoes for greater reduction of bacteria and odor. You should also consider rotating your shoes to make sure you’re not wearing the same pair everyday. This will provide a chance for your shoes to air out (leaving them in a well-ventilated area that is). Remember to change your socks daily to prevent contraction of fungal infections that thrive in moist, sweaty and bacteria-ridden conditions. Last but not least, do give the inside of your shoes a quick spray with a shoe deodorizer, such as the one below, every now and then. An alternative would be using OTC foot powder to assist in sweat absorption.

You might want to consider soaking your clothes, especially if you’re one of those who sweats a lot during the day. To begin with, soak your shirt in extremely cold water once you get home and apply a stain remover to the armpits. A trick to effectively remove stains is to turn your shirt inside out and apply the stain remover to the inside of your shirt. This is more effective as compared to applying the stain remover to the outside of your shirt as the aim is to lift the stain out of the fabric, not rub it further into the fibers. Leave the product on for several minutes and launder your shirt as soon as possible, or at least be sure to rinse it in cold water again. If your shirt is white, you can bleach it occasionally, or try throwing in a teaspoon of cream of tartar (available at grocery stores) with your regular laundry detergent to keep your whites white.

BODY ODOR HOME REMEDIES

When searching for methods on fighting body odor, the most basic step would of course be frequent washing with soap and water, especially in the areas that tend to smell, like the armpit and groin (Source). Body odor can be a very frustrating issue and lead to many other problems such as functioning within society. In trying to treat body odor, one should look towards eradicating the problem from its root. This possibly represents or indicates the adoption of natural treatment methods to say goodbye to the problem.

There are many body odor remedies. These have been divided into two main categories: folk remedies and homeopathic remedies (Source). Many of these can be found easily at your local grocer or pharmacy. Where it is less common, links have been provided for online purchase.

Folk remedies for body odor include:

- Alcohol / witch hazel: Wiping one’s armpits with alcohol, white vinegar or witch hazel instead of deodorant.

- Apple cider vinegar: When used as a substitute for deodorant, this helps rid odor from the armpits as it reduces the skin’s pH levels, denying bacteria the chance to survive. One could also use white vinegar by placing some on a cotton ball or pad and applying to the underarms instead of deodorant. The smell of the vinegar does not last and one should be able to stay free of odorous smells all day.

- Baby powder: Try using baby powder or talcum powder in areas of heavy perspiration.

- Baby wipes or towelettes: These are useful during particular tense moments of sex hormone surges which produce fluid under the arms and around the genital areas that cause odor when combined with bacteria. Usage however, may only produce temporary results.

- Baking soda: It eats away odors and can be used in place of a deodorant. The powder should simply be applied to dry armpits to kill bacteria and help absorb perspiration. Cornstarch may also be mixed with the baking soda or used as a replacement.

- Natural crystal deodorants/Alum blocks: Try using a crystal rock or natural crystal deodorants made from the mineral salt potassium alum as a substitute for deodorant. It is a healthier option as anti-perspirants clog your sweat glands and contain aluminium chlorohydrate, which may lead to future health problems. Alum has antibacterial properties that have led to its use as an underarm deodorant.

According to consumer reviews, these have been very effective in controlling underarm odors. They only contain natural minerals and are hence free of artificial chemicals, which would be beneficial for those of you allergic or sensitive to pharmaceutical deodorants or anti-perspirants. Here are some examples, where you may click the links to obtain more information or read reviews.

- Parsley / alfalfa: Chewing these or other leafy greens will assist in the neutralization of body odor. This is probably due to the deodorizing effect of chlorophyll.

- Radishes: Juice approximately 24 radishes, add 1/4 teaspoon of glycerin, and put this solution in a squirt or spray-top bottle. This can be used as an underarm deodorant or to reduce foot odor.

- Rosemary: As an anti-bacterial herb, this can be used by putting 8 to 10 drops of its essential oil in 1 ounce of water and applying where necessary.

- Sage Tea: Herbalists recommend drinking a cup of sage tea daily for the purpose of reducing sweat gland activity. This is particularly true for individuals who sweat excessively due to tension. One should use 1&1/2 teaspoons full of dried sage or two tea bags in one cup of water, steep it for 10 minutes and drink in small doses over the course of the day.

 
- Tea tree oil: This anti-bacterial herb can be made into a deodorant by putting 2 drops of its essential oil into 1 ounce of water and applying where needed.

- Turnip juice: This can be made by grating a turnip, squeezing the juice through cheesecloth to fill two teaspoons. One should then wash the armpits before vigorously rubbing a teaspoon’s juice on each one. Turnip juice should reduce underarm odor for up to 10 hours.

- Wheat grass: Taking 500mg of wheat grass daily on an empty stomach and washing it down with a glass of water will dramatically reduce body odor. This is due to the chlorophyll present in the wheat grass, which has been said to provide a multitude of health benefits. Alternatively, you may consume wheat grass in powdered or tablet form. 

Homeopathic remedies for body odor include:

- Silicea: Dissolving three to four 6X tablets of this tissue salt under the tongue each morning and evening is recommended by homeopaths to knock out odor.

OTHER TIPS FOR FIGHTING BODY ODOR

To combat body odor one might use anti-perspirants and/or deodorant sprays. These are however, only good for masking the problem of body odor.  If desperate, one may resort to methods such as surgery and Botox injections. Nonetheless, surgery is not without harmful side effects and Botox is simply another temporary solution.

If you suffer from chronic body odor, this may be a result of fungal growth (Source). You could try using anti-fungal shampoo such as Nizoral^TM on your armpits while showering. This of course includes lathering it up and leaving it on for a few minutes. For stronger medications, one should consult a doctor; some anti-fungal medications are more effective than Nizoral but are usually available only with a prescription.

Nizoral may be obtained online easily, such as from Amazon:

Since bacteria can only grow with moisture, a person suffering from body odor might want to use anti-perspirants instead of deodorants. However deodorants which specifically target the inhibition of bacterial growth can also be considered as an option. An easy way of keeping armpits free from body odor is the method of using diluted lemon juice. In adopting this method, one will have to undergo experimentation with the concentration. If the solution is too harsh the skin may burn or develop redness and welts, in which case a couple of days should pass before a second attempt. You should taste the solution first to judge its acidity, the component which will keep the offending micro-organisms from thriving at your armpits. One could also prevent body odor by shaving the armpits, which in turn makes it easier to apply anti-perspirants or deodorants.

Another tip to prevent body odor emissions would be to simply reduce the odor through your diet. This includes avoiding processed food or trying to mask it, for instance with baking soda or cinnamon powder. It is nonetheless important to continue vital bodily processes.

Applying extra virgin coconut oil to your skin may also help. This is because the oil contains lauric acid which kills bacteria. You could also apply talcum powder to the armpits of your clothes and rub it in (don’t forget to remove the evidence from dark clothing by rubbing it off from the outside). It can additionally be applied to one’s skin after deodorant (do not rub it in). Perfume can likewise be sprayed onto clothes or added to the washing machine while washing. With regards to men, cologne should not be used to mask odors as it will most likely make matters worse.

In addition one could use chlorophyll gel tabs or chlorophyll liquids, which function as internal deodorizers, minimizing or eliminating body odor. Also note that foods with a high sulphur content such as garlic and eggs are definitive culprits for people suffering from body odor problems.
 
Again, these products may be obtained online, via sites like Amazon:

ELIMINATING BODY ODOR

In searching for methods to combat body odor, the most fundamental step would be prevention through regular (daily) washing (Source). One’s body should be washed and scrubbed regularly, particularly in the areas of the body that tend to emit unpleasant scents (Source). These include the underarms, groin and feet (Source). Proper body cleansing agents such as soap and shower gels should be applied during the process. Washing should be thorough and complete to remove bacteria from skin (Source). Deodorant soap is preferred in the fighting of bacteria. One should also wash hands frequently.

If body odor is a regular problem or a worrisome issue, one could apply anti-perspirant or deodorant daily after washing. Underarm deodorants make sweat acidic thus putting a stop to bacteria growth, while anti-perspirants block sweat ducts with aluminium salts to produce less sweat. This equates to fewer bacteria and less sweat. One could likewise use anti-bacterial surgical scrubs. Another useful trick would be to shave your armpits as armpit hair provides a larger surface area for sweat to adhere to, providing bacteria with a fertile breeding ground (Source).

As a general rule in preventing body odor, clothes should be changed and washed regularly. Such rules especially apply to items of clothing which come into contact with the body’s sweaty areas, such as undergarments, shirts and socks. Clothes should be stored in places that have proper ventilation and smell nice. To achieve this one could use scented paper lining in cupboards and drawers. Individuals should additionally wear clean cloths made from natural fabrics such as cotton as these materials absorb perspiration better than synthetic materials. Moreover, wearing loosely fitted clothes as opposed to tight clothes will allow the body to breathe better.

Individuals should floss daily and brush their teeth at least two times a day, and see a dentist to undergo professional cleaning at least twice annually. As tobacco causes body odor in not only coming back through one’s lungs but also one’s skin, the act of not smoking might rid the body of odor causing substances.

For exceptionally strong body odor or body odor that refuses to go away despite all above efforts, an individual might choose to consider probiotics or a change in diet. This means not trying to mask the odor but going to the root of the problem causing the unpleasant scent(s) and treating it. Ask your doctor or dermatologist for other tips and help in fighting body odor.

More tips and remedies in future posts…

PROBLEMS RELATED TO BODY ODOR

The plague of body odor is indeed most unfortunate (Source). According to medical research, people afflicted with body odor suffer from severe problems in both personal and social relationships, for example wrecked promotional prospects at work and educational under-achievement due to teasing and bullying (Source).

Such obstacles in life may additionally result in great degrees of stress which may in turn lead to other problems such as alcoholism, excessive tobacco or drug abuse and in extreme cases, suicide. Furthermore, in the presence of body odor, one might experience feelings of shame, embarrassment, low self-esteem, isolation, frustration, anxiety and depression.

As peculiar as it may seem, people suffering from unpleasant or noxious body odor tend to not notice their condition (Source). This may be because they have grown accustomed to the smell over time, and have hence been desensitized to their own bodily scents. If you are anxious over the possibility of having body odor, the best thing to do would be to ask someone about his or her opinion (Source).

GENERAL CAUSES OF BODY ODOR

Body odor is commonly associated with hygiene issues such as not taking showers and staying in dirty clothes (Source). Its symptoms include foul odors emanating from the body and a generally unpleasant smell.

The fact is there are numerous medical and other general conditions which may contribute to the production of body odor (Source). Apart from poor hygiene, other general conditions include normal human body odor, normal puberty, normal aging, the consumption of particular foods such as garlic, curry or cumin, and stale sweat. Bodily discharge including both vaginal and penile discharge can likewise contribute to the emission of body odor.

While poor hygiene most certainly plays a large factor in causing body odor, some conditions existing under adequate hygiene circumstances may also be common causes of body odor. These include gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis, urinary tract infections, scurvy, typhoid fever, and fish odor syndrome. In addition, there exists the condition of athlete’s foot, a fungal skin affliction typically causing redness and cracking of the skin around the feet and toes (Source). Such cracking in turn allows germs to get under the skin.

Body odor may also be a result of ingesting various medications, drugs, toxins and other substances (Source). These include the consumption of pericyazine, topamax, topamax sprinkle and topiramate.

SPECIFIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS LEADING TO BODY ODOR

Certain medical conditions may lead to the production of body odor. For example, these may include kidney disease, liver disease, and fungal infections (Source).

The body odor condition of having bad breath or halitosis may be a result of the growth of excess bacteria on or between teeth leading to tooth decay (Source). It may also be a result of gum or gingival disease. While bad breath may be a relatively common symptom due to poor dental hygiene, it may also indicate serious medical conditions such as specific liver disorders, respiratory tract cancers and infections, and diabetes. These could perhaps be identified by the different types of breath odors. (Source). For instance a “fecal breath odor” might signify intestinal blockage.

Trimethylaminuria aka “fish odor syndrome” is a rare genetic metabolic disorder which causes individuals to not only generate a fish-like odor on their breath, but also in their sweat and urine. This syndrome is more common in women than in men, and worsens around puberty, prior to and during menstruation, after the consumption of oral contraceptives, and around menopause. This medical condition may also develop in individuals with liver or kidney disease. Currently, trimethylaminuria can only be controlled with special diets and antibiotics; there is no cure for the disease.

Excessive sweating aka hyperhidrosis is another condition which usually leads to underarm, foot, and general body odor. This condition may be a result of underlying causes including low blood sugar, liver disease, diabetes, parasites, metabolic dysfunction, menopause, or emotional stress.