Long story short: I smell (people have told me) and having great hygiene isn't enough for me. People have recommended zinc because it's supposed to help with body odor.
My questions:
Could something harmful happen to my body if I take zinc supplements?
How much should I take? The amount of zinc needed to meet normal daily recommended intakes will be different for different individuals. The following information includes only the average amounts of zinc.
For oral dosage form (capsules, lozenges, tablets, extended-release tablets):
To prevent deficiency, the amount taken by mouth is based on normal daily recommended intakes (Note that the normal daily recommended intakes are expressed as an actual amount of zinc. The dosage form [e.g., zinc gluconate, zinc sulfate] has a different strength):
For the U.S.
Adult and teenage males鈥?5 milligrams (mg) per day.
Adult and teenage females鈥?2 mg per day.
Pregnant females鈥?5 mg per day.
Breast-feeding females鈥?6 to 19 mg per day.
Children 4 to 10 years of age鈥?0 mg per day.
Children birth to 3 years of age鈥? to 10 mg per day.
Excess zinc is toxic. Too much zinc will interfere with the metabolism of other minerals in the body, particularly iron and copper. Symptoms of zinc toxicity occur after ingestion of 2g of or more and include nausea, vomiting and fever. Not sure Zinc is good for you. Maximum of 220mg a day. But I have to say, I have never heard of it helping with odors. It is generally used to aid in healing of skin. Try some deodorant.
Zinc is a metal and is necessary for health, but it's not going to do anything if you have a case of the stinkies. 40 milligrams a day is the max recommended amount for adults. Yes, there is such a thing as zinc toxicity and it can be serious. Forget the supplements, lots of hype!
Good sources of zinc are oysters, beef, liver, crab, seafood, poultry, nuts and seeds, whole grains, tofu, and legumes. As with anything, don't overdo the recommended max levels. I would see a doctor about your BO. If bathing regularly, deodorant, etc. do not help, it could be something medical. Conventional wisdom suggests that perspiration is the cause of body odor. However, perspiration by itself is basically odorless, but it is the bacteria and odors coming from other sources that are the real culprits.
Treatment & Prevention
Alcohol/witch hazel. Wipe your armpits with alcohol, white vinegar or witch hazel instead of deodorant.
Alum. Try using a crystal rock made from the mineral salt potassium alum instead of a deodorant. It won't keep you dry as an antiperspirant will, but antiperspirants clog your sweat glands and contain aluminum chlorohydrate, which may lead to future health problems.
Apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar eliminates under arm body odor when used in place of deodorant because it reduces the pH of the skin. Bacteria can't live in areas with low pH.
Baby powder. Use baby powder or talc in areas of heavy perspiration.
Baking soda. Baking soda, the odor-eating standby, can be used instead of deodorant. Just apply the powder to your dry armpits. It will kill bacteria and help absorb perspiration. Cornstarch can also be used instead or mixed with the baking soda.
Parsley/alfalfa. Chewing parsley, alfalfa and other leafy greens will help neutralize body odor, probably because of the deodorizing effect of the chlorophyll.
Radishes. Juice about two dozen radishes, add 1/4 teaspoon of glycerine, and put in a squirt or spray-top bottle. Use as an underarm deodorant or to reduce foot odor.
Rosemary is an antibacterial herb. Put 8 to 10 drops of the essential oil in 1 ounce of water and appy it where needed.
Sage. Herbalists suggest drinking a cup of sage tea daily to reduce sweat gland activity. This is especially true for those who perspire excessively due to tension. Use 11/2 teaspoonsful of dried sage or two tea bags in one cup of water; steep for ten minutes; drink in small doses throughout the day. Fresh sage leaves blended with tomato juice has been found to be very effective.
Tea tree is an antibacterial herb. Make a deodorant by putting 2 drops of the essential oil into 1 ounce of water and apply where needed.
Towelettes (baby wipes). Useful when a tense moment surges the sex hormones which produce fluid under the arms and around the genital areas that, when combined with bacteria, causes odor.
Turnip juice. Turnip juice will reduce underarm odor for up to 10 hours. Grate a turnip, squeeze the juice through cheesecloth, so that you have two teaspoonsful. Wash your armpits first, and vigorously rub one teaspoonful on each one.
Wheat grass. Take 500mg of wheat grass daily on an empty stomach and wash down with a glass of water. The chlorophyll will dramatically reduce body odor.
Homeopathic - Silicea Homeopaths recommend dissolving three 6X tablets of the tissue salt Silicea under the tongue each morning and evening to knock out odor.
Supplements -
1.One or two chlorophyll tablets or chlorophyll liquid taken with each meal may help, as chlorophyll is a great deodorizer.
2.Try taking zinc tablets. Zinc, plus magnesium, will help balance your body's metabolism and reduce the cause of bad odor. Taking 30 to 50mg daily will dramatically reduce certain body odors, although you may need less. Zinc may also reduce perspiration and sweaty feet.
General Dosage Information
Special tips: High-quality multivitamin and mineral supplements typically contain the RDA for zinc.
Zinc pills or liquids in the following forms are well absorbed and generally gentle on the stomach: zinc picolinate, zinc acetate, zinc citrate, zinc monomethionine, and zinc glycerate.
When treating the majority of ailments mentioned: Take 30 mg once a day.
General Interaction -
Absorption of copper may be compromised by long-term (a month or more) ingestion of zinc. So, as a precaution, supplement every 30 mg of zinc with 2 mg of copper.
If you also take iron supplements, avoid absorption problems by taking the zinc two hours after the iron.
Because zinc may decrease the absorption of the antibiotics tetracyline, doxycycline, and minocycline, making them less effective, take zinc at least two hours after the antibiotic.
Cautions -
Total daily intake of zinc (from supplements, foods, and other sources combined) should not surpass 150 mg a day. |
