Do you have smelly armpits or are you one of the lucky 2%?
Research from England suggests that some people never have to worry about underarm odor. People with a unusual form of the gene ABCC11 do not make the kind of sweat that is affected by odor causing bacteria (Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Jan. 2013). By the way, the same genetic quirk makes for dry rather than sticky ear wax. Although such people do not need deodorants, more than three-fourths use it anyway.
The rest of us (the 98% who do end up with body odor) might benefit from something to combat the smell. The active ingredients in antiperspirants are aluminum salts such as aluminum chlorohydrate. Questions have been raised about exposure to aluminum and neurotoxicity. A recent review discusses the evidence for an aluminum-Alzheimer’s connection (Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, Feb. 4, 2013).
Another provocative analysis titled: “Aluminum and Alzheimer’s Disease: After a Century of Controversy, Is there a Plausible Link?” concluded that:
“The hypothesis that Al [aluminum] significantly contributes to AD [Alzheimer’s Disease] is built upon very solid experimental evidence and should not be dismissed. Immediate steps should be taken to lessen human exposure to Al, which may be the single most aggravating and avoidable factor related to AD” (Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, April, 2011).
Until the aluminum controversy is resolved, some readers may want to try another option:
“I’m a 72-year-old male who works outside a lot and takes long walks. For over 50 years I have never used any aluminum-based deodorant, but when I came in at day’s end, I could not stand myself. It was that bad.
“Five years ago I moved to North Carolina where the summers are even hotter. I was very glad to try Milk of Magnesia Roll-On Deodorant. It worked great, both in my armpits and for the odor in my groin area. Being a Scotsman, I bought a bottle of Milk of Magnesia and put the stuff in a spray bottle. Now after my shower at night, I spritz under each arm and my groin. All the next day, I have no odor at all.”
We’re glad you found the Milk of Magnesia so helpful. We are curious, though, how you keep the spray nozzle from getting clogged. That is one of the advantages of using the Milk of Magnesia Roll-On Deodorant from The People’s Pharmacy.
Milk of Magnesia is not the only remedy for underarm odor. Some people have found that spraying the armpits with vinegar is effective, while others prefer Listerine or the antibacterial wash Hibiclens. Another possible solution is odorless vodka, which may help both skin and clothing shed unwanted aromas. You can read about more home remedies for body odor here. To learn more about the aluminum controversy, you may wish to listen to our radio show on the topic.
