Question : I AM a smoker. What can I do to cleanse my body of the odour? Do tar and nicotine get into the bloodstream to cause the odour?
Answer : TAR is a very complex substance which tends to collect in the lungs. When one smokes, nicotine is absorbed by the lungs and quickly transported into the bloodstream, where it is circulated through the brain. Nicotine can also enter the bloodstream through the mucous membranes that line the mouth (if tobacco is chewed).
Body odour generally comes from excessive perspiration which interacts with normal bacteria and creates an odour. Personal cleanliness and other lifestyle conditions can cause you to have an unpleasant odour in a number of ways. Some foods, such as garlic and onions, may contribute to bad breath. Tobacco is a major cause of body odour. It probably mixes with other elements of your body’s chemistry to create this odour.
You should take a nutritional supplement containing beta-carotene, vitamin C, E, mineral zinc and selenium, which act as antioxidants to fight against harmful free radical damage to the body. Garlic is added as an organic source of selenium to ensure adequate protection against degenerative diseases. It is good to detoxify your body. Milk thistle contains silymarin which helps improve liver function by cleansing the liver of dangerous toxins, as well as stimulating the formation of new liver cells.
Tea Tree oil is known for its antiseptic properties. Just add 3-4 drops into two tablespoon of water. Use a face towel to soak up the solution and wipe under armpit and other areas, for control of body odour.
Avoid foods which are high in choline such as eggs, liver and legumes, as they may produce a distinctive odour when one perspires. Certain foods, such as meat, onions, garlic, exotic spices and drinks, such as coffee and alcohol, can lead to body odour. Try eliminating these from your diet for a week or two and see if this makes a difference.
