What is Nonenal?

Ever noticed that older adults have a distinct musty, greasy smell? If you've spent any amount of time in a nursing home, you have certainly noticed it. In our house, we always called it “old man funk” even though it affects both men and women. It even affects animals.

As we get older and are exposed to more toxins, the battle against free radicals gets a lot more difficult. This is no different. The body has two organs that help protect the body by hydrating the skin. These are the sebaceous gland and the sweat gland. The sweat gland produces sweat from water that helps regulate the body’s temperature and cool the skin, while the sebaceous gland produces a mix of fatty acids based from lipids. These are known as Omega 7 unsaturated fatty acids. When this fatty acid reaches the surface of the skin, it breaks down emitting a gas that causes odor. This is known as nonenal. This can happen as early as age forty, but it happens to everyone eventually.

As people age, their hormones and metabolism change and the skin’s defenses against antioxidants weakens. Unfortunately, taking extra showers and adding to your personal hygiene routine will not eliminate the hormone and metabolic imbalances that cause this problem. This is not a problem caused by poor personal hygiene, and the areas most affected are the back of the neck and the groin. There are things you can do to minimize nonenal. Lifestyle changes and personal care products can reduce the odor caused by nonenal. Here are some things that help reduce it:

·        Drink lots of water

·        Get plenty of sleep

·        Eat foods rich in antioxidants

·        Use blackcurrent supplement

·        Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol

·        Shower daily

·        Use personal hygiene products made with persimmons

·        Apply moisturizer after showering

·        Brush and floss teeth and clean dentures regularly

·        Always wear clean clothes

·        Wear breathable clothing made of cotton

·        Wash clothing using hot water with detergents that remove grease

·        Change bed sheets often

·        Clean your home regularly

·        Ventilate living areas daily

·        Put an open box of baking soda or cedar chips in closets

Most people affected by nonenal are unaware. If you are suffering from nonenal, it is more likely that other people will notice it before you will. This is because as people age, their sense of smell is also diminished. Older people are also more likely to be taking medications that can contribute to this problem. The good news is, by making a few lifestyle changes you can minimize nonenal.