by Currie Jean

Created on: August 19, 2008

Body odor is caused not by sweat itself, but the on-body bacteria that feed on it. Not a pleasant thought, but a necessary evil: all humans host a practical zoo of microorganisms. Some people have more of the sweat-feeding organisms than others, and this can lead to really bad body odor once those organisms expel waste products and die - after reproducing, of course.

Since body odor is such a common problem (though admittedly, to varying degrees), what follow are some of the most basic, necessary, useful tips to get your body in tip-top scent-free shape.

Be wary of grapple-on scents.

Pet smells like urine and feces can linger, so clean the litter box often and change your clothes before going out. Try to minimize the amount of pet hair on your clothes too - not only does it look bad, but it could stir up the allergies of those around you. Cigarette smoke is another offender: it can cling to your clothes if they're exposed to it, and in smokers, it can even lead to bad smells coming from your breath and pores.

Don't cover up - eliminate!

Colognes can be very offensive to someone who is sensitive or allergic, so even when the wearer has the best intentions, perfume can offend. Using perfumes and colognes to cover up body odor doesn't help much anyway: it's just a temporary mask which leaves someone with body odor smelling like a mixture of perfume and body odor, until the perfume wears off, while the odor keeps going strong.

If you want to smell better, you've got to get those little smell-producing bacteria at the source. First, shower regularly - at least once a day. There's no getting around this one, or the next: use deodorant or antiperspirant. The small amount of added scent won't offend anyone (unscented brands are also available), and it neutralizes both the tendency to sweat and the amount of smell-producing bacteria present.

Sprays and insoles are available for foot odor, so you can spray your shoes and add some Odor Eaters. And, if you're worried they might not work perfectly, just don't take your shoes off in public.

Sweat it out.

Sweating cleans out your pores from the inside out. As long as you bathe or shower soon afterwards, sweating isn't only good for your skin, it's good for the smell of your skin. Exercize - bike to work, maybe, or swim - or, take advantage of a sauna to help keep the smell level down.

Watch what you eat.

Strong foods lead to strong smells, not only on your clothes, but eminating from your pores. Avoid eating a lot of garlic, oninions,

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