Body odor changes that signal serious health issues

Has your natural scent suddenly changed? Does your breath smell different? These could be signals indicating dangerous changes happening in your body.

Various metabolic processes continuously occur in our bodies. Every illness we battle affects these processes in its unique way, creating a specific scent signature.

Sometimes, the human nose cannot detect these changes. In such situations, dogs are much better at sensing even the most subtle variations in our scent. It's no wonder – it's said that a dog's sense of smell is 60 times stronger than a human's.

However, humans can also detect changes if, for instance, someone's natural scent changes. If someone points this out to you, it might be a signal to take a closer look at your body – maybe some health changes are happening in your body.

A change in body odor can indicate ketoacidosis related to diabetes. Ketones are chemicals produced by the liver during the fat breakdown process. When ketone levels are too high – typically due to insulin deficiency – the blood becomes acidic, and the body odor can become sweet and fruity. If this happens, it's worth visiting a doctor.

Kidney failure is a condition in which the functionality of this organ drops below 15%. When the kidneys stop functioning correctly, toxins build up in the body, which can cause the body to start emitting an odor similar to ammonia. At this point, you shouldn't wait; you must seek a specialist's opinion.

When the liver stops functioning correctly, contaminants accumulate in our urine, sweat, and breath. This can cause the skin to emit an odor reminiscent of mold, garlic, or rotten eggs. If you don't address this problem early with a specialist, it can lead to liver failure.

Extra pounds can contribute to the formation of folds on the skin, which become ideal places for bacteria. Being overweight or obese can increase the likelihood of an unpleasant skin odor. Scientific studies also show that overweight and obese people have a weaker sense of smell, which can cause their body odor to be detected slightly later than usual.

A change in skin or sweat odor can be related to diet (for example, a lack of carbohydrates) or hormonal imbalances. If you notice that your body odor is different than usual and persists for a long time, and you cannot identify the cause of this change, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

An unpleasant breath odor can also indicate cancer, so such symptoms should not be ignored. A metallic odor can indicate lung cancer or another type of cancer that has metastasized to the lungs. A moldy smell can indicate lung or throat cancer and a musty smell can indicate liver or kidney cancer.