Ever wonder what causes "old person smell" -- and if such a thing is just your imagination or actually exists? Yup, the very old do smell different from you and me, according to research by the Monell Chemical Senses Center and elsewhere. The Japanese call this odor, kareishuu. Scientific American, reporting on the new research, dubs it "eau de elderly."
Blame the process of natural decay. Sweat glands secrete an odorless, salty liquid through life, but as bacteria break down the chemicals in the liquid into smaller, more odorous molecules, a body odor can be detected.
Animal studies have shown that many species can differentiate old from young by scent, possibly as a way to identify the sick and dying. In humans, researchers speculate we may be smelling underlying cell decay, a long-term process, rather than actual imminent demise.
The Monell scientist divided volunteers into three age groups: 20 to 30, 45 to 55, and 75 to 95. For five nights, they wore the same shirts, into the armpits of which absorbent nursing pads had been sewn. Another group then gave the pads a sniff test while blindfolded to rate the odors' intensity and appeal, and to categorize them as "young," "middle-age" or "old-age."
The older-person's smell was the easiest to identify. But it was also rated as less offensive than any other. The study is reported in the May 30 PLoS ONE.
"I think it's true that old people smell a certain way," researcher Johan Lundström says, "but the idea that the smell is negative may largely be social stigma." Other work has found that the compound contributing to a distinctive elderly adult odor has also been linked to the scent of cucumbers and aged beer.
And if you're not crazy about aged beer, luckily there are caregiving secrets to [making your house smell better](http://www.caring.com/articles/home-care-make-the-house-smell-better
Image by Flickr user Josh_Lowe, used under a Creative Commons license.
Will be 76 in October. I weight train ands run marathons. One person told me that my before-shower odour is a combination of sweat and testosterone. For cheese lovers: the bacteria that makes cheese is the same as the one between your toes...seriously!
I am here again after my second shower of the day & my clean nightie. I don't believe anyone should smell if they shower or bath every day, but the secret is to change your clothes after your bath or shower. Many people bathe regular but don't change their clothes afterwards, which is totally defeating the object. Clean body, clean clothes. Stands to reason, if you put worn clothes on a clean body you are going to smell.
I am 70,and I take a bath every Saturday (whether i need it or not)and use deodorant every day...my children say I don't smell bad at all..however in areas of my body where skin touches skin,and seems yucky and wet,and then really stinks(usually the 'dunlop area').i started using the deodorant there too,and it seems to keep the offence at bay.Often many meds the dr's give us make matters worse even right after a shower.
Not a way to explain away the odor that hits one at the entry to ever so many nursing facilities ! Mop water and well paid attentive staff would be a cure all ! Unfortunately, staff remain badly underpaid and/or supervised!
Big deal everybody smells and if do not like it do not sit so close or stand so close.
hmmm... I live in an adult only building.. I'm in my 40's and the majority of my neighbours are 60+. There is a distinctive smell (and it doesn't remind me of stale beer or cucumbers).. and often, upon entering the hallway I wrinkle my nose and think.. old people smell... this odor isn't evident in any of the surrounding "family" buildings. I do believe it is cellular. I also believe it doesn't have to be.. until one is much older. I think it's probably related to diet (over a lifetime) and activity level.
Sure, I also believe in flying pigs! Another research project stated that the "old person smell" is a myth. What really smells/stinks are some of the research projects! This is from a reseacher. The late Joey Smallwood (of Newfoundland) was once asked why his "researcher" was receiving such a very high salary and what work was the researcher doing to warrant it. Joey replied: " Well he searches for things and when he can't find them, he re-searches".
Just had my second shower of the day. Nice clean nightie. Just hope it dosn't become an obsession with me. I have a thing about smells & if someone stinks I am usually the first one to smell it.
I think this is an extremely humorous comment. It is really funny! Aged beer sounds very gourmet; I will love thinking of old age smell that way.... although I only indulge in cucumbers.
I shower twice a day & change my clothes every time I shower. I am noted for always smelling 'nice'. In the whole of my 63 years I can never remember sweating. I am usually the cold one in the crowd.