Many people have had the experience of smelling an indescribable smell when they are near their parents, which doctors vividly call the "smell of old age".
This smell may not always be pleasant, and sometimes even make children mistakenly think that their parents are no longer as hygienic as they used to be, and thus unconsciously distance themselves from them.
However, this subtle change has invisibly cast a shadow on the atmosphere of the family. Especially for those elderly people who have worked hard all their lives, they may feel an indescribable sense of loss and inferiority.
They may begin to wonder if they are really no longer liked and close to their children. This psychological burden will undoubtedly bring more loneliness and pain to their later life.
01
What exactly is "old man's taste"?
A foreign study has revealed the existence of the phenomenon of "old people's smell", and Japan even uses the unique word "aging odor" to describe the special smell emitted by the elderly.
In fact, there is a scientific basis for this phenomenon. Studies have shown that after the human body reaches the age of 40, it begins to secrete a substance called "nonenal", and the concentration of this substance gradually increases with age.
At the same time, another substance called "diacetyl" is gradually produced. The combined effect of these two substances makes the so-called "old man smell" appear in the elderly group.
The increased secretion of nonenal and diacetyl is closely related to the physiological changes that occur in the human body with age. Although the existence of "old people's smell" bothers some elderly people, we should understand that this phenomenon is a physiological phenomenon that can be investigated for a reason, not the fault of the elderly.
02
The reason for the "old man's smell".
Age factor
From about the age of 40, the body gradually emits a compound called "2-nonenal", and its concentration increases with age.
As the years go by, the antioxidants in the skin of the elderly decrease, and the hormonal changes also cause more fatty acids to oxidize, which in turn causes the accumulation of nonenal. The smell emitted by this substance is what we often call the "old man's smell".
Disease factors
As we age, the skin's resistance gradually weakens, making it more susceptible to skin diseases such as eczema, ulcers, dermatitis, etc., which often bring unpleasant odors. At the same time, chronic diseases such as diabetes and uremia may also cause the body to emit odors.
Health factors
Lifestyle habits also have a non-negligible impact on the taste of the elderly. With age, the sebum metabolism of the elderly gradually declines, and the skin is prone to dryness and peeling, resulting in dead skin.
If these dander are not cleaned up in a timely manner, bacteria can grow, which can lead to odors. Therefore, maintaining good hygiene habits is essential to reduce the smell of old age.
03
It is recommended that after the age of 55, develop 4 habits, old or tasteless
The appearance of senile smell may have affected our daily life and social activities to a certain extent. But can we really not avoid this kind of "old man's smell"? The answer is no.
By cultivating good habits, it is entirely possible for us to prevent or mitigate this odor. Here are four suggestions that might show us the way.
Healthy eating habits
It is essential to prevent the "smell of the elderly". The diet of the elderly should be mainly light, and try to avoid excessive intake of high-fat and high-calorie foods.
Meat food produces acidic substances during digestion, and when these substances combine with other substances in the body, they tend to form odors.
Therefore, it is recommended that the elderly should consume meat in moderation in their daily diet, and at the same time increase the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. These foods are rich in vitamins and antioxidants that help remove free radicals from the body and reduce body odor.
Practice good personal hygiene
The elderly should bathe frequently, especially on the neck, behind the ears, chest, armpits and other areas with obvious odors. This avoids the build-up of oil and dead skin, which reduces the growth of bacteria.
At the same time, clothes should also be changed and disinfected frequently to keep them clean. Oral hygiene is equally important, and frequent brushing and mouthwash can help prevent bad breath.
Actively treat a wide range of diseases
Aging can lead to problems such as slowed metabolism and reduced skin function, which can be the trigger for "old people's taste". Therefore, the elderly should pay attention to skin moisturization and avoid odor caused by dryness. At the same time, if there is a special body odor in the body, it may be a sign of disease, and you should seek medical attention in time to check and treat the original disease.
Keep the room well ventilated
Older people have a slower metabolism and may have a heavier smell of excretion. In addition, some elderly people may also develop odors due to long-term medication. Therefore, keeping the room well ventilated can help reduce odor concentrations and improve the comfort of the living environment.
04
Why can't the old man himself smell this?
When discussing why many elderly people are unable to smell the "special smell" on their bodies, we have to mention a scientific concept - "odor threshold".
The odor threshold, in short, is the lowest concentration at which a stimulus odor can be recognized by the human olfactory system. The level of this threshold directly determines a person's sense of smell.
Interestingly, scientific studies have found that older adults generally have odor thresholds that are 2-15 times higher than younger ones as they age. This means that older people are more sluggish in recognising faint odors than younger people.
This phenomenon is especially obvious in some elderly people with neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's. These diseases not only affect their physical functions, but also weaken their ability to recognize smell to a certain extent. They may not be able to capture subtle scent changes in their surroundings as easily as they did when they were younger.
In addition, another factor that should not be ignored is "olfactory adaptation". When a person stays in a particular odor environment for a long time, the olfactory cells gradually adapt to the smell and thus become less sensitive.
This phenomenon is very common in everyday life, such as when we enter a perfume shop, we may initially feel the aroma, but after a while, this feeling gradually diminishes, because our brain and olfactory system have adapted to the smell.