An expert named a product that gets rid of the smell of old age (5 photos)

The smell of old age is a specific aroma that is difficult to eliminate, and it is not at all related to poor hygiene. The musty, sour smell is caused by a chemical process that occurs in the body as we age. But a longevity expert claims that one superfood can restore freshness to older people.





British longevity expert Lesley Kenny said that eating mushrooms up to four times a week can help get rid of the unpleasant smell. It is caused by a substance called 2-nonenal. It forms when the omega-7 fatty acids in sebum break down and oxidize. As people age, their bodies produce fewer antioxidants, which normally protect skin lipids from being damaged, while cell turnover slows, allowing the chemical 2-nonenal to accumulate.



A 2010 study in Japan found that 2-nonenal was only present in people over 40. There was no correlation between gender or personal grooming habits.

“This is the first study to show that ‘old man smell’ develops later in life,” Kenny said. — It’s akin to oils going rancid. The problem is compounded by the fact that older people’s skin renews itself more slowly than younger people’s.”

The unpleasant odor often settles on the skin, clothes, and linens, and even the most thorough water treatments or grooming won’t help.

However, mushrooms can be a panacea. Two rare compounds in their composition — ergothioneine and spermidine — affect the formation of 2-nonenal.





“Mushrooms are the perfect remedy for combating this odor,” Kenny added.

She recommends consuming them regularly, ideally three to four times a week. Ergothioneine is an amino acid and a powerful antioxidant that protects skin fats from breaking down into 2-nonenal.

The human body is unable to produce ergothioneine. It is found in large quantities only in mushrooms, especially shiitake, champignons and oyster mushrooms.

Meanwhile, spermidine promotes autophagy, a process in which old and damaged cells are destroyed and replaced by new ones.

Kenny explained that regularly consuming foods high in spermidine helps activate autophagy. Such foods include mushrooms, legumes, peas and soy.



In a clinical study, 80 people aged 50 to 79 took a champignon extract daily for four weeks.

The participants were divided into four groups, which took 0, 50, 500 or 1000 mg daily. The results showed a significant improvement in the condition of bad breath, body odor and pillows. The effect was especially pronounced in the group receiving the highest dose.

It is important to note that no side effects were recorded with regular consumption of mushrooms.

"The mushroom extract blocks the production of toxic odor substances in the body," the researchers claim in their report.

In addition, the mushroom extract reduces the concentration of ammonia and methyl mercaptan, which cause unpleasant odor in the intestines.

In another study, scientists from the University of Turku in Finland analyzed the natural aroma compounds found in wild northern mushrooms. They also concluded that the mushrooms contain substances that can block skin processes responsible for unpleasant odors.



Kenny claims that thanks to a healthy diet, her lupus and arthritis symptoms disappeared. She eats mushrooms often: “I love adding them to omelets, stir-fries, soups, and Japanese egg custards.”

In her opinion, mushrooms are not just a preventative, but a therapeutic agent.

“They have been shown to slow the progression of cancer, lower blood pressure, increase insulin resistance, protect the brain, and strengthen bones.”