Zinc Dosage and Body Odor

Perspiration, also known as sweating, leads to body odor when it comes to contact with bacteria on the skin. Body odor is unpleasant and may cause you distress. Fortunately, body odor is highly treatable once the cause is identified. According to Columbia University, a dietary imbalance of zinc may contribute to a strong body odor and excessive sweating. Treating body odor can improve your confidence and social interactions; however, consult a doctor before using zinc to rule out other causes such as adverse reactions.

Causes of Body Odor

Sweating may be a nuisance, but it has a key function in regulating body temperature. It hydrates the skin and helps balance body fluid, which contains sodium and calcium. Body odor is a by-product of this process and only occurs in the apocrine glands. The apocrine glands grow where there are ample hair follicles such as the armpits, scalp and pubic area. These glands excrete fatty sweat to the tubule part in the follicles. The tubule wall contrast due to emotional stress, according to the Mayo Clinic. The fatty sweat pushes to the skin's surface where it mixes with bacteria, which causes an odor.

Zinc Dosage & Sources for Adults

The body does not require large amounts of zinc. The University of Maryland Medical Center report 8 to 11 milligrams of zinc is the recommended daily allowance for adults. Taking a multivitamin supplement or eating a healthy diet will provide sufficient amounts of zinc. Rich food sources of zinc include beef shanks, oysters, crab, lobster and chicken legs.

Zinc Dosage for Other Ages

The online medical encyclopedia Medline Plus reports the adequate intake for infants 6 months old or younger is 2 milligrams. Between the ages of 7 months and 3 years old, the recommended daily allowance of zinc is 3 milligrams. For children between the ages of 4 and 8, the RDA is 5 milligrams, while for children between the ages of 9 and 13 the RDA is 9 milligrams. The RDA of teenagers differs on gender. Teenage boys between the ages of 14 and 18 should get at least 11 milligrams of zinc each day, while teenage girls between the same ages need only 9 milligrams of zinc a day.

Zinc Deficiency & Body Odor

Zinc is an essential trace mineral found in every cell. Its key functions include improving the immune system, blood clotting, treating the common cold and balancing insulin and thyroid function. It also helps detoxify the body and handle waste; therefore, a deficiency in zinc can worsen body odor according to Dr. David Y. Wong author of "Healing What Hurts" published in 2009.

Considerations

Good hygiene is essential in controlling body odor. Shower regularly with anti-bacterial soap and avoid strong foods such as garlic and onions. Using deodorant helps remove odor, and antiperspirants with aluminum chloride helps block sweat pores temporarily. Use antiperspirants in the night and deodorant in the morning, after a shower or bath.