Stay Healthy / children

A couple of weeks ago, we talked about the health benefits of coconut oil, one of only four ingredients in Truly’s Natural Deodorant.

Two of the key components of coconut oil are lauric acid and caprylic acid. Lauric acid actually comprises about fifty percent of coconut oil. Lauric acid is uniquely beneficial as it contains the highest concentration of MCFA fatty acids. This acid is one of the healthiest saturated fats because the body is able to easily absorb it. The body then converts the fatty acid into monolaurin, which is used to prevent and treat colds, the flu, swine flu, herpes, shingles, chronic fatigue syndrome, and to boost the immune system.1

Monolaurin functions as an antivirus that targets enveloped viruses (viruses encased in a protective layer of lipids and phospholipids). It kills the virus by dissolving the protective lipids surrounding it. One study showed that monolaurin markedly reduced the viral count on patients with HIV, herpes, measles, and vesicular stomatitis, among other viruses.2

Coconut oil also helps to protect the body from microbes like fungus, bacteria, yeast, and protozoans. One 2007 study found that concentrated coconut oil effectively treated drug resistant fungal infections.3 Another study found that the monolaurin from from coconut oil was also the most potent monoglyceride defense against pylori bacteria.4

As if all this weren’t enough, a 2008 study showed that a diet high in medium-chain fatty acids like coconut oil significantly reduced the growth of cancer tumors in mice.5 It also aids in the absorption of nutrients for sick children and adults, helping them maintain a healthy weight.6 Luckily, there’s also no need to worry about coconut oil adding to your waistline. The protein in coconut oil is a source of all natural, direct energy and actually a possible deterrent to weight gain.7

Truly’s Natural Deodorant is loaded with coconut oil to keep your skin smooth and your immune system strong. Our natural deodorant works to keep to keep you and your kids healthy, strong, and smelling great.

1 "Monolaurin." WebMD. WebMD. Web. 9 June 2015.

2 Dayrit, Dr. Conrado S. "COCONUT OIL IN HEALTH AND DISEASE: ITS AND MONOLAURIN’S POTENTIAL AS CURE FOR HIV/AIDS." 25 July 2000. Web. 9 June 2015. <http://coconutresearchcenter.org/article10526.pdf>.

3 "In Vitro Antimicrobial Properties of Coconut Oil on Candida Species in Ibadan, Nigeria." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 10 June 2007. Web. 9 June 2015.

4 "Antibacterial Actions of Fatty Acids and Monoglycerides against Helicobacter Pylori." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 15 May 2003. Web. 9 June 2015.

5 "Growth of Human Gastric Cancer Cells in Nude Mice Is Delayed by a Ketogenic Diet Supplemented with Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Medium-chain Triglycerides." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 30 Apr. 2008. Web. 9 June 2015.

6 Gracey, Michael, Valerie Burke, and Charlotte Anderson. "Medium Chain Triglycerides in Paediatric Practice." Archives of Disease in Childhood. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1970. Web. 9 June 2015.

7 "Lauric Acid's Benefits for the Body." LIVESTRONG.COM. LIVESTRONG.COM, 11 May 2015. Web. 9 June 2015.

The traditional answer to this question has been that children will start to experience body odor when they hit puberty and their bodies start to experience hormonal changes. In fact, according to our pediatrician, body odor in young children can be a warning sign of early onset puberty which is a medical condition requiring treatment. However he also assured us that unless other signs of early puberty are present, a child’s body odor is usually nothing to be worried about.
Do see your pediatrician if you have any concerns.

From my personal experience and from that of friends and family, it does seem to be the case that children are experiencing body odor at earlier and earlier ages. I know of no medical research being done on the subject, so speculation as to the cause is purely conjecture.We do know our environment is full of endocrine disrupting chemicals and man-made environmental estrogens found in pesticides,industrial chemicals, household products, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. We also know that our food is becoming less and less natural, more refined and increasingly adulterated with preservatives, artificial colors and flavors, and cheap non-food fillers and additives. These factors could very well contribute to earlier body odor in children.

Interestingly on a recent trip to China, we discovered that not everyone in China has body odor, and if you do have it, it is considered a “symptom” and not a normal occurrence. We also learned that some ethnic groups have more of an issue with it than others. It is a very embarrassing topic to the older generation, most of whom do not experience body odor. However the younger generation is more open to talking about the issue because body odor is increasingly more common among their peers. We were also told that some people are so shy about the “symptom” that they are too embarrassed to purchase deodorant or antiperspirant in the store. We believe that the same causes, ie the westernization of the traditional Chinese diet and increase in environmental toxins, are to blame in the increasing occurrence of body odor in the Chinese population.