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Natural K.O. for B.O.

Walk down the Health and Beauty Aid aisle in any supermarket or pharmacy and you'll be amazed at the number of different types of deodorants. Some are made just for men, others just for women; some even for teens.

Have you ever read the list of ingredients? Some ingredients are so strange you can't pronounce them, much less figure out what they are or what they do! (Just what exactly is aluminum zirconium tetrachlorohydrex glycine anyway?)

Maybe you've heard there may be a link between aluminum deodorant and Alzheimers? Or that certain ingredients can affect your natural hormonal balance or cause breast cancer. Would it shock you to know many of the ingredients in deodorants have never even been tested for safety and that they don't require governmental approval?

Should you just stop using deodorant? Are there alternatives? Here are a few natural options you can use to knock out body odor:

• Try bathing more often – and apply a soapy washcloth to your armpits to remove all bacteria
  
  
• Apply witch hazel, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar or alcohol to your armpits instead of deodorant
  
  
• Use baby powder, corn starch or baking soda on your underarms to prevent odor and kill bacteria
  
  
• Mix rosemary, available in an essential oil, with an ounce of water and apply as an antibacterial rub
  
  
• Consume more zinc, either as a supplement or in zinc-rich foods such as lean meats and wheat germ

Applying chemicals directly to your skin can have long term consequences and contributes to the chemical "load" your body has to deal with. You don't have to rely on the "homemade remedies" mentioned above. There are some "healthy," natural deodorants available as well – just learn how to read the labels carefully.