Articles related to focusing on healthy aging, prevention, mobility, cognition, nutrition, independence, and caregiving support.
Did you know that our body odor subtly shifts as we age? Known in Japan as *kareishu*, this distinct, age-related smell is a well-documented biological phenomenon that research has linked to specific changes in our body's chemistry.
In 2001, Japanese researchers identified a specific chemical compound responsible for the scent associated with aging, answering the question: **What is the name of the old person's smell?** This distinct body odor is a natural byproduct of our biology and has a technical name, with its origins rooted in how our skin chemistry changes over time.
According to a 2001 study in the *Journal of Investigative Dermatology*, a specific compound called 2-nonenal is often responsible for the subtle, musty body odor associated with aging. This phenomenon, sometimes called “what is the old grandma's smell?” is a complex process involving changes in skin composition and metabolism, rather than hygiene.
