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Articles related to focusing on healthy aging, prevention, mobility, cognition, nutrition, independence, and caregiving support.

5 min

What is nonenal smell? The biology behind aging odor

According to a 2001 study published in the *Journal of Investigative Dermatology*, 2-nonenal, the compound responsible for nonenal smell, was detected exclusively in subjects aged 40 or older. This greasy, grassy odor is a distinct and natural byproduct of biological changes that occur as we age, specifically the oxidation of fatty acids on the skin's surface.

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4 min

The Biological Answer to: Why do all grandmas smell the same?

The distinctive, musty scent often associated with older individuals is a scientifically documented phenomenon linked to a compound called 2-nonenal. Understanding this biological and genetic process helps clarify why all grandmas smell the same—it is a natural part of human aging.

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