What causes bad breath? Many people suffering from bad breath / halitosis find that figuring out the reason behind it is the first step towards resolving this preventable and unfortunate ailment. It can be linked to a wide range of problems. For instance, smoking, dry mouth, an illness (such as diabetes) or food intake (for instance, a diet high in protein, regularly eating garlic and onions, as well as drinking an excess of alcohol). © Specialist Supplements Ltd 2011 Bad breath Just what is bad breath? It may seem a simple question, but bad breath comes in numerous guises, degrees of intensity and can be brought on by many different conditions and external factors. Broadly speaking, it is an unpleasant aroma from the breath of a person. Chronic bad breath is technically referred to as halitosis. Less commonly, it is also called fetor oris, ozostomia and stomatodysodia. Supporting a healthy digestive system  0845 094 3627 The most common reasons behind bad breath tend to be avoidable and are therefore often quite easily handled, e.g. through a lifestyle change. Having said that, now and again, chronic halitosis may be symptomatic of an underlying problem in the gut or digestive system. It is this possible cause of bad breath that will be discussed below. The digestive system and digestive system disorders The digestive tract extends all the way from the mouth right through to the anus. It therefore isn't surprising that any disorders of the digestive tract (such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, for instance - see below), may potentially lead to halitosis or bad breath. As such, it is quite possible for anybody to be afflicted with this condition (including both vegetarians and those who eat meat). Stomach, intestinal and bowel problems may all be a leading factor in foul breath. Digestion of food starts in the mouth area. Saliva has digestive enzymes which begin the digestion process and the types of food eaten can influence the food chemistry of the mouth. Saliva will also pick up smells from food several hours after it has been swallowed. Odours are strongest from carbohydrates (sugars, starches and cellulose), less strong from proteins and non-existent from fats. Bacteria in the mouth interact with the rotting food and drink residue and can be the source of horrible odour. Digestive enzymes and nutrition Digestive enzymes become more and more important as we grow older, because their formation by the body diminishes with age. A high level of the naturally-occurring digestive enzymes in foods is also eliminated when they're cooked. If our bodies are enzyme-lacking (whether from internal or external sources), they must divert nutrients to manufacture those digestive enzymes. These nutrients would otherwise be put to use to produce intracellular enzymes (such as catylase and SOD), which protect cells as antioxidants. Lower quantities of digestive enzymes in our bodies can likewise potentially result in excess gas formation and putrefaction in the intestines. For many, this can give rise to bad breath gases travelling through the bloodstream and to the lungs, where they are exhaled. Dairy allergy, lactose intolerance and gluten sensitivity A dairy allergy or lactose intolerance could also be one of the factors in bad breath. If you feel this may be the case, all dairy products should be eliminated from the diet to find out if they are the reason. Even for those who don't suffer from a dairy allergy or intolerance, a number of people discover that the removal of all milk products can nevertheless offer assistance with the control of bad breath odours. This happens because diary products can thicken mucous in the mouth and contribute to the anaerobic environment bacteria thrive in, leading to the production of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs). It also supplies a lot of protein utilised in the breakdown by bacteria to form VSCs. For many people who are intolerant to gluten (a protein composite seen in food products processed from wheat and related cereals) and are also struggling with bad breath, it is important to ensure that you are drinking loads of water to wash away thick mucous and bacteria and to keep the mouth flowing freely with saliva. This decreases mouth pH and increases oxygen, both of which help to control halitosis. Candida albicans Candida is an overgrowth of yeast (called candidiasis), which usually starts in the digestive tract and then steadily advances to other parts of the body. It's a robust and invasive parasite, which often fastens itself to the intestinal wall and can (if not treated) become a permanent resident of the organs. On the list of known symptoms of candida is bad breath, the reason being an unusually high level of fungal organisms in the intestines can potentially result in increased fermentation of the carbohydrates you eat. This creates a number of toxins and gases. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a persistent gastrointestinal disorder, which leads to abnormal sensitivity and muscle activity. It is occasionally known as spastic colon, spastic colitis, mucous colitis or nervous stomach  and is a functional disorder (i.e. the function of the bowels may be abnormal), but no structural abnormalities exist. It's broadly accepted amongst naturopathic professionals and other complimentary and alternative health practitioners that bad breath can be a manifestation of long-term complications in the colon. One of their key principles is that the health of the GI tract is fundamental to all round well-being, and support for IBS (and bad breath symptoms) often involves seeking to recover gut health (including a healthy balance of bacteria (probiotics) - see dysbiosis below). Dysbiosis In adults, bad breath is often one of the first clues that bacteria levels in the gut are not unbalanced. Dysbiosis (also sometimes called dysbacteriosis) describes a microbial imbalance on or within the body; put another way, an imbalance of “good” versus “bad” bacteria. Once numbers of friendly bacteria in the digestive system are low, partially digested food decays, producing foul gas and toxemia. *Before changing your eating habits or taking health supplements, always be sure to consult your physician or qualified health practitioner (particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on medications). 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