Body odor as a biomarker: VOCs, e-nose, and olfactory detection of pathologies emerge in diagnostic medicine.
- Dakila News
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Understand the news at your own pace: To make the content more accessible while maintaining technical depth, this news story has been presented in two formats:
• Simplified version: Ideal for those who are not in the field, but are curious about the subject.
• Technical version: Aimed at readers with prior knowledge or professional interest in the topic.
Choose the reading that best suits you—or enjoy both!
Did you know that your own scent—and even that of others—can be a valuable indicator of health problems? Researchers are investigating how changes in body odor can indicate conditions like diabetes, infections, and even cancer. The secret lies in invisible chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which our bodies naturally emit.
These compounds change according to our metabolism. For example, people with diabetes may have a sweet or fruity odor on their breath—an important warning sign. Infections, kidney disease, or liver problems also alter odor, causing the body to emit signals that scientists are beginning to identify.
In addition to using technologies like the "electronic nose" (e-nose), which detects odor patterns, studies have shown that trained dogs can accurately detect various diseases, including some types of cancer and serious infections. This form of "smell detection" can be quick, painless, and affordable.
Therefore, paying attention to your natural scent may be more important than you think. If you notice an unusual odor—such as sweet breath, a strong, or unusual smell—it may be time to seek medical attention. Sensory technology can transform this natural warning into an early and effective diagnosis.
Accessible language: (News produced with the help of AI)
Advanced research confirms that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by the human body can function as biomarkers for various diseases. Changes in metabolic profiles, such as those caused by malignancies, infections, or metabolic dysfunctions, modify the VOCs present in sweat, breath, urine, and feces, offering clues for non-invasive diagnosis.
The use of analytical technologies such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and electronic noses (e-noses) allows us to capture complex VOC patterns, facilitating the distinction between healthy and diseased individuals—although the identification of individual biomarkers still faces challenges, given the heterogeneity of reported profiles.
Animal-based olfactory detection systems have also demonstrated promising results. Trained dogs have achieved high specificity and sensitivity in detecting diseases such as cancers, C. difficile infections, and COVID-19, often rivaling standard tests such as RT-PCR.
The convergence of these approaches—VOC identification, electronic sensors, and trained animal sense of smell—points to a new era in diagnostic medicine. Facilitating rapid, portable, and non-invasive testing, these technologies can be implemented in clinical trials and resource-limited settings, transforming the way we detect diseases.
Technical language: (News produced with the help of AI)
ACCESS THIS PUBLICATION:
Want to share your opinion on this news? Access our WhatsApp and Telegram channels, click on the social media links we provide, and join in the comments!
WhatsApp: Dakila News | Global news aligned with Dakila Ecosystem research 🔎|
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram: https://t.me/+-dHipLWeOZQ5OG
🚨 This is purely informative news.🚨
Comentários