The smell of rot is what we are talking about. That unmistakable smell of putrefaction associated with rotten eggs, decomposing abscesses, periodontal diseases, sinus and lung infections, rotting undigested fecal matter, or spoiled fish. Putrefaction is the smell of scavenging bacteria digesting and decomposing structural sulfur-bonds in proteins. An inflammatory crisis is occurring. Significant number of immune cells are dying. Dead tissue attracts scavenging bacteria. The antioxidant buffering capacity of the body is being exceeded by an explosive oxidant cascade.

A growing host of white cells undergoes a thousand-fold metabolic increase called the "respiratory burst." Stress-mediated catabolism dominates anabolic repair. Oxidative destruction of fatty acid structures overwhelms buffering capacity. The stage is set for degeneration and premature aging.

Sometimes the source of the odor is a thick coating on top of the tongue. Imbalanced immunity and inadequate protein digestion promote this exuberant bacterial growth. Sugar disables protein-digesting enzymes produced by the pancreas. (It is an undesirable societal habit to eat sweet desserts right after our major protein consumption). Stress also diminishes pancreatic enzyme production leading to coated tongue. Nothing uses up more enzymes than digesting red meat. Tongue scrapers (be gentle at first) will diminish the accumulation, as will managing stress, boosting antioxidants or supplementing with digestive enzymes.

When that swamp smell emanates from the lungs, the body's major synthesizer or prostaglandins is in inflammatory crisis. The brain, just a heartbeat away, is also in inflammatory crisis. The brain has the highest concentration of oxidatively vulnerable unsaturated fatty acids and an even higher metabolism than the lungs.

A popular drug-awareness infomercial, depicting frying eggs, sermonizes, "This is what happens to your brain, when you are on drugs." When one has bad breath or smelly gums, the brain is frying and though processing is fuzzy. This is a metabolic crisis. The unsaturated fatty acids that sheathe and insulate neurons are undergoing meltdown. Thinking is clouded. Many prescription drugs also push oxidative overload, just as many lifestyles promote oxidative stress.

In our daily rhythms, the early morning hours present the highest metabolic challenge of stress, growth and hormone repair. We wake just after our alkaline peak, with our lowest serum levels of ionized calcium and magnesium. Along with "morning breath", we see increased irritability, clenching or grinding of the teeth, sore jaw muscles, tender jaw joints, headache and migraine, sinusitis, heart attacks, leg cramps, and inflammatory "woke up on the wrong side of the bed" behavior. The afternoon hours from 3-7 p.m. present us with a similar alkaline challenge.

Bedtime is an ideal time to stoke body reservoirs with antioxidants and the major and minor minerals to quiet early morning symptoms. Remember to drink a full glass of mineral-rich water upon arising. The body craves clean water, fresh vegetables and fruits, along with minerals, antioxidants and B vitamins. Bay berry (myrtica cerifera - one teaspoonful per day) was used by eclectics in the middle 1800's to remove offensive breath, cure bleeding and mouth ulcers. Antibacterial toothpaste may contain tea tree oil, neem, eucalyptus or other essential oils.

Parsley will diminish the smell of garlic. Peppermint tea combats halitosis and is a digestive aid. Fennel or cardamom seeds can be chewed as a breath freshener. Tooth and Gum Tonic or Toothpaste contains effective essential oils and herbs.