You may start producing smelly urine to the earliest as 15 minutes after eating asparagus, and the effects may last up to 14 hours. Ultimately, going on the keto diet is entirely your choice, and you should see how your mind and body feel after you start to help you gauge whether it's a way of eating that works for you. What To Know About Pilates And Weight Loss, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. While theres always waste in your urine, like ammonia, the smell is stronger if youre dehydrated. The smell of rotting fish is hard to ignore, and should especially be a red flag if you notice it in your pee. It's pretty rare, and since it's genetic you'll see it in infants and other young kids. Maple syrup urine disease. Discover signs and symptoms of ketosis, like changes to your breath, appetite, or energy levels. Experts say the Mediterranean, DASH, and flexitarian diets have the best foundations and are among the easiest to follow. The harmless odor is caused by a breakdown of asparagusic acid. Your genes affect whether you can smell these sulfur byproducts. Water-soluble vitamins are excreted into your urine, Dr. Kielb says. Its primarily caused by the reduction in your muscles glycogen stores. That's also why your pee becomes dark and bad-smelling, she adds, because as your body gets dehydrated from drinking too much coffee, the bacteria become more concentrated in your waste. If youre holding on to it, you will get extra pungent urine.. However, not everyone can smell it. However, send an email with your understanding of the situation. WebAnswer (1 of 16): I did all of that for quite some time and didnt notice a different smell to my pee. The odor is caused by the buildup and release of toxins in your urine. Terms of Use. Find out the diseases you can prevent just by washing your hands. Not everybody, Louis. The Keto Diet: What's The Difference? It's one of the universally acknowledged food truths, like how coffee makes you poop and beans make you fart. And even a slight change in pH (even one doesn't impact the health of your vagina) can alter the smell you're used to. This article tells you how long it takes to enter. Your pee or breath may smell fruity if you dont treat high blood sugar. As you pee, these aspargusic acid-turned sulfur byproducts evaporate almost immediately, causing you to smell that distinctive asparagus pee scent. A lot of people report insomnia or waking up at night when they first reduce their carbs drastically. Most everyone knows about asparagus pee, but there are some other foods and medications that can also change the odor of the urine. When they follow up verbally--it will be verbal response--reply all on the same email chain and thank them for stopping by to confirm XYZ. Renita White, MD, is an obstetrician/gynecologist at Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology in Atlanta, Georgia. This is one of the primary ketones present in the bloodstream. WebNo one really pays that much attention during a quick bathroom break. noticed that their vaginas started to emit an intense order after going on the low-carb diet. "I've been on the diet for about a month and a half now and I've noticed that my vaginal odors have gotten MUCH stronger(It smells like a mix between urine and dischargeI'm not exactly sure how vaginas are 'supposed' to smell like. This rare, life-threatening genetic condition prevents the body from breaking down some amino acids. Your genes affect whether you can Two studies have shown that people who are unable to smell the odor in their own urine also dont detect it in the urine of known producers. Theyre commonly used to treat UTIs and other infections. When adding these supplements, make sure to include sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Cleveland Clinic: Urine Smell: What Does It Mean?, Colorado State University: Water-Soluble Vitamins: B-Complex and Vitamin C 9.312., Journal of the American Medical Directors Association: Cloudy, Foul Smelling Urine Not a Criteria for Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infection in Older Adults., Mayo Clinic: Diabetic ketoacidosis. Urinary tract infection (UTI), Urine odor., Merck Manual Consumer Version: Tyrosinemia., Metabolites: Quantitative Determination of Common Urinary Odorants and Their Glucuronide Conjugates in Human Urine., National Health Service: Kidney stones, Smelly urine., National Organization for Rare Disorders: Maple Syrup Urine Disease., Pacific Mens Health: Men's Health 6 Reasons Your Pee Stinks., U.S National Library of Medicine: Trimethylaminuria.. Fluids help water down, or dilute, your pee. Ah, the keto diet. However, theyre not considered very reliable. We asked almost 7,000 participants from two large cohort studies to respond to the prompt After eating asparagus, you notice a strong characteristic odor in your urine. By linking the questionnaire data with genetic data, we were able to show that the ability to smell or not to smell depends on a persons genetic makeup. That may also raise your chances of getting a UTI. Vegetables are good for your body, but dont be alarmed if they make your urine smell like rotten cabbage. How long does it take to go away? Pregnancy also raises your chances of urinary tract infections and ketonuria. Sometimes 2 days. No matter how funky your mid-morning pee smells, coffee is totally worth it. Since you will be taking in more protein when you are following a keto diet, this can increase the amount of ammonia in your pee. If you mess with the acidity, things dont work out very well. The lesson here is to just leave your vagina alone. This chemical on its own smells like rotten eggs, rotting fish, or garbage. Too much of this compound can give body fluids, like urine, a rotten odor. Morning sickness may leave you dehydrated. What is the role of sex in smelling asparagus pee? One small yet famous study found that athletes who had switched to a keto diet burned as much as 230% more fat when they exercised compared to athletes who werent following this diet (23). So can vitamin B-6 supplements. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University. This gives you an idea of your bodys ketone levels since more acetone leaves the body when youre in nutritional ketosis (9). The deficiency appears to be random, and up to 50 percent of people can sense the smell. And remember to be gentle when washing this sensitive area. It then disposes of the ketones through both exhalation and urination. When followed correctly, this low carb, high fat diet will raise your blood levels of ketones. The digestion of asparagus produces methanethiol and S-methyl thioesters, chemical compounds containing stinky sulfur, also known as brimstone. But while theres no direct link, going keto could potentially have an indirect effect on whether you develop a rash. Thats why its important to drink water when youre thirsty. Lycra or spandex is not very breathable, so it's better to go for cotton instead. If you have this condition, your urine might just smell like regular ol' pee (to you, at least) even if your urine contains post-asparagus sulfuric compounds. How Do You Know If You Have A Hormonal Belly? Its entirely possible that you were just unlucky enough to develop an infection or other gynecological issue at the same time as you went keto, and that it has nothing to do with your diet, says Dr. Greves. When you start a low carb diet, your body must adapt to burning more fat for fuel instead of carbs. The Paleo Diet A Beginner's Guide Plus Meal Plan, What Is the Ayurvedic Diet? Vaginal odor can be caused by these other factors as well: If changes in vaginal odor are accompanied by itching, burning, redness, or swelling, you'll want to see your healthcare provider to nail down the exact cause. So why do only some people seem to experience this strong odor after eating asparagus? The inability to smell this asparagus pee is an example of. Heres everything men need to know about bladder leakage. You might experience digestive issues, such as constipation or diarrhea, when you first switch to a keto diet. "Of course, having diabetes increases the chances of spilling glucose into the urine if blood glucose levels are too high." More: 4 asparagus side dishes in under 30 minutes. Odd smells along with feeling sick, pain, orbloody urine are a sign you should see your doctor. According to data, 40 percent of subjects firmly believed that they could detect a distinct odor in their urine after eating asparagus, whereas 60 percent could not and were labeled asparagus anosmic. Asparagus pee is not the only aroma that causes anosmia in some people. And that means that even if your pee is the same, it may seem like the odor is weird or more intense. Check the nutrition label for carbs if youre using gum or other alternatives like sugar-free drinks. They work by forcing your body to burn fat for fuel instead of relying on glucose from carbs for energy. Thats because bacteria can build up in your urine and make it stink. It causes symptoms like fruity breath, sweet-smelling urine, excessive thirst, and tiredness. Its also packed with nutrients, including folic acid, calcium and antioxidants, including vitamins C and E. The only downside: Asparagus seems to cause an unpleasant smell in our urine. Some foods and medications, such as asparagus or certain vitamins, can cause a noticeable urine odor, even in low concentrations. NOT THIS YOU dont have them dead to right on this. "Nobody knows if this is a real effect of the keto diet," Lauren Streicher, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University, told Health. Bacterial infections like chlamydia can be cured with antibiotics. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, F/65/5'8" SD:1/18 SW:170ish CW:130ish Goal:healthy/happy/wellfed. When these amino acids build up, their pee or earwax starts to smell sweet. (Also, definitely don't douche. This is dangerous and can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, the American Diabetes Association warns. Some medicineslike antibiotics can make your urine stink. If you have kidney failure, you may smell a lot of ammonia when you go to the bathroom. You may need to take antibiotics to get better. Or your genitals may itch, and it might burn when you pee. So when you catch a whiff of a not-so-usual odor, it can really freak you out. However, its been suggested that this hunger reduction may be due to alterations to your bodys hunger hormones, along with an increased intake of proteins (11, 12). That said, if youre losing weight, enjoying your keto diet, and feeling healthier, there is no need to worry about your ketone levels. Yes. Keto diets, along with other low carb diets, are highly effective for Hundreds of variants in the DNA sequence across multiple genes involved in sense of smell are strongly associated with the ability to detect asparagus metabolites in urine. Yes, there's actually a disease for your pee named after the sweet breakfast condiment. This may be water weight, but fat loss may soon follow. Onions make you cry, and they also make your urine stinky. Not only does this give your urine a strange multivitamin pill odour, but it can also turn your urine a fluorescent green or greenish-yellow hue. It doesnt mean youre unhealthy. When asparagus is digested, asparagusic acid gets broken down into sulfur containing byproducts. Crystals made of waste products and minerals can build up in your kidneys and form hard stones, which can cause strong-smelling urine. Medicines for diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis also can affect the way your pee smells. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The symptoms resemble those of the actual flu, but with a different cause. Keto vs. Mediterranean: Which Diet Is Really Better for You? Regardless of whether you prefer the green, purple or white variety, asparagus provides a rich source of vitamins and minerals, and its consumption as part of a healthy diet may reduce risk of cancer and cardiovascular-related diseases. Affected by Urinary Infection. And then theres keto diarrhea, which is about as fun as it sounds. If the odour persists or your urine becomes cloudy, seek a physicians care. Ketones are chemical byproducts that provide a new fuel source for your cells. When your ketone levels are elevated, youre considered to be in ketosis. However, this particular side effect of eating asparagus doesnt happen to everyone, and some That doesnt mean youre unhealthy. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. If you get one between your bladder and bowels, poop or gas may come out when you pee. Some of these issues should subside after the transition period, but it may be important to be mindful of different foods that may be causing digestive issues. Other foods, including Brussels sprouts, onions, cabbage, and turnips can also make your pee smell funky because of a metabolic byproduct called methyl mercaptan, a gas with a putrid, sulfurous smell that emerges when your body breaks down these vegetables. What it is, how it works, what to eat, what to avoid and a sample paleo meal plan for one week. Fun! Your doctor can help you figure out ways to manage your childs condition. Talk to your doctor if it hurts to pee and you have a fever. Tell your doctor right away if you vomit, have trouble breathing, or feel confused. B vitamins can also make your pee look a bright greenish-yellow. Make sure you get some assistance.. And it's not like smelly pee will stink up your vagina. In most cases, a strong urine smell is caused by your food or is a sign that youneed more fluids. Some people say their pee smells like Cheerios, which might be a sweet smell that you should tell your doctor about. Asparagus is a big culprit for smelly urine; in fact, your pee can start smelling like asparagus just 20 minutes after you eat it. On the other? Some antibiotics are made from mold and can make your urine smell yeasty. Asparagus is the perfect springtime vegetable. If you're a parent and your kid's pee starts smelling extra syrupy, get it checked out, because untreated, it could lead to seizures, coma, and death. If the smell doesn't go back to normal a few days after quitting eating keto, that's a good sign something else might be causing it, since vaginal pH should return to normal after going back to your typical diet, notes Rosser. 8 Things That Can Cause Odor, 5 Things That Can Change the Way Your Vagina Smells, Assessing Vaginal Health: 5 Clues From Your Vagina, Keto Flu Explained: Why Low-Carb Diets Can Make You Feel Sick and Tired, How to Start the Keto Dietand Ways to Stick With It. Many creatures rely on their sense of smell to survive. This usually improves after a few weeks. You may lose a noticeable amount of weight as early as your first week on the keto diet. If foods are responsible, the smell should go away after a few hours. MedTerms medical dictionary is the medical terminology for MedicineNet.com. The short-term side effects of a keto diet are better known. This odor is because of the breakdown of a substance called asparagusic acid If you notice your pee is smelling really foul (not just strong, like when you're a little dehydrated), it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection, says Dr. Mark Ellerkmann, director of urogynecology at the Weinberg Center for Women's Health and Medicine in Baltimore. As Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1781, A few stems of asparagus eaten, shall give our urine a disagreable odour. This odor has become so well known that post-consumption urine is now often referred to as asparagus pee.. Why Do I Feel So Crappy On The Keto Diet? They say their vagina has a more pungent smell since they've gone keto. Hepatic steatosis (aka fatty liver, which is a buildup of fat in the liver), Hypoproteinemia (deficient levels of protein in the blood). And if you're noticing you have to pee much more frequently, that could be another sign of diabetes. Certainurine smells can be a sign of some conditions, but your doctor might not consider that to be the case unless you have other symptoms. The use of acetone breath analyzers has been shown to be fairly accurate, though less accurate than the blood monitor method (10). Why Does the Keto Diet Cause ConstipationAnd How Can You Stop It? And if you're a type 1 or type 2 diabetic who takes insulin, ketones could also affect your urine if your insulin levels are off, and there's not enough glucose for your body to use, Dr. Ellerkmann explains. Sometimes, unusual urine Here are the 6 best sweeteners for a keto diet. Sarah Coseo Markt receives funding from the National Institutes of Health. Although the correlation isn't strong or that widely understood, Dr. Ellerkmann says taking a medication that contains sulfa might make your pee smell funky. Some STIs can lead to a smelly discharge in males and females. However, long-term keto dieters often report increased focus and energy (14, 15). During the metabolism of asparagus, sulfur compounds in the asparagus are eliminated from the body through urine, which results in the pungent smell of urine. When enzymes in the human digestive tract break down the asparagusic acid thats naturally present in the vegetable, these volatile compounds are created. A problem with your liver can make yourskin and eyes yellow and your urine dark and smelly. The quick evaporation of those asparagus metabolites when peeing causes your urine to have a sulfurous odor, like rotten eggs or cooked cabbage. As excess sugar spills into your urine, it creates a sweet, sugary smell (and taste), explains Stephanie J. Kielb, MD, an associate Professor of Urology, Medical Education and Obstetrics and Gynecology (Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (Urogynecology) at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. If you want a more accurate assessment, monitor ketone levels in your blood, urine, or breath every week. Thus, they dont produce smelly urine, says Smith. If asparagus is on the menu, it may rear its ugly smell as early as a mid-meal bathroom break. Kidney stones. Medications. This is because your sense of scent, like your perception of color, is determined by your genes. A different Reddit user agreed, responding: "Oh boy, yes. Foods. Now, people are talking about another unpleasant side effect of the keto diet: keto crotch. Here are the vitamins and supplements doctors take every day. 2. That's because, like coffee, alcohol is a diuretic that makes the bacteria in urine more concentrated as you pee more and become dehydrated. Lastly, theres the controversy. "It's never normal for your vagina to have an odor," said Dr. Streicher. The soap you use is also important. If you feel full and dont need to eat as often as before, then you may be in ketosis. You may end up having the keto flu, which is basically a bunch of flu-like symptoms that often appear at the beginning of the keto diet. Yes, volunteers sniffed samples of other peoples asparagus pee. This issue does go away over time though. It can take a few days or weeks for this to start working properly. Your food, vitamins, and medications are the most common cause of a badurine smell. Go see your doctor right away. This article, Breakfast cereals boast impressive health claims, but many are high in sugar and refined carbs. Our doctors define difficult medical language in easy-to-understand explanations of over 19,000 medical terms. Yet, science does show that going keto can change the odor of your breath and urine, making both smell like nail polish remover. This is when you begin to reap the benefits of a keto diet. A small 2010 study showed that about 8% of people have none or only small amounts of enzyme to break down asparagusic acid. As Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1781, A few stems of asparagus eaten, shall give our urine a disagreable odour.. Its just the nature of an unsterile urine specimen. He suggests dropping an aspirin in the bag because salicylic acid neutralizes and banishes the bad smell. Theyre responsible for most of the unique health benefits of the keto diet. This content is imported from poll. It means they dont have the right enzyme to break down the amino acid tyrosine. The reasons why this happens are still being investigated. Want lifestyle and wellness news delivered to your inbox? UPDATE: For everyone saying asparagus, I just checked my food diary and I last ate asparagus on October 13th. Whats more, test kits can be expensive. But it can also be normal if eating this vegetable doesn't change the smell of your pee. These products may raise your blood sugar levels and reduce your ketone levels. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. However, this usually improves in a matter of weeks. "One type of ketone, acetone, is an ingredient in some nail polish removers, which is why your breath may smell like this familiar scent," said Cynthia Sass, RD, Health contributing nutrition editor. Urine is mostly waste products and water and normally has a mild smell and a light yellow color. Why Does My Urine Smell Strong Like Ammonia. A 2016 study found that whether or not someone could smell asparagus pee is associated with a genetic variation near multiple olfactory receptor genes. About one-third of women over the age of 65 can have bacteria in the urine on and off, says Dr. Comiter. It goes from being mild and lovely to being forceful and pretty terrible. On one hand, it's helped tons of people lose weight. You may go to the bathroom a lot if you have a UTI. Urine normally has a slight smell, but some unusual and strong smells may also be noticed. Sulfa is found in some diabetes medication, antibiotics, migraine medicine, anti-inflammatories, and (quite fittingly) diuretics. These receptors are regulated by hundreds of genes. According to some experts on the keto diet, nutritional ketosis is defined as blood ketones equal to or above 0.5 millimolar (mM) (8). I smelled so bad every time I tried keto. If you notice a new or strange scent, talk to your doctor. Atkins Vs. Some people are hypersensitive (or hyposensitive) to androstenone, a component of sweat. Dont miss the 13 sexual health tips your urologist wants you to know. The measurement of breath acetones has been used since the 1960s to judge the level of ketosis that occurs in the body, according to a November 2015 article published in Obesity. The ketone acetone is partly expelled via your breath. Trimethylaminuria. Weight loss. Some stones are made from cystine, a substance with sulfur in it. These chemicals just happen to be things that we react to. Try drinking more water to mute the smell of your urine. If you notice it's a common occurrence, definitely see your doctor. According to Dr. Dutta, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. It happens when your body cant break down trimethylamine. Humans, on the other hand, rely heavily on their visual sense, so various mutations may have occurred in humans that degenerated the capacity to smell asparagus pee as a random error. So keto rash is a real thing. Whats the Ideal Ketosis Level for Weight Loss? But tbh, that's probably not what's going on here, says Jessica Shepherd, MD, a minimally invasive gynecologist in Dallas and founder of Her Viewpoint. Anyone eating asparagus has the potential to produce pungent-smelling urine; however, not everyone can smell it. Couple that with the fact that a lot of people on keto tend to use artificial sweeteners, which also can cause stomach issues, and you might set yourself up for some serious bathroom sprints. It has a strong odor that smells like urine or sweat. I'm so glad to know im not crazy. Certain foods, including asparagus and fish, can make the urine smell. If cystine is in your urine, it may smell like rotten eggs. After several decades of running on a carb-heavy fuel system, your body is forced to adapt to a different system. But a lack of fluids does raise your chances of getting kidney stones and urinary tract infections. The ketogenic, or keto, diet is a popular, effective way to lose weight and improve your health. 2023 Readers Digest Magazines Ltd. - All rights reserved, Photo: Dutourdumonde Photography/Shutterstock, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). Some people can smell the characteristic odor that asparagus gives to their urine, while others cannot. It was like a light switched one day I couldnt smell it, next time I ate asparagus the strong smell was there. Bad bacteria that snuck its way into your bladder through your urethra often causes these strange odorous smells. You may not have other symptoms. It also has its own odor profile that creates that familiar beer-pee smell. But, the good news is that it settles down and goes away after you've been keto for awhile. Leslie, S.W., Sajjad, H., Nazzal, L. Renal Calculi (Cystinuria, Cystine Stones). StatPearls Publishing, 2020. Wearing breathable fabrics can also help prevent unwanted moisture and scents from building up. All rights reserved. If your urine smells sweet, you feel unwell, or you have other symptoms along with foul-smelling urine, though, talk to your doctor. Here are 7 tips for how to get into ketosis. 'I Lost 50 Lbs. The disease can cause other serious symptoms like seizures, sleepiness, irritability, and poor feeding. These often cause people to quit the diet before they get into full ketosis and reap many of the long-term benefits. There are some common foods and medications that can change the odor of urine. Its not dangerous at all. Treatment for an unusual urine smell depends on the cause. The group of peeps who have experienced smelling an off scent down below seems to be pretty large, at least on the Internet. This odor is because of the breakdown of a substance called asparagusic acid that is present in asparagus into sulfur-containing compounds. "Breaking the seal" isn't a thing, but drinking alcohol definitely makes you have to pee more. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. You might get this kind of fistula if you have cancer or an inflammatory condition, like Crohns disease or diverticulitis. Dr. Ellerkmann has described it as smelling like maple syrup, burned sugar, or malt. Asking yourself, Why does my pee smell? On the low carb, high fat keto diet, your body enters a state in which you burn fat for your main source of fuel rather than carbs.Learn how to. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. In certain types of ultra-endurance sports and events, a keto diet could even be beneficial (22). Theyll test your pee for ketones and help you manage your diabetes. If you need to go, let it flow. When you get into ketosis, a large part of the brain starts burning ketones instead of glucose. Ever settle into the restroom to do your business and, amid the calming sound of your yellow stream, notice an awful smell? During the metabolism of asparagus, sulfur compounds in the asparagus are eliminated from the body through urine, which results in the pungent smell of urine. Theres no need to erase your vaginas natural odor. The specific culprit is acetone, a ketone that exits the body in your urine and breath (3). The good news is that these vitamin-induced urine smells are harmless, so you can keep taking your daily vitamin supplements. If you follow keto and start noticing that your vagina smells bad, consider checking in with your OB-GYN. If you cant, thats called asparagus anosmia. To reduce fatigue during this switch, you may want to take electrolyte supplements. If this sounds horrible, it is. . Several key signs and symptoms can help you identify whether youre in ketosis. This unpleasant smell is from the buildup of phenylalanine in the body, and if untreated, could lead to serious health complications such as intellectual disability, seizures, and brain damage. Some women on Reddit have reported the smell going away after a while, while others said it persisted. When your body isnt getting the glucose it needs for energy, your body begins to burn fat for energy, which produces ketones. Asparagus is a delicious green vegetable that comes with one very noticeable side effectit makes your pee smell foul. Sometimes, ammonia is also a sign of: Urinary tract infection. When your body reaches ketosis on a ketogenic diet, it uses ketones as an alternative energy source. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. You end up getting rid of the compound through your pee, sweat, breath, and other fluids. In most cases, a strong smell isnt a sign of disease. Researchers are skeptical of this finding because women are known to detect odors more precisely and consistently than men. A keto diet generally involves a major change in the foods you eat. Fruity-smelling urine can be a sign of other diseases and complications. However, they tend to improve again after the initial adaptation phase is over. Some foods have compounds that naturally have astrong odor and can make your urine smell. Its found in some stinky cheeses, bad breath, and farts, but you most likely know it as the molecule you're smelling when the stove burner doesnt light or there's a gas leak. Sulfur, in general, is not very pleasant to smell, notes Dr. Bobart. It affects babies and children.