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. Onions make you cry, and they also make your urine stinky. Just like how going super low-carb makes your breath reek, it can do the same to your pee. I'm so glad to know im not crazy. It monitors acetone, one of the three main ketones in your blood during ketosis (3). it is this increased ammonia Changes in diet can lead to potential changes in vaginal health, which could mean more rashes, says Dr. Shepherd. Urine odor Causes - Mayo Clinic 2023 Readers Digest Magazines Ltd. - All rights reserved, Photo: Dutourdumonde Photography/Shutterstock, We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). Here are the biggest culprits of why you're stinking up the toilet bowl. I smelled so bad every time I tried keto. Well send you our daily roundup of all our favorite stories from across the site, from travel to food to shopping to entertainment. It just absolutely shifted my whole mood for my job. In most cases, a strong urine smell is caused by your food or is a sign that youneed more fluids. pee smell That said, if youre losing weight, enjoying your keto diet, and feeling healthier, there is no need to worry about your ketone levels. Your perception of diverse odors is absolutely distinct. Theres also another condition called asymptomatic bacteria that can cause your pee to smell but doesnt necessarily mean you have a UTI. "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. Sometimes, ammonia is also a sign of: Urinary tract infection. Despite the nutritional benefits of asparagus, many are opposed to eating the vegetable due to its pungent aftereffects. A change in vaginal smell could be a sign of bacterial vaginosis or an STD. "Sweet-smelling urine typically indicates the presence of sugar or glucose," Dr. Ellerkmann says. PKU, short for phenylketonuria, is another inherited disorder where the body can't break down phenylalanine, an amino acid found in protein. The deficiency appears to be random, and up to 50 percent of people can sense the smell. WebAnswer (1 of 16): I did all of that for quite some time and didnt notice a different smell to my pee. Some STIs can lead to a smelly discharge in males and females. Metabolites: Quantitative Determination of Common Urinary Odorants and Their Glucuronide Conjugates in Human Urine., Indiana University Health: Urine Trouble If You Eat Asparagus., UnityPoint Health: What Causes Urine to Smell Bad?, CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology: Crowdsourced Asparagus Urinary Odor Population Kinetics., BMJ: Sniffing out significant Pee values: genome wide association of asparagus anosmia., Yale Medicine: 5 Ways You Could Pee Better., Family Practice: Accuracy of urinary symptoms and urine microscopy in diagnosing urinary tract infection in women., CDC: Urinary Tract Infection, Chlamydia: Treatment and Care., Kidney Health (Australia): Fact Sheet: Kidney Stones.. Keto (low-to-no carb, high-fat, protein-heavy diets) are all the rage for weight loss. Coffee contains caffeol, the fragrant oil you smell after it's brewed, which you smell again when you pee it out, especially if you've downed a lot of it. Thats called hyperosmia. Why Does Asparagus Make Your Pee Smell? Cleveland Clinic Water-soluble vitamins are excreted into your urine, Dr. Kielb says. Why Your Pee Stinks While on the Keto Diet - LeftoverSwap Drinkinglots of water throughout the day can help with these smells and keep your urine clear. These make your pee smell for a few reasons. There are some common foods and medications that can change the odor of urine. Its not dangerous at all. Urine smells like fish How dehydrated you are can not only change its color, but also create a much more pungent smell, as can dietary choices and medical conditions. Other foods, including Brussels There are hills to die on, and this ain't one of 'em. Hepatic steatosis (aka fatty liver, which is a buildup of fat in the liver), Hypoproteinemia (deficient levels of protein in the blood). The most reliable and accurate method of measuring ketosis is to measure your blood ketone levels using a specialized meter. If you notice a new or strange scent, talk to your doctor. Also called a UTI, such an infection happens when you have bacteria in any part of your urinary system. There's actually a scientific explanation, though; asparagus has asparagusic acid, which is responsible for the distinctive scent in your urine. Sometimes, unusual urine If you notice you have a weird odor going on down there right after you go keto, you may want to give it a few days to see if it goes away, says Dr. Greves. This is great for weight loss, but not so great for your body odor. 10 Signs and Symptoms That You're in Ketosis - Healthline Here are 12 fast foods you can eat on a low carb diet. Heres everything men need to know about bladder leakage. Despite its unfavorable odor after you eat it, its still recommended to keep enjoying asparagus so you can reap all of its health benefits. Theyre responsible for most of the unique health benefits of the keto diet. Those are chemicals your body makes when you burn fat, instead of glucose, for energy. What is the role of sex in smelling asparagus pee? And that means that even if your pee is the same, it may seem like the odor is weird or more intense. According to Smith, the odor can begin as early as 15 minutes after ingestion and last up to 14 hours. But the exact compound or how many are causing it is still unknown. Ammonia (NH 3) is a colorless gas that is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen. The NLM reports these symptoms: Some experts have theorized that the keto diet changes vaginal pH (the balance of bacteria in your vagina), which can alter your vaginal scent. If you mess with the acidity, things dont work out very well. The lesson here is to just leave your vagina alone. Too much of this compound can give body fluids, like urine, a rotten odor. More bacteria get released into your urine during a UTI, causing a distinguished rank odor that he describes as a "pungent rotten-egg smell, often fishy-like." Sulfa drugs can give your pee a bit of stench. If foods are responsible, the smell should go away after a few hours. When you enter a state of ketosis, usually by purposely forgoing almost all carbs and going on a keto diet, your body releases ketones as it burns fat for fuel. Wine and Cheeseburger: Harley and Lara Pair Falafel with Wine. Asparagusic acid is broken into volatile compounds that are discharged through the urine. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Smoking Pot Every Day Linked to Heart Risks, Artificial Sweetener Linked to Heart Risks, FDA Authorizes First At-Home Test for COVID and Flu, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Related to Incontinence & Overactive Bladder. The harmless odor is caused by a breakdown of asparagusic acid. Washing inside of it could upset the balance of good and bad bacteria. Whats the Ideal Ketosis Level for Weight Loss? Press J to jump to the feed. Odd smells along with feeling sick, pain, orbloody urine are a sign you should see your doctor. However, not everyone can smell it. Once it gets there, it stays there. That distinctive springtime smell: Asparagus pee Unravel The Science Mysteries Of Asparagus Pee To reduce fatigue during this switch, you may want to take electrolyte supplements. And then theres keto diarrhea, which is about as fun as it sounds. What supplements should we really be taking? 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. Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Her areas of expertise include fibroids, irregular vaginal bleeding, abnormal pap smears, infertility and menopause. All rights reserved. When your body is in ketosis (a.k.a., it breaks down fat for fuel instead of carbs), it produces ketones (chemicals like acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and Keeping the vulvar and vaginal area dry is another way to keep unwanted odors down. Tough Journeys: When Cancer Strikes People Living With Dementia, Sea Spray Can Waft Polluted Coastal Water Inland, Cats, Dogs 'Part of the Family' for Most American Pet Owners: Poll, Dozens of Medical Groups Launch Effort to Battle Health Misinformation. But while theres no direct link, going keto could potentially have an indirect effect on whether you develop a rash. The study 'I Lost 50 Lbs. When you get into ketosis, a large part of the brain starts burning ketones instead of glucose. And consider speaking to a doctor or nutritionist you trust about whether keto is a good fit for your health and lifestyleand definitely chat them up about any questionable symptoms you experience if and when you do. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Keto Crotch Is A Thing You Should Know About, The Real Difference Between Keto And Low-Carb. Foods that convert tosulfur compounds in your body can make your urine smell rotten. Everyone has their own individual scent sense of the environment. It can also cause stomach pain, throwing up, and feeling sick. People often report brain fog, tiredness, and feeling sick when starting a very low carb diet. 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. 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). Most importantly, dont make the mistake of eating a diet that lacks diversity. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You might get this kind of fistula if you have cancer or an inflammatory condition, like Crohns disease or diverticulitis. Gail L. Nunlee-Bland, MD, chief of endocrinology and director, Diabetes Treatment Center, Howard University. Chief among these molecules is methanethiolone of the six to eight sulfur molecules researchers have identified as likely culprits of smelly asparagus pee. Another way to measure ketosis is by testing urine for other byproducts, specifically beta-hydroxybutyrate and urine acetoacetate. There are also long-term effects of a keto diet. One is that some people simply dont produce the smell. It has been reported 62 percent of women were unable to smell the odor, whereas 58 percent of men reported being unable to smell the odor. However, theyre not considered very reliable. noticed that their vaginas started to emit an intense order after going on the low-carb diet. The ketones themselves may also affect your brain, helping to reduce appetite (12) (13). Its primarily caused by the reduction in your muscles glycogen stores. These infections are commonly found in hospital or nursing home patients because the bacteria that causes it (and also gives your pee a metallic scent) thrives in those environments. The specific culprit is acetone, a ketone that exits the body in your urine and breath (3). According to one study published in the journal Nutrition & Metabolism in November 2016, these urine markers are highest in the morning and after dinner. Anyone eating asparagus has the potential to produce pungent-smelling urine; however, not everyone can smell it. Keto diets, along with other low carb diets, are highly effective for weight loss (4, 5). It goes from being mild and lovely to being forceful and pretty terrible. Things That Can Affect the Smell of Your Pee - WebMD Here are 10 common signs and symptoms of ketosis, both positive and negative. While some people believe this to be fat loss, its primarily water weight (2). This rare, life-threatening genetic condition prevents the body from breaking down some amino acids. But if you notice a rash down there and its not going away, its time to call your doctor, as you could be experiencing a yeast infection, STD, or other skin condition. Pregnancy also raises your chances of urinary tract infections and ketonuria. As you might expect, this switch doesnt happen overnight. Health posed that question to an OB-GYN, who said keto crotch has never been scientifically investigated. However, this usually improves in a matter of weeks. Asparagusic acid is only found in asparagus, though Smith says there are plenty of other foods that can change the smell of your urine. Your food, vitamins, and medications are the most common cause of a badurine smell. Strong, ammonia-like urine is a sign that youre alittle dehydrated. 7 Ways To Keep Your Vagina Healthy As You Age. When this happens, your liver starts producing high numbers of ketones to supply energy for your brain. This issue does go away over time though. or you can pee at home because your piss reeks. The vagina, the urine, a lot of your body is supposed to have a certain type of acidity, says Brant. These include: Vitamins. Wearing breathable fabrics can also help prevent unwanted moisture and scents from building up. If you cant, thats called asparagus anosmia. The enzymatic process breaks down distinct chemicals as your body digests meals. Helping people with diabetes, epilepsy, autoimmune disorders, acid reflux, inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and a number of other issues, every day. A keto diet induces ketosis which is a metabolic state where your body uses fat for energy, says Dr. Kielb.During this state, your urine and breath may both have an odour. This high-fat, low-carb eating plan has its fansand detractors. Some people can smell the characteristic odor that asparagus gives to their urine, while others cannot. Does Tiger urine smell like popcorn? The most common ones that can be experienced for up to two years after following the keto diet, according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), include: These short-term symptoms usually go away within a few days or weeks. "Alcohol ferments and causes the odor of the urine to be like rotting greens," Dr. Gupta says. ", On a separate thread, another user slash keto dieter wondered: "Does anyone else's lady bits smell different too? The meter measures your ketone levels by calculating the amount of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in your blood. I have no idea! A problem with your liver can make yourskin and eyes yellow and your urine dark and smelly. It's true that if your vaginal pH is thrown off, you're at a higher risk for developing bacterial vaginosis (an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina), which can have a funky odor, said Dr. Streicher. These receptors are regulated by hundreds of genes. Theres no need to erase your vaginas natural odor. It is a normal phenomenon and is not related to the overall health of the individual. However, long-term keto dieters often report increased focus and energy (14, 15). You can measure your ketone levels with a breath analyzer or urine strips. 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. As Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1781, A few stems of asparagus eaten, shall give our urine a disagreable odour.. Asparagus might be the most common reason for stinky pee. It's also a genetic thing -- not everyone who eats asparagus pees out that funky stench, and not everyone can smell it, although it's more common than not.