Asparagus consumption provides a distinct odor to urine. 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. Elevated ketone levels cause the bad breath. Do All People's Pee Smell After Eating Asparagus? - MedicineNet They can also make infections more likely. The more fat your body burns in ketosis, the more ketones, like acetone, your body produces as byproducts. Asparagus might be the most common reason for stinky pee. In fact, a study my colleagues and I conducted in 2017 found that only 40 percent of those surveyed reported detecting the odor in their urine. This process, the goal of a keto diet, is called ketosis. For this reason, most people will just perform one test per week or every other week. Employer: "OP please contact your doctor to provide us with a doctor's note so we can properly file this. But if the smell persists or you start to notice other symptoms like itchiness, burning, and abnormal discharge, its time to see your doctor. 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. If you have more waste than water inyour urine, it can smell more strongly. According to Dr. Dutta, What it is, how it works, what to eat, what to avoid and a sample paleo meal plan for one week. Your pee may also have a strong smell after you drink coffee, or eat fish, onions, or garlic. 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 urine isn't going to make your vagina smell," confirmed Dr. Streicher. pee smells Your vagina and nose will thank you. Or your genitals may itch, and it might burn when you pee. They provide the main and most efficient fuel source for all forms of high intensity exercise. B vitamins can also make your pee look a bright greenish-yellow. This is because your sense of scent, like your perception of color, is determined by your genes. The smell of rotting fish is hard to ignore, and should especially be a red flag if you notice it in your pee. When your body isnt getting the glucose it needs for energy, your body begins to burn fat for energy, which produces ketones. 1996-2021 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. These foods also produce methyl mercaptan, a gas that has a rotten cabbage odor and is released when peeing and breathing. How Do You Know If You Have A Hormonal Belly? 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). If the These receptors are regulated by hundreds of genes. Theyre responsible for most of the unique health benefits of the keto diet. It affects babies and children. That said, if youre losing weight, enjoying your keto diet, and feeling healthier, there is no need to worry about your ketone levels. Once it gets there, it stays there. asparagus pee smells You know eating asparagus makes your pee smell weird. But a lack of fluids does raise your chances of getting kidney stones and urinary tract infections. . The specific culprit is acetone, a ketone that exits the body in your urine and breath (3). But back in the 17th century, urologists would analyze urine samples for diabetes by using three of their senses: sight, smell and taste. If you want a more accurate assessment, monitor ketone levels in your blood, urine, or breath every week. But, it's important not to overdo it by washing excessively or using scented products like perfumes, powders, and deodorant sprays. It monitors acetone, one of the three main ketones in your blood during ketosis (3). Asparagus is a big culprit for smelly urine; in fact, your pee can start smelling like asparagus just 20 minutes after you eat it. 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. Since women are generally better able to detect smells, its possible some women were either too polite to mention the smell or didnt pick up on it due to their position while peeing. Asparagusic acid is broken into volatile compounds that are discharged through the urine. You dont need to say anything about being under medical care. Gail L. Nunlee-Bland, MD, chief of endocrinology and director, Diabetes Treatment Center, Howard University. Despite the nutritional benefits of asparagus, many are opposed to eating the vegetable due to its pungent aftereffects. The rest are unaware of the smell. 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. Sulfa drugs can give your pee a bit of stench. If your baby has the disease, you may notice this syrupy odor a day or two after theyre born. And it's not like smelly pee will stink up your vagina. 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. I smelled so bad every time I tried keto. Sometimes your pee smells funny when you take certain kinds of multivitamins. Along with many other delights, springtime brings the beginning of the asparagus growing season. Brushing your teeth several times per day or using sugar-free gum can resolve the issue. The short-term side effects of a keto diet are better known. The symptoms resemble those of the actual flu, but with a different cause. 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.. Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Mens Health, Womens Health, Self, Glamour, and more. You might also feel sick, have pain that comes and goes, and have bloody urine. No matter how funky your mid-morning pee smells, coffee is totally worth it. These compounds are passed into the urine, giving it a peculiar smell. Keto diets, along with other low carb diets, are highly effective for Sometimes 2 days. If its dark yellow or an amber colour, theyre probably not drinking enough water.. What is the link between genetics and asparagus pee? However, long-term keto dieters often report increased focus and energy (14, 15). keto Research Scientist in Epidemiology, T.H. In addition to having an unfamiliar smell down there, some women are also reporting that theyve noticed a rash in their crotch area on the keto diet (fun!). Doing so may increase your risk of digestive issues and nutrient deficiencies. If you have kidney failure, you may smell a lot of ammonia when you go to the bathroom. Some people avoid eating cilantro because they claim it has a soapy aftertaste. Asparagus consumption provides a distinct odor to urine. But unfortunately, no research exists showing that diet alone can alter vaginal pH. Most everyone knows about asparagus pee, but there are some other foods and medications that can also change the odor of the urine. Water-soluble vitamins are excreted into your urine, Dr. Kielb says. What supplements should we really be taking? Thats why its always a good idea to remind kids to take bathroom breaks. It means they dont have the right enzyme to break down the amino acid tyrosine. The research hypothesizes that this unexpected finding is due to a few modest women who did not want to acknowledge they could smell the stench or that the female stance during urinating makes them less likely to notice an odd odor. Yet, science does show that going keto can change the odor of your breath and urine, making both smell like nail polish remover. 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. Initially, you may suffer from tiredness and low energy. They say their vagina has a more pungent smell since they've gone keto. Dont miss the 13 sexual health tips your urologist wants you to know. The enzymatic process breaks down distinct chemicals as your body digests meals. Urine Trouble If You Eat Asparagus | IU Health That doesnt mean youre unhealthy. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. The keto flu, or carb flu, is used to describe symptoms often experienced by those beginning a keto diet. Keto (low-to-no carb, high-fat, protein-heavy diets) are all the rage for weight loss. As you progress into a keto diet, youll start to burn fat and ketones as your main fuel sources. Webketo crotch and the office. The ketone acetone is partly expelled via your breath. Medications. But, scientifically speaking, why would a diet high in fat and very low in carbs change the scent of your vagina? A lot of people report insomnia or waking up at night when they first reduce their carbs drastically. If the odour persists or your urine becomes cloudy, seek a physicians care. Ammonia (NH 3) is a colorless gas that is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen. You can lessen these symptoms by drinking plenty of fluids and getting enough electrolytes. These often cause people to quit the diet before they get into full ketosis and reap many of the long-term benefits. 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. This is when you begin to reap the benefits of a keto diet. Theyll need to follow a special diet. It also has its own odor profile that creates that familiar beer-pee smell. "Alcohol ferments and causes the odor of the urine to be like rotting greens," Dr. Gupta says. Like not a nasty infectious smell, just like a stronger natural smell? 1996-2022 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Some foods have compounds that naturally have astrong odor and can make your urine smell. The harmless odor is caused by a breakdown of asparagusic acid. How long does it take to go away? Extra vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) can give it a strong odor. The study Why Does Asparagus Make Your Pee Smell? - Healthline Why does your pee smell after eating asparagus? Experts Some people say their pee smells like Cheerios, which might be a sweet smell that you should tell your doctor about. In this condition, your body cant break down acompound called trimethylamine. I have to think happy thoughts during squats," another woman posted on Reddit. But, because your body produces more of them on the keto diet, the excess can make your poop, pee, and breath a little more smelly (again, like nail polish remover). The disease can cause other serious symptoms like seizures, sleepiness, irritability, and poor feeding. More research still needs to be done on metabolism and genetics to determine exact causes of these differences. In certain types of ultra-endurance sports and events, a keto diet could even be beneficial (22). Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University. As discussed above, removing carbs can lead to general tiredness at first. However, send an email with your understanding of the situation. You may need to get the stones taken out at a hospital. If youre female, it may happen after you give birth or have a certain kind of operation. I have no idea! Scientists believe the odor in question is due to two chemicals: methanethiol and S-methyl thioester. This chemical on its own smells like rotten eggs, rotting fish, or garbage. Amy Krambeck, MD, Michael O. Koch professor of urology, Indiana University School of Medicine. "If PKU is untreated, or if foods containing phenylalanine are eaten, the breath, skin, ear wax, and urine may have a 'mousy or 'musty' odor," Dr. Ellerkmann says. Many people on keto and similar diets, like the Atkins diet, report that their breath takes on an unusual, fruity smell. Ketoacidosis is a dangerous complication of diabetes that happens when ketones build up in your blood. 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.. This one's also a rare genetic disorder, but for those afflicted, the odor can also impact breath and sweat, according to Dr. Ellerkmann, so it's hard to get away from. With Walk At Home And MIRROR', This Mom Lost 95 Lbs. It's probably best to discuss with your doctor to see how best to manage it. Whats more, test kits can be expensive. Also called trimethylaminuria, this genetic condition can give your pee a fishy smell. 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. You could just be super sensitive to scents. Onions. Here are the biggest culprits of why you're stinking up the toilet bowl. Webketo crotch and the office. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. When your ketone levels are elevated, youre considered to be in ketosis. Sign up here for Yahoo Lifes newsletter. Does a Healthy Penis Smell BadAnd What About Semen? This rare, life-threatening genetic condition prevents the body from breaking down some amino acids. I'm not drinking as much water because having to run home every time is a huge inconvenience as well as a huge embarrassing reminder. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Lastly, theres the controversy. Health posed that question to an OB-GYN, who said keto crotch has never been scientifically investigated. Some stones are made from cystine, a substance with sulfur in it. 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. Pee Smell The stinky pee smell might not be related to your keto diet at all. What does pee smell like when in ketosis? - Quora One is that some people simply dont produce the smell. All rights reserved. Staying in the metabolic state of ketosis on a low carb keto diet requires reducing sugar consumption. Copyright 20102023, The Conversation Media Group Ltd, Committee Member - MNF Research Advisory Committee, PhD Scholarship - Uncle Isaac Brown Indigenous Scholarship. The rest are unaware of the smell. What Is Keto Crotch? - Health In most cases, a strong smell isnt a sign of disease. When followed correctly, this low carb, high fat diet will raise your blood levels of ketones. Want lifestyle and wellness news delivered to your inbox? It just absolutely shifted my whole mood for my job. Skip the medical care point. Instead, a more plausible theory is that going on the keto diet impacts your vaginal pHand that changes your vaginal odor, she says. Thank you", This! If your urine smells sweet, you feel unwell, or you have other symptoms along with foul-smelling urine, though, talk to your doctor.