Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

3

Since going paleo, my urine has a really bad odor. Has anybody else experienced this?

flag	asked Apr 7 2011 at 11:50 Bret 209●2●6

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+1 for the title :-) – Ben Apr 7 2011 at 17:36

Mine was too! but it passed after about 2 weeks I started Paleo. Thought it was just me ;-) – Izzy Oct 7 2011 at 8:07

Jules K · Answer 1 · 2011-04-07 12:08:52Z UTC

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Can't say I have, aside from after eating asparagus. What's a typical food day like for you? Are you very low carb (I think being in ketosis causes smelly urine)? What kind of supplements are you taking? This could also be a sign of something that needs to be checked out: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/urine-odor/MY00378/DSECTION=causes

answered Apr 7 2011 at 12:08

Jules K
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	Yesterday I ate lots of asparagus, and noticed the urine became smelly again. I wander if there's any problem with my diet. I understand asparagus is supposed to be healthy. – Izzy Oct 7 2011 at 8:11
	Could not edit so: I am not on low carb paleo, I get at least 150gr carbs a day. – Izzy Oct 7 2011 at 8:16
	Yes asparagus is definitely healthy; it just has something in it that makes urine smelly, but it isn't harmful. – Jules K Oct 11 2011 at 11:16

Dave S. · Answer 2 · 2011-04-07 12:15:41Z UTC

If you are doing a low carb version of paleo, this is probably from ketones in your urine (ketonuria). Ketones contain acetone - think nail polish remover/paint thinner. I get an overripe fruit smell that tells me I'm spilling ketones. as your metabolism adjusts from burning sugar to fat (your cells will grow mitochondria specific to fat-burning) fewer ketones will spill over into your urine. It could take 6 or more weeks to adapt fully. If the smell really bothers you, add some carbs like sweet potato/yam or even a little white rice. Or just stick it out. (double entendre?)

Aughra · Answer 3 · 2011-04-07 12:17:45Z UTC

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Are you drinking enough water? Infound that increasing my fat and protein and getting off carbs made me a lot thirstier and my pee a lot more concentrated so I just started drinking more.

Good luck

answered Apr 7 2011 at 12:17

Aughra
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	I've found my thirst has increased exponentially, as well. – Oranges13 Apr 7 2011 at 15:00
	Ditto this. I have a bad habit of not drinking enough water and I have noticed that my urine (since going paleo) will get concentrated and strong smelling if I don;t drink plenty of plain old water. – Blue -the Thrifty Mom Apr 7 2011 at 16:09
	My urine is smelly when it's darker. I'm pretty sure there's nothing wrong with it/me, since I'm getting regular urinalysis at my prental appointments. I'm with a midwife group so I do the dipstick test myself and see the result of about 10 different urine measures, which are all always normal. Paying attention to hydration helps. – Heather Apr 7 2011 at 18:14

Lucy · Answer 4 · 2011-04-07 13:51:58Z UTC

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The only time I've noticed a bad smell from urine is after eating asparagus.

answered Apr 7 2011 at 13:51

Lucy
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I, like Proust before me, love the smell of asparagus urine. Not enough to use it as a perfume or anything (gross), but it is very earthy and pleasant. – gone2croatan Apr 7 2011 at 14:02

Lee · Answer 5 · 2011-04-07 14:52:06Z UTC

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I second the answers re: ketosis causing it and drinking more water reducing it. The longer you are in ketosis the more likely it is to subside, and drinking more water should have the same effect.

answered Apr 7 2011 at 14:52

Lee
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Chickenosaurus Rex · Answer 6 · 2011-04-07 16:25:29Z UTC

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For peace of mind, get some Ketostix to confirm that you're in ketosis. You can confirm the ketone level in your urine.

answered Apr 7 2011 at 16:25

Chickenosaurus Rex
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Oranges13 · Answer 7 · 2011-04-07 12:14:54Z UTC

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I've heard that ketosis causes bad breath and smelly urine sometimes. But if it persists without any obvious cause (your diet isn't low enough carb to cause ketosis) I would suggest seeing a doctor just to be safe.

answered Apr 7 2011 at 12:14

Oranges13
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WordVixen · Answer 8 · 2011-04-07 18:34:12Z UTC

Aside from when I have asparagus or fish, the only time that I notice a strong smell is if I've been eating a lot of coconut flour (not the oil or milk- just the flour). Then it gets a scent sort of like mild asparagus pee. Too much and it affects my breath and arm pits too.

My Smelly Urine

8 Answers