Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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It started when I was first trying intermittent fasting a few years back. A few months into the IF practice a new world of smells opened up to me.

My probably average sense of smell jumped up a metaphorical magnitude and I could suddenly detect all sorts of things about the world that were hidden from me before.

What people had eaten, if they were unhappy or afraid, the kinds of spices they ate habitually, if they had been wrestling with their dog before leaving home....

And the new to me stinks that were everywhere... The only ones that were handy were a heightened knowing about whether food had gone bad, or was badly made.

.......

Now, a few months into going Paleo/Primal, it is on the increase again. --- A recent trip to NYC was full of a shouted spectrum of smells that were never there before...

So, anyone else notice your sense of smell improving?

Care to lay a funny or nasty story on us?

edited Jun 10 2010 at 13:03

asked Jun 9 2010 at 21:19

Adam Crafter
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andrew · Accepted Answer · 2010-06-10 06:54:29Z UTC

Well - it hadn't occurred to me to wonder about it, but I have certainly been noticing the scent of flowers much more this year - to the extent that I can find flowers that I didn't know had a scent by following the perfume to source. Irises - didn't know they had a scent. Clematis - subtle but quite noticeable when you come to stick your nose in the flower - but I had smelled it from yards away. The people whose garden it was were amazed - but it didn't register with me that it might have anything to do with Paleo!

Pieter D · Answer 2 · 2010-06-10 10:26:01Z UTC

Something I have also noticed, although not that strong. Makes me think of women with a more acute smell sense while pregnant (or even during a part of their menstrual cycle).

This could make sense from an evolutionary point of view, especially in a fasted state: more acute smell if you're in the need for food. And the same for the women, plus the added benifit of smelling bad/slightly rotten foods (which can contain toxins that could be lethal for the embryo).

Stephen-Aegis · Answer 3 · 2010-06-10 02:39:21Z UTC

My big one is the bakery... It STINKS

I smell people. I smell vegetables that go bad in most grocery stores where I couldn't

I smell cleaning chemicals way more. I can't stand when someone sprays air "freshener" I think I'm going to choke

I can smell cat urine from 10 miles away. The litter box has to be changed might more frequently even tho their amount and frequency has not changed

I can smell stale cigarette smoke from across the room

I've gone bionic!

Honestly, in most cases I'd rather not have this heightened sense....

And then I throw a Fresh Grass Fed Steak on the Grill with a Slab of Kerrygold Butter and some Garlic and just drool a bit and am thankful.

John Nakamura · Answer 4 · 2010-06-10 06:08:08Z UTC

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Ever since I started with Leangains (16 hr daily fasting) I've noticed an improved sense of smell. The effects are most pronounced at the 12-16 hr interval.

answered Jun 10 2010 at 6:08

John Nakamura
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Any recent changes? – Adam Crafter Dec 13 2010 at 1:07

CT · Answer 5 · 2010-06-10 06:48:37Z UTC

Yes - my sense of smell was poor, but it's improved a lot since I started fasting a lot. Foods especially, makes perfect sense. And naturally that means my ability to taste is enhanced. I'd love to see a study on this. I'm really pleased about it, although with two toddlers in diapers, I sometimes wish it hadn't improved...

Adam Crafter · Answer 6 · 2011-03-24 15:51:36Z UTC

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I can now smell the difference between pasture-sourced meats and conventional-sources without a thought. There is no turning back.

answered Mar 24 2011 at 15:51

Adam Crafter
11.4k●13●45

rebekkah · Answer 7 · 2012-11-07 12:22:02Z UTC

I'm a lacto-ovo vegetarian, and I used to have a poor sense of smell, but since I began periodically fasting a couple of months ago, I've noticed a heightened sense of smell. I'm American but I'm living in China. The first time I fasted, I was overwhelmed by the smell of China clinging to me. I can smell a difference in my body after I've eaten a lot of Chinese food vs. after I've been eating Western food. I thought I was losing my mind at first. Even the smell of onions used to be weak to me. Now I can still smell chocolate at my desk 20 mins after I've tasted it and thrown the wrapper away in the kitchen.

Rinji_HalfElf · Answer 8 · 2013-03-15 13:34:24Z UTC

I experience this when I reduce food intake in general.

Once was eating salads, soup and lean protein at 1200 calories a day. Currently I'm experiencing this with Alternate day fasting.

If I eat too much or garbage my sinus get just mucusy enough my sense of smell diminishes. Eating no dairy does not help me. Reducing sugar in general, and total intake does.

Mark · Answer 9 · 2013-03-15 17:41:42Z UTC

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Yes, I have noticed this as well. It is unpleasant using the restroom at work when you can smell that the guy at the urinal next to you has been drinking lots of energy drinks.

answered Mar 15 at 17:41

Mark
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Old Senses seem New? Sense of smell.

9 Answers