Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I've been Paleo now about 2 months. Most of meals are directly from paleo recipes, so the macronutrients. ratios should be correct. My problem is after an 60 minute walk I smell of ammonia. I started my journey at a whopping 430 pounds and have lost 60 pounds. Don't worry 36 of that was in week 1. Therefore an average of 3.5 pounds per week.

So how can I minimize the ammonia smell? Any help would be appreciated.

flag	asked Dec 20 2011 at 0:14 Mike 181●4

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Are you eating low carb? Ketosis can give one an ammonia smell. And congrats on the weight loss thus far -- that is wonderful! – January Dec 20 2011 at 0:34

Wow! Your weightloss is phenomenal, congratulations! I'll echo what TeaElf said, ketosis can cause that and other smells. I, too, have noticed different "chemical" odors coming from myself when deep in Ketosis. Keep up the hard work, you're doing great! – NewPaleoMamaAz Dec 20 2011 at 0:44

I used to reek of ammonia after every workout during my pre-paleo days. With paleo and upping fat, I've noticed that the ammonia, though still present at times, is no longer as pungent. Would love to learn about the science pathway too... – neelie Dec 20 2011 at 0:53

0 Thanks for the kind words. I'm an over the road truck driver, so things are more of. a challenge during the week. I'm eating carrots and cauliflower with every meal (large bowl). On the weekends, my wife cook huge portions of vegetables with our meals. I have been staying away from fruit because I'm still so big. – Mike Dec 20 2011 at 1:01

The Quilt · Answer 1 · 2011-12-20 02:15:52Z UTC

@Mike It is related to a fuel switch and the catabolic breakdown of proteins that comes when you first restrict your intake of carbs. Usually in acute weight loss people restrict carbs and become ketogenic but do not eat enough protein to offset catabolic losses and they tear up their own protein. When you metabolize protein you liberate amino acids to get glucose and you generate excess nitrogen. In order to get rid of the excess nitrogen, your body typically processes the nitrogen in your kidneys and forms urea, CO(NH2)2 - basically, a carbon dioxide molecule bound to nitrogen and hydrogen. Urea is then excreted in the urine. If your kidneys cannot handle the load of nitrogen, then the nitrogen will be excreted as ammonia in your sweat. Your body is not yet used to the sheer volume of ketones and does not have all the proper amounts of enzymes to run a ketogenic furnace and still requires some glucose sources so it breaks down protein in the short term. If you add a protein like my BAB does in the leptin Rx is goes completely away very very quickly. Continue your success and keep up updated and congrats on your successes

Mike · Answer 2 · 2011-12-20 00:57:21Z UTC

Thanks for the kind words. I'm an over the road truck driver, so things are more of. a challenge during the week. I'm eating carrots and cauliflower with every meal (large bowl). On the weekends, my wife cook huge portions of vegetables with our meals. I have been staying away from fruit because I'm still so big.

Bill1102inf · Answer 3 · 2011-12-20 01:01:21Z UTC

Keep it up! Keep doing what you are doing. It will go away when you get down to under 200lbs, congratulations, your burning fat like a furnace!

The science pathway:

First, Ketones are by-products of fatty acid oxidation (fat burning) Ketones: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketone_bodies

Fatty-Acid-Oxidation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatty_acid_metabolism

and

a nice video on Fatty Acid Oxidation/Metabolism

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaJ7LbSWrsw

San Diego Dude · Answer 4 · 2011-12-20 02:02:45Z UTC

I used to get that as well; normally only after or during the end of long slow distance training (which, now, I avoid like the plague; ex-gf had me training for a marathon).

It's basically the smell of excess nitrogen in your blood stream due to your body, which is carb deficient, burning protein for energy instead of carbs.

Upping your carb intake should take care of that but then again if weight loss is your goal you might want to stick to the routine and disregard the Windex aroma steaming from your pores.

Not sure though, just a little "pseudo/bro-science" here, but I would definitely Goog it if I were you.

paleovenicebeach · Answer 5 · 2011-12-20 02:37:50Z UTC

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I love these peppermint drops. They are a tummy tamer and might help your "smell issue" link text

enjoy your new healthy body!

answered Dec 20 2011 at 2:37

paleovenicebeach
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Anna · Answer 6 · 2011-12-20 14:50:37Z UTC

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Yahoo! You are stinking up a fat burning party!!! Keep it up. It's the skinny buff guy just fighting his way out from under the big guy.

By the way- drink some water- it will help flush you a little. Just don't go crazy with it. Your kidneys are already working hard enough at this point.

answered Dec 20 2011 at 14:50

Anna
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	thanks Anna! I appreciate it. That's a great way to look at it. – Mike Dec 20 2011 at 16:38
	Oh yeah Mike- Just say to yourself (and others) that is the sweet scent of me getting "hotter" by the second! – Anna Dec 20 2011 at 19:15

Ammonia smell during exercise

6 Answers