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Ammonia smell in exercise

I have had a problem with smelling like ammonia when I exercise. It is usually not until I get really warm that this happens. I've read conflicting info on this, saying I don't eat enough ( I do) or that I have too much protein or not enough protein. No matter what I do to my eating habits, it still happens. I also am not overtraining - sometimes I smell this after 10 minutes of exercise. I am overwright but consider myself athletic. I can smell the ammonia in my nose and on my breath.

I've had blood work done and my liver function is normal, ammonia levels normal, blood glucose and a1c is normal. I have been diagnosed with non -alcoholic fatty liver and I have insulin resistance.  Anything would be helpful!
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Avatar universal
Umm perhaps the Ammonia taste is from Baker's Ammonia. Many Food products are still using this as a type of additive. It truly leaves a strong Ammonia taste and smell behind.
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Avatar universal
Did you ever find out what it was? I have that also.  
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Avatar universal
i have not heard of that. i only know a simple answer: if you do not eat enough carbohydrates, your body will break down proteins. ammonia is a natural by -product of protein breakdown. protein breaks down only if you lack carbohydrates (carbs are primary nutrients that break down for energy during exercise, but if you lack them then the body seeks for other resources). you can't fool your body. it's fixable only by loading with high carb diet the night before exercising or consuming carb gels during exercising.
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Avatar universal
Hi there

I came across you post by chance.  The painful cuts in your genital and anal area could possibly be lichen sclerosus.  This is a non-contagious skin condition that is very often misdiagnosed.  Facebook has pages for LS, and there is a UK national support group: http://lichensclerosus.org/.  There is no known cause or cure, but accurate diagnosis is quite important.  Symptoms can speed up a lot around menopause.  There is a treatment by a wonderful doctor; you can find his details online by searching for Dr Francesca Casabona or stem cell treatment for lichen sclerosus.  My email is ***@**** if you need any more information.  Best of luck.
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Avatar universal
Don't mix your shampoo with your bar soap and you probably won't get the ammonia smell. It's a chemical reaction between the two.
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Avatar universal
What about your fructose intake? like honey corn syrup, maple surup, some others like pears, ..that can lead to a fatty liver...
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Avatar universal
I talked to my doctor(i am a diabetic) and he told me the ammonia smell might be coming from either the metformin or glimipiride.
However have a urea BUN test done next time you go to lab for blood test on your diabetes. Not expensive and your dr will understand the results.
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Avatar universal
here is a link

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ammonia.htm
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Avatar universal
I've noticed when I shower as I soap up I smell ammonia. I only smell it while soaping up. This started a few weeks ago. My shower water is pretty warm. I'm not on any meds. I drink 80 ounces of water every single day. I also get this weird taste on the roof of my mouth. I've been battling MRSA for 3 years. I had my appendix taken out Dec.13,2007. Been dealing with bathroom issues for 10 months now. Before my appendix had to be taken out I was suffereing from constipation. Even after the surgery I still have issues in that area. I also suffer with cut marks in my female area and bottom. My doctor said I had a fungal infection. I changed soap like she said. Still getting the painful cuts in my area. I just want answers with all this please.
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Avatar universal
One other factor to consider is water intake. The methods used for getting rid of excess ammonia, such as urine and sweat, all require water as a transport mechanism. If you are not getting adequate fluid, then the solution (ammonia + water) will not be diluted. Therefore, water plays a definite role. If you are not drinking enough fluids to have at least one or two clear urinations every day, you should drink more.
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Avatar universal
i am a fitness instructor and i teach high impact cardo classes and weights based classes. myself and my peers also have this problem. i was very glad to hear them all say that they get it as i thought it was just me. i have no idea what it is i cant see that it would be from too much protien as i dont eat enough of it. also i have tests done regually to see how all my levels are and everything is normal. i find it very embarracing smelling like cat wee!!!

top tip for you all though

when you come home from the gym soak your clothes in a mixture of white vinager, washing powder and water before you wash them this will help take the smell away!!!!
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Avatar universal
Only recently have I started smelling ammonia as I begin to exercise walking on tread mill, or weight machines. I realized today that I was smelling ammonia. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer over three years ago (treating by changing diet, etc.) I have not had any medical treatment. don't want any. my decision, but I have heard of people beginning to smell funny that have cancer. I am also a diabetic. I eat alomost all organic foods and very little meat. Just looking for someone who may have an insight on this. thank you. rcp
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Avatar universal
Body odor is a product of the aprocrine glands.  They are located in the axillae, nipples, areolae, anogenital area, eyelids, and external ears.  In response to emotional or physical stimuli the glands secrete a white fluid containing protein, carbohydrates, and other substances.  Secretions are usually odorless. Bacterial decomposition of the apocrine sweat produces the characteristic adult body odor unique to the individual. Do not mix this up with regular sweat from exercising. Ammonia odors from the breath or body sweat are called uremia.  Nitrogen containing waste products, often from failing or damaged kidneys are suspected.  Kidney tests are recommended to rule this out.  Other metabolic waste products such as glycosylated wastes (protein wastes) and byproducts of abnormal cell oxidation may also be the cause of the ammonia odor.  If the problem is from kidneys, dialysis is usually ordered.  If the problem is from too much protein consumption, generally reducing the amount of protein will relieve the problem.  It is common in vegetarians who go on the Adkins diet.  If you wish to maintain a high protein diet, careful balance of calcium and folate supplementation may be done. When diet or kidney treatment is accomplished, the ammonia oder will go away.
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Avatar universal
I experienced the same thing for many, many years.  However, for the last two years or so, it has gone away.  The only thing I'm doing differently is eating properly.  In my 20's I ate cookies, candy, and fast food.  My 30's brought a better diet, but never a good one.  Now (40's) I eat square meals, and make sure I have a good amount of protein each day.  If I remember correctly, ammonia is a byproduct of protein degredation.  Does this mean that our exercise regimen is (was) too strenuous?  Or do we require more protein to sustain the muscular work that is being done?
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97615 tn?1212678589
well, i cant help you but i have the same exact thing.  I am not overweight and i do work out.  I dont smell it too much lately but I used to smoke.  Not a whole lot but more socially.  I would run about 5miles and it was awful.  even certain lotions did not agree w/ my skin (ie, bath and body).  If you find anything out....please let me know...and vice versa...good luck
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