Sweat Smells like Ammonia While in Ketosis – Cause & Solution

Have you recently started keto and noticed stinky sweat with a strong ammonia smell? 

While changes in body odor are a common side effect during the early stages of keto-adaptation, ammonia-like sweat can indicate electrolyte imbalances or excessive protein intake.  

Discover why your sweat smells like ammonia while in ketosis and what steps you can take to get rid of bad body odor fast.

What is ketosis?

Ketosis is a metabolic state in which your body relies on fat for energy instead of carbohydrates.   

As your liver breaks down fat, it generates large quantities of ketones, which act as a highly efficient energy source. When ketones start to fuel your cells, your body enters ketosis.

To trigger and maintain ketosis, it’s crucial to limit your carb intake to 20 to 50 grams daily and obtain the majority of calories from healthy fats.

A low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet helps maintain a healthy weight and has profound benefits for metabolic, cardiovascular, and cognitive health.

Watch the video below to discover common causes of ammonia body odor on keto.

Five reasons your sweat smells like ammonia while in ketosis

Temporary changes in body odor, such as keto breath and even keto crotch, are common side effects of keto-adaptation.

However, persistently smelling an ammonia odor in your sweat while in ketosis can indicate electrolyte imbalances or excessive protein intake, or may be linked to an underlying health condition. 

Ammonia is a metabolic by-product of amino acid and protein breakdown that can have toxic effects on the brain and other organs. The liver converts ammonia into urea, which is less harmful and can safely be excreted by the kidneys. 

In some situations, ammonia can build up in the bloodstream, and small amounts are released through sweat glands, leading to sweat that smells of ammonia.

Here are five potential causes of ammonia-smelling sweat. 

1. Poor liver function

The liver plays a crucial role in the breakdown and conversion of ammonia into urea, and poor liver function can significantly increase the risk of ammonia-like body odor. 

Research published in StatPearls found that individuals with fatty liver disease and cirrhosis have a reduced capacity to efficiently metabolize amino acids into urea, which can lead to raised ammonium levels, also known as hyperammonemia.¹

2. Kidney issues

The kidneys help regulate the balance of various electrolytes and waste products in the body, including ammonia. 

“When the kidneys are damaged or not working correctly, they may fail to excrete urea, which can impair ammonia breakdown,” says Dr. Berg. “This explains why individuals with kidney disease are at increased risk of elevated ammonia levels.” 

3. Too much protein

If you smell ammonia in your sweat, it may be time to evaluate your protein intake. 

A high-protein diet can overwhelm the liver’s ability to metabolize all the ammonia your body produces due to an increased amino acid turnover. 

However, it’s important to note that hyperammonemia due to excessive protein intake is relatively rare in healthy individuals and is most commonly linked to poor liver or kidney function. 

4. Potassium deficiency 

Potassium is a crucial electrolyte that plays an essential role in maintaining the acid-base balance in the body. 

Low potassium levels can lead to acidosis, a condition characterized by excessive hydrogen ions in the blood. Acidosis inhibits the enzymes needed to convert ammonia into urea, which leads to elevated ammonia levels and associated changes in body odor. 

Not consuming enough potassium-rich foods, such as green leafy vegetables, can quickly lead to low potassium levels. This may explain why people who do keto without considering the nutritional value of their food are at increased risk of sweat and urine that smell like ammonia.

5. Alcohol  

Drinking alcohol is another potential cause of sweat smelling like ammonia. 

Alcohol inhibits the absorption of glutamine, an amino acid involved in ammonia detoxification. Lack of adequate glutamine levels can cause a buildup of ammonia in the bloodstream.

Research published in Nutrients suggests that even moderate amounts of alcohol can significantly impair glutamine levels, thereby increasing the risk of hyperammonemia.²

How to get rid of ammonia smell on keto

Experiencing sweat that smells like ammonia while in ketosis doesn’t mean keto isn’t right for you.

It takes time to become fully keto-adapted. As your body adapts to a low-carb diet, unpleasant body odors typically resolve, and there are plenty of steps you can take in the meantime to reduce symptoms.

Here are six things you can do to get rid of body odors that smell like ammonia.

1. Support keto-adaptation

Starting the keto diet triggers profound changes in how your metabolism generates energy, and it can take the body some time to become fully fat-adapted.

Ketosis can initially lead to increased water loss and electrolyte imbalances. To promote hydration and normal ammonia detoxification, it’s vital to maintain electrolyte balance by consuming foods rich in potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium.

Combining keto with intermittent fasting is an excellent way to support keto-adaptation. During periods of caloric restriction, your liver is forced to utilize stored body fat for energy, which promotes ketosis and speeds up your cells’ transition into using fat as a primary fuel source.

2. Reduce protein intake

While protein is essential, too much protein can bump you out of ketosis and may overwhelm your liver’s ability to detoxify ammonia. 

To maintain ketosis and support normal liver function, it’s generally recommended to consume between 3 to 6 ounces (85 to 170 grams) of protein per meal.

3. Increase your potassium intake

As your body adjusts to fat-burning, increased urination can deplete essential electrolytes, including potassium, which can lead to hyperammonemia.

Potassium is found in many keto-friendly foods such as avocado, pumpkin seeds, mushrooms, and green leafy veggies like collard greens, mustard greens, and spinach.

4. Support your liver health

Supporting liver function isn’t just essential to prevent body odor but also plays a crucial role in overall well-being and longevity.

You can promote a healthy liver by making beneficial diet and lifestyle changes, including:

• Maintaining a healthy body weight 
• Avoiding junk food, processed foods, and alcohol
• Adopting a Healthy Keto® diet plan with intermittent fasting
• Consuming plenty of cruciferous vegetables 
• Drinking apple cider vinegar and lemon water daily
• Increasing your intake of choline-rich foods such as chicken, eggs, liver, and sunflower seeds 

5. Avoid alcohol consumption

It takes surprisingly small amounts of alcohol to damage the liver and trigger metabolic imbalances, including elevated ammonia levels.

Given that alcohol has no health benefits and is linked to a wide range of health issues, it’s best to avoid alcohol altogether. 

6. Identify potential underlying health issues 

Most cases of ammonia-like odor while in ketosis can be managed with dietary and lifestyle changes.

However, in some individuals, pungent ammonia sweat can indicate underlying medical issues such as toxic kidneys, liver problems, or a severe reaction to certain medications.   

If you suspect that your body odor may be related to a potential health condition, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare provider for a thorough evaluation of your symptoms.   

FAQ

Sources

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557504/ ?
2. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/10/2516 ?