I have noticed that my body can produce a very strong Amonia like smell when I am involved in excercise over the two hour mark. At first I thoght it may have been some crazy Indian Food I ate, but it continued to happen. Curious to know whether anyone knows what this is???
It can be a couple things: 1. you’re not drinking enough fluids (your piss should be clear); or 2. you could be infected with a bacteria called helicobacter. Google this and you can find out more.
From this
http://www.simpsonassociatesinc.com/physlgy.html
Article
“Some low levels of protein to glucose conversion may occur during marathon and ultra-distance training. Aside from the fact, that you begin to look like you are a member of a prison camp, you may also begin to smell a slight ammonia aroma in your perspiration. Ammonia is a by-product of the protein-to-glucose conversion process.”
~Matt
I used to have an old trainer partner that reaked of it. he swore that it was his muscle metabolizing itself. Also swore drinking apple cider vinegar warded it off.
That’s exactly what it is- protein catabolism. Your glycogen stores are low enough to the point that you body is breaking down muscle tissue for fuel. Ammonia and urea are by-products of this process. Bottom line- you need to better fuel your body!!!
Great info… I am glad I asked. I have been working on the nutrition thing and have noticed the smell primarily running. This would make sense because I have struggled for fuel storage on my long runs.
Thanks for the help!
Good grief, I’m not alone! I experience the ammonia smell fairly often at the end of long (30 miles and longer) hard (lots of hard climbs) bike rides. Good to know what’s causing it so I can start feeding myself better. Thanks for the info.
What a forum! damn
From another forum:
"…it is clear that your sweat will smell like ammonia only if an excessive amount of amino acids are being used for energy, or you are not receiving adequate water. 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.
Many people mistakenly believe that ammonia sweat means that their protein intake is not high enough. The body will only utilize protein for energy when it does not have a sufficient supply of fats and carbohydrates. Muscles can use glucose and fat for energy, but your brain requires glucose. Since there is no direct metabolic pathway from fat to glucose, your body will use amino acids instead. If your protein intake is high, there is a chance that the amino acids that supply energy will come from ingested food and not your hard-earned muscle tissue - but why take that chance?
The key to avoiding that ammonia smell is to ingest sufficient carbohydrates. If you eat an ample amount of carbohydrate with every meal, then you should have plenty to fuel your exercise activity. Even people who work out on an empty stomach should have some glucose in their bloodstream upon rising - unless they subscribe to the myth that cutting out carbohydrates before bed helps you lose fat. If you find that the ammonia smell persists (even when you consume carbohydrate with every meal), try having a low glycemic carbohydrate before you workout. "
So what’s a good carbohydrate to eat to avoid this? I"m just getting back into training and smell like ammonia every workout. I say i eat less carbs than most. The last thing i want to do is scarf down doughnuts, pasta and bagels though.
dates, bananas if you want something to chew, gatorade or similar sports drink otherwise. not that complex…
If you are adding carbs to your general diet (to make sure you have sufficient muscle/liver glycogen stores), then most “standard” carbs (breads, pasta, potatoes, etc.) will work fine. For fueling during longer workouts (where your onboard stores are insufficient), hi-glycemic, easily digestible options like drinks (gatorade, etc.) and gels are good options (but the performance drinks/gels can get expensive). For bike rides (where solid foods are an option), there are bars and chews in addition to the drinks and gels; plus the option of using more available/cheaper fare like gummy bears, fig newtons, kudos/muesli bars. In workout, aim for 0.75-1g of carbs per kg of body weight. For me that’s one piece of Trader Joe’s soft licorice every 10min.
Great info… I am glad I asked. I have been working on the nutrition thing and have noticed the smell primarily running. This would make sense because I have struggled for fuel storage on my long runs.
Thanks for the help!
Nerd Belts & The Saturday Fueling App and you’ll be good to go.
The foulest stench is in the air
The funk of forty thousand years
And grizzly ghouls from every tomb
Are closing in to seal your doom
Or could be the acrid reek from resurrecting a 19-year old thread
Which may be a new record?
That’s exactly what it is- protein catabolism. Your glycogen stores are low enough to the point that you body is breaking down muscle tissue for fuel. Ammonia and urea are by-products of this process. Bottom line- you need to better fuel your body!!!
x2 on this. it doesn’t just smell like ammonia - it IS ammonia! this is a byproduct of ketosis. when i’m in heavy training i sometimes sweat when i sleep and end up bleaching my pillowcases. this is a source of both fascination and frustation for my wife, who’s a biologist.
Reviving a twenty year old thread. A new record?
.
Nineteen, but who’s counting? But very likely a record, yes
What a forum! damn
Ditto…