OK this is a new problem for me and I’m not sure what it means exactly or how to possibly fix it. So I’m obviously seeking opinions and advice from those who have experienced this before or know what might be causing this.
Over the last 3 weeks when my running gets up around the 1 hour mark in duration afterwards (which is not long or unusal in duration for me) I smell ammonia upon completion of the run. It’s not my sweat because my wife does not smell it on me, so its something in my nose I suppose.
Now I’ve done some reading on this and all I could really find was that it sounds like my blood sugar is getting low, and at some point my body turns to its own muscles for fuel and starts breaking them down. So once I read that I went out and bought a fuel belt, made sure I ate a cliff bar 20 min before my run last night, and drank some Gatorade about 5 min before my run. Went on my 90 minute run and had 20oz of amino vital with me along with 2 hammer gels. That seems like a reasonable amount of nutrition for that distance of a run to me but perhaps I’m off base here. The temp outside was upper 50’s and windy really nice out actually, I ran in zone 2 most of the time, occasionally in zone 1. So it was not a hard effort run. I drank about every 20 min. and had my first gel 30 min into my run and then again at 45 min into my run. I felt good during the entire run and was confident that I had resolved the issue but once I finished I once again smelled ammonia.
Does my eating/drinking seem out of wack for that duration of a run? Does anyone know what’s causing this?
“Ammonia comes from the breakdown of amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) within the body. It is made up of nitrogen and hydrogen. The hydrogen atoms are converted to glucose and used as fuel. The nitrogen is a waste product that needs to be excreted by the body, and is processed in the kidneys to form urea that is excreted in urine. If there is too much nitrogen for your kidneys to deal with, it will be excreted as ammonia in your sweat.
One factor to consider is water intake. If you are consuming adequate fluid, the ammonia will be diluted - a decrease in the concentration will result in a less potent smell of ammonia. One way to be sure you are drinking enough fluids is to ensure your urine is clear.
Many people mistakenly believe ammonia sweat means that their protein intake is not high enough. The body will only utilise protein for energy when it does not have a sufficient supply of fats and carbohydrates. Muscles can use glucose and fat for energy, but the brain requires glucose. Since there is no direct metabolic pathway from fat to glucose when there is insufficient carbohydrate, your body will use amino acids. Therefore, if your sweat smells of ammonia don’t compensate by adding more protein (amino acids) to your diet, instead fuel your muscles and brain with what it prefers as an energy supply: carbohydrates. So, although protein is important in the diet, don’t go overboard. The recommended daily amount of protein is 15 per cent of your total calorie intake.
If you find the smell of ammonia persists try having a low glycaemic index carbohydrate, such as an apple, before your run and during prolonged exercise drink sports drinks to fuel your body and prevent amino acids being burned as energy. Don’t forget the body needs carbohydrate to burn fat so don’t think that providing some carbs before running is going to eliminate the fat burning process.”
i’ve read in several publications that an ammonia essence may be indicative of a liver related issue.
the odor we emit is the result of bacteria consuming sweat and then doing what all biological entities do after consuming sustenance…defecating…in their own wonderful way. method is not the same as us but the result seems similar at times. take that one to the shower
“The fact that ammonia is produced on every run doesn’t mean the smell is noticeable afterward. Usually the smell is only present when there is the carb deficit. This increase the ammonia levels in your muscles and the ammonia is then picked up by your blood and carried to your respiratory system. When this occurs, you can usually smell it. In addition, some of the ammonia will show up in your sweat which makes the odor even more noticeable.”
Well im not sure what to do with that except try eating an apple prior to running. As i mentioned, my sweat doesnt smell of ammonia iave had my wife smell me after my running (shes got a very good nose and would be able to smell it if it were there) to verify that its not on my body, it just seems to be in my nose.
lol and yes i take showers.
i dont notice this smell after biking only after running for some reason…?
BENEFITS hide Reduce muscle aches and fatigue Increase glycogen availability Extend endurance Help prevent cramps
Extra Benefits:
Although Anti-Fatigue Caps is designed primarily for ammonia reduction in long distance events, many of the nutrients in the formula are excellent for helping counteract everyday fatigue, even chronic fatigue symptoms.
I occasionally get the same thing. I’ll enter the house after a long run and it almost (but not quite) smells like the dogs pissed somewhere in the house. They got yelled at and tossed outside the first couple of times it happened. Now I know it’s just something that happens when I run.
I have a horrible sense of smell, and my wife has an acute sense of smell, but she can’t smell a thing.
For me, it only lasts about 10 - 30 seconds, and only when I first come in the house, so I just accept it. Maybe I’ll take another look at my nutrition based on what I’ve read in this thread, but it doesn’t happen after long runs when I hang around outside after the run.
That seems like an awful lot to be consuming during a 90 min. run, but as long as your tummy’s happy I suppose there’s no problem.
You mention eating a cilf bar 20 minutes before your run, but what are you eating in the several (3-4) hours BEFORE your run? Nothing? Something? Maybe you should try to get carbs in a couple hours before so you have some time to digest them, so you have plenty of energy in your muslces and liver. 20 min. seems like too soon in my opinion.
And how about plain old H2O? Perhaps your sweat is ultraconcentrated, make sure you’re drinking enough throughout the day, as well as before/after exercise. Nearly everyone could stand to drink more water.
I’ve had that happen a lot. The smell is only in your nose, not in your sweat right? Heck I never figured it out but I haven’t dropped dead yet so it must not be too big a deal
Some of the previous posters nailed it - it’s a combination of breaking down protein as a fuel source (because of insufficient carb levels) and not being properly hydrated. I’ve dealt with this for YEARS. About a year ago I figured out that I had to eat at least 3 hours in advance of a run to get my glycogen levels up where they needed to be. You may be eating to close to your run for it to fuel you properly. I had the most problems with my morning runs obviously.
However, the other thing that took me a LONG time to realize was that I was running TOO HARD as well. I finally realized that I was glycogen depleted, but why was I burning muscle rather than fat? Hydration levels have something to do with that, as does having just a little intake of carbs (fat burns best in a carbohydrate furnace), but so does PACE. Once I slowed down my distance runs in the morning (for me, I slowed from about 7:20 to about 7:45-8, the smell went away, and my body fat percentage has gradually dropped since.
When I was in Ranger School a bunch of us had the same thing happen. Our bodies had broken down over the course of the school and the food deprivation that goes with it. As a result we were starting to ‘eat’ ourselves for food. Most of us were pretty emaciated at this point, so our bodies turned to muscle mass to get energy.
My solution is to up that body fat percentage. You’re either too skinny or not processing your carbs properly. Eat a cheeseburger and call me in the morning.
I thought I was nuts when that happened to me. It’s even happened to me after being in the pool (but was obviously not chlorine). Thanks to all who gave advice!
You might also have a problem with tooth decay in some form, even a leaking filling might cause this and if you become even slightly dehydrated, the smell would become more concentrated and more pronounced.
I’ve had that happen a lot. The smell is only in your nose, not in your sweat right? Heck I never figured it out but I haven’t dropped dead yet so it must not be too big a deal
It happens to me after either a hard or a long run. No adverse effects so I am just ignoring it. Somebody posted here that you probably have diabetes if you experience this condition. Pretty soon it will be cancerous. You are going to regret asking for advice on this
I had the very same problem for couple of years when I was a recreational runner, and was very involved into weight lifting. After every run, I would
smell like if I had poured a bottle of amonia over my head. I found out it was due to the large amount of protein consumption, and very little carbs.
Once I got int o the triathlon lifestyle, I changed my diet and switched the consumption of protein-carbs. Ever since, no more amonia smell after runs.
I had this happen today after a run. The smell was really overpowering for about 2 minutes. It was interesting and a little scary at the same time. I thought maybe my wife with had chosen a new career path as a crystal meth cook.
So I come to ST, do a search, find this thread and am a little reassured I’m not going to die because of it. Then I get to thinking about the explanation given by several people and it doesn’t really make sense to me. Isn’t a bonk by definition when you deplete your glycogen stores. I felt good during my run and after I finished. I did not and have not developed a headache, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea, lethargy, etc that come when I’ve really, really bonked before. I had some cheese pizza and a recovery drink and swam 2 hours after my run and didn’t feel overly tired or out of energy.
I may be thinking about this the wrong way or not correctly understand the explanation given but it just doesn’t make sense to me.
After my computrainer ride today, I noticed the same ammonia smell I get after a hot, sweaty run in the summertime. It was especially strong today and I notice it most when I get in the shower and the water hits me. Don’t want to gross anyone out and I was actually thinking of posting this as a question because I have NO idea the smell is; I was happy to see someone beat me to it and that I’m not imagining this. I’ve asked my husband if he’s noticed or smelled it, to which he always says ‘no’.
