When adding these supplements, make sure to include sodium, potassium, and magnesium. This condition occurs when the body is in deep ketosis and is producing ketones. This article discusses some of the reasons why a persons urine may smell like popcorn and explains when to see a doctor about changes in urine odor. Elsevier; 2018. If you have any concerns or doubts about changes in urine smell during intermittent fasting, it is important to seek the advice of a healthcare professional. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. This will pass once your body becomes adapted to running on fat and ketones. Intermittent Fasting: What is it, and how does it work? Does less TV time lower your risk for dementia? A 2020 review looked at 18 studies of people undergoing intermittent fasting regimens. Studies show that some people practicing various methods of intermittent fasting experience fatigue and low energy levels (11, 12). You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. It is important to follow the guidance of a healthcare professional to ensure safe and healthy intermittent fasting practice. After several decades of running on a carb-heavy fuel system, your body is forced to adapt to a different system. Some research suggests that sleep disturbances, such as being unable to fall asleep or stay asleep, are among the most common side effects related to intermittent fasting (19). Fasting for long periods of time or the intermittent fasting diet can lead to ketonuria. In these circumstances, popcorn-scented urine may be a sign of a serious medical issue. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. In the case of dehydration, you can prevent it by staying hydration during your fast. The typical range of urine smells can be affected by a variety of factors such as diet, hydration, and medications. Fasting can also up the concentration of acetone in your breath, per April 2020 research in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, which can likewise contribute to fruity smelling breath. But are there any risks? A lot of ketones in the body can bring about this unusual urine smell. "People end up gaining the weight back and then some." Learning to relax while fasting could lead to reduced stress and lesser body odors. These often cause people to quit the diet before they get into full ketosis and reap many of the long-term benefits. Sometimes, unusual urine odor indicates a medical condition or disease, such as: Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. However, if they notice that their urine smells sweet, resembling the smell of popcorn, for several days, they should speak with a doctor to determine the underlying cause. Last medically reviewed on April 23, 2021. How Viagra became a new 'tool' for young men, Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29772286/, https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-and-ketones.html, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetic-ketoacidosis/, https://www.diabetes.co.uk/gestational-diabetes.html, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/smelly-urine/, New clues to slow aging? Additionally, people who are not properly hydrated may be more susceptible to changes in urine smell during fasting. This article reviews the, When following a high-fat, very-low-carb ketogenic diet, its important to remember that not all fats are created equal. Hi everybody. Some diets and pregnancy can also cause this symptom. Here are 7 tips for how to get into ketosis. This life threatening metabolic state is called ketoacidosis, and it requires immediate medical attention. Keto diets, along with other low carb diets, are highly effective for weight loss (4, 5). Can diet help improve depression symptoms? They can perform a physical examination and may also test your urine for any underlying health issues. When followed correctly, this low carb, high fat diet will raise your blood levels of ketones. On the positive side, this shows that the body is using fat for energy, which is a healthy option. Bad breath and intermittent fasting can go hand-in-hand because fasting decreases salivary flow, per the Journal of Applied Oral Science research. Sometimes, unusual urine odor indicates a medical condition or disease, such as: Cystitis (bladder inflammation) Dehydration (which is when the body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to work properly) Diabetic ketoacidosis. When insulin levels rise in the body, it blocks the breakdown of fats and promotes the accumulation of glucose. However, urine smell is not something uncommon in people during fasting. Does Intermittent Fasting Boost Your Metabolism? Some people describe it as ammonia-like. ketogenic diet However, there are some potential side effects that can occur, such as fatigue, headaches, and changes in urine smell. A 2016 study in 52 women found that participants were significantly more irritable during an 18-hour fasting period than they were during a nonfasting period (10). 2. Next blog. But fasting may do more than curb intake. It can cause bad or fruity-smelling breath for people on a keto diet. The weight is coming off but I've been noticing a bad smell coming from my pit and extra sweat there or like the past week. However, studies have shown that intermittent fasting does have some minor side effects. When this happens, your liver starts producing high numbers of ketones to supply energy for your brain. Thank you so much for your input and help solving this issue! Has anyone else experienced or can validate this? Changes in urine smell during intermittent fasting may indicate a more serious issue if the smell is very strong, particularly if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as pain or difficulty urinating. This is the method is used in most research studies (7). In: Fundamentals of Urine and Body Fluid Analysis. In fact, it has some complications that no one talks about. People who are pregnant or breast-feeding are advised not to fast. A 2021 study looked at 31 people with obesity who participated in an alternate day fasting regimen while also following a low-carb diet for 6 months. : Elsevier; 2017. https://www.clinicalkey.com. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. Can intermittent fasting cause kidney stones? You'll know you're properly hydrated if your pee is somewhere between clear and a light yellow color, per the Cleveland Clinic. The result? These groups reported higher hunger scores than those who consumed a low calorie diet with continuous calorie restriction (4). 4 intermittent fasting side effects to watch out for When the body is dehydrated, the urine becomes more concentrated, which can lead to a stronger and more pungent smell. Accessed Aug. 11, 2016. Contact your doctor right away if you notice signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus, including unwanted weight loss and sweet, fruity-smelling urine. If you are also exercising more than usual, you may be losing extra fluids through sweating. However, some studies show that intermittent fasting can actually reduce fatigue, especially as your body becomes adapted to regular fasting periods (13). Some of these issues should subside after the transition period, but it may be important to be mindful of different foods that may be causing digestive issues. Well-known side effects can include weakness and fatigue (15). For this reason, its essential to stay properly hydrated while practicing intermittent fasting. Archived post. Urine odor Causes - Mayo Clinic A June 2012 study in Cell Metabolism found that mice given a high-fat diet during an eight-hour feeding window (a regimen that is often referred to as time-restricted feeding or TRF) were protected against adverse metabolic outcomes, such as fatty liver disease and hyperinsulinemia (high levels of insulin in the blood), compared to mice that ate the same amount of calories over the course of the day. Digestive issues including constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and bloating are symptoms you might experience if you do intermittent fasting (3, 5). They provide the main and most efficient fuel source for all forms of high intensity exercise. One-day fasting drastically decreased urinary thiamin content to 30%, and increased urinary riboflavin content by 3-fold. Intermittent fasting is one of the most popular diets these days. Improved insulin sensitivity, which is protective against diabetes. However, theyre not considered very reliable. A dark-colored urine may indicate youre dehydrated (22). According to some experts on the keto diet, nutritional ketosis is defined as blood ketones equal to or above 0.5 millimolar (mM) (8). Chan School of Public Health. As mentioned above, during the initial days of fasting, the body releases large amounts of water and salt in the urine. It is possible to measure urinary ketones using ketone strips, which are available in drugstores or online. They consumed 400 or 600 calories on 2 nonconsecutive days every week for 1 year. There's a strong biological push to overeat following fasting periods because your appetite hormones and hunger center in your brain go into overdrive when you are deprived of food. It works by increasing the metabolism rate in the body. However, long-term keto dieters often report increased focus and energy (14, 15). This is not a dangerous process, but it appears as dark-colored urine. As a result, neurotransmitters and appetite hormones could drive you to overeat after an extended period of deprivation, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Intermittent fasting urine complications you may worry about You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Heres What Your Body Is Trying to Tell You, Fundamentals of Urine and Body Fluid Analysis; Nancy A. Brunzel, Handbook of Obesity Treatment; Thomas A. Wadden and Albert J. Stunkard, A Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests; Frances Fischbach and Marshall Dunning. I also experienced much less bloating and water retention but my concentration took a hit, which is why I didn't continue long-term. Here's what we know about the effects of fasting on the body, from head to toe. Urine can have a wide range of smells, from hardly noticeable to quite strong. See additional information. One small yet famous study found that athletes who had switched to a keto diet burned as much as 230% more fat when they exercised compared to athletes who werent following this diet (23). Ultimately, if you are following the guidelines of a keto diet and staying consistent, you should be in some form of ketosis. Urine consists mainly of water. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. The specific causes of altered urine odor can vary from person to person. People engage in IF to reap the many benefits to health, fitness, and mental clarity. This is a place to share success, support each other, ask questions, and learn. It monitors acetone, one of the three main ketones in your blood during ketosis (3). Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. "They work simply by limiting the number of calories consumed," says Amy Rothberg, MD, director of the Metabolism, Endocrinology and Diabetes Investigational Weight Management Clinic at the University of Michigan. When we take a break from eating, insulin levels drop. In this article, Ill go over some of the intermittent fasting urine complications that you should worry about. Fasting for 16 hours a day, leaving an eating window of 8 hours, is called the 16:8 method or the Leangains diet. The main downside of this test method is that it requires pricking your finger to draw blood. Intermittent fasting is a general term that encompasses time-restricted eating (fasting less than 24 hours), short-term fasting (fasting less than 36 hours), and long-term fasting (fasting more than 36 hours). People are generally able to meet their calorie and nutrient needs on various types of intermittent fasting programs. At the same time, if you want to get to know people outside of your relationship circle, the introduction 10 day melt away diet pills lose how of old customers is also the best shortcut. Some people who take medications for blood pressure or heart disease also may be more prone to imbalances of sodium, potassium, and other minerals during longer-than-normal periods of fasting. The most reliable and accurate method of measuring ketosis is to measure your blood ketone levels using a specialized meter. When these ketones leave the body in the urine, the urine may smell sweet or similar to popcorn. Low-calorie diets force your body to burn fat for energy instead of the carbohydrates it normally burns. Why Does My Urine Have a Strong Stinky Odor. The specific causes of altered urine odor can vary from person to person. If the waste products in urine have a popcorn smell, the urine may also smell like popcorn once it is more concentrated. The Journal of Biochemistry. Common reasons for urine to smell like popcorn include: People with diabetes may have a very high level of ketones in their bloodstream. Some of these intermittent fasting urine complications are intermittent fasting urine color, intermittent urine smell, and frequent urination at night. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. You can measure your ketone levels with a breath analyzer or urine strips. High-protein, low-carbohydrate plans and very-low-calorie diets are most likely to cause this effect and should be supervised by your doctor to make sure your body is getting the nutrients it needs. In fact, people who fast properly are rewarded with a natural weight loss that is healthy and not destructive. In addition, milk contains calories, and can be dangerous throughout a fast. All of the above observations illustrate that the effect of fasting on the body may possibly reflect urinary protein changes. Interestingly, researchers have found that fasting headaches are usually located in the frontal region of the brain and that the pain is typically mild or moderate in intensity (7). Headaches . Affected individuals can live to adulthood with proper treatment and dietary changes. Urine consists mainly of water. When the body excretes these in the urine, they can make the urine smell like popcorn. All rights reserved. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health Some people do it for weight loss, as it can lead to calorie restriction and a reduction in body fat. Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can occur during periods of calorie restriction or over periods of fasting. McPherson RA, et al., eds. Intermittent fasting body odor : r/intermittentfasting - Reddit Fast weight loss can occur during the first week. To decrease some of these unwanted side effects, you may want to switch from adf fasting to periodic fasting or a time restricted eating plan that allows you to eat everyday within a certain time period. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Mayo Clinic on High Blood Pressure - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Financial Assistance Documents Minnesota, Gastrointestinal-bladder fistula (abnormal connection between the intestines and bladder), Maple syrup urine disease (rare genetic condition that becomes apparent during infancy), Metabolic disorder (a problem with the way your body converts the foods you eat into energy). However, you may see some complications associated with it. 23rd ed. As we have gathered, one of the most common causes of a foul smelling urine is ketosis. Another 2021 study had similar results (21). After a day or two, or in the case of persistent urine smell you should see a doctor for checkups. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. The Microbiome Diet: Can It Restore Your Gut Health?