Why do you smell ammonia after working out?

Answer 1

Ammonia smell after exercise, especially on ahot day, may come from your Kidneys which produce it in order to keep your body PH level in check. It comes from dehydration, so I suggest to drink more fluids!!

Answer 2

Perspiration/sweat is formed by our sweat glands; when we exercise or exert ourselves we produce more sweat. Perspiration can react with air and/or the normal bacteria on our skin causing odor; the amount of odor can vary from mild to strong having an acidic-tone to it. Perspiration, itself is virtually odorless; but as the perspiration lies on the skin it can begin to smell. However, some lucky people may have NO excessive perspiration odor after exertion. Perspiration odor can also be caused by illness and disease; in these cases, the odor may be due to a chemical reactions, toxins, infection…, in the body; prescription drugs can also have an effect our body odor.

As I said, the odor can vary, as well as its causes; these odors can exist with normal perspiration in those affected. Individuals with Diabetes may have a fruity smell; those with kidney disorders and disease may have perspiration that smells like ammonia; those with liver disease can have a strong acidic or ammonia odor due to toxic build-up; intestinal blockages can also cause a strong odor due to intestinal bacteria… Those with internal or external yeast infections, may also have a strong yeasty odor. Individuals with inherited disorders, as well as metabolic disorders can also cause a specific body odor, with or without exertion. There is also a genetic disorder called Trimethylaminuria that can cause somewhat fishy odor.

With all of this said, I suggest that you see a doctor to determine if you have a medical issue that is causing your problem, and if so, follow your doctor's instructions. (FYI: If your do not have a health issue causing the odor and it is just a case of excess perspiration and its reacting to skin bacteria; ask your doctor or about Botox injections to control the amount of perspiration. If it is NOT medical, you can purchase extra strong antiperspirants, ask your doctor of a list of these or search for them online. Additional things that you can do, bathe often, especially after exercising; try using a mixture of half and half, apple cider vinegar to wash your under arms and body; this will help to naturalize the odor. You can also use a mixture of cornstarch and baking soda to dust your body. All of these together may help.

Answer 3

If you can smell ammonia coming from your body while you are sweating, you have a high protein, low carb diet. These combinations causes your body to turn the proteins into energy and this is what causes the smell because you have more protein than your body needs.

Answer 4

Ketosis means that our bodies are using fat for energy. Ketones (also called ketone bodies) are molecules generated during fat metabolism, whether from the fat in the guacamole you just ate or fat you were carrying around your middle. When people burn fat for energy, it makes sense that more ketones are generated. Some of those ketones (acetoacetate and & -hydroxybutyrate) are used for energy; the heart muscle and kidneys, for example, prefer ketones to glucose. Most cells, including the brain cells, are able to use ketones for at least part of their energy. But there is one type of ketone molecule, called acetone, that cannot be used and is excreted as waste, mostly in the urine and breath (sometimes causing a distinct breath odor).

If enough acetone is in our urine, it can be detected using a dipstick commonly called by the brand name Ketostix (though there are other brands, as well). Even though everyone is generating ketones continuously, this detection in the urine is what is commonly called "ketosis."

Answer 5

When working out your body uses excess nitrogen that builds up so in order to get rid of the excess nitrogen, your body typically processes the nitrogen in your kidneys and forms urea, a carbon dioxide molecule bound to nitrogen and hydrogen. Urea is then excreted in the urine. If your kidneys cannot handle the load of nitrogen, then the nitrogen will be excreted as ammonia in your sweat. This does not mean you have kidney problems just the fact your body is in a hyper metabolic state and excreting the ammonia via your sweat glands.