Sweating out ammonia?

[Dave W]

I've come to the conclusion I'm sweating out ammonia. I've looked it up on the internet and it's suggested it could be an imbalance of proteins to carbs? As far as I know my diet hasn't changed dramatically but I have increased my training schedule - I spin three or four times a week and sweat profusely (I do tend to train pretty hard). I've just got back in from a pretty steady 25 miles with no great effort but definitely ammonia soaked.
Has anyone else had this? Did you cure it?
I have had cancer in the past - probably nothing to do with it.

[TonyR]

It's pretty common and because your body is excreting excess nitrogen through your sweat rather than your kidneys. Reasons for this can be not enough water intake, too much protein intake, not enough carbohydrate intake. Try having an energy bar or banana or some pasta before you go out and see it that reduces it. If you are on a high protein diet or taking supplements to build muscle mass you might ease up on them or add some carbohydrate to your diet.

[SpannerGeek]

I've a friend reeks of ammonia after hard rides. His GP says it's mostly a genetic disposition and nothing to worry about.

[Dave W]

Had a bowl of porridge before I went out. Felt very comfortable and didn't ride particularly hard. Wife has to wash everything in Detol these days and up the temperature - kids are complaining the airing cupboard stinks!
I know I don't drink enough during my working week but do drink before/during/after excersise.

[Psamathe]

Ketosis ?

Thought I had it once but turned out it was some soap I'd changed to smelling strange.

You can buy pee test strips to check (e.g. from Amazon and probably loads of other places); though I've no idea if they work or are atall accurate.

Ian

[TonyR]

Had a bowl of porridge before I went out. Felt very comfortable and didn't ride particularly hard.

How long before and did you give it time to digest? The smell comes because your body is breaking down protein, which contains nitrogen, for energy rather than glucose or fat stores. That is because there is not enough blood glucose and glycogen stores. Try having a pasta meal the night before or some pasta or porridge at least an hour before.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,

Had a bowl of porridge before I went out. Felt very comfortable and didn't ride particularly hard.

How long before and did you give it time to digest? The smell comes because your body is breaking down protein, which contains nitrogen, for energy rather than glucose or fat stores. That is because there is not enough blood glucose and glycogen stores. Try having a pasta meal the night before or some pasta or porridge at least an hour before.

Try eating During you ride.

I have also noticed this almost every ride since I no longer eat on a training ride, that might be it.
Never happens on long rides as I always plan to eat.

Full explanation, I am still reading it.
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ammonia.htm
"The same goes for the ammonia smell - this is just the smell of amino acids being "burned" in your body. You don't solve that by adding more amino acids. Instead, you need to supply the fuel that your body prefers - the fuel that can be easily broken down to glucose in order to supply energy to your muscles and your brain - carbohydrates!"

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Gastroente ... how/385320

[Dave W]

Yes, I found that first article too. I think I may change my diet first, more fruit,veg and cereals. Thinking about it this week I've had a lot of meat, fish (and double Macdonalds last night) So will try a different routine. I rarely eat red meat but have eaten some rubbish this last week. I've never tasted ammonia or noticed it in any other form other than sweating. Interesting, I thought I was going mad.

[TonyR]

Wife has to wash everything in Detol these days and up the temperature

That probably isn't helping. When you sweat traces of Dettol will leach out of you clothes and damage the beneficial microbiotica on your skin. The only reason I can think of for washing in Dettol is the belief that it's a microbial infestation causing the clothes to smell but I doubt that very much.

[Dave W]

Dettol laundry cleanser. She spins at the gym too so the whole lot gets washed. The ammonia comes from within - it's not body odour in the normal sense so I don't think it lives on the surface. I don't sweat day to day but leak like a sieve when exercising.

[Vorpal]

I would recommend staying hydrated all of the time, not just before, during and after exercise.

If your body scent has changed recently, see your GP; there is usually a reason for changes.

[TonyR]

Dettol laundry cleanser.

It's still antibacterial so the same comment about your skin microbiotica applies.
http://www.dettol.co.uk/products/laundr ... -cleanser/

[Dave W]

Bit of a chicken and egg scenario there. The ammonia definitely came first, plus the wife doesn't have it. So, I'll watch my diet and hydration for a while and see what happens. Further reading suggests it's very common with marathon runners.

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
I never noticed ammonia smell till recently since I gave up food in training runs.
My Odour is momentary when I take off my jersey.

I used to run up to 80 miles a week and did a manual job in 100 + F environment daily for several years.

Might be a age thing, but mine is not very noticeable.

[tyreon]

I've been smelling myself recently!! Or should I say,trying to smell myself. T'other day I bought a Helly Hanson long sleeve thermal: active job. Worn for 1 day,non exercise. Thought I could smell myself,or the shirt. Confusing smell of polypropylene or sweat,or both. Wife couldn't smell anything,but sure I could. Other non Helly Hanson thermals a.o.k,non smell. They always had a reputation for smelling after I time(HH),I would have thought they would have improved. Not sure if this nano-techno stuff impregnated thru materials might (inadvertently)give way to whiff.