Have you started the Keto diet? If yes, then you might be experiencing a funky smelling breath. If you are quite worried about this, then it’s time to put an end to your worries. This is because it is common and everyone who starts a Keto diet experiences bad and funky smells. The smell, as described by most of the people, is a bit like nail polish remover or fruity one. Well, there are lots of reasons behind such a stingy smell and the main reason this is the increased ketone level. Once you are adapted with this, the smell goes off.
Before we move ahead regarding how to treat them, it is essential to know in detail about its causes. Ketosis breath or keto breath is usually the bad stingy breath which one experiences during the first weeks of the keto diet. The type of smell differs with each person. Most probably, two major reasons behind the ketosis breath include:
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Release of Ketones during respiration:
The main reason behind the ketosis breath is the release of ketones during respiration. When one starts such a diet, the liver starts breaking fatty elements and acids which turns into ketone. Three major components of ketone include acetoacetate, acetone, and beta-hydroxybutyrate. Acetone is volatile wants to skip out of the body through breath and urine. If you feel acetone-like smell, it is the sure sort sign that you are under ketosis.
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High protein diet:
A person on a keto diet generally reduces the intake of carbohydrates and start taking a high protein diet. When protein is broken, it is released into ammonia which is released out of the body through urine. Well, if it isn’t digested, it leads to bacterial fermenting of those proteins which are released through bad breath. However, it does not mean you should be avoided as it may lower down the saliva production which creates an imbalance of pH value.
How long it lasts?
We are often worried about the bad keto breath and imagine for how long it would last. Don’t worry as it would not last for a long time. The phase of bad breath is generally between the starting of the keto diet to the time when the body gets keto-adapted. Once the body gets adapted to the keto diet:
- The body efficiently uses the ketones produced. In the starting phase, only a few amounts of ketones while some are flushed out through excretion and bad breath. Once the body gets adapted to this diet, it uses fatty acids to fuel muscles and helps in the working of the brain.
- Fat becomes the primary fuel to provide energy to the entire body. When major ketones are used, one does not suffer from bad breath. For your information, a keto diet ensures boosting the ketone level and turning your body into fat-burner. How quickly you get keto-adapted relies on the overall diet and health of the body.
4 prominent ways to get rid of keto breath
Before your body gets completely adapted to the keto-diet, follow these methods to get rid of the bad breath:
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Lower the intake of high-protein food:
If the smell is like that of ammonia, you need to lower down the intake of protein. To know the ideal amount of protein to be consumed, one can use a keto calculator. As per the standard diet, 30% of the total diet should be protein. Too much protein would not lead to stingy breath but lowers the ketosis in the body as protein can be converted into glucose. Limit the intake of protein and the bad breath is manageable.
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Chew sugar-free gums:
A sufficient amount of brushing or flossing is not enough to get rid of keto breath released due to acetone. Although one cannot avoid it, the better way is to mask it through some powerful refreshing or peppermint chewing-gums. Breath fresheners can also be used when you are talking or spending some time with the people. Chewing sugar-free gums are ensured as it aids saliva production and is good for oral health as well.
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Increase fluid intake:
No matter whether you are eating or fasting, bacteria keep on multiplying in the mouth. When you eat less, saliva production is less which leads to mouth drying. To prevent this, drinking enough water and juices is the most recommendable option. One should not run behind the sweet taste also as it may increase the number of bacteria. Try to keep your mouth and body hydrated enough.
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De-stress:
Stress is considered as the prominent reason behind the bad breath. This is because it lowers the saliva production which furthers lowers the protein digestion. It hampers the immune system and leads to many other illnesses as well. As anxiety leads to acid reflux, it turns the mouth dry. Stay away from stress and remain healthy in the long run.
