Is this something having to do maybe with lactic acid? Just trying to make sure I'm not on the verge of death :)
Is this something having to do maybe with lactic acid? Just trying to make sure I'm not on the verge of death :)
It has nothing to do with "lactic acid". I have no idea why you would smell that after a run.
My girlfriend noticed that smell after she was running last year... she was trying one of those stupid low carb diets. we calked it up to that. Maybe review what you're eating?
My girlfriend noticed that smell after she was running last year... she was trying one of those stupid low carb diets. We assumed it was that, but never could nail it down. Maybe review what you're eating?
My diet is normal - it's just something that is an unmistakable smell that I have for about 5 minutes afterwards. It's odd, I know.
Let's hope it's nothing to worry about - thanks for the feedback.
Anyone else who's experienced this I'd love to hear your thoughts.
yeah, she had the same thing... just a few minutes, really only smelled strong to her. then fine. She's as healthy as can be if that eases your mind at all.
Good luck.
I hear sniffing rubbing alcohol is not healthy. Maybe you should stop.
Although, I do sniff sharpies before runs sometimes.
google on ketosis
when your body is out of blood sugar and glycogen, it will burn muscle tissue for energy, and the resulting ammonia-like, or perhaps in your case rubbing alcohol smell is a result of this.
the shining
Q+A: Why this strong smell of ammonia?
By Jane Newman
Our experts answer real-life questions
Q My sweat smells strongly of ammonia after a run. Is this normal?
A Don't be too alarmed: the smell of ammonia in sweat is common among runners. 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.
—Jane Newman, Sports Physiotherapist and Ultra Runner
Don't run in a fasted state. Eat something 30min before you run.
Any time I did long runs early in the am I always smelled weird.
Alna
google ketone bodies
I experienced this for the first time today. When I finished my normal 5k run and cool down this morning, I noticed a rubbing alcohol odor in my nose when I inhaled. I also noticed my nose was running and it normally doesn't do that. I also normally don't smell the rubbing alcohol odor after a 5k run.
The only variation from my normal routine is that I had a banana for breakfast this morning. Normally I have a one serving bowl of cereal and a half a banana.
So, my thinking is that I didn't have enough complex carbohydrates in my system to support the amount of physical activity. Anyone else know why this happens? My thought is only a hypothesis based on personal experience.