help with carb and protein intake to decrease ammonia smell

ahuber1010

I have an ammonia scent in my sweat with I work out hard and have been reading it can be due to a high protein low carb diet. I have been trying to figure out how much to decrease my protein and how much to increase the carb.. if that's what should be done...? If someone is familiar in this area and wants to help I would appreciate that much! here is my estimated details:

protein intake- 80-100g/day
carb- 90-150
wt- 106
ht. 5'7.75
activity- high (4-5/week weight lift), 6/week cardio (3-4 high intensity HIT style combo running and cycle, 3 body weight exercise, swim, elliptical)

MelodyandBarbells

HAHAHAHHAHAH!!! I just knew this was about exercise!! :laugh:

Do you like your nutrition the way it is? I had the same issue, too. Solution: stopped wearing some tees after a while; the smell just wouldn't come out. There was a thread on the fitness forum about this, and people posted all kinds of tips to get the smell out. I don't think I tried any of them, just hey, shopping. If this is happening after > one year of using the clothes I'd say ditch em

Otherwise if you'd rather burn carbs during your workout, you may want to eat meals with a bit more carbs on workout days

Edit: this was the thread I liked the most but it just referenced how to deal with funky smelling clothes. But it appears you are trying to deal with the problem to prevent the stink from happening, so may not be too helpful:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1100081-keeping-your-running-workout-clothes-stink-free

Are you eating back your exercise calories? Some say the smell comes from burning protein to fuel a workout, hopefully this doesn't necessarily meal muscle. I just ask because you're quite small and that's a lot of exercise

tiptoethruthetulips

I wouldn't have thought that your carb intake was that low.

Lets face it, sweat stinks, sweaty clothes should be aired and allowed to dry while being aired out before washing.

Oh and use a good de-odorant.

I_love_frogs

Wash your gym stuff with a cup of white vinegar and a heavy duty detergent. That tends to get rid of most smells....it works fantastic on my husband's gym clothes.

mortuseon

Forgive me if I am incorrect, as I know this is not exactly an ammonia smell, but is this what you could be dealing with? There are diets recommended for individuals with this condition. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/trimethylaminuria/Pages/Introduction.aspx

ahuber1010

Hi Jane,
thanks for the helpful info.. its not the smell in my clothes thats the problem as it washes out fine.. but yes you are right I am trying to nip the problem at its source! I have a feeling it is nutrition related. I tend to eat protein foods before bed and then workout first thing in the morning (which is the only time I notice the smell in sweating).. .Do you think if I took away some of these protein foods that would help or just less protein throughout the day and more carbs... OR just carbs before bed, however I dont like the idea of eating carbs last thing before bed.

What are your thoughts if any ?

ahuber1010

for sure do and thanks

ahuber1010

Thanks for that link. I read it and am not sure it is whats happening with me. Genetic wise I don't know but food wise, I only eat brocoli and brussel sprouts occasionally and some eggs out of all of the foods they listed... Also I ONLY notice the smell during an intense workout with sweat... would you recommend getting a blood test to make sure?