Bad Breath on Low-Carb

[Anna Lozikevich]

Good day to everyone! I've been a low-carber for 5 years already. Recently I started to notice a very bad breath... I suppose it's because of the low carb... Have you had the same problem? How did you manage it? Usually I eat about 30 grams of carbs per day.

 

[Finsky]

Oh yes...I call it Ketones breath. There is not much you can do about it other than mask it with mouthwash/brushing teeth and with mints. Ketones breath kicks in when your body gets into fat burning mode. Some people have it worst than others...unfortunately I belong to the worst sort To make the situation better I have to bring my carb intake up for while...and breath goes away..and comes back again when the fat is 'sizzling' again

 

[Anna Lozikevich]

To make the situation better I have to bring my carb intake up for while...and breath goes away..and comes back again when the fat is 'sizzling' again

Thank you for your advice I also do this sometimes, when I "feel" the problem) I started to suffer from it just a month ago:***:

 

[Anna Lozikevich]

I have to bring my carb intake up for while...

Finsky, and how many carbs do you usually have to fight this breath?

 

[Finsky]

Finsky, and how many carbs do you usually have to fight this breath?

I don't really count my carbs as such..I stay bellow 50g in general. But when I have periods that I'm really really strict, then the breath kicks in. I estimate it needs to be for me about 20-30g per day. When nearer to 50g..then I don't have any that sort of issues at all.

 

[Salvia]

Thanks for that info, @Finsky. For myself, I have been working on about 20g-30g of carbs per day for a few weeks now, and was hoping to be able to keep that going for quite a bit longer - but not if it means bad breath stays around as well. Do you, (or anyone) know whether it is a temporary thing, or is it permanent for as long as carbs are very low?

 

[hankjam]

When I went low carb it was a real problem about 2 years ago for about 9 months and then tailed off... seems okay now, Odd it should kick in now for you after so long low carbing.... it's not good, my wife is understanding, I didn't find the mouth washes could cope... it's not bacterial based. I think it is a good sign. Wish you well.

 

[Finsky]

Thanks for that info, @Finsky. For myself, I have been working on about 20g-30g of carbs per day for a few weeks now, and was hoping to be able to keep that going for quite a bit longer - but not if it means bad breath stays around as well. Do you, (or anyone) know whether it is a temporary thing, or is it permanent for as long as carbs are very low?

sorry, can't help you with that. I only know that when I'm on ketones mode..the breath comes and won't go until I up the carbs intake again. If anything..longer it goes on, worst my breath seem to get and any 'mouth fresheners' are just temporary thing...like mentioned, they don't get rid of it...just short acting cover up.

 

[Salvia]

Ok, many thanks, @Finsky, I guess I'll have to stock up on mouthwashes - and up my carbs shortly.

 

[Robbity]

Bad breath on low carb diets can often be caused by eating too much protein: http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/43067167.php. When this protein is broken down ammonia is one of the by-products, and any surplus can be exhaled in your breath leading to an unpleasant smell; you might also be able to smell it in your wee too. You can use this low carb nutritional calculator to check your recommended carbs/protein/fat percentages.

Ketone breath is caused by acetone, and should normally be slightly sweet (often likened to the taste of pear drops), and is generally supposed to be a short term issue. Which is what I've experienced.

Robbity

 

[bobrobert]

This might be helpful?

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/10-amazing-benefits-of-chlorophyll/

 

[Anna Lozikevich]

Thank you very much for sharing your experience This is veery helpful and inspiring! Espescially the links. So as far as I understood there are 2 types of bad breath - due to ketosis and simply too much protein intake...

Do you, (or anyone) know whether it is a temporary thing, or is it permanent for as long as carbs are very low?

As I read on different sites bad breath is a side-effect of low carb diet, but this is so until you got used to LCHF (your body). It may last for some time and then it should disappear.

 

[hankjam]

This might be helpful?

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/10-amazing-benefits-of-chlorophyll/

With respect this sort of "Science" does my head in. I spent 20 years working on photosynthetic organisms and a statement like

Chlorophyll is a green pigment that’s instrumental in photosynthesis.

is like saying we need oxygen to live...

There is absolutely nothing in this piece that states "Chlorophyll" is good for you. What chlorophyll comes in, vegetables, probably is.

Sample size: one study of 4 people... come on, really?


Rant over.

 

[bobrobert]

With respect this sort of "Science" does my head in. I spent 20 years working on photosynthetic organisms and a statement like

Chlorophyll is a green pigment that’s instrumental in photosynthesis.

is like saying we need oxygen to live...

There is absolutely nothing in this piece that states "Chlorophyll" is good for you. What chlorophyll comes in, vegetables, probably is.

Sample size: one study of 4 people... come on, really?


Rant over.

There is other evidence on the internet to back this up. It is up to a member who is interested to seek further corroboration. Have you searched for evidence to support your put down?

 

[Finsky]

Here is link for some ketone-breath trials...http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/76/1/65.full
I think I will suffer with 'breath' as long as I'm on ketosis..it is just one of those things and it don't go away..if there is 'fire' there is 'smoke' situation.

 

[Finsky]

Sorry, this is not about bad breath, but could anyone clarify: 1 cup of cooked wholemeal vegetables - how much is it in grams? In Russia we estimate food in grams and kg, that's why I always have difficulties in understanding recipes in English

And one more question: how do you usually count carbs in vegetables - do you count every vegetable separately when you make salad, for example?

I work with g and kg too..... English cup is 250ml, US cup is 240ml...so they are volumes. You have measure cupful of something in volume and then weigh it to get it in grams. Different things weight differently so it cannot be given as general conversion from volume to weight.
As for some carb counts...here is some already done in different quantities..maybe it is help for you... http://www.ruled.me/ketogenic-diet-food-list/
Edit to add...you find some 'cup' info from here..https://www.nigella.com/ask/us-cup-to-uk-cup-measures

 

[bobrobert]

Another possibility for bad breadth is enteric coated peppermint capsules. Holland & Barret sell them and are available from Amazon.

 

[LittleGreyCat]

Just thinking about this, and that it can come out in your urine or your breath, is it possible that upping your fluid intake would help to flush the ammonia/ketones out and reduce the bad breath?

 

[Finsky]

Just thinking about this, and that it can come out in your urine or your breath, is it possible that upping your fluid intake would help to flush the ammonia/ketones out and reduce the bad breath?

You got me thinking then....
I did few days fasting little while ago..and I was drinking like sponge..but I can't remember noticing that my breath would have got any better. But I shall put that in test again, fasting starts tomorrow and I will report the results....

 

[whitewitch13]

Hi everyone,
The bad breath thing may be an indication that you are not digesting proteins and/or fats properly. I am a nutritional therapist I find this happens a lot, especially as people get older, but even so in the young as digestive issues are no longer a thing of "older age". Also remember that ALL vegetables contain some carbohydrate, the starchier the higher. For those on really low carb diets perhaps you are going too far. First of all though I would consider your digestion especially if you are on acid blockers of any kind. You need a really acidic stomach (hydrochloric acid) to digested properly. The issue of reflux is often not too much stomach acid, but fermentation of carbs producing lactic acid. If you think this may be you I suggest you visit a naturopath or a nutritional therapist (make sure they are qualified as a nutritional therapist (3 year course including bio medicine and clinical practice) rather than just a nutritionist or nutrition advisor (short course).
Another thought is keeping the mouth clean; protein fibre can get stuck between the teeth and decay. Clean not only the teeth but tongue and sides of mouth gently with toothbrush or tongue cleaner. All the best