Not to sound too gross, but since I have started the 2 day a week carb up, I smell like ammonia when I work out. I have heard that this can be common, but does anyone else have any info on this? (or this problem?) Any ways to avoid this?

Thanks!

Avoid it? It will keep all of the Vampires away (oh that's garlic... but maybe ammonia also works) and if you stand near the shower stall at home it will be sort of like having a self cleaning shower!

Hope that your prep is going well and that the kids are all back to being healthy. My kids are always telling me that either I smell bad or my food does - like Rodney Dangerfield I just get no respect.

VA MadDog-

Thanks...the prep is going well (if everyone can stay healthy, it would be better...We finally-knock wood-are on an upswing...after sinus infections, bronchitis, stomach bugs...you name it, my kids have had it in the past couple of weeks!). Maybe my "aroma" will help keep the sniffles and stuffy noses at bay . (then my kids will really be complaining ) Might be better to keep the stuffy noses...)


I have actually found that I seem to have more energy on the "new" diet. Odd, but true. I have stared NRG Reserve, so maybe that is it? I do feel good, so to me, that is half the battle!

T-

quote:

Not to sound too gross, but since I have started the 2 day a week carb up, I smell like ammonia when I work out. I have heard that this can be common, but does anyone else have any info on this? (or this problem?) Any ways to avoid this?

Hmmm. That sounds like muscle breakdown.

Ive also read that if you smell ammonia you are breaking down muscle tissue. May want to contact your advisor.

However, I used to train with a great gal in her early 40s and I remember her telling me she smelled of ammonia when she sweated. Could it be age related, change in hormones etc. I dont know how old you are, so dont take that to be a negative statement, just throwing out possibilities.

No offense taken on the age thing... I am not too sensitive. I thought it might be a muscle breakdown thing (hoping it was a fat breakdown thing ). I will contact Rachel to see what the plans will be (oooh...she will be out of the office until next Wed... Any one have any suggestions as to what I should do until then? Up the Glut Select? Mass? Ultra 40?)

Thanks!

Tee - I should have added more earlier.

What happens during the degradation of amino acids?

Amino acids can undergo oxidative degradation as a consequence of protein turnover; when the diet is particularly rich in protein or when carbohydrates are not available.

The degradative pathway of every amino acid requires the separation of the amino group from the carbon skeleton. The carbon skeletons enter the Krebs cycle or are channeled into gluconeogenesis. Part of the ammonia is reused for biosynthetic purpose; part is excreted directly and the rest is excreted as urea.

The levels of nitrogen and ammonia will increase in a person when you are on a carb restricted diet that is also high in protein and fats. In extream cases the build up of elevated levels of ammonia in the blood stream can cause problems, but it is not unusual for a person on a ketonic like diet to have this occur.

See what Rachel says/call another BI advisor or perhaps fitdoc will read this and chime in. (or send him an email) I think that ensuring that you are drinking LOTS of water is helpful in flushing the extra nitrogen/ammonia from your system. Another moderating factor would probably be to add a few more carbs into your diet - enough so that the "stink" goes away.

Have fun stinky.

I agree with Mike. Three possibilities:

1. protein intake too high resulting in a nitrogen amount too large for your kidneys to excrete (nitrogen [N]+ hydrogen [H3]= ammonia). You may need to decrease your protein intake a bit.

2. not enough water intake. Increase your daily water intake by 30-50%.

3. intake of protein-sparing macronutrient (CHO) is too low. You're probably going to need to increase your carbs a bit more.

Rachel will definitely get you straightened out when she returns, but perhaps you can post your nutrition plan for us to peruse.

Thanks everyone! I realized that not only do I "stink", but I also must be a bit "off" mentally too (must be the few carbs) b/c I posted this in the supplement section

I have been drinking a gallon of H20 a day and am sure I need to drink more. I will definitely try that.

My diet:

1 whole egg, 3 whites
2 oz (cooked ) chicken
1/2 grapefruit

2 scoops UMP or 5 oz (cooked) chicken and 5 strawberries

4 oz (preecooked) chicken
2 TBLS Oil and Vinegar dressing
2 cups veggies

same as meal 2

5 oz (cooked ) chicken
2 cups veggies

On Mon and Thurs: Substitute 3/4 cups oats, 6 oz Sweet Pot, 4 oz banana, 1 cup veggies and 1 TBS butter

I am also taking Mass, Ultra 40, Ms. Power Pack, Glut Select, Lean Out and just started NRG Reserve (just 2 before training)

I appreciate all the help

Hey, you should have tried living with me & my college roommate back in 03 - we both competed in the same campus show, and our apartment reeked pretty bad. I swear, all those hard-boiled eggs went right through us. Our friends started visiting less and less frequently (except our one buddy who showed up every night with Taco Bell or McDonald's just to antagonize us) up until the night of the show...