Comments on: Ammonia-Scented Sweat?

By: chuck bolton

chuck bolton — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 02:25:14 +0000

I grapple, compete in Judo and Kendo. I used to mountain Bike race also. I have an extremely potent ammonia smell in my Gi after practice. It is a very strenuous and sweaty ordeal and I have been getting the ammonia smell in my nose during hard workouts for years. I just can’t seem to get enough carbs to curb this phenomenon.I just cannot put on the muscle I deserve after the suicide workouts I have been doing for 3 years now. I am on this site because I think this ammonia smell may have something to do with it.

By: Martin

Martin — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:28:20 +0000

I agree with Eric post 152...

I mega dose BCAA's, diet is impeccable, am a 240 lb bodybuilder and realized lately I only get this smell after a VERY intense workout and or cardio session, when putting on my same old hooded sweatshirt with the sweaty tank top underneath soaking into it..

Had a new sweatshirt on today, diet remained the same so to speak, and I didn't smell the strong ammonia smell.

For some, they may want to look into this and be at ease, for others who don't think this may be the issue, go for a check up!

By: mike

mike — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 03:19:35 +0000

Thanks for this website. I do yogic deep breathing & I was actually scared at the oddity of smelling ammonia only as i took deep breaths IN through the nose after a 45 minute power walk. (but not when smelling sweaty clothes!) I am 34 & haven’t exercised in years, but have jumped into 3 mile daily power walks. I was a 3 sport athelete in high school & never noticed this. I have plenty of body fat that could be burned, so this protein burning theory is a little suspect. Why my body would catabolize muscle instead of fat is a mystery. (& no, i didn’t eat protein before walking)
I still haven’t seen a sufficient answer about the nostril only smell. That’s my mystery. My sweat smells, but not like ammonia. I only smell it when taking deep breathes in an upright position, not when smelling my armpits/clothes/etc. Where is the smell coming from- It is actually quite freaky & I am dying for an satisfactory explanation.

By: Eric

Eric — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 13:50:19 +0000

I would be interested in more discussion of the possibility that bacteria in workout clothes are contributing to the situation. The situation became worse with me when I started to work out multiple times in the same t-shirt before washing it; I would rinse the shirt and hang it to try but used no detergent. Now the odor seems particularly strong with that shirt when I sweat in it even if it has been washed. So there may be a household remedy in addition to the nutritional remedy: how to rid the t-shirt of ammonifying bacteria? (no bleach recommendations please, I don’t want a white t-shirt)

By: Beachopper

Beachopper — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:50:50 +0000

Hi, here’s one to confuse you!
Overweight vegan(!) Ammonia scent in my nose occasionally. Exercise is a word remembered from my past but haven’t seriously exercised for 10 years plus. Work is physical, but not over demanding. Any thoughts anyone? thanks.

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 02:25:26 +0000

Thank god for this site! I have noticed the same smell after running for 30 or more minutes.

As for the Sapien dude, he must have a lot of time on his hands. Maybe he should be out getting some physical activity.

By: Shaun

Shaun — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:09:50 +0000

This guy should do stand up.

By: SapiensSapienSentinel-HumanNeutrophil

SapiensSapienSentinel-HumanNeutrophil — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:25:33 +0000

No! No! No!, I’m sorry but you’re all wrong. The real reason you folks detect such a strong odor of ammonia especially during a shower (chlorinated water!) is because of your unique metabolism; the metabolism of unsuspecting Alien-Human hybrids. Yes, I’m sorry to inform all of you poor people, that if you give off large amount of ammonia after physical exertion that it’s due to alien metabolism and that you, my poor friends, are unwitting progeny of human-alien hybridization. It also indicates for protein to energy metabolic pathway that is prevalent in true carnivores as opposed to omnivores and herbivores. OR it could be that you folks all carry latent trichomoniasis (and STD) infections which produces a very strong ammonia odor in the presence of soap and chlorinated water.

By: Jim B

Jim B — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:06:24 +0000

I’ve had the ammonia smell in my sweat after running and after doing Bikram yoga. For me it always happens when I push myself beyond a certain limit. For instance, if I run on a very hot day to the point of overheating the smell seems to pour out of my hair as I shower afterward. The protein theory seems plausible. Very disturbing as you all know especially when seemingly no one else has a similar phenomenon! Thanks!

By: Pamela D

Pamela D — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:44:02 +0000

Hello
I finally had gotten to get in to see dr. However I thought something was wrong and they couldnt find it in my urine 2 weeks ago but went to a womans clinic and they did urine test and they found a touch of blood in urine So I went back to Dr. and they found white blood cells and some knd of Bacteria and had to send it in ( I live in small town) Then told me to go to a uralogest SP? and now well see what will happen I go Aug 31. 09 Ill let you know. Maybe it is a linked.. to all this