Intermittent Fasting / Time-Restricted Eating Affecting Body Smell?

March 19, 2019 11:18 AM

I've been doing intermittent fasting / time-restricted eating / Leangains / 16:8 for about a year and it's working well, except for one thing: an intimate partner has recently let me know (gently) that the regimen seems to have altered the smell of my body and breath, and not in a particularly pleasant way. What can I do about this? Thanks!
posted by Mercator to Health & Fitness (6 answers total)

Along with the IF have you altered your diet to the point that you're in ketosis? That has definitely been reported to alter scent, especially breathe.
posted by nobeagle at 11:28 AM on March 19, 2019 [5 favorites]

When the body is fasting you often get ketosis halitosis. People say after a while it goes away but it's a known thing.
posted by jessamyn at 11:28 AM on March 19, 2019 [6 favorites]

‘Keto Crotch’ Might Be A Surprising Side Effect Of A Low-Carb Diet (Women's Health Magazine, Mar. 1 2019; its Keto Breath article is from Sept. 2018.)
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:35 AM on March 19, 2019 [1 favorite]

To combat body and breath odor issues, try eating more greens or taking chlorophyll supplements. (Cut back on garlic and onions, eat more parsley and mint.)
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:45 AM on March 19, 2019 [1 favorite]

Keto halitosis is real, but Dr. Jen Gunter says "keto crotch" is not a thing.
posted by Lexica at 12:12 PM on March 19, 2019 [4 favorites]

I apologize, and retract the vag fear-mongering. Also, the OP never mentions their gender, so I'm sorry for linking to "Women's Health" magazine in general. Increased body odor in keto diets is common, though. Reddit's keto forum posters and others recommend eating less protein (esp. cheese), avoiding hidden xylitol, drinking a lot more water, taking magnesium salt baths, and incorporating apple cider vinegar and coconut oil into one's routine in a variety of ways.
posted by Iris Gambol at 1:11 PM on March 19, 2019 [1 favorite]