You Can Cure Bad Breath From A High Protein Diet

Eating a high protein diet can cause bad breath in some people.

When you eat a diet that is low in carbohydrates and high in protein, this is called a high protein diet. Eliminating carbohydrates from the diet and so from the body, the body is forced to use its fat reserves for energy. That is the only thing left to burn.

Ketones From Metabolism

When a high protein diet forces the body to consume its fat reserves, the burning of the fat generates ketones. Ketones are the molecules that are produced as a by-product of fat metabolism or consumption. The body is able to use most of the ketones for energy except for one type that it cannot digest.

Acetone, Nail Polish Remover, Is The Culprit

The acetone molecule, which is used as nail polish remover, is not processed by the body and is, instead, released through the urine and the breath. The urine can be checked for levels of ketones and when the body is releasing larger amounts of ketones, the body is said to be in a state of ketosis. Acetone has its own distinctive and unpleasant odor.

If you have bad breath from a high protein diet, what do you do? It is not as easy to eliminate the cause of bad breath from a high protein diet because the cause of the bad breath is internal and a by-product of the fat burning caused by the diet.

Is The Diet Worth The Bad Breath?

If the bad breath becomes a problem, you may want to decide whether the high protein diet is worth the bad breath or if you should change to an effective diet that will not give you bad breath.

Dieters, who are on the high protein diet, recommend taking an herbal mint tea or using mint flavored mouth sprays.

So, change your diet so that the body is no longer in ketosis from the high protein diet, or mask the acetone smell with mint sprays.