by Lawrence Wilson, MD

AMMONIA ODOR OF THE SWEAT

by Dr. Lawrence Wilson

All information in this article is solely the opinion of the author and is for educational purposes only. It is not for the diagnosis, treatment, prescription or cure of any disease or health condition.

A few clients have complained of an ammonia odor of their sweat. Ammonia has a chemical formula of NH3 and is an excretory product of the body related to nitrogen elimination. It is normally eliminated through the kidneys. In part, ammonia gives urine its odor. Here are possible reasons for an ammonia odor of the sweat:

A need for more water. One factor that can stress the kidneys and prevent normal ammonia elimination through the kidneys is impaired hydration. This may be due to:

- Not drinking enough water

- Drinking a type of water that does not hydrate the body well enough, such as water filtered with reverse osmosis.

- Consuming any sugar, fruit, alcohol or caffeine. These cause dehydration of the body.

Increased protein breakdown. Ammonia is related to protein breakdown, which releases nitrogen. Increased protein catabolism commonly occurs during a development program as toxic tissue is broken down as part of the healing process. Some tissue breakdown also occurs during early development.

A low sodium/potassium ratio. This imbalance on a hair mineral analysis is associated with protein breakdown and with kidney stress discussed above. When this metabolic imbalance is present, it could predispose one to an ammonia odor in the sweat due to greater tissue catabolism and perhaps stress on the kidneys.

Kidney weakness. If the kidneys are nutritionally depleted or toxic, the body may divert some of the ammonia to the skin and eliminate it through the skin, causing the odor.

SOLUTIONS

These follow from the factors mentioned above. To correct the kidney weakness, a development program will usually suffice. One can add Renamide, 2-2-2 or even more for a while. The Na/K ratio will also improve with a properly designed development program.

If the cause of the ammonia odor is a healing reaction, it will pass, assuming a person is following a properly designed program.

For the hydration problem, be sure to drink 3 quarts of spring water or carbon or sand-filtered water daily. Also, to prevent dehydration, avoid alcohol, caffeine and sugar in all forms, including fruit, as all of these can dehydrate the body. For more on this topic, read Hydration.

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