Halitosis and other great side effects

Image by vasta via Flickr

I was most intrigued to learn that ketosis, or the fat burned, seems to actually cause bad breath.

Luckily Ive never had a problem previously, due to my thrice-daily brushing and flossing ritual. However, about 6 weeks into the diet I noticed my breath was no longer minty-fresh. What to do?

As I learned, the ketones/fat burned through are excreted through perspiration, urine, and exhaled breath. Apparently (and I can attest to my own personal experience) ketones are very unpleasant smelling.

I liken it to an elderly persons breath who wears their dentures for two weeks straight without cleaning or rinsing. Believe me - its a tear-jerker!

The build up of ketones in your blood is called Ketosis. If you have diabetes, are on a low calorie diet, or if you have inadequate carbohydrate intake, Ketones can build up in your blood to levels which result in Halitosis.

What can you do?

Well, keep up the regular oral hygiene (or step it up if youre a little lax in that department) and use a bit of Scope throughout the day, or before that important meeting with your boss about a raise...

While I first freaked out thinking that the alcohol (since its verboten on the diet) is a key ingredient, the nurses assured me that since its in the mouth for such a short period of time, it doesnt have enough time to absorb in the body to affect ketosis.

So, bad breath plaguing you? Add a swig of scope or two - thatll cure what ails ya.

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