Why Does Atkins Diet Make Bad Odors In Mouth?

The bad breath, or halitosis, sometimes associated with the Atkins low-carb diet usually results from being in the state of ketosis. Eating a diet low in carbohydrates can also result in low hydration if enough water is not consumed. Inadequate hydration can cause drying of the oral tissues and allow bacteria to grow inside the mouth, leading to bad odors in the mouth. If bad breath on Atkins is experienced, it often passes as the dieter moves into stages when more carbs are allowed.

The Basics

Atkins was a diet formulated by Dr. Robert Atkins in the 1970s. It is a diet high in healthy fats and protein, and low in carbs. People with Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome often adopt the Atkins way of eating because it usually improves blood glucose levels along with other health markers.
Other Atkins proponents choose Atkins as a weight loss and maintenance program. The diet aims to put the dieter into a state of ketosis -- not to be confused with the dangerous condition called ketoacidosis. During ketosis, people typically burn fat instead of storing it. This mechanism can, but does not always, produce bad breath.

Ketosis

Ketosis is the natural outcome of your body burning fat instead of glucose for energy. In low-carb diets such as Atkins, the emphasis is on cutting carbs, which are the body's main source of glucose for energy. Your body turns to the fat and protein in your diet, as well as stored fat in your body, to produce energy. This natural and benign process produces byproducts called ketones, which exit your body through your urine and breath, often creating an acetone odor.

Ketoacidosis

A serious condition known as ketoacidosis is often confused with the benign mechanism of ketosis. Ketoacidosis occurs when a diabetic has higher-than-normal blood sugar, usually over 300 mg/dl, combined with high concentrations of ketones in the urine. This condition can cause a sweet-smelling breath, similar to the odor of fruit. Other symptoms of ketoacidosis are fatigue, nausea or vomiting, mental confusion, and excessive thirst and urination. The ketosis that produces bad breath in the Atkins diet is not the same as this life-threatening condition.

Remedies

Bad breath from the ketosis that occurs in the early stages of the Atkins diet often diminishes or vanishes completely once the dieter moves to later stages of the plan. As low-glycemic carbs are introduced into the diet, bad breath usually disappears. Drinking plenty of water — at least 64 ounces per day -- helps keep bacteria that thrive in a dry mouth at bay. Sugarless breath fresheners and leafy greens such as parsley are often recommended to mask the odor as well.