keto pee smells like asparagus keto pee smells like asparagus

Ketoacidosis is a dangerous complication of diabetes that happens when ketones build up in your blood. When your body is in ketosis (a.k.a., it breaks down fat for fuel instead of carbs), it produces ketones (chemicals like acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and Sometimes, ammonia is also a sign of: Urinary tract infection. . Sulfa drugs can give your pee a bit of stench. Washing inside of it could upset the balance of good and bad bacteria. If you feel full and dont need to eat as often as before, then you may be in ketosis. If you want a more accurate assessment, monitor ketone levels in your blood, urine, or breath every week. You can measure your ketone levels with a breath analyzer or urine strips. As you pee, these aspargusic acid-turned sulfur byproducts evaporate almost immediately, causing you to smell that distinctive asparagus pee scent. After several decades of running on a carb-heavy fuel system, your body is forced to adapt to a different system. Another way to measure blood ketone levels is a breath analyzer. Instead, a more plausible theory is that going on the keto diet impacts your vaginal pHand that changes your vaginal odor, she says. health & living health center/do all people's pee smell after eating asparagus article. Does a Healthy Penis Smell BadAnd What About Semen? As you progress into a keto diet, youll start to burn fat and ketones as your main fuel sources. Byproducts build up and cause breath, sweat, and urine to smell like boiled cabbage. The smell of rotting fish is hard to ignore, and should especially be a red flag if you notice it in your pee. Despite the nutritional benefits of asparagus, many are opposed to eating the vegetable due to its pungent aftereffects. This is great for weight loss, but not so great for your body odor. Terms of Use. A fistula is an extra opening that forms between two organs. "Oh thank God I am not the only one with a stinky vajayjay. She has a masters degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day. It goes from being mild and lovely to being forceful and pretty terrible. This article tells you how long it takes to enter. "Sweet-smelling urine typically indicates the presence of sugar or glucose," Dr. Ellerkmann says. But if the smell persists or you start to notice other symptoms like itchiness, burning, and abnormal discharge, its time to see your doctor. If you have this condition, your urine might just smell like regular ol' pee (to you, at least) even if your urine contains post-asparagus sulfuric compounds. The rest are unaware of the smell. A healthy vaginal pH is acidicbetween 3.8 and 4.5and foods like onions, garlic, red meat, dairy, asparagus, broccoli, alcohol, and fruit can all affect the natural balance youve got going on, Mary Rosser, MD, PhD, ob-gyn at Montefiore Medical Center in New York previously told Women's Health. Keto crotch sounds similar to the keto breath phenomenon. As many weight loss studies have shown, youll likely experience both short- and long-term weight loss when switching to a keto diet (2, 6). This is dangerous and can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, the American Diabetes Association warns. It's probably best to discuss with your doctor to see how best to manage it. So why do only some people seem to experience this strong odor after eating asparagus? They may give you antibiotics, special soap, or suggest eating certain foods. Okay, so people are definitely experiencing something funky going on with their vaginal scents. Another way to measure ketosis is by testing urine for other byproducts, specifically beta-hydroxybutyrate and urine acetoacetate. "Too much coffee will make your urine concentrated, and hence will impart a foul odor to your urine," internist Dr. Aditi Gupta, head of the doctor's panel at JustDoc, says. Make sure you get some assistance.. In this condition, your body cant break down acompound called trimethylamine. "If PKU is untreated, or if foods containing phenylalanine are eaten, the breath, skin, ear wax, and urine may have a 'mousy or 'musty' odor," Dr. Ellerkmann says. Morning sickness may leave you dehydrated. There are rare conditions that create a rotten smell, too. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. And while asparagus itself doesnt have an odor, when it is digested, the sulfur bonds -- between the amino acids in It comes with a whole slew of pretty gnarly side effects like the keto flu, keto breath, and keto diarrhea. OtherUTI symptoms include: Liver disease. However, this particular side effect of eating asparagus doesnt happen to everyone, and some Hundreds of variants in the DNA sequence across multiple genes involved in sense of smell are strongly associated with the ability to detect asparagus metabolites in urine. I'm eating leafy greens. If you cant, thats called asparagus anosmia. The other hypothesis is that everyone produces the odor, but they may not actually smell anything. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. A lower proportion of women were able to detect the odor, compared to men, despite women being thought to have a more keen sense of smell. When enzymes in the human digestive tract break down the asparagusic acid thats naturally present in the vegetable, these volatile compounds are created. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Smoking Pot Every Day Linked to Heart Risks, Artificial Sweetener Linked to Heart Risks, FDA Authorizes First At-Home Test for COVID and Flu, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Related to Incontinence & Overactive Bladder. Regardless of whether you prefer the green, purple or white variety, asparagus provides a rich source of vitamins and minerals, and its consumption as part of a healthy diet may reduce risk of cancer and cardiovascular-related diseases. Digestive issues such as constipation and diarrhea are common side effects in the beginning (14). Vegetables are good for your body, but dont be alarmed if they make your urine smell like rotten cabbage. Some stones are made from cystine, a substance with sulfur in it. If this sounds horrible, it is. Bad breath is actually a common side effect of reaching full ketosis. Her areas of expertise include fibroids, irregular vaginal bleeding, abnormal pap smears, infertility and menopause. Some babies are born with a condition called tyrosinemia type 1. When you pee, the sulfur byproducts evaporate almost immediately, causing you to Many long-term keto dieters report improved brain function and more stable energy levels, likely due to the rise in ketones and more stable blood sugar levels. Ultimately, going on the keto diet is entirely your choice, and you should see how your mind and body feel after you start to help you gauge whether it's a way of eating that works for you. Amy Krambeck, MD, Michael O. Koch professor of urology, Indiana University School of Medicine. Some antibiotics are made from mold and can make your urine smell yeasty. Many people report decreased hunger while following a keto diet. When your body isnt getting the glucose it needs for energy, your body begins to burn fat for energy, which produces ketones. Keto (low-to-no carb, high-fat, protein-heavy diets) are all the rage for weight loss. Thank you", This! Theres no need to erase your vaginas natural odor. While theres always waste in your urine, like ammonia, the smell is stronger if youre dehydrated. If they are really that stupid to go that far, you'll at least have them dead to rights if you do decide to get an attorney. Your body needs water to dilute waste products in your urine. It can cause bad or fruity-smelling breath for people on a keto diet. Although, many do not consider doing this just for the sake of smelly urine. After several weeks, many keto dieters report that their performance returns to normal. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. When followed correctly, this low carb, high fat diet will raise your blood levels of ketones. Asparagusic acid is broken into volatile compounds that are discharged through the urine. While its unlikely that a keto diet can maximize performance for elite athletes, once you become fat-adapted, it should be sufficient for general exercise and recreational sports (24). If you mess with the acidity, things dont work out very well. The lesson here is to just leave your vagina alone. Your pee may also have a strong smell after you drink coffee, or eat fish, onions, or garlic. There's actually a scientific explanation, though; asparagus has asparagusic acid, which is responsible for the distinctive scent in your urine. The study looked at nearly 7,000 European American participants and found that about 62% of women and 58% of men had asparagus anosmia, a genetic modification that means they could not perceive or smell the noxious urine, notes Smith. Denying bathroom use is a violation of basic workplace rights. I have no idea! Does Garlic Actually Treat Yeast Infections? She was previously an assistant editor at Health before moving over to Travel + Leisure as a social media editor. Extra vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) can give it a strong odor. Ammonia (NH 3) is a colorless gas that is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen. "Breaking the seal" isn't a thing, but drinking alcohol definitely makes you have to pee more. That doesnt mean youre unhealthy. Just like how going super low-carb makes your breath reek, it can do the same to your pee. Next, discover the bathroom mistakes you never knew you made. When they follow up verbally--it will be verbal response--reply all on the same email chain and thank them for stopping by to confirm XYZ. Check out more body parts youre not washing the right way. Poor sleep and insomnia are common symptoms during the initial stages of ketosis. It's true that if your vaginal pH is thrown off, you're at a higher risk for developing bacterial vaginosis (an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina), which can have a funky odor, said Dr. Streicher. That's because, like coffee, alcohol is a diuretic that makes the bacteria in urine more concentrated as you pee more and become dehydrated. Keto vs. Mediterranean: Which Diet Is Really Better for You? The sweetness comes from sugar in your urine and is a sign your body is trying to get rid of extra sugar in your blood. According to some experts on the keto diet, nutritional ketosis is defined as blood ketones equal to or above 0.5 millimolar (mM) (8). Some foods and medications, such as asparagus or certain vitamins, can cause a noticeable urine odor, even in low concentrations. According to data, 40 percent of subjects firmly believed that they could detect a distinct odor in their urine after eating asparagus, whereas 60 percent could not and were labeled asparagus anosmic. Theyre responsible for most of the unique health benefits of the keto diet. You know what your pee should smell like -- you experience it anywhere from six to eight times a day -- so an unfamiliar scent might be a sign that something is awry; a warning message flowing from your body to the toilet. It's actually an inflammatory disease called prurigo pigmentosa thats often characterized by red, itchy bumps on the neck, back, and stomachand the keto diet can potentially trigger it. That said, if youre losing weight, enjoying your keto diet, and feeling healthier, there is no need to worry about your ketone levels. The most reliable and accurate method of measuring ketosis is to measure your blood ketone levels using a specialized meter. One of the hallmarks of a keto diet is a reduction in blood sugar levels and an increase in ketones. Foods. If youre female, it may happen after you give birth or have a certain kind of operation. Also called a UTI, such an infection happens when you have bacteria in any part of your urinary system. That may also raise your chances of getting a UTI. This article, Breakfast cereals boast impressive health claims, but many are high in sugar and refined carbs. As Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1781, A few stems of asparagus eaten, shall give our urine a disagreable odour.. This includes an initial decrease in exercise performance. Fruity-smelling urine can be a sign of other diseases and complications. Your perception of diverse odors is absolutely distinct. However, it can often be hard to know whether youre in ketosis or not. Vaginal odor can be caused by these other factors as well: If changes in vaginal odor are accompanied by itching, burning, redness, or swelling, you'll want to see your healthcare provider to nail down the exact cause. A change in vaginal smell could be a sign of bacterial vaginosis or an STD. They can stop or slow urine flow, leading to a buildup of salt and ammonia. UPDATE: For everyone saying asparagus, I just checked my food diary and I last ate asparagus on October 13th. "Nobody knows if this is a real effect of the keto diet," Lauren Streicher, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University, told Health. Ketones can give your urine a sulfur smell.. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Tyrosinemia is treated with medicine and a low-tyrosine diet. It doesnt mean youre unhealthy. They say their vagina has a more pungent smell since they've gone keto. To reduce fatigue during this switch, you may want to take electrolyte supplements. They might want to make sure nothing else is causing the odor. Keto diets, along with other low carb diets, are highly effective for Watch out for these clear signs youre not eating enough vegetables. If you have kidney failure, you may smell a lot of ammonia when you go to the bathroom. ", On a separate thread, another user slash keto dieter wondered: "Does anyone else's lady bits smell different too? People often report brain fog, tiredness, and feeling sick when starting a very low carb diet. The only thing you should be using to cleanse your vaginal area is water. Two studies have shown that people who are unable to smell the odor in their own urine also dont detect it in the urine of known producers. It may smell like cabbage. As excess sugar spills into your urine, it creates a sweet, sugary smell (and taste), explains Stephanie J. Kielb, MD, an associate Professor of Urology, Medical Education and Obstetrics and Gynecology (Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (Urogynecology) at Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago. Several key signs and symptoms can help you identify whether youre in ketosis. MedTerms online medical dictionary provides quick access to hard-to-spell and often misspelled medical definitions through an extensive alphabetical listing. Foods that convert tosulfur compounds in your body can make your urine smell rotten. In most cases, a strong smell isnt a sign of disease. Along with many other delights, springtime brings the beginning of the asparagus growing season. These compounds are passed into the urine, giving it a peculiar smell. Too much vitamin B1 (thiamine) can make your pee smell like fish. Some medicineslike antibiotics can make your urine stink. 'I Lost 50 Lbs. A lot of people report insomnia or waking up at night when they first reduce their carbs drastically. Now, people are talking about another unpleasant side effect of the keto diet: keto crotch. A keto diet generally involves a major change in the foods you eat. Ketones are chemical byproducts that provide a new fuel source for your cells. Liver disease can make your pee and breath smell musty. Our doctors define difficult medical language in easy-to-understand explanations of over 19,000 medical terms. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. There are some common foods and medications that can change the odor of urine. 1996-2021 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Whats the Ideal Ketosis Level for Weight Loss? NOT THIS YOU dont have them dead to right on this. Why Does the Keto Diet Cause ConstipationAnd How Can You Stop It? But, the good news is that it settles down and goes away after you've been keto for awhile. One is that some people simply dont produce the smell. This gives you an idea of your bodys ketone levels since more acetone leaves the body when youre in nutritional ketosis (9). Its not dangerous at all. Just say you want their outrageous demand in writing. And it's not like smelly pee will stink up your vagina. More research still needs to be done on metabolism and genetics to determine exact causes of these differences. Elevated ketone levels cause the bad breath. Weight loss. Asparagus consumption provides a distinct odor to urine. You can also use special indicator strips to measure the presence of ketones in your urine daily. It has been reported 62 percent of women were unable to smell the odor, whereas 58 percent of men reported being unable to smell the odor. The truth is, going on a high-fat, low-carb diet can be a little rough on your body at first. You might get this kind of fistula if you have cancer or an inflammatory condition, like Crohns disease or diverticulitis. These include: Vitamins. Ketogenic diets have many powerful health benefits, but some people have trouble getting into ketosis. Studies report that 22 to 50 percent of the population have smelly urine following consumption of asparagus. The inability to smell this asparagus pee is an example of. Testing blood ketone levels with a monitor is the most accurate way to determine whether youre in ketosis. Your genes affect whether you can Unfortunately no, according to Smith. Check the nutrition label for carbs if youre using gum or other alternatives like sugar-free drinks. Go see your doctor right away. Health posed that question to an OB-GYN, who said keto crotch has never been scientifically investigated. Ultimately, if you are following the guidelines of a keto diet and staying consistent, you should be in some form of ketosis. Why Do I Feel So Crappy On The Keto Diet? Overconsumption of coffee not only makes you wired; it could make your urine smell like a venti latte. If you really cant take the smell, then Smith recommends either eating less asparagus or drinking plenty of water to try to dilute your urine and therefore the smell. "Your urine isn't going to make your vagina smell," confirmed Dr. Streicher. They can tell you if its normal. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Asparagus is notorious for making urine smelly. Tyrosinemia. The short-term side effects of a keto diet are better known. That's the odor you'll notice as the chemical leaves your body. Douching can open you up to a whole host of other issues and increase your risk of infection.) But, scientifically speaking, why would a diet high in fat and very low in carbs change the scent of your vagina? Let your vagina clean itself. It causes strong or sweet urine. Thomas Mayo, a physician in the 1670s, described the taste of diabetic urine as wonderfully sweet as if it were imbued with honey or sugar. If you have uncontrolled diabetes, your body tries to get rid of extra blood sugar or glucose in the urine, creating the sweet smell, she says. Here is everything you need to know about these. Yet, science does show that going keto can change the odor of your breath and urine, making both smell like nail polish remover. Diabetic ketoacidosis. If you follow keto and start noticing that your vagina smells bad, consider checking in with your OB-GYN. That's because your body breaks down fat for energy instead of carbs. Thats why its always a good idea to remind kids to take bathroom breaks. Here are the 6 best sweeteners for a keto diet. Urine normally has a slight smell, but some unusual and strong smells may also be noticed. Copyright 20102023, The Conversation Media Group Ltd, Committee Member - MNF Research Advisory Committee, PhD Scholarship - Uncle Isaac Brown Indigenous Scholarship. WebNo one really pays that much attention during a quick bathroom break. They can also make infections more likely. Research Scientist in Epidemiology, T.H. Talk to a doctor about what vitamin doses are right for you. This usually improves after a few weeks. The 6 Biggest Keto Diet Mistakes Yet, science does show that going keto can change the odor of your breath and urine, making both smell like nail polish remover. You may lose a noticeable amount of weight as early as your first week on the keto diet. "Alcohol ferments and causes the odor of the urine to be like rotting greens," Dr. Gupta says. You can lessen these symptoms by drinking plenty of fluids and getting enough electrolytes. Lastly, theres the controversy. And prenatal vitamins might change the way your pee smells. This odor is because of the breakdown of a substance called asparagusic acid that is present in asparagus into sulfur-containing compounds. But theres no particular reason the keto diet would cause you to break out only around your crotchat least, none that the scientific community has found a direct link to, says Christine Greves, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies. Lycra or spandex is not very breathable, so it's better to go for cotton instead. Eliminating carbs can also help control and stabilize blood sugar levels. Heres how much water you really need to drink to stay hydrated. Initially used to treat epilepsy in children in 1921, this high-fat, very low-carb diet grew to become a tool for weight loss, according to the National Library of Medicine's StatPearls. "One type of ketone, acetone, is an ingredient in some nail polish removers, which is why your breath may smell like this familiar scent," said Cynthia Sass, RD, Health contributing nutrition editor. Or your genitals may itch, and it might burn when you pee. That's also why your pee becomes dark and bad-smelling, she adds, because as your body gets dehydrated from drinking too much coffee, the bacteria become more concentrated in your waste. With Walk At Home And MIRROR', This Mom Lost 95 Lbs. It can also cause stomach pain, throwing up, and feeling sick. A different Reddit user agreed, responding: "Oh boy, yes. While some people believe this to be fat loss, its primarily water weight (2). Sometimes, unusual urine Pee doesnt usually have a strong smell. Does Tiger urine smell like popcorn? The group of peeps who have experienced smelling an off scent down below seems to be pretty large, at least on the Internet. As Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1781, A few stems of asparagus eaten, shall give our urine a disagreable odour. This odor has become so well known that post-consumption urine is now often referred to as asparagus pee.. B vitamins in your multivitamin are often the culprit of smelly urine. Sometimes 2 days. In this day and age, urologists run blood tests, not taste tests, to check for diabetes. It could, for example, be caused by urinary tract infection. Ammonia occurs naturally in water, soil, and the air, and is also found naturally in plants, animals, and the human body. 2. It also has its own odor profile that creates that familiar beer-pee smell. If your urine smells sweet, you feel unwell, or you have other symptoms along with foul-smelling urine, though, talk to your doctor. If there is such a thing, that is. Yep, some people online (shout-out to the Reddit page .css-7qz8rz{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#f7623b;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #feebe7 50%, #feebe7);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-7qz8rz:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}r/xxketo!) Kidney stones. What is the link between genetics and asparagus pee? 13. Experts say the Mediterranean, DASH, and flexitarian diets have the best foundations and are among the easiest to follow. Most everyone knows about asparagus pee, but there are some other foods and medications that can also change the odor of the urine. or you can pee at home because your piss reeks. While youre in there, you might get a whiff of something that doesnt smell good. 7 Ways To Keep Your Vagina Healthy As You Age. This may further increase focus and improve brain function (20, 21). Those are chemicals your body makes when you burn fat, instead of glucose, for energy. A keto diet induces ketosis which is a metabolic state where your body uses fat for energy, says Dr. Kielb.During this state, your urine and breath may both have an odour. This high-fat, low-carb eating plan has its fansand detractors. Asparagus is a big culprit for smelly urine; in fact, your pee can start smelling like asparagus just 20 minutes after you eat it. So when you catch a whiff of a not-so-usual odor, it can really freak you out. According to Smith, the odor can begin as early as 15 minutes after ingestion and last up to 14 hours. But the exact compound or how many are causing it is still unknown. The keto flu, or carb flu, is used to describe symptoms often experienced by those beginning a keto diet. If anything, it's something to be aware of if you notice a change in pee smell with no other explanation. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Here are 10 common signs and symptoms of ketosis, both positive and negative. If your baby has the disease, you may notice this syrupy odor a day or two after theyre born. If you swear that you've never smelled what's colloquially known as asparagus pee, it is because you lack the ability to recognize the stench. According to one study published in the journal Nutrition & Metabolism in November 2016, these urine markers are highest in the morning and after dinner. The study One big issue for many keto dieters is sleep, especially when they first change their diet (14). All rights reserved. Last medically reviewed on October 30, 2022. Medicines for diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis also can affect the way your pee smells. What it is, how it works, what to eat, what to avoid and a sample paleo meal plan for one week. However, it was suggested that removing the tips of the head of the asparagus before consuming may reduce the intensity of the asparagus pee. This may happen more often in children who dont pee when they feel the urge. Asparagus might be the most common reason for stinky pee. It's much stronger than 'musk' for me :/)," one Reddit user posted. These side effects are natural. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Douching with fluids or chemicals will kill the good bacteria and allow bad bacteria to move in instead. When in ketosis, your body converts the fatty acids into chemicals called ketones. Some people avoid eating cilantro because they claim it has a soapy aftertaste. Sulfur, in general, is not very pleasant to smell, notes Dr. Bobart. The NLM reports these symptoms: Some experts have theorized that the keto diet changes vaginal pH (the balance of bacteria in your vagina), which can alter your vaginal scent. When asparagus is digested, asparagusic acid gets broken down into sulfur containing byproducts. Terms of Use. The more fat your body burns in ketosis, the more ketones, like acetone, your body produces as byproducts. But, it's important not to overdo it by washing excessively or using scented products like perfumes, powders, and deodorant sprays. Many people on keto and similar diets, like the Atkins diet, report that their breath takes on an unusual, fruity smell. Your doctor can help you figure out ways to manage your childs condition. A study using data from almost 30,000 users of 23andMe found genetic variants in olfactory receptors linked to peoples perception of this adverse taste. Onions make you cry, and they also make your urine stinky. More: 4 asparagus side dishes in under 30 minutes. He says that one cannot prevent the breakdown of asparagusic acid if they have the enzymes present in their body.. If the odour persists or your urine becomes cloudy, seek a physicians care. However, theyre not considered very reliable. Here are the biggest culprits of why you're stinking up the toilet bowl. This will pass once your body becomes adapted to running on fat and ketones. You might experience digestive issues, such as constipation or diarrhea, when you first switch to a keto diet. See additional information. So while plenty of people are sure the keto diet is the cause of their odorous vagina, no science yet supports this. This is the method is used in most research studies (7). Were talking headaches, fatigue, body aches, dizziness, and nausea. "It's never normal for your vagina to have an odor," said Dr. Streicher. These often cause people to quit the diet before they get into full ketosis and reap many of the long-term benefits. Maybe you can conduct your own survey at the next family meal that includes a platter of asparagus or soon after. Strong, ammonia-like urine is a sign that youre alittle dehydrated. Benefits, Downsides, and More, 12 Fast Foods You Can Eat on a Low Carb Diet, The Keto Flu: Symptoms and How to Get Rid of It, Nutritionists Put Mediterranean, DASH, and Flex Diets at the Top of Their List Once Again, The 6 Best Sweeteners on a Low Carb Keto Diet (And 6 to Avoid). Nearly two weeks before being Yes, there's actually a disease for your pee named after the sweet breakfast condiment. The enzymatic process breaks down distinct chemicals as your body digests meals. Some people have a mutation in one of these genes, which alters the receptor's capacity to respond to the chemical that causes pee to smell funny. People should strive to have urine thats a light yellow colour, says William Brant, MD, a urologist at the University of Utah Health Care in Salt Lake City, UT.