Well, I never had a problem with bad breath before I started the diet. But since I started the diet (Jan. 3) I've had some bad breath. I brush my teeth just as often, use listerine just as often, etc. Is this normal? No ones said anything to me about it, but I can tell.

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Yep - definitely normal. Some others will chime in with suggestions on the ketosis "dragon breath", but in the meanwhile, let me go see if I can find the thread to direct you to it.

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Tina

I remember on induction, not only did I have bad breath, but a terrible taste in my mouth. Tried drinking all sorts of things to get rid of it! But it is a natural "problem" with low carb. Plus, all the sugar free mints I looked at were made with a sugar alcohol, mannitol, which I cannot tolerate. There are some mints out there made with Erythritol, a better-tolerated sugar alcohol. It does get better over time, I promise!

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Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

Achilles,
While it's true that "dragon breath" is a normal side effect of this woe, there are a few things you should know.
Basically, what you are smelling (tasting?) are the ketones (fat waste) being burned off by your body. This is a GOOD THING; basically, this is a natural *ketosis indicator* -- far more reliable than those stix!
Your body can release ketones any number of ways -- but most common are through the breath, through the skin & sweat glands, and through your urine output.
You can help your body *choose* to release them through your urine by drinking adequate water throughout the day. When we fail to drink enough water and become even *slightly* dehydrated, the dragon breath is more noticeable and some people experience horrible body odor.
Obviously, for some people, this will remain a problem (everyone is different, after all), but I know that when I drink enough water (for me, 128 oz.), the dragon breath is almost non-existent. Ditto the B.O.
Also, as your body becomes more adept at burning/eliminating ketones, these *side effects* should improve. But the best advice is DON'T SKIMP ON THE WATER.
Hope this helps!

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Summer

Achilles, if you're not sensitive to sugar alcohols, try sugarfree gum. I've read that Koolerz has an ingredient that actually helps bad breath due to a low carb diet, but I found them hard to chew and they lose their taste quickly. Of all gum I tried, Trident Tropical Twist works best for me.
HTH
Dahlia

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so if i'm in ketosis... that's good? i'll do some research on ketosis soon, but it's good that i'm in ketosis right?

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I agree with Lawbooks (Summer) - drinking lots of water is the best way to flush those ketone bodies, which are a natural side effect of burning fat.

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~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
start weight: 176/goal range: 137-134/now: 138
Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

YUP! That is what you want! Ketosis is the switching on of your bodies fat burning furnace and that is what will "remove" the fat from your body...The smell is from your body "getting rid of the waste products from burning fat instead of carbs for fuel. Drink LOTS of water like everyone else has said...that "encourages" your body to get rid of them through the urine and not in other more noticable ways...if you get what I mean.

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Lori

232/190/130
My other journal http://www.lowcarbeating.com/bb/showthread.php?t=1130

If you drink at least 64oz of water a day your breath won't smell as bad. Check out Atkins.com if you don't have the atkins book. There is a lot of good info there.

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hey bubba! not much to add to the great advice you got here.. but wanted to chime in and tell ya that it is GREAT news that you are in ketosis...YOU are doing SOMETHING right! good deal..
great post btw summer..it made alot of sense and was easily understandable.. THANKS!

KEEP it up bubba.. we are all hoping and wanting you to succeed!
(avatar .. nice to SEE ya..*grin*)

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kims SECOND journal is HERE
kims new blog
KIMS BLOG !!
SUGARFREE BLOG

Achilles - You might want to try some green tea, from the websites I have found it is supposed to help with bad breath, kills bacteria and such. The sites say just to swich it around your mouth every so often while you are drinking it. Hey...if you try this, let me know if it works!

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Shimmer
my blog

*L* let me know if it works...*L*... funny shimmy.. very funny!
ASPS !!! VERY DANGEROUS... YOU go first...*L*

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kims SECOND journal is HERE
kims new blog
KIMS BLOG !!
SUGARFREE BLOG

Here's the other thing about the "dragon breath." It doesn't smell as bad to others as we think it must based on the taste in our mouth.

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Renee
1/19/04
261/220/160
41 lbs off
60 lbs to goal



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