Bushra Griffith
There are several reasons why your feces might smell like cheese. One possibility is that you have a high level of bacteria in your gut, which can cause your feces to have a strong odor. Another reason could be your diet; eating a lot of dairy products or other odorous foods can affect the smell of your feces. Additionally, certain medical conditions, such as malabsorption syndromes or gastrointestinal infections, can cause your feces to have an unusual odor. In most cases, feces that smell like cheese are not a cause for concern, but if the odor is accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, or weight loss, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional.
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What You'll Learn
High-protein or high-fat diets
A high-protein or high-fat diet can cause foul-smelling stools. This is due to the malabsorption of nutrients, which can be a result of gut issues such as Crohn's disease or colitis. In particular, a high-fat diet may overwhelm the digestive system, leading to steatorrhea, a type of diarrhoea with a very high-fat content. This occurs when the body cannot break down all the fat consumed, resulting in unabsorbed fat passing into the colon and producing a strong odour.
Additionally, a high-protein diet can lead to increased flatulence, which may have a stronger smell. This is not due to the protein itself but rather the other components in protein supplements, such as lactose, certain thickeners, and sweeteners like sorbitol. Whey protein, which is commonly found in protein shakes, bars, and snacks, tends to be high in lactose and can cause flatulence and smelly farts.
Sulfur-rich foods, such as meat, cheese, and cruciferous vegetables, are also known to cause foul-smelling stools. These foods are harder to digest, leading to the release of more gases during the digestive process. Alcohol consumption can further intensify the smell of stools, as high blood alcohol levels can affect the intestines and alter the intestinal flora.
To alleviate these issues, it is recommended to increase your intake of high-fibre foods, especially those that are keto-friendly, such as non-starchy vegetables, avocados, and nuts. Staying hydrated is also important when increasing your fibre intake. Additionally, reducing your consumption of sulfur-rich foods or avoiding combining multiple sulfur-rich foods in a single meal can help improve stool odour.
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Food intolerances
Foul-smelling stools can be caused by various factors, including diet, medications, and underlying health conditions. While the occasional bout of smelly stool is usually not a cause for concern, persistent or unusually strong odours may indicate a more serious issue.
Other carbohydrate intolerances, such as fructose intolerance, can also contribute to foul-smelling stools. In these cases, the sugar component of the food is not properly broken down by the gut, leading to malabsorption and subsequent digestive issues. Sulfur-rich foods, including meat, cheese, eggs, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, can be harder for the body to digest, resulting in the release of more gases and a stronger stool odour.
Identifying food intolerances can be challenging, but there are several tests available. A genetic test can analyse blood or saliva samples for genes linked to specific intolerances, such as lactose intolerance. Skin-prick tests involve pricking the skin with a needle containing a potential allergen, and irritation at the site suggests an intolerance or allergy. An oral food challenge, conducted under medical supervision, involves consuming a small amount of a suspected allergen to gauge the body's response.
If you suspect food intolerances are causing your foul-smelling stools, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and guidance. They may recommend dietary changes, such as eliminating suspected trigger foods or reducing your intake of sulfur-rich foods. Keeping a food diary and tracking your meals alongside any digestive symptoms can also help identify potential intolerances.
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Infections
Foul-smelling stools can be indicative of a bacterial or parasitic infection in the digestive tract. Infections that affect the intestines, such as Clostridium difficile (C. diff), can cause foul-smelling stools. Bacterial infections like Salmonella and parasitic infections like Giardiasis can also result in foul-smelling stools. Rotavirus, a viral infection, can cause watery diarrhea that smells particularly bad and may be accompanied by vomiting and dehydration.
Foul-smelling stools can also be a result of dietary changes or certain foods that are difficult for the body to digest or absorb, such as lactose intolerance or gluten intolerance. However, if the foul smell persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, it is advisable to consult a doctor as it may indicate a more serious underlying health issue.
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Bowel disorders
Foul-smelling stools can be caused by a variety of factors, including diet, medications, and underlying medical conditions. While it is usually not a cause for concern, persistent foul-smelling stools accompanied by other symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, or bloody stools may indicate a more serious health issue and should be evaluated by a doctor.
One possible cause of foul-smelling stools is dietary factors. Sulfur-rich foods, such as meat, cheese, eggs, and cruciferous vegetables (Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and kale), are harder for the body to digest and can result in smelly stools. A high-fat or high-protein diet can also lead to an increase in stool odor due to the body's inability to break down all the consumed fat, resulting in steatorrhea, a type of smelly diarrhea. Additionally, lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance, and other food intolerances or sensitivities can cause foul-smelling stools if the body has difficulty absorbing or digesting certain nutrients.
Medications can also contribute to stool odor. Antibiotics, for example, can disrupt gut bacteria and cause malabsorption of nutrients, leading to smelly diarrhea. Other medications, such as hormones, supplements, and prescriptions, can also affect stool odor.
Underlying medical conditions may also be a factor. Bowel disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, can lead to foul-smelling stools due to differences in metabolism, inflammation, or variations in gut bacteria. Other conditions such as celiac disease, short bowel syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), cystic fibrosis, and pancreatic conditions like exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and pancreatitis can also cause foul-smelling stools. Infections, particularly those affecting the intestines, such as Clostridium difficile (C. diff) or parasitic infections like giardiasis, are common causes of smelly stools.
It is important to note that foul-smelling stools can often be addressed through dietary adjustments, such as limiting sulfur-rich foods, avoiding trigger foods, or increasing water intake and easily digestible foods. However, if the issue persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, it is advisable to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
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Candida overgrowth
Foul-smelling stools can be caused by various factors, such as diet, infections, allergies, or underlying medical conditions. Certain foods, such as broccoli and eggs, can contribute to unpleasant stool odors. Infections, including viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections, can also cause foul-smelling stools. For example, Salmonella and Giardiasis can lead to foul-smelling diarrhea. Additionally, food allergies or intolerances can play a role, with lactose intolerance being a common cause of malabsorption and unpleasant-smelling stools.
In some cases, foul-smelling stools can be indicative of more serious health issues. For instance, pale and greasy stools could suggest pancreatic insufficiency, which is sometimes associated with pancreatic cancer. Celiac disease, a condition where the immune system attacks the small intestine in response to gluten, can also lead to malabsorption problems and unpleasant-smelling stools.
While Candida, a type of yeast, is typically present in the gut, an overgrowth can occur due to environmental changes, certain health issues, or the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics can disrupt the balance of microbes in the body by killing off good bacteria, allowing harmful bacteria to multiply and potentially leading to Candida overgrowth. This overgrowth can result in an infection called candidiasis, which most commonly affects the mouth and vagina but can also occur in the intestines. Symptoms of Candida overgrowth in the intestines may include flatulence and cravings for sweets.
Regarding the potential connection between Candida overgrowth and feces smelling like cheese, there is limited information available. While some individuals have posed this question to experts, a definitive answer is not provided in the sources. However, it is important to note that Candida overgrowth can cause an infection called candidiasis, which can have various symptoms depending on the affected body part.
If you are experiencing persistent foul-smelling stools or other concerning symptoms, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional. They can perform the necessary tests, including stool samples and physical examinations, to determine the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment options.
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Frequently asked questions
It could be something you ate. For example, if you've been eating a lot of dairy products, your poop may smell like cheese.
It could be due to an imbalance in your gut bacteria or a sign of a possible infection. If the smell persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, it's best to consult a doctor.
Yes, some people have reported that certain types of cheese, such as Morbier, Rainbow's Gold, and Stinking Bishop, can have a manure-like smell or even resemble the smell of baby poop.
Maintaining a balanced diet and staying hydrated can help regulate your digestive system and potentially reduce unusual odors. Increasing your fiber intake and consuming probiotics can also promote healthy gut bacteria and improve digestive health.
