Can a bad body stink be caused by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)?
Ever wonder if non-alcoholic fatty liver disease cause foul body odor? If so, how?
“Yes. If the patient is in liver failure, they’ll develop the odor regardless of whether or not alcohol is involved,” says Jeffrey Fine, MD, chief of gastroenterology at the Medical Surgical Clinic of Irving.
“However, alcohol is the most common cause of liver disease in this country.
“Obesity and high triglycerides are also common causes.”
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can cause foul body odor as follows:
A damaged liver doesn’t detoxify chemicals as efficiently as it should.
Compounds like ammonia, sulfur byproducts and ketones can build up in the blood and get released through breath, sweat and urine.
This can create a musty, sour or “rotten” odor that can be detected by someone near that person.
It even has a name: fetor hepaticus.
Hormonal changes, insulin resistance and altered gut bacteria in NAFLD can make this odor even stronger.
Dr. Fine has been in practice for over 30 years and specializes in digestive health, integrative medicine and food sensitivities.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
