Why Does My Poop Smell Different Than Usual?

Emergency Medicine, Holy Name Medical Center

Supervised by Tomas Diaz, MD

Changes in stool odor are typically normal and related to diet, medications, or digestive processes.

Explanation

Changes in poop smell are a normal part of digestion and can be influenced by several factors. When food moves through your digestive system, different compounds are broken down by gut bacteria, creating various odors. The type and amount of protein, fiber, and other nutrients in your food can all affect how your stool smells. Sometimes changes in smell can also happen when you take certain medications or supplements, as these can affect how your body processes food and the way your gut bacteria work. Most of the time, this is not a cause for concern. However, if the change persists or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms like pain, you should discuss with a healthcare provider.

(References)

Lattimer JM, Haub MD. Effects of dietary fiber and its components on metabolic health. Nutrients. 2010 Dec;2(12):1266-89. doi: 10.3390/nu2121266. Epub 2010 Dec 15. PMID: 22254008; PMCID: PMC3257631.
Jandhyala SM, Talukdar R, Subramanyam C, Vuyyuru H, Sasikala M, Nageshwar Reddy D. Role of the normal gut microbiota. World J Gastroenterol. 2015 Aug 7;21(29):8787-803. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i29.8787. PMID: 26269668; PMCID: PMC4528021.
Hrncir T. Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis: Triggers, Consequences, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Options. Microorganisms. 2022 Mar 7;10(3):578. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10030578. PMID: 35336153; PMCID: PMC8954387.

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