
This shift causes a major spike in ketones, the source of acetone breath. On a ketogenic, or keto, diet (high fat, moderate protein, very low carb) or on some fasting plans, your body uses fat instead of carbohydrates for energy. Keto diet and fasting: Changes to your diet can create acetone-scented breath. While diabetes is the main reason people get acetone breath, it can also happen because of these other things:

With diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough, or any, insulin or doesn’t use it well. Normally, glucose gets into your cells thanks to a hormone from the pancreas called insulin. Diabetes and Acetoneĭiabetes happens when your blood glucose ( blood sugar), a key energy source from food, is too high. And it can happen for a few reasons not related to diabetes, including keto diets, fasting, and heavy drinking.

It’s a problem mainly of type 1 diabetes but also can happen with type 2 if you get a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). If your breath smells like acetone - the same fruity scent as nail polish remover - it may be a sign of high levels of ketones (acids your liver makes) in your blood. But sometimes, bad breath is more complex and the symptom of a serious health condition. Foods like onions or garlic or poor dental habits cause a strong odor in your mouth, which often gets better with simple lifestyle changes. Everyone gets bad breath from time to time.
