Ketones
Your cells don’t receive the glucose they need to function properly when your body can’t make insulin, so, to compensate your body is burning fat. Making this instead of sugar produces ketones, which build up in your blood and urine. Ketones can also be produced when you’re fasting or if you’re on a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet, although not to the same level as they are in diabetic ketoacidosis.
High ketone levels can cause bad breath. One of the ketones, acetone (a chemical found in nail polish), can cause your breath to smell like nail polish. Also, when ketones rise to dangerous levels, you’re at risk of a severe condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. The symptoms of this condition include a sweet odor on your breath, abdominal pain, nausea, high blood glucose levels, confusion and shortness of breath.
