Popular Supplements That Can Make Your Poop Even Smellier

There's a reason Poo-Pourri sells like hotcakes among consumers. While stool doesn't exactly smell great to begin with, there are a number of things that can quickly take that stench from bad to worse. Consider the foods we eat. If eggs, beans, poultry, or asparagus are a regular part of your diet, for example, the sulfate content of these foods can make poop smell much like eggs that have long surpassed their expiration date (via Healthline).

Bacterial or viral infections can also cause our stool to take on a particularly funky odor. This includes salmonella, E. coli, or viral gastroenteritis. Furthermore, certain types of infections may require treatment with antibiotics, some of which can also throw the scent of our stool out of whack. Antibiotics aren't the only medications that can take the stink of our bowel movements to new heights, however. Certain over-the-counter (OTC) products can do the same, specifically vitamins and supplements. If your poop's odor has become particularly foul as of late, it may be worth taking a peek inside your medicine cabinet.

Vitamins A, D, E, and K are among the kinds of supplements that can make our poop even smellier, reports Healthline. This is because, for some people, these vitamins can cause digestive discomfort as a side effect. Alternatively, fish oil supplements can also kick the stench of our poop up a notch (via Self). The nutrients in fish oil can latch on to fat in our stool that hasn't been fully broken down, giving poop an even less-than-desirable smell.

Just like some of the food items we previously mentioned, some supplements can also be high in sulfur compounds. "Certain supplements like glucosamine, chondroitin, and garlic are high in sulfate, which the bacteria in the colon converts into sulfide gases," Cleveland Clinic gastroenterologist Dr. Christine Lee told Health. Garlic supplements, in particular, have been linked with diarrhea as a smelly side effect, although this is more often seen in connection with raw garlic, according to Drugs.com.

Meanwhile, findings of a 2017 study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine found that one particular supplement may actually help combat fecal odor. Over the course of four weeks, researchers monitored 77 middle-aged to older adults to see if varying doses of champignon extract would improve patient symptoms of halitosis, body odor, and fecal odor. Derived from the champignon mushroom, this supplemental extract is made up of amino acids, flavonoids, polyphenols, various minerals, and more. The study findings showed significant improvement in all three conditions compared to the placebo group. The higher the dosage, the more effective champignon extract proved to be in odor reduction.

If changes in your stool's appearance, consistency, or smell are abrupt, do not resolve with dietary changes, or additional symptoms emerge, talk to your physician. Particularly if you experience diarrhea, stomach pain, or blood alongside your smellier-than-normal poops. Additionally, be sure to consult with your healthcare provider before trying out any new supplements.