Fish odour syndrome.

Consuming large quantities of choline-rich foods may exacerbate fish odour syndrome.

Fish odour syndrome is a metabolic condition cause by the excretion of abnormally-oxidized trimethylamine (derived from bacteria breakdown of choline and carnitine) by the lungs, kidneys, skin, and vagina. This research work was carried out to determine the possible causes and treatments of fish odour syndrome (Trimethylaminuria). Researchers reviewed several works on trimethylaminuria.

They observed that Impaired metabolism of trimethylamine was responsible for the development of fish odour syndrome and the smell of rotten fish. While high intake of diets rich in choline was found to aggravate trimethylaminuria, administration of lactulose, metronidazole, and neomycin appeared to contribute positively to the reduction of the odour by diminishing the production of trimethyaminuria.