Normal sweat has a strong odor, but it's not extreme and can be easily remedied by washing and applying deodorant. Extreme body odor, on the other hand, can indicate a medical problem. Trimethylaminuria is a metabolic condition that causes the body to smell like rotten fish. The smell is caused because the body cannot break down the compound trimethylamine. This results in extreme odor coming from the skin, breath and urine.
Step 1
Try taking a shower daily or twice daily. Use a perfumed soap and apply prescription-strength deodorant afterward. These deodorants are available from your doctor. If the odor persists after the cleaning, chances are the problem is not related to hygiene.
Step 2
Modify your diet to avoid foods that contain choline and carnitine, which are precursors of trimethylamine. According to a 2002 study by professor Jean-Marie Saudubray of the Laboratoire de RMN in France, eliminating foods that contain this compound has a mild to moderate effect in body odor. Foods that are rich in choline include dairy, eggs and peanuts. Foods high in carnitine include animal products such as meat and dairy.
Step 3
Try chlorophyllin supplements. According to Jane Higdon, Ph.D., from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, it was originally recommended by doctors to reduce fecal odor in colostomy patients. It's now also advised for people suffering from trimethylaminuria. Higdon points out that chlorophyllin solutions slow the growth of bacteria, including the bacteria that causes body odor.
Tips and Warnings
- Get a diagnosis from a doctor to confirm that you suffer from trimethylaminuria, and only try these solutions under medical supervision.
Member Comments