Extreme Bad Breath and Body Odor Could Be Trimethylaminuria

Bad breath or body odor resulting from trimethylaminuria has been documented in fewer than 700 people worldwide. However, scientists are now estimating that perhaps as many as 1 in 10,000 bad breath and body odor suffers have the disorder.

Trimethylaminuria is a debilitating disorder that leaves sufferers alone and isolated because, simply put, they smell terrible and are unpleasant company. In Sandy Gordon's case, she almost moved from her apartment in shame because her body odor smelled like pungent smoke, and her neighbors thought it was because she smoked marijuana. Ms. Gordon has since helped create the Trimethylaminuria Foundation.

Trimethylaminuria is caused by the body's inability to oxidize trimethylamine, which is then excreted in the perspiration, breath, saliva, and urine, resulting in extremely bad breath and body odor.

The fishy-smelling chemical trimethylamine is produced when the nutrient choline is broken down by bacteria in the large intestine. In most people, it is oxidized by the liver and excreted as odorless waste. In those individuals who cannot metabolize trimethylamine, scientists have determined they're lacking a particular liver enzyme. They've also determined hereditary factors are involved.

Choline is found in several foods, but most notably in eggs, liver, seafood, and legumes. At this point in time, those with extreme bad breath and body odor have had some success in controlling trimethylaminuria-related symptoms by avoiding foods known to be high in choline. The supplement copper chlorophyllin has also been used in some sufferers to absorb the excess trimethylamine. Still others have been treated with antibiotics.

Currently, there is only one specialist in the United States who sees bad breath and body odor sufferers. His name is Dr. George Preti, Ph.D. at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, PA. He is an organic chemist and research scientist and only performs the diagnostic procedures, which include urinalysis. He does not treat patients. Currently, there is a long list of people with bad breath and body odor waiting for diagnostic evaluations, and it's anticipated that most will wait more than a year before Dr. Preti can see them.

In 2006, Dr. Preti discussed the bad breath and body odor disorder on a national television program. Since then, he has been overwhelmed with requests for help from people who are suffering.

If you, or someone you know, suffers from extreme body order or bad breath that is not hygiene-related, you may suffer from trimethylaminuria. You can obtain more on-line information about this metabolic disorder by going here.