Raising awareness Trimethylaminuria (TMAU) also known as fish odor syndrome or fish malodor syndrome

Have you ever heard about Trimethylaminuria (TMAU)?  Nope? Ya, me neither.

Never have I ever heard about that word before until now. I really love blogging about some health issue, tips or guide. 

So yesterday, I was watching a Youtube animated video then I saw a really catchy video title "I stink and can't do anything".

Then I watch the whole video for 5:47 minute. It was about a man named Jason stinky even if he showers for more than 15 times a day.

His mother even brought him to the Hospital for a check-up, but never have been diagnosed for anything except they think that it was because of his hormone or fungus that made him stink, but then nothing else was diagnosed. He was a healthy boy and he smells like a dead fish.

Even if he uses deodorant, it still useless for him. The stinky smell is stronger than the deodorant. 

Of course, Jason is frustrated about his situation. But then one day, he saw on the internet about this fish odor syndrome. It makes people stink without any other reason. 

This is the reason why people should know about this kind of rare disease. I'm raising awareness to the people out there who suffered from this rare condition!

The title is "I stink and can't do anything about it'' by ACTUALLY HAPPENED

Subscribe to the channel to see a more animated video that actually happened by people around the world. This one of my favorite animated video on youtube, so shoutout to you!

Fish Odor Syndrome

Fish odor syndrome is a disorder caused by a metabolic disorder in the human body, which forms too much Trimethylamine chemical compound.

Trimethylaminuria is a genetic disorder that causes body odor to be strong, usually described as the smell of rotten fish, dirt or garbage. The odor is formed when the body is unable to process Trimethylamine, an odorous chemical produced in the intestine, especially when certain foods containing choline are digested.

Signs and Symptoms of Fish Odor Syndrome

If Trimethylamine compounds accumulate in the body, you will emit a strong odor in sweat, urine, saliva, and vaginal fluids. Usually, this is not accompanied by other symptoms.

The smell usually becomes clear in childhood, when the child is weaned. This is because children started to eat foods other than breast milk. But sometimes, this can also begin in adulthood.

Causes of Fish Odor Syndrome

Bacteria in the intestine help us to digest food, such as eggs, nuts, and seafood. In this process, they produce a sharp-smelling chemical called Trimethylamine.

Usually, enzymes (proteins) called flavins which contain monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) are produced by the liver to convert Trimethylamine N-oxide molecule. Most people have the FMO3 gene, which provides instructions for making this enzyme.

In special circumstances, namely on damaged genes, most people with Trimethylaminuria have missing FMO3 enzymes or their FMO3 genes do not work as happens in most people. This can cause Trimethylamine buildup in the body.

Usually, people with Trimethylaminuria have inherited a damaged FMO3 gene from their parents. In other words, each parent will carry a copy of the damaged gene and become the ''carrier'' of the condition. It is estimated that 1% of the population in England is the carrier of the damaged gene that causes Trimethylaminuria.

Other Causes of Fish Odor Syndrome

Not everyone with Trimethylaminuria has a damaged FMO3 gene. Some cases can be caused by excess protein in food or abnormal increase in intestinal bacteria that produces trimethylamine. Some cases of Trimethylaminuria have been linked to liver or kidney disease, where the FMO3 enzyme is less active.

Women are more likely to develop this syndrome than men. This may be related to female sex hormones, such as progesterone and estrogen, which can worsen symptoms.

Some cases can appear worse when the patient has age around puberty, or at the following times

• When taking contraceptive pills

• Menopause

• Stress and diet may also play a role in triggering this body odor

• Trimethylaminuria diagnosis

Trimethylaminuria is diagnosed with a urine test that measures the ratio of Triethylamine (fishy-smelling chemistry) to trimethylamine N-oxide (odorless version). The test is done by taking choline samples over the next 24 hour period. If you have Trimethylaminuria, then your body has excess Trimethylamine levels.

How to overcome Fish Odor Syndrome

Now, there is no cure for Trimethylaminuria or this fish odor syndrome. However, symptoms can be reduced by making certain lifestyle changes

1. Diet

You can reduce odor by avoiding foods that contain chemicals Trimethylaminuria, choline, and trimethylamine N-oxide. This means avoiding milk from cows, eggs, liver, kidneys, beans, soy products, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, seafood(fish and crustaceans), lecithin and fish oil supplements containing lecithin.

2. Medicine

Low-dose antibiotics allegedly can reduce the number of bacteria in the intestine and suppress Trimethylamine production. But to avoid antibiotic resistance, this should only be used in a short time, not forever. In addition, laxatives can also speed up food travel through your intestines so there will be a reduction in Trimethylamine levels in your intestines.

If you know someone who suffered from this rare condition. Do not make fun of them! Actually, I don't care either that someone suffered from this condition or not, it's not okay to make fun of other people!

I hope you can watch the video provided, do you see how that boy suffered? From his social life and everything, just because of YOU a HUMAN make fun of other HUMAN.