Activated Charcoal - TMAU

[Sachijay]

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/activated-charcoal

Activated charcoal may help reduce unpleasant odors in individuals suffering from trimethylaminuria (TMAU), also known as fish odor syndrome.

TMAU is a genetic condition in which trimethylamine (TMA), a compound with an odor similar to that of rotting fish, accumulates in the body.

Healthy individuals are usually able to convert fishy-smelling TMA into a non-smelly compound before excreting it in urine. However, people with TMAU lack the enzyme needed to perform this conversion.

This causes TMA to accumulate in the body and make its way into urine, sweat and breath, giving rise to a foul, fishy odor.

Studies show that activated charcoal's porous surface may help bind small odorous compounds like TMA, increasing their excretion.

One small study in TMAU patients analyzed the effects of supplementing with 1.5 grams of charcoal for 10 days. It reduced TMA concentrations in the patients' urine to levels found in healthy individuals.