Is it a gene defect?

 
Published: Sunday 31 October 1993

-- PEOPLE with strong body odour may probably be carrying a faulty gene, according to researchers from London's St Mary's Hospital Medical School. The researchers say they are close to nailing the gene defect because of which the carriers cannot process a chemical called trimethylamine, a product of digestion that smells of rotting fish. As a result, the chemical shows up in sweat, urine and the breath of such people.

Doctors say antibiotics may bring some relief, but the best strategy would be to avoid trimethylamine-rich foods such as sea fish, eggs, cauliflower and peas.

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