Can Food Smell Like Fish?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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A fish-like body odor may result from an excess of certain proteins in the diet or from an increase in bacteria that normally produce trimethylamine in the digestive system

. A few cases of the disorder have been identified in adults with liver or kidney disease.

Can smells like fish?


Trimethylaminuria, better known as fish odor syndrome, is a rare disorder that causes a person’s bodily emissions to smell like fish

. The odor can arise from the saliva, sweat, or urine. A person develops this condition when they are not able to break down TMA.

What does it mean when you smell fish?

Causes for a fishy smell

It is

most commonly caused by a bacterial infection, but can also be caused by a yeast infection or a sexually transmitted infection (STI) called trichomoniasis

.

What bacteria smells like fish?

The vaginal discharge of women with

bacterial vaginosis

often has a prominent fishy odor.

Why does fish smell like fish?

The problem, or stink,

arises when fish are killed and bacteria and fish enzymes convert TMAO into trimethylamine (TMA)

, which gives off the characteristic fishy odor. This chemical is especially common in the flesh of cold-water surface-dwelling fish like cod.

What is the saying if it smells like fish?

The idiom something smells fishy means that

something is not on the up and up, something about a person or situation arouses suspicion

.

Why do vaginas smell?

Vaginal odor can change from day to day during the menstrual cycle. An odor might be especially noticeable right after having sex. Sweating also can cause a vaginal odor.

Bacterial vaginosis is an overgrowth of bacteria typically present in the vagina

.

Why does my bedroom smell like fish?

A Fishy Smell

The smell can come from

loose or frayed wires or cords, overloaded circuits, faulty outlets, incorrectly sized breakers or fuses, or overheated electrical shielding or insulation

. If not addressed quickly and properly, any of these problems could result in a house fire.

Why does my breath smell like fish?

Fishy Breath

May Be a Sign of Kidney Failure

When this happens, the dangerous toxins and waste not discharged from the body accumulate and affect nearly every part of the body. The fishy-breath odor can occur when kidney failure affects the respiratory system and causes breathing problems.

How common is fish odor syndrome?

Trimethylaminuria is a rare metabolic disorder.

More than 100 cases have been reported in the medical literature

. Some clinicians believe that the disorder is under-diagnosed since many people with mild symptoms do not seek help.

Is fish supposed to smell fishy?

Fresh fish, crustaceans, shellfish, etc., smell lightly of the sea when they’re first caught, but

they should never smell distinctly fishy

. Unless you have an amazing fishmonger, or caught the fish yourself, the week-old cod you’re buying from the supermarket will most likely reek.

Why does the smell of fish linger?

If you can’t resist sautéing your fish, remember that

the lingering smell is from the oils spattering on your walls and other surfaces

. Your kitchen may look clean, but just a few tiny drops of fishy oil can make your kitchen smell like a fried clam shack in Essex, Massachusetts.

Why do I randomly smell food that isn’t there?


An olfactory hallucination (phantosmia) makes you detect smells that aren’t really present in your environment

. The odors detected in phantosmia vary from person to person and may be foul or pleasant. They can occur in one or both nostrils. The phantom smell may seem to always be present or it may come and go.

Where does smelling fish come from?

Origin.

The phrase originates in the early 1800’s when at a fish market, you would know that is fish is fresh if it did not stink

. If the fish had a foul odour then it meant that the fishmonger was being dishonest because only stale fish had an odour. The phrase has stuck on and is popularly used in regular parlance.

Why do I smell down there even after I shower?

Poor hygiene

Not bathing or showering regularly can lead to inflammation of the vaginal area, which can cause vaginal odor

. Sweating The skin in the groin area is prone to sweating, which can cause vaginal odor.

Why does my period smell like death?

Period smells like “death”


The strong smell is likely due to the blood and tissues exiting the vagina along with bacteria

. It’s normal for the vagina to have bacteria, though the amount can fluctuate. The resulting “rotten” smell from bacteria mixed with menstrual flow shouldn’t be strong enough for others to detect.

Why does it smell like fish between my legs?


Fish odor syndrome (trimethylaminuria) is a genetic disease

; symptoms are often present from birth. Fish odor syndrome is characterized by an offensive body odor and the smell of rotting fish due to the excessive excretion of trimethylaminuria (TMA) in the urine, sweat, and breath of affected individuals.

Can electrics smell fishy?

Your residential electrical wiring is treated with chemicals and coated with plastic insulation. If it happens to overheat, voila …

a smell of fish will fill the air

. There are several possible underlying causes: Circuit overload.

What can cause a house to smell like fish?


An electrical component may be overheating

.

If the insulation is damaged or the wiring is experiencing electrical surges from a faulty breaker, the heat generated by the electricity can begin to melt the plastic, which is often identified as a fishy odor.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.