Frontiers Gut Metabolite Trimethylamine N Oxide in Atherosclerosis: From Mechanism to Therapy Ever heard of Fish Odor Syndrome? Its a rare condition where the body cant break down trimethylamine a compound found in foods like fish, eggs, and beans. This leads to a strong, fish like smell What have we here? A man or a fish? The Lancet When a 12 month old boy in Portugal developed an unexpected and persistent smell similar to rotting fish, his parents were unsettled. The child appeared healthy, showed no signs of infection, and behaved normally.