Why Do Some People Smell Like Fish? It usually comes down to a couple big culprits.
One is straight-up what you’re eating. Foods loaded with choline (eggs, liver, red meat, certain fish, soy stuff) get turned into trimethylamine (TMA) in your gut. Normally your liver converts that TMA into something that doesn’t stink. But if that conversion is slow or messed up… yeah, you start smelling like day-old seafood through your sweat, breath, pee, everything.
Then there’s the genetic lottery called trimethylaminuria (TMAU for short). Some people are born with a glitch in the FMO3 enzyme that’s supposed to handle TMA. It’s rare-ish, but when it hits, it hits hard. Social life takes a beating. I’ve read stories from people who basically became hermits because of it. Brutal.
Other times it’s not genetic at all.
- Bacterial overgrowth down there (especially bacterial vaginosis in women) screams fishy.
- Kidney issues can make you smell ammonia-ish, which a lot of people describe as fishy.
- Super sweaty pits + bacteria = funky fish notes real quick.
- Hormonal rollercoasters (puberty, pregnancy, menopause) can shift your natural scent.
- Even stress sweat smells different—more acrid.
Ever notice it gets worse when you’re anxious or right after a heavy seafood meal? That’s usually the clue.
Fishy Body Odor (Quick Overview Table)
| Remedy | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Increase Water Intake | Flushes out odor-causing toxins and balances body chemistry. |
| Probiotic-Rich Foods | Restores healthy bacteria and reduces fishy-smelling compounds. |
| Apple Cider Vinegar Wash | Balances skin pH and fights odor-causing bacteria. |
| Reduce Fish & Choline-Rich Foods | Helps lower trimethylamine buildup that causes fishy smell. |
| Baking Soda Baths | Neutralizes odor and soothes irritated skin. |
| Good Hygiene & Breathable Clothing | Prevents sweat buildup and reduces bacterial growth. |
Okay But When Should I Actually Worry and See a Doctor?
If it just started out of nowhere and won’t quit after you change your diet and shower twice a day, don’t play hero—get checked.
Sudden strong fish smell + feeling tired, puffy legs, weird pee? Could be kidneys acting up.
Smell coming mostly from downstairs and it’s fishy + discharge or itching? Probably BV or another infection. Antibiotics usually knock it out fast.
If it’s whole-body persistent fish stench no matter what soap you use, and especially if family members have weird odor stories too, ask for a TMAU urine test. It’s a simple check for trimethylamine levels.
I ignored mine for like three months thinking “eh it’s just diet.” Turns out cutting eggs and getting on a tiny dose of riboflavin made 80% of it disappear. Wish I’d acted sooner.
Quick Fixes That Actually Work (Stuff I Do Myself)
Shower every single day. No skipping. Use an antibacterial body wash (I like the ones with tea tree or benzoyl peroxide vibes). Scrub armpits, groin, feet extra. Pat dry completely—bacteria love damp skin.
Deodorant game strong. I use a clinical-strength antiperspirant at night on dry pits. Overnight it blocks sweat glands better. In the morning I slap on a natural-ish one so I don’t feel like I’m wearing plastic.
Cotton everything. Seriously. Polyester traps stink like nobody’s business. I throw workout clothes in the wash immediately—no leaving them in the gym bag to ferment.
Laundry hack: add ½ cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Kills odor molecules dead. Game changer.
Cut the obvious triggers for a week—seafood, eggs, liver, supplements with choline. See if it drops. For me it did.
Drink stupid amounts of water. Dilutes everything.
These basics alone fix like 60–70% of cases that aren’t full-blown TMAU.
Natural Ways I’ve Actually Used to Kill the Fish Smell
Food Changes (The Biggest Lever)
I went hardcore for two weeks: no eggs, no fish, no liver, limited red meat, no soy milk, no peanuts. Replaced with rice, chicken (small amounts), veggies that aren’t super high in choline (cucumber, zucchini, carrots, apples).
Huge drop in smell by day 5. I still eat fish sometimes now but only once every 10–12 days and I don’t get the stench anymore.
Load up on:
- Fresh fruits (especially apples, berries—they help bind junk in the gut)
- Leafy greens (not too much broccoli or cauliflower though)
- Plain water like it’s your job
Pro tip: if dairy makes it worse, try cutting it. Some cows are fed choline-heavy feed and it passes through.
Kitchen Stuff That Actually Works
Baking soda paste. Mix 1 tbsp baking soda + little water. Rub under arms, leave 8–10 minutes, rinse. Neutralizes acids and sucks up odor. I do it 2–3 times a week.
Apple cider vinegar bath. 2 big splashes in warm tub, soak 15–20 min. Balances skin pH and kills bacteria. I felt ridiculous the first time but woke up way fresher.
Lemon juice (diluted). Dab on pits with cotton pad. Acidic environment bacteria hate. Don’t do it right after shaving though—ouch.
Used green tea bags (cooled). Press on underarms for 10 min. The polyphenols fight odor.
Supplements I’ve Tried (Ones That Helped Me)
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) – 100–400 mg a day. It boosts the enzyme that breaks down TMA. I take 200 mg with breakfast. Within 10 days I noticed less smell even after eating eggs again.
Copper chlorophyllin – This one oxidizes TMA so it doesn’t stink. I take 100 mg after meals when I know I’m eating risky food. Works surprisingly well.
Activated charcoal – 500–1000 mg on an empty stomach. Traps TMA in the gut before it gets absorbed. Don’t take it with vitamins or meds though—it grabs everything.
Probiotics – Strains like Lactobacillus reuteri or plantarum seem to shift gut bacteria away from TMA producers. I eat homemade yogurt or take a capsule.
Start one at a time so you know what’s working.
Other Natural Hacks I Swear By
- Acid mantle soaps (pH around 5.5). Regular soap strips your skin and lets bad bacteria take over.
- DIY deodorant: coconut oil + baking soda + arrowroot + few drops tea tree. Cheap and effective.
- Essential oil roller: mix tea tree, lavender, lemon in jojoba oil. Swipe pits when I’m out.
- Loose cotton clothes, especially in this Karachi heat. Tight stuff = sweat prison.
Stress makes everything worse so I try deep breathing or quick walks when I feel wound up. Less cortisol = less funky sweat.
Bottom Line, Dude
Fishy body odor sucks but it’s usually fixable.
Most people get huge improvement just from:
- Cutting high-choline foods for a bit
- Better hygiene + antibacterial soap
- Baking soda or ACV tricks
- Riboflavin + chlorophyllin if it’s stubborn
If none of that moves the needle after 2–3 weeks, go see a doctor. Could be TMAU, infection, kidneys—better to know.
I went from paranoid “everyone can smell me” to barely thinking about it. You can get there too.
Try a couple things this week and see what shifts. Hit me back if something works crazy good—or if it’s still bad and you need more ideas.
Stay fresh out there, bro. You got this. 😎
