TMAU video news story on KomoTV : May 2008

Tammy Gobin, Rob Brown, and Cheryl Fields tell their TMAU stories, and as Rob points out, “Ignorance is the big problem here,” as it took him 47 years to get the right diagnosis. Dr. John Cashman, Director of the Human Biomolecular Research Institute in San Diego, says the Institute has been studying TMAU for 10 years, but getting medical funding for the disorder has been their biggest challenge. As Dr. Cashman clearly tells it, “We don’t have much funding for it, we’re on fumes.” They tell their stories in hopes of creating awareness and attracting research dollars, “We’re an orphaned disorder,” Tammy says, “People don’t want to spend money on us” Please see ‘The TMAU Research Fund’ post in this blog dated June 1, 2008, for details on how to make a donation, http://mpdela.blogspot.com/2008/06/tmau-research-fund.html

Video link : http://www.komotv.com/news/18956014.html?video=YHI&t=a

Full article: http://www.komotv.com/news/18956014.html

Points of interest :

" After spending $20,000 on medical bills with no help from medical insurance, Gobing found answers from Dr. John Cashman, Director of the Human Biomolecular Research Institute in San Diego.

"They (medical doctors) don't believe the syndrome," said Cashman. His San Diego lab tested Gobin positive for Trimethylaminuria. The Research Institute is one of the few facilities that test for Trimethylaminuria, or TMAu.

"Tammy is a very unusual case," said Cashman. Most patients are born with it and struggle their entire lives. Gobin developed TMAu in her early 30s and was in good health prior to the diagnosis. "

...

"I think in the future there is going to be nutritional supplements or other approaches that will be helpful," said Cashman, but he can't even guess when that might happen. "There's a lot of things we don't know about this gene and its protein and that's why we're studying it in the lab."

Cashman said the Insititute has been studying TMAu for 10 years, reviewing analytical data and DNA sequences, but despite those efforts getting medical funding for the disorder has been an uphill battle.

"We don't have much funding for it, we're on fumes," said Cashman.

Monday morning pep talk

Poll: Bloodborne Body Odor : Do you get non-migraine headache ?

Do you get non-migraine headache ?

Urinary clues to inborn errors of metabolism

Of particular interest is the 'Urine odor' section of this chart which indicates 'Potential disorder' to the various urine odors described as as acrid or sweaty feet, cabbage, fishy, maple syrup or curry, mousy, sweaty feet, sweet, and swimming pool. Please note this is posted as theory only. It is unknown (apart from TMAU) if someone can have a (transient) problem with the odor described only, and no other symptom. For instance, if someone was a 'mild genetic' case, that the medical system would currently be described as 'asymptomatic' (meaning symptomless).

http://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/image.do?file=pedi_pix/urinar6.htm

Dr Hyman talks about Functional Medicine

http://www.ultrawellness.com/blog/7-keys-to-ultrawellnesshttp://www.functionalmedicine.org/

Intestinal Dysbiosis and the Causes of Disease : Article by Galland and Barrie

Leo Galland M.D., F.A.C.N., Stephen Barrie N.D.This is an article from the 90's, where respected MD Dr Leo Galland, and the founder of Genova Diagnostics Stephen Barrie ND, explain their thoughts on an approach to diagnosing and treating dysbiosis problems. http://www.healthy.net/scr/Article.asp?Id=423

Multidimensionality of odor preferences

Claudia Damhuis, Ph.D.Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, December, 2006.This paper addresses odor preferences and olfactory experiences as being individual and multidimensional; it defines common scents and culturally scented knowledge, socially learned interpretations of odors, and compares odor preferences in various geographic regions, such as Germany, Japan, Mexico, and USA.

Full article (opens in Wordpad) : click here

Source website : http://www.senseofsmell.org/

1998 article on handling employees with body odors

originally from :
BNET Business Network
HR Magazine
Feb, 1998

This article addresses management skills in the delivery approach when confronting the employee with a body odor concern. Special emphasis is placed on legally sensitive issues in the United States, such as the Americans with the Disability Act [ADA] requirements and the Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act regarding ethnic diet. “Who’s going to tell her? – handling employees with body odors – includes related article in the causes of body odor”

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3495/is_n2_v43/ai_20365902/pg_1?tag=artBody;col1

1995 article about Dr Michael Levitt : sage of flatus

Dr Levitt is a renowned researcher in flatulence. Of interest in this article is that he mentions a hydrogen breathometer that could indicate levels of hydrogen in the gut (possibly todays hydrogen breath test for small intestine bacteria overgrowth ?), and also mentions methanogenic bacteria, which some suggest may play some good role in controlling flatulence, especially the odors, since methane is odorless and methanogenic bacteria are incompatible with some of the smelliest creating bacteria (such as sulfur-eating bacteria). At the time they say a methanogenic 'probiotic' was impossible.

full article : findarticle.compubmed search of levitt : click here

Be nice to yourself : Chiropractor

Dr. Jeff Echols, D.C.
www.dcnrt.com

The portable gas chromatograph OralChroma™

A Tangerman and E G Winkel
Academic Center for Oral Health, Department of Periodontology
University Medical Center Groningen
Groningen, The Netherlands

From Journal of Breath Research : Published 7 March 2008

abstract url : http://www.iop.org/EJ/abstract/1752-7163/2/1/017010

Gas chromatography using a specific sulfur detector is the most appropriate method to detect halitosis of different origin (intra-oral and extra-oral halitosis) and should be considered as the gold standard. However, a gas chromatograph is an expensive apparatus and needs trained personnel. The less specific Halimeter is the most used apparatus in halitosis research. In this study a newly developed portable gas chromatograph, the OralChroma™ (Abilit Corporation, Japan), was evaluated for use in the field of halitosis….

Article source : Journal of Breath Research
Oralchroma makers : http://www.abilit-medical-and-environmental.jp/en/medical/product_01.html
Western seller : http://freshbreathmeter.com/

Hepatic portal vein : an explanation

This is an attempt to explain how things absorbed from the gut end up in the hepatic portal vein awaiting assessment by the liver, before then entering the main circulation.

The body will do all it can to keep the main circulating blood as clean as possible. With regards to the things absorbed from the gut, it has 2 main ways of making sure the absorbed material is as clean as possible before entering the main circulation: The gut wall barrier, and the hepatic portal vein 'waiting room', which is where all the absorbed material ends up and is then procesed by the liver, usually by the xenobiotic enzymes altering them

1. The gut wall barrier: Simply stops molecules too big from being absorbed into the portal vein when working correctly.
2. The portal vein: You can think of it as a waiting line for a screening check by the liver, before entrance to the main circulation. These molecules will (usually) be absorbable size, and for the most part the xenobiotic enzymes of the liver will then alter (neutralizing) the 'baddies' and possibly activate the 'goodies' (if need be). Once assessed and altered by the liver, it then enters the main bloodstream.

It's probably not as simple as that, but in general that's probably what mostly happens.

contents of the gut >>
gut wall keeps molecules too big from being absorbed (this is where leaky gut is a concern) >>
then enters the hepatic portal vein awaiting assessment by the liver>>
then the liver alters/neutralizes/activates the molecules >>
only then enters the main circulation

http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861737853/portal_vein.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepatic_portal_vein

Working from home : westathome.com

This company was mentioned by a poster on a forum as a home-working option and might be worth looking at for those who don't want to work outside your home. If interested, here are some related links of interest.

http://www.westathome.com/
http://apply.westathome.com/faq.asp
http://apply.westathome.com/

1999 paper : 'Fish odor' case due to dimethylglycine

from 1999 :

This paper tells of a man(38) who smelt of a fish odor since 5, and was negative for TMAU. He was finally diagnosed as having too much dimethylglycine in his blood. A DNA test seemed to confirm a mutant homozygous gene for the Dimethylglycine dehydrogenase enzyme. He also complained of muscle fatigue.

In this case, choline is to be avoided because it is metabolized in the body to dimethyglycine. Its not to do with gut bacteria. Betaine is also to be avoided, as can be seen in the graph. Possibly most of our betaine is derived from choline breakdown.

For this enzyme, B2 is the co-factor, and folate could also be implicated.

A main point is that his FMO3 enzyme seemed to be fine, and he even done well for (low) TMA levels after eating fish. This may be a test worth doing if you feel it could be an issue.

Pubmed abstract : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10102904
full paper : http://www.clinchem.org/cgi/content/full/45/4/459

This subject may be returned to in the next few days, for elaboration and in case of errors

Video of a portable mini mass spectrometer detecting chloroform from a drain

Gases/vapors/chemicals are often identified nowadays by mass spectrometers. The youtube details for this one says "a small portable ion trap mass spectrometer is demonstrated to analyze ink from paper. The mass spectrometer is taken for a walk. Outside chloroform is analyzed from a drain vent."



reference :
http://www.unsolvedmysteries.oregonstate.edu/GCMS_05.shtml
http://medgadget.com/archives/2006/03/mini_10_portabl_1.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_spectrometer
http://news.uns.purdue.edu/html4ever/2006/060316.Cooks.desi06.html

Poll : Bloodborne Body Odor : Do you have any obvious allergies ?

Poll : Bloodborne Body Odor : Do you have any obvious allergies ?

Positivity: Tony Robbins interview

http://www.tonyrobbins.com/Home/Home.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Robbins

2001 Halitosis Paper : Fundamentals of Breath Malodour

Sanz M, Roldán S, Herrera D
Fundamentals of Breath Malodour
J Contemp Dent Pract 2001 Nov;(2)4: 001-017.

This article addresses extra-oral halitosis from the nasal, laryngeal regions, pulmonary tract, upper digestive tract, to "bloodborne and emitted via the lungs (e.g., diabetes, hepatic cirrhosis, uremia, internal bleeding)". Make sure you go on to the next pages to get the full explanation.

http://www.thejcdp.com/issue008/sanz/01sanz.htm

The causes of intestinal dysbiosis: a review

Alternative Medicine Review, June, 2004 by Hawrelak JA, Myers SP

This 19-page article of the Alternative Medicine Review, presents an in-depth discussion of the causes of intestinal dysbiosis, a state of imbalance of the intestinal flora. It describes the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract as having “an ecosystem of the highest complexity…composed of over 50 genera of bacteria accounting for over 500 different species.” Of particular interest are the factors that can alter the gastrointestinal microflora, such as the use of antibiotics, physical and psychological stress, and dietary changes. On a positive note, the authors concludes that altering our diet, attenuating stress, and using antibiotics sparingly, can minimize or at least attenuate, and thus manipulate the microflora to become more successful and longer-lasting in effect. The authors' base was The Australian Centre for Complementary Medicine Education & Research

Full article : http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FDN/is_2_9/ai_n6112781

related links:
Pubmed abstract : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15253677
PDF format of article : http://www.thorne.com/altmedrev/.fulltext/9/2/180.pdf
Authors base : http://www.uq.edu.au/accmer/

1999 news article on Dr Preti and the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia

"PHILADELPHIA -- George Preti approaches his patients sniffing. He snuffles under their armpits, takes deep whiffs of their necks and slowly sniffs up and down their bodies."

"The 31-year-old nonprofit center is the only one of its kind in the nation. "

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4179/is_19990608/ai_n11722849
Original source : The Topeka Capital-Journal, Jun 8 1999

related links:
http://www.monell.org/index.htm
pubmed search : "Preti G"
pubmed search : "Monell Chemical senses"

Be nice to yourself : Neck exercises

Dr Jelovsek explains Vulvar and Perineal Odor

Dr. Frederick R. Jelovsek MD gives a very good explanation of perineal odor in women, sweat gland secretions, causes including bacteria and a fatty diet, the type of odor including ammonia and fish odor, and recommended control techniques.

Woman's Diagnostic Cyber - Vulvar and Perineal Odor

Gene determines whether male body odor smells pleasant

Public release date: 16-Sep-2007

The largest study of its kind reveals that an ingredient in male body odor can smell like urine or take on a vanilla scent depending on a single odorant receptor gene

To many, urine smells like urine and vanilla smells like vanilla. But androstenone, a derivative of testosterone that is a potent ingredient in male body odor, can smell like either - depending on your genes. While many people perceive a foul odor from androstenone, usually that of stale urine or strong sweat, others find the scent sweet and pleasant. Still others cannot smell it at all...

Full article: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-09/ru-gdw091207.php
Other sources: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070916143523.htm
http://www.physorg.com/news109167619.html

2005 fmo3 study : Polymorphisms of the Flavin containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) gene do not predispose to essential hypertension in Caucasians

A study in Ireland was done in 2005 to see "whether common polymorphisms of the FMO3 gene confer an increased risk for elevated blood pressure and/or essential hypertension."
The results "suggest that the variants in the FMO3 gene do not predispose to essential hypertension in this population."

The reason for testing the 'connection' was because there was some research that suggested a link between FMO3 and catecholamine metabolism, since FMO3 is a minor pathway for catecholamine metabolism, and high levels in the bloodstream are associated with hypertension. No connection was found in this paper.

Abstract : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16324215
Read the full paper : http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=16324215

Poll : Bloodborne BO : do you associate being underweight with your odor problem ?

Poll : Bloodborne BO : do you associate being underweight with your odor problem ?

Poll : Bloodborne halitosis : Do you associate being underweight with your odor problem ?

Dr Mark Hyman talks about your "inner tube"

Dr Mark Hyman is a follower of Functional Medicine. In this video he talks about the importance of getting your 'inner tube' (your gut) in as healthy working condition as possible. He has his own website and blog

http://www.ultrawellness.com/blog/ultrawellness-key-3

Poll: Bloodborne BO: Ladies: do you associate menstruation with intensity of your odor problem ?

Ladies: do you associate menstruation with intensity of your body odor problem ?

2007 research study into what volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are in fecal samples

This is a recent paper where the researchers in Bristol (UK) used solid-phase microextraction to extract, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to analyze what the volatile organic compounds were in fecal samples from 'healthy' volunteers compared to samples in certain groups of 'unhealthy volunteers' with 'defined' bowel problems.

Little is known about the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in feces and their potential health consequences. Patients and healthcare professionals have observed that feces often smell abnormal during gastrointestinal disease. The aim of this work was to define the volatiles emitted from the feces of healthy donors and patients with gastrointestinal disease...

It is interesting to read what makes up the volatile organic compounds.

full article: http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/full/21/8/1675

Arun’s feedback about the UK breath/ body odour group meetup

In his captivating and very interesting literary style, Arun describes in the three forums, MSN Body Odor Support Forum, Yahoo TMAU group, and curezone BO & Halitosis and tmau forums, his experiences and keen observations of his June 14th and 15th, 2008 weekend meetup in Manchester, England. Not only was it a fun-filled experience for them, but Arun, as a scientist, points out some very interesting observations about the conditions triggering the onset of the various BO symptoms of those attending the meetup, as well as the patterns and qualities of these manifestations.


On June 17, 2008, Arun writes:

Well guys, the UK Breath and Body Odour Meet up took place in Manchester, England last weekend (Sat 14th and Sun 15thJune 2008) and was a great success. There were 8 of us who attended, 3 were guys and 5 were girls, all were single ;) with ages ranging from 26 to 47, and coming from places as far away as London and Ireland.

Me and another guy from London took Friday off work and got the afternoon Megabus up but this was a mega journey also, nearly 5 hours! We arrived in Manchester with sore bums and in mega need of liquid refreshment. We had a delicious Thai meal and I could hear karaoke music upstairs. However, I resisted doing my Top Gun rendition of ‘Take my breath away’

Being a Friday night, we hit the pub and a few pints later we crashed out in the Gardens Hotel (which we had booked for the weekend); it was aptly named because it overlooked the Piccadilly Gardens in the city centre.

Somewhat wasted and bleary-eyed, I half woke up in the morning to a familiar tune. It was my mobile (I’d overslept!) and the first of the Group members had already arrived at the train station 100 yards away and wanted to know the directions to the hotel!

I dashed for the shower still carrying my mobile whilst simultaneously soaping my back (not wise!). Having scorched myself with boiling water I flung some clothes together and greeted the first guest who was by now sitting in the hotel foyer!

She was a beautiful blonde woman I had met once previously in London. I remember thinking that if she had never told me she has this problem then I would never have known. I have not been able to smell any of our UK members so far although I have no problem in detecting odours, thus suggesting many of us may have similar odours present.

We made our way to a Costa coffee shop on the opposite side of the square and made ourselves comfy in some soft leather sofas. Within a short while, several of the arriving members texted me on my mobile and I directed them there.

I guess the coffee shop is where we broke the ice. One of our Mancunian members (Mancunians means people who come from Manchester) is really extrovert and could talk for England!

I sat back and listened to her strange accent trying to focus on her words rather than the way she said them. That’s right, people from different parts of England talk with different accents and dialects just as people do in different parts of America!

Well, she was the first one who told me of the strange phenomenon of her breath odour being emitted as waves of intense odour that exude from her for perhaps 20-30 minutes then disappear as quickly as they had arrived. She talked about how she had confided in her work colleagues and a few of them had given her feedback about the odour, when it comes and goes, how strong it is and what it smells like.

She was the first one who told me about how her odour varies during her menstrual cycle, smelling like sour milk a week before her period, then a period smell then finally becoming faecal as she started menstruating.

The blonde lady had primary trimethylaminuria and told us all how she got greatest relief by following a low choline diet and taking probiotics and chlorophyll. These measures had reduced her odour around 80% as detected by herself and others.

There was one lady present who had tongue coating as bad as mine, and we discussed novel ways of reducing the coating. One lady swore her tongue became pink and healthy looking after taking apple cider vinegar and chewable vitamin C tablets. Another said the apple-cider vinegar made her smell different and worse.

We also chatted about foods that made our odour worse (eating lamb affects my odour terribly). I told members how I spray my clothes but not my body with sprays since direct spraying to the body makes the odour worse.

The other member from London who came up with me in the Megabus told me how his breath/body odour sometimes smells like phosphorous matches being lit and has a huge stress component, I have heard of this stress link to odour from a small number of members.

After coffee, we made our way to a restaurant and bar arcade called the Printworks and had a Chinese buffet. The guy from Ireland arrived and I remember feeling impressed that he had made such an effort and was even staying in the same hotel as us.

In the evening we had some drinks in a Weatherspoon pub near the hotel then went to the Trafford Centre which has one of the biggest shopping malls in the UK. We played 10 pin bowling and I impressed the gang with my 4 Strikes and, for good measure, even bowled the bar staff over with my breath!

We managed to miss the last bus back and had to catch a taxi. We sat in the Irish guy’s room and knocked back a bottle of sparkling wine mixed with vodka and I told them about how I started these meet ups some years back and what fun we have.

One of the points I gleaned from this meet up was how members expressed a sense of overwhelming relief in being able to finally talk openly about their problem and experiences with others who truly understand. I hope others here will also find the courage to reach out to a few members they like.

The other point I gleaned was that even amongst odour conditions that lacked an organic cause, there appeared to be a sub-variety of different odour related conditions, each having symptoms (based on location, smell, frequency, triggers etc) that were distinct from others. We concluded that these various symptoms need to be documented together in one place, as well as the factors such as diet, stress, menstruation, medication etc that cause the odours to vary.

This task is being done by the blonde lady. She is conducting the survey in conjunction with a metabolic specialist here in London. The aim will be to allow scientists and medics to know more about these conditions so they can be properly researched. Without this survey, we will not know the full extent of our problem.

Arun

http://groups.msn.com/bodyodorsupport/Message=19267&LastModified=4675677709194462684 http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1196927
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Trimethylaminuria/message/111

Poll: Bloodborne BO : Can your 'loved ones' (genetic family/partners) smell you ?

Bloodborne Body Odor : Can your 'loved ones' (genetic family/partners) smell you ?

Drug metabolizing enzymes : FMO3 is one such enzyme

These sort of educational posts will be ongoing, and as I learn along the way, I'll pass it along to you.

Drug-metabolizing enzymes

This seems to be a broad 'trade' term for a group of metabolizing enzymes that deals with many chemicals , the FMO family (flavin monooxygenase) being one of the group. There are currently 5 generally accepted FMOs. We will be discussing the enzymes that deal with the metabolism of drugs as well as with many other chemicals, including internally produced hormones, and of external sources, such as the gut and environment airborne chemicals through the skin.

As the process of metabolic detoxification is explained in Wikipedia, "An animal's metabolism can produce harmful substances which it can then make less toxic through oxidation, conjugation and excretion of molecules from cells or tissues. This is called xenobiotic metabolism."

There seem to be 2 main groupings of such enzymes :
1: the 'nonsynthetic reaction' group (oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, cyclization, and decyclization reactions). The FMO family are part of this group.
2: the 'synthetic reaction' group (the conjugative group, which add something to a 'chemical')

The main purpose of this type of enzyme seems to be to keep the main circulating blood as clear of toxins as possible by altering them into easily excretable non-toxic compounds, and to properly activate chemicals supposed to do some good.

Good explanantion : http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec20/ch303/ch303e.html

short quick link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_metabolism
pdf format. Not sure how relevant : http://tools.invitrogen.com/downloads/O-12758DMEGuide_Intro.pdf

As a loose analogy, which may not be totally correct but gives a sense of the concept, regarding drug-metabolizing enzymes:

If you think of theses enzymes as supermarket checkout cashiers, and the 'substrates' are the (fat soluble) shoppers to be processed (turned into water soluble). There are express checkouts and disability checkouts, all designed to make processing the shoppers as efficient as possible. Say the 'express' cashier is the FMO3 enzyme, and not very good. Then a big queue builds up there, but most of the FMO3-substrate shoppers can go join other queues instead, to queue behind people with trolleys. Sadly, unlike most 'substrates', TMA doesnt have another option apart from FMO3.

Poll : bloodborne body odor : do you have any bad reactions/allergies to medicines ?

bloodborne Body Odor : do you have any bad reactions/allergies to medicines ?

positivity : Emotional Freedom Technique demo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotional_Freedom_Techniques

an offshoot from Thought Field Therapy :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thought_Field_Therapy

Could leaky gut be a factor in Fecal Body Odor ?

It's unknown if something like 'leaky gut' (gut permeability) could be a factor in something like, for instance 'fecal body odor'. Research into 'leaky gut' in general seems lacking, but sometimes interesting (unrelated) research is published. For instance, this 1999 paper about only alcoholics with 'leaky gut' having cirrhosis ...
Leaky gut in alcoholic cirrhosis: a possible mechanism for alcohol-induced liver damage.

Two functions of the gut wall are to physically act as a sieve (to not allow molecules too big to be absorbed into the portal vein), and also to absorb suitable sized molecules in a controlled manner (often actively, as well as passively).

In the case of 'leaky gut', it is proposed that for some reason the junctions of the cells are not properly joined, and molecules too large are then allowed through the gaps into the portal vein.

Ironically, if the 'absorption' system through the gut wall cells is also interfered with for some reason, for example irritation, someone can then have potential 'malabsorption' as well as leaky gut.

The current common test for leaky gut usually tests both for 'leaky gut' and also malabsorption, using 2 sugars, lactulose (a large molecule), and mannitol (a small molecule). The other alternative common test is the polyethylene glycol (PEG) test

some leaky gut explanations :

from an Autism research unit at Sunderland University : http://osiris.sunderland.ac.uk/autism/gut.htm
Leo Galland article : http://www.mdheal.org/leakygut.htm
Dr Myhill article : http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/article.cfm?id=47
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaky_gut_syndrome
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/healthconditionsdisease/a/TestLeakyGut.htm

(example) pubmed search result

Comments posted in this blog

Today, on the 3rd week anniversary of this blog’s airing, I feel so encouraged by the very positive response I have received from visitors from 26 countries worldwide, with particular interest in the three-part post on Charcoal Supplements for Body Odor, Dr. Werner’s paper on desmopressin, Arun Nagrath’s post regarding extra-oral blood-borne halitosis, Supplements for body odor, and Sulfate-reducing bacteria, amongst the other 73 posts and polls currently in the blog. I am also very grateful for the Recent Comments posted by our visitors, and the emails I received through the ‘contact Mpdela’ section in the blog.

Just today we received an anonymous comment regarding the dangers of long-term consumption of charcoal, which states that, "It might be dangerous to use charcoal in the long term because 'In addition to adsorption of toxins, activated charcoal also adsorbs food nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.' " This comment serves as an inspiration to me to further research and to turn to experts for guidance so that we may find a way to take advantage of the detoxifying properties of charcoal as needed without hurting ourselves. It is a comment like this that identify the needs of the sufferers and direct us to search for answers, and I welcome more comments and emails in this regard. As a result, there will be further posts regarding the outcome of this inquiry.

Maria

Charcoal Supplements for Body Odor Part III of III

Note : this post is used to show how the medical system still finds charcoal useful, although please remember this is an example of how it is used in emergencies for acute poisoning. Please do not try anywhere near this amount or protocol without close medical supervision.

What's your gut reaction to a poison emergency?
Nursing, Sep 2000, by Hayes, Lynn

This very interesting article goes on to say that,

Even when certain toxins have been adsorbed into the bloodstream, multiple doses of activated charcoal, sometimes called "gut dialysis," can help increase their elimination... The drug is eliminated through a process of back diffusion from the mesenteric capillaries across the GI epithelium into the GI tract, where it's adsorbed to the charcoal.

The article also add that, "However, not all substances are well adsorbed to activated charcoal...Activated charcoal has an advantage over other gut decontamination methods because it can "catch up" to substances that have moved beyond the pylorus into the small intestine. It can bind up to 60% of a toxin when given within 30 to 60 minutes after the ingestion.”

Full article: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3689/is_200009/ai_n8905056

Part 1 : click here

Translated into Spanish
by Natalia

What bloodborne body odor and halitosis means

According to the Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary, borne means “to transport or transmit by - used in combination 'soilborne' 'airborne" [1], and the Merriam-Webster’s Medical Dictionary defines blood-borne as “carried or transmitted by the blood”. [2] This could be anything from blood-borne nutrients, blood-borne hormones, a blood-borne disease, etc. Although serious contagious diseases can be blood-borne, most everything that is blood-borne is not a contagious pathogen, and most people don’t have blood-borne contagious pathogens.

Most certainly, metabolic bloodborne body odor/halitosis has nothing to do with contagious/bloodborne pathogens. When we refer to bloodborne body odor, we refer to the abnormal levels of odorous chemicals allowed (mainly) by the liver to enter the main circulation, and the subsequent toxins this imbalance produces that are carried in the main circulating blood and excreted unchanged through the body’s cleansing organs, such as the kidneys, skin, breath (via the lungs), etc. This results in body odor and/or halitosis that stems from the internal system.

The odorous chemicals present in the bloodstream can be the product of a low amount of the metabolic enzyme(s) that otherwise would normally neutralize the odorous chemicals before entering the bloodstream (or in some cases, chemicals produced internally e.g. hormones). Another cause could be simply because the enzyme(s) is completely overloaded (saturated) by the load it has to deal with. For instance if you eat garlic and smell, this is the garlic chemicals overloading an enzyme(s) that is supposed to neutralize the chemicals before they enter the main circulation. And of course, it could also be caused by both.

This concept is mentioned by Dr. Stephen Mitchell, Biological Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, in his article, SC Mitchell (2005) Trimethylaminuria (fish-odour syndrome) and oral malodour, in which he states,

A small but important percentage of oral malodour cases have an extra-oral aetiology and certain of these fall into the category of ‘blood-borne halitosis’. Odoriferous substances generated within the body and transported to the lungs via the circulatory system may, if sufficiently volatile, leave with the exhaled air and impart a foetid odour to the breath. [3]

References:
1. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary
2. http://medical.merriam-webster.com/medical/blood-borne
3. http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1601-0825.2005.01081.x

Poll : Bloodborne Halitosis : Can your 'loved ones' (genetic family/partners) smell your halitosis ?

Positivity : Hypnosis, demonstrated by Paul McKenna

Our attitude in life can help or hinder our ability to make the best of our daily opportunities. I hope these psychological tools can assist us in developing a positive attitude with which to face each day in spite of all the obstacles we may encounter along the way. Positivity will be an ongoing theme of the blog, since it can change outcomes.

Charcoal supplements for body odor, part II of III

Please note : This example is used to show how effective charcoal can be in the gut, as it is still used by Emergency Rooms today for acute poisoning cases. Under constant supervision of the medical staff, it is used to adsorb (and make unabsorbable) the poisons left in their gut. It is not recommended that a similar treatment be used without medical supervision.

Activated charcoal itself is a fine, black powder that is odorless, tasteless, and nontoxic. It is used in very high doses in hospital Emergency Rooms with most drug overdose cases, and is often given after gastric lavage—the technique often called the stomach pump. Gastric lavage is only effective immediately after swallowing a toxic substance (within about one-half hour) and does not reach beyond the stomach as activated charcoal does. It works by adsorbing (soaking up) chemicals, thus reducing their toxicity (poisonous nature), through the entire length of the GI tract (stomach and small and large intestines), and is estimated to reduce up to 60% of poisonous substances being adsorbed. This article says that activated charcoal is a very safe decontaminant in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (stomach and intestines). It is considered to be the most effective agent available, and is used after a person swallows or adsorbs almost any toxic drug or chemical. [1]

The National Institute of Health, Office of Rare Diseases, in their recommendations for the treatment of trimethylaminuria, prescribe activated charcoal taken at a dose of 750mg twice daily for ten days, with a note stating, "Individuals should follow the treatment advice of their health care provider and should not attempt to self-administer these treatment approaches. Medications and supplements can have unintended interactions, and dietary restrictions can result in nutritional deficits." [2]

Related links:
1. http://www.emedicinehealth.com/activated_charcoal/article_em.htm
2. General treatment advice on TMAU by the NIH Rare Diseases website, including charcoal advice use

Part 3 : click here

Translated into Spanish
by Natalia

Charcoal Supplements for Body Odor Part I of III

Some people are afraid of taking activated charcoal because one normally associates charcoal with a dirty-looking stuff used to make a fire. But in reality, it’s been used for hundreds of years, if not longer, as a digestive cleanser. It adsorbs odor emitting toxins in our gut and eliminates them through our bowels. If your gut is building up odor-producing toxins produced by microorganisms, from poor digestion, and/or or dysbiosis, then activated charcoal adsorbs these toxins and eliminates them with your bowel movement so that they won't be absorbed into your bloodstream. The mayoclinic.com writes the following about charcoal, Activated (Oral Route),

Activated charcoal is used in the emergency treatment of certain kinds of poisoning. It helps prevent the poison from being absorbed from the stomach into the body. Sometimes, several doses of activated charcoal are needed to treat severe poisoning...

full article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR602267

Part 2 : click here

Translated into Spanish
by Natalia

Income idea : start an Ebay shop

Sources of income will be an ongoing theme for the blog. Either just casual suggestions to get you thinking, or long-term we can aim for a 'related small business/career advice' network or something in that scope.

Suggestion #1. Start an Ebay shop ?

Full case report of a case of a man diagnosed with TMAU : 2007

Mostly of interest because it let's us read the full paper for free. The pattern seems typical for TMAU.

"A 41-year-old man presented with history of a fishy odor that had been commented on by friends since he was 13 years old. Neither the patient nor his family members has been able to detect this malodor, which was a cause of considerable social embarrassment to the patient."

"Results from biochemical investigations confirmed a diagnosis of primary trimethylaminuria, and results of molecular genetic studies revealed homozygosity for a mutation on exon 4 of the FMO3 gene, FMO3/P153L (c.458C T)"

http://archderm.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/143/1/81

Poll : Bloodborne Halitosis : do you feel you have an IBS/gut type issue ?

Nutrient Checker

Thanks to Cabel on the MSN Body Odor Forum for pointing out this link. The Nutrient Search Tool, which consists of dropdown menus to select from, helps you find foods with the highest or lowest concentrations of specific nutrients, such as choline, betaine, protein, fats, carbs, etc. It can help us design the perfect diet for our particular needs.

Source: http://www.nutritiondata.com/tools/nutrient-search

The War on Stink

This New York Times online magazine article by Austin Bunn was originally published in October 15, 2000, and re-released today June 10, 2008. It portrays the research done in Dr. George Preti's lab, Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, against many obstacles to help find answers to body odor, particularly mouth odor and human secretions.

His research operation is but a draft compared with the gales of Big Science. Where other labs maintain huge server farms of coded genes, Preti has two fridges covered with cartoons and crammed with saliva, urine, swabs of exudates and other unmentionables. This year, the federal government will spend $3.8 billion to fight cancer and $528 million to fight diabetes. Preti will wage his war on stink with a total budget of $300,000...

...Preti holds a small strip of clear material under my nose, saturated with 3-methyl-2-hexenoic acid, the principal ingredient in underarm odor. Smelling this strip is like savoring distilled gym locker...

full article: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A05E0DD1E3DF936A25753C1A9669C8B63

Yahoo TMAU forum going back to old (Trimethylaminuria) address. Under new ownership

The moderator of the Yahoo trimethylaminuria forum has decided the old address is the best place for the forum to be situated, since the moderator doesn't want to lose all the old posts and other information written there over the years, and also the site url is linked to many respected sites. I wish the new site owner all the best and thank her for all the work she has done on the site as a moderator.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Trimethylaminuria/messages

Gene therapy treatment that restores missing liver enzyme

Here's another interesting and encouraging scientific story recommended by Rob in the Comment section of this blog. Rob has been a helpful contributor on the Yahoo Trimethylaminuria forum for many years.

"Absolutely fascinating! A new way sequencing DNA will make it possible to map disease genes in large patient groups, which in turn can mean quicker breakthroughs for new treatments for a wide variety of diseases." Thanks Rob for the heads up!

Full article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080312115415.htm

New form of extra-oral blood-borne halitosis caused by dimethyl sulphide

Thanks to Arun Nagrath for posting this on the MSN Body Odor Support forum

In Tangerman and Winkel's study of 58 patients who complained of halitosis, 81% had halitosis of oral origin, 10% had halitosis which did not originate from the mouth and 9% had no halitosis (halitophobia).

In patients with bad breath that comes from the mouth the main gas responsible is methyl mercaptan. In patients whose bad breath comes from somewhere else (bloodborne etc) the main gas responsible is dimethylsulfide.

Halimeter can detect methylmercaptan but is no good for detecting dimethylsulfide. Oralchroma can detect both but is hardly a state of the art instrument.

Arun


J Clin Periodontol. 2007 Sep ;34 (9):748-55 17716310 (P,S,E,B,D) Intra- and extra-oral halitosis: finding of a new form of extra-oral blood-borne halitosis caused by dimethyl sulphide.

Albert Tangerman, Edwin G Winkel
Aim: The aim of this study was to unravel the origen and cause of intra-oral and extra-oral halitosis. Material and Methods: We studied 58 patients complaining of halitosis, using gas chromatography of volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) in mouth and nose breath, organoleptic scoring of mouth and nose breath, Halimeter((R)) readings of mouth air and tongue-coating inspection. Subjects had no precence or history of periodontitis. Result: Of 58 patients, 47 patients had halitosis of oral origin, six had halitosis of extra-oral origin and five had no halitosis (halitophobia). A strong correlation was found between the degree of intra-oral halitosis as measured by organoleptic scoring of mouth breath and the concentration of the VSCs hydrogen sulphide (H(2)S) and methyl mercaptan (CH(3)SH) in mouth breath. Taking into account the much larger odour index of CH(3)SH, it was concluded that CH(3)SH is the main contributor to intra-oral halitosis. In all six cases of extra-oral halitosis, halitosis was caused by the presence of elevated levels of dimethyl sulphide (CH(3)SCH(3)) in mouth and nose breath. Conclusion: Our study provides evidence that the VSC, CH(3)SH and to a lesser extent H(2)S are the main contributors to intra-oral halitosis and that CH(3)SCH(3) is the main contributor to extra-oral or blood-borne halitosis, due to a hitherto unknown metabolic disorder.

Source: http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1600-051X.2007.01116.x
related articles: http://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/ebm/related/17716310
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17716310

Phenylketonuria and Maple Syrup Urine disease. Recognised bloodborne odor problems

Main points :
From Merck manual
Other accepted bloodborne odors caused by errors in metabolizing certain amino acids
The main point : Can people with only mildly defective genes (or combos with 1 very bad copy, a null allelle) who are regarded 'asymptomatic' have a 'secret' transient odor problem ?

Phenylketonuria : mousy odor
Maple Syrup Urine Disease : sweet smell


Both Phenylketonuria and Maple Syrup Urine disease in their purest forms (and variations close to that) are serious life-threatening health problems that will be quickly diagnosed (that's how the medical system mostly discover health problems). But what about 'normal' 'carriers' or having one 'serious' copy and a combo with a mild defective copy and other variations ? Perhaps these people are 'asymptomatic' to their doctors, but they silently suffer from transient odor issues that they can't smell and doesn't affect their physical health.

Quotes from Merck manual :

Phenylketonuria
"Untreated children often give off a "mousy" body and urine odor as a result of a by-product of phenylalanine (phenylacetic acid) in their urine and sweat."

Maple Syrup Urine Disease
" and the odor of maple syrup particularly during physical stress, such as infection or surgery."

http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec23/ch282/ch282c.html#

Mitchell paper on TMAU and halitosis : 2005

SC Mitchell, Biological Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London

Here's a very interesting article regarding TMAU and halitosis. This refers to the type of bad breath that has nothing to do with infections of the mouth, gums, or teeth.

A small but important percentage of oral malodour cases have an extra-oral aetiology and certain of these fall into the category of ‘blood-borne halitosis’. Odoriferous substances generated within the body and transported to the lungs via the circulatory system may, if sufficiently volatile, leave with the exhaled air and impart a foetid odour to the breath.The aliphatic tertiary amine, trimethylamine, is such a volatile compound that is generated to excess in patients with a metabolic disorder known as trimethylaminuria (fish-odour syndrome). This article highlights this condition and draws attention to its potential role in the causation of recalcitrant oral malodour.

Abstract : http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1601-0825.2005.01081.x
Full Article is fee-based

poll : For those who tested negative for the TMAU urine test

If you were negative for the urine TMAU test. Do you still think your body odor is a metabolic issue ?

Berkeley press release on the theory of using vitamins and minerals to optimize genetic enzyme weaknesses

This is the same as the recent article in a recent post about the potential of vitamins and minerals being used to optimize in-born genetic weaknesses in certain enzymes, but also includes a short video of one of the researchers. It is a Berkeley press release. Many enzymes need a 'co-factor' to function, such as a vitamin or mineral.

http://berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2008/06/02_genomes.shtml

1972 Dobson 'fecal body odor' reply to which Rosebury later commented on (part 3 of 3)

this is a continuation of the Rosebury 'fecal body odor' paper mystery

So Rosebury was a skeptic. Dobson on the other hand, seems to have taken the reported case at its word, but sadly for us, probably coming up with the wrong conclusion in believing that it was a skin condition.

It seems to have been a question and answer section in JAMA, to which Dobson was the answerer. The question was sent in by Dr Eugene T Baldridge of Pasadena about one of his patients, a "55-year-old man who is in good health has been troubled intermittently for several months at a time by an intense body odor which he describes as fecal in character". The problem seemed to have started 10 years earlier (at age 45). The patient had no obvious 'malabsorption disorder', but claimed to respond well to lincomycin hydrochloride monohydrate (Lincocin) one time for a respiratory infection, the 'odor' becoming less noticeable (or so he thought).

Dobson seems sure of the answer, saying it's 'undoubtedly due to the decomposition by bacteria of keratin, sebum, apocrine gland secretion, or a combination of these.' He reckons the response to the antibiotic confirms this. His suggestions are:
1. twice daily wash with an antibacterial soap
2. use an antiperspirant-deodorant to the axillie
3 after bathing, the axillae, groin and intergenital area should be dusted liberally with triacetin (Enzactin) powder;

and if that doesn’t work after 2 or 3 weeks, he suggests 'tetracycline hydrochloride, 250 mg twice a day, for one month. A maintenance dosage of tetracycline hydrochloride, 250 mg once or twice daily may be required indefinitely.'

Richard L. Dobson, MD
State University of New York
School of Medicine
Buffalo
1972

Dobson went on to found the dermatology dept at M.U.S.C in Charleston.

Knowing what we do now about bloodborne odors, we could perhaps think it unlikely to have been a skin condition, but ironically he may have been in the right area with the antibiotics (if it had an effect on a mild gut infection ?). It's worth noting in these letters that the patient was possibly the first reported case of what we know today as 'fecal body odor' and he probably would have been discouraged from testing for TMAU had he asked for advice today, being too old when it developed.

So that is the pubmed mystery solved, and as usual it muddies the waters rather than shining any light on this problem. Perhaps the main point is, 35 years later we still don't know what the problem is, and the medical community still doesn’t know it exists.

Please note: in no way is this treatment recommended or expected to work. It is posted only out of historical interest.

related posts (this is part 3 of 3)

part 1 : http://mpdela.blogspot.com/2008/06/fecal-body-odor-paper-by-theodor.html
part 2 : http://mpdela.blogspot.com/2008/06/rosebury-1973-letter-in-jama-on-fecal.html

Rosebury 1973 letter in JAMA, on 'fecal body odor' case by Dobson (part 2 of 3)

JAMA, Mar 5, 1973, Vol 223, No 10
Theodor Rosebury, DDS
Shelburne Falls, Mass

After a trip to the university library and some swift research, the Rosebury 'fecal body odor' paper mystery has been solved, albeit disappointingly. It turns out to be a letter to the editor of a medical journal, in reply to an 'ask the dermatologist' question and answer section that must have been in the journal too. Instead of Professor Rosebury being a visionary in this syndrome, he turns out to be sceptical and critical, and he may be the first promoter of the dreaded 'olfactory reference syndrome' 'threat'.

In reference to Dr. Richard Dobson's reply (222:1654. 1972) to a question on the case of a patient who presents with fecal body odor, Dr. Rosebury calls for substantiation or documentation.

To the Editor...The wording of the question (". . . an intense body odor which he [the patient] describes as fecal. . ." and ". . .lincomycin [treatment for a respiratory infection] seemed to make the body odor less noticeable) leave open a possibility of olfactory hallucination or synesthesia... Yet the answer reads that the "odor is undoubtedly due to decomposition by bacteria or keratin, sebum (or) apocrine gland secretion" and the prescription not only localized the odor with some assurance in the axillae, but recommends such remedies as an antibacterial soap and antiperspirant-deodorant.

Dr. Rosebury, goes on to say that, "This field, being poorly studied and litte understood, is presumably for that reason widely exploited in advertising to the public. Not many bacteria can decompose keratin and those that can are not likely to be present in the axillae; metabolic products of sebum lipids and apocrine sweat are unlikely to have fecal odor. "

It is ironic to note that the conundrum that haunts sufferers today is asked back then by Rosebury, and in this context almost seems sensible : " It is not stated that the odor was perceived by the physician himself or by anyone other than the patient. "

It leads to a 2nd mystery; what did Dr Dobson say to the expert asking the question ? I visited the library again and managed to solve the mystery,which I will post later today.

related post (this is 'part 2')

part 1 : http://mpdela.blogspot.com/2008/06/fecal-body-odor-paper-by-theodor.html
part 3 : http://mpdela.blogspot.com/2008/06/1972-dobson-fecal-body-odor-reply-to.html

Summer UK Meetup, Manchester, 14th June 2008 arranged by Arun

Message from Arun Nagrath of the 'MSN groups' Body Odor messageboard :

Hi guys,
It is that time of year again where the UK members emerge from the safety of their cocoon and discover that there is indeed an orangeball in the sky!

Yes, the gang are going to descend upon poor unsuspecting Manchester for the next UK breath/body odor bash! ...beware innocent civilians of Manchester! ...you have been warned! :)

As usual, this will be an outdoor event, regardless of weather conditions! :))

I suspect the Londoners will get the Megabus up and make it a weekend affair although one or two members are planning to come up just for the day.

The Mancunian (people living in Manchester) members are having a think about the agenda but, as usual, it will be a fun event.

In previous meetups we have gone 10 pin bowling, go-kart racing, Adventure Park rides, Madam Tussauds, Riverboat rides on the Thames,
Thames Festival Carnival, dinner/cocktails on a boat/floating restaurant, roast turkey at my place, gas-testing on some of my basic equipment! etc.

In 95% of cases we are not able to detect each other's odour so I guess you guys can relax! If need be, I can put you guys at ease with my karaoke rendition of Berlin's 'Take my breath away'! (Top Gun)

I am always welcoming new members to these Meetups (whether from the UK or abroad!). Anyone coming long distance is welcome to stay at my place.

If you want to know more, please call me at home any evening after 7pm GMT. My land line number is +44 (0) 1375 484 269 or you can email me
on arunnagrath at hotmail dot com

Alternatively, dial in on our America-based phone conference on Sundays 2pm EST. (You have to prefix this with 001 as the
International code prefix if dialling from UK). Dial-in number is (712) 432 1620 then type the access phone on your phone keypad. It is 391629#

A fortnight back we had 71 callers on the line. You can chat with me on the conference, about the UK Meetup.

Please note that we will be holding another meetup in London later in the year (date to be arranged). Keep in touch with me by email if you want to attend that one too guys!

These events are for your pleasure so 'Be there or be square!'
Arun

DNA Defects: Vitamins And Minerals Fix?

University of California - Berkeley (2008, June 3). Good News In Our DNA: Defects You Can Fix With Vitamins And Minerals. ScienceDaily.

University of California, Berkeley, scientists have found a welcome reason to delve into your genetic heritage: to find the slight genetic flaws that can be fixed with remedies as simple as vitamin or mineral supplements.

full article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080602214135.htm

fecal body odor paper by Theodor Rosebury : 1973 (part 1 of 3)

Written in 1973, the last paper in pubmed by a distinguished oral-microbiologist whose 1st paper in a pubmed search is from 1929 (which concerned acidophilus and dental caries ? ), you could say Theodor Rosebury (unknowingly ?) coined the syndrome name many sufferers use to define their odor problem today ... fecal body odor.

In internet searches of his name, he has been described as the 'grandfather' of oral microbiology, so maybe it was to do with halitosis, which wouldn't fit many of our 'profiles' of the problem (but would for others).

Sadly there is no abstract to give us a clue, and we don't have access to the paper. It would be fascinating to see what it said. It may not be relevant, or maybe it was a remarkable insight. It was written 3 years after the first paper was published that proposed the syndrome 'fish body odor'.

If anyone can help us obtain a copy, that would be great.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4739385

Experts opinion on Rosebury : http://jdr.iadrjournals.org/cgi/content/full/85/11/990
Review of Roseburys award winning book, Life on man : http://www.grg.org/trosebury.htm

related posts (this is part 3 of 3)
part 2 : http://mpdela.blogspot.com/2008/06/rosebury-1973-letter-in-jama-on-fecal.html
part 3: http://mpdela.blogspot.com/2008/06/1972-dobson-fecal-body-odor-reply-to.html

Leon Chaitow body odor article 1998

This is an article by the respected British natural therapist, Leon Chaitow, who wrote the popular book about gut candidiasis. Written in 1998, he describes all the forms of Body Odor he is aware of (at that time)

http://www.ghchealth.com/body-odor.html

related links :
Leons website : http://www.leonchaitow.com/
Leons blog : http://chaitowschat-leon.blogspot.com/
Leons latest post on his candida book : 2008/04/is-yeast-candida-really-your-problem

The TMAU RESEARCH FUND

P L E A S E - H E L P

Donations Needed for TMAU Research Fund

Make check/money order payable to NORD-TMAU RESEARCH.
And send to:

NORD
Attention: TMAU Research Fund
P. O. Box 1968
Danbury, CT 06813-1968

**Indicate on check/money order: “Donation is for TMAU Research”; otherwise funds may end up in NORD’s general fund.**

HELP FUND A CURE FOR TMAU!

The TMAU RESEARCH FUND (NORD banking account), established in January 2007, is for the exclusive purpose of encouraging research of this disorder. All researchers will have equal access to these funds, thru a fair and open RFP process, when the fund reaches a balance of $35,000.

Questions or comments? Please contact the fund coordinator,

Cheryl: Cher850@yahoo.com