Did You Know? Some people report a fishy smell after supplementing with L carnitine. This happens because certain gut bacteria convert carnitine to trimethylamine, a malodorous compound found in rotting fish. Can choline supplementation cause a fishy body odor? Consensus Breakthrough in studying the enzyme that ultimately produces fish odour syndrome L carnitine supplements can cause a fishy odor in the breath, sweat, and urine. This is likely due to the formation of trimethylamine (TMA). TMA is also responsible for the pungent smell of Trimethylaminuria, or fish odour syndrome is an uncommon condition that causes an unpleasant, fishy smell. The body is unable to turn a strong smelling chemical called trimethylamine produced in the gut when