Trimethylamine N-Oxide

Elevated TMAO levels might suggest that your gut bacteria are out of balance, possibly due to a diet rich in red meat, eggs, and dairy products. These foods have nutrients that some gut bacteria turn into trimethylamine, which then becomes TMAO in your liver. High TMAO levels can also be influenced by factors like certain medications (such as antibiotics or proton pump inhibitors) or genetic factors that affect how your body processes and gets rid of TMAO. This could potentially be linked to issues related to inflammation and heart health.

Symptoms of high levels of TMAO may not be immediately noticeable, as TMAO is often associated with internal processes and long-term health conditions. However, some individuals might experience fatigue, digestive discomfort, or unexplained weight changes.

Low levels of TMAO might mean that you're not eating much red meat, eggs, or dairy products, as these foods are the main sources of this molecule. It's also possible that your gut bacteria aren't breaking down these nutrients as effectively, which could be due to certain medications like antibiotics that can change the balance of your gut bacteria. Additionally, if your liver isn't working as well as it should, it might not be converting trimethylamine (the building block of TMAO) into TMAO as efficiently. So, low TMAO levels could be related to your diet, gut bacteria, medications, or liver function.

Symptoms of low levels of TMAO are not typically noticeable, as TMAO is a part of the body's internal biochemistry and does not directly cause noticeable physical changes or discomfort.