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Trimethylamine N-Oxide

Meaning

Trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO) is a small, organic compound and a metabolite produced in the liver from the precursor molecule trimethylamine (TMA), which is generated by the gut microbiota from dietary nutrients like choline and L-carnitine. Elevated systemic levels of TMAO are recognized as an independent, clinically significant risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis and major adverse cardiac events. It represents a direct link between gut health, diet, and cardiovascular risk.