Xref: utzoo sci.bio:4039 rec.food.cooking:22756
Path: utzoo!censor!geac!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!uwm.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!ub!acsu.buffalo.edu
From: campbell@acsu.buffalo.edu (roger campbell)
Newsgroups: sci.bio,rec.food.cooking
Subject: Re: blue urine from food
Message-ID: <48118@eerie.acsu.Buffalo.EDU>
Date: 29 Nov 90 13:25:49 GMT
References: <999@ai.cs.utexas.edu> <4187@kitty.UUCP> <21862@well.sf.ca.us>
Sender: news@acsu.Buffalo.EDU
Followup-To: sci.bio
Organization: SUNY Buffalo
Lines: 31
Nntp-Posting-Host: autarch.acsu.buffalo.edu

In article <21862@well.sf.ca.us> wjwhite@well.sf.ca.us (Bill White) writes:
>
>I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone comment on the OTHER effect of diet on
>urine: namely, asparagus.  I'm not sure of the biomedical logistics, but I know
>from experience that some of us have a problem digesting that wonderful, lovely,
>fruit-of-the-earth, on account of the dreadful odor it imparts to one's urine.
>I'm told this effect is harmless, that it is genetic and results from the
>inability of some people to produce a certain enzyme (l-asparaginase, if I
>remember rightly).
>
>I'd almost be curious to take a poll here of how many of us know just what I'm
>talking about and how many don't and I'd appreciate a more detailed explana-
>tion of this phenomenon from the medical types amongst us.
>
>Bill White
>wjwhite@well.sf.ca.us
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
I certainly know what you're talking about.  It takes only about 15-20
minutes before that odor would be present.  I don't think I would
classify it as "dreadful", but it certainly is strong, and distinctive.


   ------------------------------------------------------ 
    ..There is no indigestion worse than that which comes
            from having to eat your own words.

    Roger Campbell       State Univ. of New York at Buffalo
                         (716) 636-3547

     BITNET: CAMPBELL@UBVM
   INTERNET: campbell@acsu.buffalo.edu


Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com