| Asian Flush Disease |
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EXPLANATIONS Alcohol is a toxin. Prolonged effect can result in cellular damage. The body has several steps to metabolize alcohol. The first step is converting alcohol into an Aldehyde derivative, Acetaldehyde , using alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). Acetaldehyde, however, is more toxic than alcohol. Usually, the liver synthesizes an aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) protein to oxidize acetaldehyde into a carboxylic acid, the same chemical that forms Vinegar . {Link without Title} In many people of Asian descent (and some of Jewish descent as well), a mutation results in a poorly functional ALDH that cannot neutralize the acetaldehyde build-up in the body, leading to the known symptoms of the Asian Flush Disease, including facial blushing, increased heart palpitation, headache, difficulty breathing, and increased temperature. MITIGATING THE EFFECTS Because this syndrome is a result of DNA mutation, there is no treatment for the Asian Flush. However, many anecdotal evidence suggested consumption of heartburn medicine containing Famotidine (such as Pepcid AC), may be able to reduce the symptoms of Asian Flush if taken an hour before drinking. It is not known why famotidine may in some cases, but not all, help reduce the symptoms of Asian Flush. Alcohol is known to irritate the lining of the stomach and increase production of gastric acid. While famotidine is known to reduce the gastric acid production in the stomach, it may have an additional side effect of slowing the metabolism of alcohol, allowing the poorly functional ALDH to neutralize acetaldehyde. Because of the increased level of alcohol in the blood, people may get drunk more easily. {Link without Title} OTHER TERMINOLOGIES
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