I have the same problem,
The reason why our body has trouble breaking down the alcohol is because we have inactive enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), which is normally responsible for breaking down acetaldehyde, a byproduct of the metabolism of alcohol. Acetaldehyde is a toxin and, as result of your body not being able to properly break it down, this toxin accumulates and causes the red flushing that we all commonly refer to as Asian Flush.
Whilst the red flushing is the most common and reported symptom among sufferers, other symptoms you might experience include dizziness, nausea, headaches, and an increased pulse.
Scientists have very little knowledge as to why the enzyme is inactive primarily in people of Asian descent, but empirical studies have shown that the enzyme deficiency that causes Asian Flush is genetic and can potentially be passed down by both parents. Tolerance levels and the severity of flushing and other symptoms vary from individual to individual. Some studies have also shown that while the majority of suffers appear to be of Asian decent, there is some evidence that aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 is inactive in higher than average levels in people of Jewish descent as well.
Here is a full article on the subject:
Best of luck,
J
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So please, be carefull!
I'm european, no traces of asian. I find that I only sometimes react on alcohol. It started when I was a teenager, drinling tequila made my face red like if i had a severe sunburn. But sometimes i experience other reactions. They normally occure after the first sip and then dissapear after a couple of minutes. It ranges from feeling almost lactic in my legs and arms to feeling i almost can't breathe and have to lean back to relax my muscles and get my throat as open as possible to be able to breathe normally. Often i feel a bit dizzy after the first sips and I loose my ability to overview things as soon as i start drinking, and therefore it can be rather difficult for me to enjoy a drink while i'm cooking. Years ago i realised that a combination of red wine with cheese gave me migraine the next day.
Now I'm trying to find out, wheter this is a reaction to something in the different beverages or if it is the alcohol itself. Do any of you have an idea of what I react on? My biggest concern is to when I feel that constriction in my throath. Could that be a beginning of an anaphylactic reaction? And in that case, do I have to worry about starting to get reactions from handsanitisors eg?
hello i am suffering through the same, please speak to me once to guide me
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the redness is caused by the build up of acetaldehyde that causes the blood vessels to dilate thus making the face turn red. acetaldehyde is a known cancer-causing agent.