The ‘alcohol gene’ can predict how cocktails might affect you – and there’s a test for it

Do you feel like you “can’t handle your alcohol” – or experience nausea, flushing or heart palpitations after enjoying even a small amount of your favorite cocktail?

These may be a sign that you are inheriting alcohol intolerance According to the Cleveland Clinic, a mutated gene may be to blame.

This gene mutation interferes with the body’s ability to produce enzymes that help break down alcohol and remove its byproducts from the body, health experts said.

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Test for alcohol intolerance

A home DNA test can determine if you have the mutation that causes this alcohol problem.

According to the websites of several laboratory companies that manufacture the test kits, the test looks for mutations in the ADH and ALDH genes that affect metabolism.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a mutated gene can cause hereditary alcohol intolerance. (iStock)

The test kit, which costs about $150, involves swabbing the cheek and sending the sample to a lab company. gene mutations they exist.

Results are usually available in less than two weeks, according to the websites of several testing companies.

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“A simple oral swab is all we need to find out if there are inherited DNA changes that affect your ability to metabolize alcohol and increase your risk of serious disease. health complications,” Genex Diagnostics, a Seattle-based company that specializes in DNA testing, said on its website.

Health experts said the gene mutation interferes with the body’s ability to produce an enzyme that helps break down alcohol and remove its byproducts from the body. (iStock)

Dr. Frances Lee is a hepatologist (liver doctor) specializing in alcohol-related liver disease at Mount Sinai Health Systems. New York City — is not affiliated with any of the lab companies, but commented to Fox News Digital about these test kits.

“The genes in question are ADH1B, ADH1C and ALDH2,” Lee told Fox News Digital.

The ADH1B and ADH1C genes are said to help break down ethanol (alcohol) into the chemical acetaldehyde. The ALDH2 gene then helps oxidize acetaldehyde to acetic acid.

“Mutation or not, I urge anyone who wants to drink alcohol to consider both the quality and quantity of their drink.”

“This is an important step in ethanol metabolism because acetaldehyde is toxic and inflammatory to cells,” Li said.

“Changes in the ALDH2 gene can cause acetaldehyde dehydrogenase to work more slowly, which can lead to a buildup of acetaldehyde levels in the body.”

The test kit, which costs about $150, involves removing the cheek and sending the sample to a lab company to see if there are gene mutations. (iStock)

Acetaldehyde is also associated with some unpleasant symptoms of alcohol intoxication, such as headachesflushing, hives and nausea, according to Lee.

Lee told Fox News Digital that this type of genetic test could provide at least a partial explanation for a person’s alcohol intolerance.

Potential disadvantages of genetic testing

According to Lee, all genetic tests should be approached with caution because they can sometimes raise more questions than answers.

Other health experts told Fox News Digital that there are pros and cons to this type of genetic testing.

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“I can imagine a situation where this test could encourage a person to drink less if a previously unknown heterozygosity in ALDH2 is detected,” Mount Sinai’s Lee told Fox News Digital. “If that happens, I think this test will be useful.”

However, there is a possibility that the test will not detect anything genetic variationcould be interpreted as a license to drink more.

All genetic tests should be approached with caution because they can sometimes raise more questions than they answer, an expert has warned. (iStock)

“That would be an example of a harmful outcome,” Lee said.

Even if a DNA test confirms that someone has a defective gene that makes them more sensitive to the effects of lower doses of alcohol, “it should not be used to encourage others that they can drink more (alcohol) without the effects,” Dr. Fred Davis, Vice Chairman emergency medical care at Northwell Health in Long Island, New York, he told Fox News Digital.

Tips for responsible drinking

For those who like to enjoy the occasional cocktail, Makenzi Mollitor, a registered dietitian and a sports nutritionist at Long Island University in Brookville, New York, has some advice.

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“If you’re someone who feels like your body is screaming at them after one drink, it might be best for you to give up alcohol,” he told Fox News Digital. “But alcohol-DNA mutation or not, I urge anyone who wants to drink alcohol to consider both the quality and quantity of their drinks.”

The dietitian warned that alcoholic beverages with higher alcohol concentrations, such as vodka, whiskey and rum, can exacerbate symptoms. (iStock)

Mollitor recommends choosing quality alcohol, such as orange wine or naturally fermented, low-sugar wines that are high in beneficial polyphenols with anti-inflammatory properties.

The dietitian warned that alcoholic beverages with a higher alcohol concentration, such as vodka, whiskey and rum, can make symptoms worse.

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“No matter what you choose to consume, try to limit your alcohol intake to the recommended one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men,” Mollitor advised.

Alcohol-related liver disease is the leading cause of liver transplants in the United States, Lee told Fox News Digital.

Experts recommend limiting your alcohol intake to one drink per day for women and two for men.

Efforts to reduce risk and prevent alcohol-related morbidity and mortality “are tantamount to improving population and individual health.” liver transplantation specialist.

“For people concerned about developing liver disease as a result of alcohol consumption, the first step should be to talk to a liver specialist,” Lee said.

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Fox News Digital reached out to several lab companies that sell DNA test kits for further comment, but did not hear back.