Millions of people experience uncomfortable and sometimes severe physical reactions to even small amounts of alcohol due to a genetic deficiency affecting their ability to process ethanol. Now, a Danish biotech firm, Alcolase, is developing a supplement intended to mitigate these effects.
The supplement, which can be taken as a gel capsule or liquid before drinking, contains enzymes designed to break down alcohol in the stomach before it enters the bloodstream. According to the company, these enzymes convert alcohol into harmless by-products that are then eliminated from the body. This process aims to prevent the onset of symptoms such as facial flushing, rapid heart rate, nausea, and headaches.
This genetic intolerance is linked to a variant of the ALDH2 gene. This gene typically produces an enzyme crucial for processing acetaldehyde, a toxic substance produced when the liver metabolizes ethanol. In individuals with the ALDH2 deficiency, this enzyme is largely ineffective, leading to a buildup of acetaldehyde and the associated unpleasant reactions. The deficiency is particularly common in people of East Asian descent, affecting approximately one in three individuals, while occurring in less than 5 percent of Western populations.
Beyond easing immediate symptoms, the supplement may also reduce the intoxicating effects of alcohol by dispatching it before it reaches the brain. While still in the development stage, Alcolase aims to help individuals with the genetic variant consume alcohol socially without experiencing adverse reactions. The company hopes to begin human testing in the coming months.
Health Risks of ALDH2 Deficiency
The inability to process acetaldehyde efficiently carries significant health implications. Research indicates a heightened risk of certain cancers among individuals with the defective ALDH2 gene. A 2021 study published in BMC Cancer found that adults with this deficiency were more than three times as likely to develop esophageal cancer compared to those without the genetic fault. This is attributed to the cumulative toxic effects of acetaldehyde on the esophagus. Another 2021 study from Seoul National University Hospital suggested that light to moderate drinkers with the genetic deficiency had a 20 percent increased risk of stomach cancer, a risk that more than doubled for heavy drinkers.
Andrew Misell, a spokesperson for the charity Alcohol Change UK, explained that while alcohol is a toxin for everyone, most people can produce the necessary enzymes to break it down rapidly. For those lacking the specific gene, toxins accumulate and increase cancer risk. He also noted that while various products claim to aid in acetaldehyde breakdown, none have been clinically proven, unlike the Alcolase supplement's proposed mechanism.
The Alcolase supplement's design involves protecting its man-made enzymes within a fat-based outer layer, shielding them from the stomach's acidic environment. This layer allows ethanol to penetrate, enabling the enzymes to break it down upon contact. The company is optimistic about its potential to help individuals who might otherwise avoid alcohol to socially integrate or manage their consumption, although experts like Dr. Peter Rice, chair of the Institute of Alcohol Studies, suggest that the anxiety of being different is often self-generated and diminishes once individuals cease drinking.