Millions of people experience severe facial flushing, rapid heart rate, nausea, and throbbing headaches even after consuming small amounts of alcohol due to a genetic deficiency. Now, a Danish biotech firm, Alcolase, is developing a supplement intended to help these individuals.
The supplement, which can be taken as a gel capsule or a liquid, is designed to be swallowed just before drinking alcohol. According to the company, it contains enzymes that break down alcohol in the stomach before it enters the bloodstream, thereby preventing the onset of unpleasant symptoms.
This genetic issue is linked to a variation in the ALDH2 gene, which plays a crucial role in processing alcohol. In most individuals, the liver converts ethanol into acetaldehyde, a toxic substance that is then efficiently cleared by the ALDH2 enzyme. However, a significant portion of the population, particularly those of East Asian descent, possess a variant of this gene that renders the enzyme largely ineffective. This deficiency is estimated to affect roughly one in three people in China, Korea, and Japan, while being present in under five percent of Western populations.
One theory suggests this genetic intolerance evolved as a natural deterrent, signaling that alcohol is a poison. For those with the defective ALDH2 gene, the buildup of acetaldehyde can lead to severe physical reactions. Beyond the immediate discomfort, research indicates a link between this genetic trait and an increased risk of certain cancers. A 2021 study published in BMC Cancer found that adults with a defective ALDH2 gene were more than three times more likely to develop esophageal cancer compared to those without the gene fault. Separate research from 2021 also suggested that light to moderate drinkers with this genetic deficiency had a 20 percent higher risk of developing stomach cancer, a risk that more than doubled among 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 enzymes needed for rapid breakdown. For individuals lacking the functional ALDH2 gene, the resulting toxins 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 which is currently in development and aims to be clinically tested.
The Alcolase supplement's proposed mechanism involves absorbing alcohol in the stomach. Its man-made enzymes are protected from the stomach's acidic environment by a lipid outer layer. This barrier allows ethanol to pass through, enabling the enzymes to break it down quickly. The company anticipates beginning human trials in the coming months.
Dr. Peter Rice, a consultant psychiatrist and chair of the Institute of Alcohol Studies, suggested that the supplement could potentially assist individuals who feel compelled to drink alcohol to 'fit in,' despite experiencing adverse reactions. He noted, however, that the anxiety of standing out is often self-generated and diminishes once individuals abstain from alcohol.