DNA Alcohol Intolerance Test

Does your face turn red when you drink? Do you experience severe hangovers from just one drink? If you answered yes, you may be alcohol intolerant. Find out your risk of alcohol intolerance with this DNA test.

• Includes mutations in ADH and ALDH genes that affect alcohol metabolism
• Alcohol intolerance is linked to higher risk of esophageal cancer:
  – 10X increased risk for moderate drinkers
  – 90X increased risk for heavy drinkers

• People with one or more mutations are harming their health every time they consume alcohol

 Detailed Description

The majority of the alcohol (aka the chemical ethanol) that enter our body is cleared via a two-step process involving two enzymes.

In the first step of alcohol metabolism, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) converts ethanol to acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is a toxic chemical. But is usually short-lived, because it is quickly converted to acetate by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in the second step of alcohol metabolism. The end product acetate is easily broken down to carbon dioxide and water.

People with genetic variants in the alcohol metabolism pathway either generate acetaldehyde too quickly or are unable to eliminate it fast enough. This results in the dangerous buildup of acetaldehyde in the body, even when moderate amounts of alcohol are consumed.

A simple mouth swab is all we need to find out whether you have inherited DNA changes that affect your ability to metabolize alcohol and may increase your risk of serious health complications.

The Genetics

People with genetic variants in the alcohol metabolism pathway either generate acetaldehyde too quickly or are unable to eliminate it fast enough. This results in a dangerous buildup of toxic acetaldehyde in the body, even when moderate amounts of alcohol are consumed.

GENETIC VARIANTS IDENTIFIED IN THIS TEST:

• ADH1B and ADH1C  – converts ethanol to acetaldehyde (first step of alcohol metabolism). Variants increase ADH enzyme activity leading to the build up of acetaldehyde.
•  ALDH2 – converts acetaldehyde to acetate (second step of alcohol metabolism). A common variant decreases ALDH enzyme activity, slowing the removal of toxic acetaldehyde.

HEALTH RISK FOR HETEROZYGOTES:

Heterozygotes are people who inherit two different versions of a particular gene. ADH1B, ADH1C and ALDH2 genes have a cumulative effect. For example,

Individuals with two slow ALDH2 alleles have:

  – Zero detectable ALDH enzyme activity

  – Severe side effects

Heterozygotes for ALDH2 (one fast allele and one slow allele) have:

  – 30-50% reduction in ALDH enzyme activity

  – Moderate side effects

  – An increased risk of health complications

• 10-fold increase risk of esophageal cancer for moderate drinker
• 90-fold increased risk for heavy drinkers

SYMPTOMS OF ALCOHOL INTOLERANCE:

If you are genetically susceptible, every drink you consume is harming your health

• Immediate reactions: facial flushing, nausea, dizziness, headaches, increased heart rate, insomnia, severe hangovers
• Increased risk of esophageal cancer: 10X increased risk for moderate drinkers and up to a 90X increased risk for heavy drinkers
• Cardiovascular problems
• Memory loss
• Mental confusion
• Psychological issues

 How It Works

Step 1: Order test kit online
Step 2: Collect DNA sample using a painless mouth swab, and mail to the lab in the provided return envelope
Step 3: Receive your results online