Asian Glow

           

            It's a typical lunch in Italy. Each person is served a variety of meat, cheese, as well as 2 different types of wines. While everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, one person of the Chinese descent appears to be flushed in the cheeks and the neck. This is what happens to me and millions of other Asians when we consume alcohol. Alcohol flush reaction, commonly referred to as Asian glow, is a condition that affects about 50% of southeastern Asians of namely Chinese, Japanese, and Korean descent.

Acetic Acid

Acetalaldehyde

            Asian glow is caused by a defective copy of the ALDH2 gene. While most people of Caucasian descent have 2 normal copies of the ALDH2 gene, 50% of Asians only have 1 functional copy of the ALDH2 gene and 1 mutant copy. The ALDH2 gene codes for an enzyme in the aldehyde dehydrogenase family, a key component to converting acetaldehyde to acetic acid. Normally, acetaldehyde is formed from the oxidation of ethanol before it is further converted to acetic acid by acetaldehyde hydrogenase. However, people with a dominant mutant copy of the ALDH2 are unable to convert acetaldehyde into acetic acid, resulting in a buildup of acetaldehyde in their systems, which contains higher toxicity than ethanol. 

            The symptoms of Asian glow include redness of the face, neck as well as the chest. Other symptom include headaches, increased pulse rates, dizziness, and nausea. Asians afflicted with Asian glow also have increased risks of liver problems and esophageal cancers. The flushing of the face discourages Asians from drinking since it's typically viewed as embarrassing. Considering the dangers of drinking to Asians with Asian glow, it is a good thing that Asians typically drink less than their Caucasian counterparts.

            However, drinking is as important in Asian culture as it is in other cultures. The Japanese have "Sake" while the Chinese have "Bai Jiu" Asian American youth also have a love of partying and drinking. So what do Asians who love to drink do to mitigate the effects of Asian glow? Over the counter drugs such as Pepcid AC and histamines function to reduce the redness of the face (but does NOT prevent the accumulation of acetaldehyde). A real solution for Asian glow has yet to be found and scientists are in no hurry to find it since it is believed that Asian glow is the reason that Asians tend to consume less alcohol.

Sources:

http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=e46572db4df9b85b45c1a4f3375f315d

http://www.yalescientific.org/2011/04/what-causes-%E2%80%9Casian-glow%E2%80%9D/

http://jscms.jrn.columbia.edu/cns/2007-04-24/haynie-asianglow.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_flush_reaction