Asian flush, explained

Summary

The video discusses 'Asian flush,' a condition affecting about 36% of Northeast Asians where drinking alcohol causes skin redness due to a genetic mutation. This mutation impedes the breakdown of acetaldehyde, a toxic substance produced when the liver processes alcohol, leading to symptoms like increased heart rate, bloodshot eyes, and headaches. The condition also raises the risk of esophageal cancer. The video emphasizes the dangers of heavy drinking for those with Asian flush and notes the increasing alcohol consumption in Asia, especially China.

Takeaways

• 😀 For most people, alcohol boosts confidence and comfort, but it has the opposite effect on me.
• 🔴 My DNA causes my skin to turn red when I drink, a condition known as Asian flush.
• 🌏 Asian flush affects about 36% of Northeast Asians, with higher rates among Asian Americans.
• 📊 A red face from alcohol doesn't mean drunkenness; it's due to blood vessels dilating under the skin.
• 🛡️ In Asian flush, the immune system responds to a threat, not the alcohol itself, but a byproduct called acetaldehyde.
• 🔬 Ethanol is broken down in the liver by two enzymes: the first produces acetaldehyde, and the second converts it to acetate.
• 🧬 The gene responsible for the enzyme that breaks down acetaldehyde is mutated in people with Asian flush, leading to an inactive enzyme.
• ☣️ This mutation causes acetaldehyde to accumulate to toxic levels, triggering the immune response and causing symptoms like a red face.
• 💔 Symptoms of Asian flush can include increased heart rate, bloodshot eyes, and headaches, even from small amounts of alcohol.
• ⚠️ Acetaldehyde is toxic and can cause cancer; heavy drinking raises the risk, especially in people with Asian flush.
• 📈 Alcohol consumption is increasing in Asia, particularly in China, posing a health risk for those with Asian flush.
• 🚫 People with Asian flush should be cautious about drinking, as their body's reaction is a warning sign.

Q & A

What is Asian flush?

Asian flush is a condition where drinking alcohol causes the skin to turn red, due to an immune response triggered by a buildup of acetaldehyde.

How common is Asian flush among Northeast Asians?

Asian flush affects about 36% of Northeast Asians, with higher rates among Asian Americans.

Why do people with Asian flush experience facial flushing?

Facial flushing in Asian flush occurs because the blood vessels under the skin dilate as part of an immune response to the buildup of acetaldehyde.

What substance does the liver produce while breaking down alcohol that causes Asian flush?

The liver produces acetaldehyde while breaking down alcohol, which causes the symptoms of Asian flush.

What are the two main enzymes involved in alcohol metabolism, and how are they different in people with Asian flush?

The two main enzymes are the one that converts ethanol to acetaldehyde and another that converts acetaldehyde to acetate. In people with Asian flush, the second enzyme is inactive due to a gene mutation, causing a buildup of acetaldehyde.

Why is acetaldehyde harmful to people with Asian flush?

Acetaldehyde is harmful because it is toxic and can trigger an immune response, leading to symptoms like facial flushing, increased heart rate, and headaches. It can also increase the risk of cancer.

What physical symptoms do people with Asian flush experience after drinking alcohol?

Symptoms include a red face, increased heart rate, bloodshot eyes, and headaches.

What is the potential long-term health risk for people with Asian flush who drink heavily?

Heavy drinking increases the risk of esophageal cancer, especially for people with Asian flush.

Why is alcohol consumption in Asia particularly concerning for people with Asian flush?

Increasing alcohol consumption in Asia, especially in China, is concerning because it raises the risk of cancer and other health issues for people with Asian flush.

What advice is given to people with Asian flush regarding alcohol consumption?

People with Asian flush are advised to be cautious with alcohol consumption because their bodies are reacting to a buildup of toxic acetaldehyde.

Outlines

00:00

🍺 Alcohol and Confidence

While alcohol generally boosts confidence for most, for some, like the author, it has the opposite effect due to a genetic condition known as Asian flush. This condition, prevalent among 36% of Northeast Asians and more common in Asian Americans, causes redness in the skin when consuming alcohol.

🧬 The Science Behind Asian Flush

Asian flush is not a sign of intoxication but a reaction from the immune system. The redness results from dilated blood vessels. This occurs when the body reacts to acetaldehyde, a byproduct of alcohol metabolism, which the liver of people with Asian flush cannot efficiently process due to a gene mutation.

🔥 The Symptoms and Process

People with Asian flush experience warmth starting from the chest, moving to the cheeks, ears, and even causing puffiness around the eyes. This happens because their bodies accumulate acetaldehyde, a toxic substance similar to formaldehyde, at higher levels than normal.

🔬 Enzymes and Genetic Mutation

The liver uses two enzymes to metabolize alcohol: the first converts ethanol to acetaldehyde, and the second turns acetaldehyde into acetate. A gene mutation in people with Asian flush results in an inactive second enzyme, causing a buildup of acetaldehyde.

🚨 Health Risks of Acetaldehyde

Acetaldehyde is toxic, prompting an immune response and various physical symptoms. Beyond these immediate effects, it significantly raises the risk of esophageal cancer, especially in heavy drinkers, a concerning trend given rising alcohol consumption in Asia.

⚠️ Be Cautious with Alcohol

People with Asian flush should be cautious with alcohol due to their body's adverse reaction. Developing a tolerance can lead to heavy drinking and increased cancer risk. Those without the condition should not expect those with it to match their drinking pace.

Keywords

💡Asian flush

Asian flush, also known as alcohol flush reaction, is a condition where consuming alcohol causes facial flushing. This affects about 36% of Northeast Asians and is caused by a genetic mutation that impairs the breakdown of acetaldehyde, a toxic substance produced when the body metabolizes alcohol. The video discusses how this reaction makes drinking uncomfortable and can lead to more serious health issues like an increased risk of cancer.

💡acetaldehyde

Acetaldehyde is a toxic substance produced in the liver when alcohol (ethanol) is metabolized. Normally, acetaldehyde is quickly converted into acetate, which is harmless. However, in people with Asian flush, the enzyme responsible for this conversion is less effective, leading to an accumulation of acetaldehyde. This buildup triggers the immune response causing facial flushing and other symptoms, and it is also associated with an increased risk of cancer.

💡enzyme

An enzyme is a protein that facilitates chemical reactions in the body. In the context of the video, two main enzymes are involved in metabolizing alcohol: one converts ethanol to acetaldehyde, and the other converts acetaldehyde to acetate. The gene mutation in people with Asian flush results in an inactive enzyme, preventing the efficient breakdown of acetaldehyde, leading to its accumulation and the subsequent flushing reaction.

💡DNA mutation

A DNA mutation is a change in the genetic code that can affect how proteins and enzymes function. The video highlights a specific DNA mutation that impacts the enzyme responsible for breaking down acetaldehyde in people with Asian flush. This mutation results in a less effective enzyme, causing the symptoms associated with the condition.

💡immune response

An immune response is the body's defense mechanism against perceived threats. In the case of Asian flush, the immune system reacts to the buildup of acetaldehyde by dilating blood vessels, which causes the characteristic facial flushing. This reaction is the body's way of signaling that it is dealing with a harmful substance.

💡ethanol

Ethanol is the chemical name for the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. When consumed, ethanol is metabolized by the liver into acetaldehyde and then into acetate. The video explains how this process is disrupted in individuals with Asian flush due to a genetic mutation affecting the enzyme that converts acetaldehyde into acetate.

💡formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a toxic substance that is chemically similar to acetaldehyde. The video mentions this similarity to emphasize the toxicity of acetaldehyde, which accumulates in people with Asian flush. This comparison helps viewers understand why the buildup of acetaldehyde triggers a strong immune response and poses health risks.

💡facial flushing

Facial flushing is the reddening of the face due to dilated blood vessels. It can occur from various causes, such as embarrassment, exercise, or alcohol consumption. The video focuses on facial flushing caused by Asian flush, where the body's response to acetaldehyde buildup leads to visible redness, which is often mistaken for drunkenness.

💡esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. The video explains that heavy drinking increases the risk of esophageal cancer, especially for individuals with Asian flush. This is because the accumulated acetaldehyde is a known carcinogen, making heavy alcohol consumption particularly dangerous for this group.

💡tolerance

Tolerance refers to the body's ability to become less responsive to a substance over time, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect. The video warns that people with Asian flush can develop a tolerance to alcohol, allowing them to drink heavily despite the initial discomfort. This increased consumption raises their risk of developing health issues like esophageal cancer.

Highlights

Alcohol makes me feel less confident and uncomfortable due to a condition called Asian flush.

Asian flush affects about 36% of Northeast Asians, with higher rates among Asian Americans.

Facial flushing from alcohol is a result of blood vessels under the skin dilating.

In Asian flush, facial flushing is part of an immune response to acetaldehyde, a substance produced when breaking down alcohol.

People often mistake a red face for drunkenness, but they are separate processes.

The first enzyme in the liver converts ethanol to acetaldehyde.

The second enzyme converts acetaldehyde to acetate, which the body can easily eliminate.

People with Asian flush have a mutated gene that produces an inactive enzyme, leading to higher acetaldehyde levels.

Acetaldehyde is toxic and triggers the immune response, causing the red face and other symptoms.

Asian flush can cause symptoms like increased heart rate, bloodshot eyes, and headaches.

Acetaldehyde can cause cancer, and heavy drinking increases the risk of esophageal cancer, especially for people with Asian flush.

Heavy drinking can lead to a tolerance to Asian flush, allowing people to drink heavily despite the risks.

Alcohol consumption is increasing in Asia, particularly in China, raising health concerns.

People with Asian flush should be cautious with alcohol consumption due to the health risks.

People without Asian flush should not expect those with the condition to keep up with their drinking.

Transcripts

For most people, when they drink alcohol, it can make them feel more confident and comfortable.

But for me, drinking makes me feel less confident and UNcomfortable.

That’s because, thanks to my DNA, alcohol makes my skin turn red.

It’s called Asian flush, and it affects about 36% percent of Northeast Asians, with

higher rates among Asian Americans.

I guess We should probably show you what it looks like.

[For Science. For Science.]

[Are we slamming?]

People tend to assume that a red face means that we’re drunk but that’s a myth. These are completely

separate processes.

Facial flushing, whether from embarrassment, exercise, or alcohol, happens when blood vessels

under the surface of the skin dilate.

In the case of Asian flush, this is part of an immune response.

The body is detecting a threat. The threat isn’t the alcohol itself, but a substance

that our livers produce while breaking down alcohol.

[For me at least, the warmth starts in my chest and then moves its way up.]

[My cheeks are warm, my ears are warm.]

[It’s weird, it’s almost like my eyes are almost puffy]

When people drink ethanol - that’s the chemical name for booze - the liver gets rid of it

using two main enzymes.

The first reacts with the ethanol molecule to produce a substance called acetaldehyde.

And the second quickly turns acetaldehyde into acetate, which is similar to vinegar,

and easy for the body to eliminate.

It’s that second enzyme that really screws things up for people with Asian flush.

If you look inside our DNA, you’ll find that the gene providing the instructions for

that enzyme was tweaked at some point in our history.

And that gene mutation produces an inactive enzyme.

So when we drink our bodies accumulate acetaldehyde at a level about 6 times higher than normal

If acetaldehyde sounds familiar, that may be because it’s similar to formaldehyde.

It’s toxic. that's why it triggers the immune response. And the red face is really the least

of it.

After having that one beer, I didn’t feel tipsy at all, but my heart rate doubled.

My eyes were bloodshot, and within a half hour, I had a headache.

Even worse, acetaldehyde can cause cancer.

It’s a problem because people actually can develop a tolerance to Asian flush, and that

allows them to drink pretty heavily.

Studies have shown that heavy drinking raises the risk of esophageal cancer for everyone,

but especially for people with Asian flush.

So it’s potentially problematic that alcohol consumption in Asia has been increasing, especially

in China.

So if you have Asian flush, be careful - your body is freaking out for a reason.

And if you don’t flush, just don’t expect us to keep up with you.