May 20, 2003
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Asian Alcohol dilemma (w/ a red face after being pulled over “really officer i didn’t drink”)
I didn’t write this, but this is a public service message to Asians who turn red (I luckily don’t have this mutant gene and don’t turn red). I got the research from a friend.
The topic today is “asian glow”. You know, like when you drink with a whole bunch of white and black people, and you are the only one turning red. (btw, doesn’t red and yellow make asians orange?, anyways) Why does this occur? How can you get rid of it? How can you prevent yourself from getting in trouble with your parents? So what is this “ASIAN GLOW”?, it’s in the asian blood to turn red even with a drop of alcohol in ur blood. My girl friends love to drink but they want to know HOW they can get rid of the tomato like skin when they drink so they can drink enjoyably without knowing that their face looks like a tomato. After my friend had many discussions with a good amount of ppl, and did some studies/research, here is what my friend came up with AFTER many questionnaires among alchy friends who wish to remain anonymous…and yes, a whole lab report… See? there is a benefit to medical school.
“ASIAN GLOW” = “ALCOHOL-FLUSH REACTION”
-caused by deficiency of aldehyde dehydrogenase–build up of aldehyde=toxic
THE INFO:
A mutant allele (single point mutation of ALDH2 gene) causes production of an inactive enzyme, (mitochondria) ALDEHYDE DEHYDROGENASE 2 (ALDH2), which normally breaks down acetaldehyde, a byproduct in oxidative metabolism of alcohol
Acetaldehyde is a toxin, so if you can’t break it down, it accumulates and OMG!!! causes flushing….it’s called the alcohol-flush reaction. Occurs in many Asians that inherit the mutant ALDH2*2 allele…yes, genetics. Polymorphism, sucks eh?
But… that allele that encodes the inactive form of the mitochondria ALDH2 is thought to reduce the likelihood of alcoholism in Japanese, guess why? …unfortunately, a study also showed that vasospastic anginal attacks (chest pain) were induced by a smaller amount of alcohol right after drinking…SUCKS FOR U KIDS!
WHAT YOU SHOULD YOU DO?
Well…its not medically approved, but my ALKIE friends recommends taking Pepcid AC ½ hour before drinking…those that have tried said it works…if you haven’t, well try it and let me know ok?
WHAT’S PEPCID AC?
Pepcid AC= famotidine – used for GERDs and peptic ulcers sometimes used for heartburn too, treats dz’s where stomach makes too much acid. It’s a histamine-2 receptor antagonist (H2-blocker). Works on a pump that releases HCI when stimulated by histamine ( prevents this stim.).. It decreases amount of acid released into stomach. Some say drinking alcohol while taking H2- blockers can increase the blood levels of alcohol, while others say no effect really…but if you must, social drinkers that need to use H2- blockers should use famotidine over the others…date are conflicting, but famotidine maybe ihibits alcohol dehydrogenase (in alchy metabolism) in vitro…but no effect on alcohol absorption in the tummy…some say it has no effect on alchy metabolism…others say it may inhibit alkie metabolism….too bad!!!
What do I say about this? What can I say? For those who wanted to know, here is your complicated answer. And I thought sex was going to be hard to write about.
Comments (17)
wow im 1st … imma try tat!
hahah change of topic i see. imma go get me some pepcid AC~
jeff, did u have a lot time on your hands? haha. i stopped reading since it doesn’t pertain to me since i don’t drink. hahahaha
i get paler when i drink…so does that make me super normal?
doesn’t apply to me…but it’s good to know
Props for looking out for yo fellow Asians!
whoa somebody wrote about this the other day too.
haha, ima gotta try that.
i have a mutant gene lolz…i’ll check u out at one of those happy hours man i saw u in some pics from the tao HHs…hmmm i hope i remember how u look like =) Take cares
Yup it works…
Hahahaha….getting more rated PG with the material i c:)
Oh weezguy, my apologies! I meant to give 2 eprops, dunno what happened? Blame it on xanga! Ok, here they come! {so wotcha doing this Memorial wkend?}
LoLz…i dun drink so this doesnt pertain to me hehe
heyy, welcome back to the xanga world
haah and i know EXACTLY what you mean .. i turn BRIGHT TOMATO RED regardless of whether or not there’s alcohol present, but i always thought it was because my skin color was so darn WHITE.
i don’t drink now, but i’m sure i’ll become an alky when i start school in buffalo this coming semester. haha so if i do become an alky in the future, thanks in advance for the tips, but lets HOPE not!
hey jeff, your cheating. u suppose to write this from the bottom of your heart and experience. using your own research and information, not other people story or entry
BUT IT WAS INTERESTING READING
I suffer from Asian Flush. For as long as i can remember my face has turned bright red after drinking alcohol. It is simply annoying and frustrating and even worse is the fact that my Doctor tells me that there is nothing i can do about it. Since seeing the doctor i have done a lot of my own research on the internet and have found a few solutions. Firstly, check out this article which basically outlines what the Asian Flush reaction is and why it occurs:
Asian Flush Article
In addition to this, i have found a site that claims to have found a remedy which eliminates the alcohol flush reaction:
No Red Face Formula Website
Best of luck to you all :fun: