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How does an inherited acetaldehyde-processing defect affect alcohol use among some people of Asian descent?
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alcoholism
Examining the effects of alcohol consumption.
In the process of alcohol metabolism, the liver converts alcohol into acetaldehyde, a highly toxic substance that is typically broken down immediately by the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase.1
Some individuals of Asian descent carry a genetic defect that interferes with this degradation process. Those who are homozygous for this defect experience a marked and often uncomfortable flushing response even after consuming small amounts of alcohol. Because this physiological reaction is unpleasant, it serves as a deterrent, making it significantly less likely that these individuals will develop alcoholism.2