Alcohol Intolerance DNA Test
Uncover your genetic predisposition to alcohol intolerance with this DNA test. Understand how your body may react to alcohol and gain insights into your risk factors.
Measures:
- Discover how effectively your body metabolizes alcohol
- Learn if alcohol is impacting your health
- No age restrictions for testing
Collection methods:
Buccal swabs
$149.00
- Discreet shipping
- Accredited lab
- Secure Online Results
- Highest accuracy
- Discreet
- Results in 1-3 business days
About the test
Are you at risk for alcohol intolerance?
Do you experience facial redness, nausea, or a severe hangover after just one drink? These could be signs that your body struggles to process alcohol. If you feel unwell after drinking, it may be time to investigate how your genes influence alcohol metabolism.
This DNA test will help you identify whether you have inherited genetic variations that affect how your body processes alcohol, potentially putting your health at risk.
Genetic Profile
Genes that impact alcohol metabolism
Certain genetic variants in the ADH1B, ADH1C, and ALDH2 genes can cause individuals to metabolize alcohol abnormally. Some people produce acetaldehyde too quickly, while others are unable to clear it from their system efficiently. This leads to a buildup of toxic acetaldehyde after drinking even moderate amounts of alcohol, contributing to alcohol intolerance and potential health risks.
How Alcohol Is Metabolized
The alcohol we consume, known as ethanol, is primarily broken down in the liver through a two-step process involving two key enzymes. First, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) converts ethanol into acetaldehyde, a toxic substance. In the second step, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) rapidly converts acetaldehyde into acetate, a non-toxic compound that is then further broken down into carbon dioxide and water.
Genes Affecting Alcohol Metabolism
The ADH1B and ADH1C genes code for enzymes in the ADH family responsible for converting ethanol to acetaldehyde. Certain genetic variants in these genes can lead to increased ADH activity, causing acetaldehyde to build up quickly. The ALDH2 gene encodes the enzyme that breaks down acetaldehyde. A common genetic variation in ALDH2 can decrease its activity, leading to a slower breakdown of acetaldehyde, allowing it to accumulate to toxic levels.
Health Risks for Heterozygotes
Individuals with two different variants of a particular gene (heterozygotes) experience a combined effect from their genetic variants. For example, someone with two slow ALDH2 alleles has very low ALDH enzyme activity, leading to severe side effects after drinking alcohol. In contrast, ALDH2 heterozygotes (with one fast and one slow allele) have only partial ALDH activity (30-50%) compared to those with two fast ALDH2 alleles.
Heterozygotes may be at a heightened risk for alcohol intolerance and related health issues. While the side effects—such as mild facial flushing—are often seen as annoying or embarrassing, they don’t always prevent drinking. In fact, studies show that individuals with slow ALDH2 activity (especially in Asian populations) continue drinking despite these side effects, which increases their risk of serious health problems, including an up to 10-fold increased risk of esophageal cancer for moderate drinkers and a staggering 90-fold increased risk for heavy drinkers.
Signs of alcohol intolerance and related health risks
- Immediate reactions: facial flushing, dizziness, nausea, headaches, increased heart rate, insomnia, and severe hangovers
- Increased risk of esophageal cancer: up to 10 times more likely for moderate drinkers, and up to 90 times more likely for heavy drinkers
- Cardiovascular issues
- Memory problems, mental confusion, and psychological effects
With just a simple mouth swab, we can identify genetic changes that impact how you metabolize alcohol, helping you make informed decisions to protect your health.
How Alcohol Is Metabolized
The alcohol we consume, known as ethanol, is primarily broken down in the liver through a two-step process involving two key enzymes. First, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) converts ethanol into acetaldehyde, a toxic substance. In the second step, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) rapidly converts acetaldehyde into acetate, a non-toxic compound that is then further broken down into carbon dioxide and water.
Genes Affecting Alcohol Metabolism
The ADH1B and ADH1C genes code for enzymes in the ADH family responsible for converting ethanol to acetaldehyde. Certain genetic variants in these genes can lead to increased ADH activity, causing acetaldehyde to build up quickly. The ALDH2 gene encodes the enzyme that breaks down acetaldehyde. A common genetic variation in ALDH2 can decrease its activity, leading to a slower breakdown of acetaldehyde, allowing it to accumulate to toxic levels.
Health Risks for Heterozygotes
Individuals with two different variants of a particular gene (heterozygotes) experience a combined effect from their genetic variants. For example, someone with two slow ALDH2 alleles has very low ALDH enzyme activity, leading to severe side effects after drinking alcohol. In contrast, ALDH2 heterozygotes (with one fast and one slow allele) have only partial ALDH activity (30-50%) compared to those with two fast ALDH2 alleles.
Heterozygotes may be at a heightened risk for alcohol intolerance and related health issues. While the side effects—such as mild facial flushing—are often seen as annoying or embarrassing, they don’t always prevent drinking. In fact, studies show that individuals with slow ALDH2 activity (especially in Asian populations) continue drinking despite these side effects, which increases their risk of serious health problems, including an up to 10-fold increased risk of esophageal cancer for moderate drinkers and a staggering 90-fold increased risk for heavy drinkers.
Signs of alcohol intolerance and related health risks
- Immediate reactions: facial flushing, dizziness, nausea, headaches, increased heart rate, insomnia, and severe hangovers
- Increased risk of esophageal cancer: up to 10 times more likely for moderate drinkers, and up to 90 times more likely for heavy drinkers
- Cardiovascular issues
- Memory problems, mental confusion, and psychological effects
With just a simple mouth swab, we can identify genetic changes that impact how you metabolize alcohol, helping you make informed decisions to protect your health.
How it works
CHOOSE TEST
Select your test from our wide selection of home test kit options. Receive your kit within a few days in a discreet unmarked package.
COLLECT SAMPLE
Collect your sample quickly and discreetly from the privacy of your own home. No appointments or lab visits required.
GET YOUR RESULTS
Get your physician reviewed results in a secure online portal in 1-2 days. Free telehealth consult provided if required.
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Genes that impact alcohol metabolism
Certain genetic variants in the ADH1B, ADH1C, and ALDH2 genes can cause individuals to metabolize alcohol abnormally. Some people produce acetaldehyde too quickly, while others are unable to clear it from their system efficiently. This leads to a buildup of toxic acetaldehyde after drinking even moderate amounts of alcohol, contributing to alcohol intolerance and potential health risks.
