DNA Alcohol Intolerance Test
$149.00
If your face turns red when you drink or you experience severe hangovers from even a single drink, it could indicate alcohol intolerance. You can determine your risk of alcohol intolerance by taking this DNA test.
- Detects mutations in ADH and ALDH genes that affect alcohol metabolism
- Individuals who carry one or more mutations in the ADH and ALDH genes may be putting their health at risk every time they consume alcohol.
- Collection method: Buccal swabs
- Private and confidential online results
Description
The body clears the majority of the chemical ethanol, found in alcoholic drinks, through a two-step process that involves two enzymes. The first step involves alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), which converts ethanol to acetaldehyde, a toxic chemical. However, acetaldehyde is quickly broken down to acetate by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in the second step of alcohol metabolism. The final product, acetate, can be easily broken down to carbon dioxide and water.
However, individuals with genetic variants in the alcohol metabolism pathway may generate acetaldehyde too quickly or be unable to eliminate it fast enough, resulting in a dangerous buildup of acetaldehyde in the body even when consuming moderate amounts of alcohol.
A simple mouth swab can determine whether an individual has inherited DNA changes that affect their ability to metabolize alcohol, which may increase their risk of serious health complications.
Description
The body clears the majority of the chemical ethanol, found in alcoholic drinks, through a two-step process that involves two enzymes. The first step involves alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), which converts ethanol to acetaldehyde, a toxic chemical. However, acetaldehyde is quickly broken down to acetate by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in the second step of alcohol metabolism. The final product, acetate, can be easily broken down to carbon dioxide and water.
However, individuals with genetic variants in the alcohol metabolism pathway may generate acetaldehyde too quickly or be unable to eliminate it fast enough, resulting in a dangerous buildup of acetaldehyde in the body even when consuming moderate amounts of alcohol.
A simple mouth swab can determine whether an individual has inherited DNA changes that affect their ability to metabolize alcohol, which may increase their risk of serious health complications.
Our testing laboratory is AABB Accredited, ISO/IEC 17025 Certified and participates in the CAP proficiency testing program.
Technical Info
Individuals with genetic variants in the alcohol metabolism pathway may either produce acetaldehyde too rapidly or be unable to eliminate it efficiently, leading to the accumulation of toxic acetaldehyde in the body even when consuming moderate amounts of alcohol.
Genetic variants tested in this test:
- ADH1B and ADH1C – produce the ADH enzyme that converts ethanol to acetaldehyde in the first step of alcohol metabolism. Variants in these genes increase ADH enzyme activity, causing a buildup of acetaldehyde, even with moderate alcohol consumption.
- ALDH2 – converting acetaldehyde to acetate in the second step of alcohol metabolism. A common genetic variant in the ALDH2 gene can decrease the activity of this enzyme, leading to a slower removal of toxic acetaldehyde from the body.
