It's been said that over 50 percent of Asians suffer from Asian blush, Asian Blush, or otherwise known as alcohol flush reaction. The reason for this is related to an inability to metabolise alcohol at a fast enough rate. I absolutely hate scientific jargon, so I've spent quite a bit of time reading and rereading various sites attempting to break down the reason into simple terms.
When we drink alcohol, our bodies need to break it down, so we produce something which helps to break it down. A bi product called ethanol is then produced as a result of this process. People who experience the alcohol flush reaction have an enzyme which doesn't work properly - the enzyme that should be breaking down that bi product. This is toxic and if we are not able to break it down properly, our body the experiences symptoms such at dizziness, itchyness, or otherwise.
Pepcid AC, Zantac and antacids containing H2 blockers can prevent this reaction temporarily? They have the side effect of causing our bodies to metabolize alcohol at a slower rate thus giving us more time to break down the ethanol which is produced This gives our body more time to break down the poisonous bi product to something less toxic.
And that is the simplified version of it.
It is caused by the inability to break down a bi product created from the metabolization of alcohol. As you consume alcohol your body begins to break it down. Enzymes are responsible for the breakdown of this alcohol. As this breakdown occurs a bi product called called ethanol is created. This can be called ALDH2. Because of it's toxicity it also should be broken down. Those who suffer from the alcohol flush reaction are unable to break down this toxic bi product, and then experience puffy red skin and other uncomfortable side effects that could be limited to the facial area but in worse cases can spread to the whole body. Sufferers of Asian blush may also experience itchy skin, dizziness, or nausea.
So how do you prevent Asian glow? Over the counter antacids also known as h2 blockers have become popular as of recent. Though preventing Asian flush is not their main function, they seem to slow down the metabolisation of alcohol and thus the production of ALDH2. However, it should be noted that this is not a "cure" for Asian blush. It simply stunts the symptoms for the period of the effectiveness of the antacid you take.
There are resources available on the internet but they are few and far between. However, there are numerous online communities of sufferers of the alcohol flush reaction with support, ideas, and success stories. With the last year or so a new product called the no red face formula has appeared, claiming to completely heal your asian glow.
So do antacids like Pepcid AC really prevent Asian blush? There is no hard evidence either way. A small amount of say yes. Some say no. A small amount of say sometimes. From what I've read in formus and medical pages it seems that antacids could be effective for a few drinks but are not very effective when you're planning on consuming more than just a few or drinking for a long period of time. If antacids have worked for you in the past, you should be careful not to get carried away because after all, they are changing the way your body is metabolising alcohol and toxins. Like making a cake, if the recipe for one cake calls for two eggs, the recipe for three cakes is not always going to be six eggs. What works for one drink might not be the quickest idea for 10.
It goes without saying that when you're not sure, online research is good but consulting your personal doctor is the fastest choice.
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