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Stanford Health Care – Now
Are You Alcohol Intolerant? Take the “Asian Glow” Test
04.01.2023
I don't relish being a party pooper, but I have some bad news: Any way you sip it, alcohol is a low-grade poison. (We all know this -- if you're ingesting something that makes you wobbly, forgetful and prone to questionable choices, it's probably not a superfood.)
But in people of East Asian descent, who are more likely to carry a DNA mutation that hinders alcohol metabolism, drinking can be especially toxic. The heightened harm is caused by something Che-Hong Chen, PhD, senior research scientist at the Stanford School of Medicine, has been studying for 15 years -- alcohol intolerance, also known as Asian glow or Asian flushing.
Most people can tolerate a drink with nary a hiccup, but for those who experience alcohol intolerance, just a sip can bring a tinge of pink to their cheeks, a sign that toxins are building up in their system. Continue drinking, and the soft hue deepens to something more akin to a rash, often spreading to other parts of the body?
About Stanford Health Care
Stanford Health Care seeks to heal humanity through science and compassion, one patient at a time, through its commitment to care, educate and discover. Stanford Health Care delivers clinical innovation across its inpatient services, specialty health centers, physician offices, virtual care offerings and health plan programs.
Stanford Health Care is part of Stanford Medicine, a leading academic health system that includes the Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford Health Care, and Stanford Children’s Health, with Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. Stanford Medicine is renowned for breakthroughs in treating cancer, heart disease, brain disorders and surgical and medical conditions. For more information, visit: www.stanfordhealthcare.org.