Asian flush意思

"Asian flush" is a term used to describe the condition where some individuals of Asian descent experience a flushing or reddening of the face, neck, and sometimes the upper body when they consume alcohol. This reaction is due to a deficiency in an enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), which is involved in the metabolism of alcohol.

When people drink alcohol, it is broken down by the body in several steps. One of the byproducts of this process is acetaldehyde, which is a toxic substance. ALDH2 is responsible for converting acetaldehyde into harmless acetate, which can then be further metabolized and eliminated from the body.

Individuals with a deficiency in ALDH2 have reduced ability to metabolize acetaldehyde, leading to a buildup of this toxic byproduct. This accumulation causes the characteristic flushing reaction, which can also include other symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness, and a rapid heartbeat.

The ALDH2 deficiency is more common in people of East Asian descent, particularly those of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean ancestry. It is estimated that up to 36% of people of East Asian descent have this deficiency, compared to about 5% of the general population.

It's important to note that having Asian flush does not mean that a person is unable to consume alcohol, but it does increase their risk of developing alcohol-related health problems, such as cancer, due to the increased exposure to acetaldehyde. Therefore, people with Asian flush may choose to limit their alcohol consumption or avoid alcohol altogether to reduce these risks.