People allergic to alcohol more prone to heart attack or stroke: study

By Mark Waghorn via SWNS

People allergic to booze are up to four times more prone to a heart attack or stroke, according to new research.

Around one in 12 adults (eight percent) carry a gene that prevents the body from metabolizing alcohol, scientists said.

The mutation means the body can't break it down properly.

Now a study has found the variant also reduces the dilation of blood vessels which can cause cardiovascular disease - the world's number one killer.

It stops the protein, named ALDH2, from working. Cases quadrupled among carriers who regularly drank, reports New Scientist.

The discovery is based on an analysis of hundreds of thousands of biobank members in Britain and Japan. It offers hope of a screening program.

The enzyme fuels inflammation and harmful chemicals called free radicals - which can also trigger diabetes and cancer.

Lead author Dr. Joseph Wu, of Stanford University in California, warned the take-home message is clear.

He said: "If you're missing this enzyme, try not to drink.

"If you drink consistently, you are at much higher risk of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and cancer."

Alcohol intolerance can cause immediate, uncomfortable reactions including a stuffy nose, sneezing and flushing or rash.

An efficient ALDH2 destroys toxic chemicals from alcohol and mops up free radicals that damage DNA.

In a group of volunteers, the U.S. team also found in people with the standard gene, the ability of blood vessels to dilate increased after drinking.

But in those with the mutated version, dilation falls. This may seem odd given people with alcohol intolerance flush when they drink.

But the flushing is caused by the release of immune system chemicals called histamines, explained Dr. Wu.

In lab experiments on endothelial cells which line blood vessels, those with the mutated form of ALDH2 had more inflammation and free radicals.

They were also less able to generate nitric oxide, which helps relax blood vessels.

All these effects were exacerbated by exposing the human-derived cells to alcohol.