Renowned psychotherapist and physician Zhibek Zholdasova shared insights into new genetic research, emphasizing one of the reasons behind varying alcohol tolerance related to genes ALDH2-rs671 and ADH1B-rs1229984. If you possess these genes, it is advisable to completely refrain from alcohol consumption.
A study conducted in China on half a million individuals demonstrated that individuals with these genes have a significantly elevated risk of death due to alcohol consumption-related consequences across various causes. These include oncological diseases associated with alcohol consumption (esophageal, liver, stomach cancers), cardiovascular diseases (primarily strokes), liver diseases, and death from non-medical causes (suicides, accidents).
The risk of death is also dose-dependent – the higher the dosage, the greater the risk of mortality. Importantly, there is no lower threshold; even small amounts of alcohol increase the risk of death.
Zholdasova notes that tests for alcohol, tobacco, and drug tolerance are currently available in laboratories for interested individuals to undergo.