Socializing over drinks with friends is a lot of fun, but the mornings after? Not so much. By your 30s or 40s, you may find yourself wishing there was some kind of magic pill that can get you back on your feet, feeling great the next day. Unfortunately, there’s no cure…but understanding how your body metabolizes alcohol can help you avoid feeling lousy.

When you metabolize alcohol, here’s what happens: alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), an enzyme in your liver, breaks down the ethanol, the compound in alcoholic drinks that causes their effects. As the ethanol breaks down, your liver produces a byproduct: acetaldehyde. As metabolism continues, acetaldehyde builds up in your bloodstream. Eventually, it gets converted to acetate, a harmless salt by a second enzyme called acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). That period between ethanol and acetate, when the acetaldehyde is in your blood, is when you feel effects like nausea and flushed skin. If you can prevent acetaldehyde from building up in your bloodstream, you can prevent it from ruining your weekend…which means increasing the amount of ADH and ALDH in your liver. 

Here’s some good news: it’s easy to increase the amount of ADH and ALDH available to your body. Read on to learn how, along with helpful information about acetaldehyde and what’s really happening as your body processes alcohol.

What is Acetaldehyde?

Acetaldehyde is a short-lived compound that accumulates in the bloodstream as the liver breaks down alcohol. By short-lived, we mean it remains for a few hours to at most, a day after all the alcohol is metabolized. But during that short timeframe, acetaldehyde can make an individual feel achy, nauseated, anxious and overall, just plain crummy.

When acetaldehyde is present in the bloodstream, acetaldehyde dehydrogenase is hard at work converting it to acetate. Acetaldehyde dehydrogenases are a critical group of enzymes found in the liver. We all have different amounts of these enzymes, with men tending to have more of them than women. This is why women tend to feel alcohol’s effects sooner than men. 

Acetaldehyde Structure

Acetaldehyde Syndrome is Due to Genetic Differences

Acetaldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH) are encoded by two specific genes, ALDH1 and ALDH2. For most people, these two genes are active and able to process acetaldehyde. But in some populations, namely those with East Asian ancestry, the ALDH2 gene is inactive. People with an inactive ALDH2 gene cannot process alcohol the way others can, and this often results in acetaldehyde syndrome. You’ll recognize acetaldehyde syndrome when you see it because it causes the individual’s skin to become red, or “flushed.” They may also experience a stuffed nose and itchy skin or hives. Inside, they’re also experiencing: 

• An increased heartrate

• Warmth within their body

• Low blood pressure

• Nausea

• Headache

BuzzClear™ supports your liver’s process of metabolizing by providing an ideal ratio of both ADH and ALDH enzymes, which work in the gut. With more ADH and ALDH enzymes available and working fulltime in your gut, it can be easier to keep acetaldehyde from reaching your bloodstream and building up. BuzzClear™ reduces acetaldehyde. Reducing acetaldehyde can protect your liver.  

Alcohol Metabolism, Step by Step

Naturally, acetaldehyde accrues in your bloodstream as you metabolize alcohol. As we mentioned, this can come with some unpleasant effects. The less acetaldehyde that builds up, the less likely you are to feel these effects. 

Stage 1: 6 to 8 Hours After Drinking

Usually, your blood alcohol content (BAC) is back to 0.0% six to eight hours after drinking. The alcohol may be processed, but the acetaldehyde is starting to accumulate in your blood. At this stage, you may feel a dry mouth, extreme thirst, and exhaustion.

At this stage, the best thing you can do for yourself is to hydrate. Drink water, or if you have electrolyte beverages handy, drink those. 

Stage 2: 12-14 Hours After Drinking

12 to 14 hours after drinking, acetaldehyde accumulation is at its peak. This is when lights are too bright, sounds are too loud, and it’s difficult to keep any food in your stomach. You might have a pounding headache, brain fog, and anxious thoughts.

The good news? This is the worst it’s going to be.

Stage 3: 16-24 Hours After Drinking

16 hours or so after drinking, the alcohol dehydrogenases enzymes are doing their job, turning the acetaldehyde in your bloodstream into acetate. This is when you start feeling better.Your headache is lessening, you can keep food down, and you feel like you can interact and carry on conversations like normal. 

Reduce Acetaldehyde and Reduce your Chance of Acetaldehyde Syndrome

When it comes to taking care of yourself, the “Acetaldehyde Formula” is simple: the less acetaldehyde reaches your blood, the less likely you are to deal with Acetaldehyde Syndrome and other unpleasant effects. 

While you can’t prevent your body from absorbing acetaldehyde, you can potentially reduce the amount it absorbs by taking three BuzzClear™ capsules before your first drink. As a pre-drinking supplement, BuzzClear™’s patented dual-enzyme formula containing both ADH and ALDH can help to break down acetaldehyde more efficiently, setting you up for a great next day. 

Ready to give it a try? Order BuzzClear™ today.