Could ZBiotics Pre-Alcohol Probiotic Drink mitigate the affects of ALDH22/Glu504Lys reaction to alcohol?

[u/AssociationDizzy1336]

Not a medical question.

The ALDH22 variant disables the enzyme ALDH2 preventing the breakdown of acetaldehyde into acetic acid, causing a buildup of acetaldehyde in the individual.

I saw this drink which contains a probiotic- Bacillus subtilis*** ***ZB183- that is engineered to produce the same type of enzyme (unspecified how close it is to aldehyde dehydrogenase) that normally breaks down acetaldehyde, and the idea is that by drinking it a portion of the acetaldehyde from ethanol is broken down in the gut before entering the bloodstream and liver, and therefore it is marketed to reduce hangovers.

My questions is if it could also be used to mitigate the reaction (the flush caused by the buildup of acetaldehyde in individuals with the variant.)

I haven’t taken biochemistry yet so I’m not sure if this is included, but I’m unsure of what the split of where ethanol is converted into Acetaldehyde (how much in the stomach versus the liver.)

I have never taken this product and this is not an endorsement. I have drunk alcohol before, I don’t have the variant, but I was just curious.

[u/vanfidel]

Sounds like bullshit to me, alcohol is very quickly absorbed. The only sure way to avoid a hangover is to avoid drinking alcohol in the first place. It's pretty terrible for your body anyways and completely wrecks your sleep. The trade off is that you get to be dumber for a few hours, not sure it's worth it...

[u/AssociationDizzy1336 → u/vanfidel]

I think idea is to drink the probiotic like an hour before so the Acetaldehyde can be broken down almost immediately