Today we’re going to review Alcotox, a hangover supplement that claims to help sufferers of Asian flush by reducing alcohol related acetaldehyde and thereby mitigating some of the accompanying risks associated with Asian flush.
The majority of Asian flush cures we review are aimed at reducing the unwanted physical symptoms of alcohol flushing. Whilst it is understandably important for people to avoid the social embarrassment associated with their disorder, it is also imperative that we not neglect the more serious dangers. This is why we are reviewing Alcotox and its claims of addressing more than just the superficial encumbrances of alcohol flushing.
As outlined in our article about the link between Asian flush and certain cancer risks, it is absolutely necessary that alcohol flush sufferers be aware of the dangers of alcohol related acetaldehyde and take the appropriate measures to protect themselves from this highly carcinogenic substance. Alcotox claims to reduce the acetaldehyde that is left behind by our defective ALDH2 enzyme.
Is this just another hangover pill?
Alcotox is a vitamin and amino acid supplement specifically designed to target, scavenge and neutralize alcohol related acetaldehyde in our bodies. By eliminating the acetaldehyde, Alcotox aims to prevent various long term dangers such as a heightened cancer risk and liver damage, whilst also reducing the severity of bad hangovers.
Unlike a lot of the hangover pills on the market, Alcotox doesn’t merely aim to make you feel better the day after your drinking. The direct result of reducing acetaldehyde will incidentally reduce the severity of your hangovers and make you feel better, but this should be seen as ancillary to its primary function of reducing the levels of alcohol related carcinogens in our body in order to lower the associated risks of cancer and liver disease to which alcohol flush sufferers are particularly prone.
How effective is it?
Unlike a lot of once-a-day Asian flush cures, the dosage instructions for Alcotox advise taking one capsule for every 1 to 2 standard drinks consumed. This is because, the more acetaldehyde you put into your body, the more counter balancing ingredients that are required to keep this nasty alcohol related carcinogen at safer levels.
After following the instructions we not only experienced far fewer negative symptoms while drinking alcohol but also noticed that we had little or no hangover the next day. That said, we have no idea whether it was effective at lowering the level of acetaldehyde in our bodies and in turn reducing our risk of longer term problems like esophageal cancer or liver damage.
Laboratory Testing
Luckily they commissioned Select Pharma Laboratories to conduct in vitro laboratory testing of the acetaldehyde reducing qualities of their product. The results of these trials were sent to us by Alcotox, which state that their formula can reduce acetaldehyde found in common alcoholic beverages. To our knowledge this study has not been replicated or verified by other third parties.
Endorsed by Medical Practitioners
In addition to these findings, we were provided numerous written testimonials from medical doctors attesting to the efficacy of Alcotox’s acetaldehyde fighting abilities along with the accompanying long term benefits.
According to promotional material sent to us by the founder of Alcotox, the head of PGR Radiology at Mayo Hospital, Dr. Ambreen Irfan, speaks of supplements like Alcotox as a step forward in the fight against alcohol induced complications. He goes on to talk about routine supplementation being a potential savior for people, especially those with a predisposition to acetaldehyde build up (i.e. sufferers of alcohol flush). Unfortunately, Dr. Ambreen Irfan was not available for interview.
Verdict
We believe it is imperative that sufferers of Asian flush supplement their drinking in order to counteract the carcinogenic effects of their predisposition to acetaldehyde build up. This will not only provide a more comfortable drinking experience, but more importantly, it will reduce the risks of alcohol related cancers and liver damage to which their disorder leaves them particularly prone.
Suggested Alternatives
UPDATE 6th July 2015: A new alcohol flushing supplement called Sunset just raised 300% of their fundraising target – you can find out more about Sunset here.
There is another product called NoGlo that also claims to reduce acetaldehyde and cure symptoms of Asian flush.
We have also performed extensive reviews of AF Formula and AF Reducer and recommend people check both of these out before making a final purchasing decision.