Comment by CocktailChemist on 13/03/2025 at 13:03 UTC

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View submission: Ask Anything Wednesday - Biology, Chemistry, Neuroscience, Medicine, Psychology

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The primary path of ethanol detoxification involves two steps, first the oxidation to acetaldehyde, then further oxidation to acetic acid. Each step is carried out by a separate enzyme and both the abundance and the efficiency of those enzymes can vary. For instance, in some people the second enzyme is largely absent or ineffective, so acetaldehyde builds up very rapidly causing flush and pretty intense discomfort.

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Comment by awaniwono at 13/03/2025 at 15:31 UTC

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Thanks. Does the abundancy of one or both of those enzymes typically decrease with age perhaps? Or is the age angle unrelated?