Quality vs. IF: Opinions?

[Garrett Smith]

"Inter-individual variation of cytochrome P450s"

Just as some people run faster than others, some people's livers function better/worse with detoxifying different compounds.

Like my full-blood Korean buddy. He can drink like a fish, he's immune to morphine, and he was the only person I've heard of to get beta-carotene poisoning from too much carrot juice. That's an interesting CYP-450 system there.

Another variation is those folks (most commonly of Asian descent) who get all rosy-cheeked and very drunk off of 1-2 drinks. Many of them claim an allergy to alcohol, which isn't true, or any time they ate anything with carbs in in they'd be having an "allergic" reaction (some of the carbs we eat are invariably turned into alcohol). They don't have a CYP-450 system that can handle much alcohol at once. A little questioning would likely find interesting reactions to a whole host of things...

[Allen Yeh]

Originally Posted by Garrett Smith

Another variation is those folks (most commonly of Asian descent) who get all rosy-cheeked and very drunk off of 1-2 drinks. Many of them claim an allergy to alcohol, which isn't true, or any time they ate anything with carbs in in they'd be having an "allergic" reaction (some of the carbs we eat are invariably turned into alcohol). They don't have a CYP-450 system that can handle much alcohol at once. A little questioning would likely find interesting reactions to a whole host of things...

only 50% of Asians get that reaction right?

[Greg Everett]

Originally Posted by Allen Yeh

only 50% of Asians get that reaction right?

no, it affects the whole asian.

[Garrett Smith]

Gosh, I hope I don't get assumed to be racist because of that comment...

I have no scientific research behind that statement (especially in terms of %), just my personal observations. Variations in CYP-450 enzymes can happen with anyone, like any other genetic "hand-me-downs".

Also, a previously incurred level of toxicity (metals, solvents) can inhibit specific CYP-450 enzyme systems.

Also, I agree with Greg E.'s statement about IF+quality food is best.

[Allen Yeh]

Nah, I actually get the asian glow and had only read briefly that it was due to a lack of liver enzyme...but then at the same time that article i read said it was a 50/50 thing in the asian population.