The present invention is directed to compositions for preventing or reducing the flush and other unpleasant symptoms that sometimes accompany the consumption of alcoholic beverages, and methods for use of said compositions. The compositions comprise an agent, or combinations of various agents, such as an agent capable of increasing intracellular or intramitochondrial concentration of NAD in the subject an agent capable of increasing glutathione concentration in the subject an anti-oxidant alpha-lipoic acid or a precursor to alpha-lipoic acid and/or an agent capable of increasing the level of Coenzyme A in the subject where the agent or agents are present or administered in amounts effective to prevent or reduce the alcohol reaction in a subject who has consumed one or more alcoholic beverages.
