Has the doctor recently diagnosed your or someone you know with Alpha-Gal allergy? This allergy can be difficult to understand… and even harder to manage. But, you’re not alone and our dietitian is here to help you better understand the allergy and how it affects nutrition habits.
Keep reading to learn more about alpha-gal allergy and what nutrition habits look like with this allergy.
What is Alpha-Gal?
Alpha-gal is a sugar molecule ~ galactose-α-1,3-galactose
This sugar molecule is found in most mammals (cow, pig, deer, goat, etc.)
Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is the serious allergic reaction that one can have from consuming the alpha-gal molecule. This reaction could be life threatening
An infection does not cause AGS. There is research that suggest AGS may be triggered by the bite of a lone star or black legged tick.
AGS can also be called
- Tick bite meat allergy
- Alpha-gal allergy
- Red meat allergy
What Are The Symptoms and When Do They Usually Occur?
Common Symptoms Include:
- Severe stomach pain
- Rash
- Hives
- Nausea/vomiting
- Heartburn/indigestion
- Diarrhea
- Cough, or difficulty breathing
- Reduced blood pressure
- Swelling of the lips, throat, tongue, or eye lids
- Dizziness or faintness
AGS symptoms occur after people eat red meat or are exposed to other products containing alpha-gal. Symptoms often appear 2-6 hours after eating a food product that contains alpha-gal.
Lifestyle Tips to Reduce Your Exposure to Alpha-Gal Containing Products
Alpha-gal (and other meat allergies) is not a common food allergy. Many people might not take precautions to prevent cross-contamination to reduce your allergic reactions.
- Work with your healthcare team (specifically a dietitian!) to create a list of foods and ingredients to avoid that may contain alpha-gal.
- Ingredients to look for include: Gelatin, Glycerin, Magnesium Stearate, Bovine Extract
- Check for any ingredients on foods, cosmetics, vaccinations, and medications that may come from products or by-products of mammals.
- Ask restaurants how they cook and prepare their meals. Inform your waiter of your allergy so that they can make sure your meal is handled in a way to help prevent exposure.
- Practice caution when you are at social gatherings because not everyone will understand the severity of your food allergy. For more peace-of-mind, you can bring your own meals to social gatherings.
Check out this guide to help you better understand the hidden ingredients to MINIMIZE alpha-gal reactions.
What You May Not Be Able to Eat….
Every individual with AGS will not experience the same reactions. Reaction severity and sensitivity to foods and ingredients that contain Alpha-Gal will differ for every individual.
Alpha-gal can be found in …
- Beef
- Pork
- Lamb
- Venison
- Other Mammals
- Gelatins
- Cow’s Milk
- Dairy Products (yogurt, cheese, etc.)
- Organ meats (livers, hearts, brains, and intestines)
- Certain Pre-Packaged Deli Meat
- Certain Pre-Packaged Sliced Cheese
- Certain Soup Stocks or Meat Broths
- Gravy Packages
- Bouillon
What You May Be Able to Eat….
The foods below typically do not contain alpha-gal.
- Poultry and Eggs (Chicken, Turkey, Duck, Quail)
- Grains
- Fish and Seafood
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Nuts and Seeds
Need an Alpha-Gal Friendly Meal Plan?
Check out this meal plan that is alpha-gal friendly!
NEED More Specific Help to better manage your allergy and control your nutrition habits?
Alpha-gal nutrition habits can be hard to manage because each person is different. Work with Samantha the Dietitian to help you figure out your trigger foods, different meal planning strategies that will work best for you, and how to make alpha-gal friendly recipes. Registered dietitians (like Samantha!) can help make improving your health less overwhelming!
Although Samantha Turner is a registered dietitian, she is not YOUR registered dietitian. All content in this post is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and does not establish any kind of patient-client relationship by your use of these courses, OakStone Health and Nutrition website, and any other OakStone Health and Nutrition pr
