ALPHA-GAL Syndrome

by Rebecca Steiner, Naturopathic Medical Assistant and Certified Health Coach

Alpha-gal syndrome is an allergic reaction to beef and other mammals including; lamb, pork and bison. Alpha-gal syndrome causes many troubling symptoms, including; potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis, itching, hives, severe stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, arthritis, and chronic fatigue. 

Alpha-gal syndrome is often missed or misdiagnosed due to its uniqueness from other allergies. Unlike other food allergies, symptoms don’t appear right away, but happen hours after the allergen has been ingested, making it much less likely for someone to make the connection between their symptoms and the offending food. Scientists suspect the reason for this delayed response is that animal fat digests at a slower rate than other foods, like peanuts for example, and so it takes longer for the allergic response to occur. Many patients report attacks that wake them up in the middle of the night or early in the morning, hours after eating. 

What makes alpha-gal allergy even more mysterious is that symptoms vary from person to person, and even from day to day. While someone may develop a severe “allergic” reaction that includes anaphylaxis, hives, itching, and maybe even a trip to the Emergency Room, another could only experience abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea. In addition, someone may have a severe life-threatening reaction from one exposure to meat, and no reaction the next time. 

Alpha-gal syndrome includes some, or all of the following symptoms:

• Anaphylaxis

• Hives

• Flushing

• Stuffiness

• Itching (especially palms of hands and soles of feet)

• Swollen tongue, lips or eyelids 

• Difficulty Breathing, coughing, wheezing, sneezing

• Drop in blood pressure

• Weak Pulse

• Racing Heartrate

• Anxiety

• Dizziness

• Fainting

• Vertigo

• Itchy ears

• Severe abdominal pain

• Diarrhea 

• Constipation

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Edema

• Arthritis 

• Joint Pain

• Rash

• Psoriasis 

• Fatigue

• Gynecological Symptoms 

• Worse reaction/ Hangover from alcohol 

Alpha-gal is short for galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, an oligosaccharide sugar molecule that is not present in humans or great apes, but is found in all other mammals. 

Alpha-gal allergy is believed to be acquired from a tick bite. 

Research is still underway, but it is theorized that alpha-gal is transmitted from the saliva of a tick that feeds on mammals like deer. When the tick later attaches to a human it transmits the alpha-gal sugar from the animal into the bloodstream of the human host. Some people develop an IgE response when their immune system tries to defend against this foreign molecule. From that point on, meat consumption results in an allergic reaction. Sensitive people may also react to the alpha-gal molecule in dairy, medications, skincare, beauty products, vaccines, and supplements that contain mammalian byproducts. It is even possible to have an allergic reaction to inhalation of fumes from cooking meat, or from cross contamination of utensils and cookware. In addition, some people develop an allergic reaction to the common food additive carrageen, which has a similar chemical structure to alpha-gal. 

Unfortunately, most people who develop AGS suffer for years before receiving a proper diagnosis. On average it takes 7 years for someone to be diagnosed. Often medical practitioners are not aware of the condition, or believe it is a problem limited to the south eastern United States. 

While AGS is most prevalent in the south eastern regions of the United States, cases have been reported all over the US, and in parts of Europe, Australia and Asia. While it was previously thought that alpha-gal could only be transmitted from the bite of the Lone Star tick (which inhabits the South eastern United States) data now suggests that other ticks may transmit alpha-gal as well. For example, researchers have determined that the European Ixodes tick carries the alpha-gal molecule. Additionally, it is now believed that the Lone Star tick is more widely distributed across the country than previously thought. Scientists also predict that while the Lone Star tick prefers warmer climates, due to ongoing climate change, their distribution will only increase over time. 

Alpha-gal syndrome can be detected with a simple blood test, and a thorough clinical evaluation. Some people may falsely test negative, which is why it is so important to work with a skilled and knowledgeable practitioner. 

There is currently no cure for alpha-gal syndrome, although some people do lose their diagnosis over time. The only solution is to completely avoid all mammal products. Easier said than done given that food and drug manufacturers are not required to include this information on labels. It can also be difficult to tell from a list of ingredients if a product contains alpha-gal because it could be hiding behind confusing names. A few of the many common mammal-derived ingredients found in everything from foods, to over the counter and prescription medications includes: gelatin, glycerin, lactose, magnesium stearate, stearic acid and natural flavorings.

If you have AGS, a Certified Health Coach, like myself, can help you navigate the challenging dietary and lifestyle changes that will be necessary to avoid a potentially life-threatening exposure. Working together we can create a plan that works for you. If you think you may have alpha-gal syndrome please reach out to our clinic for more information and helpful resources.