What is Alpha-Gal Food Allergy
What is Alpha-Gal? Do you have recurring stomach issues, rashes that you cannot explain, or breathing troubles every time you go to your favorite steakhouse? In the past decade or so, physicians are finding that some patients are reacting to a molecule in red meat. This compound gets into the bloodstream of cows and other mammals, including humans, through a tick bite. This allergy was new to the science and medical communities only being discovered in 2006. It is an allergic reaction to eating red meat although it is also found in pork. The reaction does not come on right away. Most people experience symptoms between three to six hours after eating meat with the molecule in it. Allergies to this substance often present themselves in a variety of ways depending on the person. Some people may only feel some discomfort while others have hives or go into anaphylaxis. What Causes this Food Allergy? Ticks carry the carbohydrate molecule known for causing this food allergy.