Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS)
Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) (also called alpha-gal allergy, red meat allergy, or tick bite meat allergy) is the result of tick bite from the Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum). [1] There are indications that other types of ticks may carry and use Alpha-gal during the meal process. Evidence also suggests that chiggers may be implicated as well. [2] Alpha-gal is in a tick’s saliva. It is estimated that more than 50% or greater of the Lone Star tick carries the antigen that causes AGS. AGS can lead to a potentially life threatening allergic reaction to the sugar molecule (Galactose-α-1, 3-galatose) (aka Alpha-gal). This molecule is transmitted to the blood host during a blood meal by a tick. Unlike other tick borne diseases, AGS is not related to an infection from bacteria. This is similar to Lyme Disease but AGS is considered to be a gene expression that results in a simple food allergy. Please read through the rest of this to understand what gene expression is.
The average human diets consists of red meat which contains Galactose-α-1, 3-galactose. The tick injects Galactose-α-1, 3-galatose into the bloodstream during the blood meal. It is the Galactose-α-1, 3-galatose in the blood stream that stimulates the immune defense.
The injection of Alpha-gal by a tick may facilitate the host into an allergic reaction from the immune system and stimulates a release of Immunoglobulin ε (IgE or Ig Epsilon) in response to the injection from the tick or the intake of mammalian or red meat. Simply, IgE is a response from our immune system due to a food allergy, a simple sugar molecule. Alpha-gal is not found in the meat of fish, reptiles, or birds. Alpha-gal can be found in mammalian meat such as pork, beef, rabbit, lamb, venison, rabbit and products made from mammals including cow’s milk and milk byproducts. Elevated IgE titers are indicative of AGS of the disease process. The titers are subdivided into 4 levels. There is no correlation between the levels of IgE and how those levels relate to the patient’s severity of reactions and symptoms.
There are some studies that suggest that symptoms of heart failure and elevated rapid degeneration of bioprosthetic (pig or beef valve replacements) aortic vales can be related to AGS. [3]
According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms include but are not limited to hives and itchy rashes, nausea or vomiting, heartburn and or indigestion, diarrhea, coughing or shortness of breath, decreased blood pressure, swelling of the lips, throat, tongue and or eye lids, dizziness or fainting, and severe stomach pain.
Symptoms of AGS may lessen over time or even totally disappear. Generally, some patients may be able to return to consuming red meat and animal by products after 1 to 2 years of the initial onset. The average duration of this hypersensitivity reaction is unknown, although it is likely chronic given the average time from symptom onset to diagnosis is 7 years. [4-6]
Symptoms generally occur after the ingestion of red meat, dairy products and or by products. The allergic reaction can vary from patient to patient. Reactions can range from severe to mid and even life threatening. There is generally a delayed reaction time of the onset of symptoms starting within 3-5 hours after the ingestion of red meat. An Anaphylaxis reaction is a life threatening reaction that involves multiple organ systems and necessitates urgent medical attention. And yet, not every exposure to red meat may suffer a reaction. [7]
If you have been formally diagnosed with AGS, you will find that becoming a label reader will be crucial in your daily living. It could possibly even save your life. Magnesium Stearate (MS) is a molecule that is a long chain saturated fat found in beef. It is used a coating around active ingredients in capsules and tablets. Manufactures of medications use MS because of its lubricating properties, preventing ingredients from sticking to manufacturing equipment. The key is that it can be derived from a Bovine source, a source that can make a patient with AGS have a reaction.
It is somewhat like playing Russian Roulette with products that may contain animal by products from beef: cosmetics, detergents, lubricants, candle and even fireworks. It is imperative to read labels. The word stearic is derived from the Greek word “stear” which means tallow rendered from beef or mutton. Surprisingly, drywall of all things may contain beef byproducts and affect AGS patients. It is the paint on the drywall that may have stearic acid in the manufacturing process. Because white sugar is not white to begin with, it is filtered with bones char or beef bone ash which can put people at risk. Gelatins are also a derivative from bone meal and should be avoided. One should consult with their physician before injecting some vaccines as they may stimulate an allergic reaction. The website alphagalinformation.org/mammalian-byproducts/ can be a great start on product you will need to avoid.
Personal care or skin care products such as lanolin, gelatin/collagen can be derived from animal byproducts. Manufactures have switched to an animal derived source for the fat because of the cost and the amount of supply. Consider using a soap made from 100% vegetation base such as coconut and shea butter. If you tub soak and find a ring around the tub, the soap you are using is derived from an animal fat. That tub ring is Magnesium Stearate. Read your labels carefully. Some of the most popular soaps are made from lard and can promote an immune defense. Vegan can be a good in this case!
Check your toothpaste, mouthwash, liquid hand soaps, shampoo, nail treatments, facial cleansers, lanolin, deodorants, products with glycerin and bath salts. Amazon offers shopping starter list for AGS patients. This list makes PETA happy too!
Meat alternatives. While shopping in the four states for meat alternatives may prove difficult, we have been in contact with a butcher market that is actively pursuing furnishing a Butterball ham that is made from turkey. I hear that it looks like ham, tastes like ham and cooks like ham. There are places on the internet that specialize in alternative meats, such as duck bacon, goose pheasant and quail. There is meat out there that AGS patients can consume. Sometimes you have to search for it.
There are some studies that suggest that hypertension may be the only symptom related AGS food allergy. This is significant because some medications utilized to manage hypertension contain magnesium stearate which can facilitate a reaction by the immune system. Other medications such as Acetaminophen, Naproxen, Lisinopril, Clonidine, and Hydrocodone have been noted as containing MS and should be avoided because of potentially linked to AGS.
As stated above, AGS can be detected by testing the blood for the presence of IGE. The medical profession should be able to detect and manage a patient’s symptoms; however, it is imperative that the patient refrains for the ingestion of red meat and byproducts derived from mammals. Many cuts of meat may contain Alpha-gal such as organ meats like liver, lung, heart, kidney, intestines, sweet breads, scrapple and Rock Mountain oysters. AGS patients must also consider products such as lard, tallow and suet, meat broth bouillon stock and gravy. Cross contamination is possible such as chicken grilled on a grill that has had beef cooked on it. A small majority of AGS may tolerate the ingestion of cow’s milk and by products derived.
The prevention of tick bites is the number one preventative measure we humans can take. The Lone Star tick is very prominent in the south and the southeastern portions of the United States and is spreading rapidly to the Midwest. These ticks live in grassy, bushy and wooded areas. Do everything you can to prevent tick bites and encounters.
Make sure your pets are treated with anti-tick medications as ticks can simply fall off your pets onto you. Insect repellants containing DEET, pircaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-mentane-diol may help deterring ticks. Please follow age restrictions for children from the CDC.
With certain aromatherapy essential oils, not only do they smell great, but they are also known to be natural tick repellents. Ticks hate the smell of lemon, orange, cinnamon, lavender, peppermint, and rose geranium so they avoid latching on to anything that smells of those items. The Farmer’s Almanac can offer up numerous ways to deter ticks with natural homemade repellents without toxic chemicals.
Check or have someone do a tick check after being outside. This includes a quick check of the under arms, in and out of the ears, the belly button, back of the knees, in and out and around the hair line, in the groin and around the waist. There are more tick bites from the months of March through August.
As mentioned above, the immune response is considered a gene expression of the immune system. This is the process where a gene gets turned on or off in a cell. Gene expression is a tightly regulated process that allows a cell to reciprocate to its environment. However, there are times that our immune systems overreacts. This is termed as dysregulation or uncontrolled immune responses.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been utilized in the medical profession for several decades. While HBOT is not a panacea, there is an increasing number of medical indications for treatment with HBOT.
How important is Oxygen in the human body? Oxygen is used in 5769+ cellular processes and activates 8101 different genes in the human body. These genes are responsible for the down regulation of inflammation and up regulation of growth and repair. Dysregulation of the immune and inflammation systems of the human body have been implicated as being responsive to HBOT. This is the theory behind the treatment of AGS utilizing HBOT.
This clinic is currently conducting a study in the use of HBOT regulating the gene expression of the immune system and is currently seeking volunteers. Should you be interested or knows someone interested in this research, please have them contact our office at (417) 624-4242 or email Dr. Skaggs at [email protected].
Reference:
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- Hawkins RB, Frischtak HL, Kron IL, Ghanta RK. Premature bioprosthetic aortic valve degeneration associated with allergy to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose. J Card Surg. 2016;31:446–8. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
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- Platts-Mills TAE Li RC Keshavarz B Smith AR Wilson JM Diagnosis and management of patients with the α-Gal syndrome. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2020; 8: 15–23.e1. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
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Disclaimer: No individuals, including those currently under our active care, should use the information and/or resources contained here within to self diagnose or self treat any health related condition(s). Diagnosis and treatment of all health conditions should only be performed by your doctor of chiropractic or other licensed health care professional.
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