We're only just starting to understand alpha-gal syndrome.
| | | | Welcome back, everyone. The blossoms are blooming and green grass is growing. Yep, spring is here, and you know what that means: Tick season has begun. In today's edition, we look at updated guidance around alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), the tick-borne illness that makes you allergic to red meat. | | Some other topics we're covering: | | | | | Stay sharp,
Ginger Wojcik
Newsletter Editor, Healthline | | | | |
| |  | | Written by Ginger Wojcik
April 26, 2023 • 5 min read | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | New symptoms of alpha-gal syndrome revealed | | tl;dr: | - A new report shows that AGS can cause gastrointestinal (GI) issues in addition to the classic symptoms of an allergic reaction.
- AGS is an increasingly common tick-borne illness in the United States that results in a red meat allergy.
| Calling all hikers, nature lovers, and dog owners. A new report shows that some people with the tick-borne alpha-gal syndrome only experience GI symptoms. (Previously, it was believed that symptoms were limited to rashes, hives, anaphylaxis, and other classic signs of an allergic reaction.)
What does a tick bite have to do with red meat? Great question! Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) is a carbohydrate that's present in the saliva of the lone star tick (possibly other ticks, too) and the cells of mammals. Getting bit by one can cause your body to mount an immune defense (or allergic reaction) against alpha-gal, which can then get triggered whenever you eat a food containing alpha-gal, such as red meat.
Here's a map of where you're most likely to encounter a lone star tick: |  | How is it treated? There's no known cure for AGS. Once you have it, the best way to avoid symptom flare-ups is to avoid eating all mammalian meat products. This may include cow's milk and gelatin, although some people with AGS can tolerate these ingredients. However, prevention is key. Prevent tick bites by wearing pants and long sleeves on hikes, using tick repellants, and checking your skin, among other methods.
For a comprehensive list of foods containing alpha-gal, check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) website. | | | | | | |
| | | | Editor faves with health perks | | | | | | |  | | Vitamins & Supplements at Optum Store | | Vitamins and supplements are consistently one of our top performing topics in Wellness Wire, so we wanted to highlight a convenient place to shop for these products: Optum Store. Don't know exactly which type of supplement you need? Find a list of options by searching by health area (for example, "digestive health" or "skin, hair, and nails"). Other filters include price range, brand, and whether the product is eligible for flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) funds. | | Happy shopping, and remember: It's always best to speak with a healthcare professional before adding a supplement to your routine. | | | Every product we recommend has gone through Healthline's vetting process. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are both owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | Why experts aren't keen on food sensitivity tests | | | All the experts we contacted were adamant that none of the food sensitivity tests on the market are worth your money and taking one may even make things worse by wrongly identifying a sensitivity. "These false positives can cause someone to drastically change their diet and develop food aversion, when in fact they were not sensitive to that particular food at all," says registered dietitian nutritionist Yelena Wheeler. | | Alright. So, how do I figure out if I have a food sensitivity? You basically have two options: hydrogen breath tests — which gastroenterologists use to diagnose sugar, lactose, and other intolerances — or elimination diets. "Eliminate the food from your diet and monitor your symptoms," says registered dietitian Leah Goebel. "If your symptoms improve, then add the food back in and see if symptoms return." | | Goebel recommends doing an elimination diet under the guidance of a healthcare professional who can help you get your body's necessary nutrients while you eliminate certain foods. | | BTW, what's the difference between a food sensitivity and a food allergy? A food sensitivity is when your body has a hard time digesting a certain food, which can cause digestive symptoms like bloating and constipation. A food allergy is when your immune system overreacts to a certain food, which can cause hives, rashes, swelling, and more serious symptoms. | | If you think you may have a food allergy or sensitivity, consider speaking with a doctor or nutritionist to discuss your symptoms and find relief. | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Alpha-gal syndrome got me thinking about how tough it can be to give up types of food that you love. I stopped eating meat a couple of years back, and while the transition was surprisingly easy, it was not without grief that I said goodbye to carnitas burritos and tacos. (I'm still not over it.) | | We want to know: Have you ever given up a food that you love? Why? Let us know at wellnesswire@healthline.com. (Please note that we may use your name and response in an upcoming edition!) | | | | | | |
| | | | Last week, we asked you to tell us about how you find purpose in life. Reader Judith A. wrote in to share this story with us. (This response has been edited for length and clarity.)
After losing my husband, I really needed to find purpose in life again. After much thought of various things I could do, I decided that 'decluttering' my home would keep me busy during the winter months until Spring when I could get outside to work my garden. I decided to start in the basement where I had stored many things that I no longer needed. I packed a lot in my car and took them to a place nearby where they help those who are less fortunate and could use what I gave them. I then got busy cleaning out the many files we gathered and threw away and shredded a ton of papers. It is a good feeling to be able to purge. You just need a plan, some cardboard boxes marked 'throw away', 'donate'' and 'keep'.
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