Products That May Contain Alpha-gal (2024)

FAQs

Products That May Contain Alpha-gal? ›

These products include tissue from animals such as porcine heart valves and bovine cartilage. Gelatin products may contain alpha-gal depending on process of producing. Foods made from high fat content milk, such as ice cream and whole cream, also may contain alpha-gal.

Alpha-gal can be found in: Meat, including pork, beef, rabbit, lamb, goat, buffalo or venison. Medical products and medications, including the cancer drug cetuximab.

Avoidance of meat, dairy products, and other products that contain alpha-gal. Individuals diagnosed with AGS should completely avoid the consumption of mammalian meat, including beef, pork, lamb, venison, goat, and rabbit. Many medications are made from materials derived from mammals and, therefore, contain alpha-gal.

Even with adequate screening, the perioperative team should understand which common medications pose a risk of containing alpha-gal moieties (e.g., heparins, gelatin capsules, vaccines, lidocaine patches, surgifoam, acetaminophen tablets, Hospira's intravenous hydromorphone, and diphenhydramine tablets) [16,19,26].

In its purest form, peanut butter is simply peanuts that have been ground into a creamy spread. Because alpha gals can safely enjoy all nuts and seeds, peanut butter is an alpha-gal friendly food.

Gelatin products may contain alpha-gal depending on process of producing. Foods made from high fat content milk, such as ice cream and whole cream, also may contain alpha-gal.

One of these species is Lactobacillus casei, a probiotic used for the treatment of diarrhea which also produce α-Gal but does not stimulate anti-α-Gal immune response in humans⁴².

Can you eat eggs with alpha-gal allergy? Yes, you can eat eggs with AGS. Eggs come from poultry such as chicken or ducks. Poultry does not contain alpha-gal, so it is safe to eat eggs if you have AGS.

Basic potato chip ingredients are potatoes, oil (usually vegetable), and salt. That is why Lay's original potato chips, original SunChips, and original Pringles are all safe snacks for alpha gals who crave chips.

Does alpha-gal ever go away? ›

Symptoms of alpha-gal syndrome may lessen or even disappear over time. This is especially true if you don't get any more bites from ticks that carry alpha-gal. Some people with this condition can eat mammal food products again after 1 to 2 years if they don't get any more tick bites.

Alpha-gal syndrome is a type of food allergy. It makes people allergic to red meat and other products made from mammals. In the United States, the condition usually begins with the bite of the Lone Star tick. The bite transfers a sugar molecule called alpha-gal into the body.

While all alpha gals need to stop eating mammalian meats, not all alpha gals need to avoid other allergy triggers which can include dairy products, carrageenan, and NSAID drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen.

If you experience alpha-gal reactions to dairy products, dark chocolate might be an option for you. However, you'll want to read the ingredients list, looking for items like whole milk, milk powder, casein, and caseinates, especially if consuming dairy causes an anaphylactic reaction.

Avoid tap water and ice with noticeable flecks of black, especially right after changing home filters. Switch to home filters that use coconut husk char. Smart Water, Lifewtr, and Deer Park are bottled water brands that members of the alpha-gal community often recommend.

Sage Advice: Because Barnivore was created for vegans, who do not consume alpha-gal safe foods like fish, eggs, and honey, I always read why Barnivore has classified a product as “not vegan friendly.” If it contains fish, eggs, and/or honey, it's still safe for alpha gals to enjoy, just as long as it's not made with ...

Initially, this syndrome was linked to the Lone Star Tick, which is found mostly in the southeastern United States. However, alpha-Gal Syndrome has now been reported on all continents except Antarctica, and at least eight tick species are confirmed or suspected culprits associated with the condition.

Food products that contain milk and milk products may also contain alpha-gal. However, many patients with AGS can tolerate milk products. Cow's milk is the only alpha-gal containing ingredient classified as a major food allergen.

That doesn't mean you need to become vegan or vegetarian. You just need to be aware of and avoid foods that contain alpha-gal. You can still eat poultry (chicken, turkey), eggs or fish as part of your diet.