The allergy, called alpha-gal syndrome, came to light a little over a decade ago.
The interesting part:
But, in recent years, researchers have also discovered that alpha-gal is in tick saliva. And, for reasons researchers still haven’t worked out, some people bitten by ticks develop a type of antibody called anti-alpha-gal IgE. This antibody may help protect people from tick bites, but it also renders them allergic to anything with alpha-gal—i.e., mammalian meat and animal products. It’s a double-edged sword that has been hypothesized to be an “allergic klendusity.”
I found a chart from Alpha-Gal Information that lists the products that those with alpha-gal syndrome might have allergic reactions to; of note is that some have reactions to gelatin, which is present in many medicines including gel-caps.
PETA Bioweaponry!
Ok… So involuntary vegetarian…
Idk, sound like not the worst thing.
I mean, it’s probably not a particularly fun experience to only find out that you have this allergy after you almost fucking die eight hours after getting a vaccine with trace amounts of alpha-gal in it, in severe cases.
As the disease rises in prominence, I reckon we’ll start to see at-home tests. I certainly hope that happens.
If it would only be meat, sure. Unpleasant but manageable. But the animal products can be a problem. They not only put you very close to the most hard-core of vegans diet plan, they additionally mess with medical treatment available to you.
Even as a vegan, I’ll say, robbing folks of autonomy over food is truly awful. Food holds deep cultural and psychological meanings.
I’d take a few folks eating meat less regularly (willingly, and seeing value in it) over any number of folks forced into vegetarianism.
ouch. the gelatin is tough nutrition wise.
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