The allergy, called alpha-gal syndrome, came to light a little over a decade ago.

The allergy, called alpha-gal syndrome, came to light a little over a decade ago.

  • LoafyLemon
    5•1 year 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.”

    • Erikatharsis
      10•1 year ago

      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.

    • @PsychedSy
      2•1 year ago

      I would lose a lot of weight before I shot myself at least so, yeah, prolly a good thing.

    • Machinist3359
      1•1 year ago

      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.