Everybody by now has heard of ‘alpha-male’ syndrome. But ‘alpha-gal’?.Now the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) is offering another reason for people to give up red meat by warning of a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction caused by ticks..The affliction occurs when people who have eaten beef, pork, venison or dairy products are bitten by a specific type of tick native to the southeast US and eastern seaboard..It’s caused by a sugar — alpha-gal — that occurs in meat from mammals and tick spit. When the sugar enters the skin, via a bite, it triggers an immune response that can result in hives, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, difficulty breathing and swelling of the lips, throat and eyelids..“Alpha-gal syndrome is an emerging, tick bite associated allergic condition characterized by potentially life-threatening hypersensitivity to an oligosaccharide found in most mammalian meat and products derived from it; however, in the absence of national surveillance, the geographic distribution and number of cases are largely unknown,” the CDC says in a study released Friday..Studies have confirmed at least 100,000 cases, but CDC numbers suggest there could be as many as 450,000 additional victims who don’t associate it with eating food. That’s because it can take hours or even days for a reaction to occur..Scientists first noticed it in cancer patients taking a drug made from cells that contained the alpha gal sugar. In 2011 they made the connection with tick bites..The CDC said the number of suspected AGS cases has increased substantially since 2010, and states with established populations of lone star ticks are most affected, although suspected cases were also identified in areas outside of this tick’s range — which is growing presumably as a result of climate change..Despite being called the “lone star” tick, it’s not native to Texas at all..In fact, more than 4% of all cases were discovered in Long Island and Martha’s Vineyard. It’s also called a ‘turkey tick’ in the US Midwest and has been reported as far north as Labrador.. Lonestar tick rangeThe tick has been found as far north as Labrador. .Half of all doctors in the US have never heard of alpha-gal syndrome and only 5% say they could confidently diagnose it. There have been no known fatalities to date..People who are diagnosed, are advised to take epinephrine — the same drug used to treat peanut allergies — and stop eating red meat and dairy. However, the recommendations stop short of advocating a vegan diet..This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.
Everybody by now has heard of ‘alpha-male’ syndrome. But ‘alpha-gal’?.Now the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) is offering another reason for people to give up red meat by warning of a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction caused by ticks..The affliction occurs when people who have eaten beef, pork, venison or dairy products are bitten by a specific type of tick native to the southeast US and eastern seaboard..It’s caused by a sugar — alpha-gal — that occurs in meat from mammals and tick spit. When the sugar enters the skin, via a bite, it triggers an immune response that can result in hives, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, difficulty breathing and swelling of the lips, throat and eyelids..“Alpha-gal syndrome is an emerging, tick bite associated allergic condition characterized by potentially life-threatening hypersensitivity to an oligosaccharide found in most mammalian meat and products derived from it; however, in the absence of national surveillance, the geographic distribution and number of cases are largely unknown,” the CDC says in a study released Friday..Studies have confirmed at least 100,000 cases, but CDC numbers suggest there could be as many as 450,000 additional victims who don’t associate it with eating food. That’s because it can take hours or even days for a reaction to occur..Scientists first noticed it in cancer patients taking a drug made from cells that contained the alpha gal sugar. In 2011 they made the connection with tick bites..The CDC said the number of suspected AGS cases has increased substantially since 2010, and states with established populations of lone star ticks are most affected, although suspected cases were also identified in areas outside of this tick’s range — which is growing presumably as a result of climate change..Despite being called the “lone star” tick, it’s not native to Texas at all..In fact, more than 4% of all cases were discovered in Long Island and Martha’s Vineyard. It’s also called a ‘turkey tick’ in the US Midwest and has been reported as far north as Labrador.. Lonestar tick rangeThe tick has been found as far north as Labrador. .Half of all doctors in the US have never heard of alpha-gal syndrome and only 5% say they could confidently diagnose it. There have been no known fatalities to date..People who are diagnosed, are advised to take epinephrine — the same drug used to treat peanut allergies — and stop eating red meat and dairy. However, the recommendations stop short of advocating a vegan diet..This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.
