Contents:
- Medical Video: The Sudden Meat Allergy Is Real. Did Vegans Engineer It?
- Why are there people who are allergic to meat?
- Flea bites can cause meat allergies in humans
- Risk of heart disease in people with meat allergies
- How do I know I have a meat allergy?
Medical Video: The Sudden Meat Allergy Is Real. Did Vegans Engineer It?
Even though it tastes good, not everyone can eat beef, goats, pigs, or rabbits because they have red meat allergies. What's more, according to research, meat allergies tend to make people more at risk for heart disease. How come?
Why are there people who are allergic to meat?
If after eating any kind of red meat, you begin to have stomach aches and nausea, runny nose runny or stuffy, then your skin starts to develop a reddish and itchy rash, this is a sign you have a meat allergy. This condition can occur at any time, even though you are used to eating meat before without even experiencing an allergic reaction.
Allergic reactions occur when the immune system becomes more sensitive and overreacts to certain substances in food which usually do not cause problems for others. Doctors don't know why some people can be allergic to meat, but every time the meat is cooked, there is a lot of protein released and can trigger allergies especially in some people who are sensitive or susceptible to allergies.
In addition, mammalian meat contains natural antibodies gAlactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, also known as alpha-gal, which can interact with carbohydrates found in meat. Interactions between the two can cause itching all over the body, coolies, rashes and swelling, and abdominal pain.
Flea bites can cause meat allergies in humans
Alpha-gal antibodies are found naturally in meat, but can also be transferred to humans from Lone Star (Ambylomma americanum). These fleas are found in the southeastern United States, from Texas, Lowa, to New England.
Lone Star flea bites can cause the human body to release immunoglobin E (IgE) in response to the threat of alpha gal. People who have been bitten by Lone Star ticks show the same allergic reaction after eating meat, such as itching, nausea, and stuffy nose. However, the connection between alpha gal sensitivity, flea bites, and meat allergies is still unproven and needs further research.
Risk of heart disease in people with meat allergies
Although not yet known for sure, the researchers believe that the most common cause of meat allergies is alpha-gal antibodies. These antibodies are the cause of fatal anaphylactic shock in humans.
One study examined the relationship between plaque buildup in the heart arteries in the presence of alpha-gal residues in 118 participants. The results showed that about 26.3% of participants with alpha-gal allergy had 30% more plaque buildup in arteries than people who did not have alpha-gal allergies.
"This study shows that treatment of allergic reactions can cause injury to the lining of the heart vessels and heart attacks. Those who have allergies to alpha-gal tend to be at higher risk of heart disease, "explained Dr. Sathit Bhusri, cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, as quoted from Health Line.
However, more research is needed in depth to find out the causal relationship of alpha-gal sensitivity with consumption of red meat and the appearance of allergies and an increased risk of heart disease.
How do I know I have a meat allergy?
To find out if you have meat allergies is a little difficult if no further medical tests are done. Because the range of times an allergic reaction occurs after eating meat in each person is different. In fact, allergic reactions can appear after 6 hours of eating meat.
Health tests that must be done are blood tests to determine alpha-gal sensitivity and levels of immunoglobin E (IgE) in the body. If both show high levels after the meat is eaten, the doctor will formalize the diagnosis of meat allergy.
