Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose

Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) is a sugar molecule found naturally in non-human mammals. Some people develop an allergic reaction to this sugar after being bitten by certain ticks, which can cause their immune system to react to alpha-gal even when consuming red meat like beef, pork, or lamb. This allergy, known as alpha-gal syndrome, can lead to delayed allergic symptoms such as hives, stomach pain, or difficulty breathing. Understanding alpha-gal helps explain this unusual allergy, highlighting the importance of tick exposure in triggering immune responses to certain mammalian meats.