Hello bug lovers! Over the next two episodes, the Arthro-Pod gang is going to explore the science behind alpha-gal, also known as the red meat allergy. This is a hot topic in the US right now, with many news outlets talking about the possible extent to which this is spread out across the country. This tickborne issue, associated with lone star ticks in the US, results in an inability to consume red meat such as beef, pork, and venison. For those who live with alpha-gal, life is very different from before. They may not be able to enjoy a favorite meal or be very anxious about dining out for fear of contamination, to say nothing of the actual health issues involved. Tune in today to hear from Cindy Cochran, a Nebraskan living with alpha-gal, as well as Dr. Cosby Stone Jr., a doctor and researcher from Vanderbilt who is a national leader on alpha-gal. 

An adult, female lone star tick. The white dot on her back gives the species its common name. Photo by Jim Kalisch, UNL Entomology

Show Notes

Dr. Cosby Stone Jr. our expert guest

https://search.vanderbilthealth.com/doctors/stone-cosby

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=-ash5VkAAAAJ&hl=en 

CDC Map on cases of alpha-gal in the USA

https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-news/stranger-than-fiction-tick-bite-could-lead-to-food-allergy/ 

https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/alpha-gal/index.html

Questions? Comments? 

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