Red Meat "Intolerance"...is that possible?

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MelaniaMadison
MelaniaMadison Posts: 33
in Food and Nutrition
I have been keeping a food journal for my dietician. Part of my motivation was that I noticed that when I eat any sort of red meat particularly well marbled meat, regardless of how little of it I eat (usually on a couple ounces since it is so calorically dense compared to leaner meats), I experience bizarre symptoms about 30mins after eating that last at least a few hours:

exhaustion : can not get off the couch & usually need to go right to sleep
lightheaded (my glucose is normal): this seems related to the exhaustion, its like Im so tired Im a little lightheaded
bloating/swelling: I get extremely swollen all over, my face, hands, arms, ankles and my stomach gets so bloated and this inflammation has hindered the scale from moving even on a restricted calorie diet
constipation: it binds me up

I do NOT experience any kind of pain or gastro intestinal issues (except constipation)

Just to test it out I cut out red meat and only red meat from my diet, and stuck with chicken all last week. I was losing water weight on the scale and was feeling much more energized than I have in a long time plus I became regular. I have been struggling with unexplained weakness and fatigue and lightheadedness and all my blood work was coming back normal.

Also, the fat in dairy and oils do NOT cause the symptoms ONLY when I eat red meat. What gives??

So my question is: is it possible to be intolerant to red meat?

Replies

  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
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    It could be an allergy caused by a tick bite. Do you leave in the Southeast? Be careful.
    I know someone in Tennessee who went to the ER twice. He has stopped eating red meat.
    He eats chicken, fish, dairy, eggs, and beans and legumes


    http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2014/02/red-meat-allergies-likely-result-of-lone-star-tick/
    “It is not completely understood exactly how the allergy starts,” Valet said. “The thought is that the tick has the alpha-gal sugar in its gut and introduces it as part of the allergic bite and that causes the production of the allergy antibody that then cross-reacts to the meat,” he said.
    Valet said the allergy can cause hives and swelling, as well as broader symptoms of anaphylaxis including vomiting, diarrhea, trouble breathing, and a drop in blood pressure.

    also

    http://www.nbcnews.com/health/allergies/bad-bite-tick-can-trigger-meat-allergy-doctors-say-n175521
  • acpgee
    acpgee Posts: 7,606 Member
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    Search the forum for "mite" or "mites". There was a post the other day about people getting red meat allergies following mite bites.

    If I remember correctly, there is a protein in red meat that is foreign to humans, but doesn't normally cause reactions when it passes through the digestive system. However, a type of mite injects the same protein into the bloodstream, causing an immune reaction. Victims subsequently become allergic to red meat.
  • Zylahe
    Zylahe Posts: 772 Member
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    There are a few people who lack the enžyme to break down the protien in meat.

    Also gut flora changes within a week, so if you havent eaten ny in a while you can get issues.
  • acpgee
    acpgee Posts: 7,606 Member
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    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1389481-freaking-ticks

    Sorry, it was ticks not mites. Link to the thread.
  • MelaniaMadison
    MelaniaMadison Posts: 33
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    I live in the midwest but I travel . Wouldn't I know if I'd been bitten? I dont recall any weird bites
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
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    No. You would not know if you are bitten. Keep Benadryl in the house.
  • rivka_m
    rivka_m Posts: 1,007 Member
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    That tick thing was on the news the other day and they're all over despite their name - even here in Michigan. So they may be where you are.

    Do you have the same reaction to lamb, mutton & pork, if you've eaten it recently? Whatever the tick thing makes you allergic to is also in those. Though it's not something you want to test on your own. Check with your doc, or maybe your dietician can recommend an allergy specialist.
  • AprilShore
    AprilShore Posts: 35 Member
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    I have the alpha gal allergy from a tick bite. Mine is severe. I cannot eat any mammal meat or dairy. My suggestion is to find an allergist who does blood testing. They can test for the alpha gal and also for specific meat allergies. I am not allergic to the meat itself but have the alpha gal. My reactions were swelling and hives all over and breathing problems. Diet has been a huge struggle! Good luck!

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