Alpha-Gal Program Notes

Here is a list of SAAT practitioners in Misssouri and Arkansas. I am not recommending or promoting any of them, only offering the names of those I've found in searching on-line or seen mentioned on Facebook posts. 

Hold Chiropractic, Mtn View 

Dr Vance, Republic, MO 

Sprouting Wellness, Fayetteville 

The Farm Chiropractic, Bentonville 

 

Marsha Kaye, DACM, Bentonville 

 

Accupuncture certified by Dr Soliman SAAT protocol from Whitney Dwyer at Sprouting Wellness Clinic in Fayetteville. 479-312-0461 https://www.sproutingwellnessclinic.com/ 

 

Mindi Salvino, trained by Dr. Soliman. www.purehealthcollective.com .betterbloodhealth.com/about Www.Bentonvilleacupuncture.health  

 

The information, below, isn’t original with me, it is what I found on-line and shared here for your information… Common Ingredients That May Be Mammal-Derived 

 

1. Polysorbate 80 (and 20) Used in foods, vaccines, and cosmetics Derived from oleic acid (plant or animal source) 

 

2. Glycerin / Glycerol Found in skincare, capsules, and foods Can be vegetable-based or animal-derived One of the most common hidden exposures 

 

 3. Magnesium Stearate / Stearic Acid Used in supplements and medications Often derived from animal fat Widely discussed in alpha-gal communities 

 

 4. Mono- and Diglycerides Common in baked goods and processed foods Source is rarely disclosed Can be plant or animal-based 

 

 5. Lecithin Typically soy or sunflower Occasionally derived from animal sources 

 

6. Oleic Acid Used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals Same source issue as polysorbates 

 

7. Gelatin Found in capsules, desserts, and gummies Always animal-derived High-risk for alpha-gal sensitivity 

 

8. Lanolin Used in lotions and lip products Derived from sheep’s wool 

 

 9. Collagen Used in supplements and beauty products Derived from animal connective tissue 

 

10. Fatty Alcohols (Stearyl, Cetyl Alcohol) Used in cosmetics and personal care Can be plant-based or animal-derived  

 

Why This Matters At TickBiteData.com, many respondents report: persistent symptoms reactions not tied directly to food difficulty identifying triggers  

 

A Growing Data Gap Alpha-gal is currently classified as an allergy, but: many reported symptoms extend beyond classic allergic reactions environmental and ingredient-based exposures are not well studied labeling transparency is limited This is where real-world data becomes critical.  

 

What Can You Do? Look for “vegetable-derived” or “plant-based” labels\ Contact manufacturers when unclear Be mindful of: medications cosmetics processed foods  

 

Most importantly: Track your own reactions — patterns often reveal what labels don’t. Help Expand the Data If you have Alpha-gal syndrome, your experience matters. Have you reacted to products beyond food? Are symptoms continuing despite dietary change Take the survey and contribute to the research: www.tickbitedata.com Alpha-gal reactions are often: Delayed (hours after exposure) Inconsistent in severity Triggered by unexpected sources (medications, fillers, cross-contamination) Unpredictability condition, causes people to live on edge. 

 

Many individuals report: Multiple ER visits before diagnosis Severe financial burden from repeated emergency care Being sent home without answers Having to self-diagnose through elimination diets  

 

When the Hospital Isn’t a Safe Place One of the most alarming realities patients report: They are afraid to go to the hospital. Not because of the reaction—but because of what might be given to them while being treated. Animal-derived ingredients can be found in: Medications (gelatin capsules, magnesium stearate, etc.) IV solutions and additives Surgical materials Patients should:  

 

Carry documentation Advocate for themselves mid-reaction Educate healthcare providers in emergency settings  

 

Costs For many living with Alpha-gal, emergency preparedness isn’t just about awareness—it’s about affordability. Epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens), the very medication that can save a life during an anaphylactic reaction, often come with a steep out-of-pocket cost. Even with insurance, patients report: High copays Limited coverage Expired pens going unreplaced due to cost For those without strong insurance coverage, the price can be prohibitive—forcing some to carry expired injectors or go without one entirely. And access isn’t just financial Before even obtaining an EpiPen, many patients face: Multiple appointments trying to prove something is wrong Dismissal or misattribution of symptoms The burden of convincing a physician to prescribe a life-saving medication All while continuing to experience reactions. People are not only fighting a condition that can send them into anaphylaxis—they are also fighting: The cost of being prepared The time it takes to be believed The risk of not having access when it matters most  

 

Dining Out: A Constant Risk Calculation Restaurants and commercial kitchens are not designed to handle Alpha-gal safely. Even when staff is well-meaning, there are limitations: Shared grills and cooking surfaces Cross-contact through utensils and oils Hidden animal by-products in sauces, broths, and flavorings For someone with Alpha-gal, “I’ll just order something safe” isn’t simple. It becomes: Interrogating ingredients Assessing kitchen practices Deciding if the risk is worth it Or choosing not to eat at all.

 

 “It’s Just a Meat Allergy” — The Most Dangerous Misconception Reducing Alpha-gal to a “red meat allergy” minimizes the lived experience and the actual risk. This condition extends beyond: Beef, pork, lamb It can include: Medications Personal care products Food additives Environmental exposures And reactions aren’t always immediate or predictable—making it harder to identify and avoid triggers. The Mental Toll No One Talks About Living with Alpha-gal often means: Hypervigilance Social isolation Food anxiety Medical distrust And above all: A constant question in the back of your mind— “Is this going to be the thing that sends me to the hospital?”

 

Bottom line is, there ARE treatments, discussion groups, others who understand what you’re experiencing and can help. Some foods to avoid: Flavorings, soure cream and onion, bacon-flavored, cheddar cheese flavors very oten contain animal-derived ingredients. Look out for whey, casein, buttermilk, lard or "natural flavors" in foods. If alleric to soy, read the label of cereals, breads, cakes and similar products. Also, pickles, catsup, canned goods. It is important to read the label!  

 

Facebook groups that are helpful, where you can ask questions, find support, recipes and lists of safe restaurants in your area. 

 

Alpha-Gal Eats in the Ozarks SAAT 

 

 Preventing tick bites: DEET and Off aren't reliably effective in keeping ticks off. 

 

The current recommendation is using Permethrin. It is meant to be sprayed on the clothing you wear outside (read the instructions on the bottle). Always wear the same clothing when you are outdoors. Permethrin, once sprayed on clothing, will last through 4 or 5 washings in the laundry. Bathe and inspect for ticks after working outside. It's recommended you use reversed duct tape around your ankles which can prevent ticks from climbing upwards on your body. Always remove ticks as soon as discovered, wash the area with soap and water and apply some Polysorbin or Triple-Antibiotic to the bite area. If you squash a tick with your fingernails, wash with soap and water immediately afterward. And never, ever, bite a tick with your teeth! It's an old custom in some areas and you can catch Alpha-Gal that way!!!

 

Permethrin in a pump spray, which is the most ecconomical, is available from Amazon. It's also available in the sports section in an aerosole can at Walmart.