SAAT for Alpha Gal Treatment
A single tick bite can change your life. For people who develop Alpha Gal Syndrome, that is the reality. Suddenly, foods that were once enjoyed without a second thought become sources of fear and physical misery. Eating a burger, ordering a steak, or even consuming certain medications can trigger reactions ranging from uncomfortable to life threatening. At Odenton Acupuncture, we work with Alpha Gal patients using a specialized treatment called SAAT, and we want you to know that there may be more support available to you than you realize.
What Is Alpha Gal Syndrome?
Alpha Gal Syndrome (AGS) is an allergy to a sugar molecule called galactose alpha 1,3 galactose, or alpha gal, which is found in the cells of most mammals. When a lone star tick bites a person, it can transmit alpha gal into the bloodstream. The immune system responds by producing antibodies to this molecule, and from that point forward, consuming mammalian meat or products derived from mammals can trigger an allergic response.
Unlike most food allergies, reactions with Alpha Gal Syndrome are often delayed, typically appearing two to six hours after eating. This delay makes it notoriously difficult to diagnose, and many patients spend months or even years cycling through confusing symptoms before receiving an accurate answer.
Common Symptoms of Alpha Gal Syndrome
Symptoms vary in severity and may include:
Hives, rash, or itching of the skin
Stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Shortness of breath or wheezing
Swelling of the lips, throat, tongue, or eyelids
Dizziness or a drop in blood pressure
Anaphylaxis in severe cases
Foods and Products to Avoid with Alpha Gal
Managing Alpha Gal Syndrome conventionally means strict avoidance of mammalian products. For many patients, this is a significant and emotionally challenging life adjustment. Trigger foods and products commonly include:
Beef, pork, lamb, venison, rabbit, and other mammalian meats
Dairy products including milk, cheese, butter, and ice cream
Gelatin derived from animal sources
Certain medications and supplements containing mammalian byproducts, including some gel capsules
Alpha gal is also present in the cetuximab chemotherapy drug, which is important for patients to flag with their oncologist
The restrictions can feel overwhelming, especially for patients who love to cook, who eat socially, or who live in areas where hunting and farm to table culture are part of daily life. Many of our patients in the Maryland and Chesapeake Bay region find the dietary shift to be one of the hardest aspects of the diagnosis.
What Is SAAT and How Can It Help?
SAAT stands for Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment. It was developed by Dr. Nader Soliman, a physician and acupuncturist who spent years researching how specific points on the outer ear correspond to the body's immune responses. The ear contains a detailed map of the entire body, and SAAT uses that map to address how the immune system responds to specific allergens.
With Alpha Gal Syndrome, the immune system has been sensitized to alpha gal and now treats it as a dangerous invader. SAAT works by identifying the precise point on the ear that corresponds to this sensitization and placing a tiny semi permanent needle at that location. You wear the needle for three to four weeks. During that time, the continuous gentle stimulation of that point is thought to communicate a new message to the nervous system: alpha gal is safe. The goal is to reduce or eliminate the body's reactive response.
Many patients with Alpha Gal Syndrome who have pursued SAAT report a meaningful reduction in reactivity over time. Some are able to reintroduce foods they had previously eliminated entirely. Results vary from person to person, and SAAT is not a guaranteed cure, but for a condition that conventional medicine currently has no treatment for beyond avoidance, the possibility of even partial relief is significant.
What to Expect During Treatment
Your first appointment begins with a thorough intake conversation. We want to understand the full picture of your health, the circumstances of your diagnosis, and the ways Alpha Gal has affected your daily life. From there, your practitioner will identify the precise auricular point corresponding to alpha gal and place the tiny needle with care.
The needle itself is extremely small and most patients are not aware of it within a day or two. You will wear it for three to four weeks, then return to have it removed and to evaluate your response. During the treatment period, we generally advise continuing to avoid mammalian products so the nervous system has the best possible environment for retraining.
We also want to be transparent: SAAT for Alpha Gal is not a replacement for the emergency protocols you have established with your physician. Patients with a history of anaphylaxis should continue to carry their epinephrine auto injector and should not attempt to reintroduce foods without medical guidance and a careful, gradual approach. We work collaboratively alongside your conventional care team, not in place of it.
You Are Not Alone in This
Alpha Gal Syndrome is more common than many people realize, and its prevalence is growing as lone star tick populations expand across the eastern United States. Maryland sits right in the heart of that range, and we see patients from across the Chesapeake region who are navigating this diagnosis.
One of the hardest parts of Alpha Gal is the sense of isolation. It is not well understood by many people, including some healthcare providers, and patients often describe feeling dismissed or confused before finally getting answers. We take this condition seriously, and we approach each patient with the full attention and care the complexity of the diagnosis deserves.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with Alpha Gal Syndrome and you are interested in exploring whether SAAT might offer some relief, we encourage you to reach out. We are happy to answer your questions and help you decide whether this treatment is a good fit for where you are in your journey.
Schedule Your SAAT Consultation
Odenton Acupuncture | Odenton, Maryland
(410) 417-7711 | www.odentonacupuncture.com