What is Alpha-Gal Syndrome?

Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS) is an allergic condition triggered by the bite of a Lone Star tick. It causes allergic reactions to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal), a sugar molecule found in most mammals. Symptoms typically appear 3-6 hours after eating red meat, pork, or lamb, and can range from hives to life-threatening anaphylaxis. According to the CDC, over 450,000 Americans may have developed AGS since 2010.

What foods should Alpha-Gal patients avoid?

Alpha-Gal patients must avoid all mammalian meat including beef, pork, lamb, venison, and bison. Many also react to mammalian by-products like gelatin (found in gummy vitamins and gel capsules), dairy products, and ingredients derived from mammals such as lard, tallow, and carrageenan. Safe alternatives include poultry (chicken, turkey, duck), fish, seafood, eggs, and all plant-based foods.

What medications are safe for Alpha-Gal Syndrome?

Many medications contain hidden mammalian ingredients. Gel capsules and softgels often contain bovine or porcine gelatin. Safe alternatives include tablets, caplets, liquids, and capsules made with vegetable-based HPMC. Always check inactive ingredients for gelatin, magnesium stearate (usually plant-derived in US), lactose, and stearic acid. VectorShield helps patients identify safe medication alternatives.

What are the 4 sensitivity levels of Alpha-Gal Syndrome?

Alpha-Gal sensitivity varies by patient: Level 1 (Mild, ~40%) - react only to mammalian meat; Level 2 (Moderate, ~30%) - also react to gelatin products; Level 3 (Significant, ~20%) - also react to dairy products; Level 4 (Severe, ~10%) - react to trace amounts and cross-contamination, sometimes called 'super reactors'. Sensitivity can change over time, especially with additional tick bites.

Can Alpha-Gal Syndrome be cured?

There is currently no cure for Alpha-Gal Syndrome, but many patients see improvement over time if they avoid additional tick bites. Some patients report tolerance returning after 1-5 years of strict avoidance and no new tick exposures. However, a single new tick bite can restart or worsen the condition. Management focuses on strict avoidance of trigger foods and carrying emergency medication like epinephrine.

Supported devices

Works with the wearable you already own.

Name: VectorShield
Author: HutchWare, LLC

VectorShield connects to your wearable through Apple Health -- no proprietary APIs, no extra setup. Your device's companion app syncs heart rate, HRV, and temperature to Apple Health, and VectorShield reads them so your trends sit right next to the meals and medications you log.

Download for iOS

VectorShield app open to the medication safety checker

The path in

One bridge for every device

Whichever wearable you wear, the route into VectorShield is the same.

Your wearable

Apple Watch, Oura Ring, Garmin, Fitbit, or WHOOP records heart rate, HRV, and other signals throughout the day.

Apple Health

Each device's companion app writes its readings to Apple Health -- the universal bridge between your wearable and VectorShield.

VectorShield

Reads from Apple Health with your permission and surfaces your trends alongside the meals, medications, and restaurants you log.

Whether wearable trends could one day add an early safety signal is something we're actively researching -- read how we're approaching it. It is not a shipping diagnostic feature.

The lineup

Five wearables, one app

Each device brings different strengths to how often and how richly it reports.

Best Experience

Apple Watch

Real-time streaming with the fastest updates

The only device that streams vital signs in real time, with 5-second heart rate updates. Wrist temperature is available during sleep (Series 8+/Ultra).

HR interval

5 seconds

HRV metric

SDNN

Streaming

Yes

Skin temp

Sleep only

Oura Ring

Discreet wear with skin temperature tracking

Tracks skin temperature alongside HRV and batch syncs every 5 minutes through the Oura companion app.

HR interval

5 minutes

HRV metric

rMSSD

Streaming

Batch sync

Skin temp

Yes

Garmin

Dual HRV metrics with frequent heart rate updates

Reports both SDNN and rMSSD HRV metrics, giving VectorShield more data points to work with.

HR interval

15 seconds

HRV metric

SDNN + rMSSD

Streaming

Batch sync

Skin temp

Fitbit

Affordable wear with skin temperature on Sense models

Sense and Sense 2 models include skin temperature. Syncs to Apple Health via the Fitbit companion app.

HR interval

10 seconds

HRV metric

rMSSD

Streaming

Batch sync

Skin temp

Yes

WHOOP

Recovery-focused with continuous skin temperature

Continuous skin temperature pairs with HRV for richer trend data. Syncs through the WHOOP app.

HR interval

60 seconds

HRV metric

rMSSD

Streaming

Batch sync

Skin temp

Yes

Side by side

Connectivity at a glance

How each wearable reports through Apple Health.

Capability	Apple Watch	Oura Ring	Garmin	Fitbit	WHOOP
HR Interval	5 seconds	5 minutes	15 seconds	10 seconds	60 seconds
HRV Metric	SDNN	rMSSD	SDNN + rMSSD	rMSSD	rMSSD
Real-Time Streaming	Supported	Not supported	Not supported	Not supported	Not supported
Skin Temperature	Supported	Supported	Not supported	Supported	Supported
SpO2	Supported	Supported	Supported	Supported	Supported
Respiratory Rate	Supported	Supported	Supported	Supported	Supported
Trend Windows	15 / 30 min	30 / 60 min	20 / 40 min	15 / 30 min	20 / 40 min

Batch-sync devices update Apple Health less often than Apple Watch's real-time stream, so VectorShield weights their trend data more conservatively.

Getting started

Connected in three steps

Pair your wearable

Set up your Apple Watch, Oura Ring, Garmin, Fitbit, or WHOOP using the manufacturer's companion app on your iPhone.

Enable Apple Health sync

In your wearable's companion app, turn on Apple Health integration so heart rate, HRV, and other metrics are shared.

Install VectorShield

Download VectorShield and grant Apple Health read permission. It detects your device automatically and picks the right trend windows.

VectorShield restaurant safety screen on iPhone

Ready to connect your wearable?

Download VectorShield, link your device through Apple Health, and keep your safety tools in one place -- whichever wearable you wear.

Download for iOS How it works