Lose weight and improve health by eating foods tailored to your blood type. This is what the blood type diet promotes. The full diet details come from a book titled "Eat Right 4 Your Type." According to author and diet creator Peter D'Adamo, food proteins are digested differently with each of the four blood types; O, A, B and AB, notes the Mayo Clinic. Because of this, the book provides four different diets you should follow, based upon what blood type you have.
There are always precautions you should take and warnings to consider when approaching a new diet. Discuss any diet plan with your doctor.
Theory Behind the Diet
The theory behind the blood type diet concludes that there are proteins in food called lectins. These lectins stick to blood cells and cause a clumping of the blood cells. This clumping is called agglutination. Eating according to your blood type will decrease agglutination and therefore improve your health.
Warnings per Blood Type
Always consult your doctor before adding or removing foods from your diet. This is true with all four food lists provided in this diet. If you have type O blood, it is suggested that your diet is high in protein. However, if you have cholesterol or blood pressure issues, this diet may not be safe for you.
If you have type A blood, the suggestion is a diet including no red meat, and a lot of vegetables. If you tend to have low iron levels this diet may not supply enough nutriemts for you. If you have type B blood, the suggestion is a diet heavy on dairy products. However, if you are lactose intolerant, this diet is not suitable.
Type AB mixes both the type A and B food lists. If you are low in iron or are lactose intolerant, this diet may not be for you.
Lack of Scientific Evidence
Author Peter D'Adamo, ND, is a naturopathic practitioner who wrote his blood type diet theory based on his knowledge and beliefs.
According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no solid research or scientific evidence to back up the theories of a blood type diet. Some physicians have questioned what blood clumping or agglutination has to do with weight loss. The jury is still out on D'Adamo's claims.
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