The concept of eating or avoiding foods depending on your blood type was developed by Dr. Peter D'Adamo in the 1990s, and was popularized by his book "Eat Right For Your Type." He contends that antigens found within blood interact with the nutritional components of food differently, so your diet should reflect which is most to beneficial your blood type.
Antigens and Lectins
According to Dr. D'Adamo, the chemical reaction that occurs between your blood and the foods you eat is caused by lectins. Lectins are the proteins found in foods, and they have agglutinating properties that affect your blood. When you eat a food containing protein lectins that are incompatible with your blood type antigen, the lectins target an organ or bodily system and begin to agglutinate blood cells in that area. This reaction can affect the effectiveness of your immune system, as well as cause or resolve inflammatory reactions. Eating the right type of lectins for your blood can have positive health benefits, whereas eating the wrong lectins can create immune system and inflammatory problems.
Blood Type O
Dr. D'Adamo identifies type O blood as the 'original' human blood type from which all other blood types descend. He theorizes that because blood type O developed in a hunter-gatherer environment, the bodies of those who have it thrive on a high-protein, low carbohydrate diet. This type of diet puts the body into ketosis, which causes a slightly more acidic state in the muscles. If you have blood type O, you should avoid acidic foods, such as nightshade vegetables, coffee, tomatoes, citrus fruits, etc. Type Os also do not tolerate dairy products, grains, cereals, gluten and all carbohydrates. Instead, they thrive on animal proteins, figs, plums and food high in vitamin K, such as liver, egg yolks and green leafy vegetables.
Blood Type B
Blood Type Bs developed in a nomadic environment, and strongly resembles Type Os in many respects. They have strong immune systems and tolerant digestive systems, but can be prone to autoimmune diseases such as lupus, and chronic fatigue syndrome (See References 1). B types tend to do well with all types of animal and vegetable proteins. However, they are prone to severe insulin reactions after ingesting corn, buckwheat, lentils, peanuts, and sesame seeds, and these should be avoided (See References 1). Like bloodtype Os, B types can be slightly intolerant to gluten, so grain, cereal, and sugar consumption should be limited. B types thrive on green vegetables, lean animal meat, eggs and low-fat dairy products, and liver (See References 2).
Blood Type A
Type As have a sensitive digestive tract and thrive on a vegetarian diet. They may find themselves intolerant to meat and processed and refined foods. Type As tend to poorly digest dairy foods, as they produce detrimental insulin reactions and slow down metabolism. Dr. D'Adamo contends that type As are predisposed to heart disease, cancer and diabetes, and should avoid foods high in saturated fats, such as most dairy products. Type As feel best when their body is more alkaline, but wheat can cause acidity in A types, and should be avoided. Type As thrive on a vegetarian diet high in soy proteins, grains and vegetables.
Blood Type AB
Blood type AB is the modern merging of type A and type B, and is the rarest blood type. The multiple antigens of AB blood types allow them to easily adapt to environmental and dietary conditions, although they tend to have a sensitive digestive tract and need to be aware of what is in the foods they are eating. Type ABs tend to tolerate lean animal proteins, seafood, lamb and tofu well. They also tolerate most grains and cereals well, but should avoid wheat, corn, buckwheat and bran. They should also avoid kidney and lima beans, and sesame seeds, as these cause insulin reactions that lower blood glucose. Type ABs are highly tolerant of dairy products, especially yogurt and sour cream, but should limit consumption of dairy products if excess mucous starts to form in the body.
References
- "Eat Right for Your Type"; Dr. Peter D'Adamo; 1996
- Dr. Michael Lam: Blood Type Diet
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