Blood type diets are designed on the theory that lectins, a food protein, are digested differently according to your blood type. People who choose foods that work best with their blood type may feel healthier, help prevent certain diseases and shed pounds more quickly. The diet plan was popularized by Peter D'Adamo, a naturopathic physician, but many health organizations argue there is no independent scientific backing for his theories.
Type O
D'Adamo developed his Blood Type Diet after conducting research into anthropology, medical history and genetics. He argues that because blood types evolved over the centuries, people do best on a diet that mimics the diet eaten by their ancestors when their blood type came on the scene. Because type O is the oldest type, Type O's do best on the high-protein type of diet eaten by early hunter-gatherers. Type A's, who came along next, do better with a vegetarian diet that mimics that eaten by more settled ancestors.
Rh Factor
Whether you have O-positive or O-negative blood doesn't make much difference on the Blood Type Diet. D'Adamo says Type O's with a negative Rh factor may just need to follow the diet recommendations a little more closely. Eat slightly more protein and fewer foods with grains. Pay close attention to foods on the "avoid" list, especially those that might carry mold.
Eat This
Type O's on the Blood Type Diet are supposed to get most of their calories from protein-rich foods, such as meat, poultry and fish. Olive oil is fine to consume, as well as certain fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds and eggs. D'Adamo also sells a line of supplements he recommends for each blood type. Health professionals argue that supplements should not be necessary if people consume a well-balanced diet that provides all the vitamins and minerals they need.
Avoid That
D'Adamo says what you don't eat is also important on the Blood Type Diet. Breads, pasta and other foods made with grains should be avoided or eaten in limited quantities on the diet. He says the leading cause of weight gain among Type O's is the gluten found in wheat products. He also recommends cutting back on dairy products, beans and potatoes. The Blood Type Diet recommends that people of all blood types avoid processed foods, too.
Exercise
In keeping with their hunter-gatherer ancestry, D'Adamo says people with type-O blood will thrive if they choose exercises that put their cardiovascular and muscular skeletal system to the test. He recommends a regular physical activity, such as aerobics, three to four times a week. Martial arts, contact sports and running would be other good choices for Type O's on the Blood Type Diet.
References
- Eat Right For Your Type
- Eat Right For Your Type: Does Rh Factor Matter?
- MayoClinic.com: What is the Blood Type Diet?; Katherine Zeratsky; August 2010
- Every Diet: Blood Type Diet
- Vanderbilt University Psychology Department: Eat Right 4 Your Type; Courtney Sanders
- The Doctors of USC: The Blood Type Diet; Maria Adams; December 2009
