Any diet can work if you follow the simple formula for weight loss: burn more calories than you consume. The real question is whether the Blood Type Diet works any better than other weight loss plans, and many medical professionals say there's no independent scientific research to back the theory behind the Blood Type Diet.
Blood Type Theory
The Blood Type Diet is based on the theory that the antigens that determine your blood type also affect the way your body digests food proteins called lectins. It claims that if you eat foods that are not compatible with your blood type, they can contribute to weight gain and lead to a host of health problems. While blood type may influence health, medical professionals from institutions such as the Mayo Clinic, University of California and Vanderbilt University find no evidence to back claims about the link between blood type and foods.
Blood Type Diet
The Blood Type Diet, popularized by naturopathic physician Peter D'Adamo, lists foods that can and cannot be eaten by different blood types. For instance, the diet says type-O individuals should eat a high-protein diet that is low in dairy and carbohydrates. Type A's are told to shun red meat, limit dairy and load up on fruits and vegetables. Type B's can eat a wider range of food but should stay away from chicken and shellfish. Type AB's benefit from a vegan diet but enjoy limited quantities of foods on both the type-A and type-B foot lists. All blood types are advised to eliminate processed foods.
Effectiveness
Simply by eliminating processed foods from the diet, many people can expect to lose weight. These foods tend to be loaded with high-calorie sugars and fats and are low in nutritional value. Some of the blood-type menus are similar to other diets that have proven effective -- such as low-carb and vegetarian diets. Diets that emphasize fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat foods can contribute to weight loss, and these are elements of the various blood type diet plans.
Warnings
The problem with restrictive diets is that they can be hard to maintain for a long period of time and when whole food groups are avoided, there's a risk that vital nutrients are being missed. D'Adamo counters the issue by selling a line of supplements to go along with his diet plan, but nutritionists say most people should be able to get all the vitamins and minerals they need from the foods they eat. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's food guidelines suggest people eat well-balanced meals each day featuring fruits, vegetables, protein, grain and dairy.
References
- Eat Right For Your Type
- MayoClinic.com: What is the Blood Type Diet?; Katherine Zeratsky; August 2010
- Vanderbilt University Psychology Department: Eat Right 4 Your Type; Courtney Sanders
- The Doctors of USC: The Blood Type Diet; Maria Adams; December 2009
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Healthy Weight---It's Not a Diet, It's a Lifestyle!
- USDA: ChooseMyPlate.gov
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