The blood type diet was developed by Peter D'Adamo, N.D., a naturopath. D'Adamo claims that your blood type controls how you react to food, and that eating the wrong foods for your type will lead to weight gain, inflammation and chronic disease. The blood type diet includes four diet plans which correspond to the four major blood groups -- A, B, AB and O. Since 1996, D'Adamo has published a number of books about blood type and its influence on health.
Understanding Blood Types
Your blood type is determined by substances called antigens on the surface of your red blood cells. Type A blood cells present "A" antigens; type B blood cells present "B" antigens. AB blood cells present both antigens, and Type O presents neither A nor B. People with type A blood have a severe reaction to B antigens; people with B blood have a reaction to A antigens. Type O reacts to both, and type AB to neither. These reactions can be fatal. This is why a doctor must know your blood type before you receive blood.
Blood Type and Food
According to the blood type diet, foods have surface proteins which resemble the A and B antigens. A person with A blood will react to foods that resemble the B antigen and vice versa. Each blood type reacts to certain foods and benefits from others. D'Adamo also associates the different blood types with different health issues: for instance, type Os with arthritis, A and B with diabetes, A and AB with cancer.
Weight Loss Claims
D'Adamo claims that following the blood type diet can help you lose weight. The antigen reactions, he says, prevent correct digestion of the harmful foods. When those foods are removed from the diet, the digestion is normalized and excess weight is lost. On his website, he states that "most of my patients experience some results (within two weeks of starting the diet plan) -- increased energy, weight loss, a lessening of digestive complaints, and improvement of chronic conditions such as asthma, headaches and heartburn."
Is the Blood Type Diet Useful?
D'Adamo has been steadfast in his claims for almost 15 years. Others are skeptical, and little corroborating evidence exists for D'Adamo's claims. MayoClinic.com nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky states that there is no evidence that the blood type diet is more effective than any other diet for weight loss or healing chronic illness. Remember that a mix of healthy foods is essential no matter your blood type, and consult your doctor to find out if the blood type diet may be helpful for you.
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