Traditional diet plans recommend that you cut caloric intake to lose weight. Peter D'Adamo, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Eat Right 4 Your Type," claims that this one-size-fits-all approach to weight loss is flawed. D'Adamo believes that your blood type affects food digestion and immune system activity. This means that certain foods, such as whey protein, may be unhealthy for people of a specific blood type. Discuss the blood type diet with a doctor before following D'Adamo's recommendations.
Diet Rationale
The blood type diet claims that your blood type influences your predisposition to certain diseases and ability to digest foods. Blood type O was the original blood type during human evolution. The original people with type O blood lived on the African savannahs as hunter-gatherers. Because of this hunter-gatherer evolutionary origin, D'Adamo recommends that modern individuals with type O blood eat primarily meats and vegetables.
Whey Protein
Whey protein is a type of protein found in cow milk. Manufacturers isolate whey protein from other milk proteins to make powdered protein supplements. According to D'Adamo, whey protein harms the cells of people with blood type O. This supposedly occurs because people with type O blood tend to have antibodies to dairy proteins. D'Adamo markets his own special protein blend that is allegedly beneficial for people with type O blood. No scientific evidence supports these claims about whey protein and type O blood.
Type O Food List
The blood type diet claims that people with type O blood thrive on a diet high in animal protein, including chicken, turkey, lean beef, venison, veal, mutton, mackerel, salmon, whitefish, squid, halibut and other fish. A variety of vegetables, such as artichokes, kohlrabi, leeks, leafy greens, sweet potatoes and onions are also permitted.
Because early humans with type O blood did not drink animal milk, D'Adamo claims that dairy products can be difficult for type O individuals to digest. The blood type diet instructs dieters to avoid all milk products, including yogurt, ice cream and kefir.
Expert Opinions
Most conventional medical professionals reject the theory upon which the blood type diet is based. Katherine Zeratsky, a dietitian at the Mayo Clinic, says that no scientific evidence supports the use of specialized diets based on blood type. Unless a type O individual is lactose intolerant or has a dairy allergy, a whey protein supplement may be fine. Before taking a new supplement, talk to your doctor to ensure that it is safe for you.
References
- 4 Your Type: D'Adamo Personalized Nutrition
- Whey of Life: Whey Protein FAQs
- My Blood Type Store: Frequently Asked Questions
- Eat Right for Your Type; What Makes "Type O" an Individual?; Peter D'Adamo
- The Natural Health Place: Blood Type O Diet
- MayoClinic.com; Blood Type Diet: What Is It? Does It Work?; Katherine Zeratsky; August 2010
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