Do you think knowing
your blood type is only important in the event of a transfusion? Think again! Could
eating a diet based on your blood type -- O, A, B, or AB -- help you trim down
and get healthier? The answer is YES.
Research indicates that your blood type is a
key genetic factor that influences many areas of health and well-being. Throughout
your life, you’ve probably observed that some people tend to lose weight more
easily, while for others, their weight is an ongoing battle. Or wondered why
some people are plagued by chronic illness while others stay healthy and vital
well into their advanced years. Very simply, the answer is in your blood type.
Knowing your blood type
is an important tool for understanding how your body reacts to food, your
susceptibility to disease, your natural reaction to stress, and so much more. A
single drop of blood contains a biochemical makeup as unique to you as your
fingerprint
Below are five facts
about your blood type that could change your life:
Your
blood type may predict your susceptibility for certain diseases.
Research has found that
individuals of certain blood types may be at a higher risk for certain
diseases; studies have found that people with blood type O have a lower risk
for heart disease, but a higher risk for developing stomach ulcers. People who
are blood type A have higher risks of microbial infections, but Type A women
experience a higher rate of fertility. Other research has found that people
with type AB and B blood have a much higher risk of developing pancreatic
cancer.
People
of different blood types react differently to stress.
Type A people naturally
have higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their bodies and produce
more in response to stressful situations. On the other hand, people with type O
blood, have a 'fight or flight' reaction to stress which results in the
overproduction of adrenaline. It takes type O’s longer to recover from stress
because it is more difficult for them to clear the adrenaline from their
bodies.
Your
blood type antigens are not just in your blood!
They are everywhere in
your body, particularly in the surfaces that interact with the environment.
These include your digestive tract, from your mouth to your large intestine, as
well as your nasal passages and lungs. Because these blood type antigens are
everywhere, they influence how your body reacts to the food you eat through
several factors. For example: the lectins in certain foods bind to your blood
type antigen and cause your blood to agglutinate (stick together), resulting in
feelings of fatigue, headaches, digestive issues, skin problems and a host of
other health issues.
Gut
bacteria is related to blood type.
People of different
blood types have different gut bacteria, in fact, certain bacteria are 50,000
more likely to turn up in people with one blood type or the other. This
originated from our ancestors whose digestive tracts developed to accommodate
one type of diet over another. For example, the microbiome of certain people
developed to break down carbohydrates much more efficiently (blood type A).
People lacking this ability (blood type O) tend to store carbs as fat.
A
one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition does not work.
Food fads come and go,
but the facts are clear: everyone does not have the same basic nutritional
needs. We all know someone who is a strict vegetarian and thrives on that diet,
while others swear by Atkins or similar low-carb plans. I've found that your
nutritional needs can be determined by your blood type. Take a look at the food
lists in Eat Right 4 Your Type; they are a guide for choosing the foods that
will allow you to lose weight, reduce inflammation, increase energy and lead a
longer, healthier life.
According to
naturopathic physician Peter J. D'Adamo, N.D., in his book Eat Right 4 Your
Type, the missing link might be the four basic blood types: O, A, B, and AB.
"There had to be a reason why there were so many paradoxes in dietary
studies and disease survival," why some people lose weight and others do
not on the same diet or why some people keep their vitality as they age, and
others do not, says Dr. D'Adamo.
His research into
anthropology, medical history, and genetics led him to conclude that blood type
is "the key that unlocks the door to the mysteries of health, disease,
longevity, physical vitality, and emotional strength." Dr. D'Adamo
explains that the practical application of the blood type "key" is
that it enables you to make informed choices about your dietary, exercise,
supplement, and even medical treatment plans. With the blood type "road
map," these plans can now "correspond to your exact biological
profile" and "the dynamic natural forces within your own body."
Depending on your blood
type. Here's what D'Adamo recommends for each type:
BLOOD
TYPE O
What
to Eat: Eat lean beef, lamb, turkey, chicken or fish (like
bass, cod, halibut, sole and rainbow trout), kelp, seafood and (in moderation)
salt, which lowers your levels of iodine, giving you optimal thyroid function.
What
to Avoid: You might have difficulty digesting dairy, eggs and
gluten, and should avoid wheat germ and wheat products like bread. Beans and
legumes should also be avoided when possible, since they mess with your
digestion and can wear you out or make you retain fluids. Cruciferous veggies
like cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and mustard greens should be nixed
because they inhibit thyroid function.
Your
Workout: It’s especially important for you to work out
regularly to stay fit, and exercising will help regulate stomach problems and
ulcers you may experience because of your O-ness. Which is fine, since your
blood type thrives on physical exercise anyway. Get sweating with the
treadmill, swimming, running, cycling and weight training.
BLOOD
TYPE A
Your
Diet: When hunter-gatherer Os started thinning out, our
ancestors started relying on agriculture and expanding their diet to include a
semi-vegetarian approach. Type As have the digestive enzymes and bacteria it
takes to digest grains and plants that other blood types might have a rough
time breaking down.
What
to Eat: Fill your plate with fruits like berries, figs,
plums, apples, avocados, pears and peaches. Choose veggies like broccoli,
artichokes, carrots, greens and garlic. Fish and poultry should be limited
since type As produce fewer meat-digesting enzymes, which is why they have such
a hard time digesting red meat. To get protein, rely on plant protein from nuts
(like nut butters), seeds, beans and soy. Since your body can easily break down
and get optimal nutrition from grains, carbs and proteins, cereal, breads and
pastas should be staples of your diet.
What
to Avoid: To balance cortisol levels (you may have high
levels, which can lead to OCD, disrupted sleep, muscle loss, fat gain and
insulin resistance) limit sugar, caffeine and alcohol and don’t skip meals,
especially breakfast. Stressful elements like extreme weather conditions, loud
noise, overwork and violent TV and movies should also be avoided.
Your
Workout: Since you stress easily, try something calming like
yoga.
BLOOD
TYPE B
Your
Diet: Type Bs emerged when type Os moved to the Himalayas
as nomads, domesticating animals and living on meat and dairy. Modern Bs should
rely on lean red meat (like lamb, venison and beef) and fish, and choose turkey
over chicken. Because of a sugar present in milk, Bs should work dairy like
yogurt, cheese and milk into their diet each day.
What
to Eat: Fill up on leafy greens and vegetables, and fruits
like bananas, grapes, plums and pineapple.
What
to Avoid: Take it easy on grains and avoid corn, buckwheat,
rye and wheat since they can alter your ability to metabolize. (Same goes for
nuts and seeds, so avoid peanuts, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds.)
Your
Workout: Maintaining the mind/body balance is essential, so
go for exercises that challenges both, like tennis, martial arts, cycling,
hiking or golf
BLOOD
TYPE AB
Your
Diet: Type AB is the newest blood type and is the rarest,
found in less than 5% of the population. Since ABers share traits with As and
Bs, they’re able to digest a wide range of foods. However, they have type B’s
adaption to meats, but A’s low stomach acid, which means meat often gets stored
as fat. An AB's staples should be veggies, seafood and turkey. Red meat should
be eaten sparingly. ABs, like Bs, thrive on dairy and can process eggs
particularly efficiently.
What
to Eat: Weak immune system? Try a vegetable-rich diet with
a variety of carbohydrates. Snack on fresh fruits like cherries, grapes,
watermelon and figs. (But thanks to your alkaline stomach, you might have a
hard time digesting acidic foods like oranges.) Certain kinds of seafood, like
mahi-mahi, red snapper, salmon, sardines and tuna, are optimal.
What
to Avoid: Enjoy carbs in moderation, but bypass corn and
buckwheat, which are difficult for ABs to digest. Avoid all smoked and cured
meats as well as chicken, veal, beef, pork or shellfish. Steer clear of
caffeine and alcohol, especially when you’re stressed.
Your
Work Out: Since you pull from both sides of the spectrum, you
need to keep balance in your workout regimen, which means a combo of calming
activities (like yoga or tai chi) and more intense physical exercise (like
running or biking.) Visualization and carving out time alone are important,
too. If you’re going to be sitting a lot (say, at work all day), break it up
with some exercise. It will keep you energized for the haul.
As you’ve learned, your
blood type affects more than just the type of blood you'd need in the event of
a transfusion – your blood type is a genetic factor that plays many roles in
the human body. Choosing low-lectin, non-agglutinating foods that create a
hospitable environment for your “good” intestinal flora and selecting foods
that combat your disease risks are two good first steps in creating an
individualized nutritional program just for you.
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