Eat for Your Blood Type Diet

According to Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo, eating according to your blood type is thousands of years old. It reveals what your ancestors ate and what is most compatible with your body. Blood type shows what foods will restore the body to health and keep the body at its ideal weight. Most Americans do not know their blood types, compared to the Japanese who consider it important to know their blood type not only for nutrition but also to reveal character and personality. In Japan, a person can be hired for a job or matched for dating according to blood type, according to D'Adamo.

Background

The research for the "The Eat Right 4 Your Type" diet was developed by naturopathic doctors D'Adamo and his father, James D'Adamo over 20 years ago. It showed how everything you eat affects your body's "energy levels, healthy weight, mental clarity and ability to handle stress." D'Adamo's research reveals diets based on your ancestors. These vary among blood types--your's may be completely different than that of your spouse or family members. The information he compiled in his best-selling and controversial book, "Eat Right 4 Your Type," continues to challenge people to try this diet and draw their own conclusions.

How It Works

The key to health and weight loss when eating according to blood type is in protein molecules called "lectins." Your body reacts to lectins differently than someone with a different blood type. This means you both may eat the same thing, but one of you may gain weight or contract an illness, while the other isn't affected negatively at all.

D'Adamo states that "following the Blood Type Diet for a period of one month or more, three out of four (71 percent to 78 percent) had significant improvement in a variety of health conditions. Weight loss was the effect most often observed but a number of reports detailed improvements in digestive function, resistance to stress, overall energy and mental clarity."

Professor Gerhard Uhlenbruck, PhD, MD, Medical University of Cologne, promoted "The Eat Right For Your Type" diet in Europe and called D'Adamo the "one of the most creative scientists in the Western world."

Blood Types

Michael Lam, MD, MPH says, "Your blood type diet is the restoration of your natural genetic rhythm. Your blood type diet works because you are able to follow a clear, logical, scientifically researched plan based on your cellular profile."

Human blood types are O, A, B and AB. O is the most common blood type and the oldest. AB is the rarest and the most recent blood type.

According to Lam, the blood type diet calls for following this basic outline. Blood type A people thrive on a vegetarian diet, including seafood. Eat high carbohydrates (pineapple and lots of green vegetables) and vegetable oils. Avoid meat, dairy and wheat. People with blood type O should eat a high-protein diet of meats, including lean red meat. Keep carbohydrates low and avoid wheat, all cabbages and corn. Blood type B people should have a balance of meat, fish, grains vegetables and fruit. Most dairy products are good, but chicken, wheat, corn and peanuts should be avoided. People with blood type AB should consume a mostly vegetarian diet wih a little meat and dairy. Red meat, corn and seeds should be avoided.

Controversies

Michael Klaper, M.D. is not convinced of D'Amado's blood type dietary findings. "D'Adamo presents neither photos nor corroborating studies to support his speculations," he said. Dr. Victor Herbert, who studies blood and nutrition at New York's Mount Sinai Medical Center, says theories linking blood type and diet are "pure horse manure."

Tips and Warnings

There are no harmful side effects on the "Eat Right For Your Type" diet. Each blood type has a balanced food plan associated with it. Determine your blood type with a home-testing kit. They cost around $10 and you'll know your blood type in about five minutes, or visit your doctor to find out.