| KEY TERMS Agglutination—The clumping or clotting of cells. Anthropological—Pertaining to anthropology or the study or the natural and cultural history of humans. Antibodies—Proteins within blood that seek and destroy foreign bodies or substances in the body. Lectins—Protein substances found in foods that bind with carbohydrates in blood causing it to clot. Naturopathy (naturopathic)—An approach to medicine that does not use pharmaceuticals and surgery to treat disease but rather uses alternative therapies, supplements, special diets, and other natural remedies to help the body heal itself. Rh Factor—Rh factor is a subset of blood type it may be either positive or negative. |
Description
Function
Benefits
Precautions
Risks
Research and general acceptance
Questions to ask your doctor
Resources
What is the Blood type diet?
The Blood Type diet is a way of eating that relies on an individual’s blood type (A, B, AB, or O) to dictate one’s diet. In his book, Eat Right for Your Blood Type, naturopathic doctor Peter D’Adamo, presents the idea that an individual’s blood type determines which foods are healthy for him and which foods are not. The book presents the anthropological origins of each of the four blood types and explains why each blood type developed specific antibodies against certain foods.
Antibodies are proteins within the blood that identify and attack substances that are foreign to the body. Specific proteins called lectins are found in all foods. During digestion, lectins are released from the foods eaten. When they enter the blood stream, some of these lectins can bind to red blood cells causing them to stick together. This process is called agglutination. Dr. D’Adamo suggests this process causes many health problems such as stomach pains, poor digestion, headaches, diarrhea, liver disease, and kidney problems, and more.
The Blood Type diet includes extensive lists of foods that are beneficial for each blood type. The food lists also include foods that each blood type should avoid and foods that are neutral or benign. Dr. D’Adamo reports that following this diet will not
only improve health but will help achieve an ideal weight
What are the Origins of the Blood type diet?
In 1901, Dr. Karl Landsteiner discovered that there were four types of human blood. He named them A, B, AB, and O. He discovered that blood types are not compatible with each other because of antibodies. These antibodies cause blood to clump together if a different blood type is mixed with it. According to Dr. D’Adamo, it was also discovered that foods can cause blood cells to become sticky and clump together in a process called agglutination.
Dr. D’Adamo’s father, James, is also a naturopathic physician noticed that different diets worked better with some patients than others. In his book, One Man’s Food—Is Someone Else’s Poison, he attributed this to the differences in blood type.
Dr. Peter D’Adamo continued his father’s research by studying the agglutination process that occurs between specific blood types and certain foods. He believes it is the result of the evolution of the unique blood types.
Anthropologists have traced the origins of each blood type. The earliest human blood type was type O. Since these people were ancient hunter-gatherers and ate a diet dominated by meat, blood type O individuals developed antibodies against the lectins found in agricultural foods such as wheat and other grains. Dr. D’Adamo suggests that individuals with type O blood should eat a diet more similar to their ancient ancestors—that is a diet with more meats and fewer grains
The next blood type to evolve was type A. As the environmental conditions changed, humans began to grow food rather than hunt it. The diet shifted from predominantly meat to plant-based. As the diet changed and the blood type A evolved, antibodies for lectins to meat were formed. According to Dr. D’Adamo, individuals with blood type A have antibodies against many lectins found in meat and will benefit from a largely vegetarian or plant-based diet.
The next blood type to emerge was type B. As ancient peoples migrated and adapted to further climate change blood type B evolved. The diet included both meats and plants as well as dairy products. Dr. D’Adamo believes this is the reason individuals with blood type B developed fewer antibodies against lectins found in meat and grain. He also believes this is why people with blood type B are more tolerant of milk products than other blood types.
The final blood type to evolve was type AB. It is a rare blood type even today with fewer than 5% of the world’s population having type AB blood. Type AB evolved when the A and B blood types intermingled. Dr D’Adamo describes this blood type as a complex blood type with many strengths and many contradictions.
Purported benefits of the Blood Type diet
Blood type O
Weight loss.
Prevents blood clotting disorder and inflammatory diseases, including arthritis, hypothyroidism, ulcers, and asthma
Blood type A
Weight loss.
Reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, anemia, liver and gallbladder disorders, and type I diabetes
Blood type B
Weight loss.
Reduction of the risk of type I diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, and autoimmune disorders such as Lou Gehrig’s disease, lupus, and multiple sclerosis
Blood type AB
Weight loss.
Reduction in the risk of developing heart disease, cancer, or anemia.
The Gale Encyclopedia of Diets © 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
