Blood group based diet

The blood group based diet postulates that a person should eat what suits his blood type. It is based on the idea that a person's blood group determines how his body deals with different nutrients.

The theory was first advocated by a naturopathic physician in the US, Dr Peter J D’Adamo in his book, Eat Right For Your Type, published in 1996. Aldamo’s contents that a person's blood group tells a lot about the kind of food he should eat. The theory has become very popular across the world and is followed assiduously by many dieticians.

Why should I be aware of this?

• The theory says that the level of stomach acidity and secretion of digestive enzymes is linked with a person's blood type. Consequently, by following a diet designed specifically for your blood type, your body digests and absorbs food efficiently.
• While white meat may help one blood type lose weight, red meat can help the other blood type. By adding foods that suit your blood group and cutting down on those that don’t, you could maximise the benefits of an exercise or diet regimen.
• Dr D’Adamo believes that because blood types evolved at different times throughout history, we should eat a diet based on the types of foods our ancestors typically ate at the time when our blood type was first recognised! It is based on the belief that Blood type O first identified in 50,000 BC , followed by Blood type A in 15,000 BC, Blood type B in 10,000 BC and Blood type AB just a 1000 years ago. There is no evidence to support that these blood types evolved at these times.
• Medical experts say that there is absolutely no link between our blood group and the diet we eat.
• Though the blood type based diet is successful in making you lose weight, it is not a balanced diet. In the long term, this can result in a poor intake of nutrients needed for good health.
• There are also several concerns, namely that the diets recommended for blood groups O and A are considerably limited and cut out major groups of foods.

All about blood group based diet

Dr D’Adamo's theory is based on the idea that each blood group has its own unique antigen marker (a substance that the body recognises as being alien) and this marker reacts badly with certain foods, leading to all sorts of potential health problems. Furthermore, Dr D’Adamo believes that levels of stomach acidity and digestive enzymes are linked with a person's blood type. Consequently, he says, by following a diet designed specifically for your blood type, your body digests and absorbs food more efficiently, with the result that you lose weight.

It states that the blood type based restores a person's natural genetic rhythm. The blood type diet works because you are able to follow a clear, logical, scientifically researched plan based on your cellular profile. Each food groups are divided into three categories: Highly beneficial ( food that acts like medicine), Foods allowed (food that are no harm to the blood type) and Foods not allowed (food that acts like a poison)

Type O blood group

Their bodies cannot properly metabolise a high-carb diet, so if they don’t stick to a meat diet, they will end up putting on a lot of weight.

• Diet profile -- A high protein meat rich diet.
• Allowed --Meat such as fish, vegetables and fruit
• Limited -- They should consume grains, beans and legumes in limited quantities.
• Foods to avoid for weight loss purposes -- Wheat, corn, kidney beans, navy beans, lentils, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and mustard greens.
• Food that help with weight loss -- Kelp, seafood, salt, liver, red meat, kale, spinach and broccoli.

Type A blood group

Meat is not good for this blood type. "They are more prone to diabetes, heart diseases and cancer, all of which are worsened with a diet consisting mainly of meat

• Diet profile -- A vegetarian diet suits people with this blood type.
• Allowed -- Vegetables, tofu, seafood, grains, beans, legumes and fruit.
• Limited -- There is no food category which is off limits for this blood group diets.
• Foods to avoid for weight loss purposes -- Meat, dairy products, kidney beans, lima beans and wheat.
• Food that help with weight loss -- Vegetable oil, soy foods, vegetables and pineapple.

Type B blood group

This blood type has the least dietary restrictions. People who fall in this category are free to have everything, in moderation. The only problem with this type is that their immune system is quite weak compared to other groups. This is the only blood type which can easily digest milk and dairy products

• Diet profile -- These people are balanced omnivore.
• Allowed -- Meat (no chicken), dairy, grains, beans, legumes, vegetables and fruit.
• Limited -- There is no food category which is off limits for this blood group diets.
• Foods to avoid for weight loss purposes -- Corn, lentil, peanuts, sesame, seeds, buckwheat and wheat.
• Food that help with weight loss -- Green vegetables, eggs, venison, liver, licorice and tea.

Type AB blood group

This is a rare blood group and people who fall in this category should have a combination of foods that are recommended for blood types A and B. Diets for blood group A and B are quite different from one another and that is why this blood type’s diet is tricky.

• Diet profile -- Mixed diet in moderation
• Limited -- There is no food category which is off limits for this blood group diets.
• Foods to avoid for weight loss purposes -- Red meat, kidney beans, lima beans, seeds, corn and buckwheat.
• Food that help with weight loss --Tofu, seafood, dairy, greens, kelp and pineapple.

References

• Blood Type Diet
• Diet group
• The Blood Type Diet under the spotlight