Blood Types: A Summary
Type A: Those with type A blood, according to DAdamo, have an extra-sensitive immune system and need to avoid stress triggers and eat a mostly vegetarian diet to enjoy the innately settled, creative state characteristic of type As.
Type B: According to DAdamo, people with blood type B are innately adaptable and open. They have a strong immune system and balanced nervous system, and will benefit from a mix of meditative activities and more intense physical exercise. Type Bs are prescribed a very meat-heavy, omnivorous diet that excludes some grains and chicken.
Type AB: Blood Type ABs are told to address their highly sensitive digestive tract through a mixed diet: tofu, seafood, greens, and kelp are in, while no-nos include chicken, corn, kidney beans, and buckwheat. They should also keep their nervous system calm through centering physical activity and moderate exercise.
Type O: According to the program, blood type Os have a hardy digestive tract and strong immune system. On the flip side, they can overreact to novel conditions with anger and manic episodes. They are supposed to eat a high protein diet and avoid most grains, legumes, and dairy products so they can be the strong, self-reliant leader their blood type predicts.
Which Diets Are Better
If you’re looking for a nutrition plan or diet to follow for increased overall health, the Mediterranean Diet has been ranked the No. 1 healthiest diet by US News and World Report for five straight years. Based largely on typical Mediterranean-style cooking, this nutrition plan includes lots of lean fish, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and seeds. It also encourages limited sugar and salt intake and prioritizes healthy fats like olive oil.
What Exactly Is Blood Type O
Your blood group is identified by antigens and antibodies in the blood.
Antibodies are part of your bodys natural defenses against invading substances such as germs. Antibodies recognize anything foreign in your body and alert your immune system to destroy it.
Antigens are protein molecules found on the surface of red blood cells.
Blood group O has no antigens, but both anti-A and anti-B antibodies. As group O red blood cells dont have any A or B antigens, it can safely be given to any other blood type group .
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Risks And Warnings Of The Blood Type Diet
It might be difficult for some people to stick to the blood type diet. Personal preferences and cultural practices might involve foods that arent permitted for people with certain blood types.
Food allergies might also make it difficult for people to eat the recommended foods for their blood type. In addition, scientists have found that elimination diets, which limit the types of foods a person can eat, might lead to nutritional deficiencies .
The blood type diet suggests healthy foods and activities for each blood group, but it might be challenging to adhere to. There is also very little evidence from clinical trials that it works.
There is no harm in sticking to a healthy lifestyle plan that involves eating nutritious foods and exercising, but its unlikely that the blood type diet will be anyones saving grace. Speak with a healthcare provider or a nutritionist about the best type of diet plan for you.
Is The Blood Type Diet A Healthy Choice For You
The blood type diet is based on theory it isnt rooted in scientific fact and its effectiveness has not been proven in clinical settings. The overall plan does emphasize whole, natural, and unprocessed foods, however, which makes it healthier than some pre-packaged meal plans or meal-replacement plans.
The U.S. Department of Agricultures 20202025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans provide recommendations for a balanced diet. The following nutrient-dense foods are considered part of a healthy diet:5
- Vegetables of all types and dark, leafy greens
- Fruits, especially whole fruits
- Grains, especially whole grains
- Lean animal protein
- Beans and legumes
- Oils, including oils found in foods
Depending on your blood type, this plan may or may not meet the USDAs definition of a healthy meal plan.
- The Type AB diet is the least restrictive and allows for the widest variety of foods to ensure adequate nutrition.
- The Type A diet prohibits meat and dairy, which have nutrients, namely protein, that can be found in other foods with careful planning.
- The Type B diet also offers a varied diet, with the exception of nuts and seeds, and meets most of the requirements of the USDA healthy eating plan.
- The Type O diet avoids dairy and grains, which are considered important parts of a healthy diet, according to the USDA. With careful planning, however, the nutrients found in grains and dairy can be made up by eating a variety of vegetables.
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Eating Foods Based On Blood Type
The blood type diet requires a regimen called compliance. This refers to eating beneficials. Beneficials are chosen for each blood type, based upon the lectins, or molecules, which the food contains.
On this diet, people are defined as being secretors or nonsecretors. These terms refer to an individuals ability to secrete blood type antigens into bodily fluids. What you eat is partly based upon your secretor status. This is why the diet is known as an individualized plan.
Food ratios are also provided for each blood type group. These are further broken down into ratios specifically recommended for people of African, Caucasian, and Asian descent. Supplements are recommended for blood type diets, which are sold on DAdamos website.
History Of The Blood Type Diet
Dr. P.J. DAdamo, a naturopathic physician, was the first person to introduce the idea of a blood diet type in his book Eat Right for Your Type, which was originally published in 1996. DAdamo based his suggestions on research he had done regarding the dietary habits of ancestral tribes and communities. He postulates in his books that the different blood types developed during periods in history when people had access to only certain foods, which contributed to changes in their digestive systems and their ability to tolerate different foods. He specifically bases many of his recommendations on varying levels of stomach acids and enzymes that he links to different blood types.
There is some evidence showing that blood type is associated with genetic variants in humans and may have an impact on risk factors for certain diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, malaria and cardiometabolic disorders. So while knowing your blood type and family history might be helpful in determining your risk for a particular disease, there is still no evidence showing that certain diets are more or less beneficial for different blood types. For example, some studies have found that when people of different blood groups follow a plant-based diet low in processed foods , all experience health improvements regardless of their blood type.
Final Thoughts on the Blood Type Diet
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Serum And Cells Are Main Components Of Blood
It was noted by Karl Landsteiner, a physician at University of Vienna in Austria that some serum caused the red blood cell to agglutinate. Dr. Karls observation leads to the development of the ABO blood group system.
In order to understand blood typing, it is essential to define antibody and antigen. Antibodies are known as immunoglobulin, it is found in serum, whose function is to combat invaders by binding themselves to antigen. Antigen is substance found on the surface of red blood cell, which, when introduced into organism that does not have antigen, leads to production of antibody.
Image source: blog.cirm.ca.gov
The ABO blood group system is the most important blood type system. Classification of human blood can be divided into type A, type B, type AB and type O. These blood types have certain elements that can make them unique from one another.
Because of this difference, one doctor had an idea and he started an international craze when he tried to prove that even in dieting, one plan does not fit all. Eventually, that type of diet was born.
Should You Change Your Diet Based On Blood Type
No studies support any of DAdamos claims about the Blood Type Diet, and as such its essentially a collection of his opinions about how you should eat, not a science-based approach to dieting.
Some folks with a more accepting cast of mind toward fad diets might say its unfair to dismiss the Blood Type Diet, because we dont have studies to refute DAdamos claims. And to that Id say, thats not how science works.
An important pillar of the scientific method is that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence to match, and if that evidence isnt present, the assumption is that the claims arent valid .
At the very least, youd expect DAdamo to muster a strong mechanistic argument for why his particular diet regimen works , but he hasnt even scaled this meager hurdle.
DAdamo also claimed in two of his books published in 1996 and 2004 that wed have scientific evidence supporting his diet recommendations shortly after their publication, but as yet, theres scant evidence on the diet at all, and none that inspires confidence.
For instance, one review study conducted by scientists at Belgian Red Cross-Flanders combed through thousands of studies that might provide clues on how the Blood Type Diet affects health. After garnering 1,415 relevant studies, they found that only 16 were designed in a way that would provide useful answers, and only 4 of these involved a diet that was remotely similar to the Blood Type Diet.
And this makes perfect sense.
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The Blood Type Diet: Science Or Fiction
If you have been interested in the field of nutrition for any amount of time, you will likely have come across the idea of a blood type diet. The philosophy behind it is that those with certain blood types gain better health outcomes on specific diets, and this idea was popularized in 1996 by Dr. Peter DAdamos bestselling book, Eat Right 4 Your Type. While there are more subgroups, there are four main blood types that are focused on in the book and they are categorized as follows:
Type A: This is the more plant-based blood type, known as the agrarian. People with type A blood should eat a diet centered on plants and free of red meat, which is thought to be toxic to them.
Type B: Known as the nomad, these people should avoid chicken, pork, wheat, corn, lentils, and tomatoes, but eat most other plants and meats, as well as some dairy products.
Type AB: This blood type is a mix between types A and B and is known as the enigma. They may eat seafood, soy, dairy, beans , and grains , while avoiding beef and chicken.
Type O: These are known as the hunters who are meant to eat a high-protein, high-meat diet, similar to a modern paleo diet. They also eat fish and certain fruits and vegetables however, they should stay clear of dairy, grains, and legumes.
Blood Type B Diet: What To Eat And Avoid
Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***.
A blood type B diet can be a life-changing alteration for people who have this type of blood.
Few people give much thought to what their blood type is, and might only do so when a hospital emergency arises or should a nurse happen to mention their type when giving blood.
But blood is more than the liquid life force running through our veinsâit may be the key to determining how to best feed the body for optimal health.
A blood type diet is unlike any most people are likely to have encountered.
There are four main blood types: A, B, AB, and O. Antigens are what determine the type of blood you have interestingly enough, people with blood type O have no antigens, which is a handy way to remember it.In 1996, naturopathic physician Dr. Peter J. DâAdamo wrote a wildly popular book, Eat Right for Your Type. The foods you eat for your blood type will obviously depend on which type you have, and each list for the four main types is very different.
It should be noted, however, that Dr. DâAdamoâs claims have not been substantiated by the medical community, and the links made between blood type and incidence of disease are considered tenuous. Before embarking on any major dietary change, itâs always best to talk to your doctor first. With that in mind, letâs take a look at Dr. DâAdamoâs diet for blood type B.
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But Does Eating For Your Blood Type Work
High-quality studies about the blood type diet had not been published in peer-reviewed medical literature. Even now, a search in the medical literature for the authors name reveals no research pertaining to this diet. Studies published in 2013 and 2014 about the blood type diets are worth noting. The 2013 study analyzed the worlds medical literature and found no studies demonstrating benefit from a blood type diet. The 2014 study found that while people following any of the blood type diets had some improvement in certain cardiometabolic risk factors , those improvements were unrelated to blood type. Similarly, a 2021 study of a people on a low-fat vegan diet found no connection between blood type and lipid levels or other metabolic measures.
Is The Blood Type Diet Safe What To Expect If You Try It
Theres concern that the Eat Right 4 Your Type diet for those with blood type O is too protein heavy. Animal protein, especially red meat, has been linked to health problems, such as heart disease and colorectal cancer, says Grotto.
Also, dietitians say its possible that individuals may experience nutritional deficiencies when following the eating plan.
The Eat Right 4 Your Type diet recommends calcium supplements for who cant eat dairy, for example, says Amy Jamieson-Petonic, RD, a pediatric and sports dietitian at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center who is based in Akron, Ohio. But you can only absorb a certain amount of calcium from supplements, and you get so much more from food. If you follow this diet for a long time, you could experience vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
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Blood Types And Their Diet And Lifestyle Claims
The Blood Type Diet claims that by following your tailored program recommendations you can learn how to best handle stress, manage weight, avoid disease, and eat better all depending on your blood type. If youre thinking thats a pretty big claim, I agree. Lets take a closer look.
Below are the basics of what the program says you should eat, how you should exercise, and what other lifestyle traits you should adopt, according to which of the four blood types you have.
Keep in mind that while the program recommends specific foods to eat and avoid for each blood type, theres not much explanation behind them. There also arent studies cited for many of the lifestyle and nutrition claims the program makes.
Editors Note: The details outlined below are simply intended to clarify what the Blood Type Diet recommends for its users, rather than what health professionals recommend or what we at Food Revolution Network advocate.
Foods To Eat In Blood Type A Diet
What foods are included on the type A blood diet? The blood type A diet will include a certain combination of proteins, grains, legumes, fats and oils, nuts, and vegetables.
Basically when you are accustomed to eating meat, you will rapidly lose weight once you begin the blood type A diet. The following is a little more detail about the foods included on the blood type A diet.
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How To Eat For Your Blood Group
According to Dr. DAdamo, this is how you should eat and exercise for your specific blood type:5
Please note that Dr. DAdamos findings are often in contradiction to Dr. Gundrys findings, meaning the Blood Type Diet may not be ideal for most people. Dr. Gundry believes excess animal proteins, A1 dairy, grains, non-pressure cooked legumes, and sugar should be avoided, period, no matter your blood type.
Type O Blood
Type O-blood types should focus on a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet. That means lots of meat as well as fish, fruits and vegetables.
Limit grains , dairy products, legumes, and cabbage. This diet very much resembles a low-carb, paleo diet, and flies against Dr. Gundrys teaching when it comes to animal protein intake.
Type Os are also the most sensitive to food allergies. Their exercise routine should focus on high-intensity aerobic exercise, contact sports, and running.
O-blood types are said to be able to digest meat better than other blood types. O-blood types have greater levels of a certain enzyme in the digestive tract. This enzyme allows better metabolization of meat. It also allows being able to heal the digestive tract.
Type A Blood
The type A diet is very much a plant-based diet. A-blood types should, at the very least, limit red meats. The diet is still high-protein. But protein sources should be tofu, seafood, fruits, vegetables, turkey, and whole grains. Dairy products, wheat, corn, and kidney beans should be avoided on a type A diet.
What Does The Science Say About The Blood Type Diet
There is some evidence that certain chronic diseases, like some cancers and heart problems, can be more likely in people of various blood types. But theres no data to show that the different sets of foods prescribed by the Blood Type Diet will prevent those diseases any better than if people were to follow a general healthy diet with evidence to show it lowers heart disease or cancer risk .
I would say that the body of evidence around the Blood Type Diet indicates that there isnt evidence to support its use, Katherine Zeratsky, a registered dietitian at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, told TODAY.
A 2013 review study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that there was no evidence to support that various diets worked better in people of a certain blood type compared with people of another blood type . Another study published in 2014 in PLOS ONE found that people who followed one of DAdamos diets did see some improvements in heart health, but those benefits were independent of blood type.
Another study published last year in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics researchers compared heart outcomes among people who ate a low-fat vegan diet with people who followed an unrestricted diet. Blood type bore no difference on the effects of the vegan diet when it came to body weight, body fat or other measures.
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