Diet
& Your Blood Type
Naturopathic
physicians James and Peter D'Adamo have woven together research
from medical anthropology, cancer treatment and immunology to illuminate
their theory that proteins in the blood interact with proteins called
lectins in foods, to cause varying degrees of cell damage. These
serotype proteins, are most commonly known as your blood type. Your
blood type is an inherited factor that can give you important clues
about what foods are genetically determined to be most compatible
with your body tissues.
The serotypes that are best known are the Groups O, A (further divided
in to sub group A1 and A2), B and AB. We are also familiar with
the Rh positive or negative designation. Other factors important
for determining best foods are the less familiar protein known as
M, N and Lewis A or B. Together these factors clarify in great detail
which foods are your best, and worst dietary choices. This also
supports the common sense understanding many of us have that one
diet does not fit all!
About 70% of the population carry a gene that causes their system
to secrete their sero-proteins in body fluids other than blood (such
as saliva, semen, digestive juices and sweat). Secretor status is
interesting because people who do secrete have a greater resistance
to infection and other immune system challenges like food allergies,
while non-secretors have less resilient immune systems, possibly
making them more vulnerable to certain diseases. Non-secretors are
not necessarily 'sickly' people but knowing this status can be a
motivating factor in terms of being wiser about preventative lifestyle
choices, as well as treatment choices if an illness occurs.
Food allergies are an expression of an immune system response, a
different and separate response from the cell damage that occurs
with incompatible lectins from foods. The food lectin to seroprotein
interaction is a deeper, more fundamental reaction. It is genetically
determined and therefore permanent. Many food allergies are actually
food intolerances than will disappear when the body is supported
to optimal digestive function. Sometimes people are allergic or
temporarily intolerant of foods that should be ok according to their
blood type-- that's because we are complex and there is more than
one thing that can go wrong! So while a serotype diet may not solve
all your problems, your problems are not likely to completely resolve
with out addressing the fundamental serotype compatibility of your
diet and your inherited body and blood type.
Blood Group O
This is the original human blood type, and it is associated with
a hunter/gatherer sort of diet. It is very interesting that the
original humans ate primarily meat, fish, fruits and vegetables,
and modern humans of the same blood type show cellular damage when
they eat dairy foods and many grains, both of which are associated
with agriculture. Farming, and the domestication of animals is a
rather recent development in human history, so it makes lovely sense
that the original humans thrived on foods other than agricultural
products. People who have Type O have very alert immune systems,
which means they tend to develop hives, food allergies, intestinal
gas and bloating, hay fever and arthritis. These folks have abundant
stomach acid, appropriate for digesting the protein in their diet,
and fruits and vegetables in abundance are important for maintaining
a proper acid/alkaline balance in their gut as well as the all-important
fiber to assist the proper digestion and elimination of animal proteins
and fats.
Blood Group A
Blood group A evolved along with the development of agriculture.
These folks do well with what has become the modern version of the
'health-food diet"- that is "vegetarian with poultry and
fish". Grains and beans are tolerated better than by Type O,
however there are still significant restrictions. Red meat is not
well tolerated and only small amounts of cultured dairy product
should be included. Fruits and vegetables are encouraged, especially
raw, because the enzymes that are present help with digestion, absorption
and elimination. Type A has some tendency to a sluggish and disordered
digestive tract, skin problems and a vulnerability to slow-developing,
chronic conditions.
Blood Group B
Blood group B began to appear among the nomadic herding societies,
somewhat later than the first two serotypes historically. This group
is unique in it's capacity to use dairy products especially cultured
items like yogurt and cheese. These are the ovo-lacto vegetarians-types,
with protein best included as fish, eggs and turkey. Oddly, although
eggs are ok, chicken contains lectins that are insulting to the
Type B system. These folks are like A's in having generally less
acid stomach and therefore are not able to digest lots of protein
at one sitting. Variety and small frequent meals are the shorthand
prescription for this group.
Blood Group AB
Historically blood group AB was the last to evolve and is associated
with 'modern' diets. Because of the presence of both group A and
group B immune elements, these folks are well adapted to a vegetable,
grain and seafood diet, with small amounts of dairy also possible.
Red meat, chicken, potatoes and tomatoes as well as a number of
grains and beans are problematic for this group. There can be vulnerabilities
similar to those faced by group A and group B and supplementation
with hydrochloric or malic acid to enhance digestion will be helpful,
as is the small, frequent and diverse meals suggested above.
Nan
Dunne, ND rev 2007
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