Your best friend can eat every doughnut, cake and cookie that lands on a cafeteria plate and not gain a pound. If you look at a strawberry with sugar on it you gain twenty pounds of unwanted back fat. Why? It’s simple you have a different genetic composition that influences what you can and cannot eat. Understanding your genetic blood type could be the key to unlocking the foods that make you feel great and help you loose weight. One of the foundations of eating healthy and understanding the benefits is establishing what works for you. We are all different and individualized; therefore a nutrition plan that works for one will not necessarily work for another. Dr. Peter D’Adamao was one of the first to take this theory to the next step in 1996 by introducing the Blood Type Diet. Dr. D’Adamao (2008) believes, that the way to determine a proper diet is to begin with an individual blood type. This theory holds more weight than one might assume. Think of every time you go to the doctor, they typically ask about any genetic issues that you might be pre-disposed to having. This information allows doctors to determine what path to follow when assessing your illness. Well take this question and expand it into nutrition and health. Using an individual blood type to determine proper healthful eating habits could be the answer to many nutritional, weight loss and health issues. Essentially, we are what we inherit you could have your father’s eyes or your mom’s hair. Neither of these genetic characteristics can determine what diseases you’re susceptible to or which foods keep you energetic and healthy. The one foundation that can be used to determine these attributes is blood type. According to Dr. D’Adamao and Dr. Lam (2008) Protein molecules called lections are found in many types of food. This protein can have different affects on individuals, sometimes good and sometimes bad. The only way to assess how this protein affects and Individual is through the blood. There are four different blood types in the world: Type A, B, O, and AB. Blood Type A can be traced back to African roots when people were hunters and gatherers, living hand to mouth. Upon depleting many of the herds they branched out into areas of Europe and Asia. This began the utilization of grains and livestock to sustain life, causing the evolution of blood type A. Dr. D’Adamao states “ Over time the adaptations that produced Blood Type A were based on the need to fully utilize nutrients from carbohydrate sources” (Eat Right 4 your Type para. 70). He further explains that these adaptations can still be observed today, “ Low levels of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and high intestinal disaccharide digestive enzyme levels permit the more efficient digestion of carbohydrates” (Eat Right 4 Your Type para. 70). Researchers have found that Type A genetics should have a diet that consists of foods that are in their purest form. It is suggested that Type A’s should strive for a vegetarian diet to improve their immune system and increase energy. Blood Type B is thought too have been born in the Himalayan highlands; presently part of India and Pakistan. This blood type appeared amongst a mix of Caucasian and Mongolian tribes. These tribes herded and domesticated animals to live off of the milk and meat. Even though this blood type is use to meat, not all meats are good to eat. Chicken should be avoided for this genetic type because of its lection levels found in the tissue that could lead to strokes. Instead Type B’s should eat goat, lamb, rabbit, mutton and venison as these meats promote weight loss. According to Dr. D’Amato’s’ research the following foods will result in weight gain for Type B genetics: corn, wheat, buckwheat, lentils, tomatoes, peanuts and sesame seeds (Geno Types). Do not fear if this is your blood type, foods such as green vegetables, eggs, and low fat dairy promote steady weight loss.
Type O is the first blood type to be known. Because of that the majority of people around the world are type O. Similar to Type B, Type O relies on the protein to sustain high energy levels and health. The main difference between the two types is that Type O has high levels of stomach acid. This means that Type O’s should eat lean meats, poultry and fish. They should also avoid dairy and food high in gluten that will cause them to gain weight. Dr. Michael Lam states “Type Os should severely restrict the use of dairy products. Their system is not designed for the proper metabolism. If you are a Type O of African ancestry, you should eliminate dairy foods and eggs altogether” (www.Dr.lam.com) Type O’s should also avoid proteins such as pork and goose. Foods such as cod, herring and mackerel agree with Type O’s. Due to such high levels of acidity it is recommended that Type O’s consume fruits such as berries and plums because of the alkaline content.
Lastly is the rarest of blood types, AB. Type AB is only found in five percent of the world’s population. The intermingling of Blood Type A and Type B formed this blood type. Eating to achieve wellness if this is your blood begins with understand the genetics that formed it. Type A’s have very low stomach acid, while Type B has an adaptation to meat. Therefore they lack enough acid to metabolize their meat and what meat they eat will turn to fat. Dr. A’damo suggests, that people with this blood type eat tofu or seafood and green vegetables if trying to lose weight. It is recommended that individuals with this blood type avoid smoked or cured meats as it could lead to stomach cancer. Understanding who we are as individuals is the key to understanding how to find our healthy selves. Utilizing genetic information to increase energy, ward off diseases and lose weight could be the knowledge everyone is looking to gain. Assessing proper dietary habits through blood type is the way of the future and also a way to understand our ancestral past. So now that you know what is right for you, don’t care that your friend can eat doughnuts.