Eating Right For Your Blood Type

"I believed that no two people on the face of the earth were alike: no two people have the same fingerprints, lip prints or voice prints. No two blades of grass or snowflakes are alike. Because I felt that all people were different from one another, I did not think it was logical that they should eat the same foods. It became clear to me that since each person was housed in a special body with different strengths, weaknesses, and nutritional requirements, the only way to maintain health or cure illness was to accommodate to that particular patient's specific needs."
— James D'Adamo, Sr., N.D. 

I have long noticed that people have a wide range of reactions to the food they eat. What seems to be perfectly acceptable for some often causes unpleasant reactions in others. These effects are quite separate from allergies and formed a noticeable pattern among my clients. This is why I found D'Adamo's work especially interesting. The more I explored his theories, the more convinced I became that there was a definite correlation between blood types and optimal diets. 

Knowing your blood type — and following some simple rules — could be the key to your health and well-being. This simple piece of knowledge could help the efficiency of your digestion, increase your energy levels and significantly improve your biological response to stress. 

All of us have one of four blood types: O, A, B, or AB. Each identifies a part of your genetic blueprint. In the history of human evolution, it was found that Type O is the oldest. Type A evolved as man learned to farm. It wasn’t until humans migrated into the colder climates and sparser environments that Type B appeared. Type AB was the last to emerge, the result of the intermingling of groups. It makes sense that these genetic markers could impart important information in guiding the way we eat. 

Type O

This type can easily digest protein but could have difficulty digesting dairy foods and grains - - especially gluten-containing grains such as wheat, oats, barley and rye. These foods were not around when Type O blood evolved. Type O’s should exercise to help ward off fatigue and depression. They typically are goal-orientated, enthusiastic and physical. About 44% of Caucasian Americans and 49% of American Blacks are Type O. I have found in my practice that clients who have wheat and grain allergies commonly have Type O blood. When I release this allergy from their system, they often report feeling much better when ingesting grains. 

Type A

Type A's are considered Adaptive Vegetarian. In general, they do well on a vegetarian diet but may enjoy adding fish, chicken and turkey a few times a week. Many lack sufficient enzymes to digest red meat and dairy foods and tend to have more digestive problems than other types. Type A’s can be divided into two subgroups: A-1 and A-2. 

Many A-1's have partially lost the ability to make pepsin that specifically helps digest protein. They do have the other enzymes that assist carbohydrate metabolism. As a result, they do not do well with meat and dairy but can handle vegetables, fruits, seeds and eggs. 

A-2's tend to have more stomach acids and are better equipped to digest meat and fish. Both types do better when they cut down on the consumption of grains. Grains are a relative newcomer to the human diet and can lead to gluten intolerance, carbohydrate overload and addiction, bloating, chronic yeast infections and even PMS! 

Type A’s tend to be more sedentary that O’s but often display nervous energy, which could lead to exhaustion. Relaxation is a must. They would do well with yoga, tai chi and meditation. They tend to be detail-orientated and fastidious. Some 42% of Caucasians and 27% of American Blacks have Type A blood. 

Type B

Type B blood evolved less than 10,000 years ago, after man learned to cultivate grains. This type can handle a wide variety of foods including dairy, even fermented foods like yogurt. They evolved from the nomadic, herding groups whose staple diet to this day includes many of these same foods. It is important that Type B find a balance among different foods and not focus on one particular group. They also do well with a balance between active, aerobic activity and meditative exercises such as yoga. They tend to be creative and unconventional. Type B blood occurs in only 10% of Whites and 20% of Blacks. 

Type AB

This is the most recently evolved and the least popular of the four blood types occurring in only 4% of both Black and White populations. People with this type blood are usually fully adapted to dairy foods, domestic grains and meats. They lean more heavily toward A or B tendencies. If they lean toward A, they will not do as well with meat and animal products. AB Types are reputed to possess great spiritual sensitivity. 

It seems apparent that the diet our ancestors ate for generations affects our body’s reaction to food. For example: if your ancestors came from the British Isles or Scandinavia, you probably inherited a need for more essential fats (e.g. fatty fish) than your Mediterranean counterparts. These people thrived on grains and legumes as well as fish, olive oil, pasta and garlic. America has always been a melting pot, combining the heritages of many cultures. Check your family tree and your blood type. Both can be excellent guides in selecting the foods you eat. 

For more detailed information, contact us or read the recently published book, Eat Right 4 Your Type, by Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo. If you do not know your blood type, we carry D'Adamo Blood Typing Kits or the people at the Community Blood Bank Center can tell you when you donate a pint. Giving blood is a great way to pay back the community.the people at the Community Blood Bank Center can tell you when you donate a pint. Giving blood is a great way to pay back the community.    

Reference:  Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo