Blood Type and Diet – Weight Loss & Optimal Health

For years I had questions about connections between the immune system, diet, and disease. Through medical school and countless weekend seminars I learned about some of the most intricate workings of the human body.  Through practice and experience, I learned how to maintain our health and wellness. It is commonly understood by most patients and health professionals that our daily diet has an effect on our overall health and well being. Never did I hear exacting statements and scientific proof that explained HOW and WHY. Nutrition classes in schools teach about vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

Even long before I went to chiropractic school, I wandered from “here to there” wondering what the best “diet” might be.  Obviously I am talking about a nutrition regimen with a long-term health and wellness goal, and not necessarily about a diet to lose weight. Over the course of 12 years I tried every diet I learned about: the McDougall Diet, Fit For Life, Macrobiotics, The Atkins Diet, Fasting, even vegetarianism for 2 1/2 years! You name the diet and I probably tried it!

In 1996 a colon therapist who I met mentioned to me that O blood types were mucous producers (I am O positive), and that there were great differences in blood types. She told me that there was a book or two around on the subject. I searched long and hard to find one, and the book I came across was by Dr. James D’Adamo. The book was called One Man’s Food is Another Man’s Poison (his son, Peter D’Adamo has since written more books on the subject). Dr. D’Adamo was a Naturopathic physician who practiced in Canada for decades. In the pages of his book I learned about his observations that there is a direct correlation to human blood and diet! Each of his chapters was followed by an anecdotal story describing people from all walks of life who followed his suggestions and rid themselves of some of the worst health problems known to humans. I was excited to learn about his observations to apply them in my life and in my practice.

In January 1997, a patient and friend of mine (whom I told about blood type and diet) told me that they had seen a book about just such a subject at a local department store. I was sure they were mistaken, as Dr. D’Adamo’s original book was printed in 1981, was long since out of print and it took 3 months to find a copy through a used book store search! I asked the patient to pick me up a copy, and sure enough a few days later, I was holding a copy of Peter D’Adamo’s (son of James) book Eat Right For Your Type.

The book was full of new information about how and why blood type and diet are correlated. It also contained detailed information about each of the four blood types A, B, AB and O. There were easy to use guides so people could remember which foods were best for their blood type, and they could greatly improve their health and wellness just by following these guides. The book blew me away. It was obvious to me that Peter had taken his fathers decades of observations and positive patient results and done the scientific research to back it up. He expanded the content and produced a book that I think in time will outshine most of the thousands of other health books that come and go every year.

A Brief Summary of the Concept of Blood Type and Diet:

Each blood cell has encoded proteins on its outer shell . These proteins are immune defense mechanisms called antigens. These blood antigens are used by the body to determine “friend or foe” when floating about the body. If the antigens come in contact with other proteins seen as foreign (such as on bacteria), the antigens create antibodies to fight off the intruder(s). Each blood type has a specific type of antigen unique to its own chemical structure. Your blood type is named for the antigen found on your red blood cells (A, B, AB and O).

The red blood cells not only interact with foreign organisms such as bacteria and viruses, but they also come in contact with proteins found on all foods. The foods that we eat also contain proteins called Lectins. When broken down and absorbed by the small intestine, these proteins are collected by red blood cells for distribution throughout the body. A chemical reaction takes place between your blood and the food you eat. Simply put, some lectins will interact positively with your blood, some will have a neutral effect and some will have a negative effect. What foods react in what way depends on ….you’ve got it! Your blood type!

Foods that have a negative effect in your body are the ones that have lectins that interact with your blood and create an immune response. The immune response leads to thickening of the blood and ultimately lowered health and immunity. Some of the symptoms experienced by people who regularly eat foods that are not within the suggested list for their type are: fatigue, allergies, joint pain and headaches.

There are many other important facts in Dr. D’Adamo’s book. One of the one’s that stood out the most was his statements about grains, particularly wheat and corn and how too much of them can destroy insulin sufficiency and thyroid production in the body. How many Americans are considered diabetic, pre-diabetic or hypothyroid? How many people are fatigued or overweight, experiencing joint pain, headaches, and allergies?

This program is a fantastic guideline for everyone…

I recommend Dr. D’Adamo’s book Eat Right For Your Type for everyone. It is easy and vital reading for a healthy body and mind.