Diet based on your blood group

 Do you know that following a diet that's designed specifically for your blood group can help you to lose

weight, feel healthier and lower your risk of many diseases. This is what Dr Peter D'Adamo, naturopath and

creator of the Blood Type Diet claims in his book Eat Right For Your Blood Type. American naturopaths

James D'Adamo and his son Peter D'Adamo, founder of blood group-based diets, feel each person's blood

group is key to how he burns his calories, what food he should eat and how he would benefit from certain

type of exercise. "People with A blood type have a different set of characteristics from people who are Type O

- they are susceptible to different diseases, they should eat different foods and exercise in a completely

different manner," says Peter.

What is Blood Group Diet?

The concept of blood group diet is based on the idea that each blood group has its own unique antigen

marker (a substance that the body recognises as being alien) and this marker reacts badly with certain foods,

leading to all sorts of potential health problems. Dr D'Adamo believes that levels of stomach acidity and

digestive enzymes are linked with your blood type. By following a diet designed specifically for your blood

type, your body digests and absorbs food more efficiently, with the result that you lose weight.

If one goes by the blood group diet chart, it suggests that 'Type O' people should eat high proteins; 'Type A'

should avoid heavy proteins and dig on carbohydrates; 'Type B' people should drink more milk and avoid

fruits like corns, lentils and peanuts. People with Type AB blood group, which is very rare, can go for a

combination of diet chart recommended for both Type A and Type B.

Principle of Blood Group Diet

According to Dr. Peter D’ Adamo, the blood group of a person determines how the body deals with various

nutrients. The principle behind this is that each blood type has its own exclusive antigen marker (a substance

that the body identifies as being foreign); this marker responds badly to a few types of food thus causing all

kinds of potential health issues. This difference hinges on the fact that lectins in foods react differently with

each blood type.

The stomach acidity levels The stomach acidity levels and the digestive enzymes in a persons body is linked to the person’s blood type.

Hence following a diet schedule designed specifically for a particular blood type helps the body to digest and

absorb the food more efficiently and thus results in weight loss. An interesting part of the diet principle states

that different types of blood groups were developed at different times. It is highly recommended that we follow

the specific diet pattern that was followed by our ancestors who lived during this period (while identifying

the new blood groups).

How does blood group diet work?

Blood group-based diet works on the theory that the body has different reactions to food depending on a

person's blood group. Each ABO blood type is categorized under the following diet profiles:

1. Type O: High-protein eaters

2. Type A: Vegetarians

3. Type B: Omnivores

4. Type AB: Mixed diet eaters

After finding out what group you fall into with a blood test, you have to strictly stick to the diet suitable for you:

Type O: The diet recommended for people with blood type O is simply a variation on many of the typical

high-protein, low-carb diets that are currently popular, such as the Atkins diet. You can eat olive oil, nuts,

seeds, certain vegetables and fruits in moderation. It is recommended that you stay away from dairy

products. To complement your food intake, you must engage in vigorous aerobic exercise as well such as

running.

Type A: People with blood type A must avoid all red meat and dairy products. You should only eat a mixture

of vegetable, seeds beans and cereals. You can do great on wheat (but not very high bran), idli, dosa, pasta,

roti, bread, mung dal, channa dal, soya roti etc. This vegetarian diet should be combined with more gentle

exercise such as yoga.

Type B: This blood group has the least dietary restrictions. You can eat most food groups including dairy and

vegetables. Avoid too many cereals like wheat (bread, sandwich, pizza, roti, sooji, etc.) Some dals (pulses)

do well with this blood group like mung dal, channa dal, lobhia, rajmah etc. When it comes to exercise, Dr

D'Adamo recommends activities that have mental component, such as hiking, tennis and swimming.

Type AB: People with this blood group has the friendliest immune system of all the blood types. It has most

of the benefits and limitations of types A and B. Somewhat confusing when type B allows you to eat most

foods, while type A suggests a vegetarian diet! Dr D'Adamo gets around this by suggesting that type ABs

follow a veggie diet most of the time with some meat, fish and dairy products occasionally. It's the same when

it comes to exercise too – you should combine calming exercises with moderately intense activities.