Our blood types were evolving too to better cope with our changing lifestyles.
Many of my patients complain of persistent belly bloat or skin allergies and not surprisingly request for a blood test to determine just what they are allergic to. I only have one question for them, “What is your blood type?”.
As weird as it may sound, eating according to your individual blood type or blood group may very well be the key to preventing belly bloat and allergies besides losing weight, keeping it off and staying in the peak of health for the rest of your life.
Doctor of naturopathy and author of ‘Eat Right For/4 Your Type’ Peter D’adamo believes so. According to this diet protocol, people with different blood types should only eat certain foods that provide the right proteins or lectins compatible with their blood type.
Researchers in Finland have backed up this claim recently, proving that blood type antigens, which are molecules on the surface of blood cells that determine blood type, are in fact energy sources for microorganisms in the gut.
Evolving blood types
The human race has constantly been evolving. We started off as hunters-gatherers, then evolved to grow our own food as farmers until we progressed to the civilisation we know today.
While all this was happening, our blood types were evolving too to better cope with our changing lifestyles. That is how humans came to have four blood types – O, A, B and AB.
Type O – the oldest blood type, your ancestors hunted for their food and depended on their muscles and strength to stay alive. People with type O blood thrive on animal protein as they already have the right enzymes and acids to break these down efficiently. The recommendation is to eat lots of lean red meat, fish and poultry. Fresh fruit and vegetables as well as healthy fats will complete your dietary intake. Remember to abstain from all dairy and wheat-based foods as these came into being much later and people with type O blood aren’t internally engineered to digest these well.
For exercise, choose resistance training and aerobic forms of physical activity such as running, jogging, brisk walking or cycling.
Type A – your blood type dictates you eat a mostly vegetarian diet of grains, fruits and vegetables. For adequate protein intake, consume lots of legumes, nuts and seeds.
The types of physical activity that best suit the needs of people with type A blood include the gentle stretching and toning that yoga, pilates, chi gong and tai chi affords.
Type B – people with type B blood have a tolerant digestive system and can eat low-fat dairy, meat, fresh fruit and vegetables without the consequences of bloating or weight gain. However your system doesn’t take kindly to wheat, corn and lentils.
Moderate exercise is sufficient to keep you fit and healthy.
Type AB – this is the newest blood type to emerge in modern civilisation and because of its very combination of two blood types is somewhat difficult to decode from a dietary standpoint. In general, seafood, cultured dairy products such as yogurt and kefir and lots of leafy greens are well tolerated and aids in weight loss. Caffeine and alcohol should be avoided as well as chicken, beef and pork.
Keep an open mind
Like all new approaches to diet and lifestyle, many healthcare and nutrition experts have voiced their scepticism of observing an eating plan based on one’s blood type. For starters, the plan is relatively new having been around for roughly one decade only. As such there is a significant lack of comprehensive scientific studies to back all that Dr. Peter D’adamo claims.
Others too criticise the diet’s approach as being impractical especially for large families who have members of different blood types living under one roof. It is virtually impossible to cook on a daily basis for a vegetarian, a meat-eater and someone who is gluten-intolerant.
While this is so, numerous others who have gone on the diet have reported significant weight loss, greater energy levels and better health. Many also report less incidence of bloating.
The choice is yours. One thing for sure is that Dr. Peter D’Adamo’s food suggestions for each category are all made up of healthy choices – lean meats, fresh fruits and lots of vegetables. He also cautions against alcohol, caffeine and warns about a diet rich in glutens such as found in white bread, pasta, cakes, cookies and even rice.
In my book, this is a diet and health approach worth taking seriously. Do give it try and see if it holds true for you. There’s nothing to lose except some weight and belly bloat!
Dr Kuljit Singh
Dr Kuljit Singh
Dr Kuljit Singh is a practising physician and runs the Damansara Heights Wellness Clinique.
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