The blood type diet is a diet based on the belief that people with certain blood types are more prone to particular diseases or conditions. Practitioners suggest that a diet based on a person's blood type can reduce the risk of getting these diseases and conditions. The diet was created by Peter D'Adamo, ND, and popularized in his book called "Eat Right 4 Your Type."
The blood type diet is used to prevent pain and swelling (
inflammation), metabolic problems,
weight gain, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
People who promote the blood type diet believe that blood types influence how the body handles food. Blood type is said to be a part of a person's biological heritage. Proponents believe that some blood types are more prone to certain diseases or conditions. They suggest that eating a special diet based on blood type can decrease the risk of these conditions.
Blood type diet proponents pay special attention to dietary lectins. Lectins are a family of proteins found in foods. The theory is that people with certain blood types could respond badly to lectins, resulting in disturbed
metabolism,
inflammation, and weight gain.
Blood type A people are said to be "slow oxidizers." They are able to consume more carbohydrate than others, but should avoid red meat and dairy because lectins in these foods could be problematic.
Blood type B people are said to be "fast oxidizers." They are supposed to avoid lectins in corn and wheat products.
Blood type AB people are "slow oxidizers," but unlike blood type A people, they can sometimes tolerate dairy products, without adverse effects.
Blood type O people are "fast oxidizers." They can tolerate red meat, but should consume fewer carbohydrates and should avoid wheat. Lectins from wheat in this group can cause high
insulin levels and lead to disturbed
metabolism.
However, science has neither confirmed these theories nor any link between blood type, diet, and disease prevention.
People who promote the blood type diet believe that blood types influence how the body handles food. Blood type is said to be a part of a person's biological heritage. Proponents believe that some blood types are more prone to certain diseases or conditions. They suggest that eating a special diet based on blood type can decrease the risk of these conditions.
Blood type diet proponents pay special attention to dietary lectins. Lectins are a family of proteins found in foods. The theory is that people with certain blood types could respond badly to lectins, resulting in disturbed
metabolism, inflammation, and weight gain.
Blood type A people are said to be "slow oxidizers." They are able to consume more carbohydrate than others, but should avoid red meat and dairy because lectins in these foods could be problematic.
Blood type B people are said to be "fast oxidizers." They are supposed to avoid lectins in corn and wheat products.
Blood type AB people are "slow oxidizers," but unlike blood type A people, they can sometimes tolerate dairy products, without adverse effects.
Blood type O people are "fast oxidizers." They can tolerate red meat, but should consume fewer carbohydrates and should avoid wheat. Lectins from wheat in this group can cause high insulin levels and lead to disturbed metabolism.
However, science has neither confirmed these theories nor any link between blood type, diet, and disease prevention.