Eat Right For Your Blood Type? Letting Your DNA Define Your Diet

Your DNA controls how your body reacts to certain external factors. It determines your allergies, your physical build and how everything works together. So why would you not eat based on your DNA as well?

English: Codominant inheritance of the ABO blood groups. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Although you most likely don't have a DNA analysis machine in their back pocket, you do know a basic component of your DNA that can closely group people based on how their bodies function;  your blood type – O, A, B, or AB.  That's how the Eat Right for Your Type diet explains and encourages people to eat based on your body's needs.

The Basics

Peter J. D'Adamo, ND, the author of Eat Right For Your Type, believes blood types affect the digestive system differently and that some foods, good for people of one type, are "dangerous" for another. Some critics claim that this diet only suits those who are looking for a program that doesn't involve tracking calories.  However, for D'Adamo, it is about using your blood type to determine your susceptibility to certain illnesses, as well as the types of exercise that will benefit you the most.

How the Diet Works

D'Adamo believes the right diet for your blood type comes down to lectins, food proteins each blood type digests differently. If you eat foods containing lectins incompatible with your blood type, you may experience inflammation, bloating, a slower metabolism, even diseases such as cancer. The best way to avoid these effects is to eat foods meant for your blood type.

All foods fall into three categories on the Eat Right for Your Type diet:

1. Beneficial – foods act like medicine
2. Neutral – foods act like food
3. Avoid – foods act like poison

What You Can Eat

Type O is for “old,” as this blood type is human's oldest tracked blood line. These people have a digestive tract which retains the memory of ancient diets, so your metabolism will benefit from lean proteins like poultry and fish. You're also advised to restrict grains, breads, and legumes, and to enjoy vigorous exercise.

Grain (Photo credit: Frapestaartje)

Type A is for “agrarian" people who depend on agriculture for their sustenance. These people should stick with vegetarian diets. The type A diet contains soy proteins, whole grains, and organic vegetables and encourages gentle exercise which can be seen in the more settled and less warlike farming ancestors.

Type B comes from our nomadic past and has a relatively tolerant digestive system. This blood type can enjoy low-fat dairy, meat, and produce but should avoid wheat, corn, and lentils. Moderate exercise should be the norm for these folks.

Type AB is a combination of Type A and B. The "modern" blood type AB has a sensitive digestive tract and should avoid chicken, beef, and pork but can enjoy seafood, tofu, dairy, and most produce.

While there is little research to back up the findings in the book, even critics will agree that the nutritional guidance in the diet is sound.  There are healthy eating tips in this diet, regardless of whether or not your blood-type is the angle you are considering.  But, as far as diets go, this is a very interesting way to look at the reasons some people gain weight and others don't eating the same foods.  Give it a try.  Learning how to eat right for your body type has been popular for years – maybe it's time to try to eat right according to your blood type.

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