Exploring the Blood Type Diet - Part Three
To conclude this series on Blood Type diets, I plan to summarize how each blood type group best responds to various conditions and/or diseases as presented in Dr. D’Adamo’s book (https://www.dadamo.com/). As it’s been awhile; here is one more refresh and breakdown of the evolutionary anthropology relating to each blood type:
Type O: our hunter-gatherers, based on survival. Our oldest blood type, most robust and currently comprises approximately 45% of our population. Type O (Rh negative) is the “universal donor” blood type, since it has no markers on it for bodies to reject. Type O blood types were susceptible to the Bubonic plague, and led to a drastic drop-off in this blood type proportion during the Middle Ages.
Type A: the first adaptors to an agrarian and domesticated society; a blood type that disappeared and then reappeared 300k years ago. Represents approximately 34% of the population. Resistant to infection in urban regions.
Type B: migrated north in cold/harsh environments, which was a mutation of Type O. In total, Type B comprises about 11% of the population.
Type AB: modern adaptation 1-2000 years ago. Type A and B adaptations are codominant. Type AB (Rh positive) is the “universal acceptor” blood type since it has all markers (antigens) present and therefore no blood would be rejected. The least susceptible to allergies and autoimmune diseases; however, increased predisposition to certain cancers. Type AB is the rarest blood type, totaling 4% of the population.
In terms of building a diet in relation to blood type, Dr. D’Adamo’s book emphasizes the importance of eating so that one is prepared to have a proper day-to-day physiologic stress response (aka fight/flight reaction for survival). Please review Parts 1 and 2 for specifics on each blood type diet. This final segment will review blood type and stress response in a little more detail as well as correlations with medical conditions or diseases.
Blood Types and Stress:
Dr. D’Adamo’s article online (https://www.dadamo.com/txt/index.pl?1002) is a helpful reference, check it out! Any form of exercise or physical activity/stress leads to an increase in stress hormones in the blood such as cortisol (long term) and catecholamines (short term). Catecholamines may be familiarly recognized as adrenaline/epinephrine and norepinephrine. Type O’s produce higher amounts that may take longer to clear than other blood types.
Meanwhile cortisol develops in a longer-term stress response and is catabolic. This means it will break down muscle tissue into energy. Physical/mental stresses will increase levels of cortisol, including cold, starvation, bleeding, surgery, infections, pain, injury, excessive exercise. Blood Type A seems to be affected most by cortisol levels, and overreacts to stress, while Type O is least affected. Type B is closer to A, while AB mimics Type O response.
These hormone values will decrease with training or conditioning. The goal is to utilize exercise to become an anti-stress response. Dr. D’Adamo particularly recommends for all blood type groups transcendental meditation (TM) to significantly reduce cortisol/stress hormones. Check out my blog from last year on meditation: https://www.drwhitneyortho.com/single-post/2017/03/14/Meditation-Self-Awareness-Acceptance-and-Fresh-Beginnings.
Type A: Dr. D’Adamo recommends yoga for this blood type group. This may include Hatha yoga or Tai Chi. Chronically have elevated cortisol levels.
Type O: These individuals respond best to intense exercises such as weightlifting, running, biking, swimming. Inefficient in breaking down catecholamines compared to other blood types.
Type B and AB: meditation and visualization is recommended especially, although all blood type groups may benefit.
To conclude, here are a few factoids about blood types in regards to specific conditions or diseases to browse:
Aging Diseases:
O: more gray matter; stronger protection against Alzheimer’s/dementia
AB: strong connection to memory loss/dementia
Avoiding lectins decreases rate of aging, generally speaking
Allergies:
B: often lactose intolerant, less prone to allergies
AB: least prone to allergies – immune system is most environmentally friendly (has both antigens)
A: be aware of mucus producing foods (may not be an allergy)
O: susceptible to hay fever and asthma; wheats and corn will exacerbate allergies as well
Autoimmune Conditions:
O: gritty osteo-arthritis; needs to have sufficient protein intake to protect against this. Type O’s with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) do well with licorice and potassium supplements
A: puffy rheumatoid arthritis; more acute and autoimmune form. Despite being immune-tolerant, this condition is specific to type A individuals according to the authors. Rheuamotid arthritis is associated with people who are high-strung/stressed with sleep disturbances – therefore incorporating daily relaxation techniques is important
B: MS and ALS are more frequent; many believe due to a slow-growing virus contracted in youth
AB: also at risk for MS and ALS
Blood disorders
A (and AB): most common sufferers of pernicious anemia – due to B12 deficiency; Type A’s have trouble absorbing. Both types have lower amounts of intrinsic factors – don’t produce as much stomach acid to absorb; need to have B12 injections for best response.
Types O and B have sufficient stomach acids and intrinsic factors, less prone to anemia if following appropriate diets
Clotting disorders
O: lack various clotting factors. If those who have stroke history should have foods with chlorophyll to modify clotting factors
A and AB have thicker blood; an issue if prone to cardiovascular disease
Need to use stress reduction techniques
B is relatively balanced
Cardiovascular disease
A and AB generally have higher risks
Type O has highest amounts of alkaline phosphatase enzyme which metabolize fats and decrease cholesterol; strenuous exercise best protection for this blood type
Meanwhile stress can also provoke for other blood types, ironically
Childhood illnesses
Conjunctivitis and ear infections – type A/AB are more prone (weaker immunity); esp if having mucus producing foods
Diarrhea – type O can have mild/moderate from bacteria, while A/AB more prone to Giardia “Montezuma’s revenge”; B = if overindulge in wheat, chicken, corn are more prone to norovirus
Hyperactivity and Learning Disabilities
O: happier/more alert if exercise to maximum potential; encourage to exercise and consider B12/folic acid supplements especially if has ADHD. Increased catecholamine levels/dopamine imbalance can lead to hyperactivity
A/AB: benefit most from skills that develop sensory/tactile skills – sculpting, artwork, relaxation/deep breathing exercises
B: do well with swimming and calisthenics
Strep Throat, Mononucleosis, Mumps
O and B types contract strep throat more than A/AB: increased vulnerability to bacterial infections. However, they recover much more quickly
A/AB: repeated infections
Naturopathic mouth-rinse with sage and goldenseal, as well as vitamin C, zinc, echinacea and beta carotene
O type more susceptible to mono virus
B type more at risk for mumps – watch out for hearing problems
Diabetes
A and B types are more prone to Type 1 diabetes
Quercetin, a plant-derived antioxidant, may help prevent side effects from diabetes (ocular/cardiovascular). Consider adding fava beans to diet to regenerate insulin producing liver cells
Types O and AB consider adding silver dollar mushrooms, alternatively
Type O: type 2 diabetes develops from diary, wheat and corn products
Type A: type 2 diabetes develops from meat and dairy overconsumption
Digestive Illnesses
Celiac disease: all blood types equally prone
Type O has general aversion to wheat products; gliadin (what is not tolerated) is a slightly different compound from wheat germ
Constipation: all blood types are susceptible
Drink fluids, eat foods with high fiber content, exercise regularly
A/B/AB may increase fibrous unprocessed bran intake
O may take a butyrate supplement (bran is not well-tolerated)
Crohn’s/Colitis: there are genetic markers that link to these
A/AB: stress component – consider relaxation techniques
O: develops more ulcerative form (bleeding) due to lack of clotting factors in this blood type
A/AB/B: more mucous colitis
Avoid foods that will aggravate
Food poisoning
A and AB individuals more susceptible to salmonella food poisoning, and tends to linger
B more likely to be affected by shigella, which causes dysentery
Gastritis
A and AB have lower stomach acid contents and therefore more susceptible – allows stomach microbes to live longer and causes inflammation. In this case, these individuals should eat more acidic foods within their diet profiles
Ulcers
Often confused with gastritis, ulcers are more common in types O and B, as ulcers are due to hyperacidity and caused by H. pylori bacteria overgrowth. Bladderwrack seaweed inhibits the growth of this bacteria
Infections
Generally speaking, O types are more susceptible to viruses since they do not have any antigens
HIV: harder for Type O to contract via blood transmission since they have anti-B and anti-A antigens. The opposite is true to Type AB
If HIV positive, the author recommends strongly adhering to the blood type diet to boost immunity
Bronchitis / Pneumonia: Types A/AB are more susceptible, especially due to increased mucus in respiratory passage
Candidiasis (yeast): most common in Type O, since Candida binds to the sugar present on the Type O cells – recommend to decrease wheat consumption if sensitive to yeast. Meanwhile Type B is least prone (unless not following their blood-type diet)
Cholera: Type O is susceptible; historically speaking in ancient cities cholera-resistant Type A were predominant survivors
Common Cold/Flu: Type A most resistant to these viruses, as well as type AB. The author recommends maintain adequate rest, exercise, stress reduction, as well as following blood type diet along with C supplement
Sinus infections: Types O and B are more prone. Collinsonia (stoneroot) herb is helpful in treating
Parasites: such as Giardia, have a preference for types A/AB digestive tracts. Goldenseal herb is protective, along with Chinese wormwood. Types A, B and AB are susceptible to parasitic worms
UTI: Types B and AB are more susceptible. The author recommends drinking cranberry and pineapple juice if you have recurrent infections
Liver disease
Alcohol-related cirrhosis: Type A seemed to be more prone to alcoholism, as a stress coping mechanism
Gallstones/Cirrhosis/Jaundice: Types A, B and AB have increased gallstones and liver disease
Skin Disorders
Allergic skin reactions: most common in A/AB individuals
Psoriasis: Type O, especially if diets are too high in grains/dairy products
Pregnancy/Infertility
Blood type incompatibility may be a factor (i.e. mixing Type O with either A/B/AB), one study showed as high as 87% of infertile couples, can also increase risk of birth defects
Type O women can suffer toxemia from a Type A/B fetus
Hemolytic disease of the newborn is a risk for Rh-negative women who birth a second Rh-positive newborn; which is the other antigen on blood types. The women develop antibodies to Rh-positive blood types and can risk the baby’s life. There are vaccines for this, which should be taken after birth of the woman’s first child and any in future.
Blood Type and Cancer
The cancer-lectin connection: lectins can be used to agglutinate cancerous cells. Most tumor markers show A-like antigen preferences, which explains a predominance of Type A and AB with cancer. The author noticed that patients with blood types O and B recovered from breast cancer without aggressive treatments. Dr. D’Adamo notes a study in Lancet from 1991 that saw breast cancer cells become A-like in appearance; therefore, these cells may bypass immune defenses in A blood types. Generally speaking, Type A and AB are at higher risk for brain, melinomas, cervical, ovarian, prostate, colon, oral, stomach cancers. Types A, B, and AB were more likely than Type O to develop pancreatic, liver, gallbladder cancers; Type B particularly if consuming not-recommended nuts or seeds.
Conversely, Type O may be more susceptible to lymphomas, leukemias, and Hodgkin’s disease. Lung cancer is non-specific in terms of blood types. Urinary tract, kidney and bladder cancers are most common in Types A and B, making AB at the highest risk. The author notes that while wheat germ can help in treating breast cancer, it may accelerate growth of bladder cancer cells.
Prevention is the name of the game – adhering to a balanced diet (within the blood type constructs), with antioxidants and fiber are protective.
Thanks for checking out this series, hopefully it was eye opening!