We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Many people believe that their blood type, whether A, B, AB, or O, is only relevant in relation to blood transfusions.
But discussions over recent decades have suggested that eating for a specific blood type may offer some health benefits. However, there is a lack of supporting evidence to validate the proposed health benefits of following a blood type diet. Despite the lack of scientific evidence, supporters of blood type diets claim to help people achieve overall good health and a lower disease risk through eating for their specific blood type.
Blood has an array of cells that are needed for proper body function. These include plasma, red and white blood cells, and platelets. Antigens are also present in blood and are responsible for triggering a response by the immune system to counter attacks from foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses. One in three people in the United States has A positive blood type, making it the second most common in the country.
As such, it can be a good type to have if a person in the U. People with A positive blood type can receive the following blood types:. A negative is rarer, with 1 in 16 people having the blood group, and able to receive only A negative and O negative transfusions.
The common blood types vary in different countries, so if you are outside the U. Be sure to make the necessary arrangements if you are in a part of the world with fewer A positive donors, such as Asia , as it may be harder to receive the treatment you need. Lectins, which are proteins found in food, have believed to have a direct effect on the blood and the digestive tract. These proteins bind to cells within the body, causing them to clump together and potentially cause hormonal disruptions.
This disruption has a similar effect on the body as a foreign substance might. Certain foods are recommended for people with type A blood to eat, as well as avoid, in order to maintain optimal health.
And even if we did, sticking to any single diet is often challenging. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
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Recent Blog Articles. Why is topical vitamin C important for skin health? Preventing preeclampsia may be as simple as taking an aspirin. Caring for an aging parent? Supporters of the diet suggest that people with type O blood may experience unwanted weight gain when they eat particular food groups, such as dairy. Specific products, such as wheat-based foods that contain gluten, may also lead to an inflammatory and autoimmune response.
Although people in blood group O tolerate many vegetables well, the advice is that they should avoid:. Blood consists of many vital components, including plasma, red and white blood cells, and platelets. The blood also contains antigens. These are substances on the surface of the cell that trigger the immune system to attack foreign compounds and organisms, such as bacteria. Antigens can also trigger the immune system to attack blood types that have different antigens.
They also label them as either rhesus Rh positive or Rh negative to denote the presence or absence of an antigen called Rh factor. In contrast, O- blood has no A or B antigens and no Rh factor. For this reason, medical experts consider type O- blood to be a universal red cell donor type. There is currently no strong evidence to prove that this diet is effective or to support its use. People following a specific blood type diet may report improved health, but this could occur due to them eating more healthful food in general.
It is always important for a person to pay attention to how their body reacts to the foods and beverages that they consume so that they can get to know what diet works best for them.
It is best to maintain a well-balanced, varied diet that contains foods with high nutritional content. As with any diet or exercise program, it is important to speak with a doctor before embarking on a specific diet for blood type.
A runner's diet should contain a healthy balance of macronutrients, adequate carbohydrates, and micronutrients from plant foods. Learn more. D'Adamo recommends everyone with blood type A eat a mostly vegetarian diet.
The bulk of the diet consists of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans and other legumes. This doesn't mean that meat is completely off limits, just that it should make up a smaller part of your diet. He recommends that if you choose to eat meat or poultry, limit it to three servings or less per week.
In addition, D'Adamo recommends limiting dairy and eggs to no more than four servings weekly. On the blood type diet, a good breakfast if you're type A is whole-grain cereal, such as steel-cut oatmeal, along with fresh mixed fruit.
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