Well ok… maybe we should start by, do you even know your blood type? Many people don’t! Most people know that:
1. Blood type matters if they need to get a transfusion in some life threatening emergency.
2. Blood type of the mom matters as to whether she will have to get a certain type of shot during her pregnancy.
3. Certain blood types cannot be transfused into others, thus #1.
4. Blood Type of parents determine the blood type of children.
Oh, but there is so much more…..
We know that your diet should be based on your blood type… YES… you read correctly… The foods that you are eating should be based on your blood type. Actually, the exercise that you do should also be based on your blood type. This concept was first introduced to me by my mentor Dr Peter D’Adamo, who has authored several books on the subject, but most noteably Eat Right 4 Your Type.
The clinical significance of non-transfusion aspects of ABO polymorphism comes in simply understanding the concept of lectins. Lectins are proteins found in foods that have agglutinating properties that affect your blood and ultimately your health. Lectins (found on certain foods) act as a lock and key mechanism with your blood type. Certain beneficial foods for your blood type will act as a key to unlock the door to health, strength and vitality. Foods that are considered avoids will strip your lock if you continue to eat them leading to pain, discomfort and dis-ease. Wouldn’t it be easier just to color code the correct key and know which key opens which door? Blood type is the lock and our food (with its lectins) is our key, we just need to choose the correct keys.
Blood Type O is the oldest blood type from the days of the “Hunter.” As Dr. D. would say “They were the first humans to eat on the run.” If you are hunting, then that means that you are eating meat- correct? Let me help… YES! You should be eating red meat.. Lean, preferrably grassfed and organic red meat. Oh, but Dr Pryce I heard that red meat is bad for you and it clogs your arteries…. Well, if you were a blood type A, I would agree, but you are a blood type O. These individuals have an increased production of hydrochloric acid (HCL) in their stomachs. This increase in HCL and rapid production of pepsinogen after a meal allows BT “O” to efficiently break down red meat, but also causes an increased risk for ulcers, gastritis and duodenitis. H. pylori (the common causative agent seen in ulcers) favor the blood type “O” antigen. BT “O’s” high levels of antibody IgE and IgA increases their risk for autoimmune diseases and respiratory allergies. Your system also, does not process dairy and grains very well. To combat stress and weight you should be doing high itensity workouts like kickboxing, areobics and weight lifting. I forgot to mention that one of the perks of being blood type O is that chocolate is actually beneficial for you!!
Blood Type A is the second blood type discovered due to evolution. Over time the herds of game began to thin, so BT “A” is our ancestor who first learned how to plant and harvest and thus farm and live in a community. Their lack of need to hunt over time evolved decrease amounts of hydrochloric acid (HCL) in their stomach and thus they should be vegetarian. The limited HCL in the BT “A” stomach gives them a sensitive digestive tract in which they cannot efficiently break down red meats. But Dr Pryce I have to have some protein… Yes you do! Evolution adapted their digestive tract to handle grains, vegetables, beans and legumes and seafood as an alternative protein source due to the shortage of game meat. You can process grains like a champ and soy is your best friend, but you should avoid dairy. The sensitivity to meats and lack of its consumption clinically leads to many anemic BT “A” individuals. Living “not on the go” and in a newly created community brought about new diseases. This, amongst the fact that BT “A” has a higher von Willebrand Factor (vWf) and Factor VIII (accounting for their thicker blood ) which helps in the attaching to cancer cells makes them more vulnerable to cancer and metastasis. BT “A” also has a vulnerable immune system, open to microbial invasion. Clinically BT “A” over responds to even minor stress which is measured by an increase in cortisol. They are always in a higher state of adrenal stress than the other blood types- yes… that is why you are always so wound up . This constant increase in cortisol is a major causative factor for their increased risk factor for cardiovascular disease and cancer. To combat this you should eat small frequent meals and learn to do calming exercises such as yoga and meditation. But then, when you need to get moving again have all the coffee that you want, cause this is beneficial for you.
I personally think that this is the evolutionary masterpiece of blood types. BT “B” was nomadic- wandering from place to place and eating the meat and dairy of the animals that they herded as well as off of the land. This blood type adapted the immune and digestive characteristics of both BT “A” and BT “O”- this makes for a nice balance in my opinion. You can eat red meat, but not chicken. You can process dairy without a problem, but should stay away from soy, corn, tomatoes and shellfish. Your list of meats, dairy, grains, fruits and veggies is limitless. Your plate should always be balanced with protein, complex carbs, and a veggie. Did I mention that beer, coffee and red wine are not harmful for you- no fair! Those individuals who possess the gene for the blood group B antigen (blood groups B and AB) may be more at risk for health problems associated with imbalances in nitric oxide (NO) metabolism due to a lack of the enzyme argininosuccinate which assists in the functioning of NO. BT “B” and “AB” rapidly clears NO which enables a faster recovery in conditions of stress, thus they have the ability to gain physiological relief and balance through the utilization of mental processes, such as meditation in the mind-body response. This tendency to clear nitric oxide rapidly, through the B gene allele’s influence on enzymatic production of NO is a major causative factor in their increased risk factors for CFS, MS, ALS, and chronic viral infections. To deal with stress and maintaining or loosing weight you should have moderately intense workouts that combine “awareness.” For example: Hiking, biking, swimming or tennis.
This blood type is the newest and only one NOT to have come about through evolution, but rather through the sheer intermingling of BT “A” with BT “B.” This is such a rare blood type that you should feel special – only 5% of the population are blood type AB! Even though it is still in its infancy (only discovered a couple of centuries ago), we know that it is probably the most complex of the blood types because it shares many of the strengths and weaknesses of both BT “A” and BT “B.” This unique BT lacks anti-A and anti-B capabilities which impairs the immune systems ability to discriminate between friend and foe, thus they are at an increase risk of cancer, chronic viral infections and low grade infections. You have the low hydrochloric acid in your stomach like blood type A, but you CAN eat some meat like blood type B- it just needs to be separated from your carbs and you should eat small and frequent meals. You did inherit the stress hormone levels from your blood type A side, so your exercises should incorporate a little of both blood type A and B.
Here is a Cheat Sheet that I created:
| A | B | O | AB | |
| Exercise | Calming Exercises- such as:YogaTai Chi | Moderate Physical Exercises with mental balance such as:HikingCyclingMartial artsTennisSwimming | Intense Physical Exercises such as:AerobicsMartial artsContact sportsRunning | Calming Exercises such as:YogaTai ChiCombined with Moderate Physical Exercise such as:HikingCyclingTennis |
| Major Avoids | MeatDairyKidney/ Lima BeansWheat | Chicken, corn, lentils,peanuts, soy, buckwheat, sesame seeds, wheat | Wheat, corn, kidney beans, navy beans, lentil, cabbage, Brussels, sprouts, cauliflower, mustard greens | Chicken, corn, lima and kidney beans, buckwheat |
| Major Beneficial’s | VegetablesSoy foodsPineapple | Game/herd meatsDairy, licorice, tea, eggs, greens | Kelp, seafood, Liver, red meat, kale, spinach, broccoli | Tofu, seafood, dairy, greens, kelp, pineapple |
| Medical Risks | Heart diseaseCancerAnemiaLiver and gallbladder disordersDM I | DM IChronic FatigueSyndromeAutoimmune DisordersALSLupusMultiple Sclerosis | Blood clotting disordersInflammatory disease- i.e. arthritisLow thyroid productionUlcersAllergies | Heart DiseaseCancerAnemia |
| Personality Traits | Introverted, inventive, demanding, perfectionist, sensitive, cooperative | Spontaneous, resilient, subjective, original, independent, organized, creative | Extroverted, leader, outspoken, practical, decisive, confident, strategic, patient | Intuitive, balance of intro/extroversion, passionate, sensitive, trusting, empathetic |
Of course there is more….
Secretor Status
A blood type subtype that I test for in my office is called secretor status. 80% of the population are secretors. A secretor’s blood type will show up in any of their bodily fluids like, semen, saliva, tears, sweat, etc, but a non-secretor’s blood type will only show if you test their actual blood. Just like there are certain foods that are specifically better for certain blood types, there are also certain foods that are inherently different (better or worse) for you based on your secretor status.
Secretors have an awesome immune system in that if you think of your immune system as a wall or baracade that protects your body. Secretors have sharp shooters on this wall that prevent bacteria, viruses, pathogens from coming over that wall… they attack if you get close. Secretors don’t get sick too often (colds, etc), but when they do they are down for the count, because the invader has already gotten past the sharp shooters.
Non-Secretors on the other hand have gates that are open to their immune system and anything is allowed to come on in, but once in, that is where they will encounter their sharp shooters. Non-secretors might get common illnesses often, but they go away quickly.
There are other subtypes and more genetic testing that tells a great deal about your immune system and how and what you should be eating. At Balanced Integration I incorporate as much detail as possible into creating your customized dietary program called SWAMI. Please visit my website for more information or to become a new patient.
In Balanced Health,
