What are blood type diets?
Popularized by Peter J. D'Adamo, a naturopathic doctor, the Blood Type diet gained public attention through his New York Times best-selling book "Eat Right For Your Type" published in 1996.
His theory is based on research by his father, the late Dr. James D'Adamo, who did studies in Europe in 1957 about people's vegetarian and low-fat diets. Suspecting that blood type could be a factor, he started blood-typing his own patients and observed their diets.
In 1980, the elder D'Adamo published his studies in the book �One Man's Food.� However, it was not as popular and controversial as his son's version of the theory, which was developed further.
The D 'Adamo approach is based on the premise that a person's diet is based on his blood type. Thus,
- Type Os are meat eaters;
- Type As are vegetarians; and
- Type Bs are dairy product consumers.
Later, D'Adamo included Blood Type ABs in the list. Type ABs are believed to be consumers of grain and carbohydrates.
To improve digestion and lose weight, D'Adamo sees each of the four blood types as incompatible with certain foods that must be avoided.
From these premises, D'Adamo provides the following view:
- that each blood type has its own antigen marker, which reacts in an unfavorable manner with specific foods,
- that individuals, depending on their blood type, have different levels of stomach acidity and digestive enzymes,
- and that dietary needs are altered vis-a-vis the changing environment.
D'Adamo has been practicing naturopathic medicine and is known for his books on research on human blood groups and nutrition.
But his approach is not without the usual enemies.
One of D'Adamo's well-known critics is Michael J. Klaper, M.D., who graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago in 1972.
In his critique titled � The 'Blood Type Diet:' Fact or Fiction?� (internet source: www.lifebalance.com.au/Articles/ The%20Blood%20Type%20Diet.pdf ), Klaper criticized many assertions of the theory which he found �disturbing.�
In the paper, which first appeared in the January 1999 issue of �Lifelines,� Klaper challenged D'Adamo to produce concrete medical findings to back up the blood type theory.
Another critic is Dr. Victor Herbert , a hematologist who studied blood and nutrition at New York 's Mt. Sinai Medical Center and a renowned expert in unearthing medical frauds. (internet source: National Council Against Health Fraud: http://www.ncahf.org/index.html )
In a 1997 interview with CNN, Herbert called � theories linking blood type and diet "pure horse manure.� He was further quoted as saying that �b lood type has �nothing to do with ... how we handle the food we eat.'" (internet source: www.cnn.com/HEALTH/9705/20/blood.type.diet/ )
Due to ongoing debates, dieters are advised of the approach's pros and cons:
Pros
- Suitable if you follow a set of foods that you can and cannot eat
- Specific guidelines are given for foods, amounts and timing of meals.
- Weight loss is likely to result from restricting your food intake.
Cons
- Impractical if members of one family have different blood types.
- It eliminates specific groups of foods, which can result in nutrient deficiency.
- It fails to consider the fact that genetically modified crops may have altered the composition of some foods.
Click here to find out what types of foods are right for you
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