What makes Me Me and You You?
This is the question that is at the heart of the genetic puzzle. It is also central to our exploration of blood types. The key is genetic heritage - the story line of your life. Even though you are living in the 21st century, you share a common bond with your ancestors. The genetic information that resulted in their particular characteristics has been passed on to you.
People who are B blood type have a different set of characteristics than people who are Type O or Type A - they are susceptible to different diseases, they should eat different foods and exercise in a completely different manner. Some believe that personality is influenced by blood type!
The Blood Type B Individualized Lifestyle
The mechanics of blood type's influence have to do with the way the genes influence each other, seemingly unrelated, genes located immediately adjacent or nearby. This mechanism explains why your blood type can have an impact on such a diverse number of bodily systems - from digestive enzymes to neurochemicals. Many nutrition experts are baffled when they first hear about the link between blood type and digestion. That's because they are only considering the physical significance of blood type as a surface antigen. Actually, it's not your blood type antigen that is influencing the level of acid in your stomach, but rather the gene for your blood type influencing other seemingly unrelated genes located immediately adjacent (or very close) to the ABO blood type gene that can exert an effect on your stomach acid levels. This phenomenon, called gene linkage, isn't well understood yet, but it is well known: Many genes influence the actions of other seemingly unrelated genes
B:B Is for Balance - B Blood Type History
Blood Type B developed in the area of the Himalayan highlands, now part of present day Pakistan and India. Pushed from the hot, lush savannahs of eastern Africa to the cold highlands of the Himalayan Mountains, Blood type B may have initially mutated in response to climactic changes. It first appeared in India or the Ural region of Asia among a mix of Caucasian and Mongolian tribes. This new blood type was soon characteristic of the great tribes of steppe dwellers, who by this time dominated the Eurasian Plains. As the Mongolians swept through Asia, the gene for Type B blood was firmly entrenched. The Mongolians swept northward, pursuing a culture dependent upon herding and domesticating animals - as their diet of meat and cultured dairy products reflected.
Of all the ABO types, Type B shows the most clearly defined geographic distribution. Stretching as a great belt across the Eurasian plains and down to the Indian subcontinent, Type B is found in increased numbers from Japan, Mongolia, China and India up to the Ural Mountains. From there westward, the percentages fall until a low is reached at the western tip of Europe. The small numbers of Type B in Western Europeans represents western migration by Asian nomadic peoples. This is best seen in the easternmost western Europeans, the Germans and Austrians, who have an unexpectedly high incidence of Type B blood compared to their western neighbors. Modern sub continental Indians a Caucasian people, have some of the highest frequencies of Type B blood in the world. The northern Chinese and Koreans have very high rates of Type B blood and very low rates of Type A.
What Makes Type B Unique
As a Type B, you carry the genetic potential for great malleability and the ability to thrive in changeable conditions. Unlike blood types A and O, which are at opposite ends of every spectrum, your position is fluid, rather than stationary, with the ability to move in either direction along the continuum. It's easy to see how this flexibility served the interests of early Type B's who needed to balance the twin forces of the animal and vegetable kingdoms. At the same time, it can be extremely challenging to balance two poles and Type B's tend to be highly sensitive to the effects of slipping out of balance.
The primary challenges that can get in the way of optimum health for Type B include a tendency to produce higher than normal cortisol levels in situations to stress; sensitivity to the B specific lectins in select foods, resulting in inflammation and greater risk for developing Syndrome X; susceptibility to slow growing, lingering viruses - such as those for MS, CFS, and lupus; and a vulnerability to autoimmune diseases. "If I were to generalize," says Dr. D'Adamo, "I would say that a healthy Type B, living right for his or her own type, tends to have fewer risk factors for disease and tends to be more physically fit and mentally balanced than any of the other blood types." Type B's tended to have a greater ability to adapt to altitude and interestingly, are statistically the tallest of the blood types.
Type B Diet
Stressful situations result in higher levels of cortisol being released in the system. Excess cortisol makes people react to stress in a negative manner, which leads to further psychological imbalance.
There are some Lectins that are sensitive to B type blood. To ensure that neither of the two affect your overall health, it’s best to follow a diet that avoids food that has high levels of toxicity.
Type B people are also quite prone to infections of the sinus, urinary tract, E.Coli, and influenza. Most antigens have blood Type B-like characteristics, and since bacterial antigens don’t attack those that resemble their own, B group people are vulnerable to them.
Overall, people with blood type B type are known to be sturdy. They can usually resist most of the present day lifestyle diseases like cancer and heart troubles. If they follow the required diet and ensure a balanced lifestyle, most people with blood type B can live long healthy lives.
B blood type people can break down fats easily. They have high levels of the bone strengthening enzyme called intestinal alkaline phosphotase. However, they have insulin issues too, so foods with high glucose content should be eaten only in moderation. A lot of B type people are of African American descent, which means they may or may not be lactose intolerant too. In such cases, care has to taken when consuming dairy products.
Grapefruit and guava are good sources of beneficial lycopenes, while dried apricots are an excellent snack. Fish and seafood are good sources of protein, and kidney and navy beans are good because they do not have lectins like other beans and legumes.
Blood type B people can include variety of foods in their diets. In fact, the diet for blood type B is considered the most balanced and wholesome diet as compared to other groups. Given below are foods that they should avoid and foods that are good for them:
Foods to avoid
- Tomatoes, wheat, corn, lentils, buckwheat, peanuts, sesame seeds
- Shellfish, chicken
- Beans and legumes, grains and starches, avocados
- Persimmons, Pomegranates, Star fruit, and Prickly pear
- Cinnamon, Pepper, Sesame oil, Sunflower oil and Corn oil
Foods that work well for B type people
- Green vegetables
- Deep sea fish
- Low fat dairy, and eggs
- Rice milk, rice bran, rice flour, millet, oats
- Onions, artichokes, parsnip
- Olive oil, flaxseed oil
- Grapes, figs, and dates can be eaten in moderation
- Goat meat, lamb, turkey, venison
Corn, buckwheat, sesame seeds, peanuts and lentils are known to cause weight gain and affect the metabolic rate of people with blood type B. They may also result in problems like hypoglycemia, fatigue, and water retention. Your blood sugar level may also go down after you eat a meal comprising one or more of these foods.
Nuts and seeds like peanuts and sesame seeds have lectins that might interfere with inusiln production in blood type B.
Tomatoes are known to affect the stomach lining and therefore, should be eliminated from the diet.
Wheat also should be avoided because it contains lectins that bring down insulin efficiency and hamper the fat burning process of the body.
Although a lean meat, chicken contains a lectin in its muscle tissue that causes agglutination in blood type B. This agglutinating lectin can cause immunity-related problems and even strokes in people with blood type B.
Shesllfish also contains lectins that are disruptive for blood type and therefore, should be avoided.
On the good side, blood type B is most tolerant to and benefits from all types of dairy products. Deep ocean are good for them and green vegetables, deep sea fish, low fat dairy, and eggs promote weight loss. Also, replacing chicken with goat meat, lamb, turkey, and venison is more beneficial for blood type B.
The B blood type digestive system is tolerant, which means it can handle both animal and vegetable carbohydrates and proteins. Their immune system is strong is capable of resisting most chronic degenerative illnesses. The system works best when one does moderate exercises like swimming, tennis, hiking, and cycling. The blood type B people are lucky because they can eat a far more varied diet than their brethren in type A and type O
Exercise
To maintain the mind/body balance that is unique to Type B's, Dr. D'Adamo recommends that you choose physical exercise that challenges your mind as well as your body. Type Bs need to balance meditative activities with more intense physical exercise. "You tend to do best with activities that are not too aerobically intense, have an element of mental challenge and involve other people." Says Dr. D'Adamo. Excellent forms of exercise for Type B's include tennis, martial arts, cycling, hiking and golf.
The Personality Connection
The connection between blood type and personality has long been studied. In an independent study, Dr. D'Adamo found that most Blood Type B's often described themselves in ways related to the following characteristics: subjective, easygoing, creative, original and flexible. In another study, Type B's scored significantly higher on "intuiting," indicating a preference or sixth sense information; and they scored high on the "intuiting/feeling" combination, indicating that they tend to be insightful, mystical, idealistic, creative, globally-oriented, people-oriented and good at imagining. They also reported that they learned best through listening, then reflecting on and interpreting what they had observed. Perhaps the nomadic life of the steppes contributed to long hours given over to talk as well as ample time for meditation and reflection.
Live Right! Here are Dr. D'Adamo's key lifestyle strategies for Type Bs:
- Visualization is a powerful technique for Type Bs. If you can visualize it, you can achieve it
- Find healthy ways to express your nonconformist side
- Spend at least twenty minutes a day involved in some creative task that requires your complete attention
- Go to bed no later than 11:00PM and sleep for eight hours or more. It is essential for B's to maintain their circadian rhythm
- Use meditation to relax during breaks
- Engage in a community, neighborhood or other group activity that gives you a meaningful connection to a group. Type Bs are natural born networkers
- Be spontaneous
- As they age, Type Bs have a tendency to suffer memory loss and have decreased mental acuity. Stay sharp by doing tasks that require concentration, such as crossword puzzles or learn a new skill or language
Type A History
The Type A emerges into the 21st century with many more complex challenges than their ancestors could have imagined. The key factor in the development of Type A can be traced to the struggle for survival long ago, when there was a rapidly dwindling supply of hunting game stock. Having exhausted the great game herds of Africa, humans pushed farther out from their ancestral home into Europe and Asia. The cultivation of grains and livestock changed everything. For the first time, people were able to forego the hand to mouth lifestyle of the hunter/gatherer and establish stable communities. Over time the adaptations that produced Blood Type A were based on the need to fully utilize nutrients from carbohydrate sources. These biological adaptations can still be observed today in Type A's digestive structure. Low levels of hydrochloric acid in the stomach and high intestinal disaccharide digestive enzyme levels permit the more efficient digestion of carbohydrates. According to Dr. D'Adamo, these are also the very factors, along with low levels of intestinal alkaline phosphatase, that make it difficult for Type As to digest and metabolize animal protein and fat.
What Makes Type A Unique
Many neurochemical factors in the Type A genetic disposition favor a structured, rhythmic, harmonious life, surrounded by a positive, supportive community. The harried pace and increased sense of isolation experienced by so many in today's society often make these needs difficult to achieve. Type A best exemplifies the powerful interconnections between mind and body. This was vital to the shift away from hunting and procurement to building and growing. However, Type A's more internalized relationship to stress, which served your ancestors well, can be a challenge for the modern Type A. The Blood Type Diet's proactive mix of lifestyle strategies, hormonal equalizers, gentle exercise and specialized dietary guidelines will maximize your overall health; decrease your natural risk factors for cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The result: high performance, mental clarity, greater vitality and increased longevity.
Type A Diet
Foods that blood type A should eat are:
Vegetables
- Alfalfa Sprouts, Artichoke (Domestic, Jerusalem),Beet Leaves, Broccoli
- Carrots, Chicory, Collard Greens, Dandelion, Escarole, Garlic, Horseradish
- Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce (Romaine), Okra, Onions (Red, Spanish, Yellow)
- Parsley, Parsnips, Pumpkin, Spinach, Swiss chard and Turnips
Vegetable oils
Deep ocean seafood
- Carp, Cod, Grouper, Mackerel, Monkfish, Pickerel
- Red Snapper, Rainbow Trout, Salmon, Sardine, Sea Trout
- Silver Perch, Snail, Whitefish Yellow Perch
Legumes (beans and peas)
- Aduke, Azuki, Black, Green, Pinto beans
- Lentil Beans, Black eyed peas
Grains
- Artichoke Pasta, Buckwheat Kasha, Soba Noodles
- Oat, Rice and Rye flours
Nuts and seeds
- Pumpkin seeds and peanuts
Fruits
- Apricots, Berries (Black, Blue, Boysen, Cran, Cherries), Figs (Dried or Fresh)
- Grapefruit, Lemons, Pineapple, Prunes, Raisins
Cereals
- Amaranth, Buckwheat and Kasha
Breads, muffins, and crackers
- Essene Bread, Ezekiel Bread
- Manna Bread Rice Cakes
Juices
- Apricot, Black Cherry, Grapefruit
- Pineapple, Prune, Carrot, Celery
Spices
- Barley Malt, Blackstrap Molasses, Garlic, Ginger
- Miso, Soy Sauce Tamari
Condiments
Herbal Teas
- Alfalfa, Aloe, Burdock, Chamomile, Echinacea, Fenugreek
- Ginger, Ginseng, Green Tea, Hawthorne, Milk Thistle
- Rose Hips, St. John’s Wort, Slippery Elm, Valerian
Miscellaneous Beverages
- Coffee (Water Decaf, Regular)
- Green Tea and Red Wine
Blood type A should try and avoid the following, because these are the foods that will upset their digestive system and cause upsets:
- Strong red meats
- Crustaceans
- Dairy products and eggs
- Wheat products
- Vegetables like: Cabbage (Chinese, Red, White), Eggplant
- Lima Beans, Kidney Beans, Mushrooms (Domestic, Shiitake), Olives (Black, Greek, Spanish)
- Peppers (Green, Jalapeno, Red, Yellow), Potatoes (Red, Sweet, White), Tomatoes and Yams
Also try to limit your intake of these foods:
Fruits
- Banana, Cantaloupe, Coconut, Honeydew
- Mango, Orange, Papaya, Plantain, Rhubarb, and Tangerine
Fats and Oils
- Canola Oil, Corn Oil, Cottonseed Oil
- Peanut Oil, Safflower Oil and Sesame Oil
Nuts and Seeds
- Brazil, Cashew and Pistachios
Beans and Legumes
- Copper, Garbanzo, Kidney, Lima, Navy, Red and Tamarind Beans
Other beverages
- Beer, Liquor, Seltzer Water
- Soda (Club, Cola, Diet, etc.)
Calming Exercise - The Critical Component for Health and Well Being
Heightened cortisol levels make it harder for Type As to recover from stress. Research has demonstrated that overall cortisol levels can be lowered through a regular program of exercises that provide focus and calming effects. Make these activities a regular - and life saving - part of your lifestyle. Dr. D'Adamo recommends, Hatha Yoga, Tai Chi and Meditation and Deep Breathing Exercises. Meditation has been studied for its effects on stress hormones. It was found that after meditation, serum cortisol levels were significantly reduced. Writes Dr. D'Adamo, "While it's fine for Type As to participate in more intense physical activity when healthy and in good condition, be aware that these forms of exercise do not act as safety valves for stress in your blood type. I have seen Type As excel at weight lifting and aerobic activities, but you have to be careful about not overtraining, as that will actually raise cortisol levels."
The Personality Connection
Blood Type is a marker of individuality - and perhaps of personality as well. In Japan, it has long been believed that Blood Type is an indicator of personality - in fact, you are likely to be asked your blood type in a job interview or while out on a date with a potential mate! In a study conducted by Dr. D'Adamo in 1999, he found some interesting connections between blood type and personality. Type As most often described themselves in ways related to the following characteristics: sensitive to the needs of others, good listeners, detail oriented, analytical, creative and inventive.
Live Right!
In addition to exercise, stress management and eating the right foods, here are some key lifestyle strategies for Type A individuals.
- Cultivate creativity and expression in your life
- Establish a consistent daily schedule
- Go to bed no later than 11:00 PM and sleep for eight hours or more. Don't linger in bed, as soon as you get up, get going!
- Take at least two breaks of twenty minutes each during the work day. Stretch, take a walk, do deep breathing exercises or meditate.
- Don't skip meals
- Eat more protein at the start of the day, less at the end
- Don't eat when you are anxious
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
- Engage in thirty to forty five minutes of calming exercise at least three times a week.
- Plan regular screening for heart disease and cancer prevention.
- Always chew food thoroughly to enhance digestion. Low stomach acid makes digestion more difficult.
AB:
The Blood Type AB Individualized Lifestyle
Type AB blood is rare – it’s found in less than five percent of the population. And it is the newest of the blood types. Until ten or twelve centuries ago, there was no Type AB blood type. Type AB resulted from the intermingling of Type A with Type B. Type AB is the only blood type whose existence is the result of intermingling rather than environment. Thus, they share both the benefits and the challenges of both Type A and Type B blood types. Type AB has a unique chameleon like quality – depending on the circumstances, this blood type can appropriate the characteristics of each of the other blood types. Type AB is sometimes A-like, sometimes B-like and sometimes a fusion of both. Today, as we look back at this remarkable evolutionary revolution, it is clear that the genetic characteristics of our ancestors live in our blood today.
Eat Right for Wellness
The foods most beneficial for AB blood type are:
- Seafood – Cod, Grouper, Hake, Mackerel, Mahi-mahi, Monkfish, Ocean Perch, Pike, Porgy, Pickerel, , Red Snapper, Sailfish, Sardine, Shad, Snail, Sturgeon, Tuna, Trout
- Meat and Poultry – Lamb, rabbit, and turkey
- Dairy - Goat cheese and milk, Non-fat sour cream, Eggs, Yogurt, Kefir, Mozzarella, Ricotta
- Fats – Olive
- Nuts – Peanuts and Walnuts
- Beans – Lentils, Beans including pinto, red, soy and navy beans
- Grains -
- Millet, Oat bran, Oatmeal, and flour, bread and noodles made from these grains
- Rice Bran, Puffed rice, all kinds of rice flour, rice flour bread and noodles
- Rye, Spelt and sprouted wheat
- Vegetables-
- Broccoli, Beets, Cauliflower, Celery
- Cucumber, Eggplant, Green Leafy Vegs
- Garlic, Maitake Mushroom, Parsley
- Parsnips, Sweet potatoes, Alfalfa Sprouts, Tempeh, Tofu, Yam of all types
- Fruits-
- Grapes and Plums
- Cherries, Cranberries, Gooseberries, and Loganberries
- Pineapple, grapefruit, lemon, and kiwi
- Spices-
- Kelp, miso and curry
- Garlic, Horseradish, Parsley
- Beverages-
- Alfalfa, burdock, Chamomile, Echinacea
- One glass of Licorice Red wine per day
- One cup of Coffee or Decaf Coffee per day
- Green tea, Hawthorn, Dandelion, Burdock root, Strawberry leaf herbal teas on alternate days
Foods that should be avoided ideally by AB blood type are:
- Seafood –
- All Shellfish like crab, crayfish, clam, mussels, shrimp, lobster, oysters
- Other sea foods such as Flounder , Yellowtail, Turtle, Sea bass, Striped bass, Octopus, Lox, Frog, Eel, Herring, Haddock, Halibut, Bluegill Bass, Anchovy, Barracuda, Beluga,
- Meat and Poultry-
- Chicken, Cornish Hens, Duck, Goose
- Beef, Pork
- Partridge, Veal, Venison, Quail
- Dairy -
- Whole Milk and Buttermilk
- Cheese including American, Blue cheese, Brie, Parmesan, Provolone, and Camembert cheese
- Ice cream and Sherbet
- Fats – Oil from different sources including Safflower, Corn, Cottonseed, Sesame and Sunflower
- Nuts – Filberts and seeds Poppy, Pumpkin, Sesame, and Sunflower seeds
- Beans – Black-eyed Peas and Black, Azuki, Aduke, Fava, and Garbanzo beans
- Grains-
- Buckwheat, Corn and corn flour
- Bread and noodles made with Buckwheat and Corn
- Kamut, Kasha, soba noodles, Artichoke pasta
- Fruits-
- Mangoes, Guava, Coconuts, Bananas
- Avocado, Lima Beans, Black Olives
- Spices:
- Bell Peppers
- White, cayenne, red and black pepper
- Mung Bean and Radish Sprouts
- Radishes
- Anise, Almond extract, Capers, Barley Malt, Cornstarch, corn syrup, Gelatin, Tapioca
- Vinegar
- Beverages – Distilled Liquor, Sodas, Black Tea
Health issues to be aware of
There are some issues that AB types should know about. Given below are some such issues that will help AB types lead a happy healthy life.
- Lectins irritate the digestive tract and blood of AB types. Chicken is best avoided for this reason.
- Dairy foods are okay, but mucus production increases if too much is consumed.
- Nuts, seeds, legumes, and beans must be eaten in moderation.
- Rice is better than pasta, as the inner kernel of wheat forms high levels of acid in the stomach muscles.
- Grains are best offset by alkaline fruits that help balance the acid released by wheat.
- A glass of warm water with the juice of half a lemon will help get rid of the mucus accumulated overnight.
- Gall bladder issues cannot be ruled out, so it’s better to have nut butters rather than the nuts themselves.
- Kidney and lima beans tend to slow down production of insulin in AB types.
- When the diet comprises of corn, buckwheat, lima beans, and sesame seeds, the Type B insulin reaction sets in, which means hypoglycemia is but an obvious outcome. Metabolism is affected when blood sugar is low.
- Type AB persons have weak stomach acid production. They are advised to take amino acid supplements for this purpose.
- Carbonated drinks will also increase the stomach acid. Caffeinated drinks intake must be limited because there is a danger of over-stimulating the already high adrenaline production.
- Tofu is a good protein supplement instead of meat, but too much will also increase mucous production.
Of course, in the end, it is an individuals’ own constitution that dictates what suits and what does not. Check with a dietician if you feel there are some allergy issues you need to sort out among the list of good foods.
Personality
Type AB often receives mixed messages about emotional health. While you tend to be drawn to other people and are friendly and trusting, there is a side of you that feels alienated from the larger community. At your best, you are intuitive and spiritual, with an ability to look beyond the rigid confines of society. You are passionate in your beliefs, but you also want to be liked by others and this can create conflicts. In an independent study, Type ABs described themselves as emotional, passionate, friendly, trusting and empathetic. Type ABs are considered some of the most interesting of the blood types, both John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe were Type ABs and although both are long gone, they hold a place in our national psyche to this day.
Live Right!
Here are Dr. D’Adamo’s key lifestyle strategies for people with Blood Type AB:
- Cultivate your social nature in welcoming environments. Avoid situations that are highly competitive
- Avoid ritualistic thinking and fixating on issues, especially those you can’t control or influence
- Develop a clear plan for goals and tasks – annually, monthly, weekly, daily – to avoid rushing
- Make lifestyle changes gradually, rather than trying to tackle everything at once
- Engage in forty-five to sixty minutes of aerobic exercise at least twice a week. Balanced by daily stretching, medititation or yoga
- Engage in a community, neighborhood or other group activity that gives you a meaningful connection to a group
- Practice visualization techniques daily
- Also carve out time alone. Have at least one sport, hobby or activity that you perform independently of others
- Break up your workday with some physical activity, especially if your job is sedentary. You’ll feel more energized.
O:
The Blood Type O Individualized Lifestyle
Why are some people plagued by poor health while others seem to live healthy, vital lives even late in life? Does blood type influence personality? A single drop of blood contains a biochemical make up as unique as your fingerprint. Your blood type is a key to unlocking the secrets to your biochemical individuality. Foods and supplements contain lectins that interact with your cells depending on your blood type. This explains why some nutrients which are beneficial to one blood type, may be harmful to the cells of another. Dr. Peter D’Adamo, the author of the best selling books Eat Right for Your Type and Live Right for Your Type gives Type O’s some tips on leading a healthy lifestyle.
The Type O Profile
Type O was the first blood type, the type O ancestral prototype was a canny, aggressive predator. Aspects of the Type O profile remain essential in every society even to this day – leadership, extroversion, energy and focus are among their best traits. Type O’s can be powerful and productive, however, when stressed Type O’s response can be one of anger, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. When Type O wiring gets crossed, as a result of a poor diet, lack of exercise, unhealthy behaviors or elevated stress levels, Type O’s are more vulnerable to negative metabolic effects, including insulin resistance, sluggish thyroid activity, and weight gain. When you customize your life to Type O’s strengths you can reap the benefits of your ancestry. Your genetic inheritance offers you the opportunity to be strong, lean, productive, long-lived and optimistic.
What Makes You Unique
As a Blood Type O you may be predisposed to certain illnesses, such as ulcers and thyroid disorders. In the 1950’s it was discovered that Type O’s had about twice the instances of ulcers of all kinds than the other blood types. These findings have been replicated many times since then. Type O’s tend to have low levels of thyroid hormone and often exhibit insufficient levels of iodine, a chemical element whose sole purpose is thyroid hormone regulation. This causes many side effects such as weight gain, fluid retention and fatigue. Dr. D’Adamo does not recommend iodine supplements, rather a diet rich in saltwater fish and kelp to help regulate the thyroid gland. Bladder Wrack is also an excellent nutrient for type O’s. This herb, actually a seaweed, is very effective as an aid to weight control for Type O’s. “The fucose in bladder wrack seems to help normalize the sluggish metabolic rate and produce weight loss in Type O’s,” says Dr. D’Adamo.
Type O’s also have a higher level of stomach acid than the other blood types, which often results in stomach irritation and ulcers. Dr. D’Adamo recommends a licorice preparation called DGL (de glycyrrhizinated licorice) which can reduce discomfort and aid healing. DGL protects the stomach lining in addition to protecting it from stomach acids. Avoid crude licorice preparations as they contain a component of the plant which can cause elevated blood pressure. This component has been removed in DGL. Dr. D'Adamo also recommends Mastic Gum and Bismuth to soothe Type O's common and even frequent tummy troubles.
Type O Personality?
In Japan, blood type has long been associated with personality type. You might well be asked your blood type on a job interview! In an independent study of 45 MBA students, Type O’s most often described themselves in ways related to the following characteristics; responsible, decisive, organized, objective, rule-conscious, and practical. Both male and female Type O’s reported a higher percentage of the mesomorphic body type when compared to controls. Interestingly, Type O’s also scored significantly higher than the rest in “sensing” – using the 5 senses to gather information, and in the sensing-thinking combination, indicating that they are more detail and fact oriented, logical, precise and orderly. “I believe that the tendency to sense and get facts right stems from the inbred hunter-gatherer need to observe and accurately assess the environment in order to insure survival.” Says D’Adamo.
Diet:
Given this history, people with O blood group need animal protein to maintain good health, along with vegetables and fruits. However, the emphasis is on animal protein. Seafood and sea kelp is a good source of iodine which is a very essential requirement for O type people as these people tend to suffer from a sluggish metabolism and low thyroid. A diet well supplemented with iodine rich foods are good for them.
Type O’s should clear their kitchen of anything that contains:
- white or wheat flour
- corn starch
- partially-hydrogenated oil
- coffee
- coconut
- dairy
- ham, pork and bacon
- vegetables soaked in vinegar e.g. pickles
- Legumes, beans, and grains
- Avocados
- Brazil nuts
- Oranges
Blood type O folks have stomachs that favor the production of hydrochloric acid in excess. It is this factor that makes their digestive systems fit for digesting so much animal protein. An excess of hydrochloric acid means people with O blood type must avoid coffee, as the combination will give them peptic ulcers. Green tea is far more beneficial.
O blood type people benefit from exercise – lots of it. Aerobics, jogging, power walking, and weight training is best for them. The more they work out, the better they will be health wise. Get moving, burn the fat, and sweat it out and get rid of stress and depression while you are at it too.
O Blood type vegetarians
Not everyone is a meat eater. Today a lot of people opt for vegetarian food for a myriad reasons like a religious requirement or some digestive issues or then those who simply cannot handle meat.
Some foods that vegetarians can eat safely are:
- Figs
- Walnuts
- Spelt flour, Ezekiel bread (from sprouted grains),
- Leafy green vegetables
- Rice, millet and quinoa
- Sweet potatoes
- Ginger tea
- Dandelion tea
- Sparkling water
- Seaweed
- Rice crackers
- Rice noodles
- Berries
- Stone fruits and seeded fruits like apples and pears.
But even if you are a vegetarian there are plenty of sources of protein for you which are beneficial given your blood type. Some protein rich foods that they can eat safely are:
- Low fat yogurt
- Peanut butter
- Broccoli
- Almonds
- Peanuts
- Cashews
- Cheese – farmer, feta, goat and mozzarella
- Rice, sesame, almond oat etc
Diet suggestion for O blood type people
There are a lot of views, thoughts and opinions on what is good for blood Type O and what is not. At the end of the day you have to decide what suits you and in what quantity. It’s possible that the item may be in the “okay to eat but…” list of food for O blood types BUT if it suits your individual health related issues then go for it.
The O blood type person can supplement the diet with lots of exercise and a sensible eating plan that will give him/her the required health strength and energy.
Energize - The Essential Exercise Component
Type O’s benefit tremendously from brisk regular exercise that taxes the cardiovascular and muscular skeletal system. But the benefit derived surpasses the goal of physical fitness. Type O also derives the benefit of a well timed chemical release system. The act of physical exercise releases a swarm of neurotransmitter activity that acts as a tonic for the entire system. The Type O who exercises regularly also has a better emotional response. You are more emotionally balanced as a result of well regulated, efficient chemical transport system. More than any other blood type, O’s rely on physical exercise to maintain physical health and emotional balance. Dr. D’Adamo suggests that Type O’s engage in regular physical activity three to four times per week. For best results, engage in aerobic activity for thirty to forty five minutes at least four times per week. If you are easily bored, choose two or three different exercises and vary your routine.
Live Right!
In addition to exercising and eating foods that are Right For Your Type, here are a few key lifestyle strategies for Type O individuals:
- Develop clear plans for goals and tasks – annual, monthly, weekly, daily to avoid impulsivity.
- Make lifestyle changes gradually, rather than trying to tackle everything at once.
- Eat all meals, even snacks, seated at a table.
- Chew slowly and put your fork down between bites of food.
- Avoid making big decisions or spending money when stressed.
- Do something physical when you feel anxious.
- Engage in thirty to forty five minutes of aerobic exercise at least four times per week.
- When you crave a pleasure releasing-substance (alcohol, tobacco, sugar), do something physical.
