The idea of nutrition based on blood type belongs to the American physician of naturopathy Peter J. D'Adamo. He proposed a diet that will help you lose weight, improve your body, and slow down aging. The concept is based on the fact that blood groups were formed during the evolution of mankind. The peculiarities of its creation depended on the predominant products in the diet. The essence of the system proposed by D'Adamo is the consumption of food that has formed a specific type of people.
How the Blood Type Diet Works
The doctor exposes the principles of nutrition based on the food preferences of our ancestors in his books, which have become bestsellers. A blood group is a system of red blood cells with antigenic identity. It is identified by the specificity of proteins and carbohydrates in cell membranes. According to the naturopath, to maintain the characteristics set by nature, you should only eat foods suitable for the blood group.
Diet principles:
- pre-approval tests to accurately determine your group;
- the Rh factor does not matter;
- completely exclude inappropriate foods from the diet;
- no need to count calories;
- no portion size restrictions;
- maintain a diet for life.
The role of lectins in human nutrition.
D'Adamo's theory is based on the dangers of the protein components of foods. They are called lectins and they have the ability to bind carbohydrates to the surface of red blood cells. This process leads to the accumulation of red blood cells and their precipitation. Lectins are found in large amounts in seeds, soybeans, and wheat. These protein components can alter digestive processes, cause excessive mucus secretion in the intestines and slow down the absorption of food.
Dr. Peter says that restricting your diet to lectins will help improve health and prevent cancer and heart problems.
There is an alternative point of view. It is based on the claim that not all lectins are harmful. If they are not abused, they are not dangerous to the body and some even have antitumor activity.
Weight loss effectiveness
Nutrition by blood group does not have a scientific evidence base, but it cannot be called ineffective. Nutritionists claim that dieting according to this system helps you lose weight. They do not associate weight loss with the theory proposed by D'Adamo, since changes in diet, in one way or another, will affect the body. In general, the 4 blood types diet consists of 4 separate plans.
Both can adapt to a person and be harmful, this does not depend on their belonging to a particular type.
What can you eat by blood type?
D'Adamo's concept is based on well-known facts about human evolution. Food preferences were formed according to the method of obtaining food. In the hunting and gathering stage, meat was the main source of food. This is how blood group 1 (0 according to the AB0 system) was formed, which in Dr. Peter's theory is called "Hunters". After the introduction of the man in the cultivation of vegetables and cereals appeared the second group (A), or "Farmers".
With the beginning of the nomadic lifestyle and the domestication of livestock, dairy products appeared in the diet, and the third blood group ("Nomads", B) was formed. When red blood cells with different antigenic characteristics were mixed, a new system emerged. She is considered the youngest and rarest.
People with blood group 4 (AB) are more adapted than others to modern living conditions, and in D'Adamo's theory they are called "New People. "
1 group "Hunters"
The oldest blood type was formed during the time of carnivores, when other foods were not yet available. For blood group 1, the healthiest food is considered high in protein. Lean meat and poultry form the basis of the diet. Forbidden foods include pork, wheat, milk, cheese, coffee, and liquor.
River fish can be consumed, but to a limited extent.
2 group "Farmers"
People who were engaged in the cultivation of crops in ancient times became the progenitors of the vegetarian direction. For the second blood group, it is allowed to eat plant foods: bread, greens, fruits, legumes. Red wine and coffee are allowed. From the fish you can eat mackerel, carp and herring. All kinds of meat, offal, mushrooms and milk are prohibited.
It is recommended to subject the products to minimal processing.
3 group "Nomads"
Those with type B blood are more fortunate than others. This group was formed with a mixed lifestyle, so the list of products for its representatives is extensive. The blood group 3 diet should be tailored to individual needs and preferences. A short list of prohibitions includes buckwheat, corn, wheat, peanuts, and chicken.
They can be easily replaced with other meat products, eggs and milk.
4 group "New people (townspeople)"
People with sensitive digestion and weak immunity have a mixed blood pattern. This group is characterized by low gastric acidity, therefore it is necessary to refuse smoked meats, pickles and alcohol. Seafood, rabbit meat, turkey meat, tofu, low-fat dairy products, and green vegetables are allowed.
Cheese and offal are not prohibited, but should be eaten infrequently.
One day blood group menu
A separate diet plan is made for blood groups taking into account the characteristics of the organism. It is not only the antigenic characteristics that affect the daily diet, but also the state of health. If you have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, you should consult with your doctor about an acceptable diet. During the treatment of chronic diseases, you should refrain from dieting.
All groups are recommended to drink a glass of clean water in the morning.
Sample menu for a day for "hunters":
- Breakfast: toast with peanut butter, 1 banana, a glass of tomato juice.
- Lunch: salad of grapes, pears, apples.
- Lunch: baked beef, fresh herbs, apple.
- Snack: a handful of walnuts, a glass of cherry juice.
- Dinner: cod cutlets, beet salad.
Diet of the day for "farmers":
- Breakfast: fruits, yogurt.
- Lunch: feta cheese, lettuce.
- Lunch: salmon fillet with lemon sauce and tomatoes.
- Snack: low-fat cottage cheese dessert, tea.
- Dinner: baked vegetables.
One-day menu for "nomads":
- Breakfast: oatmeal with apples, mint tea.
- Lunch: prunes with walnuts, ginger drink.
- Lunch: cabbage cream with mushrooms.
- Snack: pea puree, green pepper.
- Dinner: lamb stewed with vegetables.
Meal plan of the day for "citizens":
- Breakfast: wheat porridge with milk, green tea.
- Lunch: carrot juice, peanuts.
- Lunch: julienne with turkey, cucumber salad.
- Snack: applesauce, a glass of kefir.
- Dinner: boiled tuna, aubergine stew.
Diet benefits
- Good portability. The calorie content and the amount of food are not limited.
- Weightloss. Weight loss without extra effort is observed only at the beginning of the diet. As the body gets used to it, it is necessary to increase the level of physical activity.
- Long-lasting effect. The diet is correctly balanced in terms of the main trace elements, the food compatibility of food for each individual blood group is good, therefore the proposed eating plan can be followed for a long time.
- Acceleration of metabolism. Switching to proper nutrition and introducing protein into the diet always helps speed up the slow metabolism.
- Improved health status. A blood test diet, when done correctly, has a positive effect on immunity and helps eliminate toxins.
Risks and contraindications.
- Some nutrient deficiencies. Restrictions for certain groups (more for 1 and 2) can lead to a lack of calcium, therefore, during the diet, it is necessary to take vitamins and dietary supplements to maintain the body.
- Excess protein. This applies more to group 1. High protein intake with frequent meat consumption can lead to heart problems.
- There are contraindications. The diet is not suitable for pregnant and lactating women, people with serious chronic diseases.