Your body knows best.
Quick, what’s your blood type? Are you an O, A, B, or AB?
I think that your blood type could be the missing link to why you are not losing weight and are vulnerable to certain diseases. Since I wrote my book Your Body Knows Best over fifteen years ago, I’ve come to believe that blood types have just as much to do with what not to eat as with what should be eaten. The answer lies in the lectin connection.
Blood types are part of the immune system, you see. They react to foreign substances like lectins, which are protein antigens that—similar to little strips of Velcro—also bind to the surface of blood cells. Left to their own devices, lectins wreak havoc on your unsuspecting body. They can cause intestinal damage, disrupt digestion and absorption, cause nutrient deficiencies, food allergies, gas, mucus, fatigue, achiness, headaches, anemia and fatigue, and clump, then destroy blood cells. There are 65 lectins that are known to bind specifically to the ABO blood types. As a result, foods containing blood type specific lectins should be avoided in those blood types.
Here is a run-down of the key facets of the blood type science:
Type O – The original “caveman blood type,” 44% of the population is Type O. A high protein, low carbohydrate diet suits Type O people the best. They do not do well with dairy products, grains, and legumes, which came about in the later agricultural stage of human development. Because they tend to be overly acidic, they also need to stay away from coffee and black teas. More so than any other blood type, Type Os have a greater predisposition to have gluten intolerance or full-fledged celiac disease. This is caused by a genetically inherited metabolic inability to digest foods that contain gluten—the protein fraction of the grain that gives it its resilient quality—found specifically in wheat, rye, barley, and kamut.
Coincidentally, these grains are the “new” foods that were introduced into the human diet only 10,000 years ago—long after the first appearance of the Type O individual. Symptoms of severe gluten intolerance include osteoporosis, alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Another side effect is malabsorption of vitamins, resulting in chronic deficiencies that can be the cause of depression, fatigue, and a lack of motivation, as well as more serious diseases like cancer. Gluten sensitivity has been implicated in chronic canker sores, and a myriad of digestive disorders from intermittent constipation to diarrhea.
I always prescribe high intensity and vigorous exercise to my Type Os, which can help ward off depression (a common occurrence among this type). I also suggest that the anti-inflammatory Inf-Zyme Forte be taken between meals to reduce inflammation from dietary discretions.
For the Type Os that tend to be sugarholics (or anyone else, for that matter), I recommend Y-C Cleanse. This homeopathic formula balances intestinal yeast to help reduce sugar cravings and relieve signs of Candida overgrowth, such as bloating, gas, headaches, moodiness, and mental fog.
Type A – The second most common blood type is Type A (occurring in 42% of the population). While the typical Type O is a meat eater, a typical Type A thrives on a more vegetarian diet. However, these veggie lovers should keep in mind that tomatoes and other night-shades (like eggplant) are “no-nos.” Type As need to ensure that their diet is balanced and they are ingesting enough protein—especially because they innately veer away from animal foods. This is why I always suggest at least two Fat Flush Body Protein smoothies (made from GMO-free rice and yellow peas) per day with my Type A clients.
One of the reasons I found the research on blood types to be so fascinating is that while I was working on my book about intestinal parasites, Guess What Came to Dinner, I learned that type As are at a higher risk for giardia, a common waterborne microscopic invader. It may be the genetic lack of hydrochloric acid in the stomach of Type As that makes them so susceptible. This is why I also typically recommend at least 1-2 HCL+2 tablets for Type As after a heavier animal protein meal (like fish or poultry). Their digestive problems, as well as their rosacea, really seem to decrease with the addition of HCL.
This blood type can also benefit from adding Y-C Cleanse to their daily regimen as they seem to have a particularly sensitive immune system and often suffer from systemic Candidiasis.
Type Bs are just 10% of the population. People with this kind of blood type digest almost all kinds of foods pretty well, including fermented dairy products like yogurt and cottage cheese. They do not do well with chicken, lentils, corn, peanuts and sesame seeds. They also seem to be major cortisol secretors and do not cope as well as the other blood types when it comes to stress. This is why I suggest an adrenal supplement to all of my Type Bs. They were the motivation behind the formulation of Adrenal Formula, which I take myself (I am a B).
Type ABs are just 4% of the population. They are rarest blood type of all and resemble type As in many respects, except that they can often digest dairy products. This blood type seems best suited for a semi-vegetarian or flexitarian diet routine and should take HCL+2 (like their type A counterparts) when consuming heavier protein foods.
In Japan the study of blood types and its impact on personality is serious business. In general, the Japanese researchers have found that Type Os are goal oriented and enthusiastic, while Type As are more detail oriented and fastidious. Type Bs tend to be creative and unconventional, whereas Type ABs have a great spiritual sensitivity.
Tell me, does your blood type accurately represent you?
Lisa says: I am AB+, I take cholocal and BETA to help with my digestion. Wow! That is so true about blood type. Now, I don’t have a gall bladder but, before I had it taken out I was having problems with digestion.
Janine says: It’s bang on for my A+ blood type. My health has been greatly improved by both Y-C Cleanse and HCL+2.
Tracy says: This is very interesting. I am on an adrenal support, so maybe my B blood explains that. Would certainly love to know more, if there are any other foods to avoid.
Terry says: What about the negative blood types? I am A- how is that impacted?
You can read Dr. D’Adamo’s book The Blood Type Diet. He also has a great web sight http://www.dadamo.com
chris says: A definite A here, love the veggies not fond of meat. Low digestion of meat products.
chris says: Read it and was following it for a while but very expensive because of all the requirements of special flours and such
Angela says: I’m a type A, but my body acts more like a Type O. Any insight as to why?
Susans says: I am type O and find I lose weight and feel much better when I follow the appropriate diet but that means giving up wheat and corn. Very difficult for me – there was even wheat as an ingredient on my favorite flavored tea. If I can manage to stick to meat, sweet potatoes, rice, berries and veggies, for example, I do just fine.
Dr. Peter D’Adamo first published on this subject in 1996 and has three books (Eat Right, Cook Right and Live Right for Your Type) and an active website – I’m rather surprised you didn’t at least mention him.
Thank you for your posts. Dr. ALG’s book Your Body Knows Best contains more information about this topic as well as the ancestral and oxidation factor for tailoring the diet.
Susan K says: I am A-. I like animal protein. I seem to loose weight on a high protein and low carb diet. Any suggestions?
liz says: Susan, I know that Your Body Knows Best will be very helpful for you.
Kathy W says: I am a definite O blood type. I do very well eating like a cavewoman, when I can stick to it. Sugar is my problem, and chips
Kathy W says: I am a definite O blood type, and I do very when I can stick to eating like a cavewoman.
Karen G says: Very interesting research and recommendations. However, usually the licensed healthcare people do not recommend anyone taking HCl supplements unless they have been tested to see how much is (or is not) needed. It is possible to erode the wall of your stomach. Also, if you do take any digestive enzymes or HCl, you should only take it for a limited amount of time or you risk shutting down your body’s natural production of these (no matter how small it may be when you start). I have loved your books over the years — you bring a lot of important issues to light. But, perhaps it would be useful to have a licensed healthcare physician or pharmacist or acupuncturist co-author/review the articles…
Susan says: Karen- I would take Dr. Ann’s advice over a physicians ANY day. Doctors are not offered nutrition classes while in med school. Not one. Zilch. Which, if you think about it, is pretty scary. That is like a mechanic not understanding how gasoline makes our cars go. The only thing doctors learn while in school is what disease will be comforted by which drug. It is 4 years of pill pushing classes for them. Because, of course, med schools are funded by whom? Big pharma!
It’s not like Dr. Ann just fell of a potato truck and started preaching nutrition. Sheesh, the woman holds her doctorate on the subject which is a lot more than I can say for any medical doctor.
I’m Type O and definitely do better with a higher protein diet. I’ve cut out all grains even, but I find it tough to cut out the dairy … I love cheeses and Greek yogurt! With exercise and following the Paleo (which is the same as the Type O diet) I have lost 15 lbs. of fat since January of this year. it’s been slow, but steady. I believe the final thing for me to do is to get my hormone levels checked, this might be why my weight lose has been so slow.
Lisa says: Type A. Longtime vegan, but eat pretty high protein, lots of beans, tempeh, rice protein powder, a little tofu, etc. (but I stay away from soy protein isolate!). I seem to do okay with cooked tomatoes (i.e. organic bottled spaghetti sauce, salsa in glass jars, etc), but don’t like raw tomatoes. I have a severe gluten allergy (which you would think would be more Type O). When I first tried the blood type diet from Dr. D’Adamo’s book, I was eating a lot of whole grain spelt, kamut, rye bread, etc, which would be healthy for most people but was terrible for ME – I wish I had had my allergy blood tests done sooner!!! My food allergies are all delayed-reaction, so I had no idea gluten grains were making me so sick. After getting rid of the gluten, I stopped having sinus infections (& therefore stopped taking antibiotics), got rid of the dark circles under my eyes and headaches, etc. Blood type is a very interesting idea & definitely deserves more research; I would just caution to add allergy testing, and not ASSUME every food listed as “good” for your blood type will be good for YOU personally.
Claude S. says: My blood type is O, and last month I started a Paleo diet and I lost 10 lbs in 30 days, so I guess there’s something to this article that must be true.
A great read, I’ll have to share with friends. Thank you Dr. Ann Louise!
Sierra says: Susan, I always feel that it’s best to listen to your body before you listen to anyone else. On that note, however, I see that Dr. Ann Louise always recommends consulting with a healthcare practitioner before making dietary/fitness/supplemental changes to your routine, and she does also offer person consultations to address anyone’s health in greater detail!
Jennifer Mull says: I am A+, but I have never really liked vegetables. I do eat more of them now than ever before, I currently, I am having a very difficult time with weight gain and inflammation… I have been eating lo carb for a year now, and initially, I lost weight… 30 # over about 9 months… but recently in March, I my weight started climbing and even though I have eaten more veggies and salads in the past two months than ever before, my weight still rises or at least doesn’t go down. I have even been walking/jogging about 1-3 miles per day, yet my weight will not go down. My favorite food is dairy… though I think I am lactose intolerant… but I do enjoy cheese, kefir, and yogurt, etc. I also love to eat meat, so I guess I am not the typical A+, am I?
Alex says: I am A+ and after reading this somewhere i avoided meat which was a huge mistake because i used grains to feel fuller. I was lean and without eating much became instantly swolen. I recently followed a dietitian-supervised zero grains, high protein, high fiber, high low fat dairy diet and lost 22 kilos of body fat in 7 weeks. My lean muscle mass remained intact and i have only 14% of total body fat. Never been this athletic in my life, and have zero issues with digestion. Long story short: i am A+ but feel more like a group 0 (with the exception that i am okay with low fat yogurt and cottage cheese).
Lourdes says: Type O.
I am currently reading Your body knows best. I ordered it as soon as I found out that it could be the key to my weight loss obstacle. For years I have believed in high protein and low carb as a way to combat loss weight. But I have face flush (not rosacea), more like inflamation, chronic joint and mostly generalized pain and I lose weight so slowly and gain it back so fast, that it makes anyone cry. Been fighting weight gain forever!
I started trying to do the 14 day smoothie shakedown in January, but it wasn’t until June when I was able to stick to it. Had huge hunger pangs, and low variety of foods since I wasn’t used to much salad.
In th site DrLam.com I found the description of blood type diets, and I was shocked at how much and how true it is that I react to the foods that are not ok for me.
I have eliminated pork almost entirely. I am trying to keep away from dairy, especially cheese and my occasional reward ice cream. Loved peanuts, and have given them up. Found out I don’t do well with cabbage, which I used to eat for fiber.
My still obstacle is why I lose weight so slowly. I don’t recall ever losing more that 3lbs in a week for years!!! Please help.
Nancy says: I am Type A. On Dr. A’s site, he describes type A’s as having trouble with stress and cortisol. I didn’t'read the Type B info on his site, but your Type A info doesn’t match his. Is your research based on the same studies as Dr. A’s?
Nancy says: Oops. meant Dr. D’Adamo, not Dr. A above.
liz says: This information is found in the references of “YOUR BODY KNOWS BEST”. There are two types A1 and A2 and it was based on the original Japanese research.
From ALG’s experience, type Bs over-react emotionally which exhausts the adrenal glands!
I am type A. Have battled with giardia.