Photo courtesy of Weil Lifestyle
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Dr. Debunker
The Blood Type Diet
By Andrew Weil, M.D., September & October 2008
This popular eating plan ought to be sacked
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Q: Does the blood type diet really work?
A: Not really. This diet, developed by naturopathic physician Peter D’Adamo, is based on the theory that the different human blood types—A, B, AB, and O—require different diets for optimal health. D’Adamo gives very detailed recommendations for what each type should and shouldn’t eat. For example, he says shiitake mushrooms are great for type B’s but bad for type O’s. (For the record, I encourage everyone to eat shiitakes. These flavorful mushrooms help the body regulate cholesterol, and they also help to guard against viruses and cancer.)
Now, it’s true some physical differences exist among people who have different blood types. For instance, type A people (not to be confused with type A personalities) have a higher risk of contracting smallpox and developing cancers of the gastrointestinal system, while type O’s are more susceptible to cholera and peptic ulcers.
D’Adamo theorizes that the basis for such differences is our reactions to certain food proteins called lectins. Lectins are common in plant foods, especially grains and beans, and may be involved in food allergies and some immune disorders. But there is no convincing evidence for any interactions between lectins and the molecules that determine blood type.
45% of Americans have blood type O;
40% have blood type A;
11% have blood type B;
4% have blood type AB
Yet some people swear the blood type diet has worked for them. There’s a reason for that. Making changes in how we eat is not easy. To follow any prescribed dietary program with rules and restrictions represents a significant commitment of mental energy toward self-improvement. That alone can lead to a greater sense of well-being and better health. But if you want to eat a better diet, I recommend you rely on information grounded in nutritional science.
A pioneer in the field of integrative medicine, Andrew Weil, M.D., is a bestselling author and the editorial director of www.drweil.com.
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