The blood type diet, popularized by Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo, suggests that individuals with different blood types should consume specific foods to optimize their health, weight, and overall well-being. This article focuses on the B-positive blood type diet, exploring its principles, recommended foods, foods to avoid, and potential benefits. While the scientific evidence supporting the blood type diet is limited, many individuals find its guidelines helpful.
Understanding the Blood Type B Positive Profile
According to D'Adamo, individuals with B-positive blood, descendants of Asian nomads, possess adaptable digestive systems capable of processing both animal and plant-based foods. This adaptability allows for a diverse diet, but certain foods are believed to hinder metabolic efficiency and contribute to weight gain.
Foods to Embrace on the B Positive Diet
The B-positive blood type diet emphasizes a balanced approach, incorporating various food groups. Key recommendations include:
- Meat: Certain meats like lamb, mutton, venison, goat and rabbit are considered beneficial due to their compatibility with the B-positive digestive system.
- Seafood: Deep-ocean fish, such as salmon and mackerel, are encouraged as excellent protein sources. However, shellfish like shrimp, mussels, oysters, and lobster should be avoided.
- Dairy: Unlike some other blood types, B-positive individuals can generally tolerate dairy products in moderation. This includes milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, buttermilk, cheddar, Swiss, Monterey Jack, and Brie. However, processed American cheese, blue cheese and string cheese should be limited.
- Grains: Grains like oats, millet, and rice are well-tolerated and can be incorporated into the diet.
- Fruits and Vegetables: A wide variety of fruits and vegetables are encouraged, particularly green leafy vegetables, pineapple, bananas, plums, cranberries, and papaya.
- Other Beneficial Foods: Olives, ginger, curry leaves, pepper, ginseng, licorice, and green tea can be included in the diet.
Foods to Limit or Avoid on the B Positive Diet
Certain foods are believed to interfere with the metabolic processes of B-positive individuals, potentially leading to weight gain and other health issues. These include:
- Wheat: All forms of wheat, including whole-wheat bread products, durum wheat products, bulgur, wheat germ, wheat bran, shredded wheat, and cream of wheat, should be avoided.
- Poultry: Chicken, duck, goose, and quail are discouraged. Chicken contains a lectin that may cause immune problems and strokes.
- Certain Plant-Based Proteins: Peanuts, sesame seeds, and lentils are believed to inhibit liver function and nutrient absorption. Other restricted foods include cashews, pistachios, black-eyed peas, pinto beans, black beans, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and tofu.
- Specific Fruits and Vegetables: Pomegranates, coconuts, rhubarb, artichokes, radishes, tomatoes, avocados, pumpkin, mung bean sprouts, and all types of olives should be limited or avoided. Corn, in particular, is believed to slow metabolism and increase the risk of diabetes.
- Oils: Canola, corn, cottonseed, peanut, safflower, sesame, and sunflower oils should be avoided.
- Other Items to Avoid: Ice cream, barley malt sweeteners, corn syrup, cornstarch, distilled liquor, seltzer water, and soda.
How Specific Foods Impact Weight Gain in Type B Individuals
According to the blood type diet theory, certain foods contribute to weight gain in B-positive individuals due to their lectin content. Lectins are proteins that react differently with each blood type and can interfere with metabolic processes.
Read also: Is the Type O Diet Effective?
- Corn, Buckwheat, Lentils, Peanuts, and Sesame Seeds: These foods are considered major contributors to weight gain in B-positive individuals. They contain lectins that interfere with metabolic efficiency, leading to fatigue, fluid retention, and hypoglycemia.
- Wheat: Wheat contains a lectin that reduces insulin efficiency and hinders fat burning.
- Chicken: Chicken contains a Blood Type B agglutinating lectin in its muscle tissue, which attacks the bloodstream and potentially leads to strokes and immune disorders.
The Role of the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) Stress Response
The blood type diet suggests that certain foods can disrupt the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) stress response in B-positive individuals. The NEM is a complex network of systems that work together to protect the body from stress. When the NEM is imbalanced, it can lead to various health problems, including weight gain, fatigue, fluid retention, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Managing Stress and Maintaining Balance
In addition to diet, managing stress is crucial for B-positive individuals. Type Bs tend to produce higher than normal cortisol levels in response to stress, which can lead to overreaction, difficulty recovering from stress, disrupted sleep patterns, brain fog, and suppressed immune function.
To maintain mind-body balance, Dr. D'Adamo recommends incorporating meditative activities with more intense physical exercise. Excellent forms of exercise for Type Bs include tennis, martial arts, cycling, hiking, and golf.
Lifestyle Recommendations for Type B Individuals
Dr. D'Adamo suggests several lifestyle strategies for Type Bs:
- Visualization: Use visualization techniques to achieve goals.
- Express Nonconformity: Find healthy ways to express your nonconformist side.
- Creative Tasks: Spend at least twenty minutes a day involved in a creative task that requires complete attention.
- Sleep: Go to bed no later than 11:00 PM and sleep for eight hours or more to maintain circadian rhythm.
- Meditation: Use meditation to relax during breaks.
- Community Involvement: Engage in community, neighborhood, or other group activities to foster meaningful connections.
- Spontaneity: Be spontaneous.
- Mental Acuity: Stay sharp by doing tasks that require concentration, such as crossword puzzles or learning a new skill or language.
Deflect B: A Supplement for Lectin Management
Deflect B is a specially formulated supplement designed to help B-positive individuals avoid lectin-related issues. It contains N-Acetyl D-Glucosamine, which helps neutralize the harmful effects of lectins on Blood Type B digestive systems. Additionally, Deflect B contains other natural ingredients like Bladderwrack and Dandelion Root, which provide essential support to the digestive and immune systems.
Read also: Microneedling with PRP Explained
Scientific Scrutiny and Considerations
It's important to note that the blood type diet has faced criticism from the scientific community. A 2013 study analyzing the world's medical literature found no studies demonstrating benefit from a blood type diet. A 2014 study found that while people following any of the blood type diets had some improvement in certain cardiometabolic risk factors, those improvements were unrelated to blood type.
Despite the lack of conclusive scientific evidence, some individuals find the blood type diet helpful in guiding their food choices and improving their overall health. It is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before making significant dietary changes, especially if you have underlying health conditions.
Read also: Review of Diet Coke's flavor revamp