What do you think of that diet where you eat certain foods based on your blood type?

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Eugene Thong: Dr. D’Adamo’s Blood Type Diet makes an interesting argument, but has no real basis or scientific merit. 

 

He claims that proteins called lectins interact differently with each blood type, in much the same way differing blood types interact with each other.  Just as you wouldn’t give someone with Type B blood a transfusion of Type O for fear of red blood agglutination (read: harmful interaction), different foods (which contain different kinds of lectins) interact differently with each Blood Type; consequently, each Blood Type has foods that interact well with it and foods that interact harmfully with it.

 

For example, Type B folks can consume dairy products safely, while the others cannot.

 

Several problems with this diet include:

 

• There are no studies to support its efficacy.  In other words, there’s no scientific evidence Dr. D’Adamo’s theory “works.”

 

• Research into lectins and human biochemistry shows no experimental link between blood type and lectin interaction.  Strike two.

 

• There appears to be no specific link between blood type and benefits.  For example, folks of all blood types will benefit by having less grain, as plant lectins (particularly those found in wheat) can precipitate autoimmune dysfunction of the gut.

 

All in all?  Dr. D’Adamo’s general recommendations for all blood types to avoid processed foods and emphasis on fruits and vegetables are sound.  However, the theories upon which he bases his other recommendations on are, while based on a sliver of science, just plain wacky.