BLOOD TYPE DIET

Just when you'd thought you'd heard everything, something new comes along. The Blood Type diet is one of the newest weight loss plans to hit the diet circuit. Many believe that this diet is merely a gimmick and not based on sound scientific evidence.

The Blood Type diet was developed by a man named Peter D'Adamo. His book, Eat Right 4 Your Type, says the key to weight loss lies in a human's genetic makeup - specifically their blood type. He believes that by eating foods that are based on blood type, people have a better chance of losing weight.

According to research done on blood typing, there are several distinct racial populations that can be defined by their blood groupings. Using that theory, the Blood Type diet was developed. There is no direct evidence or clinical research that proves that this diet is valid however. D'Adamo believes that each blood type group has its own food classification.

Here is a breakdown of how those classifications work in relation to blood type.

O Blood Type
People with blood type O are called "hunters." This blood grouping is believed to be the one that all others developed from, according to the diet's creator. Historically, hunters were very physical because they would wrestle wild beasts in search of food for the family. This type of activity required lots of meat. According to D'Adamo, those with the O blood type need to consume high amounts of meat in order to lose weight.

A Blood Type
People with blood type A are known as "cultivators." Cultivators tilled the soil and planted crops. These people got most of their food from plant sources such as fruits and vegetables. For those with blood type A, avoiding meat as much as possible and sticking with vegetables will give you the protein your body requires.

B Blood Type
Those with type B blood are "nomadic." Nomads are people who wondered around never settled in any one place. The harshness of their travels helped to keep them strong. Since they had eaten a variety of foods depending on where they stayed, their digestive systems tolerated different foods well. Again, according to this diet plan, this particular blood type group can eat dairy products with no problems.

AB Blood Type
The last blood grouping is AB. This group is classified as the "enigma." Because this group is mad up of A and B blood components, they can presumably get by with eating plant sources of protein and dairy products. Their digestive systems are good and they can therefore consume a variety of foods.

One question, among many, that has arisen regarding the Blood Type diet is: How does it explain a lactose intolerant person with a blood type of B? There are too many loopholes for this diet to be one that someone could follow to lose weight anytime they needed to. Eating one food group only and eliminating others is a recipe for disaster because all food groups have merit for weight loss. The key to most successful weight loss is managing portions of foods from each food group.

written by Todd Wesley