Medical expert of the article
New publications
Diet for the blood group: the skeptic's eye
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Theory of nutrition by blood group: is it true?
Peter D'Adamo, who wrote the book "Diet for the blood group," which has become so popular all over the world, contends that the exclusion of unnecessary foods from the diet and the choice of necessary will allow a person to lose weight and get well comfortable.
According to D'Adamo's theory, there are products for each blood group. Some must be included in the menu, others - not, because the body perceives them as alien and reacts with allergy and fatty deposits. That is, a diet that is good for one blood group is bad for another.
What do opponents of Peter d'Adamo say? They say that a world-famous nutritionist does not support his arguments with research and scientific facts.
What do the opponents of the blood group say?
№1. Irrelevant division into blood groups
That is, the opponents of the diet according to the blood group say, the division of people into 4 categories - each with its own group, 1 st, 2 nd, 2 nd and 4 th - has long been irrelevant. The reason is that modern scientists have already allocated as many as 33 blood groups, for each of which it is rather difficult to create a diet.
№2. In the theory of D'Adamo
The developer of the diet for blood groups Peter D'Adamo writes that one of the most harmful substances for the human body are proteins called lectins. These proteins have the property of poorly affecting the work of the gastrointestinal tract and contribute to the weakening of immunity.
This is because they can be stuck together with other proteins, the origin of which is erythrocyte. As a result, a person develops dysbacteriosis, inflammation of internal tissues, especially the walls of the intestine and stomach.
Even a small ingress of these proteins into the body, the scientist writes, can provoke disorders in the body, especially weakened by diseases.
Where the evidence that these substances really destroy the body, ask opponents.
No. 3. Some products are not represented in the diet at all
For example, seafood, which in principle is useful, and also loved by many. Also, skeptics say, the diet for blood groups does not take into account the individual life schedule of a person.
That is: there is no clear timetable which products to include or not include in the diet, guided by the age, rhythm of life, the degree of physical exertion, the climate and other individual components of a particular person's life.
№4. No ration for mixed blood types
Firstly, the blood group is mixed, which means that absolutely different products will be useful or harmful to it, than for a "pure" blood group. " Secondly, skeptics say (and they are right), the blood group still has a rhesus - positive or negative.
The author of the diet does not give any recommendations on this matter. How to be people with negative rhesus? For them, probably, it is necessary to develop 4 more individual diets for the blood group.
So, you got acquainted with the views of those who consider a diet for the blood group imperfect and uniquely demanding refinement. If these arguments do not really affect your point of view, proceed to a diet. If your opinion about this food system is very shaken, it will not be superfluous to contact a dietician and adjust it.
Lose weight easily and comfortably!