BLOOD TYPE AND TENDENCIES

Food for your blood type

Select your blood type
AB	O	B	A

Introduction

All foods contain chemicals known as lectins. Lectins that are incompatible with one's blood type create negative reactions. For starters, they cause agglutination of the blood, meaning they make red blood cells "sticky" so they clump together. This results in a reduction in oxygen supply in the body and lowered immunity. Lectins can also interfere with protein digestion, block hormones, trigger immune reactions and impair absorption. Understanding which foods contain lectine compatible with the body and which foods contain lectins that are not is the basis of the blood type diet.

A food is classified as an Avoid because it produces negative lectin reactions in that blood type, which act as toxins.
On the other hand, foods that are Beneficial for a particular blood type are highly compatible with that type. These foods actually serve as a type of medicine, strengthening health and preventing disease. Foods that are Neutral merely supply nourishment. They do not have negative lectin reactions, but they also do not have positive, healing properties either.

In addition to diet, the four blood types have other unique differences that require specialized supplementation. Each blood type is prone to a unique set of health challenges which can be mediated or eliminated through appropriate herbs and nutrients. So, with that basic understanding, here are some basic things people of each blood type can do nutritionally to enhance their health and wellbeing.



Blood Type "O"

Blood Type 0 generally does well on a diet of meat and other high protein foods. They can eat most types of animal protein, but, like all blood types, they must prepare these protein-rich foods properly to be able to derive positive benefits from them. Overcooking protein denatures it and taxes the digestive system. Meat should be organic and eaten rare or slow cooked to obtain maximum benefits.
Large portions of non-starchy vegetables that are Neutral or Beneficial should also be consumed with protein foods.
Examples of Beneficial non-starchy vegetables for Blood Type 0 include beet greens, broccoli, romaine lettuce, okra and Swiss chard. Eating generous portions of these vegetables also helps maintain proper acid/alkaline balance.

Grains, especially corn and wheat, as well as dairy products, are major avoids for Blood Type 0.
Other Avoids include lentils, cashews, black olives and avocados.

People with Blood Type 0 tend to do better with a mineral supplement than they do with a multiple vitamin, so Ionic Minerals or Chinese Mineral Chi Tonic are good choices for general good health.

Because of their tendency to an overactive immune system, Blood Type 0 should generally avoid immune stimulants. Colostrum is an excellent balancer of the immune system in Blood Type 0. The overactive immune response also increases the tendency for allergies. HistaBlock can be helpful here. It reduces hyperactivity associated with food allergies, too.

High carbohydrate diets in this blood type can lead to hypothyroidism. Used in conjunction with dietary changes, TS II can help to bring the thyroid gland to balance.



Blood Type A

Being the more agrarian type, Blood Type A doesn't do well with animal protein. Beef, lamb and other red meats are Avoids for them.
Dairy foods are also Avoids for this type.
So Blood Type A people must make certain they get adequate protein from other sources. Fortunately, poultry and eggs are Neutral for Blood Type A. Many types of fish are Beneficial, making fish a good protein food for this type. Fish is also an important source of Omega 3 essential fatty acids which reduce the risk of heart disease for Blood Type A.

There are also vegetable sources of protein which are highly compatible with the metabolism of Blood Type A. In particular, soy products are Beneficial. (Avoid GMO soy products, however.) Given that the A antigen is more susceptible to the xenoestrogens in the environment, the phytoestrogens in soy can reduce cancer risk and improve glandular function, too. Also Beneficial to Blood Type A are lentils, pinto beans and black beans.

Blood Type A is generally more tolerant of grains that other blood types. Grains and beans can be combined to form a complete vegetarian source protein. Their systems are also compatible with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, which should be used in large quantities to balance protein beans and grains so that proper acidic/alkaline balance is maintained.

Blood Type A has a difficult time with protein digestion. Soy products are more easily digestible sources of protein for this type. Ultimate Green Zone and Super Algae also provide protein that is easily assimilated by Blood Type A. Another protein supplement that is valuable for Blood Type A is Collatrim, which promotes muscle gain and fat lose.
Under stress, Blood Type A loses muscle mass and gains fat.

Digestive enzymes such as Proactazyme and Protease Plus are extremely important for helping Blood Type A break down proteins. PDA (Protein Digestive Aid) can be used to supplement low hydrochloric acid (HCL) production, or Digestive Bitters and Safflowers can be taken 20 minutes prior to meals to stimulate HCL production.

Blood Type A people may also have problems with a sluggish liver and gallbladder.
Hi-lipase can help when there is difficulty breaking down fats. Liver formulas like Blood Build and Liver Balance can also help by increasing bile production and detoxifying the liver to improve digestion.

One of the biggest enemies of Blood Type A is stress.
People with this blood type are very prone to high levels of cortisol, which results in anxiety, lowered immune response, compulsive behavior and premature aging.
Adaptagens like Nervous Fatigue Formula and Chinese Mineral Chi Tonic can reduce stress and improve sleep patterns. Other supplements valuable for reducing stress include B-Complex and NutriCalm



Blood Type B

More balanced than the other types, Blood Type B people will find that wild game provides their best protein. Chicken, is a major Avoid for this blood type.
Eggs do not possess the lectin found in chicken, so eggs are a Neutral for this blood type.

Blood Type B people are unique in their ability to handle dairy products.

The B antigen and the dairy sugar, d-galactosamine, possess a similar structure, which makes milk, yogurt and even some types of cheese Beneficials for this type. (Make sure these are organic.) However, those of Asian or African descent may have difficulty digesting lactose, the sugar in milk, due to a lack of the enzyme lactase, because dairy products were not a part of the dietary pattern in those early cultures.

Corn, wheat, and certain legumes like lentils, pinto beans, peanuts and soy are Avoids for Blood Type B. Beneficial vegetables include beets, broccoli, cabbage, eggplant, parsnips, peppers and yams.

Blood Type B people often has problems with their adrenal glands and stress.
B-Complex, especially B1 and B6 are important to help improve the cortisol function and normalize the activity of the adrenal glands. Supplementation with pantothenic acid (B5) may also be valuable as this nutrient helps the adrenal cortex respond to stress without become exhausted. ENRG-V can also be used to support the adrenals and helps with lethargy and lack of motivation sometimes found in Blood Type B people.

Stress Relief can also be used to balance emotions and reduce stress. It helps deal with repressed stress or overreacting to stressful situations, problems common in Blood Type B. Focus Attention helps create mental clarity and a consistent mood, as well as contributing to concentration and memory retention, in Blood Type B people.

Blood Type B people assimilate calcium very easily, which often results in a magnesium deficiency. Magnesium and Fibralgia help reduce stress and fatigue and helps with the body's ability to handle sugar.

Blood Type B people are more prone to certain types of infections.
For starters, they are more susceptible to the influenza (flu) virus. Elderberry D3fense can be very helpful here as elderberry inhibits the replication of the flu virus. Blood Type B people, especially those of Asian descent, are also at higher risk for tuberculosis. Cordyeeps helps improve stamina and respiratory strength by acting as a tonic for the lungs.

Another bacteria Blood Type B are susceptible to is the streptococcal type. IN-X helps support the immune system in fighting this bug and flushes the lymphatics.

Finally, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in Blood Type B. Cranberry Buchu helps prevent recurring UTIs. Urinary Maintenance is another great formula which contains all of the nutrients which are beneficial to Blood Type B.

A classic sign of insulin resistance in Blood Type B is the apple shaped figure. It is the stress hormones which cause hormonal imbalance, sugar cravings and insulin resistance. SugarReg is very helpful here because it overcomes insulin resistance.



Blood Type AB

Possessing the rarest blood type, people with Blood Type AB have the antigen structure of both the A and B types. Because of their A antigen structure, red meat is an Avoid for them, and because of their B antigen structure, chicken is also an Avoid.

Due to the B antigen, Blood Type AB can utilize milk and eggs, as these foods are Neutral (when organic). Yogurt and egg whites are actually Beneficials. Too much dairy, however, can contribute to increased mucus production.

A number of fish are Beneficial to Blood Type AB. These include cod, mahi mahi, salmon, red snapper and tuna, among others. Some legumes are also Beneficial, including pinto beans, soy beans, peanuts and green lentils. Blood Type AB people have some of Blood Type A's tolerance for grain, with rice, oats and rye being Beneficial and sprouted wheat being Neutral.

Again, Beneficial and Neutral fruits and vegetables must be consumed in larger quantities than protein foods in order to keep pH balanced in the body. Beneficial vegetables for Blood Type AB include beets, broccoli, celery, cucumber, eggplant, parsnip and yams.

Blood Type AB people have better protein digestion than Blood Type A, but not as good as Blood Types 0 and B, so they may need some assistance with digestion. Protease Plus and Food Enzymes can both be helpful.

Blood Type AB people have a tendency to high cholesterol levels and environmental sensitivity, resulting in reduced immunity. High blood pressure may also be a problem with Blood Type AB, especially from overly emotional reactions to stress.

Blood Pressurex can help Blood Type AB because it helps bring blood pressure in hypertension back to balance. It also supports and strengthens blood vessels and helps them deal with bruising and other damages, while preventing the agglutination of red blood cells, which causes blood to become sticky and clog the arteries.

Cordyeeps helps to regulate nitric oxide, which helps regulate blood pressure. It also strengthens the immune system, which may be a problem for Blood Type AB people. Other supplements that may help the immune system in Blood Type AB include EnviroDetox, E-Tea, Germanium and Nature's Immune Stimulator.
Several of these products may help prevent or even treat certain types of cancer. Stress can be a serious issue for people with Blood Type AB.
B-Complex vitamins are needed to promote a balanced stress response in Blood Type AB. CelluSmooth contains rhodiola, which has anti-stress activity. It has the ability to prevent stress induced catecholamine activity in the heart and promote stable heart contractility. It can also prevent abnormalities in cardio-pulmonary function, especially at higher altitudes.

Following the Program
You don't have to follow the blood type diet perfectly to obtain results. If you focus on eating mostly Beneficial and Neutral foods seventy five percent of the time, this will allow you to eat the Avoid foods once in a while. The more serious your illness, the more you need to adhere to the program by following it ninety to one hundred percent of the time. Our clinical experience suggests that following the blood type diet is not only an excellent way to lose weight, it is also an important key to recovering from many types of chronic and degenerative illness. Obviously, space in this file does not allow for a complete list of foods that are Beneficial, Neutral or Avoid for each blood type. So we highly recommend that you obtain some of the books and materials listed under Sources in the next column.

Sunshine Sharing is an Independent educational publication and receives no financial support from any herb or health product manufacturer. Your comments, questions and personal experiences are welcome. Send them to Sunshine Sharing, P.O. Box 911239, St. George, UT 84791-1239.

Writer: Lacreshia Laningharn
Writer/Editor: Steven Horne
Assistant Editor: Frances Townsend