Blood Types and Nutrition
It has been theorized that a person's blood type affects the body's reaction to foods. This theory, which is primarily the work of Peter D'Adamo, sets forth that the type of blood determines the body's reaction to and processing of certain types of nutrients found in foods, and that consuming the foods containing lectins (carbohydrate-binding proteins) best utilized by a person's blood type will enhance their health. According to this theory, there are four types of people, with each type relating to a blood type: the hunter (blood type O), the cultivator (blood type A), the nomad (blood type B), and the enigma (blood type AB).

"Hunters" should consume a diet mainly of meats and proteins, restrict dairy intake, and avoid wheat products. "Cultivators" should consume a mainly vegetarian diet, avoiding red meats and poultry, limiting wheat intake, and using fish and soy products as the main source of protein. "Nomads" should maintain a balanced diet of meats, grains, vegetables, and dairy products. "Enigmas" should strike a balance somewhere in the middle between the "Cultivator" and "Nomad" diets.

There has been much criticism of this theory, which—while it certainly is not unhealthy—has undergone little medical and/or scientific research, and no published clinical trials. The writings setting forth the theory provide no documentation as to the reasoning behind classifying foods as "neutral," "beneficial," or "avoids." Biochemical research has also shown that the lectins found in nearly all human-consumed food do not show differences when reacting with the different blood types, and that ABO-specific lectins are mainly found in non-food plants and animals. The theory also assumes that blood type O was the primary type when humans originated, and that the other 3 types evolved from type O, a theory based on the flawed logic that the "normal" genes—A, B, and AB, which possess antigens—would arise from the "flawed" O blood type, which possesses no antigens.

While following a diet based on your blood type may have beneficial results, it has not, as of yet been scientifically proven to work. The best way to maintain your health is to eat a balanced diet, exercise, and avoid unhealthy foods and activities.

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