The Links between Your Blood Type and Your Personality, Diet and More Explained

Could blood type provide a key to wellness and even affect our personality? Canadian naturopathic doctor James D'Adamo and his son Peter D'Adamo think so. In Japan extensive research on blood type and personality began more than 60 years ago. Blood type can be a valuable clue for understanding your own uniqueness. Today, it is even more common to hear the Japanese ask your blood type than it is for Americans to ask your astrological sign. To most Japanese both biology and genetics have a role in determining personality. Approximately 90% know their blood type and for decades, blood typing has been used by: employers whenassessing job candidates, dating services for potential love matches and even companies for marketing soft drinks and other products.1 I seem to have a special relationship with Japan. I lived there from the ages of 12 to 15. I also studied with Lima Ohsawa, who founded Macrobiotics with her husband, George Ohsawa. During my years of travel and study in Japan, I had an opportunity to learn first-hand the ways that the Japanese used blood types and it immediately caught my attention -- especially because several years earlier I had also become fascinated with the work of Dr James D'Adamo. His theory focused on how blood type could indicate the foods and lifestyle choices most compatible for you. One man's food is another man's poison. After meeting Dr James D'Adamo and reading his book, I began to question everyone about their blood type in an attempt to verify if blood type diet indeed provided clues to our individual uniqueness. Twenty six years later, I am certain it does have merit and is worth our attention. In fact, when I began working with children with autism, I quickly saw that 8 out of 10 of them are blood type "A". An "A" myself, this told me a lot about the little bodies they were in and what their special needs were. Knowing that blood is the most fundamental nourishment for our bodies, it seems to me that different blood types would react differently to certain substances in food. Please reflect on this theory yourself and see if you don't agree. While there is not a lot of "hard science" to date on blood type, it makes a lot of "common sense" to look further into this theory. Blood carries the nutrients of foods into our cells and clearly not all blood is exactly the same. While Dr. James D'Adamo's theories were based on patient observation, his son Peter D'Adamo has tried to use a more scientific approach on the activity of lectins (proteins found in food). Peter found that eating the wrong lectins for your blood type could cause weight gain, early aging and immune problems.

I credit much of the blood type information presented in The Body Ecology Diet to both James D'Adamo and Pete D'Adamo's research, but because of my own observations with blood type and my fortunate exposure to the Japanese theory on personality and blood type - and as you will see in more detail in The Body Ecology Diet book -- I do not always agree with these two brilliant and creative men.

Blood Type and Personality

There are four blood types: O, A, AB and B, with blood type A being the most common where so much research on blood types have been focused -- in Japan. In fact, 74% of the Japanese are blood type A. I find it interesting that the Japanese diet very much favors those with blood type A. "B" type, the second most common blood type, does not do well on soy, or soba (buckwheat) common foods eaten in Japan. Fish is an important protein for B's and the Japanese consume more fish that any country in the world. Lamb, an important protein for B's, is not available there. Here are some examples of blood type and personality, based on James and Peter D'Adamo's work:

Blood Type A - Tend to be cooperative, sensitive, clever, passionate and smart. Often bottling up anxiety in order to get along with others, they may hold in their emotions until they explode. Many are tense, impatient and unable to sleep well. While they are capable of leadership positions, they may not take them because the stress is not good for their tightly wired systems. In Japan many "A"'s are in research. They have roles in discovering more about and refining science, economics, manufacturing, etc. Their research on microflora and other areas of medicine is some of the best and most meticulous in the world. They are perfectionists to say the least. This quality shows up in their perfecting electronics like TV's and also less expensive more efficient cars that were originally created here in the US. Blood type A's tend to have more sensitive constitutions. Too much stress weakens their immunity more quickly than other blood types. Low stomach acid is common among blood type A's even from birth, so special care should be taken when eating animal proteins. Using digestive enzymes, like Assist Dairy and Protein, along with consuming fermented foods and drinks is really a must for A's. It is not surprising to me that fermented foods like Miso and Natto play an important role in providing easily digested protein, in the Japanese Diet. They also eat raw fish which is much easier to digest than cooked.

Blood Type B - Blood type B individuals tend to be balanced: thoughtful like A's and yet ambitious like O's. They are empathetic, easily understanding others' points of view, yet often hesitating to challenge or confront. Chameleon-like and flexible, they make good friends.

Peter D'Adamo found that While their immunity is strong, they are more prone to slowgrowing viral infections like lupus, MS and chronic fatigue. They may also have problems with hypoglycemia and blood sugar, especially if they eat the wrong foods.

Blood Type AB - Tend to be very charming and popular. They don't sweat the small stuff and can be seen as spiritual and even at times a bit "flaky". Only about 2 - 5% of the population are blood type AB. There is never a dull moment in a AB's life, so if you find one for a friend, consider yourself lucky! Youll enjoy some exciting times together! Like blood type A's, AB's react to stress poorly. They are stronger and more active than type A's, but need to pay attention to stress levels so that they don't compromise their immunity. Sometimes it is difficult to be an AB. AB's don't like to fit in anyone else's "boxes". If they feel too confined, they'll break out of that box and do things their own way. When it comes to food choices and AB must discover when they are more B-like or A-like. For example, dairy foods like milk kefir can be excellent for them or not good at all.

Blood Type O - Tend to be loners or leaders and are intuitive, focused, self-reliant and daring. They handle stress better than other blood types and have strong immune systems, a well developed physique and a physically active nature. Blood type O's tend to have sluggish blood flow and feel better with vigorous exercise for about an hour each day.

Read the Body Ecology Diet for guidelines on what foods to eat and avoid based on your blood type.

Obviously many other factors influence your personality. I think you will find like me that these blood type theories are quite fascinating. Do your own subjective research and see if you agree or disagree. To find out more about blood types, including what foods to eat and avoid and ideal exercise, be sure to read The Body Ecology Diet. In 1994, I began writing about blood type and diet in the 1st edition of The Body Ecology Diet. When Peter D'Adamo's book, Eat Right For Your Type came out in 1996, we began to get questions on some of the conflicting information in the two books. Based on our years of working with clients to create a system of health and healing, I feel that the Body Ecology system expands upon Peter's work and goes further toward helping you know and care for your body.

Experiment and Be Your Own Guide

While Body Ecology believes that the blood type theory can provide clues to your diet and health, this is atheory so therefore, still in development. The Body Ecology Diet offers a series of guidelines about your blood type so that you can safely experiment. Hopefully you know your blood type -- if not its worth finding out (via your doctor, for example). Keeping in mind the Body Ecology Principle of Uniqueness, blood type may be a way to modify Body Ecology guidelines for your own unique situation. Try it out for yourself and see what you think! We'd love to hear about your experiences

Blood group can affect fertility, study reveals

A woman's blood type could affect her fertility and influence her chances of getting pregnant, scientists have found A woman's blood group could influence her chances of getting pregnant, scientists have found. Those with blood type O may struggle to conceive due to a lower egg count and poorer egg quality, while those with blood group A seem to be more fertile. More than 560 women with an average age of 35 undergoing fertility treatment took part in the research, led by experts from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York and Yale University. Blood samples were taken to measure levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), a known marker of fertility.

FSH levels greater than 10 suggest a woman will have more difficulty conceiving than those whose levels are under 10. A high FSH level indicates a diminished ovarian reserve, which refers to both egg quality and the number of eggs left available for fertilisation. Ovarian reserve tends to decline significantly as a woman reaches her middle and late 30s and faster in the early 40s. The study found that women who were blood type O were twice as likely to have an FSH level greater than 10 as those in any other blood group. The findings held true even when a woman's age was taken into account and the fact the women came from two different clinics. Meanwhile, those with blood group A were "significantly less likely" to have an FSH level greater than 10 than those who were blood group O. Some 44% of the UK population are blood group O and 42% are type A. People with blood group A carry the A antigen, which is a protein on the surface of the cell, but this is absent in people with O type. Dr Edward Nejat, from the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at Albert Einstein College, is presenting his findings at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) conference in Denver. He said: "In both groups of women that were seeking fertility treatment, those with blood type O were twice as likely to have an FSH level over 10 than those with blood types other than O. "We found that women with A and AB women with the A blood group gene were protected from this effect of diminished ovarian reserve. "From the population we studied, and the fact it was two different centres and there was a good mix of patients ethnically and racially, we can say that blood type O was associated with an FSH level greater than 10 in women seeking infertility evaluation and/or treatment. "Patients with blood type O seeking infertility evaluation at these centres have a higher likelihood to be diagnosed with elevated FSH and hence manifest diminished ovarian reserve." Nejat said FSH levels were just one marker of fertility and more studies were needed."A woman's age remains the most important factor in determining her success of conceiving. "The baseline FSH gives us an idea of the quality and quantity of a woman's eggs." Tony Rutherford, chair of the British Fertility Society, said: "This is the first time that I'm aware of that researchers have shown a link between blood group and potential for fertility."

However, he said there were other hormones that predicted diminished ovarian reserve which were also important to assess. "This is interesting and it shows a potential link but we really need to look at it with these other, more up to date tests of ovarian reserve." Rutherford said a bigger study would need to be carried out in the general population to see if blood group caused potential problems for all women trying to conceive. "We need to look at a prospective group of women to see if blood group affects your chance of getting pregnant," he said. "This needs further exploration."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/oct/25/pregnancy-fertility-problems-blood-group

WHATS MY BLOOD TYPE

Personality
The theory that blood type is linked to personality (and other mental and physical qualities) is popular mainly in Japan, though it has carried over to Taiwan and South Korea. It was started by the Germans in 1901, who, after the discovery that certain races are more likely to be predominantly of certain blood typessuch as Asians being more likely than other races to be type Bused the theory to "scientifically" explain Aryan genetic superiority. The theory experienced a popular resurgence in 1927, when Takeji Furukawa, a professor at Tokyo Women's Teachers School, published a paper entitled "The Study of Temperament Through Blood Type" in the journal Psychological Research. After failed militaristic and social experiments, the unscientific nature of the theory was widely understood, and it lost popularity during the 1930's. It was revived again in 1971 by Masahiko Nomi's book Understanding Affinity Through Blood Type. Nomi was a lawyer and journalist with no medical training or background. Despite Nomi's lack of scientific proof, anecdotal basis, and unclear methods, as well as constant attacks on the theory from the medical and psychological communities, the theory is still very popular in Japan. Japanese celebrities frequently include their blood type in their profiles, along with age and hobbies. It is frequently included in character descriptions in manga, television shows, and video games. Apart from the more standard services, Japanese matchmaking services frequently include blood type as a consideration. It is also common for people to exchange their blood types when meeting, and some consider it unusual for a person not to know.

Origins
It can be argued that one of the three alleles is ancestral to the other two. For example, the origin of the O allele, and subsequently blood type O, is simply the result of the deletion resulting in a loss of function of

glycosyltransferase activity for the A antigen. A mutation resulting in the loss of function in a protein, at best, would be a "nearly neutral" mutation since blood type O does not appear to have any deleterious effects or selective advantage over the other two blood types.

Famous Type Os
Elvis Presley, Prince Charles, Al Capone, and Queen Elizabeth.

Health
Individuals of Type O blood have the thinnest blood, strongest immune systems, strongest stomach acids, and live the longest of all the blood types. Type Os are however, prone to digestive disorders, more susceptible to arthritis, and thyroid disease due to an overactive immune system. Foods such as wheat and dairy also promote inflammation for this blood type that can trigger an imbalance in immunity. Nutrition Type O is the oldest blood type in which people hunted for their food to survive focusing a predominant meat diet. Type Os are encouraged to eat lean red meats and poultry but limited in dairy products, grains (wheat is high on the list to avoid) and legumes. Although this nutrition is high in animal protein, the type O requires intense physical exercise to help burn off the meat.

Blood Types
There are four basic types of bloodA, B, AB, and Oeach with a positive and negative sub-type. O positive is the most common type, with AB negative being the least common. The letter designation of the blood type indicates which antigens are present in the blood cell. The antigen determines which blood types will join if donated. Types A, B, and AB have their titular antigens, and type O has no antigens. Thus, type O can be joined with any blood type, and is a universal donor. Blood type also indicates which antibodies are present in the blood cell. The antibodies determine which blood cells the body being will reject. Type A rejects type B; type B rejects type A; and type O rejects both types A and B. Type AB contains no antibodies, so will accept any type of blood. The positive and negative classifications indicate the presence or absence of Rhesus antigens. Blood cells that contain Rhesus antigens (Rh positive) are designated with a "+"; those without (Rh negative) are designated with a "-." People with Rh positive blood can receive both RH positive and negative blood, but those with Rh negative can only receive Rh negative blood. With both types of distinction in blood type, receiving the wrong type of blood in a transfusion can result in serious medical complications, even death in some cases. These complications, known as transfusion reactions, may include fever, shortness of breath, bodily aches and pains, rapid heart rate, chills, and low blood pressure, as well as allergic reactions, which could cause itching, hives, wheezing, and, most serious, anaphylactic shock. While transfusion reactions are alarming, they are rarely fatal if treated immediately. Every 3 seconds someone in the United States needs blood. Donating just one pint of your blood can help save the lives of up to three people. Please consider donating blood today. (You can only donate whole blood once

every eight weeks.) More information on blood donation, including donation locations, is available from the Red Cross.

% of Population* A- 6% A+ 34% B- 2% B+ 9% AB- 1% Type AB+ 3% OO+ 7% 38%

Donates to... Receives from... A-/+, AB-/+ A+, AB+ B-/+, AB-/+ B+, AB+ AB-/+ AB+ A-, OA-/+, O-/+ B-, OB-/+, O-/+ A-, B-, AB-, OA-/+, B-/+, AB-/+, O-/+

A-/+, B-/+, OAB-/+ A+, B+, AB+ O-/+

Blood Terminology Whole blood: blood in the same form as it exists within the body, with red cells, platelets, and plasma. It's used almost exclusively in instances of severe blood loss. Red cells: these are used in the treatment of uncorrectable anemia, such as when rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, sickle cell. They're also essential after physically devastating things like surgery, childbirth, and severe burns. Platelets: used to treat bone marrow failure, post-transplant and chemotherapy treatments, and leukemia. Plasma: used after obstetric loss of blood (such as childbirth), during cardiac surgery, and to reverse anticoagulant treatment. It's also used to replace clotting factors after massive transfusions or when they're not being sufficiently produced, such as liver disease.

Personality Characteristics
Type A Presence of mind, serious, patient, calm & cool; Coherent character, can be relied on & trusted, but stuborn; Plan everything out beforehand, and carry out tasks with seriousness and consistency; Try to be fair and find the ideal outcome to any situation; Tend to keep themselves separate from others, especially those who don't share their opinions; Tend to try and keep their emotions and thoughts hidden from others, and share them only when comfortable. Type B Tend to be exceedingly curious about everything; Are easily vexed and grow exasperated if things don't go the way they want them to go; Usually have a strong drive to be the best at whatever they set their mind to doing; however, they also tend to neglect other tasks for the sake of whatever they are focusing on; Have a hard time multi-tasking; Tend to be loners, and keep themselves isolated from others;

Type AB Usually gentle and emotionally sensative; Are very empathetic and careful when dealing with other people, taking care to consider the other point of

view; Easily become lost in thought; Are sometimes looked at as having 2 personalities, because they tend to keep their true selves hidden from strangers; They have many friends, but also require time alone. Type O Are usually the "cheerleader" of the group; Tend to be more followers than leaders, accepting whatever the plan is and going alone with it without protest; Very generous and kindhearted; Generally well-liked by most people; Very flexible, and adapt easily to change; They are easily influenced by others, as well as perceived authorities, such as television personalities; Generally trustworthy, but can sometimes make mistakes due to lapses of focus.

Blood Type & 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). There has been much criticism of this theory, whichwhile it certainly is not unhealthyhas 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 nonfood 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" genesA, B, and AB, which possess antigenswould 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.

Personality
The theory that blood type is linked to personality (and other mental and physical qualities) is popular mainly in Japan, though it has carried over to Taiwan and South Korea. It was started by the Germans in 1901, who, after the discovery that certain races are more likely to be predominantly of certain blood typessuch as Asians being more likely than other races to be type Bused the theory to "scientifically" explain Aryan genetic superiority. The theory experienced a popular resurgence in 1927, when Takeji Furukawa, a professor at Tokyo Women's Teachers School, published a paper entitled "The Study of Temperament Through Blood Type" in the journal Psychological Research. After failed militaristic and social experiments, the unscientific nature of the theory was widely understood, and it lost popularity during the 1930's. It was revived again in 1971 by Masahiko Nomi's book Understanding Affinity Through Blood Type. Nomi was a lawyer and journalist with no medical training or background. Despite Nomi's lack of scientific proof, anecdotal

basis, and unclear methods, as well as constant attacks on the theory from the medical and psychological communities, the theory is still very popular in Japan. Japanese celebrities frequently include their blood type in their profiles, along with age and hobbies. It is frequently included in character descriptions in manga, television shows, and video games. Apart from the more standard services, Japanese matchmaking services frequently include blood type as a consideration. It is also common for people to exchange their blood types when meeting, and some consider it unusual for a person not to know.

Blood Diseases & Disorders

Thrombophilia is potentially dangerous blood clotting in veins or arteries. Several types of conditions have been identified which lead to dangerous clots. These conditions may be present at birth or may occur as a result of another condition. Thalassemia is an inherited disorder that causes mild or severe anemia. The anemia is due to reduced hemoglobin and fewer red blood cells than normal. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. Hemophilia is a rare, inherited bleeding disorder in which your blood doesn't clot normally. If you have hemophilia, you may bleed for a longer time than others after an injury. You also may bleed internally, especially in your knees, ankles, and elbows. This bleeding can damage your organs or tissues and sometimes be fatal.

http://whatsmybloodtype.org/mission.html