As the blood type diet is tailored to the cellular composition of our bodies that carry the ancient blood type genes, specific foods will cause either weight gain or weight loss depending on our blood type.
People with blood type O carry the most ancient blood genes of all of us. They are direct descendants of Palaeolithic hunters and gatherers, whose digestive tract still functions the most efficiently when their diet is close to that of the cavemen. Type Os are best described by the following:
- meat eaters;
- possess hardy digestive tract;
- are intolerant to dietary adaptation;
- need intense physical activity to stay lean and alert;
- are prone to sluggish metabolism and weight gain if eat wrong foods.
In other words, people with blood type O require daily physical exercise and a diet based on natural animal products with an addition of fruits and vegetables. Their Palaeolithic ancestors ate high-protein, high-fat diets with very few carbohydrates, and their bodies were able to efficiently metabolise such fuel into energy and high performance. But if a person with blood type O consumes a diet high in carbohydrates and poor in fats and protein, he will inevitably gain weight.
More specifically, if a type O wants to lose fatty tissues, the basic approach is to restrict or even eliminate the consumption of grains, breads, legumes, and beans, because the leading factor in weight gain for type Os if the gluten found in wheat and other whole grains. The gluten lectins inhibit the type 0 insulin metabolism, thus interfering with the efficient use of calories for energy. The consumption of beans are legumes are another weight-gain factor, because the lectins contained in these products tend to disrupt type O acid/alkaline balance and slow down their metabolism. One more weight-contributing factor is a low level of type O thyroid hormone function. The symptoms of underactive thyroid include weight gain, edema, fatigue, and muscle loss.
To sum up, if people with blood type O want to lose excess pounds, they should avoid the following foods:
- whole wheat, rye, and oatmeal products (all of which contain harmful gluten);
- corn (slows metabolism);
- lentils, kidney and navy beans (impair calorie utilization);
- cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and mustard greens (inhibit thyroid production).
Foods that encourage weight loss in type Os:
- red meats and liver (aid efficient metabolism);
- kelp, seafood, and iodized salt (increase thyroid production);
- broccoli, kale, and spinach (boost metabolism).
Sample weight-loss menu for people with blood type O:
Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs, 1 slice of gluten-free bread with almond butter, 1 orange, and a cup of herbal tea.
Lunch: Chicken salad with garden greens, 2 plums, and a glass of seltzer water.
Snack: Rice cakes with natural maple syrup, 1 banana, and a cup of green tea.
Dinner: Lamb stew, steamed broccoli, string bean salad, and a cup of rice milk.