The latest dieting fad amongst the Kingdom's youth these days is ascertained according to their blood type. Known as the “blood type diet”, this diet advocates the consumption of certain foods according to a person's blood group. The diet was introduced by Dr. Peter D. Adamo, a naturopathic physician who set the case for this diet in his book “Eat Right for Your Blood Type.” He bases this theory on the idea that each blood group has its own unique antigen marker (a substance that the body recognizes as being alien) and this marker reacts badly with certain foods, leading to all sorts of potential health problems. He states that the ABO blood type is in fact the most important factor in determining a healthy diet plan according to the different blood groups: O, A, B, AB. He believes that following a diet designed specifically according to the blood type allows the body to digest and absorb food more efficiently, allowing one to lose weight naturally. Dr. Ruquiya Al-Usmani, a consultant in nutrition and head of the nutrition and dietetics department at Baksh Hospital in Jeddah told Saudi Gazette however, that the general consensus among dietitians, physicians and researchers is that the theory is unsupported by scientific evidence. She added that medical experts in the field universally agree that there is no connection between our blood type and the diet we follow. Consequently, patients will probably not find qualified nutritionists and dietitians recommending this particular diet. In fact, she stated that there can't be any scientific rationale behind isolating whole or partial foods from one's diet and that it could be putting one in danger of developing nutritional deficiencies. If it does seem to lead to weight loss, that could probably have a lot more to do with the fact that one is monitoring how much they eat rather than the types of food being consumed. “Fundamentally the diet can make you lose weight, but it won't necessarily make you healthy,” Dr. Al-Usmani said. The best thing to do, she recommends, is to stick to a sound, healthy diet with moderate daily exercise. The blood type diet only serves the purpose of providing a quick, but unhealthy and dangerous way of losing weight. For those who vociferously advocate this diet, however, there are a number of guidelines that lend the diet credibility. According to the theory behind the diet: • Blood type O: Followers should pursue a high protein, low carbohydrate diet with lots of meat and fish but no dairy products. • Blood type A: Followers should pursue a vegetarian diet but still avoid dairy products. This means nuts, seeds, beans cereals, pasta rice, fruit and vegetables are on the list. • Blood type B: This blood group has the least dietary restrictions. The only foods that need to be avoided are processed foods, although nuts and seeds are not recommended and only small amounts of carbohydrate-rich foods should be eaten. • Blood type AB: People with this rare blood type should eat a combination of foods recommended for blood groups A and B. This is somewhat confusing, however, when type B allows you to eat most foods, while type A suggests a vegetarian diet! “There are not many positive things one can say about this diet, which is clearly based on science fiction rather than science. However, as with any diet, it gets you thinking about what you are eating and allow you to make changes to your diet for the better. Moreover, the diet recommends eating fresh and natural foods so it can help you de-junk your diet by cutting out processed foods,” Dr. Al-Usmani explained when asked about the possible benefits of this diet. She added that the negative effects of this diet were many though the fact that the nutritional deficiencies this diet provides can affect the brain in the long term is the most serious of the lot. “The best reviewed diet is one that focuses on what works best in the long term,” she stated, adding that a balanced diet and exercise regime should be personalized according to each individual's comfort level.
