What is The Blood Group Diet?

'Nature-cure' takes into account the genetic uniqueness of each individual and their need for a tailored approach to healthcare. Using blood groups is one simple method of taking the genetic inheritance of an individual into account. This practice has been incorporated into naturopathic medicine.

The Blood Group Diet is a system of determining the best diet and lifestyle for an individual based on their ABO blood group and other minor blood groups. Based on the concept and books of his father Dr. James D'Adamo, it was brought to a worldwide readership by American naturopathic physician Dr. Peter D'Adamo with his bestselling book Eat Right 4 Your Type (Pub. GP Putnam's Sons, 1996), ISBN 039914255X. The book uses the premise that the ABO blood group of an individual is linked to other neighbouring genes to 9q34 (the location of the gene for ABO blood group), and the effects of the individual blood group antigen on cell surface membranes. This leads to genetic differences in health risks, dividing the population into four basic groups for an approach to treatment according to ABO blood group.

With the publication of Dr. Peter D'Adamo's Live Right 4 Your Type (Pub. GP Putnam's Sons), ISBN 0399146733, in 2000, the effect of secretor status was included. This is a major part of the picture in terms of health, as secretion of ABO blood group gives an advantage over non-secretion to the approximately 80 per cent of the population who are secretors. Other genes linked with 19q13.3 (the location of the gene for secretor status) have additional effects on health risks. The book also uses the Rhesus (D) and MN blood groups to further refine the genetic risks for an individual, and make the advice for restoring and maintaining health more specific.

In 2002 Dr. D'Adamo published The Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia (Pub. Riverhead), ISBN 1573229202. This book collected all relevant medical research on blood groups, secretor status and other subgroups relating to health and medical conditions. This is a valuable book for the practitioner or researcher interested in the relationship between blood groups and health.

The significance of blood groups was accepted into naturopathic medicine with the publication of the 3rd edition of the standard naturopathic reference, the Textbook of Natural Medicine, Volume 1, edited by Joseph Pizzorno and Michael Murray (Pub. Elsevier, 2006). Peter D'Adamo contributed the chapter Nontransfusion Significance of ABO and ABO-Associated Polymorphisms, which is a detailed scientific exploration of the background to the concept.

How can I find out my blood group and secretor status?

ABO and Rhesus blood group can easily be found for free by giving blood, and the test is also carried out on expectant mothers. A postal service for all relevant blood groups is available using a fingerprick sample at www.bloodgrouptest.co.uk

Are there more genetic factors as well as blood groups that can be used to personalise my healthcare?

Dr. Peter D'Adamo published The GenoType Diet in 2007, which uses blood groups and subgroups as part of a wider determination of genetic health risk factors. Individuals can be classified into one of six GenoTypes, dependent on blood group. Nature-cure offers a GenoTyping consultation to patients by appointment using the SWAMI GenoType system. For further information see the GenoType Diet page.

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