The Elixir of Longevity

December 29, 2011: The Elixir of Longevity

Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo, Author

So, about that person who seemingly ‘looks’ overweight but just beat you in the most recent 5k you entered? Why is it that eating a moderate and balanced diet works well for some people, but others are stuck in a rut and just can’t loose that last 10 lbs?

I am excited to share my latest obsession…eating for your blood type. It’s not a diet, it’s the specific elimination of just a few key foods and the addition of other key foods which are beneficial by blood type. Not many people even know their blood type (I had to call my O.B.) but I figured since I gave blood many times while I was pregnant, the OBGYN office should know it, and they did. There are 4 main types: O (the oldest – as in 50,000 BC), A (the next oldest), B (most ‘balanced’ meaning eating a variety of foods with moderate exercise works best) and AB (the newest, being not more than 700-1000 years old). So goes the notion, according to Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo, “…blood is life itself…it is the primal force that fuels the power and mystery of birth, the horrors of disease, war, and violent death.” Dr. D’Adamo goes on to say that blood is magical, mystical, and alchemical” in other words, the elixir of longevity.  While it is no surprise that one diet doesn’t fit all people, I have never come across a solution so extraordinary as this.

This is not a diet. The electric growth of people truly concerned about eating and exercising to stay healthy over the past few years has created a need to critically evaluate some of the more mainstream diets such as Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers, or Jenny Craig. While many people believe that balance and moderation is the practical solution to complex dieting, eating according to your blood type takes that practicality one step further.  Understanding our ancestry and eating or avoiding specific foods according to how our body responds is a scientific breakthrough into the viability of eating healthy.

Years of empirical evidence has been recorded and proven to maximize both food and exercise routines. For example, have you ever wondered why some people’s bodies handle highly intense exercise such as running 50 miles quite well, while others look and feel totally balanced on yoga alone? It is directly related to blood type. Some people say “I was blessed with good genes.” While that may be true, as we age and become more aware of our bodies in the area of auto-immune function, digestive function, and even weight gain, the old adage…as you grow older, you put on more weight…works for some. But why then are some older people so healthful looking and full of youth? The culprit is something called a lectin. A lectin is a sugar binding protein in our cells that  play a role in biological recognition. For example, some viruses use lectins to attach themselves to the cells of the host organism during infection. On a more basic level, what that means is that certain foods contain nutrients that are either good or bad for the lectins in our bodies. Since not everyone’s body is the same, eating “good” foods for our blood type enables our bodies to achieve a metabolic balance by riding the body of foods that inhibit the efficient use of energy.  Here’s some “food for thought,” I am a runner, and one of the key foods I eat after a long run is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. For years I have not been able to understand why I felt so awful after running sometimes but not others. I recently discovered, although I am in no way allergic to peanuts, they are not recommended for my blood type because the peanut contains a specific lectin that hampers metabolic efficiency causing hypoglycemia.  However, walnuts, almonds, chestnuts, and macadamia nuts are all just fine for me. Interesting right? Looks like I’ll be trying out that almond butter after all!

In his book, Eat Right For Your Type, Dr. D’Adamo includes very specific recommendations (such as the peanut recommendation) about for foods that are highly beneficial to your blood type, neutral foods, and foods that are not recommended (in other words, poison!). Here is another big, in your face, wow…chicken. Yes, chicken is not recommended for my blood type because the lectin it contains is actually dangerous to my blood type, however, turkey is just fine. Who would have thought that eating a serving of lean red meat would be better than chicken? Well, for some people, it looks like that is very true. I encourage you to look into eating for your blood-type. It is a very interesting and individualized way to not only achieve your ideal weight, but to feel better and more balanced, leading to a healthier, happier you! Happy New Year!

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Kate Murray is a web & graphic designer, creator of Vogue Media & Managing Partner of Triumph Virtual Media, an e-marketing strategy firm in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Her dynamic style is influenced mostly by her family, but also by her travels, 10+ years in the corporate financial services industry, and by her ability to genuinely connect with people. Kate has the unique ability to introduce aesthetically pleasing design alongside innovative programing to create a user interface that is both beautiful and functional. She received her Master's of Business Administration in 2003 and her Bachelor of Science in Communication in 1996.