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Blood Typing

ABO blood typing is a system of classifying blood according to differences in the antigenic make-up of red blood cells. Blood group typing is essential for a safe blood transfusion and it’s useful to apply this information for categorized blood types according to diet and lifestyle factors. The blood type test requires a drop of blood from one finger and can be done in the office.

  • There are essentially 2 main types of marker proteins or antigens on the surface of red blood cells (RBC’s). The two main groups are classified as Type A and Type B.
  • The most common blood group is O followed by A, the B and finally AB. The precise frequency of each group differs among the races
  • Blood group compatibilities depend on anti-A or anti-B antibodies present which react to protein markers on the RBC.
  • This means that type O (neither A or B antigens) make universal donors as they possess neither antigen
  • Likewise, type AB individuals make universal recipients because they contain both antigens and do not form antibodies to either one.

Blood Type and Diet

The connection between diet and blood typing has been seen from over 30 years of research.  Using the ABO blood typing system is useful to determine which type of diet is most compatible with the individual to prevent allergies and other sensitivities in the body.

The reason blood grouping is important in determining person’s diet is due to molecules called lectins which are found in foods. A large majority of lectins are destroyed by cooking but a small amount survive the cooking process to make it into the digestive tract. If the digestive process in the stomach or small intestine is in anyway compromised the lectins can pass undigested into the lower small intestine where immune tissue will recognize these lectins as being self or non-self. Immune reactions depend on the ABO blood type. If the lectin is seen as non-self (foreign to the body) the body will mount an immune response against it causing inflammation in the intestine. Inflammation of the intestine causes the cells to separate causing the lining to become “leaky” allowing material to seep out of the intestine into the blood and other tissues such as the lymphatics creating long term antibody formation. This makes the person more susceptible to the development of chronic disease.