Blood
There are four main types of blood and these are called: O, A, B and AB. Your blood type will depend on the genes that you inherited from your family. The most common blood type is O.
Your blood is made up of 55% plasma which is a white clear fluid and the remainder is made up of formed elements. The formed elements are mostly Red Blood Cells (they look like little discs and have a strong covering called a membrane) and there are also White Blood Cells and platelets.
Blood has three important functions. The first function is: transportation of oxygen, nutrients, waste and hormones.
The second function is: to regulate . It regulates your body temperature, which aims to be at around 37 degrees. Blood carries glucose to all parts of the body to facilitate energy and blood sugar regulation is another important function of blood.
The third function is: protection. It is able to clot when there is a wound. This clotting forms a protective layer a bit like. The white blood cells also provide protection against disease and invaders. The number of white blood cells in your body depends on whether there are any invading germs such as bacteria or viruses. They are very efficient at seeking out invaders and destroying them.
The red colour of your red blood cells is due to a colour pigment called haemoglobin (pronounced hem-o-globe-in). This is a protein and it carries the oxygen that keeps you alive. The red blood cells live for about 120 days and then they are removed and recycled through your liver and spleen. New Red blood cells are continuously being produced.
Dr Peter D’Adamo, N.D., conducted research and published Eat Right 4 Your Type. The concept of his book is based on evolutionary history. The principles discussed in the book are that each blood type responds differently to specific foods.
According to Dr D’Adamo:
O blood type is the early human blood type and prefers a meat based diet containing meat, fish, fruit and vegetables. Eggs should be consumed only on occasion. A blood type prefer a plant-based diet containing beans, fruit and vegetables. Chicken should be consumed only on occasion. B blood type and AB blood type are able to consume a variety of foods with some exceptions.
It is worth keeping in mind with the dietary suggestions of Dr D’Adamo that the Blood type Diet is only one blood genetic variable of many and therefore it might not suit everyone.
