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All the connections among blood groups and diseases or dysfunctions are particularly interesting, but mostly for Dr. Peter D’Adamo, the founder of the Blood Type Diet, it seems to be a strong correlation between blood type and cardiovascular health, specifically between blood groups and the ability to metabolize dietary fats and oils.
It was very interesting and informative at the time of my discovery of the blood type diet that blood group influences the viscosity, or thickness of the blood, and which has powerful implication with circulation.
Different blood types have different levels of cholesterol in blood. Blood type plays also a role in the chemical response to stress, other very important factor in cardiovascular health.
But the doctor also admits that some major risks factors as smoking or poor diet will be the same for everyone no matter what blood type they are.
Besides the common reasons analyzed from the doctor and widely discussed in literature I would like to underline some specific causes mentioned and well recognized today.
For example, in addition to genetics and lifestyle, he tests that a trigger point for cardiovascular disease is chronic low-grade infection, like Helicobacter Pylori, chronic bronchitis, frequent dental infections and gum diseases, all linked to elevated serum levels of an inflammatory marker, the CRP, C-reactive protein, well known to be among one of the most important markers for inflammation.
The effects of superoxide free radicals from oxidative stress and smoking dramatically increase free radicals’ activity; this together fats, fibrin, platelets, cellular debris and calcium deposit contributes to the development of plaques and so of atherosclerosis.
This is also very well discussed in a book titled “Cholesterol Heart Health” by Dr. Michael Murray.
Everyone knows about the other major risks for cardiovascular health as hypertension and diabetes for example, body weight and triglycerides and both these doctors analyze and discuss in their books and articles as much as the hundreds of scientists and medical journals around the world.
But the cholesterol, despite of all talks in regard remains a dilemma and enigma to unlock.
Dr. D’Adamo calls the “The Cholesterol Paradox”. Not all the statistics show connections between cholesterol levels and heart disease, he testifies. It looks like that in regard of blood types, blood type A and AB have high levels of cholesterol compared to blood type O and B.
The major factor for blood type A and AB seems to be genetic, but it is also connected to the high levels of the stress hormone cortisol and to the low level of the enzyme that catalyzes the metabolism of lipids, the IAPI, or intestinal alkaline phosphatase.
It also looks like that the A-antigen in type A may inactivate alkaline phosphatase being this an additional reason of lower levels of this enzyme in the blood of these types.
Type B and O instead, have high level of IAPI, for a better processing of lipids in blood; the risk factor in these types seems to be more related to carbohydrates intolerance and it manifests mainly in gain of weight which is a major risk for cardiovascular disease.
Classic sign of insulin resistance is the “apple shape” figure where fat is located in abdomen, while with the “pear shape” the fat is located by the hip and thighs; this shape has less risks.
This can be obtained calculating the BMI index which is the ratio between the weight in pounds and the square of the height in inches multiplied for a standard factor. Conventional tables show the ideal numbers for different age and sex and so the risk factor.
The reason why stress influences cardiovascular health is because during this time there is a release of fatty acids and glucose into the blood stream; these can be converted into natural fat and cholesterol and deposited on the arterial wall where they create resistance to the blood flow and contribute to high blood pressure.
Blood type A and AB, in addition have higher amounts of the factor VIII, coagulation factor, one more reason for tendency for strokes and thrombosis. Blood type O and B with thinner blood instead maybe more at risk for hemorrhagic strokes.
Selectins are molecules involved in adhesion of white blood cells to blood vessels, improperly controlled of these can cause increase of inflammation. These also are present in high levels in blood type A.
Referring to the difference between secretor and non-secretor, in general, non-secretor are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease and related syndromes for a combination of number of factors previously analyzed.
The MN System
It was very interesting to learn about the existence and importance of this system in regard of the classification of blood groups systems. It seems that a variety of diseases are associate with this system. It was discovered by Landsteiner and colleagues in 1927, and involves three variants, MM, NN, MN, based on whether cells have only the M antigen, MM, the N antigen, NN, or both, MN.
Around 28% of the population types out as MM, 22% as NN, and 50% as MN.
The MN system has been shown to have a role in cancer, infections, and heart disease susceptibility.
The M antigen is the precursor of one of most common tumor associate antigens, the Thomsen–Friedenreich (T) antigen, which is expressed in a variety of cancers.
MM individuals who are also blood type A appear to have a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease, MN individuals, instead, higher incidence of essential hypertension and asthma. NN individuals are more responsive to dietary regulation of blood lipids, as decreased LDL with the use of low-fat diet.
M and N blood group antigens also interfere with inhibition of viral hemagglutination of some influenza virus strain influencing the susceptibility to them.
In conclusion the parameters analyzed from this doctor in regard of cardiovascular health are mainly based on blood groups specificity and metabolic differences, and the therapies listed from the doctor are the same conventional for the drastic cases, but, of course more important is his cardiovascular natural protocols for each blood type and more than everything, the diet, for each blood type, so important for this personalized nutrition and at the base of all the healing and detoxifying processes.
Another book that I have found very interesting and complete is a famous and best seller for sure, “Beat the Heart Attack Gene”. It was introduced to me from my prime-care physician and as much as scary to go through I have found very informative.
At glance, this group of cardiologists from Spokane, Washington, describes the causes and types of investigations to find the root cause, and the cases analyzed and solved.
The heart attack gene is named “qP21” a variant “KIF6” magnifies the risks; it is mentioned among all the other reasons that these found in addition can help with the choice of appropriate statin.
These are conventional doctors, but they also look for the root cause and go deep down the cause of the disease, they also suggest a variety of natural protocols and elements to support the conventional therapies so as they provide the list of the most important inflammatory markers as for example: CRP, ERS, fibrinogen and so on, and diagnostic tests for prevention and check-up.
The lipoprotein tests, of course, and LDL particle size very important to establish the risks or not of having high LDL cholesterol levels as much as carotid ultrasound and echocardiogram, to mention some, as typical tests for cardiovascular heart and prevention.
Very accurate, fulfill and detailed book.
Thanks for reading.
Mariarosaria Malham
References:
Cardiovascular Disease “Fight it with Blood Type Diet”. Dr. Peter D’Adamo with Catherine Whitney
“Eat Right 4 Your Type”, Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia. Dr. Peter D’Adamo with Catherine Whitney
“Cholesterol Heart Health”, Dr. Michael Murray
“Beat The Heart Attack Gene” Bradley Bale & Amy Doneen
The Emerging Science 