Revisiting D'Adamo's Blood Type Diet: The Critical Role of Secreted Antigens in Digestive Health - An Evolutionary Perspective
Journal Title: Journal of Medical Science And clinical Research - Year 2017, Vol 5, Issue 2
Abstract
The theoretical construct of a 'Blood Specific Diet' advocated by Peter D'Adamo, on the premise that food lectins react differently with each blood type, has met with criticism from different quarters for different reasons.The approach followed in this paper is a paradigm shift from 'blood types' to 'secreted antigens', as the key factor, in the relationship between diet and disease (gastric / duodenal ulceration). The problem is analyzed from an evolutionary perspective, relying essentially on a built-in-set of biological mechanism in the form of secreted blood group substances, which confer a selective advantage in an environment of lectin-rich-diet. It is an evolutionary legacy that has been retained, to this day, in hunting-gathering societies. Lectins have been implicated as the trigger factor for peptic ulceration. Decreased susceptibility of secretors to peptic ulceration is closely related to the presence of glycoprotein form of blood group substances in large quantity In the brush border cells, which act as a defense against the mucous stripping effect of lectins in food. Due to their lectin binding affinity, secreted antigens also prevent the lectins from attaching to and damaging the cell membrane lining of the gut. Three primary factors namely, quantum of lectin intake, secretor status along with ABO phenotype and preferential affinity of H. pylori key-adhesins for competing H type 2 and Lewis-a and Lewis-b antigenic receptors, seem to play a pivotal role in determining the bacterial load, inflammatory response and severity of H. pylori infection leading to gastric / duodenal ulceration. Propensity for gastric ulceration is a bane of modern societies which are not so well adapted to withstand the onslaught of lectin-rich-diet.
Authors and Affiliations
Vijender Bhalla
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