meathead

I’ve eaten meat my entire life. Despite a prolonged resentment toward hamburgers (ages five through eighteen), I’ve never thought to eliminate it from my diet. In fact, during my years living with Anna, I often pressured my sweet vegetarian friend to ‘just try it.’

This is why I find it somewhat astonishing that about a month ago I became completely repulsed with the idea of meat. I’d like to say it was some kind of health kick or dramatic way to show my love for animals – but I can’t stand behind either reason. I don’t remember specifically when it started, just before Thanksgiving I think. Out of nowhere I would look at meat the way my dogs look at me when I put clothes on them. Utter disgust.

I mentioned this to Jen yesterday, my friend/health guru/personal trainer/life coach. She asked if I’d ever read about eating for my blood type. I hadn’t but was suddenly eager to find out if being AB+ was somehow behind my meat-hating.

Let’s dissect some of what I read at the official site:

Type AB reflects the mixed inheritance of their A and B genes. According to Dr. D’Adamo, “Type AB has Type A’s low stomach acid, however, they also have Type B’s adaptation to meats. Therefore, you lack enough stomach acid to metabolize them efficiently and the meat you eat tends to get stored as fat. Your Type B propensities cause the same insulin reaction as Type B when you eat lima beans, corn, buckwheat, or sesame seeds.” Inhibited insulin production results in hypoglycemia, a lowering of blood sugar after meals and leads to less efficient metabolism of foods. 

Type AB reflects the mixed inheritance of their A and B genes. According to Dr. D’Adamo, “Type AB has Type A’s low stomach acid, however, they also have Type B’s adaptation to meats. Therefore, you lack enough stomach acid to metabolize them efficiently and the meat you eat tends to get stored as fat. Your Type B propensities cause the same insulin reaction as Type B when you eat lima beans, corn, buckwheat, or sesame seeds.” Inhibited insulin production results in hypoglycemia, a lowering of blood sugar after meals and leads to less efficient metabolism of foods.

A little confusing, but maybe the fact that I can’t efficiently metabolize meat is part of the reason my body is turned off to it. Not to mention the fact that I’ve always been hypoglycemic and feel ill and get tunnel vision if I go too long without eating. So far, I’m a believer. Let’s continue:

Type AB should avoid caffeine and alcohol, especially when you’re in stressful situations. Dr. D’Adamo recommends that Type AB focus on foods such as tofu, seafood, dairy and green vegetables if you are trying to lose weight. “Avoid all smoked or cured meats. These foods can cause stomach cancer in people with low levels of stomach acid,” recommends Dr. D’Adamo. There is a wide variety of seafood for Type AB, and it is an excellent source of protein for Type AB. A few highly beneficial fish are mahi-mahi, red snapper, salmon, sardines, and tuna. Some dairy is also beneficial for Type AB – especially cultured dairy such as Yogurt and kefir.

 Ok, does this Dr. D’Adamo know me? I don’t believe we’ve ever met, but this stuff sounds just like me. I’ve avoided caffeine for years and years. Any time I drink coffee or soda I feel sick. Redbull? Forget it. As for eating fish and cultured dairy, I love seafood and cottage cheese. One question, wtf is kefir?

 Even though people have different capabilities for accommodating stress, we ultimately all have a breaking point. Given enough stressors of a high enough intensity for a long enough period of time, anyone will maladapt. For a Type AB, when it comes to stress hormones, you most resemble Type O in your tendency to overproduce catecholamines like adrenaline. Yet you also have the additional complexity of Type B’s rapid clearing of nitrous oxide, so you suffer the physical consequences of high emotions.

 I vouch for that – I get sick when I get over-stressed. But doesn’t everyone? I’m starting to get confused.

 Your greatest danger is the tendency to internalize your emotions, especially anger and hostility, which is much more damaging to your health than externalizing it. Exercise plays a critical component in stress reduction and maintaining a healthy emotional balance for Type AB. Dr. D’Adamo recommends a combination of both calming activities and more intense physical exercise to help maintain an optimal balance. For example, three days of aerobic exercise such as running or biking and two days of calming exercise such as yoga or tai chi.

And we’re back. This is totally me again. Exercise has always been a critical component of my life. I’m also guilty of internalizing too much.

Type AB often receives mixed messages about emotional health. While you tend to be drawn to other people and are friendly and trusting, there is a side of you that feels alienated from the larger community. At your best, you are intuitive and spiritual, with an ability to look beyond the rigid confines of society. You are passionate in your beliefs, but you also want to be liked by others and this can create conflicts. In an independent study, Type ABs described themselves as emotional, passionate, friendly, trusting and empathetic. Type ABs are considered some of the most interesting of the blood types, both John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe were Type ABs and although both are long gone, they hold a place in our national psyche to this day.

Just took the MBTI and assessments on trust and listening skills in my MBA program. This explanation matches closely with my results.

Whoa. Who knew blood type could play such a significant role in your daily life. I’ve honestly never thought twice about my blood type outside of donating blood. After this enlightening experience I did some more research and learned that not only is AB+ very rare – only three percent of Caucasians have it - but I’m able to receive donations from anyone. My blood can only go to others of my type though, I’m selective apparently.

I don’t think I’m going to start following a specific diet as a result of all this, and I can’t give up meat completely: wouldn’t get enough protein and too inconvenient…but it’s nice to know there’s potentially some rationale behind my herbivorous inclinations.