Blood type for victory

Athletes will do just about anything to assure victory. From training at high altitudes to the disallowed blood doping (injecting oneself with blood withdrawn a few days before), they’ve tried everything to gain a small edge.

Now, there is new evidence that point to blood type as a determinant of physical performance. Four years ago, Dr. Peter D’Adamo wrote a book entitled Eat Right For Your Type, which put forth the substantiated theory that your blood type influenced your diet. His follow-up volume, Live Right For Your Type, extends this to exercise, lifestyle and even career preference.

According to D’Adamo, specific blood types react to specific foods and substances, which can affect weight, immunity to disease, and physical endurance. He even publishes a comprehensive list of foods that are beneficial or harmful.

Type O is supposedly the oldest blood type, and reacts to infections (pathogens) differently from other blood types. Whereas Type O would allow the infection in and kill it inside the body, other blood types would deny the disease entry in the first place. This is supposedly an evolutionary effect, as pollution and disease made it necessary for the human body to adapt stronger defenses.

Meanwhile, Type O’s are also more predisposed to prolonged strenuous physical activity. This is primarily because they produce less of the enzyme MAO, which eliminates substances like adrenaline. This means that they have a predisposition toward physical activity, and don’t need stimulants like caffeine. Thus, Type O’s may be better suited for leadership positions or roles wherein a lot of activity (and variety) is required. Physical strength and endurance is one of their trademarks. This does not mean that other blood types cannot assume these roles, but merely emphasizes which blood types are more suited to certain activities.

It also means however, that Type O’s also have a tendency to be more aggressive than other blood types. Boredom, fatigue and hunger also negatively affect the emotional balance of Type O’s more than other types. If they inadvertently take in stimulants, they may tend to be hyperactive or lose control.

What does this mean? In terms of sports, it means that a person with blood Type O, as an example, would be more capable of running long distances or lifting heavy weights for longer periods or greater frequency. Aside from this, they also experience a greater release of dopamines, which give the "high" feeling when one exercises. Meanwhile, other blood types may also reap benefits from such sports, but would be better served to mix it with less stressful activities.

It also means that planning, goal-setting and organized living may be a little more difficult for Type O’s, whose genetic constitution leads them to enjoy doing many things at the same time. It’s hard for them to sit still for long periods.

Of course, food also plays a large role in our hormonal balance. Before, it was thought that fruits, for example, are generally beneficial, regardless of the fruit. Since then, it was discovered that fruits also have different allergens in them.

Some fruits, like berries, have pigments in them that block the production of chemicals that process insulin. Therefore, knowing this, a blood type (like Type O again) that needs more insulin processed, would do well to avoid these fruits.

How could this research influence sports? Simple. An athlete’s peaking (and, more fundamentally, even choice of event) may be influenced by his blood type. Some blood types eliminate toxins more readily, some may be more suited to cold environments (we could "tailor" our delegation to countries like Korea, site of the Asian Games), and some recover from selected injuries better.

For example, on the surface, Types A or B would certainly be better suited to events that require short bursts of energy, like sprints in athletics and swimming, or certain gymnastic events. Type O, in turn, might be better suited to long-distance running, weightlifting, and similar sports.

The awareness alone could make a big difference in the diet and planning of individual sports. Even other permutations, like the Rh factor in our blood (Rh- is commonly found in Caucasians) also makes a person more susceptible to certain diseases and affected more readily by certain pathogens.

Simply put, knowing your blood type may help you avoid foods or activities that can affect your mood or performance in life in general. More so if you’re an athlete, it could mean the difference between victory and defeat.

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Don’t miss today’s episode of The Basketball Show (12 noon over RPN 9). We feature the UAAP opening, Alaska’s Don Allado, and a special tribute to a fan of Ginebra’s Mark Caguioa.