I admit it: I was suspicious of this diet.Before examining this book, I thought the diet sounded very "fad-like"(and I remain wholly unconvinced by the personality-trait correspondences which are NOT essential to the scientific basis of the diet, just a curiosity). I read negative reviews and their justifications.What I noticed was that most of these reviews sounded a lot like the criticisms leveled at the Atkins diet, a diet that does work for a lot of people (though not all--this book makes clear why) that have since been disproven by double-blind studies.A number noted that d'Adamo's theories weren't backed up by scientific research.Fair enough; this book cites double-blind studies and peer-reviewed research extensively, far more so than the Eat Right and Cook Right books.It also fine-tunes some of the earlier findings.This is ongoing research, something you just don't see in proponents of "fad" diets.D'Adamo has clearly been listing to his critics, and makes every attempt to clarify, fine-tune, and explain how all of this works.I picked this book--and the diet--up when I browsed it in the store and noted that the medical problems in my family charted almost exactly with the risk factors for blood type.(Blood type correlations with disease have actually been established in peer-reviewed medical journals for a long time, although they aren't much talked about.)I tried the diet.I'm about three weeks in.I've lost 10 pounds, my digestive problems are much improved, I feel more energetic, I don't crave sweets, and -- the most convincing thing for me, because I wasn't looking for it and therefore can't attribute it to the placebo effect -- the morning stiffness I've had for 30 years is gone.It takes at least a week for things to kick in--especially if one has increased intestinal permeability due to intestinal damage--but it does, and for many,myself included, the results are quite profound.
I am not a scientist, nor am I claiming that d'Adamo has everything right.There are some typos in the book, although most misprints are corrected on the website (www.dadamo.com)--hard to find, but worth looking.This is ongoing research, however. D'Adamo also uses that site to update new findings on food compatibility.I think this diet could easily be used in conjunction with others appropriate to type. For instance, type O people will do well with Atkins as long as they cut out the wheat gluten and dairy; people with food allergies may have to limit intake of more foods than he lists.He suggests 70-80% compliance works for most people.
Even the critics suggest that this diet isn't likely to harm anyone.I fully expect some version of this to be exonerated as fully as, if not more than, Atkins.In the meantime, this is a great resource, it's interesting reading even for the healthy, and it is more likely to engage a reader like myself who likes to see detailed scientific justification before jumping into a health plan.
Product Description
Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo has established himself as the world's most popular and respected authority on the connection between blood type and eating, cooking and living. Eat Right 4 Your Type, Cook Right 4 Your Type, and Live Right 4 Your Type have created an international phenomenon.
Now comes the essential reference book to answer all your questions about conditions, herbs, supplements, medication and food. From asthma to sore throat, from cancer to thrombosis, this guide recommends treatment for hundreds of conditions, citing rigorous studies that detail the frequency and severity of the conditions for each blood type.
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