There are four major blood groups – A, B, AB and O – each of which is either ‘positive’ or ‘negative,’ as determined by the presence or absence of certain antigens (substances that may trigger an immune response, which is why it’s so important to know your blood type before receiving a transfusion).
While your blood type is unique, blood is universal in its components, which include:[i]
- Plasma (55 percent): Composed of mostly water, along with vital proteins, mineral salts, sugars, fats, hormones and vitamins.
- Red blood cells (45 percent): These carry oxygen to your body’s tissues and take carbon dioxide to your lungs to be exhaled.
- White blood cells and platelets (less than 1 percent): Platelets interact with clotting proteins to stop bleeding.
Your blood type is inherited, like your eye color, from your parents. In the United States, O positive is the most common blood type across all ethnic groups, followed by A positive. The chart below, from the American Red Cross, shows a more specific breakdown:[ii]
| Caucasians | African American | Hispanic | Asian | |
| O + | 37% | 47% | 53% | 39% |
| O – | 8% | 4% | 4% | 1% |
| A + | 33% | 24% | 29% | 27% |
| A – | 7% | 2% | 2% | 0.5% |
| B + | 9% | 18% | 9% | 25% |
| B – | 2% | 1% | 1% | 0.4% |
| AB + | 3% | 4% | 2% | 7% |
| AB – | 1% | 0.3% | 0.2% | 0.1% |
Your Blood Type Influences Your Risk of Certain Diseases
You’ve probably heard that your blood type might influence which foods are best for you, although this is controversial. Throughout history, blood type has also been said to determine your personality (a notion still widely accepted in Japan, to the extent that blood type is considered in job searches, matchmaking and even kindergarten classes, and “bura-hara,” or blood-type harassment, is a very real issue[iii]).
While there’s little evidence to back up the blood type/personality connection, there is credible research showing that your blood type may influence your risk of disease, for better or for worse. Here are some examples of how your blood type might influence your risk of certain diseases.[iv]
Type O
- Lower risk of heart attacks
- Less risk of dying from malaria
- Lower risk of cancer
- Greater risk of cholera
- Greater risk of stomach ulcers caused by viruses and bacteria
- Increased risk of being infected with norovirus
- Women may be more likely to have a lower egg count and poorer egg quality, which could impact fertility
- Men may be more at risk of becoming obese, especially if exposed to pollution at work (which sets off chronic inflammatory responses)
Type A
- Increased risk of gastric cancer
- Increased risk of breast cancer
- Increased risk of lung cancer
- Women’s egg count may fall less over time, improving fertility
Type B
- Increased risk of ovarian cancer
- Increased risk of pancreatic cancer
- Increased risk of gastrointestinal cancer[v]
Type AB
- Increased risk of ovarian cancer
- Increased risk of pancreatic cancer
- Increased risk of coronary heart disease[vi]
- Increased risk of developing blood clots
- Women may have double or triple the risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy
- May be 82 percent more likely to develop thinking and memory problems that may lead to dementia.[vii] If this is your blood type, take this five-question quiz to find out if you’re starting to lose your memory – and if you could benefit from Advanced Memory Support.
But remember, none of this is set in stone. A healthy diet, exercise, stress relief and a positive attitude will all lower your risk of disease – and all of these factors are well within your control. Your lifestyle, not your blood type, will be the greatest determinant of your future health and risk of disease.
[i] RedCrossBlood.org, Blood Components
[ii] RedCrossBlood.org, Blood Types
[iii] Daily Mail February 22, 2011
[iv] Daily Mail February 22, 2011
[v] The Internet Journal of Pathology. 2010 Volume 13 Number 1.
[vi] Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology 2012;32:2314-2320
I think other factors than blood type are more of a determining factor in disease prevention and occurance
I believe that the last paragraph says just that. Thanks to all of you at HBI for what you do. You have been a blessing to many. May God’s sweetest blessings be yours!!