One of the most confusing classifications of the body, according to some, is blood type. Our blood can be divided into four categories: A, B, AB, and O, which collectively represent the four groups of antigens found on the surfaces of red blood cells.
Blood types can reveal a lot about an individual's personal health and well-being, even though they normally only indicate who can donate to and receive from them. These are six things to think about.
1. Memory Problems
At-risk: AB
The brain and the vascular system have a lot of things in common. Namely, it has been recently found that those with type AB blood were 82% more likely to experience difficulties with attention, language, and memory recall compared to other types. It is believed that this is due to coagulation factor VIII, a key clotting protein which may lower the quality of blood flow to the brain.
“Since factor VIII levels are closely linked to blood type, this may be one causal connection between blood type and cognitive impairment,” explained Mary Cushman, author of the recent study, to Yahoo Health.
2. Pancreatic Cancer
At-risk: Non-O
Judging by the work that researchers from Yale University are doing on bacterial infection, it is accurate to say that those with type O blood have lower risk of developing pancreatic cancer. According to a study done by the University’s Cancer Center which looked that bacteria that thrive in people`s gut, those with H. pylory were at higher risk for pancreatic cancer, because of the way A and B antigens aid the bacteria to thrive. People with type O blood can donate to anyone as they do not carry antigens on the surface of their red blood cells.
3. Heart Disease
At-risk: AB
According to a 2012 study from Harvard University, those with non-O blood are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. However, it has been shown that those with type AB blood were at the highest risk, exhibiting a 23% greater likelihood of suffering from heart disease compared to type O participants.
The study author Dr. Lu Qi, an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition noted that the makeup of people`s antigens has to be given the same importance as cholesterol and blood pressure. “While people cannot change their blood type, our findings may help physicians better understand who is at risk for developing heart disease,” Qi said.
4. Stress
At-risk: A
Given that some blood types are more likely to occur together with varying levels of hormones in the body, doctors often modify their exercise recommendation based on the patient`s type. Those with type A blood are likely to have higher levels of the stress hormone in the body. Therefore, stress- reducing exercises like yoga and Tai Chi can be even more useful at reducing the tension than running.
When the adrenal glands release more cortisol in the bloodstream, one`s stress response grows more acute. Those with type A often get anxious more quickly and have a difficulty letting troubles go away.
5. Gut Bacteria
Not only can antigens be found in the lining of the red blood cells, but they can be also found in the lining of the digestive tract. As a matter of fact, nearly 80% of people go down into this category. Most of the bacteria that thrive in people`s gut use antigens as food, which dictates which bacteria thrive and which disappear. Earlier research has found that those with type B blood contain 50,000 the number of strains of friendly bacteria compared to people with either type O or A blood.
6. Exercise Demands
The makeup of one`s antigens in their cells can determine the amount of hormones being released. Those with type A and B blood respond better to yoga and other low-intensity, calming exercises. People with type AB blood can benefit from well-rounder workouts that controls their immune systems.
“Type O’s are more prone to problems that arise from an inability to clear stress hormones from their system quickly,” Dr. Ginger Nash, a naturopathic physician said. “It takes more to get a Type O stressed but it takes more to de-stress them as well.”
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