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Did you know that there is more to the type of blood apart from the fact that it is useful while donating or taking blood from others? Well, it turns out that your blood type can help doctors understand what sort of health problems you are most vulnerable to.
In recent times, researchers have found out that apart from your genes and lifestyle, your blood type can also play a major role in developing certain types of diseases.
Let’s start out by identifying the four different blood types that humans can have. A, AB, B and O are the four main types of blood. Type AB is the least common whereas type O is the most common. Below are five interesting facts your blood type can tell you about your health:
1: Stomach cancer
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Studies show that people who have blood types A and AB are at a higher risk of developing stomach cancer as compared to blood types B and O.
According to researchers, people with blood types A and AB have an increased immune response to the bacteria known as H. Pylori. It is because of this reaction that people with blood type AB have a 26% higher chance to develop stomach cancer whereas people with blood type A have a 20% higher chance of doing so.
2: Heart attack
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Not many people are aware of the fact that one of the easiest ways to predict your chances of suffering a heart attack is by looking at your family history. That is right; people who have relatives that have suffered a heart attack have a much higher chance of suffering from a heart attack themselves. Another way to calculate your chances is by looking at your blood type. According to the European Society of Cardiology, people who possess a non-O blood type have a 9% higher risk of suffering from a heart attack [1].
3: Ulcers
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Just like the way H. Pylori can increase the chances of stomach cancer in people with A and AB, it can increase the chances of ulcers in those with blood type O. According to the US National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), the immune system of O blood people attacks H. Pylori ferociously.[2] This intense attack leaves them with swelling, inflammation and stomach ulcers.
4: Cognitive decline
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People with blood type AB should look away. According to researchers, people with blood type AB have an 82% greater risk of developing memory loss as they grow older.
5: Pancreatic cancer
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In a study conducted by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, people with blood types A, B and AB are at a greater risk of developing pancreatic cancer. [3] O blood people have the lowest chance. In comparison with blood type O, those with blood type A have a 32% increased, and those with blood type AB have a 51% greater risk. B blood type people have an astounding 72% increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
You mustn’t feel disheartened after reading this article. Although your blood type can provide a hint on these disease, it is your diet and lifestyle that play the real role in helping you avoid those diseases. Therefore, eat healthy and stay fit!
