We all know our blood type but what we don't know is that apart from keeping us prepared for unexpected health emergencies, knowing your blood type can also reveal the health risks we are prone to. Science says that every blood group has unique characteristics.
There are different antigens (foreign substance which induces an immune response in the body) on the surface of red blood cells. This makes every blood type resistant to one type of disease and vulnerable to some other disease.
There are primarily four blood groups - A, B, O and AB. But the Rh factor, which is also an antigen determines if it will be positive or negative. If we consider both parameters, there are a total of 8 primary blood groups.
As there is nothing we can do about our blood type, since we inherit it from our parents, knowing what we are predisposed to can aid in preventing these diseases. Making some alterations in the diet and lifestyle can definitely work in this direction, for instance, avoiding foods that are high in saturated fats or processed foods that are high in sodium. Also, lead an active lifestyle. Sedentary lifestyle is a big deterrent to healthy living.
HEART DISEASES: People with O blood group have a lower risk of developing coronary heart disease. Those with blood type AB and B have the greater risk of developing heart diseases
ULCERS: O blood type is more susceptible to developing the risk of ulcers as compared to other blood groups. They are likely to develop stomach ulcers.
BLOOD CLOT: People with type A and B blood group are at a 30 per cent risk of inheriting this condition. And people who have O blood group have a lower risk of blood clotting. Also, AB blood type has 20 per cent risk of this health condition.
GASTRIC CANCER: People with O blood group are relatively at a lower risk of developing gastric cancer. But all other blood types, especially blood type A have a greater chance of developing gastric cancer.
PANCREATIC CANCER: Again, O blood type has a lower chance of developing pancreatic cancer. Whereas people with A blood group have 32 per cent and AB blood type have 51 per cent risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
