Page 68 - Summer2008

All Thumbs Book Reviews

The Genotype Diet: money to join up for coaching and recipes, and
Change Your Genetic Destiny to Live the a cool online genotyping tool.
Longest, Fullest and Healthiest Life Possible The diets themselves seem rather arbitrary
by Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo and there is no explanation of why, for example,
Broadway, 2007 beef and beef liver are benecial to the Hunter

type, but this type must never touch beef heart or
Peter D’Adamo, creator of the blood type caviar. Some of the food recommendations—as
diet (Eat Right 4 Your Type), has taken his pro- well as some of the foods to avoid—were things
gram to the the next level and added a series of that I’ve never heard of and are unlikely to be
genetic and developmental characteristics to his part of the typical American diet. Explorer types

dietary regimen. He has categorized his assess- are supposed to benet highly from camelina
ments into six fun and nifty categories which oil, for example, but quark cheese is toxic for
all require slightly different dietary approaches them. This same genotype is characterized by
including the Hunter, the Gatherer, the Explorer, exhibiting in ammatory conditions, but omega-
the Teacher, the Nomad and the Warrior. As with 3 rich  axseed and cod liver oils are verboten.
the blood type diet, he claims that these various In fact, D’Adamo gives somewhat confusing
genotypes evolved to handle different life and advice about EFAs, suggesting that omega-6s

environmental conditions, and he gives consid- are helpful in reducing inammation. Perhaps
erable focus to the immune system responses of the most absurd suggestion is his recommenda-
each type to these challenges. tion to take supplements instead of real food.
The process of determining your genotype Teacher genotypes should take a paltry 400-800
can be done on three levels, depending on how IU of vitamin D daily, yet all forms of liver are
The diets much information you have available. The purportedly toxic to this type.
themselves variables are quite interesting and include the No doubt Dr D’Adamo has been able to help

seem rather quality of your ngerprints, the proportions of people with his methods, or he would not have
the upper and lower body, length of ring nger such a following. But this is more likely to be

arbitrary and versus fore nger, and whether or not you can because of his general food recommendations,

there is no taste the chemical propylthiouracil, a drug used which represent an overall improvement in the
explanation to treat hyperthyroidism. standard American diet. He does suggest high
The explanations for how these variables quality foods including grass-fed meats, for ex-

of why, for arise and affect our health are a great argument ample, and advises against farm-raised  sh and
example, beef for superior pre-natal nutrition. Body symme- rancid oils. Not smoking and regular exercise are
also part of his program, and as with any multi-

try—in the form of ngerprints—is a consider-
and beef liver ation in the assessments. This is strongly related pronged approach, it is hard to tell what might
are beneficial to pre-natal stresses, and correlates with overall be providing the most bene t.
to the Hunter health. One the whole, despite some intriguing

However interesting these variables may information, The Genotype Diet is a disappoint-
type, but this be, (they were the reason I bought the book) ment. Reviewed by Selina Rifkin
type must D’Adamo never offers any clear explanation
never touch of how they relate to the genotypes. The book Selina Rifkin is a Certified Holistic Health
beef heart or promises further information on its website, but Counselor and Licensed Massage Therapist.
the material there provides no more than the She lives in CT with her husband, step-daughter
caviar. book, except for the opportunity to spend some and two cats.
66 Wise Traditions SUMMER 2008