Table of contents:
- How can someone have blood type A?
- Interesting facts about blood type A.
- 1. Blood type A can only become and accept donors from certain blood types
- 2. Diet for blood type A
- 3. More at risk of having a heart attack and heart disease
- 4. More at risk of impaired brain function and memory loss
- 5. More at risk of cancer
- 6. More at risk of experiencing stress
Everyone's blood type is different, there are A, B, AB, or O. Each blood type can also explain a person's health condition, personality, and risk of disease. This time, blood type A will be thoroughly explored based on its origins and unique facts. Check out the full explanation below.
How can someone have blood type A?
Any blood type is determined by the presence of an antigen, a substance that can trigger an immune response in the presence of a foreign substance. An antigen is a type of protein found in your red blood cells.
This determination system is known as the ABO system which is in the grouping of blood groups. In short, human blood is classified based on the presence or absence of A and B antigens.
You are called blood group A when the body has A antigen on red blood cells with antibody B antibody (anti-B for short) in the blood plasma.
Unlike people with blood type AB who are called universal recipients, people with blood type A can only accept blood donations from people of the same type. If not, there will be a body rejection reaction that may endanger life.
Just like eye color, blood type is passed down genetically from parents. You can find out your blood type through a simple test.
Blood type A can be differentiated based on rhesus (Rh), which is the antigen that is sometimes owned by red blood cells. If there is, your blood type will be A +, otherwise it will be called A-.
Blood type A + is the second blood type after blood type O which is the most common. About 34 out of 100 people have this blood type. Meanwhile, blood type A- is a rare type, together with blood types B + and B-.
Interesting facts about blood type A.
Each blood type has unique characteristics and makes a difference between yourself and others. Here are the unique facts about blood type A that you need to know:
1. Blood type A can only become and accept donors from certain blood types
As explained above, blood type A can only accept and donate certain blood types. Quoted from the American Red Cross, there are specific ways in which blood types must be adjusted for safe transfusion and donation. Blood transfusions can mean between life and death.
Blood type A- can donate blood to all types A and AB. Meanwhile, this blood type can accept donors from type A- and O-. Meanwhile, blood type A + can donate to types A + and AB + and accept donors from all types A and O.
However, in the blood transfusion process, priority will be given to those from the same blood group. A person with blood type A can accept a donor from a person with blood type O only in case of an emergency and there are no other options.
2. Diet for blood type A
A book called Eat Right for Your Type the work of naturopathic doctor, Peter D'Adamo, lists a variety of dietary suggestions that are good for each blood type. His remarks in the book are quoted in Harvard Health Publishing.
According to him, people with blood type A are encouraged to eat lots of fruits, vegetables, tofu, pastries and wheat. People with this blood type are also advised to avoid beef.
Meanwhile, to reduce body weight, the blood type diet that needs to be done for blood A owners includes eating seafood, vegetables, pineapple, olive oil, and soy milk, and avoiding processed milk, flour, corn and nuts.
3. More at risk of having a heart attack and heart disease
Your blood type can increase your risk of certain conditions, including heart attacks and heart disease.
This is because of the ABO gene, a gene present in people with blood types A, B, or AB. If you are blood type A and live in an area with high levels of pollution, you may have a greater risk of having a heart attack than those without the gene.
4. More at risk of impaired brain function and memory loss
Quoted from Penn Medicine, the ABO gene is connected to brain function. As with people with blood types B and AB, blood type A has a greater potential for brain function and memory problems. This condition can cause dementia.
One of the possible causes of this memory loss is the fact that blood type can cause things, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. This condition ultimately puts a person at risk for cognitive impairment and dementia.
5. More at risk of cancer
Blood type A has a higher risk of developing stomach cancer compared to other blood types. In addition, the ABO gene possessed by those with blood type A also has an important role in the appearance of other cancers, including lung, breast, colorectal, prostate, liver, and cervical.
6. More at risk of experiencing stress
If you have blood type A, you may have more difficulty dealing with stress. People with blood type A tend to have high levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) in the body.
Knowing your blood type is one way to better understand and manage your health. Even though your blood type is genetic, you can still make healthier choices for a quality life.
