Blood type legacy [Part 2]

Knowing your blood type and the specific diseases that seem to go along with a certain blood type can truly assist us with navigating ourselves away from that particular “curse” by giving us the “heads up” and making sure we get checked, regularly, for symptoms and also any needed blood work in order to stay ahead of the game.

Type B blood has several serious predispositions that should be closely monitored:

1) Type 2 Diabetes: An umbrella review coming from “Science Alert” across the board of multiple meta-analyses showed convincing evidence of people with Type B blood having a 28% higher incidence of developing Type 2 Diabetes compared to non-B blood.

2) Pancreatic and gastric cancers: The National Institute of Health has stated that, A, B and AB have a roughly 25% higher risk of gastric and pancreatic cancers compared to Type O with Type B showing a notable odds ratio of around 1:72 for exocrine pancreatic vulnerabilities.

3) Heart disease and clotting: As noted by Tufts University, the non-O blood types (including type B) carry an increased baseline risk for cardiovascular events and blood clots though Type AB typically shows the highest risk category.

4) Severe burn outcomes: A clinical, case-controlled study (from PMC) found that blood Type B acted as an independent predictor for poorer, overall survival and higher mortality in severe burn injury cohorts.

Some regional cohort studies (Centurian Research out of Tokyo) have seen a higher-than-average frequency of Type B blood among individuals living past 100 suggesting a potential correlation with exceptional longevity (published by Pub Med).

Ancient DNA research indicates the genetic variance for Type B blood emerged roughly 6,000 years ago and underwent positive selection - moving from near 0 prevalence in Western Asia to its current levels - likely shaped by historical shifts in pathogen and disease exposure published by 23andMe.

Type B positive blood accounts for 11% of the U.S. population and 8-9% of donor blood. Type B negative blood is found in only 2% of US donors; 1 in 50 persons. Type B is more common in Asian Americans and Afro Americans (respectfully 25 and 20%).

B Positive can donate red blood cells to B Positive and AB Positive recipients.

B Negative can donate red blood cells to B Positive and B Negative AND AB Positive and AB Negative recipients.

Type B donors are vital for treating conditions like Sickle Cell and Thalassemia.