Avoid health risks, fertility problems, or potentially life-threatening situations from not knowing your blood type, its properties and limitations. Knowing your blood type will help you tailor your diet and exercise routines, live a healthier lifestyle, and avoid giving or receiving blood when types are incompatible.
wiredhealthconference.com gathered essential information about the O-positive blood type, what it means, and its advantages and disadvantages.
What Does O+ Blood Type Mean?
O+ blood has no A or B antigens and is known as “O” blood. The (+) means the Rh antigen is present. O+ blood is crucial as a (mostly) universal red blood cell type. This blood type can be used in emergency situations like traumatic bleeding or other types of emergency transfusions.
Note: According to The American Red Cross, 38% of the global population has O-positive blood, making it the most common blood type.
Is O+ the Universal Donor?
No. O-positive blood cannot be used universally because it has the (+) Rh factor, but it is fully compatible with all positive blood types, including O+, A+, B+, and AB+ and since over 80% of the population has a positive blood type, O-positive blood is always in high demand.
Note: In major traumas with significant blood loss, many hospitals will transfuse O-positive blood, even when the patient’s blood type is unknown. The risk of reaction is much lower in ongoing blood loss situations, and O-positive is more readily available than O-negative. For this reason, type O-positive blood is critical in trauma care.
What Do Antigens Do for Blood Types?
An antigen is defined as any substance to which your immune system can respond. For example, blood group B has B antigens with anti-A antibodies in the plasma, while blood group A has A antigens on the red blood cells with anti-B antibodies in the plasma. These combinations of antigens and antibodies determine which blood type you are compatible with.
What is the Difference Between O-positive and O-negative?
Type O Blood has 2 different versions, and it is important to distinguish the differences. The principal difference between O-positive and O-negative blood is that the Rh factor is present on the surface of the red blood cells of the O-positive blood, while the Rh factor is absent on the surface of the red blood cells of the O-negative blood.
What Food Is Good for Those with O-Positive Blood?
Those with type O blood should consume high-protein foods and eat lots of meat, vegetables, fish, and fruit but should limit consumption of grains, beans, and legumes. To lose weight, seafood, kelp, red meat, broccoli, spinach, and olive oil are most effective, while wheat, corn, and dairy are to be strictly avoided.
An O-positive and negative diet will typically advise against the following food:
- Coconut and all products containing coconut
- Melons (cantaloupe and honeydew)
- Oranges
- Tangerines
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Rhubarb
- Avocado
- Corn
- Gluten
- Bulgur, sprouted, white, and whole wheat
- Wheat germ and bran
- Cornstarch and corn syrup
Tip: There is currently no solid scientific evidence to prove that diets based on blood types are effective. Consult your primary care physician before experimenting or adopting any significant dietary regimen.
Read more about the O blood type dietary allowances and restrictions at medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319303
Disadvantages of O-Positive Blood?
Type O individuals (positive or negative) may be more likely to develop peptic ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori bacterium than other blood types. Type O women may have a more significant risk of fertility problems like a lower egg count or a poorer egg quality than women with type A, B, or AB.
Furthermore, while O-positive people can donate blood to people with any positive blood type, but they can only receive blood from O-positive (O+) and O-negative (O−) people.
Do Certain Medications Prevent You from Donating Blood?
According to the Mayo Clinic, most medications do not prevent you from donating blood. Common medications like those used to control blood pressure, birth control pills, and over-the-counter medications do not affect your eligibility.
O-Positive Blood Type
In this article, you discovered essential information about O+ blood, how it is transfused, and its advantages and disadvantages.
Knowing your blood type will help you stay fit, avoid poor eating habits, and donate when possible conscious of the good you are doing.
Not knowing your blood type can lead to the wrong lifestyle choices, poor health, illness, and life-threatening medical complications if blood transfusions are required.
Sources:
carterbloodcare.org/education-center/blood-types/o-positive/
redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-types/o-blood-type.html
health.harvard.edu/blog/diet-not-working-maybe-its-not-your-type-2017051211678
mayoclinic.org/blood-donor-program/faq
oneblood.org/media/blog/target-your-type/is-o-negative-a-rare-blood-type.stml
