It was my understanding until I found Steve Harvey's recent work.  He's a
biochemist in New Zealand (Glycoscience Research Centre, Auckland University
of Technology).
Lewis blood group (3 antigens) is the main one his work has focused on. They
are not actually on the RBC, but adsorbed onto blood cells from the plasma.
The antigens are found in stomach lining, small and large intestines, kidney
lining, etc. To get an accurate testing for Lewis type, saliva must be used,
not blood.

There is a 'pay-per-view' article on northernlight.com pointing to discovery
of more variations in Lewis antigens.
Summary:     An Auckland scientist has identified major differences between
the intestines of Polynesians and Asians and those of Europeans. Auckland
Institute of Technology biochemist Steve Henry has spent the past 14 years
studying the behaviour of blood antigens -- the chemicals triggering an
immune response in humans.  These are genetic mutations which may protect
them from infection and possibly cancer. His work is directed towards
transplantation mainly.
                 -      -    -
To me this represents a reasonable possibility why copying the diet of
Asians has had less than effective results for reducing rates of certain
cancers in other ethnic groups. I've argued this with Dadamo, but there is
still not enough data available make any determination.  So he's still
pushing the soy for all ABO blood types except B (Asians are about 1/3 B
blood type).

Here's another that goes into it briefly
http://www.aut.ac.nz/corp/news/navigator/1997/4_summer/page7.html


Many of the other blood groups have broad tissue distribution
Duffy group (at least 6 antigens) are also found on colon, lung, kidney and
other cells.
MNS group antigens (40 different antigens) are also found on renal surface
and lining cells.
P blood group antigen (only 1 antigen, but present in only 80% whites) is
also found on the white cells.
Lutheran group (18 antigens) found on many body tissues like liver, lung,
pancreas, muscle

So back to my original question.  What do lectin researchers eat? That to me
would be the most telling point.  Are they advising avoidance of all
lectins?  Or just avoidance of ABO specific lectins?  Have any of you on
this list found info on this?

Cheryl Owen

----------

>
> He says that the main reason for using ABO is that unlike the
> other blood antigens, which are "pure" blood antigens (i.e., are
> found just on blood cells), the ABO types are also found in the
> gut lining, where agglutination of cells could provide the portal
> for lectins to enter the system.  The idea, I take it, is that if
> one avoids the ABO-agglutinating lectins then the others don't
> get into the blood either.  Or are less likely to.  Is this your
> understanding as well?
>
> Todd Moody
> [log in to unmask]