Hi, Heidi! I'm an O. There seems to be conflicting info. in the list book regarding goldenseal. It's listed as an Avoid under herbs and supplements, but listed as an appropriate remedy to try for flu. And... What about dulse? I eat lots of it. Is it the same as kelp? Thanks. And thanks for helping our mutual friend, Ted. -- Cheryl

Whoa! What a surprise... Hi, Cheryl! He's doing GREAT, isn't he? What a champ. ;-) Goldenseal is an avoid for Os as a supplement... but fine as a gargle. You'll ingest a tiny bit that way, but not enough to be harmful. Dulse is one of the many kelp varieties (a favorite of mine for snacking), and great stuff for everyone. The kelp that gets special mention is Fucus vesiculosis (not one of the tastier ones... eccchhh) because of its abundance of the fucus sugar (that's our very own O blood group "stumpy quasi-antigen").

I wonder if the Indian (auyervedic) and Chinese medicinal principals of food combining (e.g., tumeric with potatoes) might counteract or otherwise alter problematic lectins? Stephanie

Wish they could. Some lectins resist destruction even under autoclave ~ an extremely high heat-and-pressure industrial process. We can minimize some kinds of lectins (notably beans) by long soaking, rinsing, cooking, rinsing, etc., but we don't get rid of them altogether. The early inhabitants of the Americans had a long, involved recipe for the corn they ate, among other things. It was soaked in lime (the mineral, not the fruit), roasted or baked, pounded, dried, pounded again, and cooked as porridge (recipe isn't exact here! ;-)). We think this routine did counteract much of the corn lectin. Most plants concentrate their protective lectins in the seeds and/or husk (like wheat and tomatoes) so removing them can help, but the flesh or pith of avoid foods will still retain enough of the little buggers to make trouble.

I am Blood type A and am refering to whether I should have Mushroom - Shiitake as both books are contradicting. I have both the books "eat right 4 your type" (-on page 118 it is in a list of neutral vegetables) & "eat right 4 your type encyclopedia" (-on page 532, it is in column A as a food to avoid) As I do take this in a capsule combined with astragalas and garlic I am now a bit confused as to whether I should be taking it or not. Could you please confirm Thank you. Mark

Hi, Mark ~~ The later books have the most recent updates in their food lists. When in doubt, check the TYPEbase 3® database, on our home page. Shiitake is indeed now an avoid for A secretors, based upon the research done since Eat Right 4 Your Type was published.

The "list previous topics" and "search" mechanisms on your column are not working. They do work on Dr. B's section. I had been trying to check to see if I missed an answer to a question I had posed. (Have had company lately and had not had time to check the website daily). Thanks for checking this out - don't think it is my computer. I greatly enjoy your writings! Abby

Hi, Abby ~ I have your questions, but am running a bit behind (as usual!). The search & list previous topics buttons work fine here, and no other notes received on them. Try again in a few days! :-}

Hello, I am a blood type O and haven`t consummed red meat for over 25 years. I am 50 and I have always enjoy a great health and vitality. Apart from consuming meat, I was amazed to find out that my diet was very similar to the suggestions outlined in the blood type diet. In one of the books I read, (I don`t remember the title or the page because I am traveling at the moment and do not have the reference with me) Dr D`Adamo suggest a chinese supplement for Type O vegetarians. Could you tell me what it is and where I can find it. I am from British Columbia where I looked for it without succes a few years ago and now I am in Montreal. Please, help me to find it. Mireille

Sure! I believe Coleus forskohlii is the one you're seeking. Glad to hear you're prospering on your modified type O diet, and hope this helps! :-D