A year has passed since the first On the Diet column appeared here.



Heartfelt thanks go to Peter and Martha for providing this space in which to share knowledge, vent, get help, tell stories, announce success, "spread the word," and link up with others of like mind. It is an honor to be included here among our illustrious colleagues, Doc Bron, Peter and Cocky!



For me, I get a magnificent free daily seminar, and a wee portal in cyberspace through which healing may pass, and hearts be eased.



My deepest gratitude to everyone who writes, who reads, and who works to bring forth a day when the true potential of all this energetic research may be realized in the world. :-D

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hi heidi (again!) thanks for,posting my questions so promptly, im impressed! just wanted to let you know i also put my q forward on thomas' message board and 'george from oz' replied with a bit of info. apparently he hasnt vaccinated his 3 kids and only had to get a letter from council informing the school the kids are not vaccinated and he must send them straight home if a virus breaks out. ( hes never sent them home!)so you can bet your bottom dollar this little wriggler isnt getting vaccinated for nuthin'! about the vit K, george also says (quite a clever fellow is george) that oral vit K is preferred over the shot. this way the brain can judge whether it needs it and has the chance to throw it up if its not necessary. makes sense to me and that the way ill go i think. Just wanted to let you know.thanks again for your help. cheers roz xox



Hello, roz!! I'm so pleased you got the info you were looking for! I well remember the redoubtable George, and you couldn't have gone to a better place to get the "fair dinkum." ;-) Please give him my warmest regards, and once again, thanks for reporting in, dear!! :-D

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Hi, I've been following the Type O Diet since August last year and look and feel great. My sister has always had weight problems and has always yo-yo dieted in the past. I've spoken to her at length about the Blood Type Diet - she's blood group A and is already vegetarian and has been for the past 10 years or so. The problem is, SHE DOESN'T EAT FISH! Any advice and suggestions and replacement foods/products? Thanks C-B



Hi, C-B ~ She could be a vegetarian and still be eating all kinds of avoid foods which are triggering insulin problems -- and missing a lot of beneficial foods on the A vegetable, fruit and bean list. So, she may need fish or she may not. If she is a nonsecretor, Rhesus negative, and/or A2, she will certainly require more animal proteins than she is eating now -- but only she can determine all this.



You might want to get her a copy of Live Right 4 Your Type and let her decide whether she is willing to give it a good try.

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I'm Type O, secretor status not yet tested. I've been a vegetarian off and on since I was 16 and in very good health until last year. At the age of 55 I suddenly developed what seemed to be gallbladder problems, having severe attacks as many as twice a day, 4 times a week. An ultrasound showed small gallstones and I was urged to have surgery. Instead, I started seeing another doctor about 10 months ago who put me on a path to health with supplements, sacro-cranial therapy, and some dietary restrictions - most of which were temporary. The permanent changes were that I stopped consuming dairy and coffee. I've always consumed a lot of potatoes and popcorn and vegetables. Protein came from soy products and the occasional piece of salmon (my only non-vegetarian food, because of the health benefits). My doctor believes I was sick due to a year of extreme emotional distress. He also believes that it is my pancreas, not my gallbladder, that is my problem.



Once I started taking [an herbal supplement], my attacks lessened and I started to heal. At my last visit, about a month ago, my doctor was extremely pleased with my progress. I really believed that my next office visit might be my last. I was talking with a neighbor about my health and she reminded me of the book Eat Right For Your Type, which I had on my book shelf, and I looked into the diet again. This time I embraced the concept and went on the diet pretty much cold turkey.



Imagine my surprise when about one week later I had my first attack in 5 months! I thought it was a fluke because I was traveling and had to compromise my diet and had consumed American cheese (in a vegetable omelet) for the first time in months and the omelet was cooked in something that certainly wasn't butter or olive oil. Still, it didn't seem right that my body couldn't handle one bad meal and I was worried. Then yesterday, one week after that attack, I had a meal of 1/2 Ezekiel bun, 1 T. mayo made with neutral ingredients, and a piece of halibut. Again I had an attack, this time vomiting the meal. I'm very alarmed that I'm suddenly regressing. I thought I was healed and now I'm having attacks again. The only change I'm aware of is changing to this diet. I've added much more fish to my diet - more salmon and some halibut so far. I stopped eating potatoes and popcorn. Rice was the only grain I was consuming until I discovered Ezekiel bread a couple of days ago. The big change is that I'm eating much more protein, and drastically fewer starchy carbohydrates. Any ideas on these attacks suddenly starting again? Chris



Hello, Chris! I'm glad you wrote to us with your troubles.



Without knowing more about what you eat daily, and considering your doctor's opinion that your pancreas is involved even though you showed gallstones, my first impression is that your digestion is impaired, especially fat (requiring bile through the gallbladder and liver) and protein (requiring pancreatic enzymes) digestion. The weaknesses showed up with very little provocation (American cheese, oil, then mayonnaise and fish). You may also be sensitive to the gluten in the Ezekiel bread, so sticking to rice for the moment may be best.



What I strongly suggest is to go to the "Sensible Health" liver and gallbladder site. Read it all thoroughly, then read it again. Before you use the protocols, consult with Julia Chang via her phone number on the site, and give her the specifics of your symptoms, medical reports, and diet. I do believe that doing the gallbladder flush in series will resolve the root cause of your fat digestion trouble.



When you've done so, we'd then look at using pancreatic enzymes for a few weeks to enable you to begin digesting the protein foods you need for healing.



Once again, thank you so much for writing -- and please keep in touch! I'd like to hear how you're doing! :-D

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Hello Heidi, There was a question in the last few days on where to find 100% buckwheat noodles. Today on the BTD-O Don mentioned he had found them in an Oriental store. He and his boys like it better than spelt noodles. Sarah



Ah, I'm very pleased he found them locally. If you're interested, more on soba noodles here! Thanks for your note, Sarah! :-D

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Hi Heidi: I'm a type O, and just starting the diet. I noticed that one of my Neutral foods is mozzarella. I'm allergic to wheat and dairy products - is it still OK to have mozzarella? I mean, is this "allergy" simply linked to eating the "wrong" foods for my type? If so, why is one type of cheese OK, and another not? Also, I wanted to ask about vanilla - is artificial extract Ok to use as a substitute? -- Rebecca



Hi there, Rebecca! Welcome, dear!! Glad you found us!



The dairy category is one Os can well do without, so if you're allergic to dairy, avoid it altogether. Get your calcium from homemade bone broth, high-calcium foods (the ones allowed for Os, of course), and food-based supplements like Phytocal-O.



Instead of artificial vanilla, try using a natural almond or walnut or hazelnut product -- Frontier makes an extensive line of organic, sugarless food-derived extracts. We encourage everyone to avoid artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, etc., as a basic tenet of healthy eating.



Thanks so much for writing, and a VERY warm welcome to you, Rebecca! Do write again with any question that may arise... :-D

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My daughter is a Type A and suffers from Irritable Bowl Syndrome, Irregularity, and has no bowl control frequently. What can she take to help with this problem? Yvonne



Hello, Yvonne! Here is some advice I wrote to a type O woman. It was designed for type ABs, and works beautifully for type A.

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IF you can tolerate both wild blueberries and rice, here's a nice German recipe for curing colitis. I suggest it to you because its action is to heal inflammation in the digestive tract, and provide valuable proanthocyanadins and many trace substances in a harmless package. My friend Joachim wrote it, and I have edited it for your use.



Boil white rice in plenty of saltwater until the rice is very soft. As you probably won't be able to buy fresh WILD Blueberries, soak dried wild blueberries in a little warm water (initially boil because you want to rule out any germs) and add the water + Blueberries to the drained rice. Eat this by carefully chewing. Drink wild Blueberry tea (2 - 3 tablespoons, boiled in a cup of water, let rest for 10 Min.), also eat a few tablespoons of dried wild blueberries in-between meals, and again chew carefully.



















See the wild blueberry sellers page for getting the fruit.



Yvonne, your daughter should eat no wheat, corn or rye, neither whole nor sprouted, and just stick with that rice concoction. No dairy of any kind, and no dried fruit. Absolutely no refined sugar -- including molasses. DO use vegetable glycerine -- "NOW" and Frontier are good brands. A little nutbutter or seedbutter every day is fine, but no whole nuts or seeds. Get some okra and prepare it any way you can -- stewed, sauteed, etc. (not raw).



And search for the product "Seacure," which is a seaweed-based bowel healing compound. She will need all these things to get back to health, and she may have more questions once she has been a few weeks on this protocol.



I truly believe she will get better if she does these things, so get her started and do write again and let me know her progress! thanks, dear, and best wishes to you both!!

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I have been a follower of the BTD for several years. I wanted to let you know that today I saw on a very negative post about the diet on a nutrition forum. If you go to www.about.com and search for nutriton, there is a post from a group called qwakwatch that did a review on Dr. D'Adamo's book and research. It might be of interest to you. I try to follow the diet as closely as I can and when I do I do feel much healthier. I have recommended the book and the diet to quite a few of my friends. Because the ER4YT is not widely known and probably not promoted by a celebrity, it seems to not be taken seriously by some. I try to keep an open mind about the authenticity of diets or eating plans and thought that these remarks on this forum might be of interest to you. Joyce



Hey there, Joyce! :-) To tell you the truth, I don't even bother reading these things any more. In the rare case where a truly interesting contention comes to light, I hear of it. The last time I did (years ago), the researcher ended up quietly withdrawing his support from the people who hoped he'd help them "disprove" the basis for the BTD. He realized that they were just as willing to twist his words and as little interested in the truth for its own sake as any "diet scam" they might want to "debunk." All this happened with no input from us at all.



The truth? It's in the numbers. This system works, and not just for one subset of people. An over 85% documented success rate is spectacular -- and looks even better in comparison to the overall verifiable results of other health paradigms. This doesn't include all the people who are using and benefiting from this plan, and who've never discovered this website or registered their outcomes. They may be the most numerous of all. ;-)



I kind of feel sorry for those who still spend their time trying to discredit this program. Their energies could be a source of joy if they were diverted to some productive activity instead. So don't you let these things get you down, OK? No matter what a special interest group tells you, your body is the first and last arbiter of the value of the BTD. Thanks for writing, dear!!

:-D

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Please pass on to those who maintain the TYPEbase that Palm Oil is now a regular ingredient in Peanut Butter and Oatcakes to name but two places I regularly encounter it. Could we please have this tested and included in the database. I am sorry to trouble you but the web site has no way to do this sort of thing more directly that I can see. -- Jim B.



Cocky passed this email on to me (thanks, Cocky!! :-)). Peter did post an Ask Dr. D. response to a question about palm oil, which now is missing from the column database. I can refer you to some of the text, in the June 13, 2003 OTD column, but I think you've already read it. Palm oil is on the list for future test runs. Thanks, Jim -- and feel free to write now and again -- it was nice to hear from you, albeit indirectly! ;-D

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Greetings! I have read Dr. D'Adamo's statements in regards to food combining, but I have some unanswered questions regarding this subject. I have resently been told by an acquaintance that the ancient Mayans knew that corn by itself provided significant nutritional value only if combined with lime. I do not know the source of this information. I am wondering if this is true, and if so, in what way does this provide nutrition; and, are the harmful effects of corn neutralized? If so, could it be that some other food combinations have this effect, resulting in, for example, a type A person being able to eat red meat with no adverse effects? Perhaps other ancient food combinations have similar properties...? Lucie



Hi, Lucie ~ Corn is a problematic food for nearly everyone, the exception being A1 MN or MM secretors only. Peter did write in his TEX-MEX and TYPE A article that the mineral lime used in processing commercial tortillas can be of some help in minimizing lectin activity - but not enough so that Os, Bs and ABs could eat it safely. It is not the combination of the elements which does that work, but a complex processing scheme.



The ancient practices of food preparation are no longer observed. A long series of specific procedures were used by native Americans in order to prepare certain items for safe consumption. Among these items were potatoes, tomatoes, and corn. Interestingly, they offered the raw foods to rampaging European invaders, hoping they'd die from eating them. We know now that the damage actually takes quite some time to develop, and I fear the results were not what the canny native peoples hoped. The sugar later imported from the Americas was recognized for its deleterious effect upon the teeth of the nobility in a relatively brief time, but the evils of nightshades went unremarked until much later. ;-) There is also new evidence that corn was only latterly used as a staple food in the native cultures we identify with its use, and contributed to an upsurge of tooth caries and arthritis.



The issue of type As and red meat is one of digestive insufficiency rather than lectin avoidance.



Because each of us is suited to (and needs & benefits by) particular foods, and because we each can eat only so much in a day or week, it makes little sense to do culinary backflips in order to add 'avoid' foods which only push beneficials and neutrals out of the menu. That's the view from here, anyway!



Thanks for bringing this issue to the fore, Lucie ~~ it's one which bears re-airing, as it's a common question. Take care! :-D

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Dear Heidi, I'm a type O (secretor status unknown 'till the test arrives) who has been on the diet for about 5 years, to great effect (as long as I stick to it!). My husband and I are thinking of starting a family, so I went right out and bought "Eat Right 4 Your Baby." I love the book, but I have a couple of questions: 1) The food lists (at least for Type O) look like they're tailored for secretors; if I find out I'm a non-secretor, should I follow the non-secretor lists from LR4YT? 2) In the recipe section, there are a number of recipes listed as okay for type Os which contain ingredients on the avoid list. For example, "Black-eyed peas with leeks" (p. 346), "Pureed pinto beans with garlic" (p. 347), "Black-eyed peas and barley salad" (p. 352), "Banana yogurt drink" (p. 399). Also, there's a recipe for Blueberry buckwheat muffins (p.383) which says its for types A and AB, but it looks like all the ingredients are on the beneficial or neutral lists for O, as well. Are there different rules once foods are cooked/prepared/combined in some way that makes (for example) leeks, pinto beans, barley and yogurt okay? Or is this based on the old lists? Should I go by the ingredients rather than what type is identified at the top of the recipe? Finally, I hope you don't mind one last question: any chance of iron-free supplements for Os coming in the near future? I have extremely high iron levels (no hemachromotosis though--I was checked), so my doctor said absolutely no iron supplements, even when pregnant. I queried Doc Bron on possible alternatives; he recommended trying to get a prescription prenatal without iron, but my doctor just gives me a prescritpion for folic acid. Will following the diet rigorously give me enough of the other nutients, or will I need to figure out some other means of supplementation? And finally, finally (really, this is it): ER4YB recommends DHA supplements. I currently take both essential oil supplements (which contain DHA), and CLA/Tonalin supplements. Are these okay for potentially pregnant ladies, or should I do just the DHA? Thanks, Heidi, for your help. Your column is such a great resource, and is much appreciated here! Mary



Hey there, Mary! :-) Yes, the "Baby Book" food choices in the recipes are based upon the secretor lists. Just scan it through "nonsecretor lenses" if you find out you're a nonnie. And if you find recipes which are OK for you as well, even though they're listed for other types, go ahead and use them -- of course, according to the portion/frequency guidelines for Os in Live Right.



About the supplements: "Added Protection" makes a regular multivitamin without copper or iron. Run it by your doctor, if he is unwilling to prescribe a prenatal. Do email NAP with any questions or requests about the supplements -- they are the ones who should hear of your needs. You'll benefit from the folic acid supplementation anyway, so I'd continue it, as well as including plenty of dark leafy greens and those good oils. The diet, when used according to the frequencies per category, is a powerhouse of nutrients. Until you are pregnant, I think your oil supps are fine, although I'd rather you got the CLA from grass-fed red meat (see www.eatwild.com and the beef available in the Store here for sources). Best wishes to you & your husband, Mary, and I hope your family grows apace! :-D

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Dear Heidi, Not a question but a note to Debbie in the UK regarding vegetable glycerine. She can order a large quantity of the 500ml veg glycerine from Healthleads UK and get a substantial discount, basically a wholesale cost. I ordered 2 bottles the first time, not knowing what my consumption would be - then ordered 12 bottles the 2nd time. If the person at Healthleads does not volunteer the discount, Debbie should remind her that she gave it to Abby in France. The shipping cost to France was a killer, but she should not have that problem within the UK. And, Debbie, if you find a better, less expensive source, please post it here! Thanks, Abby



Wonderful, Abby!! I'll add it to my veg gly resource page (under construction at the moment, but will come to light here soon!) -- thanks SO much, it means a lot to me!! And I'll address your long Q soonly ~~ thanks again, dear!! :-D

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The other day someone suggested a salad dressing with 1T lemon juice and 1T Braggs, but said this wasn't for Bs. I'm a B+ and my favorie dressing that I use nearly every day is Braggs and flax oil. Is this not good for a B? Ann



Hello, Ann! Unlike true tamari, Braggs is made from unfermented soy protein, so it's not considered safe for Bs ~ I know that quantity is a very small one in your dressing, but I wouldn't feel right if I didn't mention the difference and the true value of soy protein. :-) thanks for writing to ask!! :-D

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Hi Heidi, Always a goldmine of info. It makes my morning. Tracy S wrote in about Tamari (neutral for Bs) so my question is about Braggs liquid Aminos. Since it is not fermented but no caramel color or corn sweetener, still an avoid for Bs, yes? This is for Patti (AB nonsecretor) with the "unreal sweet tooth". I have 2 first cousins, who are sisters, who are both AB nonnies. What are the odds? There is one store bought biscuit/cookie type product that my cousin Susi likes. Of course home made is better but in a pinch it will do. We both have scoured the wheat-free low/appropriate sweetener cookie market out there. Here it is and please try to keep an open mind. It is actually a wheat-free teething biscuit by Earth's Best organic. The ingredients are: organic barley flour, organic oat flour, organic molasses, organic whole oat syrup solids, organic canola oil, soy lecithin, baking soda, natural flavor. You can dip it in a hot beverage to soften it up. But the crunch is quite nice. She said it really helps having a box at work. You may want to take the individually wrapped biscuits out of the box that has a baby in diapers on it if you plan to take it to work. Thanks for your dedication and wonderful spirit. Nina



Thanks, Nina, you're very kind!



You're right about Braggs Liquid Aminos - it's mostly unfermented soy protein, so Bs should avoid it.



A teething biscuit! Too funny!! As long as the "natural flavor" isn't a corn derivative, it sounds great for an AB snack. VERY nice piece of brand research -- many thanks once again!! :-D

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Spring Greetings, Heidi! On the subject of tinnitus (ringing/buzzing/noise in the ears) look up www.ata.org, where you will learn more about it. There are many foods, drugs, supplements, and stresses that cause the noise, as well as associated hearing disorders. It may take a little experimentation. Caffeine could be your culprit, or those avoids we all love to hate, or any number of prescription and otc drugs. As to cures, gingko has been known to alleviate some people's symptoms; for others niacin might help. Anyway, don't cut anything in your ear! While you're searching, try white noise to mask the annoying sound. One CAN get more adjusted to the tinnitus as well. Speaking from experience, Alyson



Alyson, my sincerest gratitude for this fine summary of tinnitus info -- thanks so much!! -- I hope Cindi notices this one, for her friend! Best wishes for a joyous Spring to you as well, dear .... :-D

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I read your column a while back about Deflect working on "grain" lectins. Does this mean Deflect has no effect for nonsecretors eating sugar? The few times I've done so, I've always taken extra Deflect. But it doesn't specify anywhere I've looked just why NS people shouldn't have sugar, so I'm unclear as to the rationale behind that. The types of sweeteners allowed change for each NS blood type, too. Can you elucidate on this subject? Thanks! Kathy

You're right: the Deflect products work on lectins only. They contain substances which certain lectins prefer over our tissues ~ the lectins go for the Deflect molecules instead of our joints, skin, etc. Deflect will protect you only from those items which are avoid due to lectins, of which sugar is not one. The types of sweeteners allowed for nonsecretors changes by type, because each type has a slightly different statistical response to refined sugar. Among nonsecretors, O NS's generally have the least tolerance for it, and A NS the most ~ your mileage may vary! these are general guidelines.

Re: "Exercise 4 Everyone" Okay, so I'm resistant. And dumb? Maybe blind? They (and you) talk of 11 minutes a day. Fine. But on the charts there's also a walk or run which seems to add anywhere from 18 minutes to 35 minutes. I can't find anywhere where they discuss this little gem. Is it also to be done every day? (False advertising, LOL!) I must be missing something. Can you enlighten us on that too? Thanks! Kathy

!:-D BUSTED! Well, there was a bit of false advertising involved... but only that these charts were designed for men, not women. LOL! Now don't start shopping for a gun to shoot me! We females will do just fine with the published program, it is very, very gentle and designed so everyone moves at their own pace.

Now, the confusion you're having is the same one I went through, so I'm ideally suited to guide you right along. :-D resistance IS futile, doncha fergit it. >:-E The exercise charts at the Canadian Air Force site have an "either/or/or" at the right side. Either run in place or run a distance or walk. For running in place, they give directions (raise feet at least 4" above floor, 100 paces (for level D-), after 75 paces perform 10 of the "jump & switch's," then the other 25 paces, complete this within 6 minutes). For the run-a-distance, and for the walk, they give distance and time to complete. You need do only one of them, right after doing the other 4 BX (basic exercises).

Each level should be performed for the number of days listed, according to one's age. And even if you've done, say, level D- for the 7 days required for age 40-44 (?), if you cannot complete the entire BX5 within the times allotted, you remain at that level until you can. Once I got the hang of the rather complicated concept, doing the thing became simple & quick, and a great way to start the morning. Hope you enjoy it! :-}

Here at last, in response to popular demand :-) are the Protein/Carb/Fat/Vitamin/Mineral stats for all three D'Adamo Food Bars:

Serving size: 1 Bar (50g). Amount Per Serving: Calories 210, Fat Cal. 60, Total Fat 7g (11% DV), Sat. Fat 1.5g (8% DV), Cholesterol 0mg (0%DV), Sodium 140mg (6% DV), Total Carb. 27g (9% DV), Fiber 3g (12% DV), Sugars 6g, Protein 10g, Vitamin A (0% DV), Vitamin C (0% DV), Calcium (6% DV), Iron (8% DV). Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Type A Bar: Serving size: 1 Bar (50g). Amount Per Serving: Calories 190, Fat Cal. 60, Total Fat 7g (11% DV), Sat. Fat 1g (5% DV), Cholesterol 0mg (0% DV), Sodium 320mg (13% DV), Total Carb. 21g (7% DV), Fiber 2g (8% DV), Sugars 10g, Protein 12g, Vitamin A (0% DV), Vitamin C (0% DV), Calcium (6% DV), Iron (10% DV). Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Type B&AB Bar: Serving size: 1 Bar (50g). Amount Per Serving: Calories 170, Fat Cal. 45, Total Fat 5g (8%DV), Sat. Fat 0g (0% DV), Cholesterol < 5mg (2% DV), Sodium 140mg (6% DV), Total carb. 22g (7% DV), Fiber 4g (16% DV), Sugars 9g, Protein 11g, Vitamin A (0% DV), Vitamin C (0% DV), Calcium (10% DV), Iron (10% DV). Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Last I heard, there were precious few waterbuffalo grazing the Highlands. :-> Not to worry: any mozzarella, especially if made with milk from grass-fed local cattle, is neutral for you. Easier and cheaper than ferreting around for imports ~ any road, my marching cry is "Support Local Farmers & Ranchers!" ;-D



We discuss a number of different kinds of water here: distilled, tap water, spring water, soda, seltzer, tonic, mineral water. Distilled water has specific applications (mostly for medicinal solutions), but is a processed product and contains no trace minerals, so I don't recommend it as one's sole source of drinking water. Tap water quality varies worldwide, and should be assayed on an individual basis. Spring waters vary, too, but are generally superior day-to-day "drinking buddies." The term "soda water" in the States traditionally refers to carbonated water that contains a bit of salt. Seltzer is carbonated as well, but is usually salt-free. Tonic water is yet another fizzy variety with the addition of quinine. And mineral water is such a vast topic, it has its own website! (Feeling bloated yet? :-D) High-solids mineral waters can provide significant dietary minerals and trace elements in the form our prehistoric ancestors prized. The "still" versions are perfectly acceptable for all types, while the fizzy styles confer their digestive benefits upon Os.



Lovely to hear from you, Dorell ~ I do hope this is helpful, and thank you for writing to me!

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Hi there - A few questions from Scotland: My wife and I are trying to develop diets based on the program and we have read the recipe book BTD We would appreciate some help in identifying the status of some foods which aren't listed. Your feedback would be appreciated. Haricot beans Chick peas Also, is it ok to cook "avoid" foods together? for example, I'm an A and my wife is a B so could we cook chicken and turkey in one sauce or should avoid foods for different types be completely segregated? Thanks in advance Gil and Alison



Great questions! Haricot beans would fall under our "string bean" category ~ like the smaller "haricots verts," they grow in long pods and belong to the same family, although the Haricots you are familiar with are the mature bean out of the pod. Chickpea is also called garbanzo bean ~ ~ hmmm. I have a bit of bad news to go with that one. It's an avoid for everyone except type O secretors. sorry, wish I could do something about that one (for you, your wife and me altogether)! Perhaps cannellini, Northern beans or favas might fill the breach?



Some kinds of meat could be cooked together without harm to either party, but chicken is not one of them. Its lectin ("galectin" to be precise) sloshes out over everything. Only the egg of the chicken is spared this invasive pooker. However, if your wife cooked her beef with your turkey, your meal would remain A-edible: beef contains no galectin to wander through the dish, but rather is an avoid for As for reasons of protein concentration/digestibility. Same for beef broth: in small amounts, it won't mar your portion of the pot. Among the vegges, bean water is rife with lectin and should be kept apart. Save beef, other foods are best segregated. If you have any type AB children, please don't hate me for tripling the cooking chores! I don't make the rules, I only annoy people with them! :-}



My heart always beats a bit faster when I 'get mail' from the Celtic Nations ~ still hoping to find a note from Cornwall or the Isle of Man one of these mornings! Thank you all most warmly for stopping by ~~ Slán leat!

Both are perfectly fine. The new Polyvites are tweaked a bit for nonsecretor compliance, and are a slightly more recently-researched formulation. However, I sure do miss those beautiful vibrantly-colored glass bottles the New Chapter supps came in... don't know about you, but that's sure my number 1 criterion for choosing cars and supps! The paint job!! {just kidding!} Either one is good, Lynn, and 1000000% times better for you & your demanding 3-type BTD'ing family than the standard commercial brands. Thanks for asking! :-)



I need to take metamucil every day. I am an O non-secretor. Is this fiber compatible or would you suggest something else? I would also be interested in a book or articles about people who have been on the diet for a year or longer and what changes they feel in their health. Thank you soooo much, Sally



Hi there, Sally ~ nice idea for articles on long-term BTD'ers. I'll always publish testimonials here, as they come in! For the metamucil... if you've tried some fresh-ground flax twice per day in a smoothie, and have greens and/or a magnesium supplement, and drink plenty of water and get your exercise daily, and still need the metamucil: try Citrucel instead. It's not perfect, but Peter has suggested it as a significant improvement over Metamucil. ;-)



Hi Heidi, I'm wondering what the difference is between mineral water and seltzer water. I know seltzer water is beneficial for type O, is mineral water also? Thanks, Amber



Mineral water with natural bubbles has all the beneficial characteristics of seltzer (carbonated water) and more. Read all about it at Mineral Waters of the World! :-D



I am currently living in a country where there is no check on meat/beef quality. One does not know its origine but it is definately local. What do I do as an type O to get my daily protiens? Cees



Hi, Cees ~ if the available meat comes from local sources, pay a visit to them. See how the cattle are kept... see what they are fed... find out if they are given antibiotics or growth hormones. The best are 100% grass fed ~ next best would be grass plus some organic/biologique feed. You may find your local meats are of the very best quality. Good Luck!!



I am age 45 and going towards the menopause. I have been increasing my soya intake for sometime to help with flutuating oestrogen levels If I can't use soya what can I use instead as natural alturnatives to HRT in this peri-menopause period. Soya certainly help plump up the skin etc many thanks trisha



I don't know your blood type... but if you are a type B ~ Dong quai capsules or Motherwort tincture could be of use, and get plenty of magnesium-rich greens. If you're an O nonsecretor ~ Chasteberry, Horsetail, and Vervain are recommended, along with *active* B12, extra vitamin A and boron. There is some anecdotal evidence that Rhodiola Rosea helps Os with hot flashes. "Maca" (the powdered root of a Peruvian plant) has a strong reputation for balancing the endocrine system, with skin results similar to the ones you got from soy. As far as we know, it's effective for all types. Whatever your blood group, make sure to get adequate calcium, vitamin D and a good multivitamin like PolyVite (available on our site), and invest in the Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia for specific protocols. I hope this helps, trisha!



Dear Heidi, Dr.D'Adamo said his team would examine newer food items and add them to the list. I sent him some suggestions for candidate foods. I am especially interested in savoy cabbage. We don't have kale in Hungary, but savoy cabbage is a common item. Thank you, Rose



As the weather cools (and dries, hopefully!) here on the U.S. East Coast, I think Peter may feel more motivated to venture once more into the lab. :-) If new food values are found, you can be sure we'll post 'em ~ we've not forgotten!



My Mom is a blood type O-, she has hypertension. There is much praise for the herb Hawthorn. Is it OK for a blood type O to take Hawthorn? NAP told me it was OK for all blood types but when I got the catalog it lists Hawthorn for blood type A AB & B. What would a blood type O take for hypertension? Of course in addition to following the diet. P.S. Your doing a great job Heidi! I'm so happy for you, this new format has to be less stressful for you. Even though the message board did have it's moments this format is working very well. Love Pat



Thanks, Pat ~ you're sweet, ya made my day. ~:-} Hawthorn is fine for all blood types, but with several caveats. Its action is primarily strengthening/elasticizing blood vessel walls and increasing oxygen flow. It can interact with some HBP medications, so if your mom is taking a drug for her hypertension, then her physician would need to OK hawthorn for her. Does she get adequate potassium, magnesium and calcium? A twenty-minute exercise routine (at her level -- see my column Exercise 4 Everyone of Sept 16) 3x per week is a proven blood pressure reducer. Base her meals on meat & veg, give her a good amount of beneficial fats, and try to avoid the grains (for the moment) whenever possible. I'm yapping away about anything that comes to mind right now, but go through this and pick & choose based on your knowledge of her condition. For instance, if it is primarily stress-related, focus on exercise and supps like Rhodiola rosea and Valerian. If it is hereditary and she is very overweight, for example, look into Arjuna Myrobalan (Terminalia arjuna), Coleus forskohlii, artichoke leaf, guggul, and see if you can get her secretor status. It makes quite a difference in the diet & healing protocols when one's ill. :-) Bless you for taking such good care of your mom, and all your family! Take care of you, too, OK?

I am o type. I've been doing weightwatchers programme for 2.5 years. 2 yrs ago i gave up wheat & dairy within 3 days i didn't need my inhaler anymore. last year i did carol vordermans detox dietalongside the'w/w points' I felt good & decided to become a vegan. however since dec 2001 i feel i have been fighting a battle with my weight despite sticking to the diet & loads of exercise.



about 4 weeks ago i decided to try the o type diet. the first 2 weeks i just eliminated 1/2 tbsp a day of oats. i lost 3lbs. i decided to reintroduce fish & poultry 2 wks ago & yet to see a further weight loss. i do get an overgrowth of yeast of which i found oregano complex(biocare) helps. in the past i've had mysterious pains & rashes which the doctor can't explain but generally isn't interested in other than the usual antibiotics/antistamines/steroids. but i'm fed up with just treating the symptoms and prefer to treat the root cause.



even when i went to the doctors years ago when i kept being sick & having chest/stomach pains, he kept giving me some horrible white medicine. i had to beg for a barium meal. when the results came back as having got a duodenal ulcer & scars of having several previous, he was very surprised. when i asked him what i should do. he said 'find out what makes you sick and avoid it!' and that was that, that was easier said than done as at the time everything made me sick and i didn't know what to do.



one thing i do know now for sure is if i eat either icecream or cream even just a little bit then i am sick within 5 mins. however, i am such a 'windy' person & think i detect an improvement since doing o type diet. so hopefully other things may improve over time. i was hoping to find out my secretor status as i have a funny feeling i may be non secretor because of all my dental probs i've had over the years (or it may be due to a previous dodgy dentist!) However,i live in uk & can't find anything on website in this country to order from, despite sending message to the edgeware, middlesex clinic.



i hope you can help me to help myself by possibly sending me a website to order products from. Also if from my brief(?)resume of my medical history you could advise/enlighten me i'd be real grateful.



p.s i had been getting spotting between menstrual cycle,doctor thought it might be lack of oestrogen as body stores that in fat tissue and as i had lost 7 stone i thought it made sense at the time, but chose to take phytosterols and they worked straight away, however this month i had spotting and a nutritionist advise me to take an omega 3 & 6 supplement so the body can balance its own hormones itself which i've just started doing. but if you could give me advice to help sort my health probs out i'd be very grateful. thanking you in anticipation & if there's any further info you need (ie supplements that i'm taking) then please feel free to ask. once again thanks ~ debbie from england

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Treating the root cause is a wise approach. This plan feeds your strength and avoids foods and activities that harm you ~~ in that way, your body's natural healing abilities are freed to work without impediment.



To get the secretor test in the UK, send an email to Stacktheme.



It sounds like your nutritionist is guiding you in the right direction. You might ask him or her about using Omegasentials or something similar. This page on the Minnesota Wellness Directory site contains a link and other information about the product, including a phone number, and discusses its formulation (which may be of help if you cannot obtain the product itself from the UK).



Your post did not mention exercise, and that would be all I would want to add to what you're doing already. Exercise helps the organs to clear themselves of toxins -- especially that largest organ, the skin. Drink plenty of pure water ~ as much as you are comfortable drinking between meals. Following the diet for your secretor status with the support of your nutritionist will resolve your troubles on the "cause" level. About supplements: discuss with the nutritionist the supplements on our site here ~ see if anything would be useful, but I would rather you make food your medicine for the long run!



Thank you for writing, debbie ~ you are on the right track, and now it's just a matter of "slow and steady wins the race." Take good care, dear!! You WILL make it, and I think you'll enjoy the process!

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Hi, Yvonne! I assume your physician ordered hemoglobin diaphoresis in order to make sure that you do not have the disease, but only carry the trait. For those who don't know this, the "sickledex" test does not distinguish between sickle cell anemia and sickle cell trait. Similar to the type O genotype with its two O genes, one must have two Hgb-S genes in order to have sickle cell anemia. An individual who possesses only one is a genetic carrier but asymptomatic for the disease.

Yes: anyone who knows that he or she carries a genetic marker for any disease would be well advised to follow the appropriate blood type plan pretty strictly -- making sure to incorporate the diet, exercise, and stress relief protocols for that type. Even such a mainstream organization as the National Institutes for Health has recognized that stress plays a key role in symptomatic sickle cell anemia. It's a good idea for all of us to establish effective stress-reduction practices.

In addition, it would be prudent to get additional screening, primarily for ABO subgroup, secretor status and MN type, in order to take advantage of the refinements in Live Right 4 Your Type. The saliva secretor test can be obtained from North American Pharmacal.

A full serotype panel from SouthWest Medical Center provides ABO group, ABO subgroup (A1, A2, etc.), as well as MN, Lewis and Rhesus types. It costs about $90, in addition to whatever your nurse or clinic may charge for the blood draw for the test. The SWMC collection kit can be obtained by calling 1-480-970-0000. If you use the saliva secretor test, which is recommended, and since you know your ABO and Rhesus types already, having this panel done would add only your MN type -- which has a minor impact on the O diet. Instead, I'd opt to use the "Tier II" plan (explained in Live Right) which emphasizes the beneficial elements of the food lists.

You probably already know how important it is that you maintain hydration. I'd try for three to four quarts of water (NOT distilled) per day, with one of those being a high quality mineral water such as Gerolsteiner -- that's my favorite, anyway, for mineral balance and taste. To two of those quarts of plain well or spring water, I'd add a teaspoonful of good sea salt. We want your tissues to absorb the water, rather than just running it through your kidneys and out again.

The type O exercise plan is great for boosting your blood oxygenation. I suggest getting a standard blood panel through your doctor, at least twice per year, to monitor red and white cell counts and ensure your liver enzymes aren't on the rise. And if he doesn't suggest it, I'd have him check your spleen at those times, as well, just as an added precaution. That way, you can monitor your progress with the plan, as well as avoiding strenuous exercise if any spleen enlargement is present.

Yvonne, thank you for writing and let us know how you're doing!

Hello Heidi, I am working hard to support my low thyroid through diet/exercise and supplements and to that end, I am of course on my A+ diet for the past two years, I exercise with walking, pilates, yoga and some tennis and I take several NAP supplements as well as a recommended supplement called B.M.R.(Tyler)for thyroid support. This product has among other things, some freeze dried bovine BMR concentrate. I am also taking NAP's Deflect A.

My concern is that I may be cancelling each of these out by the other, losing out on any progress stimulating my low thyroid, and my money in the process. Please help with this question as it has clouded my sights and caused me to be very uneasy with the continuation of using Deflect although I have had positive results in all other areas. Thank you very much for your insights. -- Pamela

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Interesting question!

Deflect is designed to (1) keep lectins from attaching to body tissues, and (2) slowly remove old lectin-damaged cells. It works by providing a more attractive substance with which to lure them away from you. Kind of like using a chunk of meat to distract a puppy who's headed for your favorite pair of shoes.

Since the source of the supplement, B.M.R., is bovine, and beef contains no lectins, Deflect isn't going to limit the effectiveness of the supp. Even if B.M.R. did contain galectins ("animal lectins"), as chicken does, only the lectins themselves would be rounded up by the Deflect -- not the hormones, which are the active element of compounds like B.M.R.

The standard high-carbohydrate diet is rife with (plant) lectins, both in number and in quantity consumed. Deflect has been formulated primarily to defeat the attachment of lectins such as those found in wheat, corn, beans, etc., which do the lion's share of damage through stimulating fat gain and triggering illness. Wheat lectin alone is associated with a sizeable list of serious ailments.

Although type A secretors tend to have a higher tolerance for the modern high-protein version of wheat than other folks, and are well-suited to a plant-based diet, Deflect-A has been formulated to target a variety of lectins which ARE harmful to As, and to support the growth of healthy tissue where old damage resides. I'd suggest continuing with it, especially since your results so far have been positive.

Congratulations on your commitment to getting healthier, and I wish you success!

Hi there heidi, I've been on the diet for eight months and seeing real benefits. It has in fact sparked off a fascination with nutrition. As part of my reading round, I have recently come across a book "Food, Your Miracle Medicine" by Jean Carper that reports on varioustheories and research. There is a huge chunk on how beneficial wheat bran has proved to be in prevention of bowel cancer and in the shrinking of premalignant polyps. Also, it is pretty definate that it is wheat bran that is the most eficacious, not oat bran or rice bran. As an A type I found this interesting. However, Dr D'Adamo's advice is to cut down on wheat and certainly Bran is an avoid for me. Does Dr D'Adamo know of this research? I would be really interested in his evaluation of the credability of the studies. If the results really are as they have been reported in the book, would this be a case for the benefits of the bran outweighing the disadvantages as far as the blood type diet goes. I am in a quandry as to whether to include bran or not in my diet. Thanks Maggie

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Hello, Maggie! It's nice to hear from you ~~ thank you for writing!

I have not read Jean Carper's book, and cannot comment on it specifically. Peter hasn't written about it, either, so ~ begging your indulgence, I'll give your question the old College try. I think it may not be as esoteric a matter as it first appears.

Bowel cancer usually arises from a long history of heavy stresses and poor diet which lead to a variety of serious illnesses -- diverticulitis, IBS, colitis, and cancer. For type A, a heavy meat, nightshade, hot spice, white flour and fat diet is murder on the colon. For a type O, a steady intake of grain, dairy, transfats, sugar, sodas, pork, and lots of processed foods providing little or no FIBER will get her to the same place.

Could this be the key to this treatment's efficacy? Did the individuals in Carper's reports eat little or no fiber of any kind before beginning the bran therapy? A person in terrible colonic shape who is given ANY kind of fiber may experience healing results if that is what they needed in the first place. Perhaps it was the vitamin E in the wheat bran PLUS the broom effect which helped these people far more than other kinds of bran. Or, simply the robust "clean sweep" may have done the trick for them. This is entirely a different mechanism from the lectin interactions which make wheat bran an avoid food for most of us; rather, it is a therapeutic method designed to get one job done in a hurry.

The caveat here, of course, is that many forms of intestinal disease will get worse rather than better if rough fiber like wheat bran or psyllium husks is introduced. In any case, a cancer prevention strategy must address more than one element in the diet.

The blood type plans by default are preventive and therapeutic. They recommend plenty of fiber from approved sources, live enzymes, food for our beneficial gut bacteria, and polyamine-reducing compounds. They eliminate foods which can cause major health difficulties -- including bowel cancer -- by supporting immune system strength (remember the vast immune functions performed by those healthy critters in a healthy colon!). And, unlike a universal quick-fix-in-a-jam, they are based upon the specific biochemistries of the people who use them, and confer unlooked-for benefits in their use.

Colon health is part of total health, approached through diet, stress reduction and exercise. High energy, sound elimination, and a peaceful mind are its hallmarks. With these tools in hand, I feel more than confident in avoiding wheat germ in favor of raw vegetables, fruits, nuts, and ground flaxseed, as part of the BTD whole. I hope you still do, as well!

Would you please tell me if cremini mushrooms are ok to eat for type O and type B? Crimini mushrooms look just like the white button mushrooms but are light tan to medium brown in color. Should they be considered to have the same blood reaction as the domestic white button? or the portobello? Carol

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Good news!

Cremini (or "cremini" or "Italian Brown") mushrooms are baby portobellos. Like the full-grown version, they are neutral for all types. :-)

This is for those who wanted info. on spelt. I (B+,secr.unkn.) use white spelt measure for measure in ALL my baking, and I like whole spelt especially in bisquits. For those who can eat oatmea, I have found that oat flour works wonderful in cookies and bars. My mother(O+,sec. unkn.) used spelt in her bread machine, but I know she had to adjust the measurements a littl, trial and error. I don't have a machine, so I won't speculate. Thanks, Heidi, for all your efforts!! I hope this helps a little. Ginger

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In response to the requests in today's column for bread and muffin recipes, I recommend the book "The Complete Guide to Wheat-Free Cooking" by Phyllis Potts (ISBN 1-885223-77-3). No pineapple spelt muffin recipes but plenty of others that could be used and just mix in a bit of pineapple. She has a special section with bread machine recipes including two 100% spelt bread recipes and one 100% kamut recipe. One spelt recipe specifically says it makes a 1-1/2 pound loaf; the other one doesn't say but has less flour in it so I'm guessing it makes a 1 pound loaf. Perhaps someone familiar with using bread machines could adapt the recipes for the larger machine. The author notes that to make wheat-free breads in the Zojirushi-type bread machines(where the liquid ingredients are added first) it is important to mix the ingredients in a bowl first, and then spoon the dough into the machine. Here is the recipe that makes a 1-1/2 pound loaf: 1-1/2 T. honey, 1-1/2 T. canola oil, 1 cup plus 2 T. water, 1 T. yeast, 3 cups spelt flour, 1 tsp. salt. Combine honey, oil, and water. Add yeast, flour, and salt to the honey mixture. Put into the bread canister. (Be sure kneader is in canister.) Set machine to basic bread setting and push the start button. Hope this helps those bakers out there. Thanks again, Heidi, for your wonderful column. Deborah

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Hi Heidi, Did someone call for recipes? My favorite subject. This is for Lou - pineapple muffins and for Shay - spelt and rye bread.

The pineapple-pecan muffins comes from one of my favorite coookbooks - THE ALLERGY SELF-HELP COOKBOOK. Lots of NO wheat, corn, milk and sugar recipes. This recipe uses amaranth which is beneficial for AB but you can substitute spelt. I often substitute spelt one for one for wheatarians. Makes 12.

1 3/4 cups sifted amaranth flour (instead of sifting, I just pour into measuring cup without packing down ]

1/4 cup sifted arrowroot

2 1/2 tsp. baking soda

2 tbsp. lemon juice

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/4 cup ground pecans

8 oz. unsweetened crushed pineapple, packed in juice

1/4 cup oil

1/4 cup honey (being a nonnie all that pineapple and juice is more than enough for me but if you want I would use molasses which is beneficial for AB - gives the muffins a nice color too)

1 egg (optional)

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract (Frontier Brand has one with no corn syrup or alcohol)

Sift flour, arrowroot, and baking soda into a large bowl. Stir in the chopped and ground pecans. Place the pineapple in a strainer set over a bowl. Press lightly wiht the back of a spoon to extract excess juice. Ste the pineapple aside. Measure the juice; add enough water to equal 2/3 cup. Whisk the pineapple juice, oil, honey, egg and vanilla together in a small bowl. Pour into the flour bowl. Mix with a few swift strokes. Do not overmix. Gently fold in the pineapple. Divide batter among 12 muffin cups. Bake at 375 for 18-20 mintues, or until center of muffin feels firm.

The spelt bread recipe for bread machines actually comes off of the Arrowhead Mills bag of spelt flour. I have not made it since being an A2 Rh neg nonnie puts me at 3-5 servings per week of grains/starches so my bread machine is gathering dust.

SPELT BREAD FOR BREAD MACHINES

Makes 1 loaf.

1 Package Active Dry Yeast

1 Cup warm water

2 tbsp. honey

2 tbsp. oil

1 tsp. sea salt

3 1/2 cups spelt flour

Add ingredients to machine according to manufacturer's instructions. Bake on shortest cycle possible (NOT quick bread cycle). If loaf falls and craters during baking cycle, decrease water slightly next time.

From vegweb.com here is a rye bread for bread machine recipe but is not 100% rye. I would just go with all rye flour and see what happens. I find many recipes will add wheat flour to perfectly good grains because most are not used to the taste of anything that is not wheat.

Valerie's Very Own Rye Bread Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups Water

2 cups Unbleached White Flour (use rye flour here too)

1 1/2 cups Rye flour

1 T Cocoa (optional; for coloring)

1 1/2 T Caraway Seed (yes, table spoons)

1/3 cup Molasses

2 t Active Dry Yeast

1 1/2 t salt

Directions: Use Basic Medium mode. Timer not recommended.

Thanks Heidi. I thoroughly enjoyed doing that. Interested to hear how they make out. Also, sending out to all nonnies an invite to join the Nonnie Email List to network with other nonnies to get support and great recipes. Looking forward to hearing from Suzanna (B nonnie newbie). Best to all, Nina

Thank you all!! And Nina, I gather we still don't have a working email for Suzanna? If you're out there, Suzanna, please write in with a proper email addy if you still want to be added to the mailing list. :-D

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Re Mosquitos: the letter you posted is word for word quoted in the Urban Legends website at http://www.snopes.com/spoons/oldwives/skeeters.htm By coincidence, I had read it yesterday and recognized it today. For what it's worth... S.

:+> Oh, well! Several people wrote in with comments -- Which letter was it? :-)

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Heerye Heidi! My ears are burning. I am the rarest of the rare, the AB + non-secretor. I am a cornucopia of medical problems that are now finally being addressed by knowing my rare bloodtype and even rarer secretor status. A big thanks to Dr. D, who I met last month on his book tour, for providing this discovery. (Tell him I was the guy with the big smile wearing the bandana at Book Passage in Marin County, CA.):-)

My problems while not life threatening are just bothersome and do interfere with my enjoyment of living. I've found that I need to be extremely diligent in the foods that I eat, supplements that I take and stress that I take on. At age 13, I lost my hair, which is when all the problems began...a series of doctors, nutritionists, acupuncturists, massage therapists, chiropractors, faith healers, psychologists all tried to help...but no one uncovered a cause or a remedy and called it Alopecia. If that were the only symptom, that would be bearable, but as you know an autoimmune illness usually brings with it other problems and disorders. After 26 years searching to find relief from the myriad of pains, problems, mild depression, swollen glands, fatigue, poor circulation, cold, headaches, infections and many other symptoms, I happily (?) found out last week I have Hashimotos Thyroiditis and I am now being treated and hopefully on the road to recovery. I write not for help (but of course welcome any suggestions you might have), but to communicate through this column in hopes of reaching others suffering to let them know that there IS hope and answers out there. The only thing that has made my life better has been the BTD, with special attention now paid to non-secretor status...and a little bit of thyroid hormone every day John

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Dear Heidi, I just wanted to give you a quick update. I am the O non secretor with the rosacea and arthritis. I have cut all grains and sugars out for the last 4 weeks and now have no joint pain at all! My skin has totally cleared as well - I keep to a very low carb diet. If I eat any sugar at all - even fruit sugar - my skin breaks out into flushing and pimples. The problem is that I keep getting sick - colds and sinus infections - maybe my vitamin c levels are really low, because I am not eating fruit. I take polyflora O, Quercetin, brewer's yeast and Ester C. Is there a better Vitamin C to take? I found Dr. D's O multivitamin did not really agree with me. Can you recommend another one? I have not really started my exercise routine either - as finally my joints are out of pain. Do you think that this will help ward off infections? It is so embarressing that I keep getting ill at work - especially since I am a proponent of this blood type diet. It sort of undermines my credibility! I would appreciate any suggestions Thank you as ever for all your help. suzanna

Hello, friends ~~ I am so pleased things are progressing satisfactorily for both of you!

John, the only tip I'd offer right now is that with time on the diet, you may very well find your hormone supp need will decrease -- so do monitor it closely. The BTD has a great record on resolving Hashimoto's. Bless you, rara avis! Your ears SHOULD be burning -- keep in touch, now, ya heah?!! ;-D

Suzanna, I'd start using organic rose hips, soaked overnight, then blended up and added to a smoothie. Daily. Make sure you are getting adequate zinc (the full complement of nuts & seeds should do it -- or else try a low-dosage zinc supp for a week or two, but do skip a week and re-evaluate your condition before repeating the dosage for the next two weeks. And of course, the protein portions/frequencies in Live Right. If you're eating a wide variety of fresh vegetables, and some organ meats, your vitamin C intake should be fine unless there is more here than meets the eye... Try the above and keep me posted, OK? :-)

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Regarding organic whole egg protein powder, your readers might be interested to know that the powdering process has been shown to oxidize the cholesterol in the egg yolk. The result is an extremely unhealthy processed food product(same with powdered milk), since oxidized cholesterol is believed to be a major factor in heart disease. For references, see http://www.nlfd.gov.tw/jfda/content/74/01.pdf http://www.nlfd.gov.tw/jfda/content/81/01.pdf This is another example of where we should not mess with mother nature. Roy

Good to know, Roy, and thanks for posting this for all of us! :-)

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Hi, suzanna ~ Palm oil isn't an easy subject to come to grips with, but I gave it a try here a while back. Read through, see what you think. Personally, I'm going to pass on palm oil until we learn more. ~~ and thank you so much for your kind words!

I am a Type A and would like to know what to eat to gain weight. I have always relied on dairy products (ice cream, cheese etc.) to maintain my weight (I have always been underweight - 5'5" 105-110#). What would be good to eat between meals? Laura

Just following your A diet should normalize your weight. Eat your full quota of acceptable grains and fish/fowl. A couple of tips: eat in a relaxed frame of mind, chew thoroughly, and relax a bit with some soothing music after your meal. Yoga is great for harmonizing your endocrine system, calming your digestion, and encouraging development of active body mass. The Pilates system is a fine method to build muscle on those delicate bones of yours!

In the book "Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia" on p. 582 there is listed Wild Yam (Dioscora) being beneficial for Type O, but it does not say anything about the other blood types. I am an A non-secretor and I would like to know if the wild yam is a neutral or an avoid. I would also like to know the answer for the other blood types for this supplement. Thank you so much for your time and effort. Marilee

I don't have an authoritative value for wild yams as such, Marilee. All I can offer is that "true yams" are an avoid for all type As ~ beneficial for Bs and ABs ~ and neutral for Os. Wild yams and and the yams in our food lists are both Dioscorea villosa. Therefore, the values for both must be identical. :-}

I am a B+ nonsecretor diagnosed with invasive breast cancer 11 yrs. ago. Strong family history on both sides. Soy and peanuts have anticancer properties but i do not eat them because they are avoids for me. Should I eat them anyway as being cancerfree is more important than my weight! Also I quit eating flaxseed oil in my MFC because of its high linoleic acid content which I understand to be a cancer promotor.. Again not what I want to do. Confused as many doctors advocate flax. Please help me to understand what is best for ME. Thank you for your time. Jean

Unfortunately, the benefits soy and peanuts confer on type As don't extend to Bs and Os -- quite the opposite. Soy has been shown to impair Bs' immune defenses by reducing B antigen levels. Instead of peanuts, use Peter's Aromastat supplement to block aromatase levels and inhibit early cancer growth. Also, please consider adding flax oil back into your diet. Here's a link to Peter's Ask Dr. D. on flax. I hope you have purchased the Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia, as it is full of detailed information and protocols concerning cancer. Best of health to you, Jean!

I am an AB blood type. Can I use flax seed meal? Alexandra

Sure! Best way to get flax meal is to buy the seeds and use a coffee or spice grinder to prepare small amounts of meal when you plan to eat it. The oil in the seeds goes rancid quickly, so this method is better than purchasing the meal pre-ground. Keeping your flax seeds, meal or oil in the fridge greatly extends their "fresh-life."

I belong to the B blood group and would like to lose some weight on the blood group diet. I don't understand why Tofu is to be avoided under blood group B and yet soya flour is acceptable. Would eating Tofu deter weight lose? Btw, Tofu is one of my favourite food - I eat Tofu 3 - 4 times a week. Must I totally avoid Tofu in order to lose weight? Edith

For weight loss, try to eat 100% beneficial foods and engage in B-type exercise and stress-relief practices. Tofu will only retard your progress and lead to discouraging results down the line.

If it will ease your pain a bit, remember that virtually all of us have bade fare-thee-well to at least one favorite food. I commiserate with you in the tofu and tempeh regard (love 'em both). I've lost chickpeas (hummus with sweet peppers! *sigh!*) buckwheat pancakes with maple syrup! oatmeal on cold mornings! fresh roasted sweet corn, corn bread with pancetta and hot peppers, gourmet purple popping corn! OH, don't get me started on the vasty wealth of brilliant cheeses from France and Ireland... and curried cabbage... brussels sprouts in quiche, potatoes in every form imaginable... chestnuts in December, sunflower seeds in July, fried plaintains with Haitian goat stew. Honeydew, just as it is. Apples cool in the breeze, blackberries warm from the bush. STRAWBERRIES. Other than that, I have no complaints. ~~;-D When you see the weight dropping and little surprise healthy "side-effects" showing up, your longing for tofu will fade as well. Hang in there, dear!

I live in Turkey-Istanbul. I am Blood A Rh+ and 33 years old female. I have still skin problem too much (acne)and I have gastrit problem and helico bacter. My doctor couldn't do anything about my problems. I would like to learn which supplement that I have to add my diet. Thank you very much for your helps and best regards, Ipek

Ipek, try to cut down on grains. See if you can find fish to replace any meat or fowl you eat. Fill up on as many green vegetables as you can get locally. Follow the A diet in Eat Right 4 Your Type and include yoga or meditation every day. For your skin, use Witch Hazel on it. Can you obtain the following: burdock tea, Holy Basil in capsules, Pantethine (not pantothenic acid), and vitamin A? Five or ten drops of Gentian tincture in warm water before meals will help with your stomach distress, and Linden tea and Asian (Panax) Ginseng can be added to get rid of the H. pylori infection. Two weeks should see a great improvement. Write back if you have any trouble recognizing these names.

I'm a French reader of your 3 books. My husband (A+) and I (O-) enjoy your blood diet method. Now, we want to be sure about our secretor status. How could I buy your test ? Do you have an european web site with price in euros or can I find it in a store, here, in France ? You know that french like food so we find a lot of good receip for our two blood type, how can I give you them ? Thank you for your answer, best regards. Valérie

Hallo, Valérie! You can order the secretor test from our friend Cocky who represents Stacktheme in Europe. Just email her at StackEurope ~ she'll take care of your needs. And if you would be so magnanimous as to send your recipes to me at helpinghand, I will be your friend for life. :-) My man (German) and I (Irish) have a little love affair with food, too. I'll post them into the Recipe Exchange so we all can enjoy them! Thank you!!

Anne, the rye bread mix sounds fine. Technically, type O nonsecretors should avoid soy, but if you're in good health and don't plan to learn your secretor status, just keep watch that it doesn't constipate you or cause pain or gas. The range of frequency for two slices of bread is between two and six times per week. The two Organ products are based on cornstarch ("maize starch"), so aren't recommended for us. Thanks for writing, and best of luck with your baking!





I have been following the diet very closely for about 6 weeks, including integrating cardio and strength training into my schedule. I am type O, 22 years old, 5'6" and weighed 123 pounds when I started and 127 pounds now. I don't care so much about losing weight, but I want to lose some flab and convert some fat into muscle. So far, I feel great and I look better, but I have gained 4 pounds and want to see less flab and more muscle! I'm wondering if I am eating too few calories and perhaps my metabolism is suffering for this. Dr. Dadamo's calorie calculator says I should get at least 2000 calories a day (for light exercise, 2300 for moderate exercise), but frankly I find this a very high number. I have lately been calculating my caloric intake and find it to be at most 1500 per day. I eat very healthy and I am not hungry, so I can't imagine what I could do to bump this up, but I don't want to slow down my metabolism! Can you explain the relationship between calories, weight, and metabolism? I'm sure this could help some others as well! Thanks! Kay



Hi, Kay ~ Instead of the calorie calculator, try the Body Mass Index calculator. The weight you gained may well be muscle. If your BMI is improving, then you are losing fat and building active tissue mass ~ your report that you feel great and look better means you're doing the right things. Instead of the scale, take measurements of your waist, hips and thighs. Compare them weekly with the old ones. Rather than adding calories, just follow the portion/frequency charts in Live Right, don't eat to the point of discomfort, and note your energy levels after your workouts. If you're dizzy or weak, add a berry & nutbutter shake or other protein snack. As you build muscle, you may begin to require more food. For now, give it time, you'll do fine! NOTE FROM CONTRIBUTOR ADDED: "If one gains weight, whether fat or muscle, the BMI will also go up. This is why the BMI is an inaccurate measurement of health status in professional bodybuilders and other muscular folk. The best way to determine whether or not you are losing fat is to monitor you body fat percentage using calipers and/or bioelectric impedence testing. Cheers, Ryan" Thanks, Ryan! I realized my error only this morning as I was checking the column (*;-}), and I appreciate your note about it!



Currently reading BTD, Century Books 2001 edition. Am O positive (with hypothyroidism), my husband O negative and OK, but am about to care for A2-type Mum post knee replacement surgery so was checking to see how we could cater for all of us. Herbal teas for A (p. 125) says that cornsilk and red clover should be avoided as they have the opposite effect to that required and suit type O, but in the list for type O on p. 80, they are among the teas to be avoided. Obviously there is something wrong with these lists. Now I am wondering if other lists are also wrong. I take 150µg thyroxine daily and was told to avoid iodine, so assume that this includes the bladderwrack etc. advocated. Rosalind



Your book's lists are correct: cornsilk and red clover should be avoided by both type O and A. Ask your doctor whether the iodine in seaweeds will interfere with your medication. There are multiple Outcome Reports referring to alleviation or normalization of thyroid function after following the type O diet for a period of time. Go to the page I just linked ~ in the Search For field, put "thyroid" and in the Search By pulldown menu, choose "Comments." You might copy, paste and print them for your discussion with your doctor. Good luck, and good health to you!

Having been a cook and now a carpenter, I did get a tiny amount of exercise. But at the end of the day I have always been too mentally and physically exhausted to do serious exerecise. When I was young, my body literally craved exercise without end. But having been a couch potato on numerous medicatiions for years, my promptings greatly diminished. Do you know of any herbs, supplements or foods that will help jump start my body's urge to exercise again?



I eat meat once a day, usually red meat, around 6 oz at breakfast with a large salad and eggs. Also, is cow feta ok for O's? And ketchup, being listed as an avoid, can be made with cider vinnegar and sweetened with fruit juice, but is it then ok? Oh and you forgot to mention goose as an avoid for O Se's in one of your answers. David

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David, I want to congratulate you on the accomplishment of your goals. More than that, I laud you for continuing to seek ways to implement Peter's suggestions in order to attain robust health.



Stressful jobs of a multitude of varieties can put us through a "mental work-out" leaving exhaustion in its wake, while the body's musculature has done little (if anything) other than key-up for fight-or-flight whilst keeping that smile on the face. :-E Many of us regularly come home at night feeling wrung out by a workday in which much was encountered, but nothing required (or allowed) in the way of physical response. That's precisely the time when we need our hour on the Nautilus machines, 10-mile cross-country run, yoga class, Qigong practice, or walk in the gardens most of all, and just when we are least inclined to do so.



The key? START. Just keep telling yourself you need to start, until you do. Give it a try once. Do a 15-minute run/walk. Do it again a couple of times that week, then add a minute onto your exercise sessions for the next week, and so on ~ and keep going. Remember to do thorough stretching before and afterwards, to prepare the body for activity and protect against injury. Stretching before bed can help with a morning workout, surprisingly. Think about other activities you might like -- team sports, one-on-one confrontations like tennis/raquetball/squash/2sies volleyball, or gym workouts, or skating, climbing, swimming, and mix it up. The great thing about this is, every day you exercise (including the first!) will feel in sharp contrast to those months or years when you didn't -- the psychological payoff is intense and lasting. It's just a glorious feeling. JUST DO IT, as stupid as that sounds! Just do it. :-}



Can I recommend herbs, supps or food to get you going? well ~~ I notice that I, at 130 pounds and 5'9", eat at least twice as much meat as you do. OK, I'm a nonsecretor.... Still, I hope you're using the Live Right recommendations on portions and frequency? :-) Second, I wonder if you are eating your largest meal at breakfast, which is a proven lose-weight strategem? If so, please add some nice fish or meat (very small & simple) at your last meal of the day, and include some olive or walnut oil, or homemade mayonnaise. It will put pep in your step for the next morning's exercise. Another thought: nutritional yeast (KAL is my favored brand) and some Methyl (B12) Plus (sold on this site) elevate mood, increase physical energy and contribute to a "warrior's attitude." ;-> Take them separately, and the yeast during the early part of the day. If taken at night, it may energize you just when you'd like to sleep instead.



Cow feta is fine for O's. Ketchup made with cider vinegar and fruit juice, is O-K for O secretors, too. And I've got good news for you: goose is Neutral for ya. Pork, quail and turtle are your only listed meat no-nos.



Vitality is not merely a quality of the mind. We are physical beings, and to engage in an appropriate exercise program is to honor the gift of the body. The concomitant rewards are physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.



David, I want to hear from you on your progress in getting those tootsies moving. Please keep me posted!

What is vegetable glycerine, which you recommend as a sweetener? The local health food stores have never heard of it. Rachel

Hi, Rachel ~ here's your chance to foster continuing education at your HFS! ;-D Heritage and NOW are the two brands I've seen in my city's many organic grocers ~ you could ask your store manager to order it for you (NOW is cheaper, and as far as I've been able to ascertain it, the products are entirely identical). However, for the best price, you might consider buying it online. Take a look at Harvest Moon Health Food's NOW glycerine page-- it's the lowest retail price I've seen for that item. enjoy!

Hi, Susan ~~ I'm kinda surprised your HFS folks had never heard of it, but hey! here's a chance to contribute to their education. :-) Here is one source for Triphala, a combination of Amla (Indian Gooseberry), Beleric Myrobalan (fruit from the Bihara tree) and Chebulic Myrobalan (the fruit from another Indian tree, Harada). Scroll down to the grey box entitled "The Amazing Ancient Triphala" and read all about it. It's a great page to print out for your HFS manager's reference.

Good luck with your protocol, and thanks for writing!

Dear Heidi, My wonderful, insightful daughter may have found the answer to the homeopath's comment that I could become "allergic" to Heallix. With that comment, and the fact that I was feeling quite thirsty, Nina wondered if in taking the Heallix there was a lot of "debris" left from killing the bad bacteria. She reckoned that I needed to "hose down" my bladder so that I can continue to detox. In fact, in the early days of taking Heallix I had a headache along the top of my eyes which I used to get when eating something I shouldn't It was from detoxing. With lots more water, about four liters a day, I feel great and can't wait to have the Heallix tested again. Will let you know what she says in October. Karen

Hello, Karen -- I'm VERY glad you two worked it out that you were having a detox reaction, and that you're feeling better now! :-) As I noted a while back, those symptoms are quite common during detoxing.

I'd like to remind everyone to be sure to read the Heallix site thoroughly if you have any questions about its use, how it works, or just anything at all about it.

This is just one brief note from the Heallix FAQ page:





However, this is quite different from an allergic reaction, which is again different from an intolerance -- so I'd still like to find out your homeopath's explanation of what you were initially told about the development of an "allergic" response... please update us, OK? Thanks so much, dear!!

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Thanks for your information about tinea Heidi. Actually in the couple of days since I wrote I've tried a home remedy which has helped, and may indicate that it is not a serious fungal infection.I have not had a scrape test. What I did to ease the discomfort was to apply witchhazel (health food store) and to keep the area dry, dried it with a hair dryer after showering.It must the the most natural damp spot in the body (beneath the little toe).So far so good! Thanks anyway, I'll keep you instructions in case it bothers me too much. Best wishes, Jenny

Well, that's a relief! I'm glad you got it cleared up with a minimum of bother -- thanks for the update, Jenny! :-D

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Hi Heidi I have a few questions. I Had all of my hair cut off (Bad perm). What can I do to get it growing quickly? I heard biotin was good, and increased protein in the diet. If so, how much of either should I take? Would the protein in your stock recipe help? Rachel

;-) Hi there, Rachel -- Do daily scalp massage, with fingertips, in tiny circles all over the skin. Move the skin, so that you're not just rubbing the surface. A yoga posture that increases blood flow to the head would also help.

Increased protein works if you have a protein deficiency which is affecting hair growth -- here, you're just trying to get your hair to grow out a bit faster. The stock recipe is good for every part of your body, and does contain nice stuff for the hair in its collagen, proteins and minerals. See to your health, your diet, and your exercise generally, and the hair will grow at its optimum pace. In the meantime, I'll bet the very short hair is a new experience! Enjoy it! You might get so attached to it that you keep it! ;-) Best wishes, Rachel!! :-)

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Heidi, I am writing about Val’s fulvic acid based liquid minerals’ question. I asked Leo from Heallix a few months ago if he had any plans to offer a fulvic acid based liquid mineral product, in other words Heallix without the ionized silver. He said yes and that it would offer many health benefits to those not needing the silver to fight some pathogen. The other advantage is it will be much less expensive then Heallix, since it won’t have any silver in it. I looked on his site just a few days ago and he still didn’t have this new product listed. I need to write him again and ask when he thinks the new product will be available.

I also wanted to let you know that slowly but surely my sinuses are healing up since I stopped eating all gluten containing grains. In fact, I hardly eat any grains. I only have rice, and maybe buckwheat, a couple of times a month. Even my long time ragweed allergies are not really bothering me.

As I have told you before I had been fighting chronic sinus infection problems for around 10 years. The doctors I saw gave me constant antibiotics, prednisone, and other drugs as well as performed 4 surgeries on my sinuses. The end result was they did nothing to solve my long-term problem, but managed to take lots of my money, caused me pain and suffering, and I am sure further damaged my overall health. The past 10 years have been very difficult for many reasons. I believe my sinus problems and their impact on my adrenal glands were directly or indirectly related to many of the difficulties and problems I experienced.

The resolution to my sinus problems is a MAJOR life altering event for me. I am now starting to really look forward to the future again. With this sinus body burden gone I hope that this will also lead to a quick resolution to my adrenal fatigue problem (if it hasn’t already, I plan to test again soon), and may even help with my hypothyroid problem that started about 2 years ago.

The BTD and advice to type Os to consider eliminating grains led me to the discovery that gluten was the cause of my problem. Thank you and everyone else there that has helped get this information out to the world! I cannot express how wonderful it is to be able to breath through uncongested open nostrils again!!!

Let me add one more related item. I have been drinking Yerba Mate tea lately as part of the Allergy Control Protocol and I think it has helped open up my sinuses. From what I have read about Yerba Mate I assume the benefit is from stimulation, and maybe nourishment, of the adrenal glands. I am hoping that this will also help my adrenal glands recover and return to normal. Do you have any comments or info about Yerba Mate tea? Thanks again!!! Don

Well, HALLELUJAH! GRAND NEWS, Don!!

The only knowledge I have about yerba mate is what you've probably already seen: the TYPE O AND YERBA MATE post in the Ask Dr. D'Adamo column. I see nothing related to adrenal support, but your sources may have more detailed information.

I'm just really happy about your progress ~ please keep us updated!! :-D

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Hi Heidi, This is for Marie (AB nonnie) who does not like turkey. As an A nonnie, I can relate to not wanting to eat meat nor fish for that matter. I am proof it can be done. :-) Here is a great "disguise the turkey" recipe.

Take ground white or dark meat turkey, whichever seems more innocuous to you. Add apple butter, with no sugar or honey. Then saute some sliced onions in olive oil with some dried herbs (basil, oregano, thyme and/or turmeric). When onions are translucent add ground turkey. Cover the pan with a lid. It will help it to cook the turkey fairly quickly and completely. Stir occasionally.

While cooking, make a sauce from olive oil, lemon juice, Braggs Liquid Aminos (wheat free Tamari) and powdered 100% pure mustard (start with small amounts - 1/8 tsp) and mix to taste. Put turkey mixture on cooked greens like swiss chard or kale and pour sauce over the whole thing.

The sweet from the apple butter and the savory bite from the sauce really complement each other. Really scrumptious!

There is a book that has really helped me with the being a nonnie and eating animals. It is titled "Message from Water" by Masaru Emoto shows how water crystals are affected by their environment even to the point of becoming more sparkling and luminous after the words "thank you" have been placed on the container with water.

You can go to http://www.adhikara.com/water.html for more information. Beautiful photographs and quite striking! So I bless and thank the animals that gave their lives so I and my family may live more fully.

And for great recipes like that and more come join us at our nonsecretors group and find stuff like a homemade BBQ sauce by Ann, O nonnie, homemade plum sauce by Paige, O nonnie, homemade pesto by Rose in Hungary, O nonnie, and homemade mustard by Mike, A nonnie, homemade fruit butter and so much more. Thanks Heidi for everything. Big hug, Nina

A BIG hug back, dear! Many thanks!! :-D

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Heidi - Thanks for the helpful column! My question: I'm uneasy with your recommendation of bone broth as a source of calcium for type O. I'm sure I read somewhere that Dr. D said that gelatins of all types INCREASE the effect of lectins -- that is, allow them to do more damage than they already do! I have not seen in his books that he recommends gelatinous meat stock. It seems that it could be fine for those who are 100% compliant with the O diet (it sounds like you are!) but for those of us still eating some no-no's like flour tortillas or potatoes now & then -- shouldn't we avoid it? Jenny

Hello, Jenny! Are you thinking of the Answer to Critics, in which he mentions the 'detractor' who said broth can make all meats OK for types A & B, and the gelatin in the broth will block lectin activity, etc.? That claim is certainly untrue.

Peter goes on to say, "In addition to the fact that many people can not use gelatin for religious reasons, in over 6 years of research I have never seen a single study to support this contention. In fact many animal proteins, such as albumin, enhance the reactivity of lectins." Cannot use gelatin for religious reasons? He appears to be talking about gelatin derived from pork. I don't recommend anyone start making broth using avoids. And albumin, of course, is an animal protein we eat every time we have an egg. It's present in many other animal-source foods as well.

Rather than suggest you not enjoy broth (or eggs, or flesh food of any kind) if you eat avoids, I'd suggest not having avoids ... especially not with your broth! ;-) Hope this eases your mind, dear! :-D

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Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Shea, for this special occasion, a little reg'ler cake will do most folks no harm... but if you'd truly prefer a BTD-compliant wedding cake, let's give it a shot! I do hope this column "hits the air" in time to be of some help to you. :-D



Depending on your tolerance of grain, sugar and dairy, whether the cake will be homemade or ordered from a baker, and the size of your guest list, there are a number of options to consider.



(1) White spelt is an excellent substitute for the wheat flour used in cake recipes. If your organic grocer doesn't carry organic white spelt flour, it can be obtained through the Purity Foods or Frankferd Farms sites, for example. It is an avoid for nonsecretor Os, but if you "test-drive" some spelt bread before deciding on your wedding cake recipe, you'll know if it'll pass muster for you on this one occasion. We don't want the bride doubled over due to the wrong cake grain!! There are spelt cake recipes galore on the Internet and in cookbooks too numerous to list here, so if you can enlist the cooperation of the baker, you're set!



(2) Eggwhite-based batter is another way to get round the wheat problem. Many commercial bakers will make a genoise, or "flourless" cake for you. Because these cakes are softer, moister and of a more delicate texture, it may affect your original design -- wider than tall may be necessary in order to avert collapse! Nut flours (almond, walnut, hazelnut) take two minutes to make in a blender, and are great additions to genoises for the "stand-up" texture they confer, but if your guest list is too large to ascertain whether any person may be allergic to nuts, it may be better to use another method rather than risk a case of anaphylactic shock at the reception. :-} As with spelt, there are scads of flourless cake recipes on the Net, and in a multitude of cookbooks. Browse, pick & choose as your heart desires.



(3) If you'd like an alternative to sugar, consider vegetable glycerine, a remarkable, lectin-free liquid sweetener made from coconuts. Get this: it actively stabilizes blood sugar levels rather than bouncing them around as refined sugar does. It's magic in baked goods -- tastes like sugar, no odd or overpowering flavor or aftertaste like stevia or molasses, and adds loft and moisture. NOW and Heritage are two brands which come to mind. Your health food store may carry one or both, and in any case they can order some for you. At the moment, Harvest Moon has the 16 oz. NOW product on sale. :-D



(4) Buttercream frosting can be made with butter or ghee, sugar or veg gly, and your chosen flavorings (almond, lemon... vanilla is neutral for O secretors now, by the way!). Glaze is a snap with veg gly as the base.



"Sucrose" is the two-molecule simple sugar that we know as... well, as "sugar." :-) It is present in many whole foods along with its companion elements. The immense quantities of refined varieties of sugar in the average American diet are contributors to type II diabetes, immune dysfunctions, and a load of other ailments. No lectin is involved -- it's rather a metabolic tolerance issue. But again, most people deal with small amounts without adverse result. Let your own body be your guide. :-)



Fruit is best eaten alone, on an empty stomach. When eaten with other items, grains in particular, it tends to push its way to first-in-line in the digestive queue. That said, many people have no trouble with fruit/meat combinations in meals, and some enjoy fruit/grain/dairy desserts without complaint. Test your own reactions eating it with or after foods of various kinds, and look for discomfort or gas -- if present, you may be better off including it as your day-starter.



I wish you all the best, and truly hope these notes will contribute to a very happy and healthy wedding day for you and your husband ~ and many joyful years to follow! Good Luck!!

I love this one size DOESN'T fit all diet. I have been doing the A+ blood type diet for just over four years now and am so thankful to be feeling better and doing better.

I went probably 5 or 6 years getting abnormal paps. My last two were normal. I have ALWAYS had problems with digestion--from grade school on. Lots of heart burn and constipation starting from the 4th or 5th grade at least. And to this day, have a problem with bad breath and strong offensive orders when I go to the bathroom, but no more constipation or heartburn.



IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO to correct these current and on-going problems? And what tests might be good preventative measures? (I did go off my diet on Labor Day and enjoyed two helpings of potato salad. I had heartburn so bad that night that I began to be concerned--and then I remembered what I had done. Before the blood type diet I ALWAYS had terrible heartburn and had "learned to live with it". I certainly believe that your information is saving/prolonging and enhancing my life.)



Two years ago I had a 10-times enlarged parathyroid removed--high calcium in the blood. The surgeon said that I more than likely had the problem for many, many, many, years. I am now 55 years old and have also been taking natural hormones for five years. I take your Phytocal A now, have started walking again 30 minutes every day (quit just before the surgery because I was so exhausted all the time), and will be ordering your snail product this next week.



I recently sent off your secretor test after I found out that I had gone into the osteoporosis level. I just got the results back a few days ago and am a non-secretor. I noticed that the soy foods are neutral for non-secretor A's. Does that mean that A's that are non-secretors don't have such a sigificant challenge with female cancers? Or is there less protection for us?



I LOVE the tier one and two. I try to do as many tier one beneficials as possible. Under the Neutral/General section for fish for the non-secretor, can you tell me which beneficial fish would be on the tier one list? Also is sugar on the tier one or two for non-secretors? Again, am so thankful for such great research in such an easy to read format that is so basic and gives each person a hands-on in our own health care. I had encouraged my sister who's O+ and has fibromyalgia to use your program and was really happy for her that she is doing just that. One of my brothers does Jinsinjitsu healing and also goes by your work. Other friends and family members are being helped as well. Can't thank you enough! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!! I appologize for taking so much time to "get to the point" and want to thank you SO much for taking your time to read this AND to give me your input!! Sincerely, Diana!

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DEAR Diana ~ You are so very kind. I can't take credit for the books, which I didn't write (Peter and Catherine will hear your praises!) but I personally truly appreciate your message, and I'm blessed by your spirit and great good humor! thanks, dear! ~:-)



First, I expect you will find that following the nonsecretor diet will eliminate the bad breath and digestive odors. However, some digestive aids may speed the process: gentian extract, taken as directed on the bottle (1/2 hour before a meal), or pineapple (whole or the juice) 1/2 hour before a meal. You won't have to take them forever, but try to do so for a month or two before any meal containing protein (vegetal or animal). For now, I wouldn't suggest any medical tests; you can resolve this on your own. Be sure to maintain a regular schedule of meals, yoga or meditation, and mild outdoor exercise -- and get a couple of glasses of good water between meals. The odors you notice indicate there is some toxicity being thrown off by your system, so the changes in diet and continuing beneficial activity are the keys for you.



Second, re soy and the A nonsecretor diet: Soy presents a great quandary for type A nonsecretors and type B women with a history of cancer. Why? Because just about EVERYWHERE in the alternative medical news, women are told to eat soy for cancer prevention. That's the one-size-fits-all version. Thanks to Peter, we're free of that paradigm. In our specific understanding of these effects, the phytoestrogens in soy are not the near-magic-bullet for you that they are for type A secretors. Instead, get to know intimately your individually-designed nonsecretor diet. It will do for you what needs to be done to maintain and enhance all aspects of your health.



Finally, regarding the Tiers System: it applies to secretors, not to us. As you've noticed in reading through the food list, nonsecretor food values vary within the tiers, so that some of your beneficials and some of your avoids appear in the Neutral Tier. Some of your neutrals appear in Tier I or II, which are designed along the secretor Beneficial and Avoid lines. In short: we're special. Take note of the values listed for Nonsecretors: that's our Tier. The Nonsecretor Tier, if you like. It overrides all other factors, and is ideal for our needs.



Thank you for the heartening news of your family, and I hope you continue to enjoy the great benefits of this plan. Keep in touch, and thanks again, Diana!