I found out about the Blood type diet in Feb through my sister's herbalist. I have talked to her on the phone once, and then on through e-mail. She is trying to help me get off of estrogen and on just progesterone.



I also need to lose about 100 pounds. I have been on the Atkins diet off and on for 4 years. It always makes me feel better because it gets my blood sugar regulated, but I have a difficult time getting into ketosis, which he says will help to lose weight. When I found out I was Type A, I thought I probably didn't loose because I was eating all wrong for my blood type. I was so excited that I had finally found a diet that would help me lose and to be getting off of estrogen which I thought was keeping me from losing. Well, I have gained instead of losing. I did really good for 2 weeks, then I got PMS so bad and started eating everything. I have had 2 or 3 periods a month since trying to get off of estrogen. (I am 54 and haven't had period in about 4 years.) I have been depressed, etc. I am craving sweets. Although, last week I was due to have a period and I didn't, so maybe I am straightening out. I am still on 1/2 my estrogen.



My question, do you think it would be beneficial for me to go on the Atkins diet while eating for my blood type? I could eat chicken, turkey, salads, etc. Or, what suggestions do you have that will help me to lose weight? Is there any diet I could follow for losing weight. It seems that the people in the book just seem to lose weight when they started eating this way. I have been eating quite a bit of natural peanut butter (natural and no hydrogenated oil) on wasa krisp. Maybe I am eating too much of a good thing. Before I got on this diet, I ate a lot of cheese for the protein, so I changed to peanut butter.



(I am border-line diabetic and need to get weight off soon before the doctor puts me on medication.)



I would appreciate any suggestions and encouragement. I was really so excited about the diet, but have been off and on it for about a month. It seems difficult to get excited again. Thank you, Carolyn

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Hello, Carolyn ~ The A diet will certainly work for you. Right now, it will help you stick to the task if you understand why it has been so difficult to lose this weight.



Hypoglycemia, especially to the point of borderline diabetes, is the first thing you need to work on. Many type As give up on their diet because they suffer from hypoglycemia and have been self-treating the discomfort with dairy and meats. This makes them feel better for a little while, but rarely gets the weight all off and most important, it puts their health at serious risk. Of all the blood types, type A diabetics have the highest statistical rate of heart disease as a result of this metabolic imbalance. Please commit to your BTD plan now, and stick with it for a month! At that point, the cravings will have diminished to a manageable level! And remember that it will take far less time to regain your health than it took to gain the weight. Have faith, and hop right on the A plan with a vengeance. This way, the transition period will be brief ~ and you'll NEVER have to go through this again!



Your endocrine difficulties should almost completely resolve when you have gone a fair distance toward your ideal weight. In the meantime, look into using the supplement "maca." PennHerb.com has a great price on it, and a high-quality product. It's a sweet-tasting powder made from the root of the plant, which can be stirred into a little juice or dumped into a smoothie.



I strongly suggest getting the saliva secretor test available on this site, and following the diet for your A secretor status as outlined in Live Right 4 Your Type. Be sure to observe the guidelines on frequency and portions for each type of food. A key element in attaining your goals is appropriate activity, which is discussed at length in the book. Using a stress-relief practice such as yoga, meditation, or tai chi, will reduce cortisol levels, which will aid in weight loss, re-balance your hormonal system, and make you feel a heck of a lot better. :-)



Carolyn, believe me that I understand how depressed and unhappy about this situation you must be right now ~ but that will change once you see results. Write again when you've started the diet again. Hey, write every day if you would like! I will read it, and I care about how you are doing!! I'll offer any assistance and support I can offer, and I'm waiting for your first report!! :-)



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Hi! I'm A+ (with an A+ and an O+ parent). I used to suffer from undiagnosed duodenal ulcers. I will get quite a craving for meat if all I eat is tofu, fish and peanut butter. (Breast and other glandular cancers are rampant on both sides of my family.)



Given my O symptoms and cravings, but the A family risk, how should I approach your book? What is A2? Thanks, Marianna



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Hi, Marianna ~ I wouldn't characterize your cravings or symptoms as "type O," since there are no diseases which occur in only one type, and anyone who has not yet settled into their plan does often crave what they cannot have. A type O craving, in fact, is most likely to be wheat, corn or dairy! :-)



Type As with a recessive O gene do appear slightly more susceptible to ulcers than the "Aa" folks. This in no way affects their diet guidelines. A2 is one of the A subgroups, and there are some minor modifications to the A diet for that group. Given your A phenotype and your family history of cancer, it is MOST important for you to get your secretor status, MN type, A subtype, and follow the Live Right 4 Your Type diet with those results in mind. Please do engage in yoga and meditation daily! Those are the basic recommendations. There's a lot more to this than tofu & peanuts! and many more foods on the diet that will do you a great deal of good.



There is a multitude of things you can do to boost your immunity and make your body unfit for cancer. Please read Live Right cover to cover, re-read it, and use the Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia for specific protocols to protect against cancer and other serious diseases.



These are the tools that will keep you happy & healthy ~ take hold and use 'em! ;-)



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Heidi, I need to know how can I test myself for secretor or non-secretor in South Africa? Nandie



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Hi, Nandie ~ Ask your doctor or clinic for the saliva secretor test, OR the Lewis test. I know that labs in ZA do the Lewis test, although many doctors are not familiar with it. If you have their name at hand, call direct to the diagnostic laboratory your doctor uses. They can confirm it, which you then can bring to your doctor's attention.



Let me know how it goes, and thanks for asking!! :-)



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My blood type is A. I have been taking Prevacid (acid reflux pill) for a few years, probably because 95% of the foods I ate were on the "avoid" list. I have been on the diet for a few weeks. Should I eventually go off the Prevacid when I have encorporated many of the Highly Beneficial foods? Should I take an all natural digestive enzyme? Or will I not need any digestive enzyme eventually...or just stick to Pineapple? Thanks, Robin



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Hey there, Robin! Welcome to the BTD!



Will you be able to drop the drug? Definitely! Acid reflux is a result of eating the wrong foods, and/or overeating at a meal, and/or eating too late at night for your system to be able to digest before sleeping. It is most certainly NOT a "Prevacid deficiency." :-) To aid your progress, use a simple food separation routine: keep fowl, fish & egg meals free of rice or other grains ~ instead, prepare vegetarian meals including the rice. Drink plenty of water, but away from meals (to give your digestive juices a fighting chance). And finish your last meal of the day at least two hours before sleeping. Gentian is very helpful as a digestive, as is pineapple. For now, keep your meals comfortably small, as many beneficials as possible over the week, and get plenty of light exercise during your day ~ it helps every organ do its job smoothly and happily.



Thank you for writing, dear! Let me know how you do!! :-D





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