Hello Heidi Thank you for answering my previous question. This one might not be of general enough interest to be answered in your column and, if so, I will understand completely. After many years of Crohns disease I have lost my entire colon and a small section of my ilium and now have an ileostomy. Other than extra fluids, is there anything that you know of (food or supplements) that I should eat or take to compensate for having no large intestine absorption? Thanks, Susan (B+ secretor)

Hello, Susan! I am sure your question is of great interest to anyone who has had this procedure. I'm not the best person to ask, though -- so I posted your question here so that you'll have it in text, and if you wish, can copy it and send it to Doc Bron. As a doctor, he has far more clinical experience than I, and I'm sure he will have some great advice for you. Thank you for writing, and I hope you are doing well now!! :-)

Hi! I know that Chicken is a big NO NO for type B's. But the eggs are ok because their is not muscle tissue yet. What about Chicken stock in liquid form? Kim

Hi, Kim! The egg is the only "safe" 'part' of the chicken for type Bs. The lectin in the flesh and bones does travel out into broth made from them, so it's to be avoided as well. However, I think turkey makes a much tastier stock! Give it a whirl! :-D

Dear Heidi, I am a B+ secretor with chronic sinus problems, (sometimes causing bad breath), allergies and candida. I have been told I'm allergic to the lactose in milk (not intolerant, just allergic), as well as rice, onions, and potatoes, and cane sugar (no treatments ever worked). These foods do not cause any immediate or noticable reactions unless I have skim milk, which causes my heart to really race (perhaps more lactose than whole milk or cheese because of the absence of fat?) I'm not sure if I should be eating these foods or not, since they are all on the diet. Dairy is very addictive for me...I don't know if I could give it up. I tend to overdo it (milk, cheese, anything!) Coffee is another addiction for me--can't seem to stop even though it makes me shaky and sweaty! I have been taking wheatgrass and barley grass juice (powder with algae too) and eating TONS of green vegetables and fruits. These are the only things which make me feel good--if I eat enough green leafy veggies (like huge bowls full of it), candida subsides. But I do not want to get into an all raw diet(I have looked into this too). I eat meat, but only a couple times a week (usually lamb or salmon) because I can't afford the good stuff! I have been using ezekiel bread daily, but wheat of any kind scares me because when I eat white flour, I get a dry mouth and a bitter taste on the back of my tongue. This happens with oats too. There is also a history of celiac disease in my family (my mom has it, I've been tested and results have been inconclusive). Any help would be appreciated! Hope this is not too long... Thank you, Jennie

Greetings, Jennie! It sounds like your body is very sensitive right now, and the candida gives us another clue that your immune system is in need of some balancing. You didn't mention how long you've been on this diet, but sticking with it while adapting it for your purposes will certainly help you through this difficult time. You noted that "treatments" didn't work to alleviate your food allergies -- if these were drug treatments, they may have contributed to the problem with your sinuses and the intestinal flora/fauna imbalance.

The first thing should be to eliminate the foods you have found give you trouble. Don't worry about items you've been told you're allergic to -- those tests are remarkably unreliable, and since you have no perceptible reaction to some of them, it is certainly not an "allergy" in those cases. Keep two things in the kitchen: a large-print list of the foods you are avoiding, for quick reference, and a food diary. When you prepare a meal, write out the ingredients and the date & time in the diary. Leave a space to note any reactions to the meal.

Try substituting a small amount of one of the coffee subs in your daily coffee, as I mentioned in the past few days' columns. You will be able to wean yourself away from most, if not all, of the coffee that way without feeling deprived.

Don't let Ezekiel bread scare you: it is 100% sprouted and the harmful wheaty stuff isn't in it. :-) However, because of the candida overgrowth, I would scale back all grain intake as much as possible. You've already discovered you feel wonderful with lots of vegetables and some meat and fish a couple of times per week. Go with your own findings there, they are good ones!

The most important thing for you right now is B-type stress-relieving activity. Re-read the recommendations in LR4YT for Bs. Tai chi, visualization, a meditation practice -- any of these can begin bringing your body's endocrine system back down from its current state of "fight or flight." This will make an enormous difference in your intestinal health and your ability to pick and choose among foods without the addictive "pull."

Finally, take a look at the BTD Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia for specific protocols for candida and boosting your immune system health. I wish you all the best, dear! :-D

I read and enjoy your column very much - it helps me stick to my diet. I am a B+, and my husband is A+, he has been on Lipitor and had changed to Red Yeast Rice with good results, but is still concerned about the fact that RYR is a statin "inclusive" product. He has heard about Polycosanol/policosanol, but I haven't seen anything about it here, have I missed something? Do you have any recommendations? Thanks so much for your good work!! Ginger

Hi, Ginger! The RYR will work fine for him. RYR does NOT contain Lovastatin, which the FDA decided in 2001 is a drug for which Lovastatin manufacturers hold the patent. :-) To learn more about this issue, just read through the RYR China info page and don't mind the pidgin English. Policosanol is a bee-wax derivative I'm not familiar with. If he sticks with the RYR for a month, he shouldn't need anything else anyway ~ his cholesterol should be in perfect shape! Keep me posted! :-)

i have a blood group B and from 9 years i'm a vegetarian is it good for my blood group or should i take any supplements? Malwina

Hello, Malwina ~ Well... no, and no. ;-> If you decide to follow this diet, even without the flesh foods, it will be better than not following the diet at all. Go at your own speed, make changes as you are comfortable with them, and enjoy yourself! There's a lot more to the type B "lifestyle" than a food list! The more closely you follow the entire plan, the more benefits you'll see. Do keep in touch and let me know how you do!! and welcome!!!

:-D

Hi. As a B, soy is an avoid for me, and i was wondering what beneficial or neutral there is that a reasonable source of isoflavones. Thanks. matt.

Black cohosh -- alfalfa sprouts -- Kudzu (we have no rating for that one) -- *flaxseed* would lead the pack there. I'm giving you a quick list, not knowing more of what your needs are. If you are seeking a protocol for prostate concerns, refer to the BTD Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia. It has many suggestions in that area. I hope this helps!! :-)

Soy is not recommended for type B non secretors, but it seems that Dr. D'Adamo does recommend the fluid cocktail that includes lecithin. I've not been able to find lecithin that is not derived from soy. Is there such a product? And what about this discrepancy? Also, he suggests in his latest book, three servings of fruit a WEEK -- how does one get enough vitamin C on this diet? Do we take Vitamin C supplements? Thanks for answering both of these questions. Lindiyana

Ah, do I have a link for you!! Here it is!! Lecithin is neutral for all types, including soy lecithin. Veg and fruit servings should read "per day" rather than "per week." Have a marvelous day!! :-D

Hello Heidi My husband is a B type positive 59 year old and he takes 2.5 mg bendrofluazide daily. He is wondering if it would be OK for him to take saw palmetto as we have read that saw palmetto can increase blood pressure. What are your thoughts on this topic? Thanks for answering my previous question, and I look forward to your answer. Cynthia.

Hi, Cynthia! Hey, why not have a serving of oatmeal per day instead of the drug? It appears to work beautifully on cholesterol AND blood pressure, and quickly (within a few weeks). Definitely worth a try, considering the side effects of the bendrofluazide. He can monitor his pressure while using the oatmeal, and see if his doctor will reduce his prescription according to his progress. The Encyclopedia Male Health protocol recommends saw palmetto, l-arginine and peruvian balsam bark ~ with no prohibitions relating to blood pressure for any of those items. If your husband still prefers to wait until the BP is normalized before using the MH protocol, of course that would be fine! but as far as I know, it is not necessary. I wish you both the best of health, Cynthia!! :-)

Heidi, thank you for all your work on our behalf. I have two questions: 1. With regard to supplements, particularly information in ER4 Encyclopedia, if a particular blood type is NOT listed with a certain supplement, is that supplement (a) useless for that blood type? (b) neutral with minimal benefits? or (c) harmful and should be an avoid? 2. Re: tomatillos - Dr. Bron advised a B type to avoid tomatillos. However, you suggested to a B type to use them. What is the latest information? Thanks. Donna

Hi, Donna! you are MOST welcome, it's my pleasure!! ;-)

1. In regard to the Encyclopedia's supplement guide in the back of the book: those listings refer exactly to the protocols. Unlike the food lists, it's not written on the beneficial/neutral/avoid paradigm. Rather, it is a quick reference for single supps recommended for certain blood types in the protocols. For the blood types not included alongside any particular supplement, it indicates nothing at all in itself. It may be an avoid for that type, OR it may be neutral (but some other supp is better for the purpose), OR it may be an avoid.

2. ah, tomatillos! ;-) Dr. Bron advised a type *A* to avoid them, actually. However, he has said that the tomatillo lectin is similar to the tomato lectin, so my understanding at this time is that Os, ABs, and A & B Nonsecretors are the only ones who should experiment with the as-yet-unrated "tomatillo" -- and only if you're in good health and at ideal weight. Hope this helps, and thank you kindly for your note!! :-D