Archives for: August 2000
Type O Roundup ~ #13 !
August 27th, 2000 , by admin
I have started reading Eat Right For Your Type book. I am Indian with type O. We, Indians, make Daal made from Beans called (Tuver Daal). I did not find it listed anywhere in the book. Do you know whether it is Beneficial or not for type O? thanks ~ nalin
Hello, nalin! Various sources give tuver dal (also "toor dal") the meaning of: yellow split pea, yellow lentil, red lentil, or red gram. Most sources list it as either yellow split pea or red lentil. Between the common meanings used in Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, and the various possibilities of what any single food might be, I am at a bit of a loss to advise you! :-} I will say that if by 'tuver dal' you mean yellow split pea, we have no rating for that food. Although its Latin name is pisum sativum (shared by the green garden pea and the snow pea (young pod)), it grows, looks and tastes quite different from those neutral-rated foods.
Click here for a great color photograph of the tiny yellow split pea among other well-known members of the Fabaceae family.
The shared Latin name is not at all unusual among various sets of the millions of beans, legumes & pulses! So, technically it is an "unknown," and may be considered neutral for you if you have no health complaints and do not wish to gain or lose weight. If it is a lentil, it is an avoid for type O secretors and a neutral for type O nonsecretors.
Thank you so much for your question ~ I learned quite a few Indian food names and recipes while I was at it! :-D
Dear Heidi. Thanks for your column. It seems to me that the chicken soup for A's of 7. October 2002 that you adapted for AB's on 27. December 2002 would be very useful as a "helping hand" from the freezer on busy days, of which I have lots and lots. I would be most grateful for your help with a version of the recipe for an O+ non secretor. Thanks. Nina
Hi, Nina! That recipe needs no adaptation for types O or A, whether nonsecretor or secreti-fied ~ it's quite wonderful for us, too. We O-nons do have many more choices than A secretors as to the item being roasted, but we can either choose a single bird, mammal or fish, or save bones from roasts of all kinds in the freezer until the requisite quantity has accumulated. Personally, that is my preference. If we've cooked up a huge turkey, that carcase drops into the stockpot on its own, but often I end up using frozen leftover bones from roasted lamb, beef, buffalo, venison, rabbit, chicken, etc. all stuffed into my 16-quarter. Many national cuisines have their classic stock recipes, such as the plain chicken "brodo" of Italy (one of many), or the beef/lamb/veal broth beloved in parts of France, or England's venison "game stock." So take a free hand with it all. If you have a trusted butcher near you, you can always arrange to get bones (from clean animals) on a weekly basis and roast them alongside other meats to beef up your store. Have him cut them up into four- or five-inch pieces for easier handling! Same goes for your fishmonger: arrange with them to pick up selected (non-oily) OK fish bones on a regular basis, which can be put right on the boil without prior cooking.
The only general tips to remember about making broth: *no crucifers* (broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts), no dark leaf greens. No turnips or okra -- or beans or grain or dairy! If you haven't got roasted veg to go in, just put your bones in the water and add a whole chopped onion, a few stalks of celery chopped, and a couple of carrots cut in half, and anywhere from six to a dozen whole cloves of garlic. Pinch or two of sea salt per gallon. If you'd like a bit of herbiness, tie up a few bay leaves, with any fresh herbs you have on hand such as a sprig of oregano, thyme, basil, and a bunch of fresh parsley, in two layers of cheesecloth, and drop that in as well.
The ideal cooking time for big, heavy mammal bones is longer than for small fowl like the little roaster in the chicken recipe. In fact, once it's been brought to the boil and down to a steady simmer, I leave it on for twelve hours or so. At that point I add the squeeze of lemon, taste it to see if a bit more salt is called for, simmer one more hour, and take it off the heat to cool for half an hour before straining out and discarding the bones, herb bundle & veg. That's it! These basic procedures can be adapted for any blood type/secretor status ~ just choose among the proteins, veg and herbs beneficial for you! :-D
Do you have any idea about Honeybush tea? Cyclopia Intermedia, it is the latest traditional tea to emerge from Africa, like rooibos, and seems to be gaining in popularity. I wonder if it is safe for O's? It seems benevolent enough when ingested. And then there is a traditional Chinese tea, Chun Mee green tea, that has caffeine. I cannot find either tea on the typebase. Going onto cheese, how about bucheron bougnon? I think it is a goat cheese, but it tastes like cow brie. Have you tried goat brie, it's wonderful for type O's of French decent! David
Hey there, David! Honeybush tea we have no info on at all, other than what's floating around the Net. It's the old "unknown/neutral" story, you know the drill. About green tea: Chun Mee is absolutely fine. My favorite remains "Mr. Ito's" Shohokuen green tea/roasted brown rice brew available in the Store here. It, too, contains caffeine/theine ~ but this is a synergistic element in its antioxidant functions. Funny you should be asking about cheese, as just this morning I went down to Murray's Cheese Shop in the Village (pure torture for Irish O-nons) to pick up some mozzarella di bufala for Bryan, and I broke my cardinal rule against tasting. :-) Bucheron bougnon I haven't heard of, but goat brie I'd actually try to steer clear of. The mold & all! :-) Take care, lucky David! :-D
Dear Heidi: I just noticed that "Trader Joe's" pumkin seeds have cornstarch in them. I've been buying the David brand of roasted/salted pumpkin seeds since going on BTD, and their ingredient list is: pumpkin seeds and salt, but I've noticed that when I eat them, my blood sugar goes up to ~170, (I only can eat a few of them, they're so salty, and there are only 6 Carbohydrates in the whole bag.) Today, I tested them with a Diastix, (Dr. Bernstein says to use them to see if there's sugar in foods
the diastix turned very dark green. That indicates very high sugar. Do you know how I could find out if they too have cornstarch in them? I don't see an address on the bag. It says trademark of ConAgra Brands, Inc. I'd appreciate any insight. THanks, Judy
Hi, Judy! Talk to the shop where you bought them, and ask for a contact for the manufacturer. If they contain corn starch, you might have that reaction just from that ingredient. ConAgra doesn't have any organic produce farms that I know of... I'd check to make sure they're organic as well. Take care, Judy! :-)
Hi Heidi, An issue came up that I didn’t know what to do about. I was at a friend’s house on New Year’s Day and was offered some black-eyed peas that were cooked with salt pork. I know you have previously written about the galectins from chicken sloshing out over everything in a pot, but since pork isn’t listed in the TYPEbase 3 database as having lectins, or more precisely galectins, is it OK to cook with pork for the flavoring as long as you don’t eat the pork? This issue does come up frequently when eating out. It would be good to know what the correct thing to do is. In case you are wondering, I did eat the black-eyed peas that were offered to me. I wanted to make sure I had good luck for the New Year ;-) In fact, I had two servings because they were really good and I wanted lots of good luck!!! Thanks, Don
The question of pork fat is one we really haven't addressed yet, Don! :-) The big worry about pork stuff is its ability to annoy everybody, no matter what blood type. While not a galectin thing, it is certainly an antibody thing. I'll see if I can learn more. And I applaud your two servings of black-eyed peas, since they appear to have made you extraordinarily lucky. In fact, an old friend of mine just popped in to ask:
"Is Don still single?"
drop me a note and I'll say more! ~~:-D
Type B Roundup ~ #8 ! :-)
August 26th, 2000 , by admin
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
Type O Roundup ~ #12 !
August 25th, 2000 , by admin
Hi, My husband and I just started on the diet. We are both type O. At the moment, I only have one question. Would I be able to add xanthum gum to recipes such as spelt bread for our blood type. Thanks, Diane
Is Xanthan gum okay for O nonsecretors? I have found no references to this on this website or in the books, but I did read that everyone should stay away from guar "and some other gums". Is Xanthan one of the ones to stay away from, or can I have it? I realize I can only have grains 3 times a week, but it sounds like I need something to keep the bread together, and this is what I am finding most people who bake their only bread use. Thank you for your time! Karen
Hello, Diane & Karen! As far as I know, xanthan gum isn't good for anyone. This is one of those "unknowns" that I prefer not to portray as a "neutral" in any case. Just as reference for other folks, the reading Karen did was likely Here is one I wrote including baking suggestions, and if anyone has a scientific turn of mind and would like to translate into BTD-ese the implications of this fact sheet on all gums used in food applications, I would be endlessly grateful!
Scratching through my dusty memories, I seem to recall that ground soaked flaxseed can fill the "gum" bill in low- or no-gluten bread baking. Have you tried that at all? How about homemade sourdough ~ rye is one of our few neutral grains, and makes fabulous sourdough bread. Kamut on its own may be ideal for bread-baking, as it does have some gluten and works beautifully in yeasted pizza crust -- whether whole or with the bran & germ removed.
Try those suggestions, ladies, and keep us posted with your results. I can say with certainty that 100% sprouted grain flour can produce a perfect loaf, since Ezekiel 4:9 bread contains only sprouted grain & beans, water, yeast and salt -- no gums at all. Wonder if www.foodforlife.com will ever give us a peek at their recipe, eh? ;-> hope springs eternal!! ;-D
dear heidi' i'm really sorry to bother you but i don't know what else to do.i am o non secretor with candida and i find this diet quite helpful.but i am really struggling with a couple of avoids lately,namely wheat and potatoes.i know they are bad for me and don't know what possesses me to eat them,mainly in the evening.i am getting really angry with myself that i have started making myself sick after eating these avoids.i know i shouldn't be doing this but at the same time i don't want to be suffering the side effects of eating these avoids please help me. dee.
I have been having weight problems for years, and have been doing the weight watchers plan for 16 weeks going up and down weight wise each week, it was quite depressing. I was recently told about the type O diet (my blood type) and have read your book and the small one. (I have however noticed that strawberries are neutral in one and avoid in another. I am having great difficulty weaning myself from wheat bread and potatoes, and am noticing more and more that most of the other products that I use are also on your avoid list, not that I eat them a lot, and I certainly dont want to cut them permanently from my diet, are there supplements that I can purchase to allow myself to keep some of these items in my diet? Regards Lois
Hello, Dee & Lois ~ This diet is a set of guidelines which we know work beautifully together. No supplement can replace doing the diet -- if it could, NAP would carry that one product and they'd be billionaires already! :-) Deflect-O can help somewhat in occasional ingestion of small amounts of avoids, but it cannot transform wheat and potatoes into harmless foods for you.
Dee, it can be very rough at the beginning. The key is to get through that ONE beginning, and console yourself with the knowledge that you'll never have to do it again. Get through it now and make it last! ;-) That's something we all face in our own way, according to our knowledge of ourself and our needs. Once the habit of avoiding certain foods and enjoying others is formed, it takes very little watchfulness to maintain compliance! in fact, avoids begin to lose their appeal. They are indeed poisons, as you've discovered, and have a perceptible addictive quality for some people. Just trust yourself to make that one beginning, get through it, and smile & congratulate yourself on looking back!
Lois, if at some point you decide to stop eating at least the major avoids like wheat, corn and potatoes, you will experience the benefits for yourself. That will count a lot more for you than me sitting here talking. :-) I'm sure that the success you sought with WW but didn't find, is waiting patiently for you in the O diet. Take your time and go gradually if you like. There's no hurry. The more closely you can follow this plan, the more results it will produce for you. :-)
thanks so much for writing to me, ladies, and I hope this will be of some assistance in your journeys!!
I am Mexican American and my husband is Italian/Panamanian. We have three children - 20, 18, and 10, and we all have 0 Blood. Since I do the cooking I'm hoping to incorporate the beneficial foods into our diets. The whole family loves Mexican food and Italian food and are reluctant to give up enchilladas, tacos, and pasta with meat sauce. My husband drinks one cup of coffee per day and finds that he gets a terrible headache if he doesn't drink his morning coffee. My 20 year old son is having a lot of stomach problems and acne and eats a diet high in breads and dairy products, my 18 year old daughter has Reynaud's Syndrome but is in excellent health otherwise and prefers chicken to beef, my 10 year old has had problems with asthma and I'm about 50 pounds overweight and was just told that my cholesterol has to come down (it is 275). I know I should consider us very fortunate because we all have the same blood type but I'm a little leery of making everybody change their diets cold turkey. Please help! Rosemary
Hi, Rosemary ~ Here are some suggestions. Green tea instead of coffee for husband? It contains a form of caffeine, so he won't experience the painful headaches in withdrawal. Alternately, he can use something that tastes like coffee: replace 1/4 of the coffee with a substitute like Kaffree Roma, Teecchino (both contain barley) or Raja's Cup. In a week, replace 1/2 of the coffee, in two weeks 3/4, and in three weeks use the substitute alone. Spelt flour for the tortillas, spelt and amaranth for the tacos instead of wheat. Rice pasta instead of regular - it tastes great. No need to go cold turkey, just introduce new foods slowly and gradually remove the avoids. Your husband and children will have to make their own decisions as to whether their health improvements are worth the food changes. Respect their decisions, and feel free to make your own. In fact, this is what we all do ~ figure out what we're willing to change in order to protect our health and attain our goals. My best wishes to you, dear! :-)
Hello, I am currently following the blood type diet..and I am an O..I am quitting smoking and my doctor prescribed Wellbutrin to help with the cravings..will this have any negative impact on the diet..thanks --Eve
Hi, Eve! Hmmm.... Wellbutrin is customarily one of the drugs prescribed for bipolar disorder. Your doctor gave you this to "help with cravings?" Hmmm. OK -- I'm not a doctor, as everyone knows. However, although you didn't ask, I'd like to offer a page on Wellbutrin side effects and some further information on bupropion hydrochloride, the generic name of this compound. I'm not sure what to say about a negative impact on the diet, but I'm not happy about its potential impact on your general health. Just my opinion. be well, dear!!!!! :-)
My wife is type O. She recently started taking coral calcium which if I understand it correctly will change her chemical makeup to one that is more alkaline. If I understand Dr Dadamo, type O should be more acid than alkaline. Is the coral calcium she is taking a problem? Chris
Hello, Chris! I think you're referring to the muscle tissue comment from Peter -- type Os do better with a more acidic level of pH in the muscle tissue than, for instance, type As. Calcium of any kind is an alkalinizing compound, although I know certain companies are marketing coral calcium with that announcement as if it were peculiar to coral calcium -- which it isn't. "Alkalinization" is also not a cure-all, but it is hyped as such. Anyway, I wrote a brief bit on coral calcium which may be of interest: here's the link. Take care, Chris, and I wish you both the best of health!!
Thank you for your recent reply to my questions regarding calcium. I will be ordering from your site!! Another question... Since I find that eating low carb is helping me lose weight, and I really feel better, (although it is grains I just love to eat and it is sooooo hard not to eat carbs), how can I get enough protein in my meals if I don't eat dairy products? I feel like I have nothing to eat if I can only eat protein from meats and fish (FISH I HATE all forms) How much harm does a daily cottage cheese serving, or yogurt, or cheese harm the O? I really feel I can't eat anything! IS SOY AN OK FOOD FOR ME AS AN O?
Pennie
Hi there, Pennie ~ Soy is OK for O secretors, not good for O nonsecretors. Just browse through the entries under "soy" in the TYPEbase 3 database for the exact values. Dairy is not at all a good protein source for Os, so you're missing no protein there. The guidelines of these diets are provided for your use -- experiment with dairy if you really cannot feel happy without it, and see what your results are. Then you'll know from personal experience what does and does not work for you in that area. Good health to you, dear! :-)
Hi Heidi! I am O- and have been overweight since my teenage years. I am 30 yrs old. I had a pulmonary embolism (blood clot) at the age of 28. I am trying to follow the plan as much as i can. I have two questions. 1) what is seltzer water, is PERRIER good for type O's ? 2) I dont want to eat always red meat, can I take in protein bars that are sold in health store ? thanks for answering and your site is awesome! Roxanne
Hello, Roxanne ~ Seltzer is just plain carbonated water. Perrier is fine for Os, although not as high in minerals as many you can choose from at www.mineralwaters.org. Protein bars are truly no substitute for the basic flesh protein dietary component in type Os ~ vary it between fish, poultry and meat, add eggs and some beans and nuts, and you'll be going strong! thanks for your Qs! :-D
I am a Type O woman, with all the typical Type O "symptoms". I spent about 7 years of my life in absolute agony, running from doctor to specialist to doctor...after being diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Stress etc. etc. I was feeling quite desperate! I had cameras in me more times than I could count, but not once did they ever check my food intolerance!!! As I am a fitness instructor, I was carbo loading on pasta, sometimes 2-3 times a day! Big surprise that I was so ill. By chance, I saw the Live Right For Your Blood Type book at a bookshop in London - it CHANGED my life, literally within 24 hours!!! I am back in South Africa now, and I have followed the diet religiously for one year now. I have been pain free for the first time in almost a decade!! (THANK you Doctor D'Adamo!!!) One thing has bothered me though: although I teach 5 very hectic spinning classes every week, and follow a very healthy diet, wheat free, lactose free, oil free...I have gained 8 kilograms, and I'm feeling desperate once again! Could this diet change cause that, and what could I change to lose the weight, or prevent it happening further? Do Type O's need any supplements, enzymes or vitamins that will keep the weight off? Do many people experience this? I recommend this book to every client that comes to me for advise at the gym, and most people who dare to question their eating habits, LOVE the book! This revolutionary change to how I see food has sparked a huge interest in health for me. I will be studying Naturopathic Medicine as from next year, back in the UK, and I believe that this book will be a very large focal point for what I recommend to people, to work out why they are ill! Again, thank you! Lana
Hi, Lana!
In that mysterious weight gain: "oil-free" may be the key culprit. The beneficial oils AID weight loss and contribute significantly to neurochemical balance. Do an experiment: pick up a copy of Live Right 4 Your Type and try the nonsecretor diet. Your grain intake, while wheat-free, may still be well in excess of the optimal amount for your physiology. Additionally, your staple foods may contain one or more of those which are fine for secretors but no good for nonsecretors. Don't worry, that works both ways! and there are some foods which have turned Beneficial for the O-nons among us. ;-)
Type Os, like everyone else, do not require supplementation in order to lose weight or keep it off -- the diet/exercise/stress relief suggestions do that job beautifully alone. Tweak that diet a bit, and see if you can find time for a meditation or hatha yoga practice. A hectic lifestyle and daily feelings of desperation can place us in continual "fight or flight" mode, in which the body will often hang on to every tidbit of fat reserves.
Pretty thrilling to hear you'll be studying naturopathy, in which I cordially wish you the greatest success. Keep In Touch!!! :-)
Hi Heidi, I just returned from 3 months in Guatemala and I am returning in two months for another 6 months. It is very difficult to eat the O diet there strictly due to lack of available food. I don't have access to cooking facilities and anyway the choice of food in the stores is abysmal due to a variety of interesting socio/political/economical reasons I can't go into here. Vegetable choices are eggplant, peppers, carrots, beets, squash, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers and sorry lettuce. There are no greens. Sometimes there is wilted broccoli. I explained how you can prepare beetgreens once--no they don't come with--and they looked at me like I was nuts. Fruits are apples, oranges, grapes, pineapple, papaya and bananas. In the morning I have an egg and sometimes fruit. Many of my other meals have no vegetables at all. Some have chicken or more likely pork. Some meals consist of corn, wheat, cheese and potatoes. I call those the white on white meals. When this happens I keep a can of sardines and apples in my room so I don't go hungry. I do have to eat some wheat, corn and potatoes or I will be so hungry I can't sleep or function. I try to eat as little as possible while visions of Ezekial dance in my head. Needless to say I've lost lots of weight which was a really good thing. Here is my main problem. I was plagued with an upper intestinal parasite--G. Lambdia-- which re-occured even after medication. It thrives on carbos and as you can tell the food is very carbo rich in a not type O friendly kind of way and I know my inability to digest the stuff is the problem. I love what I am doing there and being pretty tough I will stick it out but what can I prepare in advance and take with me to help fight these parasites? Also is eating some yogurt OK especially when I take the kill everything in there western parasite medication? Help!!!!!!!!!! Nina from Antigua P.S I could lose another 10 pounds according to the charts but I can't afford new clothes. My friends have suggested I bottle and sell the amazing organism that has led to my newly svelte appearance. Nina
OK! whew! Well, first off: I strongly suggest NO more medication for the lambdia. That's why it reoccurred, and it will continue to do so every time you take a course of antibiotics because those drugs kill EVERYTHING and leave you to sort it out.
Instead: Take a supply of PolyFlora-O with you, along with Deflect for those nothing-good-to-eat-for-love-or-money days. IF you can bring a supply of fresh garlic and bagged pumpkin seeds and store them where they won't rot, here's a recipe for pesty-killer pesto. One clove of garlic, two tablespoons of seeds and a handful of cilantro (I'm SURE you can find that one there! (please say yes?)) pounded in a mortar. Add some (hopefully olive) oil to make a paste. This will make three or four tablespoons of it ~ just take one tablespoon per day.
Congratulations on doing so well for so long with so little! Great spirit! I'm asking the Clothes Fairy to send you a bit of gold dust for your increasing sveltitude! thanks for writing, and my best wishes for your travels!! :-D
Dear Heidi, I am a Type O (secretory status unknown). I did very well with the Atkins diet and felt very well without wheat and corn. I am intrigued by your eating plan. It sounds like gluten could well be the source of my GI discomfort and acidity. But I have one nagging question that I need to settle before I adopt this lifestyle. According to Dr. Atkins, most carbohydrates raise blood sugar, causing insulin secretion, which in turn eventually leads to insulin resistance on the cellular level. He does a fairly good job of documenting this phenomenon. How does eating type-appropriate carbohydrates - for example high-sugar beneficial carbohydrates such as figs - affect blood sugar, insulin and cellular resistance? Why are smoked foods not recommended? I am a Type O and most of my favorite fish are smoked. Thank you. Robin
Dr. Atkins is half right. :-) The other half is: what kinds of carbs for which blood type and why? that's the part he does not address, but that is a substantial part of the basis for the design of every ABO plan here -- particularly the information about WHAT attaches to the insulin receptors on cells which results in insulin resistance. Smoked foods are not generally recommended because of concerns over carcinogenic compounds produced in response to (1) the chemicals in commercially-"smoke-flavored" products and/or (2) the substances gathering on wood-smoked food. Type O is, generally speaking, least affected by these concerns ~ but to be responsible purveyors of health-related info, we do mention them and do not recommend smoked foods.
Heidi, I'm a Type O Non-Secrator, and eating on this diet is extremely difficult. The typical Type O diet doesn't really even apply to me. And I've found something else. The Avocado, which is listed as 'beneficial' for an O Non-Secrator, gives me a lot of trouble. I get really thirsty, get bloated, and and everything seems to get dry (hair, skin). But other foods like Strawberries, Dates, Apricots, Tofu, and a few others are right on the money. I really don't want to eat animal products, because I'm strongly against someone else killing my food. And I'm not about to go out hunting myself. I'm confused, is all. Finding the right balance has been extremely difficult.
I'm a firm believer in the lectin theory. But I don't believe that a Type O needs to eat animals to be healthy. I believe we should all be raw foodists, following the Beneficial and Avoids for our blood type. Comments? Mark
Hey there, Mark ~~ This diet is a tool for your use. If the lectin-related information is the only part of it that you find compelling, use that part. That alone will do some good, whether you decide to use any other parts of this plan or decide to chuck all the rest. If you'd like to read more on vegetarian type Os, enter the term 'vegetarian' into the search field at the bottom of this page and browse through what you find. And of course, if certain foods give you untoward reactions, eliminate them for the time being -- that is what we all do, and it's a common situation when one is changing from a diet flooded with detrimental plant lectins. Good health to you! :-)
Dear Heidi, Would you be as kind as to explain what is the difference between Essene and Ezekiel Breads? Why for 0 : Ezekiel - is neutral and Essene - is benefitial? Thank you very much for your answer. Sincerely yours, Sergey
Hello, Sergey! Here is your answer! :-)
I am an Australian so some of the terminology in the book is strange to me. What is Seltzer Water? I have only just started the diet and I feel a little better I am O+ does this make me a sector? I am having some trouble with indigestion and I have also had a bad headache for 2 days, do you have any suggestions. Thank you - Deidre
Greetings, Deidre! A headache for a couple of days is not uncommon. It means your digestive system is relieving itself of toxins. Drink plenty of water, get some mild exercise and sleep a bit extra at night ~ that symptom will soon be gone. Seltzer as we use the term is salt-free fizzy (carbonated) water. Club soda is the same thing, but some brands contains a bit of salt. And... any ABO blood type, whether Rhesus positive or negative, can be a secretor OR a nonsecretor. Read more on secretors and nonsecretors! thanks! :-)
I'm Type 0 and kelp is very good to lose weight. I need to know how much is recommended per day/week. Should I eat it in dried form? Are there any other recipes beside miso soup or other ways to prepare it? Thank you Sandy
Hey there, Sandy! Kelp and other seaweeds are somewhat helpful for weight loss. However, the particular kind of kelp which I think you're looking for is Fucus vesiculosis. Click the link for more info! :-)
I am a 28 year old Type-O secretor female. I have been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and uterine fibroids. I have also noticed I have problems at times with my short and long term memory (recalling only partial things...like a puzzle with a missing piece or two). My questions are: Will taking Bacopa ('Brahmi') help me with the IBS and memory problems? If so, how much should I take and in what form? Is it good for people who will take long testing exams? Are there certain people who should not take Bacopa ('Brahmi')? Will it decrease stress and anxiety? What foods and/or supplements are good for cognitive functions? Thanks in advance, MH
Hi, MH ~ Peter's Cortiguard product is based on Bacopa monniera and Boerhaavia diffusa. It most certainly does help with stress-related memory loss. For IBS, there are dietary and supplement suggestions in Live Right 4 Your Type and particularly the BTD Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia, which also contains protocols for cognitive improvement and uterine fibroids. IBS is caused by inappropriate foods (particularly wheat, corn and avoid-rated oils) in conjunction with a constant state of stress. Peter uses the product SEACURE in his practice, but as part of a total diet and stress relief plan. So your approach will be most successful if it includes the O-secretor beneficials, along with regular exercise, a daily meditation practice, and the appropriate supplementation.
It took a long time to create these conditions in your body. The good news is, it doesn't take nearly as long to clear them up! so do your best, and be patient for the outcome. You'll be happy with it, I'm sure. :-)
Dear Heidi, I have had Psoriasis for a number of years, and have been taking Sharks cartilage capsules for the pst 2 months, do you agree with this, or have you any other ideas. I am type O and have followed the O way of life for the past 2 years, and feel really good on it, but my psoriasis is not going away, although it isn't getting any worse. many thanks tony
Ideas on psoriasis? you bet I have! right here! Take care, tony, and write back to tell me how you're doing, OK? :-D
Help for Natasha has arrived! ~ along with an AB question ~some S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G ! ~ and notes from Lily! :-)
August 24th, 2000 , by admin
Many readers wrote in to offer Natasha some help in finding health foods in LA. Here's her original note:
and the replies:
Here is an address that might be of use to Natasha until she can locate some good health food stores near her. Natasha, where are you in California? Also, we do have 2 lists that are active for O's. BTD-O and ER4YT-ON-S. Also, there is ER4YTAdvanced for those who have all the books available and have read them. This address came from one of our sweet ladies on the ER4YTAdvanced list. Sarah Living where I do away from Health Foods shopping centers I do quite a bit of ordering. One that I like is in California. Dried Fruits, Nuts, Dates, Seeds, Grains and other select products. Jaffe Bros. P.O. Box 636 Valley Center, CA 92082-0636 www.OrganicFruitsandNuts.Com ~Cleo
Dear Heidi, How are you?
re Blood Type "O" Roundup #11-Plea for help from Natasha, I do hope that this information is of some help to her. NOTE: I AM KEEPING IN MY MIND THAT NATASHA IS NEW TO THE UNITED STATES. Any major supermarket will stock fresh vegetables in both the regular produce departments, as well as in their "ORGANIC" Produce departments. I would go the regular departments only because it is SO MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE!! To my knowledge, their produce is quite fresh. When I was in San Diego CA from 1984-1987, there were these 2 major supermarkets in the area: Krogers and A&P Supermarkets. Also, farmers markets are all around in all parts of the U.S.A.. Yellow pages of the local telephone directory can be of some help.
Depending upon seasons and time of year, local produce farms also sell LOTS & LOTS of fresh produce as lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, onions, strawberries, apples, peaches, pears, plums, cherries, ETC. by the bushel. If there is a super Walmart in your area, they have some EXCELLENT SUPER SELECTIONS of produce of all types. Also, these super Walmarts have fantastic selections of various fishes from both the U.S. and various foreign countries; Australia being one of them. In fact, orange roughy fish is quite frequently shipped in from Australia. Also, California has an enormous fishing industry. There should be plenty of fish markets with freshly caught fish. If anything, California is extremely advantageous for getting fresh fish from the oceans vs. more inland states as Kansas that must rely on farm raised fishes as salmon. Walmarts in Wichita Kansas import enormous amounts of farmed raised salmon from Chile, a South American country.
California, if I recall correctly, should have a lot of food co-operatives that can assist people in choosing and buying ALL kinds of decent foods at a reasonable price: everything from canned goods, to fresh cuts of beef. Again, the yellow pages in your local directory should be of some help. re buying fresh poultry or beef, check for wholesalers in your area. NOTE: These people tend to sell large minimum quantities of beef or poultry if one is to get it at a reasonable price. BE SURE YOU HAVE PLENTY OF SPACE IN BOTH YOUR FREEZER AND/OR REFRIGERATOR TO STORE THESE LARGE QUANTITIES OF BEEF OR POULTRY, IF BUYING FROM A WHOLESALER. I do hope this information is of some help for you, Natasha. Good Luck and God Bless You and your family. Marshal
For Natasha in California: Hate to state the obvious, but the best thing to go is look in the Yellow Pages under "Health Food Stores" for whatever city she lives in, then call the listed stores and ask what they carry. Being formerly from Los Angeles, there are MANY stores all over the metropolitan area, such as Whole Foods, Wild Oats, and Erewhon. I think Wild Oats and Whole Foods have other stores throughout California, but if Natasha is in a small town, she may have trouble finding what she wants. Now living in France, I sorely miss the supermarket-type health food stores that can be found in California.... Wishing her luck, Abby
For Natasha: I have been able to find at least one very big HFS in every medium to large city in California, and many decent sized HFSs in smaller bergs as well. California is the central place on earth for this sort of thing, so don't despair. Look in your yellow pages for local HFSs. Be sure to check the chains, like WHOLE FOODS (which are all over the place) and WILD OATS. Also, TRADER JOE has lots of stuff--I'm sure he'll have some of what you want. In my medium-sized city, there are two gigantic HFSs, a TJs, and several smaller shops. That is actually typical! Good luck! Genie
BIG THANK-YOUs to Cleo, Marshal, Abby & Genie for sharing their knowledge! Much appreciated, friends!! :-D
I am Type AB secretor. Is glucosamine sulphate and/or NAG an ok supplement for me to take? I am currently taking a combination of glucosamine/chondroitin and understand chondroitin is fine but am concerned about the glucosamine aspect. Thank you. Verna
Just curious how the blood-type diets work with glocosamine/chondroitin supplements that I hear so much about to help with arthritis and joint problems??? I am a type O, following the diet fairly closely and feeling great. I went through breast cancer 6 years ago, and am doing fine, but wake up with lower back pain (mostly from all the gardening I do!!) Wondered if glucosamine might help??? Thanks for any information you may have!!!! Debbie
Both are fine for you, Verna! Peter's Ask Dr. D'Adamo column entitled Deflect for Arthritis explains why. Debbie, have a good look at that column ~ lots of details on the ins and outs of arthritis-alleviation supps. The "cure" for exercise-related lower back pain is to (1) gently but thoroughly stretch the hamstrings (muscles in the back of your thighs) & calves and (2) keep the back muscles themselves strong through targeted exercise ~ the 5BX (Five Basic Exercises) Site has a great one for that purpose!
A very effective stretch for the hamstrings is:
- lie on a firm, flat surface
- bend one knee so that the foot is flat on the surface
- raise the other leg as far as you can, keeping it straight.
The idea is to grasp the leg and gently pull it toward you, but if you can't do that right away, just work up to it.
Switch legs and continue. Do five to ten stretches on each leg.
Then,
- fold a bathtowel up into a long 6" wide "strip."
- sit on that firm, flat surface with your legs straight in front of you.
- take one end of the towel in each hand, and loop the middle under the balls of your feet ~
- keep sitting straight up -- and pull back on the towel.
You'll feel the stretch in your calf muscles.
Do ten of these. :-)
Thanks for writing, ladies! :-)
Hello, Heidi : Re : 7 Jan ~~ Octet 4O ~~ #6 from Andrew [who has profound misgivings about killing animals for food]
For soothing such distress, try to visualize that we also digest misfortune of the animal by love and return as a gift to it, together with sending wishes for peace love health & prosperity for its future lives. Spare sometimes, weekly, monthly or annually, duration and length of time is up to the individual, but let's believe that it is solved on a higher or subtle level, and favourable conditions for its future lifes are promoted and secured after it has come to work with mankind. Hope Andrew is always in peace.
Ref. Question No. 1 by Yelena on 10 Feb 03. A small suggestion for her to try with flaxseed. I learned it from my friend who has been doing successfully for her and sister. It is an Ayurvedic method : Boil 1 tablespoon of flaxseed in 1 cup of water for several minutes until the husk is broken and the content looks like a smooth paste and "it also taste good." If Yelena still got flaxseed with her might as well try this method.
I noticed that some of your fans asked about how to make ghee at home. If ready-made one is more convenient for them, below is a "link" : www.purityfarms.com 100% Certify Clarified Ghee Purity Farms, Inc. 14635 Westcreek Road Sedalia, Colorado 80135 I love its yellow color, merrys my heart!
For curiosity : Ref. your reply to Nicole (#3 in Type B Roundup-7): What is Neti Pot? The essential oil : Is it Anise Star or Aniseed? Many thanks. Lily A+
Greetings, Lily!
The neti pot is a little item used in nasal irrigation. Ideally, it should be made from a material that won't break if dropped on a bathroom floor. The spout should be designed to block one nostril, while trickling in some warm salted (no iodine) water ~ which you then swirl around in the sinuses, and drain out of the other nostril. It's a very simple concept with marvelous results. Getting the technique down takes some practice, which I recommend be done in the shower! :-) Here is a good description of the procedure. There are many kinds of neti pots, and all of them can be purchased online. Just use www.alltheweb.com/advanced, and use the "exact phrase" "neti pot." :-)
The vaporizer oil may be aniseed or star anise ~ either one.
By the way, I hope Andrew reads what you wrote for him. It certainly "spoke" to me.
All your notes are very warmly received ~ thank you for your kind contributions and friendship! :-)
and now for my daily reminder: :-)
Type A Roundup ~ #8 !
August 23rd, 2000 , by admin
Heidi, would there be any more information on the purpose of a cell membrane fluidizer as is described in the books. I have read on the internet that people have used it for AIDS and for severe immune problems Beyond providing lycopene to types A and B who don't eat tomatoes, just why would anyone be using a fluidizer? Is this safe to use daily? Maddy
Hey, Maddy! Well, the membrane fluidizer cocktail recipe is a synergy particularly beneficial to Bs. Its action is due to the balance of phospholipids -- choline, serine and ethanolamine -- with the EFAs in the oil blended with the fruit juice. The recipe's particular effect is to boost immunity, nervous system health and metabolic function in Bs -- other types do not benefit to the same extent. However, flax oil is either beneficial or neutral for everyone, lecithin is neutral for all, and the fruit juice is chosen from the neutral or beneficial items by the individual. Many non-B folks like the taste and use it as a vehicle for their oil and fruit intake, which may include a high-lycopene fruit like red grapefruit, guava, watermelon or papaya (all far higher in lycopene than raw tomatoes, by weight). I, too, have read many testimonials of extraordinary results elsewhere on the Net, and my opinion is that "the more severe the deficiency, the more spectacular the results" -- for any effective compound, including this one. thanks for your note, Maddy, good question! :-)
Hello Heidi, Recently you supplied a "food pyramid" diagram (I believe it was drawn up specifically for an O-Type Non-Secretor) as an answer to one of the questions that appeared here in your ON THE DIET column. I was greatly impressed with how well it portrayed the dietary recommendations from LIVE RIGHT 4 YOUR TYPE in a clear image that was immediately recognizable and, easy to keep in mind. Would you consider building pyramids for the other bloodtypes as well? I realize that such a project would require 8 separate diagrams for the 4 different ABO types, factored by Secretor Status, but I believe all of your many fans who read this page faithfully would very much appreciate this service! Perhaps to make the task less formidable you could offer these diagrams one-at-a-time over a period of about a week...? As always, thanks for your enlightening replies. Best regards, Mark
Glad to be of service, Mark! I'm not a graphics whiz, so my "pyramids" look a little lame! but at least they serve as a reference point. ;->
Type A should really have four distinct pyramids, as the frequencies differ by A1/A2 subtype, MM type, secretor status, and Rhesus. I'll put together a Pyramid Page here sometime soon. :-) Thanks for the suggestion, dear! By the way, how's that "tongue" situation? :-)
I am a 52 year old A bloodtype and am not sure whether or not I am a secretor or a non-secretor. I have rheumatoid arthritis. Since starting on the ER4YBT diet during August of 2002 I have experienced a major decrease in joint pain. BUT, I still suffer from swelling, especially in my face, hands, and feet. I eat very little salt, so I don't understand why the swelling hasn't ceased along with the pain. To what do you attribute this to? Thank you. Diane.
Without knowing more, it sounds like you need more salt in your diet, Diane. You may be experiencing edema, which is not solved through reduced salt intake. Are you on a low-salt diet? Try this experiment for one week: get some grey sea salt (from your health food store or http://celtic-seasalt.com/saltoflife) and lightly season your food with it. Have a cup of broth every day with a heaping tablespoon of shredded or powdered dulse (again, from your HFS, or http://celtic-seasalt.com/saltoflife/maincoasseav.html or www.seaveg.com). These foods provide salt in a balance with the other minerals which accompany it in nature. I also suggest regular use of dandelion greens and kale, collards or chard as a side dish. And a good mineral water with a high calcium rating -- my favorite is Gerolsteiner, and you can browse through all the different varieties at www.mineralwaters.org. Don't be afraid to buy a "fizzy" kind if the still version is not available -- just crack it open, close it again, shake it and let it stand a bit open. The fizz will dissipate. Also, do a little yoga and stretching, as much as you can, each day. Deflect-A can truly help with getting rid of the last of your pain. Try these things for a week, and write back, please? :-D
Hi Heidi. The fish question again. Could you please try to let me know if the fish at the following website can be eaten by type A's. (And other bloodtypes also for that matter). This is a fish commonly available in SA - ugly but very tasty. http://ibs.uel.ac.uk/fish-bin/fishgen.pl?speccode=482 Thanks eurika
Hi there, Eurika! Try as I might, I cannot get that site to load. Is it still available? If there is another site with that info, or if you have the common & Latin names of the fish, please forward on to me ~ thanks!
Hi, I am a type A from Australia and I note that all peppers (green, red, yellow & jalepeno) are listed as an avoid. I understand that capsicums are also referred to as peppers. Capsicum is not listed at all. Do the references to peppers mean capsicum? Thank you, Glenn.
Hello, Glenn! All peppers of every kind, color, size and shape are avoid for type A secretors, except for the pimiento pepper (a difficult item to track down -- much easier to just get used to avoiding all peppers! :-}). Here's a great site for your pepper reference needs: http://www.chili-pepper-plants.com/ It explains the "capsicum" family and its members in colorful detail. enjoy! :-)
Aronia berry juice has been avalable in california since 1998. is this berry good for type (A)? brian
Hi there, Brian ~ Yes, in fact a company called Wildland was selling Aronia melanocarpa juice in 1997. This is a fast-growing, acid-soil-loving plant which bears abundant fruit and is quite unfussy to grow as long as it has a modicum of direct sunlight. It's amusing to note that marketers have opted to go with the Latin genus name of the berry. I think I would, too, as the common name is Black Chokeberry! :-D It does have a distinct weedy, astringent flavor. For that reason, the "aronia" juice sold in bottles requires a deft hand to sweeten and make it palatable for the commercial food market through dilution and blending with other juices. The Wildland site describes it as a super-powered cranberry. We do not have a rating for this berry, so proceed with care as usual: unknowns are "neutral" for those in good health and at their ideal weight. Here's a website with more information: http://www.efn.org/~bsharvy/edible2.html Thanks for writing, brian! :->
Dear Ms. Merritt, Re:Secretor Status for Double Lewis Negative results (LeA-,Le
Back in July 2001 I submitted 2 tubes of blood for the D'Adamo Serotype Panel-1 Test (DSP-1). These are the results that came back: % of Population ABO GROUP : A ABO Group : 42% A1/A2 : A1 A1/A2 : 80% Rh(D) : positive Rh(D) : 85% M,N,Group : M,N M,N,Group : 50% Lewis A/B Group: LeA-,LeB- Lewis A/B Group: 6% Secretor Status: negative Question: When going through the food selections of Live Right 4 Your Type, Do I use the Non-Secretor Section, or, do I Use the foods that are beneficial/neutral for BOTH the secretor and non-secretor. Please advise. Thank you for your co-operation. Marshal
Hallo, Marshal! Ah, one of the rare birds! Peter generally finds that the Nonsecretor values in Live Right work best for his Lewis double negative patients, so that's what I'd advise. Stick to that nonsecretor column, follow the text advice for nonsecretors, and enjoy the plan! Do keep in touch if there's anything we can help with ~~ and thank you for writing!! :-)
and a Happy President's Day to our U.S. readers! :-)
Type O Roundup ~ #11 -- and a plea from Natasha !
August 22nd, 2000 , by admin
I am a type O and just went through a bout of kidney stones a week before I started the er4yt diet. My kidney stones were composed of uric acid and it says I shouln't eat red meat or greatly decrease my consumption of it. The type O diet says red meat is very important to my diet. I do not know what to do. Can you give me some suggestions? It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Laura
Hello, Laura! Kidney stones are not "caused" by uric acid ~ the main causes are (1) inadequate water intake during the day, (2) inadequate exercise, (3) frequent urinary tract infections, (4) regular use of calcium-based antacids. It is also a side-effect of some thyroid medications, and in some families there is a genetic pre-disposition toward stone-forming. Even if it runs in your family, just following some simple guidelines can keep you stone-free.
The main things you as an O can do are:
(A) get PLENTY of fresh, pure *water.* Six to eight 12-ounce glasses per day, away from meals, as a protective measure. Tea, juice, etc. do not count for this purpose (although freshly-made fruit and vegetable juices are fabulous for healing the kidneys). Kidney stones form when the urine becomes so concentrated that minerals precipitate out of it (like a science experiment!) forming crystals on the inside of the kidneys. You may pee a bit more and more frequently at first, but after two to three weeks your bladder will easily accommodate the higher water intake.
( an exercise plan as outlined in Live Right 4 Your Type. Good, sweat-breaking, strenuous exercise (whatever "level" that means for your current state of fitness), at least three times per week. While it is clearing out your kidneys, it will also tone all the rest of your organs and enhance both your musculature and your bones' calcium uptake.
(C) go through your O diet list, and mark as "avoid" these foods known to raise urinary oxylate levels: spinach, beet greens, almonds, chocolate, and strawberries.
There is a section on kidney stones on pages 341-342 of the BTD Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia, and a reference to the Urinary Tract Health protocols on page 492. It is an excellent resource for complementary treatment of ailments of all kinds! So DO follow your diet including your meat allowance, and I'm sure you'll be speeding along the healing trail in no time! Thank you for writing, and drop me a note on your progress!! :-D
Hello, I'm type "O".. just wanted to know about Oat flakes, the type that's in "Jordan's Crunchy"?? And "Yeast pate" found in health food stores? What about sprouted bread, I read in the book that it was ok, but saw "avoid" on the website!!?? Brgds Stefan
Hi, Stefan!
(1) For any commercial product, check the ingredient list against your type O food list. 'Fraid I don't know what-all's in the products you mentioned! If the oat flakes contain something other than oats, just check each ingredient listed.
(2) If you have a question about food status, just use the TYPEbase 3 database. For instance, use the search term "oat," and remember to hit the "search" button, as the enter key won't activate the search.
You might be confused about "sprouted bread" because we have two listings for it in the database: one is made from 100% sprouted grain, and the other listing covers those many commercial brands who toss in a little sprouted grain and fill 'er up with whole wheat. :-) Essene (manna) and Ezekiel breads are generally fine for Os, but once again: read the labels! Several times, I noted that the "Ezekiel" *hamburger and hotdog rolls* in my HFS are NOT made of 100% sprouted grain -- they contained whole wheat flour as well. So read, read, read! :-D thanks for writing! :-D
I am a type "O" and have been on the plan of for about 1 month now. The first 2 weeks I lost about 17 pounds. Now I am at a standstill now,have even gone back up about 10 pounds what can I do to jumpstart weight loss again. Bridget
Hello, Bridget! Do you drink three or four liters of pure water each day? And get a good lot of exercise? If you are at least 20% over your ideal weight, you can get a better picture of fat loss by measuring yourself at the waist, hips, and around the top of each thigh, every week. Make a note of the figures and see if your weight may be standing still while your fat loss continues. Muscle weighs more than fat, so if you're building muscle you may see a plateau or even a small jump in the scale until your metabolism is kicked up by the new muscle tissue.
The first thing I'd suggest is to get a copy of Live Right 4 Your Type. You may need a stricter adherence, perhaps using the Tier II diet. If you eat more than 4 servings of grain per week, try reducing or eliminating it for the time being. Vegetables three or four times per day, fruits 2-3 times per day, along with the beneficial meats and fish, are the basis of the O diet. And do take a tablespoon of flax oil, or ground flaxseed soaked in water, every evening. It's a great way to get fiber as well as support your weight loss.
If you're up for an experiment: try using the food list and portion/frequency guidelines for type O nonsecretors for a few weeks. See if that makes a significant difference.
Don't be disappointed if your weight loss continues at a rate of one or two pounds per week ~ that is a healthy rate, and one at which most people *keep the weight OFF.* :-) Seventeen pounds in two weeks is A LOT, even for the initial loss, and we wouldn't want you to continue shedding it that quickly.
thanks for your note, and I am SURE you will succeed! :-D
I recently purchased the book "Eat Right for Your Type" I am a type O blood type. I have eaten Wheat Products all my life without noticing any problems. My wife says she is Blood Type also. Then I assume our kids are type O. We purchased Ezekiel Bread from the Local Health Food Store. It was frozen. The bread was very good tasting, however both my kids, my wife and I all had diarrhea the day after we ate this bread. All of us ate the bread on different days of the month. So we suspect the diarrhea was caused by the bread. Why would this bread which is supposed to be good for our blood type cause this reaction? Dan
Hello, Dan! Well, in brief: the diarrhea after eating the sprouted grain is most likely the result of the wheat you were eating before. Weird, huh? Go to the column I wrote entitled Type O Roundup ~ #10! and scroll down to the sixth Q, from "Deborah," and my response. Your answers are there! ;-)
and now... the long-awaited Beer Extravaganza! :-)
For TYPE O I looked up the database for Beer. It responded: AVOID: Contains component which can modify known disease susceptibility. What is the component that it is referring to? I would like to know if this is a component found in commercial beer (is it a preservative, for example) and whether it is also found in homebrewed beer. Also, is the yeast in homebrewed beer a problem for Type Os? I noticed that yeast-brewers is listed as beneficial or neutral depending on secretor status in LR4YT. Would this contribute to candida? ~Ed
Dear Heidi: Thank you for your continued informative and entertaining e-column. As a fellow Type O non-secretor, I have experienced immense benefits commensurate with my initiation of the Blood Type diet. However, I am also a lover of microbrewed beer, in particular, Hefeweizen (Wheat Beer) and can't seem to wean myself from this addiction:-)! Are there any other contraindications to the consumption of beer by type O's other than alcohol increasing gastrin production? In other words, are the offending lectins such as Wheat Germ Agglutinin removed during the manufacture of the beer (do they remain with the spent and eventually discarded grain or do they enter into the malt, and consequently, in the beer itself?). An answer would be much appreciated. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Kipp
Heidi, An article in a London newspaper recently touted a great nutritional benefit of beer, silicon. Beer has high levels of silicon, a mineral needed for bone density. However, beer is an avoid for bloodgroup O's. I couldn't help but wonder if some home brewed beer made from neutral grains would be OK for an O? What do you think? It seems as if the hops and carbonation would actually be somewhat beneficial for an O! Eh? And what about home made soy yogurt? Or perhaps even almond or rice yogurt? Have you ever tried to make some? Such a thing would be great for O's in India! Wow, what a marketing possibility! Stephan
I have the Cook Right 4 Your Type book. In the 30 day menu plan (I am Type O) white wine and beer are listed as after dinner drinks. In my Blood Type O Food, Beverage and Supplement Lists, these are listed as Avoids (white wine) or not recommended (beer). Also on page 46 of that book, Hops is listed as Highly beneficial, yet on page 49, Chapter 14, Miscellaneous Beverages, I quote "Beer isn't recommended, as hops tend to increase stomach acid secretions and most beer is made from wheat. Please clarify. Also, I bake my own bread and would like to find a recipe for Ezekiel bread. Can you help. Thank you for your assistance. M.
I am Type O. As Type O you recommend no distilled spirts, a beer now and then, and a glass of wine from time to time. Please explain the reasoning behind your limitations. How is distilled sprits (Scoth) worse for you and wine or beer? Where in your book (Eat Right 4 Your Type) should I go to get a full and complete explanation? Thanks Dave
First thing to understand about Os and beer: we ain't well designed to metabolize it effectively. Don't hit me yet, I WILL go into detail! LOL! ;-D
Think of it as a blast of carbohydrates, much of it in a form which heads straight for the liver. The limited grain and sugar choices on the O menu is partly for lectin-ish reasons, but the short list, and the very limited frequencies in Live Right for these foods is directly related to our paleolithic-style physiology. One glass of beer delivers more liver-targeting carbs than the average hunter-gatherer would consume in a month, and the alcohol gets it there in a hurry. The more grain carbs we consume, the more our serum cholesterol (made in the liver) is likely to pop up ~ along with the cascading rest of the well-known hazards.
Second, beer does increase gastrin levels. As a point of comparison: my tummy is well-provided with ample gastrin five minutes after I begin eating. In my type A guy's tum, on the other hand, it takes 45 to 50 minutes to get the juices going. Makes sense for him to stimulate gastrin with a glass of beer, and makes sense for me to relax things with a little seltzer. Now WHAT, you are asking, IS it in BEER that stimulates the O-gastrin to get out of hand? Well, the central culprit is the alcohol from the malted barley; however, the combination of grain carbs and alcohol (as in beer and Scotch) and the addition of carbonation (in beer) work together to produce their synergy of troublesomeness.
In the case of Kipp's beloved Hefe-Weizen, wheat rather than barley is the foundational mash. There are many styles of beer, notably the Belgian brews and "white" beers, in which unmalted (whole unsprouted) grain (often wheat) is added after the fermentation to produce a particular look and flavor. A mash of up to 60% wheat is used in the Hefe-Weizen style, and it is the *protein* (read, unsprouted, lectin-loaded part) that gives H-W and similar-looking beers their characteristic cloudiness. This does magnify the avoid quotient of those brews, but as I mentioned above, drinking clear beer instead is no solution. ~ pun unintended! :-( ~
Scotch, even just single-malts, encompasses such a huge variety that I'll stick to generalities (you're chuckling, right? ;->) -- The basic ingredients are barley mash and water, and the distillation process produces a beverage (?) which delivers all the above-noted hazards of beer but at ten times the speed and power. This from a longtime single malt fan, sorry to say. On our yearly trip to our favorite steakhouse, I'm now reduced by BTD-compliance and personal wisdom to sniffing and sipping perhaps only two or three out of the 200+ Scotches they have on offer. Bringing a crowd of friends helps raise the potential number and lower the actual quantity I'm responsible for drinking ~ but still, more sniffing and less drinking has become the order of the day. :-}
For the individual questions:
~ Ed, the yeast is not a problem. Nor does brewer's or nutritional yeast contribute to candidiasis ~ as a matter of fact, these forms of yeast feed beneficial organisms, thereby actively helping to re-establish balanced intestinal flora & fauna. They're GOOD for the condition! :-)
~ Stephan, silica is abundant in horsetail, too! ;-> and... while I've never made rice yogurt at home, I fully support your exploration of alternate yogurt products to market in India! :-D keep that imagination fertile, my dear!
~ M., that text regarding Hops in the Blood Type O Food Beverage & Supplement Lists is incorrect. Oops! sorry! ;-) Hops is still Beneficial! and I think "barley" may have been what was intended there. For your baking plans, here's a starter on your Ezekiel bread recipe: Seeking Recipes for Essene and Ezekiel Breads.
Thank you all for this opportunity to touch on a favorite subject! ;-D
AND: Please Help Natasha, California BTD’ers!
Hi, I've just moved to California from Australia and I'm at a complete loss looking for the foods I could buy at the regular supermarket that I now need to buy from a health food store. People back home don't know how good we have it! My problem is that I don't know where any are here all the ones I seem to find sell only vitamins and protein drinks - I want to buy regular health food. I couldn't find the groups that used to be on yahoo to ask them so I'd really appreciate someone replying to me as soon as possible. I've been eating take out ever since I got here a month ago because I can't find too much in the local supermarkets - so my body isn't enjoying it right now!!! Help!! Cheers, Natasha.
OK, readers, the ball's in your court: write in with your recommendations on shopping spots for Natasha! THANKS, EVERYONE!!! :-D
Type B Roundup ~ #7 !
August 21st, 2000 , by admin
Hi Heidi... Can you bear another Deflect question? I know, because of the name, that Deflect counters lectin activity. But how about the other bad reactions to blood like "provokes abnormal blood reaction", "increases polyamine or indican levels" or "secretory insufficiency" ? Does it work on those kinds of avoids, too? (Really, Heidi... I know I sound like I subsist on avoids, but it's not true...15 percent MAX!!!!) Linda (B- NS)
Hey there, Linda! :-) Your intuition (as usual) is correct! Deflect is for lectins, primarily. It also contains some fruit-derivatives which may help a bit with the polyamine and indican levels, but it can't do anything to protect you against the rest of the avoid functions. For instance, taking a whole bunch of Deflect will do nothing to change your ability to digest foods which are avoid due to secretory insufficiency, nor can it block other elements of the food from entering the blood stream.
Now a question for you: Where are you managing to find enough avoids to make up 15% of yer diet? eh? OK, ya lost white potatoes, and in return got artichokes, tomatoes and pumpkin. Yeah, a few cheeses went south, but look at all the ones you CAN have. And all those new OK items in the meat and fish lists! And as if your fruit list wasn't magnificent to start with, look at all those new beneficials!! Heck, girl, with that B-non food list, I'd be in heaven!! ;-) {jealous, jealous!! ;-D} seriously, thanks for writing, Linda, and I'll be happy to take any and all Defect questions now and in future!
~:-D
Hi! I have blood type B and I do have an autoimmune disease (sarkoidosis) which is active right now with a hight inflammation rate in my body. I don`t know yet if I am a secretor or not (I have already ordered the test kit) but I know that type B has a tendency to autoimmune diseases. The thing is that there are not so many recommendations about what we can do about it once the disease is there. At one point I read to take things like magnesium to strenghten the immune system but it is already overly strong so that it attacks the organs (lungs, heart and skin is already affected). What exactly other than sticking to the B-type Tier 2 diet would you recommend? Thank you very much!!!!!!! Sincerely, Birgit
Hello, Birgit ~ I am sorry you're suffering with this! The diet does strengthen the immune system ~ this means it will better fend off invaders in the future. The autoimmune response you are having is a result of the invaders, not a result of having a strong immune system -- in fact, your immune system is overburdened and confused by the level of "aliens" in your tissues, to the point where it is attacking healthy tissue as well. This is where our blood type-specific plan can help where most others cannot.
Keeping to your diet is the first step, and in your case I strongly recommend using the Immune-Enhancing protocol on pages 481-82 in the BTD Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia, as outlined for sarcoidosis patients. And I believe that a stress-relief practice such as meditation, visualization, and any of the activities listed for Bs in Live Right 4 Your Type that you can engage in will be of immeasurable help for you. It's not just a matter of "calming down," not at all. These practices are designed to send signals to the ruling glands of the body, in order to clear stresses and step the body down out of "permanent emergency" (autoimmune) mode.
Best wishes to you, dear! Please keep me posted on your progress!! :-)
Hi Heidi, I just started the blood type diet and I had two clarification questions. I am B and I am confused about the use of soy. I have all of Dr. D'Adamo's books and I think that in one of the books it says that soy protein is ok but soy milk and soybeans are not? But then I saw that wheat free tamari is ok which is made with soybeans. I am confused! Maybe I have read something incorrectly though. My second question is in regards to dairy. I know that as a B I can tolerate dairy better than other types, however I have sinus problems. I just sent in the secretor test and I realize that if I am a non-secretor my dairy intake will be more limited. I am also taking the collinsonia supplement. Is it still ok to consume dairy with a sinus difficulty? Thanks so much! Nicole
Hi, Nicole! On soy: just follow the B food lists from Live Right ~ take a look at the Updates Page; and for quick reference, use the TYPEbase 3 database which is linked from the home page as well. Remember, lecithin is neutral for everyone. I went into some further detail on tamari in a reply to "Dave" in the "Type B Roundup ~ #6" column of a few days ago, in case you'd like to read more.
About dairy, Peter has mentioned in the past that it's sensible even for Bs to discontinue it until a sinus problem is relieved. There is also a sinus health protocol for Bs in the Encyclopedia if this is a recurring problem for you: magnolia flower (Magnolia lilflora), 50 mg: 1-2 caps twice daily; wild indigo(Baptisia tinctoria) tincture: 5-7 drops, twice daily. Four weeks total. There are additional recommendations there for nonsecretors and the mention of vitamin C, yerba santa, anise essential oil in a vaporizer, and the use of a Neti pot. I hope this helps "clear things up." and hope you're feeling better ASAP!! :-D
I'm still confused about this wheat thing for type Bs. I know whole wheat is out, the data base says white flour products, bleached and unbleached wheat is ok. Does that mean I can have white bread? What about wheat products like crackers and cake? Rachel
Hi there, Rachel!! The database is a list of foods -- think of them as "ingredients" -- so when you go to buy a product like bread, crackers or cake, check the ingredients of that product against your food list. That's the best & only way to find out whether a product is OK for you. Take care, and keep smiling! :-D
Hi, I have been following the diet for 2 1/2 years. I have read all the books and love the diet. I am a B. My question is about suppliments. Can I add brewers yeast and bone meal to my daily suppliments? Thank you and keep up the great work. Fred
Hey, Fred! thanks, you're a sweetie! Brewers/nutritional yeast was omitted from the original type B list in Live Right 4 Your Type, but we've supplied that omission and you'll see its values now in the Updates Page and the TYPEbase 3 database. Bone meal is OK for you, but I do suggest you get a brand that's certified to be from free-ranged, no-drug sources. Better yet would be the Phytocal-B supp available in our Store here, as it is readily assimilable and contains balanced quantities of other minerals and cofactors designed just for Bs. There are plenty of calcium-rich foods in the B diet, as well as natural sources of magnesium and other bone-building elements. But if you'd like a supplement, the bone meal would be OK as long as you're getting plenty of the mag-rich foods, and the best supp would have to be the Phytocal-B. Thanks for the Q, and the compliment! :-D
Hi, i've been on the diet for one week only and i feel as if i've lost a little weight and i have better 'color'. problem is, i have been plagued with heartburn (acidity) and my brother, who put me on the diet, urges me not to use medication for it. will this pass? i am a long time sufferer of acidity but the diet has seemed to aggravate it slightly. second qusetion, if it is not on the list (like: soya oil) is it ok to have? i am type B and the oils seems to be my biggest problem in the diet. everything it seems contains palm oil or coconut oil etc. if this is let say in a cracker, are the voulmes of oil negligable? James
Hi, James ~ The "bad oils" are one of the worst heartburn-producing foods, so if this is the major problem you'd like to resolve, I'd steer clear of any nasty no-nos in that area, no matter how small the quantity seems in the product. About soybean oil -- take a look at the the TYPEbase 3 database. Many foods have been added to the lists since BTD was written, and most of them made their first food-value appearance in Live Right 4 Your Type in 2001. Also, see the column I wrote on GERD: Ginger Juice -- Chiropractic. There are great non-drug strategies there which have proven highly successful for 'heartburn.' The diet itself will do a fabulous job on eliminating the reflux, and these extra strategies should have you fine & happy in no time!
And may I offer my WARMEST WELCOME to the BTD!! Keep in touch, and feel free to ask anything that arises as you get settled in your new plan!! :-D
which book? what value? where do I find....
August 20th, 2000 , by admin
Many people ask:
"The books conflict: which one should I use?"
"How do I find the updated value for food 'x?'"
"Where's the answer to the question I submitted?"
"The Ask Dr. D'Adamo link you gave me takes me to a blank page -- how can I find the correct one?"
Here for quick reference are the answers:
FOUND CONTRADICTIONS between the various books' food lists?
Type O Roundup ~ #10 !
August 19th, 2000 , by admin
Heidi, the last three days your the final question of your column has gone unanswered, seemingly because your reply was cut off? You were probably told this already by hundreds of people! genie
Hi, Genie ~ No, you're the first, but maybe I can help: Are you using Netscape, on a Mac? If so, do you have a copy of Internet Explorer handy? "Pat" wrote in to say that if you use IE, the column displays perfectly well in its full glorious length ~ even on a Mac. Hope it helps! BTW, the columns have been so long lately, perhaps you're the only person who read far enough down to notice anything missing! LOL! ~:-D
I recently bought the book "Eat Right 4 Your Type", and also submitted my saliva to be tested for secreter/non-secreter status. My friend talked me into buying the book. He photo-copied the diet for O blood types (my type) from his book and sent it to me. This is what got me interested, so I ordered the book. However, the diet in the book is real general compared to the list my friend sent me. His list has more foods listed, is divided into "secreter" and "non-secreter" columns, and Tier One and Tier Two foods. My book just says to assume I am a secreter, since 80% of the population are secreters. No different columns for secreter and non-secreter, no Tier One or Tier Two (as I recall, don't have the book with me now), and certainly much less food listed. Also, there are some discrepencies. For instance, salmon is listed as neutral for type O on my friend's list, and beneficial in my book. I feel cheated by my book, as my friend's is much more detailed and comprehensive. Why the difference? Are there different editions? If so, whose version is correct? Is the secrete/non-secrete not so important as stated in my friend's material, since it is so cavalierly treated in my book? Jerry
:-) Hi, Jerry! Well, your friend photocopied the text from Live Right 4 Your Type, published in 2001. Eat Right 4 Your Type is the book you bought. It was the first, written in 1995 as the introduction to the blood type plans. However, it is a wonderful book, so don't feel cheated!! It's still the best starting point, and I'm glad you won't be without it. I'm also pleased you're interested in secretor status and following the diet at a higher level of compliance. Just pick up a copy of Live Right, it's the one with the dark red cover. We also have a special Updates Page all set up on this website for your reference. Thanks for taking the time to write in, and I hope you enjoy the books!! :-)
Hi, Heidi: Saw in your column today (2/12/03) this response to a Q on corn-free tonic water: "About corn-free tonic water: I haven't found a single brand, and no one has written in with one. I wonder if it exists?? {sigh!} I'll keep looking." FYI, just to let you know, in case any more of your readers write in requesting that info., I know of one (and only one) brand of corn-free tonic water in the states, and it is ONLY available through a store called "Trader Joe's" This store does not have an outlet in my state, so I've never actually seen the product, but it is made by a New Zealand Co. called "Mead" and the tonic water is called (get ready, it's a mouthful): "Brightwater Indian Tonic Water", or maybe "Brightwater Ridge Indian Tonic Water". Again, it is solely available at a health food store called "Trader Joe's" and this store is apparently found in 47 US states. Hope this is helpful to you, in case someone else writes in with that question. It is one near and dear to my heart and I've researched it pretty extensively, so I'm pretty certain that there is no other brand available in the US except the one above. Hope you are well. Peace. Anon.
Well, thank you kindly, dear! what a surprise! ;-) I am very pleased to hear from you, and most grateful for your timely tip on tonic! Don't know if you've seen this, and you might find it silly, but I've found myself running it every morning ~ ever since a friend sent it to me. The minute I saw it, I thought of you and I've no idea why. Anyway, I guess this is opportunity to offer it to you!
Lovely way to start or end the day!
Best wishes! I most sincerely hope you, too, are at peace! :-}
Hello, Im o+ and I was wondering if I could drink a tea that has an orange and blackberry leaf would that be something to avoid. I know I should avoid an orange because of its citrus acid and blackberry because of its lecthin. Please help thank you very much. William
Hey there, William! You're absolutely right. Blackberry is an avoid due to the lectin, and orange also due to its stimulation of polyamine production. Write back & tell me if you wanted to take that tea for a particular ailment, and I'll do my best to hunt up some substitutes for you! :-D
Re: Romano Cheese. The authentic variety is ok for O's because, like good feta, it is made from sheep milk. Also, in response to a recent query about hair loss in women: older women DO, I am sorry to say, suffer hair loss for a variety of reasons, primarily genetic, and also as a reaction to hormones, meds, and stress. (I know about this last one, because I was once so tense that my neck and scalp tightened so nuch that no blood was getting to the hair follicles, and my hair fell out. Really.) The good news is that unless the loss is genetic, the hair will regrow, especially with the improved diet and stress-relieving exercise preached on this great website. Fyi and all that, Blessings of a beautiful autumn day, AMN
:-D Yep, good reasoning on the cheese, AMN. And quite true about hair loss. Lord, I do remember that warm late autumn... Well, I belatedly send the blessings of this crisp, cold winter back atcha! At least it might keep the flu bugs down, eh? and it certainly was a perfect white Christmas! :-D
As recommended by my family physician, I tried the blood type diet (I am Type O). I always thought my diet was alright, calorie wise, but could not loose weight (I only need to loose 10-15 pounds). My diet did consist of mostly proteins, but also a modest amount of dairy and wheat. Well, I did the diet for three days and had diarrhea for three days! When I added the dairy and wheat back, the diarrhea stopped. It seems that every Type O meal I eat, it is followed by diarrhea. What am I doing wrong, or is there a supplement that I am missing? I would really like to make this diet work! Thank you! Deborah
Well, Deborah, I'm sorry you "ran" into that problem! It helps to understand that at the beginning of the diet, the body will go all-out to rid itself of the toxic stuff and mucus in the bowels and throughout the system. Sometimes this manifests itself as an overflowing cold, or joint pain, tiredness or hyperactivity. Diarrhea is not a pleasant thing, but in your case it might well have been part of this cleaning process. I can tell you that dairy and wheat will stop my elimination entirely for a period of days, so I believe the "cure" you took for the diarrhea is actually the problem in disguise. Do work from the portion/frequency tables in Live Right 4 Your Type for all the food groups. The greatest part of the diet is vegetables (and fruit), some starchy and some green and fibrous. Try to get a balanced weekly intake of all of them. I'll note here again, just in case it's helpful, that the veg and fruit frequencies in Live Right should be DAILY, not weekly. Give it another try and fill in with starchy veg or a bit of one of the neutral grains where you'd normally use wheat. A modest amount of dairy is still permitted, and there are some suggestions under the "dairy" category. Take care, and please write again to let me know how the second experiment turns out! I'd really like to follow up on it. :-D
'Tapeworm loved the Blood type O diet.' I'm a type O+ sec. with a real need to put on weight, now that my little friend is gone. I lost over thirty pounds of everything. Do you have any ideas to help with this while staying compliant? Also, are you aware of anyone producing Grass Fed Beef Jerkey that in not smoked? This would be a great way to stay compliant on trips to foreign lands, and handy for those long plane flights. Thanks for all your great work. Paul
OOoof!! Sheesh! poor you!! Well, I do not know offhand of a source for grass fed jerky, but if it's out there, it might very well be found at www.eatwild.com. With a dehydrator, a warm dry climate, or even an oven that can be set on LOW, making jerky at home is a snap. Consult the lovely little book, Jerky, by A.D. Livingston, The Lyons Press (Guilford, CT) ~ it's likely found everywhere online, and possibly at www.lyonspress.com. Great recipes and ideas, and just substitute a bit when called for by the BTD. And for your much needed body re-building, see the notes in the past few columns I've put up here. Search at the bottom of this page using "superslow" ~ you'll find what you're looking for. Best wishes to you, Paul, and my vibrant hope that you'll replace the old "everything" with "primo" BTD-engineered healthiness!! :-D
Type O Roundup ~ #9 !
August 18th, 2000 , by admin
Dear Heidi, can you enlighten me about the way secretor status is handed down genetically to children - is 'secretor' dominant? - my husband is group O secretor, I am group A non-secretor. So far tested my two group O children are secretors. Haven't had results for the two group A children yet - I beleive the secretor status is not linked to ABO,so hoping they are secretors for their health! Christine
Hi, Christine! Follow this link: More on Blood Type Heredity. Enjoy!
*The Blood Type Diet Encyclopedia* has pinto beans as an "avoid" for type O's; *Eat Right 4 Your Type* has it as neutral. Which is it? Mark
Hi, Mark! That change was made when Live Right 4 Your Type came out. Follow this link for more information: Updates Page. Thanks!
Please, reply or post some advice as to the BTD recommendations in relation to Multiple Sclerosis. All and any sort of information would be highly appreciated. Sincerely, Eugene
Hello, Eugene ~ Please follow this link: Optic Neuritis - MS, this one: re Green Tea / MS, and this one: Vitamin D. Best of health to you, dear!
Hello again, Heidi Thanks for your column, which is very informative and interesting (although I, too, miss the old message boards). I have persuaded my sister, an O (don't know secretor status) to try the BTD and she is doing quite well. She is, however, experiencing very bad cramps in her legs at night. She didn't have these before going on the diet, and is feeling a bit discouraged. Any ideas that might help? BTW the Encyclopedia is now readily available in Australia - paperback AU$39.95. Susan
Yes! She would greatly benefit from a good calcium supplement -- and I mean, a few minutes after she takes it the cramp will disappear. If she cannot get Phytocal-O there, then look for a "bone builder" compound based upon microhydroxyapatite (bone) and make sure it is from clean-raised animals ~ lamb, perhaps. Calcium citrate is the third-best form. Primarily, she needs more vegetables in the diet, specifically dark green leafies and a good variety of the others -- and some mineral water and/or broth made from bones of roasted "organic" fowl or meat, or from fish bones. She'll be fine in a bit! And thanks for that bit of news about the Encyclopedia! :-D
I was wondering about the "protein shakes as supplements" referred to about half way down page 128 of LR4YT. I am not a senior, however I am a very physically active type O, and I try to consume a minimum of 1 gram of protein daily for each pound of my body weight. I used to supplement my intake with whey protein powder mixed with milk, however if I am going to give this diet a try, I need to find an alternative. Can you please recommend a specific type, and even brand if possible, of this "protein shake supplement" to which Dr. D'Adamo is refering? Any help at all would be much appreciated. Thank you very much. Darren
I am new to the diet plan. I have not been able to find any info on Protein powders ie, Whey protein. Some are milk based which would be an obvious no-no for a type O, but what about egg based, or whey based, which is derived from milk, but is only a single component in the milk. Could the whey have separate lectins that are compatable with O blood type? Any info you can offer would be helpful! Thanks! Nicolette
Hi, I am of the "0" blood type and I'm trying to loose weight and gain muscle mass, what kind of supplements would you recommend that I take to, loose weight and second gain lean muscle mass according to my blood type which is "O +"? Oliver
Hello, Darren & Nicolette & Oliver ~ Yours is the question most asked by type O bodybuilders and just-general-health-seekers alike!
For all you folks, the best supplement to lose weight and gain muscle mass is the Type O Diet/Exercise Guidelines. Requires no drugs, no surgery ~ in fact, can be accomplished with one book, a pair of sneakers and a plan. :-) The full story can be found in Live Right 4 Your Type, and if you'd like to fix a protein shake, here are some suggestions for the protein part of it: a hard-boiled egg or two, a scoop of nutritional yeast, rice protein, egg protein, soy protein (for secretors), walnut or almond butter, or some combination of the above -- some of our intrepid hunter-gatherers find that a few chunks of meat whiz up well in the blender, too!
So ... WHEY is the Only No-No ~ there are so many other choices!
First rule of protein powders: read the label and check for avoids. Second rule of protein powders: see first rule.
Live strong, last long! ~~:-D
heidi, my question is about creatine. dr. d discourages its use in his column, in response to a type A individul. is there any blood type connection? i seem to recall reading somewhere that creatine monohydrate, like pork, is chemically a-like. is this right? thanks, cric :-)
Hi there, cric! Now that you're thinking you've read it, you've got me thinking I've read it, too ~ not sure where! However, that column Peter wrote on creatine applies to all types, so I'd not spend me hard-earned cash on it. Here it is again for those who'd like to read it. Thanks for writing, dear, and keep in touch!
And for all you athletes (and athletes-in-the-making), a quick note from Chris on building lean muscle mass:
Strenuous exercise can be accomplished by performing SUPERSLOW exercises for 30 min. ONCE A WEEK.(Ken Hutchins, www.superslow.com) Or, if you don't have access to nautilus equipment, high intensity weightlifting for 30-40 min. 3 x week will do. (books by Ellington Darden) Aerobics & 'CARDIO' are simply marketing terms and reduce metabolism....and work against you. I'm an ex=jogger O non-secretor and understand this. Sports should be done for "mental relief" rather than EXERCISE.....exercise should be a well-controlled intense & BORING undertaking(no talking/music....full concentration) . time for me to get off my pedestal....or lectern. chris
Thanks, Chris! And for those of us for whom general out-of-shaped-ness makes high intensity weightlifting sound a tad daunting at the moment, remember my oft-mentioned 5BX Canadian Air Force site. Designed for everyone, whatever age or level of fitness, takes ten minutes per day, and really gets results!. Heartily recommended!
:-D
I am a type O, and I miss the cream cheese on my (spelt) bagels! Do you have a solution? Diane
Hi, Diane ~ I don't have a solution right off-hand, but I do have a couple of suggestions. Try some very soft, fresh, plain goat cheese (spreadable) or mozzarella (meltable). Some soy cheese might also work ~ scour your organic grocer, cuz I believe there are cream-cheese-like products available for your purposes. Hey, if you find something you really like, write back & tell us, OK? :-D
Hi Heidi, I enjoy the new column immensely and it is a daily ritual after breakfast every morning to check. Breakfast is my biggest hurdle, still getting stuck with eating too much grain. Can you give a short synopsis example of what you eat for a typical day? I look in ER4T for menu ideas but there is more incentive when someone else tells you what they eat. thanks, Jayne
Hey there, Jayne ~ Well, I'm not sure if this will fit into your plans or your schedule, and also keep in mind that I'm a nonsecretor! but here goes.
In a typical day, I eat no grain, beans or dairy at all. Whoosh! There go three food groups! ;-> To some this looks tremendously difficult and restrictive. To me, it simplifies things beautifully. I do very occasionally eat those items, but more as exceptions to the general flow of things than as a planned part of my diet.
OK: breakfast could be
a stir-fry of ground buffalo/kale or collards/tomato/onions/garlic/olive oil/sea salt/red pepper flakes in a bowl with two fried eggs on top; or
curried turkey made from ground dark-meat turk, onions, garlic, red peppers, chopped okra (or whatever's fresh and yummy and beneficial at the organic grocer that week) ~ and the usual curry spices; or
turkey or beef broth with turmeric, nutritional yeast, dulse, sea salt, and cayenne; or
leftover fish and veg. Could be just about any fish/veg combo, although I love fish stew this time of year -- and a piece of salmon with a roasted bit of sweet potato will Never be refused! -- or
if it's summer, I might start the day with a smoothie of blueberries, black cherries or cranberries, almond butter, nutritional yeast, blackstrap molasses, maca, soaked-rose-hip water, and whatever little booster/supp I can take care of in that fashion. Sometimes I use pineapple/grapefruit/black cherry, etc. (high summer).
That's the usual breakfast! and I hit the green tea pretty hard. :-) Breakfast is my big meal.
Lunch varies, once again, but it's mostly a big salad with a handful of nuts (in warm weather) or a vegetable-heavy stew (in the cold, like now). Occasionally we roast a small turkey or chicken with greens and squash on the side. Late lunch, for the most part.
The rest of the day, I fill in with whatever I didn't already cover. It might be some fruit or fruit juice, mineral water, nuts, dried seaweed (VERY tasty), a smaller portion of leftover fish or meat with salad or broccoli, etc. Sometimes I make my "O-V8": juice together tomato, red pepper, carrot, celery, beet with greens, parsley, onion, garlic (with the addition of a teaspoon of flax oil) and eat whatever raw veg I have on hand along with it.
I hope this gives you some ideas, Jayne! It's really pretty easy once you think of breakfast as dinner and treat the other meals as lighter or snack-ish fare. At least, I think so... well, again, good luck and I do hope this helps! :-D
Type B Roundup ~ #6 ! (with a bit of A in there) ~ and a Note for Debs!
August 17th, 2000 , by admin
Dear Heidi, I am 63 years old type B positive. All my life I am suffering from constipation. I have bought three books: Eat, Live, and Cook right 4 your type. For four months I and my whole family are following the diet from the books, and it appears to be beneficial for my son; however my constipation is getting worse instead of better (I eat flux seeds, psyllium husks and drink plenty of water, but it does not help bowel movements - there is no urge at all). First question: yesterday I have read your response called "Freedom from enemas?" and immediately went and purchased type B Polyflora from the web site. But I do not know what is the best way to take it - before the meal, with the meal or even after the meal? If before, then how long before? Second question: where is the latest diet information available? I am confused about which of the books is the most up to date. Third question: both Eat Right and Live Right both classify soy lecithin granules as AVOID for B group; but Live Right (copyright 2001) on page 251 advises to use lecithin as a part of "membrane fluidizer coctail". I use soy granules lecithin. I am doing wrong? Is there some other lecithin available? Yelena Sorry, one more question. In the intestinal health protocol it is recommended to take magnesium, but not calcium. Should I take calcium as well of I follow the intestinal health protocol?
Greetings, Yelena! Let me see if I can sort this out for you. First, here is the answer to your lecithin question. Soy lecithin is fine for all types. Flax seed can help, but only if you take plenty of water (away from meals) throughout the day (which I suggest in any case).
The PolyFlora-B works well if two are taken in the morning on an empty stomach 1 hour before eating, and two in the evening one hour after your last meal.
The latest diet information is in Live Right 4 Your Type, with updates as posted on the Updates Page -- that page also can be found linked from the homepage, at the bottom of the "Library" section. One of the wonderful things about Live Right is the portion/frequency guidelines given for every food group. This addition makes it MUCH easier to plan your meals and balance your diet.
The B diet provides ample calcium, and Bs benefit from a higher magnesium-to-calcium ratio in their diet than other types, hence the suggestion in the protocols to take magnesium. Trust me that you can slowly increase your dosage of magnesium until the bowels loosen, then cut back a bit and remain at that level unless you need to adjust it slightly later. It will work!
Most important, though, is getting enough exercise so that the normal muscular peristalsis can resume and proceed on its own. Exercise is SO important in getting all the body's systems back to optimal levels! For instance, walking a distance of 1/2 mile or so at the fastest speed you can maintain is a great start. Do some physically-challenging (for YOU) exercise three times per week ~ you may be amazed to find yourself taking great pleasure in it and looking forward to it on "off" days! ;-) and it is probably the best thing for constipation of all.
I do hope this helps, dear! Please let me know your results ~ and I'm happy your son is seeing improvements! :-D
Hi! My husband and I decided that we would like to give the blood type diet a try. However, I have a couple of questions. Why are there contradictions between the web site and "Eat Right for Your Type"? Also I was wondering if you could tell me if grape seed oil is okay for types O & B? I also had a question about these spices; for O & B; Minced Onion, Onion Powder, Hot Paprika, Zatar- which is made of hyssop, sesame seeds, wheat, salt, olive oil, sumac, parsley, and coriander. Cajun seasoning- Salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, white pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano and thyme. I'd also like to know about the spice ginger for type O. Thank you very much, Sara
Hi! I e-mailed you earlier this month with questions concerning certain spices, and discrepencies between BTD and the web page. Unfortunately I have not been answered yet. I was also wondering whether types O and B can have rice bran oil. Thank you. Sara
Beginning in March, I hope you won't have to wait so long for an answer, Sara. Sorry for the delay! ;-)
The "contradictions" between the Eat Right book published in 1996 and the website here in 2003 are improvements and additions to the research available in 1995. I suppose Peter could have simply left all the food lists at the level of Eat Right. Would have saved him a deal of trouble ~ no new food lists in the subsequent books. And a place to ask questions on the website isn't necessary, either. Hmmm..... Maybe the research should considered finished, and stopped as of now. And these columns simply archived and closed for questions, so that everything remains just as it is. No more changes, ever, after that. Of course, the NAP store would remain open and its staff available for questions on their products only. It's an idea! What do you think?
All the spices and herbs you mention can be found in the TYPEbase 3 database, except for hyssop and sumac. For these we have no ratings, so they are technically "neutral" for people with no extra weight or health complaints. Hyssop I suspect would be quite good for type As and ABs, and neutral or less for Bs & Os. Wild hyssop would do for Bs & Os a bit better, methinks. Sumac has antiviral activity, and is a potent source of vitamin C, along with other properties. It's not listed in LECster! :-) so I've nothing to report as to possible lectins, and I can't give an opinion as to where it stands in the BTD herbarium.
Grapeseed and rice bran oils are also unknowns, so may be considered neutral if you have no weight to lose or other health issue to resolve. It is difficult to find organic sources for these oils, but they certainly have high smoke points and thus are safer for high-heat cooking than any of the other O&B-OK oils. Proceed with care and explore with joy!
Hope these bits of info are of help to you, dear! :-D
Hi Heidi, could you please give us a little info on negative gut bacteria. My friend was having quite a bit of trouble with what she thought was an exterior fungus, went to a naturpath and for $300.00 tested her stool & found she had 3 neg bacteria in her gut. One of the neg bacteria was one that thrived on carbs. The prescription was starve the bacteria-no carbs, make the gut inhospitable-mega vit C, & boost the positive bacteria-Acidolpholis supplement. Mindy is B "positive", I am A- & pending the info you send back I also think I am a NS, I cannot tolerate soy products. So in starving the little buggers I am also starving myself. Feel like I could explode any minute after drinking a glass of pineapple juice, I like it but my stomach burns all day after drinking it, I cannot handle very many fresh fruits I mostly like home canned black cherries & then peaches. Needless to say I am very restless always looking for something to satisfy my needs, I prefer beans but they are very aggrivating to my gut. Do we need to identify all the different little buggers or can we get them all with one prescription. Thanks Cindy
Hoo, boy. OK: If I were struggling with this problem, no matter WHAT my blood type, I'd go straight to www.heallix.com and order at least one bottle of Heallix ~ probably two. Of course, read ALL about it first and ask all your questions of Leo there who is a great human being. Heallix is a tremendously effective substance in (a) chasing the bad guys out, (b) feeding the good guys and (c) healing tissue. ~ Note that (a) and (b) in this case are somewhat simplified, as the "guys" who are bad only attain "badness" through overproliferation, which is permitted and abetted by a bad diet and built-up stresses in the HPA axis (compromising the immune system and digestive efficiency).
It's wise not to bother identifying & quantifying & giving energy to "who's up to what" in the case of gram-negative bacteria OR any others. Lab tests can tell you a bunch, but we don't need that particular information in order to know what to do. Both you & Mindy should do the following: keep strictly to your diets using only Beneficial items (making an exception for neutral oils - you need them for healing -- and don't bother with any of the foods giving you acute distress (that will change once your gut population is in better order!)), and use the antibacterial and antibiotic protocols 4 your types in the BTD Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia on pages 467 and 468. 250 mg of acerola cherry or rosehip Vitamin C twice per day, one tablespoon of ARA6 twice per day, and two caps of PolyFlora first thing in the morning an hour before breakfast and two and hour after your last meal at night, for both of you.
That's the prescription. :-) You probably already know this, but I wouldn't feel right not saying it: Please!! Do not take any prescription antibiotic drugs, OK? It will put you right back to where you were before eventually, only worse. That's not where I want you girls to be.
A HUGE hug to you both, and I want to hear your progress reports! thanks, Cindy! ~:-D
I checked the ingredients for soy sauces and for tamari sauces, and they are basicly the same. However in your new database of foods it lists soy sauce as an avoid for type B's and tamari sauce as a neutral for type B's. Is there something in the processing of the tamari sauce that makes the soy beans less harmful??? Please explain. Dave
Hi, Dave! What you're seeing is the difference between "Tamari (wheat-free)" and "Soy sauce." The ingredients are usually quite different, with soy sauce customarily containing wheat and chemical extracts and/or flavorings and/or colorings. The wheat-free tamari we recommend (organic, of course) is a fully-fermented product with no additives except for a bit of salt in some cases. And it is used in relatively small amounts, being stronger-flavored than the commonly-available soy sauces. A good middle-of-the-road brand is San-J organic/wheat-free in the gold label. There are many fancier, stronger "gourmet" brands with which I'm less familiar.
Hope this helps clear up the confusion, and thanks for your note! :-)
I'm a type B secretor In LRFYT pork is not listed as an avoid for tier one. Does that mean I can have it unless I'm sick or something and need to follow tier 2? Rachel
UGH! I was afraid one of you Bs would ask this question!!! THANKS, RACHEL!! LOL! Well, what I think is that pork should be moved to 'Tier I avoid' for Bs. Especially because Bs are particularly susceptible to slow-growing viruses and pork is known for carrying viral material.
Long ago, Peter posted the following under "Ask Dr. D'Adamo:"
But I can't find any reference to that change in my notes, so I'm going to check this with Peter and post it when he's had a chance to review it and reply. Thanks again, Rachel, and we'll ferret it out for you!! ;-)
Dear Heidi, I've got info for Debbie in England or anyone else in Europe searching for vegetable glycerine. Go to www.healthleadsuk.com on the internet. They have vegetable glycerine in 500ml size, and also have black cherry juice concentrate, as well as other supplements. You can phone them in the UK at 0845 345 8880, or outside the UK at 44 1994 23 1940. Outside UK, the shipping is pretty expensive, so I just made my second order for 12 bottles, and got a good discount. You actually can buy vegetable glycerine in France and possibly other European countries in pharmacies, but it is horribly expensive - and I find the UK source to taste better as well as being more economical. Also to Debbie regarding surgery, she might check with a homeopathic doctor, as there are certainly good ones in England. There are many homeopathic remedies for pre and post surgery that might help her.
Many thanks, my dear!! I'll make a note of your info as well, and it's much appreciated! ~~:-D
Couple of general Qs, specific urgencies, 2 ABs, BTD 4 Soccer, a progress report & announcement ! :-)
August 16th, 2000 , by admin
Progress Report:
Things are going well on the Q Qleanup Quest. I'm only a week or so away from having all the type A and B questions spot up to date, and the two AB Qs still waiting will be answered in this page right 'ere today.
Now, you voluble Os are a different matter. (Notice I say "we Os" when it's something nice, and "you Os" when I'm about to complain. LOL! ;->) I was so pleased to have worked the O list down to 60 unanswered's ~ but this morning, when I harvested the entries from January 5 to today, y'all's bunch of outstanding Qs popped right up to over 175 again. Yee-Ouch! Looking at the history from May 2002 through Jan 2001, Os submit roughly double the number of all other blood type Qs combined ~ averaging around 5-6 Qs daily.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE hearing from all of you! and please, don't anyone stop writing, or I'll stamp my foot and weep!! :-} I just want to warn you that it will take my full originally-projected time before the Os are well and truly answered, every one ~~ and I will probably be testing the limits of the page size here (and the limits of non-Os' patience) by taking quite a few days in each week for all-O Q&A marathons. ;-)
Announcement
It's like the old adage: Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach him to fish, and he eats for a lifetime. To make things a bit more user-friendly, I'm planning to put up a new entry page with directions for finding an answer before posting (or re-posting) and brief note on how things work here in general. Look for it on President's Day (or before)! :-)
Now, back to work! :-)
dear sweet heidi URGENT i am going into hospital on 26th february. thankyou for your recent advice on protocols to do but i quite forgot to ask you what painkillers i should take,i am o nonny.would paracetamols be okay? also are there any healthy painkillers?ie natural ones? years & years ago i had duodenal ulcers so i am loathe to take aspirin any ideas boss? URGENT my dear i'm so sorry to bother you again but i don't know what else to do.i posted enquiries on other webs but no response & i couldn't find anything in your back lists.i am trying to find a source for 100o/o veg glycerine & nutritional yeast flakes.if i can my HFS would order it for me as they have had no luck either in searching for it.also although typebase said nutritional yeast flakes is beneficial for o nonnies would that include o nonnies with candida? thanks for all your time & good work debs from england.ps what exactly does nutritional yeast do too? thankyou for all your good work,especially pot-pourris, thanks debbie from england, xxx
Hi, debs ~ For the painkillers: Check your Live Right book on p. 128 - also, the bottom of page 170 where there are some surgery suggestions including supps, and aspirin once again is mentioned as a no-no. It's a process of elimination of the ones Os are advised against taking, from the list your doctor/surgeon may offer. Just arrange this with them before going into surgery and also make sure they're not going to IV you with anything deleterious (including dextrose).
Nutritional yeast is a powerhouse of B vitamins and protein. Several brands have been mentioned in this column both of vegetable glycerine and nutritional yeast - just pop to the bottom of this page, first search for "glycerine," and second for "yeast." There are many column pages that contain some of this info, so you'll need to just browse through the ones that come up in that search. Best of luck in hospital, dear, and let me know how things go for you! :-)
Heidi: I have a question that is relevant for all blood types. I have been using lecithin granules in my morning smoothie and know it is one of the primary ingredients in the Fluidizer Membrane Cocktail which you recently mentioned is fine for all blood types, even though it is recommended especially for Bs. I was told recently by the health food specialist for my husband's and my grocery store (I'm pleased to say we carry many of the food items you recommend, including organic eggs, chickens, produce and grass-fed beef) that all soy lecithin is genetically modified and there is no non-GMO organic source available. Is this true? And, if so, how does this fact influence Dr. D'Adamo's recommendation for regular consumption of this product? Thanks for clarifying this. Nancy
Nancy, I did a websearch and came up with 10,000 or more hits for the words 'lecithin organic.' Five sites came up in the first page alone, offering organic lecithin. Just do a quick search, you’ll see what I mean. Takes fifteen seconds. As I often mention in my columns, I go first to www.alltheweb.com/advanced. To give you a start, how about http://www.organicingredients.com? Also, please do speak to your HF specialist about doing research of this kind, it is a job necessity in this internet age! and mention, in case s/he is does not already know this, that in the U.S. ALL food labelled "certified organic" by a state-authorized board must be non-GMO food. You're in a wonderful business, and I wish you all prosperity!! :-)
I am AB- Can you tell me isWheat grass and Whey protein is highly benefical, neutral or should be avoided. Thank you-Margie
Hi, Margie! Well, let's go right over to TYPEbase 3 and look for Whey. That one's neutral for you. According to Peter's Ask Dr. D'Adamo column entitled Wheatgrass and Blood Group A, he considers "wheat grass to be an excellent addition to the diet for all blood types." I'd say that means beneficial, eh? And thank you for the reminder, as I should put that item in TYPEbase 3 without delay!
thanks for writing, Margie! :-)
Hedi, thanks so much for all your help in the past. Now I would like, if you have any, some advice over my mum who is AB. I am not going to nag her about BTD, her health is her own responsibility, but if there is any simple advice I could pass on, at least she has the chance to follow it if she wants.
She had breast cancer about 8 years ago but it was found very early & successfully eliminated. She has always had trouble keeping the weight off & for the last few years since retirement has rather piled it on. This week she was diagnosed with high blood pressure & slightly high cholesterol. She also has a bad hip &, in my opinion is just beginning to show the very earliest alert signs of possible future dementia (my sisters disagree but then they have no experience of this & I have). There is no way she is going to adopt the AB diet wholesale. She has to cook a special diet for my diabetic, high blood pressure & high cholesterol, arthritic-kneed Dad (an O who also does not follow the BTD), and would never be bothered to cook two separate diets. Their diet is extemely low in fat & dietary cholesterol, fairly high in grains especially wheat & rice, fairly high in meat & fish, and, they allege, high in veg, though when I go to stay this seems to consist of one veg plus potatoes or pasta. Mum does a lot of gardening & goes for a good walk (she says) every day. The food she cooks is low in sugar but I suspect she eats more cake & ice cream than she's letting on.
Could you let me have any diet adaptations that would give her a few quick wins? What are the few most important avoids for AB? What HB foods could she easily incorporate to improve her health, that would not be even more harmful to my Dad? btw, dad would never eat rabbit in a million years although mum likes it. Once she made a pie, which he ate all unknowing, but when she told him what it was, back it all came!! BTW I have already suggested to my Dad that he cut out wheat & dairy & eat more veg. I have already told my mum that the majority of blood cholesterol is manufactured in the liver & does not come from food cholesterol. Thanks in anticipation of your help. Sarah
I do hope it will be help, Sarah! in any case, here goes:
A serving of oatmeal daily for both of them. Apparently works right beautifully against high blood pressure and high cholesterol in all types. This will probably shove aside their morning serving of wheat, thereby doing even more good.
The worst avoids for ABs are corn, buckwheat, chicken, lima and kidney beans, and MOST of the avoid fishes in the AB diet. They're all equally horrible for her. The second worst avoids, and it's a close second, are all the avoid meats she is eating (which are packing on the pounds, raising her cholesterol and stressing her colon, by the way). There will be little you can do about this. Some doctor has told her "lo-sugar, and/or lo-fat" so "lo-fat/sugar" she will go, dutifully draining the fats off pork and beef, eating whole wheat, and never suspecting she may have paid for truly hazardous advice.
ABs, just like the rest of us, have a vast list of Beneficial dark green leaf vegetables ~ collards, kale, beetroot greens (AND beets), mustard (not for your Dad), then there are all the salad greens, the garlic, broccoli, and all the starchy veg like sweet potatoes and parsnips... this aside from all the neutrals at her command. I mean, the WORLD of veg opens its arms to both of them! For instance: take a look at her ONLY avoids in the 88-item veg list: aloe, artichoke, capers, chilis, abalone & shiitake mushrooms, black olives, peppers, pickles, radishes and rhubarb. Eye-opening, ain't it?
Your Dad would surely eat lamb, turkey, pheasant? or cod, grouper, monkfish, herring, mackerel, perch, red snapper, salmon, swordfish, tilefish... there is a host of fishes quite wonderful for AB and O alike! I've listed only the very commonly available ones. Since he balked at the "idea" of rabbit I shan't try to start him on goat, but goat is often inexpensive and it's very good for both of them - as well as absolutely delicious when roasted.
I've had some small experience communicating these things to an AB. I have learned from my successes as well as my failures!! You might mention to her that the diet of wheat, potatoes and pasta will kill her husband and quite scientifically, too. If she does not mind doing so, nor mind taking care of him whilst he sickens and dies, then the current plan is pretty good for accomplishing her goals and needs no change. You wouldn't think anyone'd respond well to statements of this kind, yet surprisingly some do (notably the ABs of my acquaintance, after a public whinging session and a private good think about it) ~ so I offer it to you for your consideration! ;-)
Sarah, I feel for you -- as I feel for ALL of you out there trying to improve your loved ones' unspeakable diets -- and I must say that giving all information likely to be received cogently, then saying, "Well, now you know what I know and my conscience is clear" is perhaps the best procedure of all for all parties. I know you said you won't pursue the issue with her, and that's the difficult but best path to take. You will be relieved of the tempting pressure to correct their choices in future, and they will be relieved of the fear of your criticism. And, it is surprising indeed what happens when one refuses to comment or argue. Sometimes the resistance to new ideas is fueled by household controversy ~ take away one's own willingness to row over it, and the resistance disappears as well. A month or two down the road, and hey presto! you find out THEY are telling their friends about discovering this wonderful new diet. ;-) Best of luck to you, my dear!! Let me know what transpires, eh? :-)
Hello Mr. D`adamo! I come from Germany and I am a performance sportsman. Now I would like to make gladly the Secretor test and also the urine for indikan test. Are the statements of these tests also translated into German or only in English? Additionally it interests me wheather Diaet is recommended the groups of blood aslo for performance sportsman? I am group of blood of 0 and I am carbohydrates to avoid. In my sport (soccer) these are however normaly very important. Wheat products I stopped to take. I try to keep your diaet and so far I good experience thereby made. Only for me the given portions of a meal are too small. For example meat up to 180 gram. Is it posible to eat 350 gram beef on the day. I hope I get from you very fast a response. In advance thank you for your efforts.I read two books from you and also possess the Example book. Sorry for my bad english. Faithfully Stephan
Dear Stephan! Your English far surpasses my German! and you write perfectly clearly, so let me try to answer your questions.
The O diet is great for performance sportsmen, and will serve you far better than all the carbs your soccer teammates are eating.
To plan your meals for the day: two eggs if desired, one or two servings of meat, one of fowl or fish, four of vegetables (including both greens and starchy veg), four of fruit, one serving of oil (olive, flax or walnut), one of nuts. Have some whole rice or other neutral grain (or beneficial "essene" or Ezekiel bread) three or four times per week maximum. You should eat a variety of the items in the meat, vegetable, fruit groups etc. as much as possible. You can have 225-250 grams of meat or fish or fowl per serving, but all other food quantities should be increased 25-30% as well. This is a "sportsman's variation" of the O diet in Live Right 4 Your Type. Many new foods have been added to the lists since Eat Right 4 Your Type was published in 1996, so it is a good idea to purchase the (newer) Live Right book.
For information on obtaining the secretor test and other testing, please go to www.stacktheme.com and choose the German page if you like ~ there are many helpful people there!
Thank you, Stephan, and good fortune to you in your career!! :-)
Type O Roundup ~ #8 ?? ! Whoo!
August 15th, 2000 , by admin
Hi Heidi - thanks for such a great column! All your hardwork is not going unnoticed - many of us read and learn so much from your column, everyday! I am a type o planning to start a family next year. When is Dr D's book on eating right for your child due out? In preparation for falling pregnant, what does Dr D generally recommend apart from obviously eliminating avoids? Are multivitamins important and which ones? How much folic acid and calcuim should be taken and how long before conception? Anything else us mums to be need consider? I have searched the site for more information on collodial silver which I know you don't recommend. Unfortunately, we can't buy 'Heallix' here in New Zealand. Do you have any other suggestions? What exactly is wrong with collodial silver - is it the process that is used to derive the product? My final question (!) is about energy slumps in the mid afternoon. I also have terrible trouble getting out of bed in the morning - really no energy (unless I sleep around 12 hrs!) even if I have been eating mainly beneficials/no grains etc. I do have low blood pressure and I wonder if that would explain the morning slump? What do you suggest as a good 'energy' supplement for 'o' and what could be causing my 'sleepy head' situation? Thanks Heidi - keep up the good work! Ru
thanks, Ru, you're very kind! :-} The Baby Book is due out at the end of March, since I see Peter will embark on a wackified travel schedule for the book tour at the end of that month. I'm sorry to say I have no pregnancy preparation advice direct from the Doc ~ my best suggestion would be to follow your diet/exercise plan as if you were training for an athletic competition. :-) and get accustomed to the idea of having only very basic supplements, as I've gleaned that many of the herbs & supps which do the average woman good are not recommended during pregnancy. If you could tell me what you are hoping to use the colloidal silver for, perhaps I can suggest an alternative that would be available in NZ? The cost of colloidal is disproportionate to its usefulness for the most part, and the silver does tend to collect in the tissues.
For the morning slumps, start eating your last meal of the day three and a half hours before you go to bed ~ no earlier, no later. Have a very tiny snack an hour later. It's possible you're eating too late or too early -- or, too much or too little -- which can leave you dragging at various times of the day. Are you eating enough protein, and getting a full schedule of exercise? Strenuous activity has a marvelous energy-balancing effect. Too much sleep can be more stressful on the body than slightly too little... Active B12 (methylcobalamin) taken first thing in the morning along with a good shot of sunlight in your eyes (or a dawn-light to wake up by) can help, as well... but there could be so many factors involved that I can't really pin this down without more info from you. Send away! :-)
I'm a Type O, and have been following BTD for almost two years, with very good results. The only problem is that in the last six to eight months, I have had dramatic thinning of my hair. I am of Indian origin, and have always had very thick, dark hair, but lately my hair has started to turn brown, and each individual strand appears thinner than before. I have never chemically treated my hair. Is there anything you recommend, other than the usual Type O diet rules, Vitamin B and folic acid? Farah
Yes: silica (horsetail grass is a good source), oils like flax... walnut... olive, sulfur (plenty of eggs, and supplement with MSM if desired ~ www.msm-msm.com has an excellent product at decent prices), and be aware that pre-/peri-/menopause and/or emotional stresses can precipitate hair changes. If you've been going a little heavy on the grain or a little light on the red meat, reverse it and see if this is useful. Please let me know your response, and thanks for writing! :-)
Dear Heide, today I need some good advice from your kitchen. As a 0 type (and my husband is an A)from Germany I realize that I and mostly we should not eat any milk products, which includes whole cream (whipped cream). However, very often, some whole cream is just what makes this soup and some other dishes tasting delicious rather than only good ;-). In the case of sour cream the ratings concern low and no fat varities. What about normal, rather fat varieties? And what about creme fraiche? In case I/we should avoid all this, what kind of substitute do you advise? Then: Parmesan: there is a variety not made from cow milk but from goat (I believe). Would that be ok? And then, there are some cheeses made from goat or sheep but also treated with some fungus (blue cheese varities, like for ex. Roquefore). Why are these avoids when other goat/sheep cheeses are rated as neutral? Is it the fungus which is considered bad? Many compliments to you personally, and also to the great services and databanks your side gives. Did you ever consider to make those ratings available for a Palms or other kinds of handhelds? Many greetings, Eva
Hi, Eva ~ :-) Wish the copyrights permitted us to make the food lists downloadable ~ I know it would be a great convenience! but I'm sorry to say that at least at this time we can't offer that service. :-}
Well, crème fraîche is a mixture of heavy cream and sour cream. Both no-nos. :-} All the blood type diets can be seen as either a list of things we can have or a list of things we can't. :-) Peppers and tomatoes for A secretors, for instance. Chicken and peanuts for Bs. ABs are hurting over the duck-egg prohibition, I hear... (OK, just kidding!! ;-)) and of course we O nonsecretors can't eat anything that isn't raw meat and river grass. LOL! I've found that the best way to approach things is to find new dishes I *can* eat rather than staying hooked to the old. I wept bitter tears over the gorgeous sherried mushroom cream soup I used to make, I reflected ruefully on the years it took to perfect fine pastry, I had dreams about that aged blue farmhouse cheddar I ate in Cashel, Ireland... then I "drove on." (Not that I don't moan a little now & again over some B's vichyssoise or my A-non man chowing down on a pile of fresh, succulent New Zealand mussels.) But, FOLKS! There's a world of wonderful foods and new recipes for them, just waiting to make your acquaintance and nuzzle a place in your heart and in your family's daily and festive meals.
END of SERMON! :-) Now to actually answer your question... Frankly, I know of no truly undetectable substitute for cream or sour cream. I suggest you experiment with some very soft, fresh goat cheese softened and thinned with water or a bit of soy milk ~ but I haven't tried it. As to the cheese issues, mold is a concern ~ both the visible varieties and that which covers and imbues aged cheeses, along with the milk from which the cheese is made. Some O secretors can't touch cheese at all without either a sneezing fit, a mucus attack, a few days' constipation or all of the above. Others do well on all sorts of goat or sheep's milk products, as long as they eat the Live Right recommended allowance only (which ain't big). So, with your experience on this plan under your belt, I trust you to plot your own course through the cheese jungle! :-) hope these rather subjective answers give you the "flavor" of the issue as I see it... thanks for your questions as always, dear! :-D
My family and I, all O’s, have decided to start on the blood type diet but I’m a little confused. In the Danish translation of BTD, some of the foods have totally different status than those on www.dadamo.com TYPEbase. These are the discrepancies I’ve found. Food item TYPEbase Danish translation Cucumber Avoid Neutral Beer Avoid Neutral White wine Avoid Neutral Apple/juice Neutral(Avoid) Avoid Garlic Neutral(Benef) Beneficial Banana Neutral (Benef)Beneficial Vanilla Neutral Avoid Oatmeal Neutral (Avoid)Avoid Even though it is A it is recommended as a part of the breakfast in the recipe part of the book Cabbage Neutral (Avoid)Avoid These differences are only those I noticed because these food types especially have my interest. Also a new book with a lot of BT recipes, just published, has a leek soup for type O. If leeks are to be avoided for O's then I find it wrong that these kind of errors are escalated because every new book in Denmark are base on the same translated book, but I'll not start to make a lot of fuss if I'm wrong. Further more I’ve a few questions: I don’t see the parsley root mentioned, neither in the Danish translation nor on www.dadamo.com, this is a root I often use and therefore miss the status of. It is said that Goat cheese is Neutral (non-secr: Avoid) but what kind of goat cheese? In Denmark you can have Goat cheese in various kind, Brie cheese, blue cheese, cheddar cheese etc. Further more is it said that feta cheese is Neutral, what kind of feta cheese? In Denmark the feta cheese is normally made from cow milk. Only the low/non-fat variation of the Sour Cream is mentioned, what about fat Sour Cream and Cream (both 38% in DK) are they too to be avoided? Asian Pear, what is that? I haven’t been able to look it up in any dictionary neither at my printed ones at home nor on the net (e.g. Websters).. Is it just another kind of pear or is it a whole other species? When do I know a pear is an Asian Pear? Another question I have is, is it generally that smoked food is not good for O’s? Salmon/smoked salmon. I’ve just bought a Charcoal Smoker to smoke fish and meat. Is it a waste of money or can it be used? Many of the smoked products you can buy today has been chemically smoked. Is there a difference in the way the smoking has taken place and what we can tolerate? The – Essenerbrød, as I see the recipes, it seems to be of no matter which kind of grain is used for this bread. Since wheat is not good for O’s should the bread be made of other grain than wheat or does the process the bread is going through make it better for O’s. I know this is a lot of questions but I like to do this right for both my family and I. Kind regards Annette
Hi, Annette! Well. Hmm... Let's see how briefly and clearly I can answer all your questions. First, BTD is the oldest book we have, the cookbook Cook Right 4 Your Type is second-oldest ~ and the values on TYPEbase supercede the old values. Parsley root is a wonderful thing! No, we have no rating for it, but it is very likely neutral. "Goat cheese" refers to soft, fresh goat cheese ~ not the aged or moldy varieties. Feta cheese is the classic variety, white and crumbly. Sour cream of all kinds has the same status as the listing. Asian pear looks quite similar to a rough-skinned green apple ~ Here is a site with a nice picture of the tree and its fruit. Os are at the least risk from smoked food, and if you are using pesticide-free wood in your smoker, with no petrochemicals or other additives when burning, I think even two servings per week is safe for you. Finally, essene bread is 100% sprouted ~ and yes, that is the process that makes even wheat OK for type Os. Enjoy, and I hope you and your family prosper! :-D
How does a Type O, Hepatitis-C challenged individual adhere to the O Diet without raising blood iron levels? If one avoids organ meats and dark leafy greens, it doesn't leave too much left to graze on, does it? Mo
Aw, you've got plenty left, Mo! I count a bunch of fowl, plus rabbit, and a host of fish to choose from, and all kinds of beneficial veg. Do me a favor: get hold of the BTD Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia and follow the specific Hepatitis protocols for a few weeks. If you're concerned about potential haemochromatosis, see if your doctor can do a blood draw once every month or two? Please write back, I'd like to hear from you!! :-)
Hello Heidi. What is the current thinking on soy in the diet? I find that as time goes on, I'm consuming more soy as a replacement for dairy products: soy protein powder in my morning smoothie, soy milk/yogurt/kefir/cheese, etc. I've heard there is controversy about regular consumption of soy. What do you and Peter say? I'm Type O. Thanks. Nancy
Hey, Nancy! Peter's current thinking on soy is best expressed in the many columns he wrote in Ask Dr. D'Adamo, so stroll on over there and browse. Real eye-openers, some of them!
Soy became famous for its abilities to replace all kinds of dairy foods, meats, even grain in products like bread and crackers, and its market has boomed with the fashion for vegetarianism along with solid evidence of its usefulness against cancer. However, if you look at these claims through the BTD lenses, the lion's share of the benefits go to type As, especially secretors. Os are neither at particular risk for a-like cancers, nor do they need to avoid meats.
The trouble Os run into is trying to replace all the dairy they used to eat with soy. The maximum frequency for the whole bean category is only three servings per week. Try a boiled egg in the smoothie, some farmer, feta or goat cheese now & again, just to allow everything to take its proper place in your diet. There are no miracle foods, and there are hundreds of miracle foods when eaten in the right quantities and proportions for the individual. End of sermon #2! :-D thanks for your Qs, dear! :-D
I have lots of questions, Heidi. Hope you will be able to answer some of them! I have learned of a quality powdered greens product - a mix of 80% barley leaves and 20% alfalfa leaves - that I would like to take. I know that alfalfa sprouts are an avoid for Type O. I have also been told that the mature leaves of alfalfa don't contain the toxins found in the sprouts and seeds. Would it be all right for a Type 0 to use this product? I understand that many people are finding it beneficial. Thank you. Nancy
Ah! While you're over there reading through the soy columns Peter wrote, take a peek under "alfalfa," as well. A question for you: why not use barley and wheatgrass instead? with a dollop of chlorella, if the mood strikes? There are many other greens which can fill the bill without dipping into the avoid foods. Hope this helps!! :-)
For a type O who is a vegetarian (but eats fish), is substituting fish OK for meat. I won't eat meat for ethical reasons so I can't include it in my diet. Please let me know as soon as possible as I'm not sure if its worth continuing on the plan if its necessary to eat some meat. I look forward to hearing from you. ann
Hello, Ann! Using the diet in any way you see fit is perfectly OK. It is a set of guidelines that we know works, and it will work incrementally to the extent you use it. Ethical pesca-vegetarians will certainly do well on it, and may I extend a cordial welcome? :-D
We are a family of O's, convenient but challenging. Came across ERFYT when searching for answers for my daughter(non-secretor) who has had chronic hip, back and knee pain since Jr. HS. Pain had gotten so severe and disabling in High School. This began a search through series of DR's and therapies (including painful Prolotherapy) which helped some but not totally. Most pain now in hips, what I don't understand is that it is most severe when she in having her menstral period. I had always known something was different about her food metabolism as she was very active in sports but had continuous weight problems now believe it is non-secretor status. She now follows O diet with some resistance/resentment and an occasional "Fat weekend". She is 19 yr old college student now. Questions: Why pain during periods? What kind of minimal interventions can she do at that time or as continuous maintanence for good health? (She is resistant to taking too many pills.) Are these symptoms of something bigger going on with her. She had been told some scary stuff by some Dr.s during our earlier search. O Diet has provided more relief than anything else we did but she is not totally pain-free. Many thanks!
Q #2: 17 year old son (O-secretor) is into body building for baseball performance. Has had a history of being slightly heavy then period that bordered on food disorder and loss tremendous amount of weight. Now trying to gain weight and muscle power. He has always been athletic. Also has had tendancy to depression (which we now use Rhodiola for and works well). We disagree on types protein that he uses (whey). Any suggestions for helping him reach his goals as far as supplements or protein powder go. Also, how long can he use Rhodiola? Also can you tell me how to get information that was once on web site for body builder and his nutritional plan. I wanted him to see that and it was gone before I showed it to him. HE follows diet some but not totally...he's a teenager!
Q #3: I am O-secretor age 48. Doing pretty well and try to stick to diet but...not perfectly. Lots of family responsibilities, work etc. Slow metabolism and hard time getting my weight down (desire to lose 15 lbs)and some issues with stable emotions...feel menopausal at times. Recommended supplements for maintenance? Exercise could be better but run all day long just caring for everyone. Would like to know more about guggul and what would be better guggul or bladderwrack to speed up metabolism and for how long?
Q #4: Is secretor status hereditary and could my (Italian)husband be non-secretor since my daughter is? He is resistant to my ideas but generally follows high protein diet for weight control. She inherited his Italian skin/hair color etc. Has cough he believes in allergies he can't get rid of...suggestions?!! Many thanks for all your assistance! This site has been great resource! Virginia
Whoo! This is my day for complex Qs! :-)
OK: #1: When I was a teenager (and before), I had many of the same problems as your daughter's. The first thing I want to say LOUDLY is LET HER KNOW that when a doctor tells her SCARY THINGS he is working AGAINST HER HEALTH. {rant meter approaching critical here.} A physician's words are often taken very deep inside and believed entirely, which DOES have an adverse impact on the immune system and the psychology as a whole. Saying scary things to a young girl is a breach of the Hippocratic Oath, in my opinion. Healing things should be spoken by anyone in this regard, and certainly by the authoritative voice of a doctor. "Ya got nothing to say that will help? Doan say nuthin!!!!" :-} *phew.* thanks for letting me share.
Now to the practical advice: In my case, I was down for the count 25% of the time with dysmenorrhea. An ugly name for an extraordinary, truly psychedelic thing. The high-dosage prescription codeine-based painkillers really weren't putting a dent in the pain and associated fun stuff ~ so, I was put on the Pill. This was great, because although I turned into a lunatic and came to believe it was my nature, I had no more pain and didn't flood seven days out of the 28. I don't suggest she go that route.
It is no surprise to me that her hip pain increases during menstruation, as I vividly recall that sensation. There is swelling in the tissues and a change in the ligaments and tendons at that time, so if she can avoid all grains and sugars for four days before the onset, the effects will be lessened considerably.
She's in college, so stock her up with Phytocal, PolyFlora and Deflect, and give her a straight food list for nonsecretors from Live Right with Beneficials in Green, Neutrals in Blue or Purple or some nice color, and Avoids in Red. Use the O nonsecretor pyramid I posted a while back to make up a paragraph at the beginning: Meat/Fowl so many times per week, etc. Her diet in college will NOT be exemplary! but if she wants to succeed in her work, she'll soon notice how the foods make study and practice easier or harder, how her periods go and how her skin and body look. That's it. Let her find her own way. Never let it develop into her-against-Mom about the diet. She's got all the knowledge she needs and she's a big, smart girl, so it's time to Let Go and Let Daughter. Wash your hands of it and perfect the smiling response, "That's nice, dear." You are frowning now, but you'll thank me for this! LOL! :-D
#2: Do a food list for your son, too, and mention that nutritionists charge big money for this kind of service but he's getting it for free. :-) then go right ahead and drop it all with him, too. ~;-D Your son can use egg protein (Jarrow, perhaps?) in conjunction with nutritional yeast (KAL is by far my favorite brand). Second choice would be soy protein. Tell him I said to spring for ORGANIC protein powder, if he's going to be using a lot of it. But never replace a meal with a shake. And go easy on the beer. ;-> We type Os are so beautifully suited to sports, but often so ill-equipped to deal with the hogwash that comes along with them ~ and I don't just mean the cheap suds. I do salute him for pursuing that grandest of team sports, and wish him well in all things!!! and... Can't find that bodybuilder article. Do you remember the name of the person? I'm kind of embarrassed here, but I don't remember and it's rather difficult to search the site without having a file "handle." Just drop me a note and I'll ferret it out for you!
#3: Hrrmmm... I'd start with two tablespoons of maca per day, which will begin to alleviate any hormonal-related energy and weight issues. Tweak it as you see the results, and add some bladderwrack as well, if you wish. You know, my friend... that kind of running-around-taking-care-of-others does rather the opposite of exercise ~ wears you down and tires you out while increasing your stress levels. Your kids are well old enough to take charge of themselves. Doesn't Mom deserve some care and her own time, too? How about an hour every other day for a nice workout? Is this so much to ask? Honestly, you'll feel so much Better! Different! in ways I can't truly describe in words. If you like, right now think of it as what you need to do in order to keep taking care of the other three whilst working and cooking and cleaning and keeping up with everything else you do. And, feed well! That leftover piece of steak is YOUR snack! Jolly well right up with the meats, fish, turkey, etc., with as much veg as you can hold. It's cook's prerogative. Don't undereat in hope of dumping that last 15 pounds ~ your energy levels will take care of it for you if you don't starve yourself. And do take that three hours in the week's 168 just for your own workout, or I shall fuss at you something fierce. Deal? ;-)
#4: Your husband could be a secretor or a non. There are two secretor genes, and they follow the typical pattern of dominant (secretor) and recessive (nonsecretor). What we DO know is that he at least has a recessive nonsecretor gene (so do you), since your daughter is a non and she needed two non genes to turn out that way. It's like being an O in that respect, in that O is recessive to A and B ~ so a type A person and a type B person together can have a type O child and be thoroughly confused (until they write and ask me. :-)). Two secretors can produce a nonsecretor child, but we don't know if that's the case in your family. Anyway, the classic cough-that-persists in type Os is most commonly defeated with one or two days of dairy avoidance. It happens that fast! I wouldn't necessarily present him with this info, but rather plan a few days' meals with no dairy (and have something besides coffee to drink if he uses it with milk or cream). Just test it out on him, if possible. A weekend would do if he works full-time and eats "at will" when away from home.
I honestly commend you for doing your best to take such good care of your family ~ I truly hope these suggestions will be of use to you!! thank you for writing, Virginia ~ it's a pleasure to hear from you! :-D
Maca, notes for Helene, and a Canadian article on WHEAT! :-)
August 14th, 2000 , by admin
Hey Heidi! In several columns recently you mentioned maca root powder for both O's and A's as part of a weight loss / bloating solution. I find no reference to this in any of the books. When I researched it, I found out it's considered the equivalent of an herbal 'Viagra,' and made from some kind of potato or yam. Since both of those are avoids for A's, and ... qualified in O diet, could you please shed some light on this? What is it, what does it 'do,' who can use and who should not, etc.? Also, wasn't exactly looking for an aphrodesiac! Thanks! Thanks! Marissa
Hi, Marissa ~ Maca is neither a potato nor a yam ~ most of the root sold in the U.S. is Lepidium peruvianum Chacón, no relation to our Solanum tuberosum (taters) or Dioscorea villosa (yam). You will see loads of internet companies marketing maca as an aphrodisiac ~ this is due primarily to the fact that so many people are eager to buy aphrodisiacs, oddly enough. Anyway, let me refer you to a better source of information on this plant: http://www.rain-tree.com/maca.htm There the various claims are rectified and made proportional to the reality! :-)
I often suggest supplementing with maca because in my experience, people very often find it has a significant beneficial effect in several health areas. I suspect this is due to some deficiency in their diets which maca fills, which would have been difficult to trace, identify and supply otherwise. It is certainly a nutrient-packed food! Even for those who eat an exemplary diet (so far as we can tell), maca has had a marked effect on energy levels, PMS and pre-/menopausal symptoms, and general "outlook" (scientific term, lol!) where those were areas in which improvement was desired. Therefore, since it shows harm for none and potential for all, I hope those who feel they might benefit from it will give it a go. In terms of our food lists, it is yet untested, therefore an unknown. Hope this helps, dear! ;-)
Hi Heidi! Thanks for your answer awhile back, on the camping food. I hadn't even thought of buying my own dehydrator, now there is the nose in front of my face, what a great idea! I am appreciating. I noticed something in the letter from Helene the 79 yr old German lady -- she has craves sweets and also doesn't seem to be eating much protein (though I don't know gram measurements). That combination is always a red flag for me -- Protein deficiency can cause sweets craving, for me especially chocolate, and I can actually monitor my protein intake by whether I think of chocolate. I have also read that older people are most likely to be protein deficient and dehydrated. Protein deficiency would sure give her fatigue! Hope it helps, (o: Maia
A note for Helene (2/4/03): My sister is a type O and has found that if she isn't eating enough protein, she craves sweets, especially chocolate. Ginger
Thanks for Your Page! Great! Concerning the Question of Eva from today (Feb 4th): There is a paradise butcher down in Germany there, and they produce a far out pure calfliversausage, and many other products from beef or calf. No pork contained. But the calfliversausage is the best realy. Yours Georg (not connected to this butcher...) Böckle Landmetzgerei, Tel. 0049-(0)8374-8319 Fax -6230 http://www.metzgerei-boeckle.de/
Whoo, lovely advice all round! Thank you so much, friends!! I'm sure Helene will benefit from your kind offerings!!! :-D
Study on link between wheat and diabetes
[this story may be of interest to you. it is from the Ottawa Citizen of feb. 5. Cheers ~ Blaine]
FEB 05, 2003 THE OTTAWA CITIZEN PAGE: A1 / FRONT (NEWS)
Ottawa researcher links diet, childhood diabetes
Wheat protein pinpointed in pioneering study
Tom Spears, The Ottawa Citizen
For years the medical textbooks all agreed on one thing: Type 1 diabetes, the kind that strikes in childhood, is not caused by a person's diet. This didn't make life easier for Fraser Scott, an Ottawa medical researcher looking for things in our diet that do cause the disease. How do you ask for funding to investigate a connection that doesn't exist? This makes his team's discovery a little sweeter.
They have just published findings in the Journal of Biological Chemistry that show a protein in wheat appears to cause some children's immune systems to attack the wrong target, damaging their body's own cells and causing diabetes.
Dr. Scott first got the idea when he worked at Health Canada in the early 1980s. He was experimenting with a strain of lab mice bred to develop diabetes easily. But when he put the mice on a restricted diet, he noticed something odd. Mouse after mouse stayed healthy, showing no signs of diabetes. At first he suspected someone had sold him a batch of dud mice. But he tried again with more mice and got the same result. Maybe diet is important after all, he concluded.
Wheat seemed a possible candidate: Children with Type 1 diabetes (once called juvenile diabetes) often have celiac disease, an inability to digest wheat. He decided to have a closer look at wheat. Dr. Scott, Amanda MacFarlane and Karolina Burghardt at the Ottawa Health Research Institute and colleagues at the University of Ottawa and in Finland have isolated one protein in wheat that appears to cause the trouble. They scanned through one million candidate proteins from wheat, narrowing the field first to three that caused reactions in the immune system, and finally to one that is linked to damage in the islets, parts of the pancreas that produce insulin, which helps the cells break down sugar.
Diabetes occurs when the pancreas loses the ability to produce insulin. "To put it in the simplest terms, some individuals have an abnormal immune system," he says. A proper immune system should attack germs in our food, but not the proteins, of which we eat untold thousands every day. But when the immune system goes off course and starts attacking the proteins in wheat, he suspects that it keeps going on its destructive course and starts attacking the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas as well.
Somehow, he believes, wheat has mobilized these disease-fighting cells into full-scale attack mode -- but against the wrong target. These destructive cells in the immune system "are just sitting there until something stimulates them," Dr. Scott says. "Then they expand, migrate to the pancreas, and cause a long period of inflammation that ultimately kills the beta cell," the cell that makes insulin.
Other infections may also play a role, possibly making this immune attack worse. In his lab, one wheat protein called Glb1 caused blood from people and rats with diabetes to "light up" in an immune reaction. That appears to clinch the link with diabetes. If his findings hold up, this will be the first protein in food shown to cause at least some diabetes. (The disease also has genetic causes but isn't purely genetic: If one identical twin has it, chances are only about 30 per cent that the other twin will have it, despite having all the same genes.)
The team hasn't made the type of discovery that will create new drugs. But they do see some uses for the findings. It's possible, they believe, that exposing babies to the wheat protein at an early age, when the immune system is still learning what's an enemy, can "teach" the immune system not to react to wheat later in life. Another possibility is that people with family histories of diabetes may want to avoid wheat, "but that's a really grim diet," Dr. Scott say. His co-author Illimar Altosaar, who teaches food biochemistry in the medical school at the University of Ottawa, has started making "knockout" varieties of the wheat they used, removing just the one protein linked to diabetes. He wants to see whether rats fed the knockout variety will still develop diabetes. Wheat blends thousands of proteins, he said, "to make all the magical things we know in baking: the dough, the aroma, the mystique of bread, the baguette in a bicycle pannier. It's a very, very complex matrix." Looking for wheat varieties that don't have the problem protein "is the first thing we have to do," he added. Food scientists may also decide to engineer or breed a wheat variety without that protein.
Blaine, thanks so much for that article. I must disagree with Dr. Scott that wheat-free = "grim," but I applaud him for soldiering on with the research on this modern monster. :-) The more, the merrier in this field! Do you think I should suggest spelt to him as the first 'wheat-ish' place where that "problem protein" might not be found? Better yet, let's send him a link to this website! Even better yet, how about a copy of Eat Right and Live Right, for starters?
~:-) thanks again, dear!! most appreciated!!!
Type B Roundup ~ #5 !
August 13th, 2000 , by admin
on page 332 of the ERFYT Encyclopedia Peter recommends 200 mg of melatonin per day for B's insomnia. Most tablets are 3mg. Is this a typo? Rachel
Hi, Rachel! Here's what I wrote in a July 2002 column in response to a similar question:
:-)
Hi Heidi, Quick B question: What (if any) are the dietary/exercise implications for those of us who are B(o), as opposed to B(b)? Many thanks for your time! I very much enjoy your column each day, always learn a great deal. (Although I still hope that when I pop in the great and wonderful old BB will magically be restored! Dear Santa...) Cheers! Kathleen
Hey there, Kathleen! The recessive O gene carried by some type B (and A) individuals does not have any significant impact upon diet or exercise, as far as we know. That's why Live Right made no distinction between heterozygous (Bo or Ao) and homozygous (BB or AA) As & Bs for purposes of the diet/exercise plans. However, if any researchers out there are interested in the topic, their findings would be welcome! :-) and I'm happy you enjoyed the boards while they lasted ~ so did I! :-D
Hi Heidi. I am Type B with a long history of digestive candida problems. I have kept it under control with a strict yeast free diet. I have been on the "B" diet for a month now and feel 75% better than I've felt in years! Last week I started the protocols for Fungal Disease, Candidiasis (Digestive). I was not sure which protocol to do first or how many to do at a time. I an doing the 6 week Yeast/Fungus Resistance Protocol and was thinking of starting the 4 week Immune-Enhancing Protocol in four weeks and the 4 week Intestinal Health Protocol in 6 weeks. Does this sound good or do you have any suggestions?
I also had a very hard time choosing the herb tinctures. Most of them were not 1:1 so I wasn't sure how many drops to use. For example, the oregano I bought says 4 drops, 2-3x/day and the Thyme (1:5) says 30-40 drops 2-4x/day. BTD says 4-7 and 5-10 drops, respectively. If I follow ER4YT will I get the proper doses? Will you suggest 1 or 2 internet companies I can order from next time? I also have not found Jobs Tears or Codonopsis anywhere.
I have not yet have the secretor test, but lean towards believing I am non-secretor because I have a tendency to get more non-secretor illnesses. My dentist told me I have the kind of saliva that fosters bacteria and a tendency to more cavities. He also said that about my 10 year old daughter who has no cavities. Is he somehow able to see that we are non-secretors??
Also FYI, I have only been eating Beneficial and Neutral "B" foods for both secretors and non-secretors until I know my secretor type. Are there certain foods in those catagories I need to eat less of (ie grains)?
One last question. I have recently turned my friend onto reading BTD. She once had a test for being a bone marrow donor and only knows her HLA Phenotype is A2, A23, B44. Can you tell me her blood type from this? Thanks for your help! Laura
Greetings, Laura! If you'd like to do more than one protocol concurrently, that's fine ~ but I would do no more than two at one time, and if you wish to repeat a protocol, leave two weeks between ending it and re-starting it. About the tincture dosages: the ratio you're seeing (1:1, 1:5) means "Quantity of HERB-to-Quantity of SOLVENT" (alcohol, water, whatever is used). Use the dosage recommended in the Encyclopedia ~ thyme is an efficacious herb, even taken as a weak tea.
To find herbs (to find just about anything, actually!), go to the 'www.alltheweb.com/advanced' search page. For job's tears, specify "exact phrase." And you might want to use the filters to remove the term "bible" or something like that, so you don't bring up all the religious sites while seeking the herb. I often choose "must include" and put the Latin name of the herb in that field, so that I don't pick up a slew of unrelated sites. I saw many online sellers of both job's tears and codonopsis, so I'm sure you'll find a few to research!
Your dentist seems very observant, but as to the basis of the observations, I'll pass. Why not ask him exactly what qualities of your & your daughter's saliva he has established as evidence of being cavity-prone? ;-) Fascinating! :-)
Your strategy of eating no secretor OR nonsecretor avoids is a good and safe one, for now. To get all the details on portions and frequencies for the various food groups re secretors vs. nonsecretors, use Live Right 4 Your Type ~ it has a wealth of information on these and many other matters close to our polymorphic hearts!
Sorry to say that knowing your friend's HLA phenotype doesn't give us a way to determine her ABO type. ABO and HLS tissue type are coded on entirely different genes, so one can't tell us about the other. However, an ABO test via the blood type kit sold in our Store is cheap, quick, and highly accurate. Don't delay! :-D thanks so much for writing, Laura!!
In your book "cook right for your type" on page 330 you list gado-gado
as beneficial for type B but peanuts are strong avoid for type B. I
love gado-gado but fear this is an error/ contradictions.
also since i love tomatoes, and tomato sauce, chutney etc i am very
interested in finding out if I am a non-secretor. How I do I find this
out. I am B+ thank you for your help Jorie
Hi, Jorie ~ Yes, that's a typo in the ratings box. As the text says, it's great for people who "can eat peanuts." :-) Try making it with almond or walnut butter instead! There are two ways of ascertaining your secretor status: by getting your Lewis (blood) type through your local doctor/laboratory, or by using the Saliva Secretor Test available from our Store here. Hey! I hope your results turn out to be what you hope for! take care, dear, and thanks for your note! :-D
I'm a B+, and I was wondering what the difference between string chesse (Avoid), and mozerella cheese (Beneficial) was? Also, in the paragraph before the listing of Oils in the Live Right book, it mentions that Black currant oil and walnut oil are beneficial, but in the list they are neutral. I was wondering if I misunderstood something there?! Thank you, Wendy
Hello, Wendy! Here is a column I wrote about mozz vs. string cheese in July of last year. I found it by going to the bottom of this page, typing in "string" and hitting the search button. It's called, predictably enough, "Mozzarella vs. "String" Cheese ~ Type B." For your question about the text in Live Right, just go straight to the Updates Page linked on the main page of this site at the bottom of the "Library" section. Once there, just do a simple "control-f" search for, let's say, walnut. You'll find the answers your're seeking! :-)
I have some moose meat in the freezer and am wondering if it is OK to eat -- I am a Type B and my husband is a Type O. Moose isn't mentioned anywhere on this site or in the books! Julie
Wow! Lucky you, Julie! No, moose isn't listed, but beef is neutral for you and venison is beneficial, so I'm sure moose is at least neutral for Bs. Technically, of course, it is an "unknown" ~ so for those people who are happy with their health and weight, it may be considered ... yep, "Neutral!"
The moose is a member of the same subfamily as deer, or venison (Odocoileinae). A magnificent and ancient-looking fellow, he is our largest North American land mammal, sometimes reaching seven feet in height and a weight of over 1500 pounds. I guess most of you know all that, but I'm babbling from a very soft spot in my heart for the moose ~ childhood memories! :-) Anyway, I'm quite confident that it is good for you, and I'm nearly certain it's beneficial for your husband! Enjoy!
Hi, My wife and I have purchased a number of Dr D'adamo's books (Eat Right 4 Your Type, Cook right... , The complete encyclopedia... etc)and have been doing our best to follow the diets and remedies, to hopefully live a healthier life. I have two questions. The first thing I have found confusing is the Membrane Fluidizer Cocktail suggested for Type B's on page 167 of the Eat Right 4 your type book. I am type B and I have been drinking this cocktail for many months now. I purchase Lecithin granules from our local health food store and have realised that the lecithin is a 100% soya product. I have noticed that in Dr D'adamo's Eat Right 4 Your Type Complete blood type encyclopedia (on page 518) it states that type B's should avoid Soy granules (Lecithin). I am a little confused about what is correct as it seems a little contradictory, any explaination would be greatly appreciated.
The Second confusing issue for me is wheat products, as a type B I have changed my grain/flour preferences to a more rice and oat base. However, I have found that Dr D'Adamao suggests that Wheat Flour should be avoided, however Plain and Self-raising Flour are seen as neutral. When I look at the ingredients of Plain flour I have purchased it states Wheat Flour as the main ingredient. Is there something in the process which makes these flours ok for Type B's? Thankyou for allowing me to summit these questions and all thankyou for researching this way of life as I feel it is helping me enjoy a healthier life. Regards, Paul
Hello, Paul ~ Lecithin is still neutral for all types, sorry for the confusion! Its status has been clarified in TYPEbase 3 and in the Updates Page (linked at the bottom of the "Library" section on the home page).
About those flours, it is "whole wheat" and "gluten" or "high-gluten" flour and breads that are to be avoided. The plain and self-rising flours (the latter has leavening mixed in) are neutral because they contain no wheat germ or wheat bran. I do hope this makes the dark light, and I'm very pleased you're happy with the B diet!! :-D
hello Heidi! I am a type B+ and on the diet for quite some time now...I feel great and have lots of energy. Actually I haven't really had to change my eating habits too much because on the diet, I'm allowed to have most of the foods I love. However, one of my favorite foods, olives!!!--is not allowed. (I like the Greek variety, not canned). What is it about olives that makes them undesirable for type B even though the oil is fine? (I cheat about once a week and eat them.) Thank you so much for your great column! Thanks again, Jennifer
Hey there, Jennifer! The effect of olives upon your digestion is quite different from the effect of olive oil. I suggest going to TYPEbase 3 and entering the search term "olive." You'll come up with a number of links for further information, on lectins, allergenic potential, etc. Olives do contain olive oil, but there is lectin activity, as well as other active compounds, in the flesh of the olive, hence its varying status for the ABO types vs. that of olive oil.
So just promise me you won't overdo 'em, ok? and thanks for your kind compliment, dear! :-)
I have secondary breast cancer being controlled by drugs. I am blood type B and have been living on the type B diet for two years. As a type B I'm allowed beef and lamb and some dairy products as I'm sure you know. The trouble is all the established anti cancer diets insist on no red meat and no cows milk. If i cut out these from my B type diet I am not eating all the foods neccessary to be healthy according to Dr D'adamos advice.What should I be doing? Please can you help me? I'm very confused?! Gillian
Hello, Gillian! The established anti-cancer diets of which you speak are one-type-fits all, but do the most good for types A and AB. For your type, meat and dairy are indeed good for you ~ but in your position, make especially sure they come from organically fed, free-ranged, medicine-free animals.
To speed your healing and build protection against recurrence, please get hold of Live Right 4 Your Type and the BTD Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia. LR4YT contains expanded guidelines and food lists, for which you need your secretor status in order to fully benefit. The Encyclopedia has anti-cancer protocols designed for each type. Please dive right into all this, and I want to hear how you're doing, OK? Drop me a note now and again, if only for a progress report. Take care and my best wishes follow you!! :-D
Hi- I'm a 44 yr. old ,blood type B ,I.D.D. ,overweight . Could you tell me what I can eat when using the food combining methods of not eating concentrated proteins with carbohydrates. Also for excercize where would Pilates fit in - physical or relaxation ? Ingrid
Hey there, Ingrid! I can give you a simple guideline: Grains should be eaten only with vegetables -- no beans, eggs, fish, fowl or meats. Those high-protein foods may be eaten with vegetables. Vegetables, in fact, may be eaten with anything except fruit. Fruit should be eaten alone, whether singly or in combination with other fruits. Oils, butter and ghee may be added to any of the non-fruit meals.
And do include a handful of dried seaweed (dulse, or kelp, is commonly available and quite tasty) in your diet every day. Seaweeds count as a vegetable if you are using food combining.
Pilates is a stretching/balancing routine which would fall somewhere along the lines of light exercise for you. For stress-relief, choose tai chi, meditation, or a visualization practice. Good luck, dear, and write again!
:-D
Type A Roundup ~ #6 !
August 12th, 2000 , by adminHi, Olympia! About kambucha, (also "kampucha" or "kombucha") I haven't a clue. We have no similar listing for this substance. For those of you unfamiliar with the name, it is the 'manchurian tea mushroom' ~ not an actual mushroom as we understand it, but rather a colony of yeast and bacteria. Kind of like the "tea" version of sourdough starter. It appears to create a kind of acidic, laxative and possibly probiotic substance in the two weeks it sits in the tea, but we haven't tested it and can't comment as to the benefits or detriments of drinking it. What I do know is that kombucha tea may have any of several ingredients including sweetened black tea (traditional) ~ black tea is an avoid for everyone except B secretors and A nonsecretors, even with the tea fungus added to it. Other than that, I guess it will have to be considered "neutral unless you've got health complaints!" just like nearly all of our other "unknowns." :-) Neat question, Olympia ~ thanks!! :-D
Hello Heidi, Thanks for your info.on vegemite a while ago.I had no trouble giving it up. However, I noticed on a gardening program recently that it is good as a plant supplement, especially for pot plants which can get a bit neglected. Which leads me to reflect on plants and their needs and antipathies, where perhaps the practice of companion planting comes into play?
On another topic, my thyroid supplement has an ingredient called aspartic acid. Is this related to the dreaded aspartame?
Third question on identification of mushrooms: are 'silver dollar' domestic and button mushrooms the same thing? (3-4 cm diameter, with a white rounded cap and usually grown in controlled environs) What are 'field mushrooms'known as by their technical name so that I can identify thjem on the food lists?? In Australia they are the bigger ones, 7-8 cm across, with a flatter top and more luscious flesh. Thanks as always, I've just passed my 3 month anniversary of erfyt,and with very high compliance, can always tell when I have stepped outside the food list, even in a minor way. I like to do this occasionally, just to prove the truth of the system! Cheerio, Jenny
Hey there, Jenny ~ About your thyroid supp: is this free aspartic acid (aspartate)? If so, I would immediately discuss with your doctor the possibility of switching to another type of supplement. Aspartic acid unbound to protein is an excitotoxic amino acid which can trigger a spike in aspartate plasma levels. This has been shown to be hazardous to the brain ~ killing brain cells in areas not protected by the blood/brain barrier. Do have a talk with your physician about this. Aspartate is not aspartame ~ rather, it is one of the ingredients in aspartame, along with methanol and phenylalanine. It does make up its share of the hazard, though.
This UK mycology/sales site's Latin naming of the field mushroom as Agaricus campestris is correct ~ however, look carefully at the photo they provide. It's possible that what you're finding in your markets is actually the portobello (sometimes referred to as Agaricus brunnescens), the largest variant of Agaricus bisporus (the button/silverdollar/domestic mushroom (yes, those three terms refer to the same mushroom) as well as the cremini mushroom). ~ For your reference, field mushroom would have the same rating as portobello in the food lists.
And I'm very pleased to hear how well you're doing!! And you've discovered your body's ability to recognize avoids, as well... great work, and best wishes to you, Jenny! :-D
Hi Heidi Thanks for the last few columns - you have been very busy! I am actually responding to the question you answered about whiting and hake. The fish issue is indeed difficult and I wonder if our local hake may not be an allowed food instead of an avoid as it is one of the easiest types of fish to find. I know that it might be difficult, but will it not help if we could have the scientific names of the avoid fish? I do eat our cape whiting after I saw that it is allowed. After wondering about what is meant by whitefish on the foodlists, I did some research and came accross a website that I feel can be a great help regarding the fish issue (http://ibs.uel.ac.uk/fishbase/fishgen.htm). I found out on this site that our local "Wit Steenbras" is actually what will be referred to as whitefish and after doing a search on hake, I came accross quite different scientific names than the one you mentioned (Urophycis tenuis). This made me wonder if indeed our hake are an avoid or not! To me it seems as though whiting and hake might be the same fish - can you comment because it will make life a lot easier to know the scientific names of those fish that should be avoided. Thanks a lot and have a wonderfull new year - and a rest which I am sure you need. eurika
Ah, another die-hard fish fan! :-) Thank you for that link, Eurika ~ since it is a UK site, it will prove useful for figuring out UK fish 'market names' and their Latin equivalents.
Remember that the values established for our food lists are the result of tests done on American market-named items. So, to find out the Latin name of the fish we have a value for, first go to the FDA Seafood Name Search and enter our lists' name (which is a "market name") for that fish. You'll find the Latin name appended, which can be used to find the equivalent (pretty much... even Latin names are not consistent in all countries) in the UK fish database you linked, or in other countries' seafood databases.
If you follow this procedure with "whiting," you'll see a great number of hits come up in the FDA search ~ whiting is a very commonly-applied vernacular moniker. Here's where the work comes in: scroll down until you find fish with a market name of whiting. There are several -- but you don't want the European, or Argentinian, or Patagonian, or South African, etc. "whiting." You want the AMERICAN (native or commonest) fish, either Atlantic or Pacific, as the others are listed only because they are registered imports. Merluccius bilinearis is its Latin name, and is the reference against which other fish may be compared.
Whiting is a member of the Gadidae, a huge family of fishes including cod, hake, and pollock. Our "whiting" has a vernacular name, "silver hake," which can further confuse the unwary! :->
In the case of "whiting" and other names which cover a broad range of fish among various countries, it may prove illuminating to do a websearch for photos ~ for comparison with the fish you've got at home there in SA. For instance, HERE is an eastern coastal American site with a nice illustration accompanied by a description of the fish. For comparison with our "hake" (Urophycis tenuis), see THIS photo!.
*Phew!* That's all the space we've got for pescatorial procedures! but I hope this is further help to all of you when comparing your local fishes against the blood type diet listed items!! :-D
I am type A, Caucasion, female, age 50. I had my gall bladder removed a year and a half ago and I wondered if there are any special considerations in the type A diet that I should be aware of in order to compensate for the lack of a gall bladder. Thank you. Terrie
Hi there, Terri! I think the straight-A diet will be ideal for you, as it is naturally low in cholesterol and fat, so will not call unduly on your bile production. All the gallbladder does is concentrate the bile before release ~ you'll still have bile to digest fats (it's produced in the liver), so it's not a significant loss! but you should eat only very small quantities of fat at one meal, so that the bile released directly from the liver will be adequate for fat digestion. Do maintain your yoga practice, as it is a great healer and balancer. Thanks for writing, dear! :-D
I have a question concerning secretor status In your book Live right for your type ( in danish - lev efter din blodtype ) you dont mention as many types of food as you do in your book Eat right for your type ( in danish - spis efter din blodtype ). Example: Shrimps. Mentioned in Eat right for your type - iam an A-type, so i should not eat shrimps.But shrimps not mentioned in Live right for your type, so i need to know what to do when food not mentioned in Live right for your type. Look forward to be hearing from you soonest. best regards Susanne
Greetings, Susanne ~ I'm not sure why the Danish book does not list "shrimp," but no matter ~~ just go to the TYPEbase 3 database on the front page of this site, and search for the food you're seeking. Remember to hit the "search" button -- hitting your enter key does not work on that page. Live Right 4 Your Type includes a multitude of foods that were not included in Eat Right -- could you give me a few more examples of the ones you're missing in your edition? thanks, dear! :-)
Hi, The ER4YBT diet was "suggested" to me by my naturopathic physician a little over a month ago as a result of recently being put in a high risk category for breast cancer. I read the book in one night and, though the Type A diet is very restrictive and many of my favorite foods are on the Avoid lists, I intuitively felt it made a lot of sense and began the diet immediately. My question regards soy. I eat tofu everyday for lunch (I've found some great recipes and have even converted a couple of friends from work to at least some tofu). I lift weights 6 days a week so need a lot of protein. I also drink a soy protein shake every day and put soy protein in my morning oatmeal. Because of my workout routine I need to eat six times a day so two other meals are generally soy cheese and a soy based energy bar. I save my chicken and fish for dinners so my husband and I can eat the same dinner. I've recently read that soy can be bad for you. Dr. D'Adamo does address this in one of his other books, but I'm still concerned. As an A+ can I overdose on soy? If I'm eating too much soy, is there another good source of protein that I can use instead. Thanks for your help. Lonnie
Hi, Lonnie! Sure, you can eat too much of anything ~ simply because too much of one thing means other things aren't making it into the meal plan! :-> It's GREAT you have a knowledgeable naturopath who uses the BTDs in practice. Please discuss the following with him or her, as I'm sure s/he'll agree that a robust cancer prevention strategy cannot rely on one substance alone.
I highly recommend the more recent book, Live Right 4 Your Type in conjunction with the Updates Page, as this book provides portion and frequency guidelines for each food group -- as well as a plethora of lifestyle advice. Also, get familiar with the TYPEbase 3 database for quick food value reference.
For instance, type A secretors are allowed 5-7 servings of beans & legumes per week ~ that's a maximum of one per day. However, their veg/fruit allowances are far higher.
All of the diets have their foundation in vegetables and fruit, with the protein sources taking up a much smaller percentage of the total daily food volume. Those masses of plant life are an integral and extremely important part of the diet's cancer-protection effects. So don't skimp on them in favor of soy or any other protein source.
I wrote a column some time back entitled Meal Planning for the Masses! ~ It sets out guidelines for figuring out what one's ideal daily/weekly diet is, and how to organize same for shopping lists. Have a good look at it ~ I think it can simplify the process of making full use of the food plans. thank you so much for your note, Lonnie ~ don't be a stranger!
:-)
Why does my nose almost randomly run, just like water? I could be eating a meal or watching tv and then all of a sudden, my nose runs like water. I'm Blood Type A. I've completely switched over to the Blood Type A diet 2 years ago. The results have been short of miraculous. I used to power body build but now I read, go for walks and listen to calming music. My weight was about 220lbs at 37 inch waist. Now I weigh about 158lbs at 29.5 inch waist. My blood pressure was around 160 / 100, now its around 100 / 60. I used to have very dangerously high iron levels, now its optimal. Lots of sinus and throat mucas, now very little. No more white blotches in my nails, no more pink eye or ear infections. I haven't felt this good my entire life. I'm 30 years old now but I've been told I look 25'ish. My close friend is also 30, doesn't eat right for his blood type and looks in his late 30's to early 40's. Adrian
Hey, Adrian! Nice to hear from you! :-) Well, type As certainly have a plentiful talent for mucus production (a wonderful thing for protection against "invaders"), and what is happening now is the result of the healthy, watery mucus very capably washing away any inhaled or ingested irritant. Keep a mini food diary - whenever that faucet starts running, make a note of what you ate in your last meal. Get a picture of the patterns over a month or so, and see if there are certain things usually present in a meal when the waterworks appear. :-) You may find there is a food item or two which is prompting the immune response.
and... WHOO-HOO!!! Grand results, just grand!! Enjoy them to the fullest!!
~~:-D
Type O Roundup ~ #6 !
August 11th, 2000 , by adminHeidi, I enjoy reading your column and appreciate getting answers to some of my questions by reading your answers to other's questions. I am a 43 yr old female, O+ and have been on the diet and exercising for 2 months. It has been a BIG change for me because I previously had a grain(mostly wheat and corn) based diet and a lot of dairy as well. I have been quite strict about avoids, and tried to eat as many beneficials as possible. However, because of financial reasons, I have not been able to buy organic vegetables & fruits and free range beef and fresh fish. I'm doing good to afford frozen fish and regular produce from the grocery store. Thankfully, greens are inexpensive
I have lost about 10 lbs, which makes me very happy, but have a few concerns. I have asthma and allergies and was hoping that I could eventually quit taking the 3 prescriptions I take daily. I tried cutting back a little on my medications after 6 weeks on the diet, and my symptoms got worse, so I went back to normal doses. That was a little discouraging to me, after reading results others have had.
Another question I have is about supplements. I'm not familiar with herbs and haven't taken any, I'm especially worried about calcium since I've stopped drinking milk. I've read about and would love to get the calcium supplement for o's sold on your site, but can't afford to at this time. I guess what I'm wondering is: since I can't get the perfect foods and afford the supplements, how beneficial is it for me to continue on the diet at this time? Am I doing more damage than good by eating more produce (with pesticides) & more beef (with antibiotics & hormones)? Thanks for your help and comments. M.N.
Hi, M.N.! You're doing a wonderful job! New diet, new exercise plan, and you're working to learn more ~ what a great attitude, dear! Your approach will accomplish your goals far more quickly than if you were rich as Croesus but uncommitted to this plan. You absolutely do not have to take supplements -- For calcium, use Peter's Calcium from Almonds list ~ make broth from the bones of roasted chicken, turkey, beef, etc. ~ and pick up a bottle of Gerolsteiner mineral water (or whatever brand you can find locally) once or twice per week.
You are certainly not doing more damage than good by eating more of the foods that are good for you ~ just think, the foods you used to eat are just as heavy with pesticides as the greens, veg, and meat you are eating now. I have a suggestion for getting clean meat at a lower cost than your local retail source: www.eatwild.com has a huge listing of various producers who sell direct and will ship to you. Take a look at it and see if it would meet your needs. There might be someone listed who's near where you are -- in which case, you could drive out and pick up your supply (no shipping cost) and freeze it at home. Investigate greenmarkets or farmer's markets in your area, too: you get a lower price and better food, and the farmer gets all the money ~ no middleman.
Don't be too rushed to get off the meds (I say that, but I totally understand your desire to be rid of them!) ~ as your body heals, the time will come when you don't need the meds. Just let it happen at its own pace, and it WILL happen.
thanks for writing, M.N., and I know you're succeeding right now! :-D
I'm an "O-." I have been using RevivalSoy products to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Their products deliver the equivalent of 6 cups of soymilk (providing 16 grams of soy protein and 160 milligrams of soy isoflavones. Their new low carb shakes and bars contain "sugar alcohols" as the primary sweeteners. Their literature states that sugar alcohols are categorized as sugar replacers because they replace sugar sweeteners. Sugar alcohols taste very similar to regular sugar, but they are not absorbed very well by the intestines, thus they add very few calories or carbohydrates to products. As an added benefit, they do not produce substantial rises in blood glucose levels (i.e. they are low glycemic index sweeteners). Can I, as an O, safely use these products? Thanks, Claudia
OK: Here is my message to people who are sending questions to my column in order to promote RevivalSoy:
INGREDIENTS of one of their drinks:
Revival® Doctor-formulated Soy Protein Isolate, Fructose, Sucrose, Cocoa, Calcium Phosphate, Maltodextrin, Soy Lecithin, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Artificial Flavor, Carrageenan, Carboxymethylcellulose and Xanthan Gum.
Then they have the nerve to say:
EXCHANGE: 2 very lean meats + 2 1/4 starches
If anyone here thinks soy isolate and a whacking load of corn-based sweeteners and gums and carrageenan and chemicals is somehow OK for ANYONE, let alone type Os (!!), let ALONE as an "exchange" for two meats and two "starches," then all I can say is, I wish you well ~ but these products are not BTD-friendly. I could say lots more, but I am driving on. *phew.* Thanks for listening! :-D
The diet recommends the use of "seltzer water". Is this the same as club soda or tonic water? If not, is seltzer water commonly sold in grocery stores? Brenda
Hello, Brenda ~ Seltzer commonly refers to salt-free club soda. Seltzer, club soda, doesn't really matter for purposes of the diet; both are found everywhere, so they're easy to find. Tonic water is seltzer with quinine and a bit of sweetener -- but I have not found a single brand of tonic water without corn-based sweetener, so watch those labels (and write in to tell me if you find something WITHOUT that corny stuff! :-)). And here I'll put in a plug for the King Of Fizzy: high-solids mineral water! Study 'em up and pick a favorite at www.mineralwaters.org ! :-)
Hi Heidi I have just started the diet a few weeks ago and LR4YT has become my bible! In such a short time I no longer suffer from bloating, gas or constipation. I also have no cravings at all for sweets. However, I do still suffer from fatigue. I still need almost 10 hours sleep to recharge my batteries fully and if I don't get this then feel really tired in the early to late afternoon. What can I do to feel more energised in the afternoons? I am a type o (secretor status unknown). I already take a vit B supplement but it doesn't really help. I have completely eliminated wheat, potatoes, corn and beans from my diet. I still have one cup of coffee a day (usually during the afternoon which helps to wake me up somewhat!). Any ideas? Thanks for your great work. Shalinee from down under...
Hummm, hmmm... This could be due to a number of things, but I'll list 'em all ~ just pick and choose among them depending on your circumstances.
Try using green tea instead of coffee in the afternoon ~ it's a great mental brightener, and beneficial for most folks (without the shakiness coffee can produce, along with its other deleterious effects).
Do you get plenty of calcium? If you're unsure, see the calcium part of my reply to M.N., above. A calcium deficiency can certainly produce lagging energy.
There are rhythms of energy through the day, and we all experience "up" and "down" parts of the cycles at various times. Mid-to-late afternoon is a natural time for a nap ~ unfortunately, most work schedules don't accommodate natural energy slumps.
It's possible you need *less* sleep than you're getting, as more than six or seven hours at a stretch is actually harder on the body than two sleep periods of two to five hours separated by an hour or two awake. So, let's say you sleep from ten to two, get up for an hour, then sleep again from three to five (or six). Or, eleven to five with a two-hour nap in the early evening. Play with this and see if it helps you.
It's quite common to experience sleep changes in your early phase of the diet. They usually resolve themselves within a month or two, so it may simply be a matter of time. Hang in there, and see how you're doing in a while - let me know, too, OK? :-D
Dear 'on the diet' I am blood type o+, 33yrs old female. I have had history of low blood sugar. For a number of yrs i have experienced alot of distress regarding food that i ate. After eating certain food i would feel worse that before! I eliminated wheat and realised that this was giving me reactions to my adrenal grands that make me feel so so so stressed. Yesterday i realised that this is also occuring whenever i eat grains. Even rice and especiall modified maize starch, which sends adrenals and my stress response crazy ( Just like hypoglacemic reactions). I have noticed that this is especially so lik yesterday when i accidently ate rice and something with modified maize starch in it. I spend a long time trying to relieve these symptoms of stress and it took another day to do so. I have read the live right book and it helps alot. I understand that grains are not good for type o. But i would like to ask for any advise around this reaction that i suffer from. I am a very sensitive person which may be be the reason why my body reacts so strongly. If you have any insights into this that you feel would be helpful to me i would very much appreciate this. Also any advise for what i can do to counteract this reaction, that is very stressful and help to remedy this situation, would be helpful. Yours sincerly, May you be happy. Sarah
Thanks for your kind wishes, Sarah! This is a simple problem to solve: no corn for you. It's a serious avoid. Anything with "corn" or "maize" is to be shunned like horrors. If you stay away from it, I promise those reactions will soon be just bad memories! take care, dear!! :-)
Can a "patch" worn on the arm containing "FUCUS VESICULOSUS and GARCINIA CAMBOGIA" be harmful or beneficial to curb appetite for O's? PLEASE ADVISE ASAP. THANKS!! Pennie
Hi, Pennie ~ A patch, eh? What will they think of next to market to people desirous of weight loss? I opine that it will do nothing to curb your appetite, but will certainly lighten your wallet. Truly, you'll have much better results (and more expendable funds) following the diet, taking l-glutamine for cravings until they subside with time on the diet, use encapsulated fucus, and skip the garcinia altogether ~ Peter tested it some time back, with no significant results.
I hope this helps, dear! :-)
HELLO, I am a type O positive and have been using this diet for the past few months. I have trouble sticking closely to the diet even though I have some troublesome health issues like an auto-immune thyroid problem and seem to be developing "asthma". Cake and cookies lure me as well as other wheat based snacks, especially at other people's houses. I'm good about the dairy and pretty good about the corn products, although eating mexican food is a weakness too. Do you have any advice on increasing will-power? Also, do you have a recipe for ghee? I'd like to make it at home. Thanks so much, Marian
Hi, Marian ~ Will power is a result of desire, although most folks think of it as soldiering through some painful process. What looks like will power from the outside is often well-founded and pleasurable commitment based on experience, on the inside. The contrast between having asthma attacks and not having them motivates many people to choose the good foods over the old standbys. Seeing the weight come off, or the cholesterol drop, or the thyroid meds stepped down... or the skin improve, or the arthritis disappear... one's values change, and the world changes with them. The tempting treat literally becomes "that poison that makes my joints swell and burn." So, each of us finds a way to handle hunger that doesn't involve eating poisons. Planning ahead, bringing a snack, offering a dish or two for the potluck, etc. ~ your preferred lifestyle will guide you as to what measures to take!
About the ghee, I *can* help you there! :-D Take one pound of butter (my favorite is organic cultured sweet-cream), melt it in a deep pan over medium-low heat (NO stirring at all, in this process), then raise the heat to medium-high and keep it at a medium/high simmer until the foam subsides. Skim off the thick stuff that comes to the top with a slotted spoon. When that's gone, dip a strip of paper into it and light it (over the sink). If the paper sputters, the ghee's not done yet. Test it again in a few minutes. When the paper burns without sputtering, take the ghee off the heat to cool for ten minutes ~ then pour it into a heavy glass jar with a close-fitting top (leave it loosely closed until cool), and let it cool completely. That's it! Some folks like to strain it through cheesecloth, but I've not found it necessary. And everyone has their own tips & tricks, so you'll probably come up with some of your own, as well. Enjoy! It's lovely stuff! :-D
Type B Roundup ~ #4 !
August 10th, 2000 , by admin
As a Type B person, I've been following Dr D'Adamo's directives with the Membrane Fluidizer Cocktail most mornings for several years. I recently purchased the Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia, and was surprised to see under the listing for Lecithin(p.518) that type B's should AVOID it! Is this something new? Now I'm confused! Lesesne
Hello, Lesesne ~ That is my own personal error in the Encyclopedia, for which I fully expect to pay life-long! ;-)
Lecithin is OK for ALL types! So enjoy your MFC, and my apologies for the scare! :-D
In Dr. Dadamo's book "Eat Right 4 For Your Type" on Page 318, 2nd paragraph, last sentence, it states that a type B person can can eat soy products but it is uncertain if it has the same benefits as a type A person for cancer treatment etc.. This seems to be in direct conflict with the type B diet whcih lists soy products of al types on the avoid list. Should this maybe reference a type "O" person? If so, then this would in essence be in itself a type"O". Kidding. I hope that you will e able to help me with my confusion. Thanks in advance, Jim
Hiya, Jim! ... hey, lay off the TYPO jokes, OK? I'm a little sensitive on that count (see the answer to Lesesne, above!) ~ ;-D
The real answer to your question is that when BTD was written, the newer research on soy & Bs had not yet been done -- so in that book's food lists, you'll see soy listed as a beneficial legume. The avoid values you're referring to are from that more recent research, and reflected in the food lists in Live Right, the Encyclopedia, the Food, Beverage & Supp Lists and in TYPEbase 3. thanks for your note!! :-)
There is a lot of concern, particularly among Afro-Caribbean males about prostate health. However, some of the foods that are supposed to be beneficial to the prostate - eg. tomatoes and pumpkin, are on the avoid list for type B. What advice do you have on this? Are there other foods that contain lycopene that can be substituted for these foods? Jaine
Yes indeed! Peter's column page entitled Lycopene Without the Tomatoes has a lovely list! A couple of those items, I noted, are beneficial for Bs, and the rest are solidly neutral! I hope this helps, Jaine!
I want to know about some apparant inconsistencies in the book. As a type B, I sould not eat olives, yet olive oil is the best thing for me. As a type B I should not eat Wheat flour, which is in everything including most all beef wienners, yet white flour is on my list as acceptable. Is white (bleached) flour somehow better than whole wheat flour. The book said wasa bread was OK to eat yet they have all kinds including rye and wheat, which I should not have. I also found quaker rice chips and they contain corn, however the ingredients list says that the kernel is removed. Does that make a difference? I am finding cornstarch in most processed meats, including butterball turkey bacon, which is one thing that my daughter loves. I am overweight, I am trying very hard to follow the diet and have been for almost two months, though I have not lost any weight. My daughter is the same blood type as me, she is also 100 lbs overweight, I know she needs to concentrate on the fruits and vegtables, but if she is at least not eating most of what is not good on the diet, should she begin to loose weight. How badly can she sabatoge the process by deviating from the diet? I have more questions but will quit here for now. Thank you very much, Donna.
Hello, Donna ~ good questions. Corn and wheat are in just about all processed foods, and we who follow this diet do a lot of research around our neighborhoods and on the Net to find better products. They ARE out there. Applegate Farms is one producer of wonderful turkey bacon & sausage products that are corn & wheat free.
It is especially important for type Bs to avoid the corn, corn sweeteners, corn products of all kinds (even with the kernel removed), as it can truly sabotage your efforts.
It is most important to (1) get those fruits & veg, and (2) start a very mild exercise program like walking, or the 5BX Plan -- either program can be done at your own level and speed of progress, and will most certainly help you get the weight off. But DO fill up on veg & fruits (after all, you have the most marvelous fruit list of all 4 types, so enjoy it!! :-)) There is NOTHING like these foods for providing vitamins & minerals, antioxidants, and pure water all in one package.
You're at the most difficult stage right now ~ trying to make the transition, and reading all the labels & finding out how bad most of your old diet's foods were. OK! That's past! Do your best to make these changes at your own speed, and drink plenty of pure water between meals. Use the TYPEbase 3 database to check any food you're uncertainof. I'm sure you'll have good results in the weeks to come ~ keep in touch, OK? :-)
Hi, your column is great. Do you have any recommendations for a type B with chronic infections (klebsiella/blastocystis) and recently discovered celiac. P.S. Thanks for mentioning in a prior column that "b" and soy don't mix. I was already avoiding it per concerns noted in Live Right for Your Type and a recent "accident" made the problem painfully clear. Thanks. elene
Hi, elene ~ I can offer some suggestions you can put to work yourself, but I want to make sure you are under a knowledgeable physician's care... you are, right? If not, you should be, and this should be someone who understands the value of the B diet for you, OK?
Do get hold of the BTD Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia ~ it is an invaluable resource, and I will quote some of the recommendations here:
You should definitely use PolyFlora-B, ARA6 (larch arabinogalactan) (both available in the Store on this site), and 500 mg of rose-hip or acerola-cherry Vitamin C every day. The "B" protocols are: Coriolus versicolor mushroom, 300 mg: 1-2 caps daily; Schizandra chinensis, 250 mg: 1-2 caps daily; Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) 500 mg: 1-2 caps daily ~ For 3 Weeks. AND alpha lipoic acid, 100 mg: 2 caps daily; Baptisia tinctoris (homeopathic 6c): 2-3 pellets, twice daily ~ For 4 weeks, concurrent.
Then, go to the bottom of this page and search for "blasto" ~ you'll come up with two column pages, please read them both. Melissa's treatment might be of help to you, if you substitute turkey for the chicken she used.
Elene, my thoughts are with you, and please write back and tell me how you're doing! take good care, dear!! :-)
Heidi, I heard on the news recently of a study that claimed that browning meats (by grilling, baking at high heat, etc.) caused a significant increase in deposits (plaque, maybe? can't exactly remember) that would lead to heart disease. They were suggesting to (gag) boil or steam almost all meats. If this is true, do you think it might be one of those things that skews along blood type lines? In other words, it happens to Type A (for instance) and everyone else is getting lumped in? (Can you see this Type B and Type O crossing our fingers?) We actually do usually boil or steam or saute meats like chicken and rabbit, and we never deep-fry anything, but we certainly cook red meat on our countertop grill (no charring, at least, from burning fats or anything), and we do prefer some brown edges. Are we heading toward an early demise? Thanks! Kathy
~:-D Yeah, they're really out to get the meat eaters scared to death, one way or another. I wrote something on this issue just in the past few days, which you've probably already read, come to think of it! :-} Oh well, here it is again, and there ain't NO way you & me are going to start boiling our steaks.
Know what those ol' h-g's and nomads did to cook their meat? Put it on a stick and stuck it in the fire. Hi! the cancer rate was nil. I don't know what else (if anything) they fed those lab animals who didn't do well on blackened meat, but I suggest you and I use only organic meats (if at all poss), use common sense in cooking it, keep eating all the massive food & veg quantities demanded! by the diet, do our exercise and just go our merry carnivorous way rejoicing. Boiled lamb chops, yummy!! Pfooie. Wonder what they'll come up with next? stay tuned! :-D Thanks for that note, Kathy! ~:-D
"B" Potpourri ~ and 'veg-gly' follow-up!
August 9th, 2000 , by admin
Hello, dot! The only cactus in the food lists currently is "prickly pear" which covers the entire Opuntia genus of cacti, comprising approximately one dozen different species. Both the fruit and the branches (the fat cactus-y looking "pads," sometimes sold under the name Nopalito) are edible, but all are avoids for type B secretors and nonsecretors. If you find an edible cactus which is not a member of the Opuntia genus, we would consider it "unknown," and therefore neutral for purposes of the BTD ~ but be wary of untoward reactions, OK? :-)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I am type B and would like to know about these foods from India. 1) Black gram (Urad) 2)Pompano and King fish 3) Moringa Oleifera also called as drum sticks 4)Cutlass Bean 5)Red gram 6) gourds like snake gourd, bitter gourd 7) Sorghum 8) cluster beans 9) Colocasia Kindly tell us about these foods. If you don't have the info,can you test these foods? I will appreciate your input. Thanks, Smita
Hello, Smita ~ We have no values for most of the foods you mentioned, meaning they have not been tested. They can be considered "neutral" if you are in good health and do not need to lose weight, but use them very sparingly if you are trying to resolve a heath condition.
Pompano and sorghum can be found in TYPEbase 3® ~ just type in the food name, and remember to hit the search button, not the "enter" key. :-)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
the doc says in his eat right 4 your blood type, for B+, don't use club soda. it seems to work for me. any specific reason? thanx. blessings, dennis
Hi, Dennis ~ In the updated books, type B secretors are to avoid it, and it's neutral for B nonsecretors. In the TYPEbase 3® database, club soda is listed. The remarks for B secretors: "Inhibits proper gastric function or blocks assimilation." ;-)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
i am female 60 years old and type b+ blood i was under the impression that i could eat ordinary potatoes ie! white or red etc!in your book page 268 live right for your type that as a non secretor potatoes are an avoid for me please tell me it is an error as i have always eaten potatoes and to my knowledge they have not done me any harm i love them!!!! with thanks MMcC
Hi, Mary! sorry for the shock... The new books are an update & improvement over BTD from 1996, and I wish I could say it's an error, but it is the correct new listing. Good news... tomatoes moved to neutral for you... ? :-)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I am blood type B and my husband is blood type A. Ezekiel bread and Essene bread are on both of our highly beneficial foods. I just looked up the ingredients in these two breads and noticed several ingredients were in these breads that are on our avoid list. Can you please explain why we can eat these breads if there are ingredients, such as barley, kidney beans, pinto beans, lentils, buttermilk, wheat flour, which are foods that we are to avoid. We are adhereing to the diet solutions according to Dr. Peter D'Adamo in his book Eat Right 4 Your Type. JoAnn
Hello, JoAnn ~ It is paramount for all of us to read the labels of products before we buy them, as you have discovered! The Ezekiel 4:9 bread in the food lists refers to a 100% sprouted, yeasted bread with no dairy, whole bean or wheat flour. Food for Life makes a fine one. Essene bread, again, is a 100% sprouted grain bread which may include fruit or nuts, or be only sprouted grain & water. Good hunting!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Thanks for all the positive info on vegetable glycerine! Now, how do we convert recipes, i.e., 1/2cup of honey equals how much glycerine? One cup of sugar equals how much glycerine? Happy Holidays to everyone! carolyn(0+)sec
Two questions about Vegetable Glycerine. Apparently it is not a carbohydrate, but instead an alcohol. Does this mean it has no calories? Or for calorie-sake is it essentially counted as a carbohydrate? What is the equivalency for using in recipes? In other words how many tablespoons of it equals some comparable amount of sugar? I'm very excited about this because it gives me something sweet, which is rare besides fruit and because it is available in a variety of sizes at my local Whole Foods Market. I get the largest size! I have added a dash of it to my smoothies and it really does help. Tom Tom Type O-Non Secretor
You might add to your Glycerine discussion that Whole Foods and others may not stock it next to the sweeteners, but rather in the skin-care section. S.
Hi, veg-gly fans! Yes, I've always found it in the skin-care "oils" section. Calories? No idea! Certainly far less than sugar, if it is susceptible to the "calorie" scale at all. I've no idea how to convert it for recipes calling for sugar, except to test the taste of sugar in water to an equal quantity of vegetable glycerine. Use the amount that makes best taste-sense to you, since the flavor does not change when cooked. It's not a delicate or difficult-to-handle ingredient. Do a little experimenting, and enjoy! :-D
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Sweet Potpourri: All About VEGETABLE GLYCERINE !
August 8th, 2000 , by admin
-- it's the lowest retail price I've seen for that item. enjoy!
Note Added: VegGly Fans suggest Azure Standard's product instead, for both price and taste! :-) *Help...STAT!In one of your responses to an O woman whose GI tract had been ravaged by erythromycin, you listed a protocol from a German using rice, blueberries & mineral water. Later in the same article, you suggested the use of vegetable glycerine, but not how or how much. Can you clarify with a quick answer? Thanks much. You're all doing a great job. Joyce
A thoroughgoing POTPOURRI!!
August 7th, 2000 , by adminYes, sprouts are fine (and often step up to Beneficial!) if made from beans & pulses ~ but as you probably know, not from root vegetables. Carrot greens are toxic, as are the sprouts of many other roots, corms and tubers. Green veg like broccoli (brocc sprouts, my favorite!) can make great edible sprouts as well. Sprouts are certainly action-packed, and a great fresh food for kitchen gardeners ~~ enjoy!!
On a blood type A diet would tofu dogs and tofu lunchmeats as you would find at the health food stores be beneficial?? donna
Only if all the ingredients are OK for you! :-)
Since several liquid vitamin preps contain aloe vera juice as a base, must I avoid these as a Type B? Anita
Yes ~ any ingestible form of aloe is a no-no, although most people use aloe in topical preparations such as skin and hair-care products with no problem.
Iam blood type B and hypothyroid .I would like to know if USP Armour (porvine ) thyroid pills contradicts with my blood type B? As we already know that pork shouldnt be consumed by any blood type. Tina
Hi, Tina ~ I answered a similar question in a column on 3 October ~ Armour presents no lectin problem for any type. :-)
I would like to order the secretor test but I see it is not available in Canada. I live in midwestern Ontario. is there anyone or another way to get this done? thanks jayne
Hello, Jayne ~ Here is a column that will help! Thanks for your note!!
In Germany, as alternative for wheat allergies the "German wheat" (Dinkel)("epeautre" en Francais) is widely offered in almost all bakeries. It is a primitive form of wheat. I'd like to know if it is acceptable as a wheat ersatz for my blood type O. Thanks. Regards. Claude
Greetings, Claude ~ "Dinkel" and "épeautre" both refer to what we English speakers call "spelt," a healthy alternative to wheat for most people. For Os, it is neutral for secretors and an avoid for nonsecretors ~ if you're unsure of your secretor status but are in good health -- and you don't overdo it by eating spelt every day -- it is fine for you. :-)
If a person is type O can they have vegetable oil? I have read the book and cannot find any information on this. Thank you Theresa
Hi Heidi This is the second time I have requested information and would like to say how helpful the last reply was. I am type O and need to know if I can use the following products: vegetable oil rapeseed oil ( unsure if you have another name for this in the USA. sunflower oil. I would also like to know if Pak Choi is the same as Bok Choy as I am unsure if Pak Choi are Chinese greens which I am not allowed. Many thanks for your help in this. Sue
Hello, ladies! Can't help you with "vegetable oil" because I can't see what the label on your product says. I strongly suspect you will see "corn" in the ingredient list, but just check each ingredient against your food list. Pak Choi, Bak Choi, Bok Choi ~ all are the same item. The Chinese language, which uses ideograms in writing, does not transliterate directly into English letters. The different spellings you may see are the result of each greengrocer writing the name of an item in English letters based upon how it sounds. :-)
Your melange of questions from Scotland: There is a good UK based site which exists to provide translations of foods from BTD lists into British terminology - eg, chickpeas = garbanzos etc., and to list UK stockists for products, and recipes in UK style measurements. It has a link to your site. It also has a message board. It is provided by Tom Greenfield whom youmay remember from yur old message board. The address is: http://groups.msn.com/er4ytUK/_homepage.msnw?pgmarket=en-gb ~ Sarah
Ah, Sarah! Thank you so much for that reminder!! :-D
FOUND CONTRADICTIONS between the various books' food lists?
Here's the scoop:
* IF YOU DO NOT KNOW YOUR SECRETOR STATUS: The Food, Beverage & Supplement Lists should be used. *
* IF YOU KNOW YOUR SECRETOR STATUS: The food lists in Live Right 4 Your Type and the BTD Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia should be used. ALSO check the official change log at http://www.dadamo.com/lr4yter.html for the most recent updates -- at a later date, an update area for other books will be created. *
The TYPEbase 3 database at http://www.dadamo.com/typebase/typebase.cgi contains ALL latest updated food values by secretor status. :-)
Thanks, everyone!!!
Type O Roundup #4! (cuz you ABs are so quiet out there! :-))
August 6th, 2000 , by admin
Hi I'm a type O, in her early twenties. I am wondering if food intolerances or indigestion often cause fainting. I have fainted a couple of times, both when I felt nausea. I have seen doctors but they could give me no concrete answers. The most recent fainting spell was a day ago. I've had terrible pain at the base of my skull since then (I didn't hit me head though)and have found it really hard to function normally (basically I've slept for about 24 hrs!)In the morning before I fainted I felt fine and energetic. I ate a nutrition bar about 10 minutes before I fainted. I checked for avoids and the only one I could see is barley flour (But I used to eat barley as a child and never had major problems). Apparently my Mom faints whenever she drinks coffee. I don't have that particular problem but I'm wondering if something else might be causing it. Also, the doctor checked my blood sugar levels and said that they were fine. Thanks for your help :-) Mikyla
Whoo, that is a worrisome thing to deal with. First, has your doctor been advised about the pain at the base of your skull? That should be checked out immediately. Please do that first, OK?
Remember that the intestinal ganglia, or "gut brain," can react strongly to foods you eat long before they are fully digested. That nutrition bar contained no milk/whey stuff, corn syrup or other corn derivatives at all? rare bird, if so! It sounds like both you and your Mom are highly sensitive to foods that are no good for you ~ and this extreme intolerance was built up over time, so even though barley gave you no trouble when you were a child, it might cause significant trouble now. It also is possible that one or both of you are on the edge of adrenal exhaustion.
The first thing (after getting that head pain thoroughly researched) would be to get your secretor status, either from the saliva test available through this site, or by getting your Lewis (blood) type through a local lab. Once you have your result, get a food diary. Follow the diet 4 your type/secretor status carefully, do the recommended exercise, and write down everything you eat, and any reactions you have. If you experience a fainting spell, eliminate all the foods you had immediately previous to that spell, and go on from there. The exceptions would be red meats, especially lamb (no galectin and very low allergy provocation); beneficial veg, and beneficial fruit. If the last meal you ate before a faint contained one or more of those items, then test those items singly, first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, and as soon as possible. You want to make absolutely sure, in the case of foods which are major components of your diet.
Eventually, you should be able to add the eliminated foods in, singly, and see how you do ~ but for now, I'd study the ingredients in that food bar and avoid everything on the label, as a start.
I would also get some 30mg pregnenolone from the supp shop, and take four of them per day. If you are now eating or drinking anything that contains caffeine (except green tea), discontinue it. If your fainting is related to adrenal stress, this will help you rebuild that area.
Mikyla, please drop me a note on how you're doing, OK? take good care, dear!! :-)
Hi Heidi, Thanks for the great site! It's on my daily site-check list & I glean lots of helpful info. I'm a 57 y/o female, O+ non-secretor.My husband & I have been following the diet for a while now but not stringently. We have both seen radical improvements in our health since starting the diet. (At this time I will be stringently following the diet.) We are just starting to use the 4 your type supplements along with the diet. Since we work construction we contact a lot of people with multiple problems related to wrong diets,so everybody gets to hear about the diet and so many of them have begun following it. Some questions: 1. I'm starting to follow the cancer prevention and the chronic illness recovery protocols listed in the encyclopedia. Do I run these protocols concurrently or alternately? 2. Where can I get Tarragon 100 mg. in caps.? I've found everything else on the list. 3. Under the cancer prevention protocol there is a recommendation for typhoid vaccine. What's the connection there? Thanks for your time. I'll be looking forward to your response. Jan
Hi, Jan! I'm glad you're seeing wonderful results, and passing the word along! :-) You can use two protocols concurrently, but I wouldn't do more than two at the same time. Tarragon capsules. Yeah. Hmmm. Tell you what: Buy the dried tarragon in the spice section of your local HFS (organic if at all possible), and grind a bit of it to a powder in a clean coffee grinder or with a mortar & pestle. It's the same thing that would be in the capsules, and 100mg is a very small amount ~ basically, 1/24th of a teaspoon ~ so 1/8th of a teaspoon is equivalent to three of those tarragon capsules. Sprinkle it on your salad! If you can find fresh tarragon (again, organic, pleeze! ;-)), just hang it to dry in your kitchen and take bits of it off to grind up for your daily tarragon powder. The typhoid vaccine recommended is the closest thing we can get to the Springer T/TN vaccine. Another tip: ask your doctor for a pneumovax (pneumococcus vaccine) shot at your next checkup. It is wonderful for boosting immunity to the A-like cancers. [Note Added: Pneumovax is no longer considered effective for this purpose... it still protects against pneumonia, but that's not relevant here! :-}] thanks for writing, Jan, it's good to hear from you! :-)
i HAVE HAD ECZEMA FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE WITH EACH PASSING YEAR. I STARTED THE BTD DIET 3 WEEKS AGO IN HOPES TO CLEAR UP MY SKIN. I AM TYPE O. CAN ANYONE SHED SOME LIGHT ON THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH THE DIET AND ECZEMA. THANKS. Joyce
I think you will see results soon, Joyce. Eliminating "avoid" grains, getting enough protein from appropriate sources, and including beneficial oils seems to be the common protocol for eczema, and it works well. Give it some time, and keep us posted. I've heard from several people who have been successful in healing their eczema with this plan, and perhaps a few more will write in with their experiences! thanks, dear!
Hi Heidi, It's me again ;-) I was reading about goitrogenic foods on the Internet and comparing them against the type O diet. There are several foods that are listed as goitrogenic and are listed as highly beneficial or neutral for type Os, such as kale, millett, soy (isoflavones), etc. Since I am having some hypothyroid problems, are there any foods that I should additionally avoid or limit consumption of or should I just make sure I am getting plenty of iodine rich foods such as seaweeds to compensate? Also the information I read said that it's thought that the enzymes involved in the formation of goitrogenic materials in plants can be destroyed by cooking, so thorough cooking may minimize goitrogenic potential. Is this true or are there foods listed as highly beneficial or neutral for type Os that I can eat cooked but that I shouldn't eat raw? For instance, I frequently enjoy broccoli/carrot/cabbage coleslaw on my salads. Is the raw broccoli and cabbage OK to eat? Thanks! Don
Hi, Don! Yes, I'd stack up on the seaweeds and I do not believe that small amounts of your homemade coleslaw will harm you. You can, if you like, work from the list of goitrogenic foods and eliminate those that are only neutral for you. There are no hard and fast rules there, but sometimes it helps to *feel* better about one's choices, so that's why I suggest sticking to the beneficials from that list if you find you're more comfortable with them. What I would like to emphasize is a really good stress-relief program, for alleviation of the thyroid difficulties. Try that Meditation as Medicine book I'm always on about! :-) and let me know your thoughts on it! :-)
Hello, I am type "O" positive snd have Hashimotos Thyroiditis. I have been taking Synthroid or Levothyroxine since age 12. I am curruntly taking .88 mg Synthroid daily. As a youth I never noticed any symptoms, but for the past 2 years I have been experiencing discomfort in my neck and lately the pressure seems to cause lightheadedness and I get a little anxious. I am usually a patient and calm person, so this doesn't feel like "me". I get worried because the doctor I see doesn't have an answer, he told me to try malox for possible acid reflux. That didn't help. The specialist I saw last year said it was inflammation and told me to take ibuprofen for 6 weeks. I did that and it may have felt a bit better, but it was no real help. I have no real leads to a cure except this diet as well as prayer, attitude improvements and excercise changes. I am not good at following the diet precisely but I have been trying for the past 4 months. When I am very strict with the diet my sinuses, which are usually slightly stuffy, are clearer that ever, so I know it is working. I have also been diagnosed with slight asthma that occured within the last 6 months and had an allergy blood test that showed a dust allergy. Have you ever known any case like mine and do you have any recommendations for relief for the pressure in my neck. Some days it feels better that others but I can't find a pattern. I am only 27 years old and I don't want to live with this problem for much longer. I am hoping and praying for a complete cure, but will be happy with any improvement. I've read about healix, do you think it would help? Thanks for your time and the care and concern you show in your column. Sincerely, Marian from California
Hi, Marian! Take a peek at what I just wrote to Don, above. I suspect you are a nonsecretor, and I suggest you pick up the book Live Right 4 Your Type and follow the nonsecretor diet and exercise plan very strictly for one month. While you are doing this, see your doctor at the beginning and end of that month, because you may find your synthroid dosages need adjustment. Any chance of finding a naturopath ~ maybe in Oregon, you're not prohibitively far from there? I would like someone with solid professional experience in complementary medicine to advise you, because I get the impression your physician is not as up-to-the-minute with such things as I would like. The O plan, including diet, exercise and stress-relief, WILL make major improvements in your condition! but because you're on synthroid, those dosages need to be monitored and adjusted downward while you improve! and perhaps switched over to Armour, instead? :-) Heallix is good for many things ~ if there is any bacterial or viral involvement, it would certainly help with the short-term neck discomfort, but do pursue the long-term diet plan, and get a copy of the BTD Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia for specific supplementation protocols you might follow once you're solidly on the diet. My prayers go out to you, dear! You will surely heal, and every little improvement along the way will make all your troubles and all your efforts to help yourself well worthwhile. Keep in touch! thanks, dear!! :-)
Dear Heidi, I hope you can advise. Last mid-Dec.2001, my front upper gums started to feel funny. Over Christmas I noticed they were shrinking. I got into my dentist after NY and he said they looked fine, actually better or firmer than my last check-up, Aug.2001. Since then they have been receding, they do not bleed but at times they ache. I am a mouth breather at night and find if I eat too much wheat during the day I am stuffy at night. I also have TMJ on my right jaw. I am Type 0+ and have been following blood type diet for about 3 years. I take Quest B complex, at the moment NOW bone calcium (although I have taken Quest calcium and Floradix liquid cal-mag). In the morning I make a shake of Transform (from Greens+)1 Tbsp of flax oil, 1 Tbsp.of molasses. I have read Peter's question about receding gums and took 1 bottle of Coq10. I did the folic acid capsule rinse for a while and then just finished the bottle orally. I usually have about 6 stewed prunes every morning, and I was eating 1/2 grapefruit through the winter most mornings. I find if I eat too many eggs in the week my gums seem to ache. I had the Natural healing Encyclopedia from the library and just reviewed what it said about proper brushing. I think I get enough Vit.c and calcium but worry with not drinking milk any more that maybe I'm not absorbing properly. My mother did have gingivitis in her early 20's and has had dentures for ages. I don't want to go that route, since i've always looked after my teeth. thanks for your help if you can give me any other possible suggestions. (I am thinking about finding another dentist for one!)jayne
Hey there, Jayne ~ don't worry about not drinking milk, as we Os are ill-suited to absorb the calcium in it. You're not missing anything there. Hey, a different dentist might be all you need! :-) In the meantime, this just in:
Hi, Heidi, The blood type diet has been absolutely wonderful for me. I am an O+ secretor. Thought you might want to let the woman from India know that selenium does wonders for teeth and gums. After 3 or 4 years of avoiding wheat, corn, and potatoes and also taking selenium, I have totally reversed my gum problems (at the age of 64!!!!) Keep up your great work. Dorothy
How about that for a timely message? Try supplementing with selenium. Peter's Phytocal-O contains 20 mcg. At high doses (around 800 to 1,000 micrograms per day), selenium can cause tissue damage, so look at all your supps and make sure your total intake per day doesn't go above 200-300 mcg. When your gum troubles are alleviated, slowly reduce the selenium dosages until you have found a good maintenance level for yourself. Thanks for writing, Jayne, and let me know how you do! :-)
Heidi, You referred someone to the LR4YT updates page recently and it states that if you are on Tier One diet that anything listed as avoid in Tier Two can be considered neutral. Tier Two avoids for type O include Goose egg, Whey, Poppy seeds, Plantain, Potatoes, Evening Primrose oil, Tea etc. Does this mean that if I am happy with the Tier One diet I can include these? Keep up the good work. Regards, William.
You bet, William! If you're hale & hearty on the Tier One list, dig right into Tier Two as neutrals. Hey, don't eat them all at one meal, OK? and if you notice any trouble cropping up (like creaky knees from those potatoes), just pop that back off the list. enjoy! and thanks for your encouragement! :-D
on the 'O' diet I noticed some contradicting info in the big book as compared to the paperback, individual 'O' 'Eat Right 4 Your Type' diet book. In the big book, it showed mustard as neutral, strawberries and cinnamon as avoid. While in the small, individual food list it showed mustard as avoid and strawberries and cinnamon as avoid. I know the individual book was printed later. Had the info been reinvestigated and reinterpreted at the later date? Should I go by the later dated small book info or the original big book info? Which is correct?! Also, in the individual, small book on page 28 it showed pumpkin as being a beneficial food and then showed squash, pumpkin as an avoid food. Can you clarify? Do you have any suggestions for an 'O' type like myself for acne treatment. I am 50 years old and still suffer from it since adolescence. I still have oily skin and breakout easily even with cysts. Iodine (seafood, sea salt, etc.) and oil ingestion seem to play a role in outbreaks. Thanks so much, in advance, for your input. wendy
I previously incorrectly submitted my question, so I will now rephrase it, about a contradiction in the encyclopedia which listed for my 'O' type diet that mustard was neutral and strawberries and cinnamon are avoids. While in the small, individual food list which was printed at a later date, it showed mustard as avoid and strawberries and cinnamon as neutral. Which is correct?
Hi, Wendy! About which book to follow: just check the bottom of this page, your answers are there! Note: in the little O-book, both dry mustard (under spices) and prepared mustard (under condiments) are neutrals. On page 31, where the vegetable avoids are, I don't see "squash, pumpkin" -- Does your book say something different? Please let me know, OK? This may be a case where your book is faulty and should be returned for a new one! I hope this helps, and thanks for writing, Wendy! :-)
Hi there I am a vegetarian with a blood type O. I am finding it hard to modify my diet as O's are the meat eaters HELP -- Thanx Estelle
Hi there, Estelle! Take it at your own pace. Start by using all the beneficial foods in the categories you are willing to eat, and avoiding the "avoid" foods. Take a daily dose of coleus forskohlii. Then, give it time and see how things go. Read over the "Newbies" link at the top of the home page (www.dadamo.com). Enter the search term "vegetarian" at the bottom of this page, and read through a column or two of those hits at your leisure. If you find, somewhere down the line, that you are ready to add fish, go ahead and do so. Let the diet come to you, and give yourself space to allow your body to advise you on how to proceed. Drop me a note on your findings, and I hope to hear from you soon! :-)
Dear Heidi, I would like to thank you so much for this column, I read it first thing in the morning everyday!!!it's great, very valuable information for me, I have benefited alot! On October 7/02 your responded to a woman who is TYPE A and would like to lose weight, you suggested a Chicken soup, a smoothie for breakfast and salad dressing recipies. Would these suggested recipies benefit TYPE O, please advise. Thank you once again for all your hard work and valuable information. Rose
Sure would! I'd say turkey, beneficial fish or red meat prepared similarly would be even better for us, but that soup recipe is a good place to start, and using chicken is fine, too! Here's that column for quick reference, and I'm glad you liked it, Rose! and thank you for your sweetness!! ~:-D
My D.O. recommends the blood type diet highly. He believes that for type Os, "saturated fat is our fuel." Do you believe that this is correct? He also says that the high saturated fat content is the main reason to eat red meat, and I wonder if you think he is correct about that also. (It can't be the amino acid content. Does it involve better mineral absorption from red meat?) I know that coconut oil, palm oil, palm kernal oil and cocoa butter are high in saturated fat. Type Os don't do well with coconut, though. Would palm oil, palm kernal oil and/or cocoa butter (chocolate is neutral for Type Os) be good for, or neutral for Type Os? Thanks very much! Laura
Well, you're fortunate in your D.O.! Mind posting his name? :-) Red meat contains lots of beneficial things for type Os, but a high saturated fat content is not foremost among them. On the other hand, a balance of the fats and proteins is probably what makes it so readily digestible for us. One of the great effects of our higher protein diet is its stimulation of our mineral-absorption enzymes.
We don't have a rating for cocoa butter. Palm kernel oil was considered an avoid when this diet first got started, so I'd leave that one there ~ palm oil was discussed in Peter's Ask Dr. D'Adamo column and in one of mine (search either page for the term "palm"), and while the jury's out, I personally will stick with the beneficial and neutral oils that are listed. I hope this info helps, and thank you for writing, Laura! :-)
New type O dieter, following food plan mainly for weight loss. Am following diet to the 'T' EXCEPT for 2 morning cups of coffee with 1/2 & 1/2 added. Would this alone prevent me from losing weight? Expected to see immediate weight loss with this plan. None in 2 1/2 weeks. Thanks Jane
Hey there, Jane! I don't think that amount of coffee and dairy would preclude weight loss, but is it possible your diet proportions are leaning a little heavily on the grain/bean/dairy side and a little light on the meat/veg/fruit/nut/seeds? The portion/frequency tables in LR4YT contain all the info you need. Also, how is the exercise (fully 1/2 of the plan for weight loss) going? Not knowing more, I'm not sure how I can help further ~ so write back with more details, and we'll give it a go! :-)
1. What is the value of knowing whether you are a secretor or not? I can't find out why it would effect my food selections. 2. I am a type O and it says in the BTD to avoid oatmeal, but the recipe book uses it in a Granola recipe which says it is OK for O's? Why? The food list says it is neutral in the condensed booklet and avoid in the ER4YT (or vice versa). What do I do? 3. Barley is neutral in ER4YT, but the booklet, food, bev & Suppl list for Blook Type O (2000) say barley is an avoid? Which do I believe? Thank s for you help with this. Also what do we do about foods that are from other cultures, chinese herbs, etc. How do I know what is beneficial or neutral for O and what is an avoid? Marion
Hello, Marion! Look to the left on this page. You'll see a link called "Knowledge Base." Click on that, and you'll see a list of links ~ choose "Secretors and Nonsecretors." Live Right 4 Your Type has loads of ways in which to benefit from knowing your status, including separate food lists for each type, divided along secretor lines. Ah, oatmeal... ;-) and barley. Use the latest book for food values (look at the next paragraph). You'll run into lots of foods for which we have no listing. They can be considered neutral, unless you are trying to lose weight or resolve a health complaint. thanks for writing, Marion! and I hope you enjoy the diet! :-)
Type B Roundup ~ #3 !
August 5th, 2000 , by admin
Hello there again Heidi My wife and me have very successfully followed The Diet since May this year. Substantial weightlosses and tons of energy are the results so far. My wife (39 years, B non-secretor) and me (37 years, O secretor) just started IVF treatment in order for her to become pregnant. We need IVF because my wifes Fallopian Tubes are clogged. Our past IVF history is 3 attempts: first - successful - a wonderful boy, second - not pregnant, third - pregnant but aborted after a few weeks. In all three attempts she has produced lots of high quality egg cells which all have been fertilized. In every attemt 2 fertilized egg cells have been put back. Today she took her first shot of Gonal-F. Is there anything special in the way of things to eat/drink/supplements you suggest to take or to avoid? Best regards from Norway ~ Geir
Hey there, Geir ~ I wish I could offer more specific help, but just sticking to her diet and exercise plan is the best thing I can tell her. I've mentioned maca root in the past ~ it's from a South American plant, and does great things for hormonal difficulties of all kinds (and both sexes). If you can get it there, let her take two tablespoons per day in juice or a smoothie. Is she getting plenty of soaked, ground flaxseed? and other good-oil foods? and dark green veg? and beneficial meats & dairy? In a month or so, the new ER4YBaby books should be out, and I may have more recommendations for you then ~ dear Geir, I do wish you both the best of luck, and hope to hear y'all are pregnant soon! :-D
I have been on a high protein and complex carb diet for 3 years. I have been on the blood type diet for 2 months(b+)..I still suffer from a severe drop in energy after meals, especially lunch..Licorice tea is recommended after meals in the book..I have been doing this but I still have very low enegy(could fall asleep anywhere)after lunch..I have eliminated practically all sugars and it still persists do you have any suggestions thank you -- michael
Hi, michael ~ Hey, how's your stress level? The best cure for low energy levels is regular, appropriate exercise ~ it "evens out" everything, and does great work in promoting a healthy metabolism. The reason you're tired after lunch may be you need a better balance of protein, carbs and fat in that meal. Experiment with it ~ see if your usual midday meal is a little carb-heavy or contains no carbs at all. Either one could compromise your get-up-and-go. And do get a tablespoon or two of fats with the meal.
Peter has talked about the benefits of vegetable glycerine as a sweetener (or a medical treatment!) for hypoglycemia, especially for nonsecretors. The great thing about it is, it helps keep the sugar metabolism balancing itself. And I hope you're getting plenty of protein at breakfast ~ it's really needed there, and effects of a small, poor, or no-breakfast can show up immediately after lunch. Let me know how you do, OK? :-)
I am having trouble understand what kind of flour I can have and what I can not have. I am a Type B and I wanted to know if I can have basic white flour that you buy at the store. On the flour package it states that it is wheat flour that is bleach, and whole wheat flour, bulgar wheat and Durum wheat flour is out for B's, but White flour is in my Neutral foods. Please help me know which one is right. Thanks Brandi
Hello, Brandi! Just go to the front page (www.dadamo.com), scroll down the center column, and click on "TYPEbase 3." In the search box, type "wheat" and hit the search button (the enter key does not work on this page). You'll see a list of all the wheat products we have listed, and the updated status for each one. Hope this makes shopping a little easier! :-)
Hi! I read your column almost daily and find it highly informative. My question is regarding the NAP products versus New Chapter's "D'Adamo 4 Your Type" products. Is one to be preferred over the other? I have been using the New Chapter products for my multiple, daily herbs and probiotics (and like them a lot). However, would I expect to get BETTER results from the North American Pharmacal products? By the way I am type B and have been finding the Cortiguard to be most helpful with my generalized anxiety disorder. I have also been using Nitricycle hoping it will help with some brain fog problems. Is this a correct use for this product? Thank you--Wendy
Hi, Wendy! The New Chapter products were great! but the revamped NAP products here are a bit better in a number of ways. They are designed for secretors AND nonsecretors, for one thing. I think Cortiguard is a brilliant compound, and I'm glad you're happy with the results there. Nitricycle should do good things for the brain fog, too. By the way, the types of exercise recommended for Bs, especially those based on the martial arts such as Qigong and Tai Chi, do remarkable things for mental clarity ~ so that's my customary pitch for exercise! Without it, we miss out on the quality of experience it fosters in us... so I hope you can keep a regular schedule of activity going, for all the benefits it confers! :-)
I am type B and am getting very interested in following diet. i had some hair loss plus also weight increase some years ago. do you think that my over consumption of bread pasta rice and potatoes is not helping the situation? also i eat no meat, or fish and very littl e chicken.what do you suggest ??thanks carol
Greetings, carol! Live Right 4 Your Type would be a huge help to you right now, since it contains food lists AND recommended portions and frequencies for each food group. Not to mention all the lifestyle tips & tricks found absolutely nowhere else! Get a start on it, and write back if you have more questions about the diet! One of the most frequent reports I get from people is, "I started this plan to lose weight ~ then, I noticed my hair growing in, and my skin tags disappearing, and my eyesight improving! What's going on??!" ~;-D Sorry! you've got to take the good with the good, with these plans :-) Seriously, carol, I think you'll be pleased with your results ~ some of which you might not even be seeking right now! :-D
I am a B+ blood group member. I'm trying to find a site, or something, which will list the foods that I should avoid. I was told by a former gym instructor of mine some foods to avoid (including wheat and peanuts). When I did this, my body fat reduced, and I felt less bloated, but I want a more complete list. I also want to find out which foods will increase my motabolism (I know that red meat and green vegetables are good for this), and which foods will help with weight training ie, to help put lean mass on. I hope to hear from you soon if you can help. Danny, Australia
Hi, Danny ~ To find all your avoids, use the book Live Right 4 Your Type, then read the Updates Page and make note of those changes in your book. TYPEbase 3 is a great reference for questions on single food items! Red meat and green vegetables for boosting metabolism ~ yes! but not all kinds of red meat and veg are good for you, and that's where the blood type diets make a big difference. To give you a head start: along with wheat and peanuts, corn, chicken and tomatoes are three biggie avoids for Bs. Hope your training is successful! and thanks for writing!! :-)
Hi there! Thank you for having this forum. I'm new to the diet. And am devoted to giving this 100% effort for a few months to see what kind of results I'll have. I'm B+ . 3 years ago, after my 3rd child, I was diagnosed with Hashimotos. I gained 30 lbs. I'm being treated, though right now the levels are unstable. I'm also anemic. I've been anemic most of the last 15 years(I'm a whole 29 years now). I was doing fine this past year, but this summer had extreme blood loss due to a late miscarriage, and the battle commences once again. And then a second miscarriage this October. Recently my brother passed away due to complications with MS, and as a sibling, I'm concerned for myself as well. I want to get my 3 kids typed, but the Dr. isn't receptive to doing it. I figured finding out what my husband is would be simple, his monther is O- but is father is AB+ . I'm hoping this change of eating styles will help me. But am wondering if there is something more I should be doing. Thank you Noella
Hey there, Noella ~ The diet will indeed get the healing process moving along for you. First, let's start some blood building by including those beneficial meats and dark green leaf vegetables in your diet every day. They are potent medicine for you! Second, increase your greens intake with some wheat grass or barley grass in a drink or smoothie, daily. Third, get a magnesium supplement and take it daily. Every week, up the dosage. Once you notice your bowels loosening, cut back on the magnesium and keep it at that level for a few months ~ as time goes on, you should be able to get adequate magnesium from the greens and seaweeds on the diet alone. Next, pick up the BTD Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia, online here or at your local bookstore. It has specific protocols for Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and I am sure they will help you get off the medications. And order some blood typing kits ~ they're simple to use, highly reliable, and a whole lot cheaper than asking your doctor to do it. The hospital where they were born should have their blood type on their records, so you could look into that option before purchasing the testing kits. Your husband will either turn out type A or type B ~ I hope for the latter, just because cooking's so much easier with at least two of the same type in the house! :-) Hey! 100% effort ALWAYS pays off, so I'm really looking forward to hearing your progress report in a little while! thanks so much for writing, Noella!! :-D
Type A Roundup ~ #3
August 4th, 2000 , by admin
Hello from a fellow opera singer! I am confused by Dr D'Adamo's words from the FAQ "I am aware that many practitioners use food combining as part of their dietary recommendations. I do not, simply because the blood type diets do specifically what food combining attempts to do non-specifically." This contradicts a passage in the Type A prescription (p. 181 UK edition, LR4YT) where he says: "In addition, be attentive to food combining. You'll digest and metabolise foods more efficiently if you avoid eating starches and proteins at the same meal." I am just starting the diet for the second time. My first attempt was two years ago, and although I was committed and thoroughly enjoyed the diet, I believe I added too many neutral foods, certainly did not use food combining, and failed to lose weight! I developed a severe bout of bronchitis and asthma, which sapped my motivation, and I gave up the diet while travelling. Now I wish I had persevered, having read that results can take anything from 6 months to a year. I am certainly a hardened case, as far as former mistreatment of my body is concerned!! I am now trying the Tier Two Diet with more or less exclusively HB foods. The food-combining question worries me because beans are a natural mis-combination as would be a meal of tofu, vegetables and rice noodles, for example. I have also started a severe chest cold after the first three days of only eating HB foods. Is there any way I could be releasing "toxins"? I FEEL right eating in this way. But I need to be free from respiratory tract infections too!
I have another, more specific question.....I'm living in Switzerland (though from Devon in England) and can't find all the A-friendly beans. There are "Borlotti" beans in their millions, however. Could these be, hopefully, Highly Beneficial, as well as Highly Obtainable?? Thanks! Dawn
Hi there, Dawn ~
Hey, I'm sorry you've had a little setback on the diet ~ don't worry a bit, you can be back on it tomorrow! I definitely believe that what you're going through is mucus release! Get religious about your morning cup of hot water with the juice of half a lemon; it does a great job of getting rid of the gunk, and can get the voice going even in less than optimal circumstances. I'd pack quercetin and green tea on all your trips ~ quercetin staved off more than one major bronchitis episode for me (eat it like candy if you feel something coming on), and green tea not only boosts immunity, but aids in weight loss as well. The classical singer's profession is extraordinarily demanding, but maintaining your voice in peak form through all the travelling and the performance demands will be made FAR easier through a strict adherence to your diet. Just what you wanted to hear for the 1000th time in your life: "discipline," eh? :->
The first thing I'll say about the food combining issue is: because you desire weight loss, stick to the Beneficial foods in the proportions and frequencies outlined in Live Right 4 Your Type. Fill up on bennie veggies and fruits at every opportunity. Rice, buckwheat, oats, rye, sprouted flour products and amaranth should be your only grains ~ and limit them to one serving per day.
From there, food combining (or "food separation") becomes a breeze. Eat fish, fowl, beans, nuts and eggs with vegetables only - no grain. Eat the beneficial grains with vegetables only ~ no high-protein sources. Specifically, string beans can count as a veg, but the other beans (the pulses/legumes normally dried before packaging) should be mentally placed in the high-protein category. Have fruit by itself, as a snack or morning meal. Flax oil, olive oil and walnut oil are the beneficials in the fats category ~ one serving per day. If you use this simple version of food combining, and eat four to six small meals per day instead of two or three big ones, you'll soon see the weight coming off!
I'm sure I don't need to mention the importance of water to a singer, so I'll omit that piece of advice. :-D But one major hazard you face that most folks don't is the eating-late-at-night business. If you are like me, you probably have little appetite during the day, then you relax and eat the house down after the performance ~ at 10:30 or 11:00 at night. Hoo, boy. If you do have this common pattern of eating, it's a hard one to break ~ unless you use that small meals rule, which truly will help enormously. It is very useful to the weight-loss seeker to eat more in the morning, less from noon to six, and little after that time. If you can, have a good breakfast, and snack intermittently as your appetite permits. When you come offstage for the last time in the evening, dig into some fruit salad. It is great for soothing the system, and will fill your need for food without tipping the day's meal proportions too heavily, too close to bedtime.
I hope these tips help, Dawn ~ and I'd love to hear you sing someday! Please keep in touch, OK? :-D
I have been on and off the type A diet for over a year and have experienced many great changes. I have only one majore problem, I can not eat made from soya. I'm 55 and would like to enjoy the benifits of soya with out the bloating and digestive problems. I have experimented with digestive enzymes and only have experienced miner results when I have eaten soya. Could I be allergic to soya or is there something else I could do? Jann
Hello, Jann! Did you try some gentian ~ say, 20 drops in a small glass of warm water before meals? Test this with very small amounts of soy, and do so for a full week. If at the end of that time, you are still experiencing bloating, I'd do the same experiment with other forms of soy, like tempeh or miso ~ again, in very small amounts. In the period of a week or two, you should see your digestion of soy improve to the point where the bloating no longer occurs. If it continues, I'd continue with the diet but eliminate soy for six months, then do the same test again. The A diet has multiple levels of health-enhancing elements, so don't feel you are missing the benefits if it turns out soy is not the food for you! Please write back and let me know how you do with this! :-)
Heidi, I am type A and have emailed you recently. You used my question in your daily letters. It really helped me a lot and gave me great suggestions about The Pain Control book, and I did purchase both of his books. They will help so much I am sure as soon as I can get started using his information. I also told you I had stopped diet cokes. Well, today has been 2 weeks!!!! and not even a sip!! I drink green tea sweetened with stevia. My question is how much green tea is too much, and also how much Ezekiel bread a day is too much if I am trying to lose weight? Are there any of the beneficial foods that I should also limit for optimum weight loss, ot should I just follow the portion guides? For many health reasons, and for many other reasons, I am desperate to lose 50 more pounds. I am 4'11" and now weigh 180. My body fat percent is 42. I have tiny bones, and was a 6 month baby with a twin that did not live. That was 51 years ago and for me to even survive was a miracle. I have fibromyalgia, lupus, bi-polar, hypothyroidism, and had pancreatitis twice in the last year. I have been a very sick puppy! I am determined not to give up. I help manage my mothers health food store, and am RN, but do not nurse anymore. I have access to lots of herbs and supplements, but am trying to be careful about what is safe for lupus, etc. Any extra info you have would be greatly appreciated. I purchased the Cook Right, Live right, Encyclopedia and am ordering the eat right book also. I am very serious about this and am so glad my friend told ms about this diet. Thanks again. Annie
Hi, Annie! Hey, you're doing GREAT with kicking the diet cokes!!! For green tea, I'd say three cups per day is about the limit. In Live Right, you'll see a total grains daily frequency of about once per day ~ and if you can stick to the beneficial foods in every category, while following those portion/frequency guides AND the mild exercise (Especially Yoga!!) recommended, you'll see wonderful results in no time. The Encyclopedia has great information on how to heal from the difficulties you've been through. Hang in there, dear, and be VERY, VERY kind to yourself, OK? I want a big report from you on the First of March. I'll be looking for it! thanks for writing, Annie!! :-D
My husband has blood type A. He loves humus, made with chick peas. I did not find this particular bean in the Eat Right For Your Type book. Can you please tell me if it's good for him? Thank you in advance. Roza
Hello, Roza! It is listed in Eat Right as "beans, garbanzo," and I'm sorry to say it is an avoid for him. When in doubt, remember to check the front page of this website (www.dadamo.com) for the TYPEbase3 link. There, you can search for any single food ~ just hit the "search" button, as the enter key does not work on that page. If you make your own hummus at home, just substitute a neutral or beneficial bean for chickpeas ~ black beans make wonderful hummus! Thanks for writing! :-D
Hello! I have been surching the database for facts about Chronic Fatigue Syndrom and blood type A (A Rh+), without success though (everything concerning CFS seams to relate to blood type . Do you have any suggestions concerning the diet or vitamin- and mineral supplements? I read in dr D'Adamos book about his idea of a liver disfunction. Have tried several cures for the liver, but without success. For years I have been following the diet for type A, even before reading the book about blood types (with the exception of potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and chickpeas which now are excluded!). I would be very grateful! Best wishes, Ariann
Hello, Ariann ~ I'm sorry you're struggling with CFS! The basic type A diet is the first step. If you can, get your secretor status either through the saliva test available in our online Store here, or through a test for Lewis type (a blood test), which closely correlates with secretor status ~ and use the diet and lifestyle recommendations in Live Right 4 Your Type. One of those recommendations is to use a powerful meditation practice ~ I've talked a lot about Transcendental Meditation, which has reams of research supporting its effectiveness, and I highly recommend the book Meditation as Medicine by Dr. Dharma Singh Khalsa and Cameron Stauth ~ deep stress relief is a potent healer of CFS. Third, there are protocols for supplementation in the BTD Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia ~ designed specifically for each type, with or without secretor status. Please let me know if you need help understanding or following any of this, and I will try my best to make the process easier! Best to you, Ariann! :-)
I am Blood type A. I am also a vegetarian and teach weightlifting classes and yoga. I recently started taking MCT oil for energy which does give me good energy, but I think the source is coconut... Is this still okay to take. Also is avocado okay for type A? Linda
Hi, Linda ~ Avocado is listed in TYPEbase3, but I'm not familiar with MCT oil. Could you tell me more about it? I'd usually suggest using something like black currant seed oil, flaxseed and olive oils for energy instead. Probably quite a bit cheaper in the long run, as well. Sounds like you're in great shape and enjoying your work! thanks for your note, dear!
I am blood type A and following the diet - however I am totally confused about whether or not I can eat bread and if so what kind!! The book says that type A generally does well on cereals and grains and suggests whole grains. However, it does say to avoid plain flour and self raising flour etc and also wholewheat flour - can I therefore eat malted bread or wholemeal bread? There are so many different types of bread around that I get mixed up!! I presume that plain white bread is out of the question but I am confused!!! Can you clarify for me please!!! And also I do not know what durum wheat/flour is? Many thanks Julie
Sure, you can eat bread! You type As do better on grains than without them! (I'm kinda jealous, but I'll get over it. :-)) But the kinds of grain and the portions do count. Plain white bread is not the best for your colon health, and it has little in the way of nutrition. Whole grains are best: RYE is wonderful, as is rice bread, oat, amaranth, and lots of others in the beneficial and neutral categories. Durum wheat is the hard wheat used in most wheat breads, whether wholemeal or plain. Try to limit yourself to one serving of grain per day ~ inclusive of all grain ~ for instance: whatever rice or other whole grain you might have in the day, pasta, and the bread. Do an internet search for bread recipes ~ you'll find them in the thousands. Sourdough bread is a great variety. The MOST important part of the A diet is VEGETABLES, of course, and one of the big challenges is to include more veg and fruit in the meal plan ~ but it certainly makes it easier when limiting oneself to that one serving of grain. I hope this helps!! :-)
Howdy Heidi, I'm another A with arthritis pain. I tried making that marvelous chicken broth with dissolved bones you wrote about. I have a nice broth, but I'm not sure I got bone minerals in it. When I took the chicken out of the oven after 3 hours, all of the joints weren't completely released. Maybe that's where I goofed; I could have left the chicken in for another hour maybe. Except the onions were starting to brown. As it was, even after cooking it in a pot for ages the bones never really got to a crumbly stage. My main question is, assuming I cook the chicken long enough in the over for all the joints to be loose, can I use a pressure cooker for the next step, instead of having a pot on the stove for several hours? love the column, blue
Hi, blue! A small roaster (three to five pounds) takes only about five hours in the broth-making part of the process. I add a bit of lemon juice for the last hour, which dissolves the bones further, but you don't need to do that to get the benefits. The joints don't need to be totally falling off ~ by then, the bird may be overcooked ~ Your broth was perfectly good! For a larger bird, I leave it brewing on the stove for about eight hours. I've never used a pressure cooker for this purpose ~ hmmm, I'd advise using a stock-pot on simmer instead. You can put the bones in the freezer until you're ready to make stock ~ then just leave it on all day, or put it on just before bedtime and let it simmer overnight. Whether you add lemon in the last hour or not, you'll get a marvelous broth that should help with that arthritis! Thanks for your kind words, and keep cooking! :-D
Type O Roundup ~ #3 ! (and a special note)
August 3rd, 2000 , by admin
Hi Heidi -- On Townsend letter for Doctors and Patients October 2002, there is an anoucement of a new website by George Mateljan, creator of Health Valley Foods: (WWW.whfoods.com) It's called the world healthiest foods website. Check it out. Very useful for folks on the go. Ken
Whoo hoo! Nice place!! Things DO change for the better, eh? thanks for that note, Ken!
I am a O+ who is confused. In Cook Right 4 your type Leeks are recomended as being Highly Benificial for type O's yet in Live Right 4 Your type and web data base Leeks are on the Avoid for type O's. Could you please advise which is correct and why? Thank you and have an awesome day Donna
Hey there, Donna! See the bottom of this page ~ it explains which food lists are correct. Also, take a look at the Updates Page! :-)
My husband and I are Blood Type "O", and both are taking medicine for high blood pressure. We also have slightly high cholesterol. I've noted some disparities between the Book "Eat Right 4 Your Type" and the Supplement "List for Blood Type O". Which is correct? (X=Book, Y=Supplement): Barley -- X = Neutral, Y = Avoid Ezekial Bread -- X = Highly Beneficial, Y = Neutral Apple Cider -- X = Avoid, Y = Neutral Apple Cider Vinegar -- X = Avoid, Y = Neutral Pinto Beans -- X = Highly Beneficial, Y = Avoid Sunflower Seeds and Chestnuts -- X= Neutral, Y = Avoid Beer -- X = Neutral, Y = Not Recommended White Wine -- X= Neutral, Y= Avoid Cucumber -- X= Neutral, Y= Avoid Leek -- X= Highly Beneficial, Y = Avoid Eggplant -- X= Avoid, Y = Neutral Brussels Sprouts, all cabbage, cabbage juice and sauerkraut -- X= Avoid, Y = Neutral
I have a degree in foods and nutrition, and I find this concept fascinating. However, there are some things I don't understand about the diet, and would like your assistance. 1. Butter is an animal fat, and high in cholesterol. Why is it neutral? 2. Mozzarella cheese -- The package label indicates the same ingredients and milk type as any other cheese. Yet, Mozzarella cheese is neutral, while the others are to be avoided. Why? 3. Are Soy Yogurt and Soy Ice Cream o.k.? They are not listed in the books. 4. Avocado -- Since it is a vegetable oil, why should it be avoided? Also, Avocado has "good" cholesterol, while butter has saturated fat. This seems paradoxical. 5. Liver is high in cholesterol. Why is this highly beneficial? 6. If white wine is neutral, then why is white balsamic vinegar to be avoided? 7. Can you give an opinion of the characteristics of "Smart Beat" Margerine, Fat Free cheese slices, and Fat Free mayonnaise. Thank you very much for your courtesy and reply. Pauline
Hi, Pauline! welcome! In answer to your first paragraph, please read the paragraphs at the bottom of this page (I'm including them at the end of my columns now, for everyone's reference!). About serum cholesterol: 90% of it is produced in the liver, and only 10% can be traced to cholesterol in the diet. Type O cholesterol rises with wheat ingestion, and falls with animal flesh/fat ingestion -- quite different from the type A response. That's one of the reasons we have four modifiable diet plans ~ folks with varying physiologies can't all prosper on the same diet. On the subject of those commercial products you mentioned, I don't know the ingredients so I can't comment. However, ghee (clarified butter) is an active healer of the digestive tract (for ALL types), tastes and cooks just like butter, and takes only 15 minutes to make. Fresh cheeses from reputable sources will always be healthier choices than any highly-processed item counting for sales on the fat-free craze. I've never heard of white balsamic vinegar... sounds neat, could you tell me more about it?I guess what you're facing is a bit of a paradigm shift! ;-) Many of the seeming-paradoxes can be unwound by a careful read of Live Right 4 Your Type -- and of course, the hundreds of columns written by Peter, Bron & me on this site can be searched or perused for particular questions. Additionally, as a professional you might be especially interested in the Science section of the main page. I hope you and your clients prosper from all the knowledge! thanks for writing! :-)
Hi! I e-mailed you earlier this month with questions concerning certain spices, and discrepencies between BTD and the web page. Unfortunately I have not been answered yet. I was also wondering whether types O and B can have rice bran oil. Thank you. Sara
Dear Sara ~ Please see the bottom of this page. Items not listed in TYPEbase3 may be considered neutral for people with no health difficulties including overweight. I've searched my emails, but have not received one from you. Which address did you send it to? thanks, dear! :-)
Hello Heidi. I read your column almost every day. I hope you can help me. I am a 63-year- old Type O Secretor, and have followed the BTD successfully for several years. I found the elimination of dairy and wheat to be the best thing I have ever done for my health. Several months ago, I developed an itchy, pustular rash that began around my ankles and lower legs and soon covered most of my body. At first I thought it was poison oak that became systemic. It began to clear up, and I thought it was going to go away, but it didn't. I still have it, mostly on my lower legs where it began, and still some on my arms. It comes and goes. Recently I had the doctor do a biopsy on one of the tiny blisters. The results came back consistent with atopic dermatitis (eczema). I have never had allergies to anything I know of or a skin problem of any kind other than some mild adolescent acne many years ago. I am mystified, especially in light of my improved diet and health, and mostly following the diet for my blood type. I take Type O probiotic daily (have for years), ARA 6, Phytocal O, Type O multiple, flaxseed, eat lots of raw fruit and veggies, meat, fish and fish oils, poultry, not many grains. What else should I be doing? Could this problem be diet/food related? The doctor says no, they don't know what causes it, and had no suggestions for me other than keeping the skin well hydrated with topical creams, including cortizone for the itching. She said it could become chronic and that I might have it off and on with flare-ups for years. Help!Nancy
Nancy, you are only the second person I know who's had that exact same problem. She's also type O. She nearly drove herself nuts trying to find the cause, but she did! (and I hope you're about to benefit from her hard work!) By a long series of experiments, she found out that it was the flaxseed causing the horrible rashes and itching. Get this: she never experienced this problem from flax oil -- only from the seed. So, I'd quit the flax immediately and see if your rash disappears. I'm not surprised by your doctor's conclusion that diet would have nothing to do with it. ;-) Let me know what happens, OK?
====================================================
Dear Heidi, Namaste! I'm a 50 year old woman, type O, secretor-type unknown. For 35 years, I've been mostly vegetarian, a few years pure veg, a couple years on fish, alternating. After reading BTD, I understood why I could not stay longer on the veg diet and would become sick, weak and craving fish. I tried the elimination-rotation diet and found many of the Type O Avoids that apply to me. Here's the problem: Five years ago, I moved to India where potatoes are the base of all meals. There is zero animal flesh eaten among the majority of the population. Meals are very low fat except for the dairy from cows or buffalo, and I could not avoid eating every wrong thing for me. Although I have remedied the situation during the last year, so that I can now eat fish fairly regularly, I am very concerned about healing myself. Wrong foods and emotional stress have almost ruined my system. I see myself aging fast. I am mostly sedentary and have become skinny. My teeth have started to abscess (I lost one in June, another is starting to get serious) and when I eat something wrong, not only do I lose focus on my tasks, but I get almost suicidally depressed. I get sick fast and get well slow. In desperation I came on the web to find answers and your website and database are a godsend, especially the updated Type lists so I can check every vegetable and fruit. Each time I have been able to eat fish regularly, my strength and energy becomes so much more vibrant that my body insists to get up and exercise, but one or two wrong foods and I get blown out crying and angry. This is socially dangerous as well as physically unhealthy. People think I am psychotic and between losing my teeth and the depression, I fear for myself. Please, other than dosing up on "my" fish and serious Avoidance of every common staple food here, what can and should I do to heal my teeth and nervous system, FAST? Are there ayurvedic or homeopathic remedies you can recommend, or is there any warning about those medicines? One more note is that although I gladly eat fish (whether ocean or Ganges river), I do Not want to eat land animals. Even here where the animals have no steroids or antibiotics, I see that they are not cared for properly and the slaughter and meat handling is too gross. Thank you so much for your educational and healing service. I have studied and tried "every" diet over the years (the grape cure, mucusless diet, macrobiotics, vegan, fruitarian) and boy was I shocked to find that it's the flesh food makes me healthy!!! Only now do I see how seriously I must follow this regimen... Love & light, eliza Dear Heidi, Namaste! I forgot to add that I am Rh negative. I hope my question wasn't too long or too hard to edit down. and of course I hope it has enough interest to answer! Thank you. I have been studying all the O info on the site. Now I have downloaded a few articles that I can show to people that I have a scientific basis for my weird food trips. They thought I was rejecting potatoes because they are "poor peoples food," and that my claims of emotional affects from food were just selfish and capricious... So thank you and the D'Adamos for the help I have already received! Love & light,
Whoa, eliza ~ you went through the same exact menu of stringent diets that I did! and thoroughly failed on! Hey, sister! :-) You know, you've answered your own questions about how strict you need to be in following the diet that maintains your health. I can explain in brief why your moods go haywire -- it's due to the intestinal ganglia, or "gut brain," being subjected to avoids -- it's not your imagination and you're not going nuts. :-) I'm going to suggest a couple of things for your gums and to help shore up your immune system. Do a search on www.alltheweb.com/advanced for "pregnenolone" with the must-include fields: "adrenal" and "exhaustion." Read up about this supplement, as it may be just what you need in the short term to begin building up your adrenal strength and immunity. The cheapest brand will do -- they're all the same product. Start with 30 mg with breakfast, and increase it each day by 30 mg increments if you don't notice a lightening of mood in a day or two. Folic acid (and plenty of dark green leaf veg) and CoQ10 for the gums/teeth. A proxa-brush or other thorough cleaning system is a good idea. A friend of mine who had similar problems found they cleared up just by using *unwaxed* dental floss after every meal. If you are grinding your teeth when you sleep, see a dentist for a custom-fitted guard you can wear at night. Of course, since you are an Rh-neg O, I'm not well pleased with the absence of meat in your diet. I thoroughly understand your reasons! and I imagine you remain in your area because of overwhelming personal commitments. Just really chow down on all the fish you can get your hands on, OK? And anyone who implies to you that your needs are selfish or capricious should be gently urged to understand that the body's requirements are not matters of emotional content: they are facts, and well-documented ones. I think you've soldiered through admirably, and I hope you'll drop me a note on how you're doing in a week or two! ~:-D
help.i'm getting a bit confused about carbohydrates & starches. i know you can't combine carbohydrate with proteins,but can you mix starch with protein? ie;sweet potato & fish(i'm an o).please could you advise me asap as i can't find any info on this,ta very much & keep up the good work,by the way pot pourris is a good idea as many problems sorted simultaneously, cheers debbie
You can, if you like! :-) It's best not to mix grain with protein, but experiment with starchy veg and see if you experience any trouble -- I don't think you will. Take a look at the "trophology" (food combining) portion of this website. It contains quick guidelines on how to manage food combining, or "food separation." and thanks so much for your kind words, debbie! take care, dear!! :-)
I have ulcerative colitis and am type o I have bought glutamine to take as it seems appropriate at this time however it has acacia init and I wondered if this will be ok or will it have too detrimental effect on the uc Many thanks Chrystene
Greetings, Chrystene! I wouldn't take a supplement containing acacia gum ~ try to find a brand with better ingredients? Have a read here, and also look into the supplement "SEACURE" -- Peter recommends it for colitis in Live Right 4 Your Type. Please let me know how it goes for you! I wish you all the best, Chrystene!
Do you know the effect of using Revival soy for weight loss(.5-1 lb/wk) and treatment of hot flashes? I am a type O Secretor and nursing. My immediate family is basically type O, but my husband is Non-secretor and I am a secretor. How should we work this out with our kids (5)? thanks -- Angel
Hello, Angel! :-) If Revival Soy contains no avoids for your type, then it's fine to take ~ but I am not familiar with its effects on weight loss, and I hope you aren't going over your "bean" allowances by eating it every day... ? Your kids could be either secretors OR nonsecretors, so for now I'd feed them the secretor diet (but watch for reactions to some of the nonsecretor avoids in there -- mainly the soy and grain avoids -- and be prepared to make adjustments for the kid(s) who show those reactions, like constipation/weight gain/digestive distress). It is likely at least one of your kids is a secretor. It's possible they are ALL secretors - that's if you carry two secretor genes -- but if you have a recessive nonsecretor gene, whoo! all bets are off! :-) Well, you married a nonnie, but at least you're both Os! good work, dear! :-D
I have pruchased the blood diet books and followed it faithfully. I am a type O and have gained weight from this diet. What should I do? I do need to tell you that I am 49 and am in menopause. Although I have gained weight, I must admit that this is the best that I have felt for a long time. Pat
Hi, Pat! I am certainly happy you're feeling good!! The key for you will lie in (1) portion control (follow the guidelines in LR4YT; (2) limiting or eliminating grains and dairy (until you achieve your ideal weight again); (3) exercise, exercise, exercise... :-) and (4) hormonal rebalancing -- for which I suggest maca root, a couple of tablespoons every day in a smoothie or stirred into juice. www.pennherb.com is a great place to get it. Another possibility: you many be a nonsecretor, and if you are motivated to get that weight off, it's a good investment to get the saliva secretor test in our Store here, or get the Lewis blood test done, then follow the diet 4Y secretor type! The fact that you're feeling better means you're on the right track! just a little tweak here and there, and I'm sure the weight will start coming off. thanks for writing, Pat! :-)
Dear doctor, I am an O+ and a newbie here! I have no idea if I am a secretor or not. I read something about BTD in my country and on this site and it sounds very interesting! BUT...there are some difficulties! I have been a vegan for about 4 years and a lacto-ovo-vegetarian during the last 2 years. Apparently I did the opposite you recommend for my type! I love pasta and bread (they are delicious and daily fresh where I live!) and I hate red meat as I find it disgusting! I am on a yoga path even if it's more on a spiritual/meditation style rather than strictly physical and my group suggests not to eat meat. it has been very easy for me to follow this suggestion. Since I gave up meat, I had improvement in my body. I stopped having headaches, back pain and colitis. My monthly pain has reduced to little pain. I also hadn't suffer for sinusitis and colds since then even if I couldn't be able to give up smoking (5-6 sigarettes per day)! Besides, I think that I've always been a little bit depressed and in the last months that has got worse due to circustances of my life. Eating animal food seems to enhance this mood, making me feel very sad and sleepy, especially after meal. Now, I ask you why shouldn't I eat food that satisfies my taste and eat food that tastes very bad for me? Isn't the pleasure side important? It's quite difficult for me to buy the right food here as they are not wide-spread. I like soy beans, but how can I be sure that it's not transgenetical, especially the canned type? Last thing: in the last months I suffered for intestine pains and bloating every now and then and for a perioral dermatitis on my face. Do you think it could be related to my nutrition? thanks a lot for your answer and sorry about my English! Melly
Hi there, Melly ~ I'm not the doctor, but I'll do my best to help! and your English is just wonderful! :-)I'll tell you a secret: I love bread and pasta, too -- I just don't eat them -- and I'm also on a spiritual path. Part of my practice is to give thanks to the animals I eat, and do my best to see that they have healthy lives, are treated well and roam freely, and are taken for food in a humane manner. This allows me to take simple pleasure in the gift of food, including vegetables, fruits, etc., and to maintain my health and energy as my God-given physiology requires. An "organic" label guarantees against GMO foods ~ for now, anyway. We are going to see changes, due to the fact that bees and breeze carrying pollens do not stay within man-made field boundaries.Bloating, intestinal pain and perioral dermatitis are common symptoms type Os experience from eating plenty of grains and lacking the right kind of protein for their digestive systems. In fact, it was a skin problem that took me to the acupuncturist who correctly guessed I was a type O vegetarian -- and advised me to change my diet before the problems I couldn't see manifested themselves more powerfully. At any rate, I hope you will follow the diet to the extent you can; that's what we all do, actually! and I wish you the best in all things! :-)
On the O diet, is catsclaw of any use and is it beneficial? Is Ginko Biloba of any use on the O diet and is it beneficial? Thanks for your help! jjoseph
Instead of catsclaw, use quercetin ~ it is a potent anti-inflammatory. Gingko is more effective for types A and B, but Rhodiola rosea and folic acid, along with Indian gooseberry, are great for cognitive enhancement for type Os. :-)
I'm 0 pos. and a non-secretor. Is it possible that non secretor mothers also would show low IgA levels in the colostrum after childbirth. If so would this diminish much of the protection received from breastfeeding? Thanks, Carolyn
That is an excellent question, Carolyn! I have no idea what the answer is, but I'll pass this one on to the experts. I'll see what the consensus is, and I'll post it here in a bit. :-)
I have a friend that has menieres disease and wondered if the blood type diet would help. He is not sure of his type yet so I can't give you that info. Thanks Carol
Dear Carol ~ the blood type diet, along with the recommended exercise and stress-relief suggestions, is the perfect basis for a healthy life. From my reading, diet and supplementation of various kinds have proven effective in treating Meniere's, so I am certain this plan will help your friend. I also suggest an internet search for "Meniere's Disease," where you'll find many self-help and support sites. In particular, magnesium has anecdotal support, and here is a site detailing one sufferer's cure. I would ask that he first get his blood type, and begin the plan -- then use suggestions from other sites as long as they do not take him off the diet. Best of luck to him, dear ~ and thanks for being a good friend! :-)
Hi ^Heidi^, Noticed today that your column was about exercise and Doc Bron's was about longevity. I am about to embark on a program (personal) that is so simple ... like 1 minute/day of peak exercise each day 3 wks out of 4. I have sent you at least one of these links before, but since then it has been revised and its much better to understand: for exercise - http://www.dardikinstitute.org/ ; for brain performance - http://www.0disease.com/0waterheal.html ; for longevity and maximize all mental physical functioning via enhanced breathing - http://www.intellectbreathing.com/lectures/lecture3.en.php . This particular combo ... along with diet strategies - show theoretical great promise. Will let you know how well they work for me! I haven't flipped out yet, I think. These concepts turn normally accepted realities and clearly define them towards specific (basic) roles. Theoretically, they strongly impact on health status ... I'll see. John
Hey John, you wrote this back in September but haven't reported back with your findings! REPORT! LOL! ~;-D I look forward to hearing how you're doing!
Hi, would you be so kind and explain why diet drinks are bad? I take one or 2 diet cokes a day. I'm O blood type and stick to the diet most of the time; no wheat at all, rarely some cream or yoghurt or milkchocolate and a lot of beef and lambs meat, fish, vegetables and salad. Do a lot of physiacl exercise, 51 yrs old, feeling good. I have sometimes an exzema problem: could that be caused by the diet drinks? Thanks! Liesbeth
Greetings, Liesbeth ~~ I'm not sure which sweetener is used in your diet drink. If it is Splenda, please take a look at this column. If it's aspartame (Nutrasweet), just search on the web for the terms aspartame and hazard. You'll find thousands of pages on the horrible effects of this artificial monstrosity. My question: why would you want to use diet drinks? Heck, I can't see risking one's liver in order to save twenty or thirty calories. Personally, I make my soda at home from fruit concentrate and mineral water. If you like things a bit sweeter, use vegetable glycerine ~ which actually does nice things for the metabolism! For your skin, just eliminate grains as best you can, and make sure your intake of good fats from fresh fish and beneficial & neutral oils is adequate for you. Let me know how you do, OK? thanks!! :-D
Do you have any guidance or information concerning blood type diet for type O with Narcolepsy? Deborah
Hello, Deborah ~ As this is a genetic neurological disorder, a specialized supplementation program could no doubt be put together to rebuild neurotransmitter efficiency, and I am sure the diet would help the healing process -- not just the diet, but a regular exercise program as well. I would immediately set up a staggered sleep schedule, with the longest stretch being from 10 or 11 o'clock at night to three or four in the morning -- then an hour awake, then another brief sleep time, either immediately or as a one- or two-hour nap in the late morning/early afternoon. This kind of schedule has remarkable effects on the physiology and mental functions. I'd also strongly recommend the book Meditation as Medicine by Dr. Dharma Singh and Cameron Stauth, for its brief, simple and powerful meditation techniques (and loads of case histories). I hope this gives you pointers as to how to proceed ~ please let me know if I can help further! :-)
I'm blood group O. I enjoy fish, but not meat. Are meat alternatives, like quorn, ok to eat? Gaynor
Hi, Gaynor! Actually, I wrote a column on quorn, which I'll quote here:"Quorn is a commercially manufactured substance, one which is entirely new to the human digestive system and which has a significant record of stimulating allergic response. It is not made from mushrooms, nor any other plant. Rather, it is created by propagating a fungus present in soil in a glucose medium, and forming the resultant goo into edible-looking products. Its manufacturers in Europe have received a government edict to stop advertising it as a mushroom derivative, and health warnings have been issued in several quarters. It has only recently been marketed in North America, and until its safety and some idea of its nutritional value, if any, have been established, I strongly suggest eating real food instead. :->"At any rate, it has none of the benefits of meat for your type. So, load up on those fishies, and please add some fowl in there as well! Best of health to you, dear! :-)
I love bread ... I mean I LUUVVV bread. Obviously, for a type-O this is a problem. There are some ingredients I am trying to validate in order to make my own bread since wheat, corn, potatoes, and milk (contained in one form or another in 95%+ of all prepackaged foods, and 100% of retail bread, i.e., non-healthfood store-bought bread) are containdicated. What is the word on xanthan gum, tapioca starch, and kudzu starch for type-O's? Starch seems to be a big deal and difficult to get around; it's in everything--I mean everything--that I like, and the basic component is either derived from potatoes or corn, so I'm desperately looking for an alternative. Can you help, especially in recommending a type-O-friendly, commercially-available baking powder? ALL2EASY
Well, tapioca is listed in TYPEbase3 ~ but xanthan and kudzu are not yet rated, so technically they're neutral... but I'd go with kudzu instead, since I don't trust unknown gums in the least! For baking powder, just use 2 parts cream of tartar to 1 part baking soda. If I were you, I'd get a good resource on sourdough bread baking, and I'd become an expert doing it with all the alternative flours (and give me the recipes, LOL!)You know, the LUUVVV of bread got me thinking. There seem to be phases people go through on each diet. Say, phase 0 is when you're reading about it but haven't made any changes. Phase 1 is the most difficult (and perhaps exciting) period, where you're trying it out and finding that it seems to be doing some good, but it's a hassle keeping one's food list around and it takes forever to read ALL those labels at the market, and avoiding avoids at parties & so forth. Phase 2 comes into play when we get a little more sophisticated about substitutes, and here's where I think you're at right now. It's when we still haven't fully grokked the differences in food group proportion between what we used to eat and what our diet is trying to move us toward, so we get very skilled at substituting one ingredient for another, while missing some of the "grand plan" of the O diet like that pyramid I posted a few days back. Don't get me wrong: I love bread, too, but if I set myself up as a home bread baker because I love it so much, I'm going to be eating significantly more than the one-to-six servings per week -- yep, per week -- allowed for secretors (and way more than the zero-to-three servings permitted for nonsecretors). That's TOTAL grain servings, by the way. What I'm trying to say is, the diet may not work real well for you as an O if your grain-love leads you off the portion-frequency path. ;-) and I hope you'll take those guidelines as means to move towards Phase 3 ~ where the food items and their frequencies and the proper exercise and stress-relief practices all come together into a lifestyle whole! :-D Well, I sure went on about that one. But you catch me drift, eh? thanks for your Qs, and I wish you all the best in your breadmaking endeavors! ;-)
Hi Heidi Love your column. I've been on the diet since 1997, as a Type O secretor. My failings on it are mainly in eating more brown rice and Ezechial bread than I should. I'm thin and don't want to melt away. Since I started the diet my homocysteine level has gone from OK (7) to of concern (11). I was mostly vegan before starting it. Someone told me to eat less meat. What suggestions do you have for a Type O who needs to lower their homocysteine level? Thanks Cindy
Hi, Cindy ~ It looks like your trouble has little to do with meat-eating ~ in fact, you could use more meat in your diet, specifically organ meats. Try chicken livers to start, then work your way up the food chain. I sound digusting, right? yes, don't deny it ~ as a post-vegetarian like yourself, I'm feeling that old quiver just talking about the food chain. ~~;-D A great means of lowering homocysteine levels is the methylcobalamin supp Peter designed -- Methyl12 Plus. It also contains folic acid, and they work really well together to lower hc levels. Do get plenty of the kale/collard/chard family, the best natural source of folates, and don't let your old friends tip you off the carnivorous carnival, OK? that meat is good for you, as much as you or I might wish it were otherwise. take good care, friend! and keep me posted on how it goes for you. :-)
I'm a type O who loves pumpkin pie. I want to bake individual small souffle cups with just the filling. I'm planning to use Stevia Plus for the sweetener, Omega-3 eggs, but don't know what to substitute for the evaporated milk. Do you know of an ingredient that will not greatly alter the taste and consistancy of the pumpkin filling? Thanks for any help that you can give. Tricia
Hrmmm... How about this one:1 can pumpkin, 3 organic eggs, 1 cup soy (or rice or almond) milk, 1 T blackstrap molasses, 2 T vegetable glycerine, allspice, ginger, cloves, a pinch of fine sea salt and a touch of almond extract. (Mix together and bake in a low oven till set.) I think most people like things sweeter than I do right now, so you might want to up the sweetener part of the recipe a bit. Test it and report back! :-)
How does seltzer water help people with type 0 blood? I thought we weren't supposed to have any carbonated drinks. What is the difference in Club Soda and Seltzer water? The diet is helping me very much and if I can drink the seltzer or club soda that would be a treat. (I added several drops of stevia in it!) I've tried both and the seltzer water really made me go to the bathroom (almost like irritable bowel syndrome with lots of gas). Could you please advise? Thank you, Anna
Hi there, Anna! The fizz is good for us as an appetite supressant before meals. If seltzer or club soda give you difficulty, use a good mineral water instead! My favorite is Geronsteiner, but there are many wonderful brands available, and I recommend the high-solids varieties ~ a great natural source of minerals for us! Try www.mineralwaters.org ~ it's a fabulous world of min waters out there! enjoy!! :-)
I am a type O and have been on the diet for several months. I've been using organic soymilk to replace milk. I recently purchased the Blood Type O Food, Beverage and Supplement Lists handbook at my Health food store and it's brought new information to my attention. It says that i should avoid carrageenan which is present in every soymilk, rice milk, almond milk brand there is. What options do I have? I admit it would be hard for me to give up that dairy alternative. Does there exist a brand without it? Amanda
Greetings, Amanda! WestSoy and... one other brand which has flown my mind right now... do make good-tasting organic soy milk with no additives. Hmmm... WestBrae Natural? might be the other one. By now, I'll bet Eden have a soy-and-water-only variety. Do a search for their websites ~ most of these commercial sites offer ingredient lists. Good luck, I know you'll find a good one!! :-)
Where does soy milk and soy cheese fit into a type O diet? In Dr. D'Adamo's book BTD they are listed in the dairy section as dairy substitutes. Does that mean they can be consumed more than once a day as opposed to other milk products which are marked as 0-1X a week (for Caucasians)? Sue
Hi, Sue ~ good catch! They're listed in dairy for easy reference as substitutes ~ but they fall into the bean category in their allowed portions/frequencies. :-)
Hi Heidi, My wife and I (both type O, probably secretors) have been on the diet for almost 2 months and feel great! More energy and no more early morning sugar crashes. We can't always afford to buy lean, organically fed meats. Is the 90% lean ground beef OK, especially if we drain off the excess fat? Also, the BTD book recommends up to 2 slices of bread per day. Does this include Ezekiel bread, or is more of that OK, since it is listed as a benificial? Some of the sprouted breads I see have sprouted corn as an ingredient. Is this assimilable to type O's? One more question, kind of an odd one. Since butter is a neutral, is cream also neutral? Thank you so much. I enjoy your column! Jerry
Hello, Jerry ~ Well, the Food for Life brand of zeke is fine, and it does contain other sprouted stuff. As for butter: have a peek at this column, it explains why butter's OK but cream ain't! You and your wife are doing a wonderful job of keeping to the diet, so on the organic front, just do your best. As I always say, that's what we all do! and you're seeing great results, so just keep on keepin' on! thanks for writing, Jerry!
Greetings; I have not found this question in the archives but I'm sure it's be pondered and answered innumerable times. I'm an O and enjoy the diet--however, I cannot afford organic animal protein. I'm a poor student. Am I doing more harm than good eating beef & chicken from the local Safeway vs. Wild Oats. I'm a runner and consume meat in plentiful &almost daily amounts. I also eat plenty of fruit & vegies. Anyway, what ya think Dr. D. says about those of us who don't have the income for $9 lb beef? I intend to keep on eatin anyway. thanks 4 ur reply. Ms. A
Hey there, Ms. A ~ gotta say I love your email addy ~ I'm Capricorn, so you can figure out why. Hon, you need your meat, and if you get the chance, please seek out the folks at www.eatwild.com. You may find a local producer who can get you your protein needs at less than one of those shapely arms or legs. As I just said to Jerry, we all do our best on this front. Those of us who can afford it are also pushing the commercial producers to clean up their acts, so there are plenty of folks out there who are voting with their dollars for more organic meats, and everyone will benefit. In the meantime, you eat what you need, girl, and when you're a wealthy professional, you'll have more choices ~ but you are doing far more GOOD than harm by consuming the kinds of food you need to maintain your health. :-D
I live 6 hours north of Toronto Canada in a lovely little town (retired last December). IT is impossible to buy organic meat and next to impossible to buy organic vegetables -- I did grow some in the summer but our growing season is very short so they are all finished now. My question is: is it better to keep away from meat if one cannot buy organic? I eat lamb and chicken often but I do feel good for eating beef. Heidi, only just found your response to my earlier question on GERD (not used to this new board format - LOL) I shall be trying the ginger juice as soon as I can buy some -- shall I use it along with the medication I am on, or drop the medication and try it alone - my Dr. told me at my last visit that if I wanted to I could drop the meds and see what happens. As for stresses/stressors, I don't really have any anymore (except for worrying about our food supply!) as I no longer have to work (YAHOO - it's WONDERFUL!)- maybe I am still working out the remainder of the work induced ones - LOL. Thanks in advance - Sue
LOL! Yep, just read the two responses above on organic vs the "other" meat. Lamb is least likely to be medicined-up, and rabbit is another great choice. Do eat the full range of beneficials, while seeking alternative modes of obtaining the organics. You can use that ginger juice while you're taking the meds, but if you're feeling adventurous I'd take your doctor's permission to heart and go with the juice and the other strategies alone. Congrats on your retired status, you LUCKY woman, and may your peace expand!! ~:-D
THANKS AGAIN, everyone!!!
Type AB Roundup! #2 !!
August 2nd, 2000 , by admin
I don't live in the United States and many of the foods yu have listed in your books and website are not very common here. I'm type AB and I was hoping if you can help me with some foods typical for our country, but not mentioned on your list. I'd like to know if the following are ok to eat and perhaps one day you could add them on your website or the books because they would surely help many diet followers in Northern parts of Europe and Baltic: Meat: elk, reindeer (similar to moose and caribu, but European kinds) Fish: Baltic herring, there are also many kinds of sweetwater fish, but difficult to explain here and they probably don't even have English names Eggs & dairy: there are many domestic cheese brands, but I'm sure you have no knowledge what they are like Oils and fats: rapeseed oil Cereals: Rye (flakes, flour etc.) Bread: Breads made of barley Vegetables: swede I'm especially looking forward the answer about rapeseed oil because it's the most commonly used type of cooking oil here, I'd appreciate if you could answer about that one if there is no time to find answers to the others. Sirpa
Greetings, Sirpa! :-) Ok, let's take your questions in order:
Elk and reindeer: very similar to venison, so provisionally I would value them as avoid for secretor ABs and neutral for nonsecretors.
Baltic herring (Clupea harengus membras) is closely related to our Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) and would have the same value as "herring" in the AB food list (neutral for secretors, beneficial for nons). In the case of other fish, do an internet search for the name by which you know that fish, and get the Latin name. Then go to the FDA Fish Name Search page, enter the entire Latin name and see what comes up. If nothing appears, enter just the genus (first) name, and examine the results against TYPEbase 3. I recommend the FDA pages because they list the common names by which we call the fish listed in the food lists.
Cheese? :-D I dunno! Try me! :-D Generally speaking, the fresh, soft, mold-free cheeses are neutral or beneficial for ABs, whether made with cow's milk, or milk from goats or sheep. The cultured dairy products, such as yogurt and kefir, are also good for you lucky folks! :-D
Rapeseed oil? We in North America call it "canola," and that's how it's listed in TYPEbase 3.
Rye (flakes, flour etc.), can be found by searching the database using the term "rye." Same for "barley."
The swede (or "Swedish turnip"), Brassica napobrassica, is what we call the rutabaga ~ it is a yellow-fleshed variety of our "turnip," a purplish-topped or all-white root vegetable.
To find "swede," just look for "rutabaga" in TYPEbase3!
Thanks for your questions, Sirpa ~ I hope these answers helped, dear!! :-)
dear heidi: hope you can help, I follow the diet 4 your blood type, take all suplements, did for 12 weeks the protocol for arthritis for AB, recently I was diagnose with spinal stenosis, a degenerative condition of the spine. Conventional treatments consists of bedrest and controlled physical activity, anti-inflamatory drugs, epidural steroid injections, I would like to know if you can recomend a natural alternative, how much and when to take it. I got the book for medical meditation that you recomend, take extra ara6, omegatentials and today going to acupunture to relieve pain. I wrote to you once on another subject and got a response right away. Dr. d'adamo is very lucky to have you in his staff, you do a wonderfull job, and like the way you write. thank you Luisa
Hello, Luisa! Oh dear, I'm so sorry you're suffering with this. The treatments you listed are indeed the standard allopathic actions, but I believe that if you can dose yourself regularly with quercetin and get a physical therapy program going, the diet and the meditations will let your healing proceed. Unless your pain is severe, do try to avoid the steroid injections especially -- and the quercetin can be taken at high doses without harm, and should do the job (or better) of the anti-inflam drugs. Acupuncture is a great treatment, not only for pain relief, but for re-balancing your energy and musculature. Use only the beneficial foods in the categories that contain beneficials for you -- and have a glass of black cherry juice daily to help dissolve the deposits. Keep up those kriyas! and I'm sending energy your way, dear! Let me know how you do, OK? I'd like to hear your progress!! :-)
Hi! I am a 43 year old AB+, and I am having a wee problem with green tea. It is supposed to be beneficial for ABs, but if I drink it without milk as one is supposed to do, my throat (and mouth to some extent) becomes very dry for several hours afterwards. Adding milk solves the problem, but I am worried that it might neutralise the positive effect of green tea. Can you shed any light on this? My second question concerns bananas; they are on my 'Avoid' list, but I love them and have never noticed any negative effect on my digestion. My first solid food as a baby was mashed banana, and they have always remained an important part of my diet. Could it be that I have become resistant against the banana-lectin, or should I stop eating them anyway? Thanks very much, John.
:-) hi, John ~ some foods just don't announce their "avoidity" to the body, and if it's something we've eaten since childhood, we might not notice some effects we've had all our lives! :-) Do a test for banana: eliminate it for two weeks, then on each successive day, eat two bananas, for one week. See if you are aware of any untoward reactions. For the long term, they should be avoided, but tests of this kind have turned up surprising results, so I suggest doing that "banana trial." About the green tea: how about some rice milk in it? The dryness may be connected to the brand you're using, perhaps? Have you switched around and tried different ones? I do recommend Mr Itaru's wonderful variety that is sold here in the Store, if you're game for a new one. Write back with more comments, please! :-)
In the book "Eat Right 4 your Type" it talk about how Blood type AB lacks stomach acid and how coffee is highly benificial to help in the digestive process. Yet both online and in the pocket guide coffe is listed as AVOID. Could you please tell me which is it. I could understand a typo in listing it in the wrong category but to expand upon it in the narative is another thing. I look forward to your response. Robert
Hi, Robert ~ The new research done between the publication of BTD in 1996 and the later books indicated that coffee did more harm than good for ABs, hence its changed status. Take a read through the Updates Page for more on the new listings. Many foods did undergo a change in status, as this was a brand-new science in 1996 and work has been done to refine the food values. The good news is that we expect little to no change in the current lists now, except to add new items as they are tested. Thanks for your note! :-)
I adopted the blood type diet in April this year,having experienced yet another spring of throat/ear infections and feeling pretty low. It was recommended to me by my husband's niece who told me that several people she knew had benefited from it. I am AB and found that some of the foods I love but had previously thought were bad for my weight control (peanut butter, lamb and porridge)were actually on my list! The hardest thing for me (being british) was giving up the good old cup of tea. However I have been virtually caffeine free for five months now (I have one cup of decafe coffee a day as well as green tea plus cammomile tea in the evening)and I no longer get the headaches that would plague me for 2/3 days and that amount of painkiller would help. My skin has also improved(I have suffered with Acne since pruberty and am now 47). Our close friends were so impressed with my improvement and increased energy levels that one of them has taken this on board (type A)and although I did not think she would be able to adapt to such a major change in her diet, she has, and is losing weight and experiencing increased energy levels. Her husband cannot believe the change and her work colleagues think she is "on something", I feel this diet could well spread big time if only us british could give up on our more traditional eating habits. I am very thankful for that conversation in April this year that started me eating properly. Had we not had a family occasion and all met up I might never have known about "eating right for your blood type." Andrea
Hey, what a great report!! Andrea, thank you so much for taking time to write to us!! Every culture's cuisine has a few stumbling blocks for new BTD'ers, but we persevere! so I'm sure your English compatriots will come round in their own good time as well ~ but it's good to know you're there nudging them along. Thanks again, Andrea! your multiple success story made my day!! :-D
XML Feeds
