Heidi, I see you split up my questions, Thanks if you can ask Susan if you can give me her E-mail address. So I can ask for recipes directly. I know I am beating a dead horse. I know the frequency in LR4YT. But is 2000 cals at the low, middle, or high end of the frequencies? (5', 60", 126#, CAU Fem, Activity Chasing 5 kids, nursing one-youngest of 5, homeschooling the rest, cleaning house, and other activities outside the house) Anyway god luck answering my other questions. Angel in UT



Hi, Angel! According to your hunger, increase the portion size. The frequencies should remain the same, since they're what constitute the structure of the diet. We don't use calories much in this plan, because it works beautifully without that additional layer of mathematics ~~ and for most people, that's a relief! :-) If I've missed other questions, let me know, OK?



Susan, if you don't mind giving your email address to Angel, just drop me a note and I'll pass it on to her. thanks, ladies! :-D

I read your books around May last year and then started eating right for my blood type (which is A). My nose and ears which were blocked my whole life (and I never realised it) have been clear and I used to permanently be producing phlegm in my throat and that has stopped. My feeling of well-being has increased and I can definitely feel now since being on the diet very strictly that when I eat the 'wrong' foods I feel it. My whole life I felt nauseous every time I had a milkshake. I am a voluble supporter and promoter of the Blood group diets and have spread the word far and wide.



The only flies in the ointment are my skin & my weight. I started getting acne and have struggled now for a year to get rid of it. At first I thought it was a cleansing/detox that was taking place i.e. muck coming out and now after a year I am losing hope. Two other girls here at work started the diet and did extremely well on it and lost so much weight with only good to report. My weight has increased slightly or the same, yet I never seem to lose. I don't have that much to lose either maybe 5 kgs.



I want very much to believe in this as I think it is brilliant and it made so much sense to me. I have naturally liked and felt great eating my correct foods for years, so it was easy to adjust. I just can't go round telling people how wonderful it is when I'm not as slim as I should be and also have this acne. Not a good advert at all. Another girl at work who refuses to believe in this went to a dietician here in South Africa and the dietician swears by the Glycemic Index. I looked through the info and it would seem for me to eat according to that I'd have to start eating a lot of wheat and dairy products which would almost be against my religion now. Where does it all fit in and what can you suggest I do now? I am getting desperate. Thank you, Allyson



Hello, Allyson ~~ Welcome, I'm glad you found us!



I'm going to suggest a number of things you can use to clear up your skin and take that weight off. Rest assured we won't send you back to the Whole Wheat & Dairy League. ;-)



Weight loss seems to proceed a bit more slowly for most type As than it does for most Os, for example. However, you've been at it for a year, and that's plenty of time, so we know there are adjustments you can make to get that process going.



The Eat Right 4 Your Type diet was the first, basic exposition of this way of life. Since then, some changes have been made due to new research and better testing techniques, and the diets were refined based on ABO plus secretor status and other "type" results. These changes were published in Live Right 4 Your Type in 2001 -- if you can find that book, I'd pick it up.



In the meantime, I'll talk a little about the frequency tables in Live Right, just to put you on a strong footing to go forward with. Here's how it goes for a Caucasian type A secretor:



Per week: 0-3 portions of allowed poultry, 1-3 portions of fish, 1-3 eggs, 1-3 portions of allowed milk (goat, for example) and yogurt (not 1-3 for each, but total), 1-3 portions of allowed cheese, 5-7 servings of beans & legumes, 4-7 servings of nuts & seeds, 7-9 of grains, Unlimited veg, 3-4 servings fruit and 5-8 servings of oils. You can see that vegetables are intended to be the basis of the diet (four or more servings per day, for instance), along with lots of fruit, one serving of grain daily, one of beans/legumes, one of oils, and an egg and some fish a few times per week. The rest (dairy & poultry) you can take or leave as you please, since you may or may not find they suit you.



If you look at this info and say, WOW, I've been way high in one or two food groups and way low in some others, then you've already found something you can do right away to fine-tune your diet. It makes a BIG difference!



Next, the old advice to eat like a lion at breakfast, a squirrel at lunch & a bird at dinner is remarkably apt. It encourages high energy throughout the day (and effortless weight normalization), and restful sleep at night.



I also suggest drinking 3 to 4 liters of water per day, away from meals, with a tiny pinch of sea salt in each liter. Sounds like a lot, but two large glasses upon arising and an hour after dinner, and you're halfway there. This does wonders for the skin and for cleansing the entire digestive system, thereby encouraging healthy fat loss. Do it for a week, and see what happens!



Before I go on forever here :-) -- are you doing a daily yoga session? Just half an hour in the morning can make a world of difference to every organ of your body, including the largest one: your skin. Yoga reduces cortisol levels, allowing extra fat to gracefully remove itself. And light exercise later in the day, like a walk before dinner, or a swim or a bike ride in pleasant surroundings, is also recommended. Yoga and outdoor exercise help your digestion to do its work freely and easily, clearing the system of any built-up clogs or old waste.



Finally, it's possible that something you added to your diet for the past year has triggered a skin or hormonal reaction of some kind. If you can't pinpoint a particular item or group of foods that may be having this effect, it's possible that a gallbladder flush every two weeks for a couple of months would be a good measure to take, just to clear your liver & gallbladder for vibrant functioning with your new diet. All the info you need can be found at Julia Chang's brilliant liver health site.



Allyson, I know this is a lot to consider, so do write again if you have questions as you put these ideas to use. Thanks for writing, and once again, a very warm welcome to you! :-D

Is there a food value for yerba mate (am I spelling it correctly?) for Os? I couldn't find it in the database. Thanks for your great column! Shay



Hey there, Shay ~~ We haven't listed it, but Peter's column Type O and Yerba Mate explains his view of it. Thanks for writing, dear! :-D

Hi! Heidi, I really enjoy checking in with your column everyday.I've been on the diet for about a month. And feel so much better. My blood type is A- secretor. The only problem I've been struggling with is bloating over the course of the day. In one of your columns you suggested Gentian Root. I've been using it 3x a day approximately 1 hour before meals,it helps but I researched it and read that in European hebology,gentian is believed to strengthen the digestive system when taken over a period of time. However, in Chinese medicine,gentian is regarded as an intense herb that should seldom be taken over the long term.I also read it can stimulate the appetite.I would appreciate any input you would have on this. Thanks again for all your continued help.Nancy



Hello, Nancy ~~ Well, let's see. Are you taking PolyFlora-A? That probiotic should help establish the right balance of flora & fauna so that digestion proceeds effortlessly.



Does the bloating happen after particular foods, or with anything you eat? First, eating four or five small meals instead of three larger ones can help tremendously. Second, if it is fish, poultry or beans that prompts the bloating, try some pineapple (whole, or juiced) half an hour before you eat the protein. Or, take a bromelain supp ~ there is a great one on offer in the Store here. If it is the combination of protein and grain which produces bloat, try eating the grain separately from the protein. Either may be eaten with vegetables of your choice, but fruit would be eaten separately, and other meals would be grain & veg or protein & veg.



The Chinese view of gentian is not dissimilar to our own. The idea behind the "digestive aids" is that they prompt your body to produce the appropriate enzymes for the appropriate food. We wouldn't advise you to take them forever ~~ they're on the order of a kick-start for what should be happening normally, and with time you should need them less & less.



Let me know if these suggestions help, Nancy ~ and give more details, if they come to light. Thanks, dear! :-D

I am a type B.I have been on the BTD diet for a year and a half and I find it pretty spot-on. I amazaed how acurate it is. I was diagnosed with cervical cancer in October, 2001. This was when a naturopath advised me to go on the diet. In January of 2003 it recurred in a lymph node in my neck. I have since done lots of cancer research, I'm getting IPT treatment ( see iptq.com for info), and I am eating cottage cheese and flax seed oil, as per the Budwig diet. But all the other cancer/diet books and research papers and web sites I am reading say " Don't eat meat or dairy". I eat only small portions of organic.natural meat and dairy, but naturally I am still worried. What's a B with cancer to do?? Do you have testimonials of long-term B-type cancer survivors? Can you reassure me I need to continue to eat meat? Virginia



Hello, Virginia! I'm glad you stopped by with your questions.



The cancer/diet/research books, papers and sites that tell you not to eat meat or dairy represent what we call the "one size fits all" paradigm. Their evidence comes largely from type A cancer patients, most of whom ran into trouble with the standard diet of meat, potatoes, tomatoes and refined wheat -- as well as those Os whose diet of wheat, pork and many other toxic foods wreaked havoc with their digestive and immune systems. Our BTD structure is not only based upon a high daily intake of vegetables and fruit for each type, but is keyed to the physiological reactions of each individual. It will take mainstream 'science' quite some time to catch up, so don't be surprised or concerned by your non-BTD reading. :-}



I would counsel you to ensure that every fruit & veg you eat is organic, and the meat and fish either wild or free-ranged and clean-fed, without hormones, antibiotics or other drugs of any kind. This counts for the dairy sources as well. I also believe you would benefit from using the book Live Right 4 Your Type according to your secretor status in order to further refine your diet and exercise program, and the Encyclopedia for the specific protocols designed for type Bs with cancer. Live Right contains revised portion/frequency tables for each food group by ABO type, Rhesus, MN and secretor status, as well as detailed suggestions on the importance of B-type exercise (and the power of visualization!). You are fortunate to have a naturopath available to you who uses the BTD! so use his services, and discuss these recommendations. I feel certain you'll soon reassure yourself as to the merits of relying on your B diet as the keystone in your anti-cancer regimen.



My very best wishes to you, dear, and please don't hesitate to write again if you need questions answered or just a little support! :-D

My daughter and I are both Type A- My daughter, Nicole, is 37 years old and was diagnosed with HIV 18 years ago. Can you give me any ideas on how to stop the 'wasting', as she now seems to be losing weight, mainly in her limbs and face? I try to get her to eat mainly from the correct blood type diet. If you can give me any ideas, I will be extremely grateful. Thank you Regards Joan



Hello, Joan! I'd like to quote just one passage from the section on AIDS in the BTD Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia:



"It is also known that stress plays a significant role in the weakening of the immune system. In particular, stress affects the body's ability to produce immunoglobulin A (IgA), one of the primary defenses against infection which is found in the mucosal secretions of the digestive system, mouth, lungs, urinary tract, and other body cavities. IgA is the first line of defense against bacterial and viral infections. Blood group A and to some degree blood group B are paricularly vulnerable to stress-related conditions, due to their naturally higher levels of cortisol.



"Since many of the opportunistic infections cause nausea, diarrhea, and mouth sores, AIDS is often a wasting disease. Adherence to the blood type diet is especially critical."



In BTD, Peter went on to say, "Type As will need to work a little harder to be sure that their calorie intake is high, since many Type A foods are calorically low. Rigorously eliminate any foods, such as meat or dairy, that can cause digestive problems. . . . Meanwhile, increase your portions of "good" Type A foods, such as tofu and seafood." And, I would add, peanut butter, pumpkin seed butter, amaranth, buckwheat, and flax oil.



There are four protocols in the Encyclopedia specifically for type As with AIDS, including an immune-boosting protocol. If possible, I would also get your daughter's secretor status as soon as possible, and tailor her diet according to the lists in Live Right 4 Your Type. Second, if she is able to do so, she will benefit by doing a few minutes of yoga every day, even if it is only alternate-nostril breathing (which she can do lying down). Third, I'd start her on Cortiguard (available in the Store here) right away. If you get her to do these things, I'm sure she will show improvement!



I will always remember the story of the type AB man who came to Peter in the end-stages of AIDS, who started improving immediately and within months was "back in the gym" -- and has amazed his conventional doctors with his unforeseen progress and continued health. With commitment and effort, I'm sure your daughter will experience benefits, as well. All the best to you both, Joan!

Really enjoying your column every day. I have learned so much. Although I have read BTD and LR4YT it is amazing how much doesn't quite sink in. I am trying to get my daughter to start the diet, she is 12 and has broken out with a rash on her face, the doctor said it is urticaria and gave her tablets which I have not given her but asked her to do the diet first. She has terrible mood swings and is extremely angry at having to do this diet as 'there is nothing to eat that she likes'. She is an O (I think, I made a bit of a mess of the blood test) secretor status not known. Packed lunches are the most difficult especially as she wont eat fish (no sardines, cans of salmon etc). My question is about beetroot. I cannot find it in lists, is this what you call beet? I looked for veg gly, last week but the health food shop didn't have it but sent me to the chemist who had Glycerine B.P. Is this the same or different, the chemist just said women use it to making icing? Thanks, Janet



Hi, Janet ~ Don't worry about your daughter's blood test, she must be type O because both you & your husband are. :-)



Ah, well urticaria, eh? That is just what a doctor would call it. Makes it sound like a serious and bizarre medical condition, for which drugs are indicated. ;-) Not to mention it gives the faint impression that she lives in a dirty house or something. Well, none of this is the case. Since he seems to know so well what he's doing, ask him what caused them in your daughter? That'll give him pause.



But you came to the right place, as I just happen to be intimately familiar with this condition. It's otherwise known as HIVES. I spent many a happy hour with hives. I used to get them over my stomach, chest, neck and face. Never knew back then what was causing them (just like your doctor), except that nerves would bring them on. Well, that's one part of the story, but the way it fits in with type O immune response to foods is something I learned much later and I'll get to that in a moment.



Here's a good description from a homeopathy site (http://www.urticaria.com/what.htm) with some emphasis added by me:





The urticaria rash is a symptom of an allergic and immunological event taking place at the dermal level. The exact understanding is elusive to an extent. In brief, urticaria is a hypersensitive reaction due to the histamine release. The histamine release could be from the mast cells when antigens and antibodies (IgM or IgG) combine to activate the immunological reaction. The histamine release could IgE induced. There are certain drugs, pharmacological agents (e.g.: antibiotics, morphine, aspirin, etc.), food articles (proteins, milk products, etc.) Urticaria is a sign of antigen-antibody reaction.







Ah. "Certain drugs ... (antibiotics) ... food articles (proteins, milk products, etc.) ..... Beginning to ring a bell? The folks at this homeopathy site are basically on the right track, at least as to the cause. :-)



Type Os typically possess a rather overactive immune system to start with, which should be balanced through strenuous exercise (to release stress chemicals) and an avoidance of high-lectin plant life such as modern wheat. Our hypervigilant immune system, while it serves us well in some important respects, can get us well into trouble if we don't follow these guidelines. The "proteins" mentioned above might as well have been described as "lectins," because those are the proteins which (1) are recognized by our bodies as invaders, and (2) trigger emotional and allergic responses. Wheat and dairy act like drugs on us. They yank up our adrenaline, fog our minds, set our immune system off like sirens, and we'll fight like cats to get more of them if they're withheld from us (if we don't know enough to avoid them ourselves, that is). There's your answer, plain as day.



Whatever that drug is that you wisely didn't give your daughter, the best it could do is try to dampen the symptoms and tinker with her immunity. No good. The cause is her diet and activity regimen. Without a doubt. Therein lies the cure. And I wish I knew such things when I was a teenager, so I'd not have had to walk around with disfiguring splotches. Hope your girl feels the same! but it's up to her now, isn't it?



As to the Glycerine B.P., as long as it says "safe for consumption" or "food grade" or some such on the label (although I assume it's exactly what you're looking for if the chemist says women are icing their cakes with it), then that's the ticket! And yes, beetroot is what we call "beet." It's just a naming difference. We give tops ("beet greens") its own separate spot in the food lists.



My best wishes go out to you, dear! Fingers crossed here that things go well from here on in with you & your family!!! :-D

Hi Heidi I've just type a message to you to thank you for your response of the distilled water issue and have also asked a couple of questions regarding [names edited] calcium supplements. My question to the above supplements is because I fear that I'm not taking enough Phytocal (even at 1000 mg/daily) and was wondering if I should increase it to 9 capsules a day versus 6. I'm worried that I might cause iron toxicity if I increase it. Could you clarify this concern for me please if you can? If I was to supplement with one of the above on top of the 6 capsules of Phytocal a day, could one interfere with the other? Thank you so much Heidi for taking the time to enlighten us all on our concerns in this very confusing world of today. Don't quit what you are doing Heidi, we need you with us enormously! Thankyou. Tonie



Hi, Tonie! The therapeutic levels given on the bottle are the dosage at which you should continue the Phytocal. Throwing more supplemental calcium into your system is not the answer.



I worked for a couple of years with a type A woman who was going right nutty over her bone scans. She did everything right, and no matter what, she just couldn't stop the bone loss. She tried a BUNCH of things, including homeopathics and a number of dietary & supplementary measures. We finally figured out what was going on, and that association taught me some valuable lessons about this problem, which I'll share with you.



Here are the keys to type A success in building and maintaining bone: following the type A diet (making sure to get adequate protein, which stimulates intestinal alkaline phosphatase); using a food-based supp with necessary cofactors (which you have in Phytocal); eating high-calcium plant foods regularly; using a good mineral water daily; doing weight-bearing exercise three times per week (like an hour's walk with 15-20 pounds of weight in a backpack, or some appropriate similar exercise); AND taking Cortiguard and doing yoga every day to lower cortisol and increase calcium absorption (and to feel GREAT every day!).



There's your type A bone-health prescription in a nutshell. Get at it, and report back with your progress after a couple of months. I'm sure you'll be very pleased! Take good care, dear, I'll be thinking of you!! :-D

Hello Heidi, I ahave a question about maca root powder. I recently ordered it from the health food store and they sold me a pound. The problem is I have no idea how to use it or in what quantity. It is a fine powder, dissolves okay, but the label had no info on how to use it. Should I mix it with liquid or put it into gelitan caps? I need to know how much or how many caps to take? I am and O secretor status unknown. Also, I was bolemic for 20 years, are there special areas I should treat differently in my health watch, I only recently admitted the bolemic behavior to myself and have never shared the info with a doctor. My dentist asked me last year if I ever had an eating disorder and that was the first time I ever thought of it with that label. anyway I wonder if you would know? I am 40 and in good health. I have a great short story to share with you about this eating style and my 13 yr old son's attitude towards it, but I will send it when I have more time. Keep up the good work, you and the group of you have changed my life and It has only been ten weeks. Cindi



Cindi, I'm SO happy this plan has been working its magic for you! You certainly deserve it!



You can put maca in fruit or vegetable juice, or a fruit smoothie. Start with a tablespoon twice per day. It's really tasty, sort of like caramel, so no need to encapsulate it to take it (nice!).



Yes, I'm familiar with bulimia. Your dentist is a sharp one -- he spotted some effects of the stomach acid on your teeth. It is called an eating disorder, which I suppose it is, but it is rooted in emotional needs and it can be soothed and resolved in a wide variety of ways -- success always belongs to the individual who discovers her own right relationship with food! Congratulations there, my dear!



And I eagerly look forward to your story ~ take good care, Cindi, and keep smiling!

To helpful, healthy, humorous Heidi: THANKS FOR ALL YOUR WISDOM! Just a thought for Sue up there north of Toronto and her battle with depression. I assume she is treating herself for possible Seasonal Affective Disorder, as she lives in a logical place for it. This is the worst time of year, because even though the days are lengthening, the daylight deficit is at its peak. (You will be fully restored in six months. Whee.) Secondly, none of my business, but I do notice how often women go where their husbands want, generating anger and then guilt. The anger gets stuffed, of course. Has Sue explored that? All of this will come up in the meditation, of course. ;-) Speaking from experience, Alyson



Hey there, Alyson ~ well, just like you I assumed she's aware of the pitfalls of living in a dark, cold place much of the year. But just in case I assumed wrong, Sue -- Alyson made a great point! and I'm wishing you well & hoping for a happy report soon! thanks to you both, my dears!

Hi Heidi! Regarding diarrhea and mineral supplements -- my understanding is anyone will get diarrhea if you take in too many minerals. For example, when I increased my veggie intake I had to lower my mineral supplement intake, or digestive disturbances resulted (like gas & loose stool). So getting diarrhea from Phytocal may be a good thing, meaning you have enough minerals -- or at least you have all that your body can utilize at this time. Or, it may be something else entirely! Hope this helps! (o:Maia



Nice catch (again), Maia! Eva, here's another possibility to look into! Hope you're prospering! and thanks again, Maia!! What a smart, giving, wondrous bunch of folks we have around here!!! ~:-D

More on Angel's food planning project

Back in the Type O "Last Roundup" (#22), Angel and I had the following exchange:





She wrote back with more information:

Heidi, I read the column each day to learn new things. I had written a couple of weeks ago in regards to your suggesting a viable 72 hour kit food module. Using non-perishable goods that are at least neutral without too many avoids. If you go the website www.providentliving.com ( sponsored by the LDS or Mormon Church) looking at food storage section. I would like advice as to how to modify this to be with in BTD guidlines generally for all types. My family is all O and Secretor with one NS. I would really appreciate this a whole lot. I would like to get my 72 hour, 2 wk, 1 mo, etc food kits in order. You give values or examples for the above and I can modify from there and multiply. Thanks in advance. Angel

Hi, Angel ~ I think the site you want to refer to is www.providentliving.org. Correct me if I'm wrong, but on that site there is an index (linked from the top of the page). On that index are many links relating to food storage.

I did not find a 72-hour or two-week storage chart, but I did find a one-month storage chart: here it is, with the text:

"To help families with their food storage, home storage centers are now offering guidelines for assembling a one-month food storage kit. The kit contains enough food for one adult for one month. To can and assemble a one-month kit, contact your local home storage center.

"Each kit that you assemble will contain:

OK, this is something I'm quite unfamiliar with, but here goes. I'll give you some suggestions, and please adapt them according to the knowledge you have of this emergency system of food storage, its purpose and what is intended to supplement it.

For each of the O secretors in your family, I'd replace "wheat" with whole spelt or rye berries, "white flour" with spelt or rye flour (whichever one you didn't choose above), "white rice" with brown rice, "quick oats" with whole raw oats, "macaroni" with rice pasta, "pinto beans" with black-eyed peas or aduki beans, "white sugar" with an equal amount of bottled vegetable glycerine, blackstrap molasses, or barley malt; "powdered milk" with a one-month supply of Phytocal-O; "cooking oil" with extra-virgin olive oil; and "salt" with grey sea salt. For the O nonsecretor, replace "wheat" with rye berries, "white flour" with kamut flour, ditch the oats altogether, "white sugar" with veg gly, and the rest would remain the same.

Of course, this looks like way too much grain and beans for type Os, (bear in mind that I don't know the volume of a #10 can) and way too little meat, fish, vegetables and fruit to last a week, let alone a month. You'd need to figure this based on the type O portion/frequency tables. If this "storage unit" is meant to encompass ALL the food for one person for one month, I'd also add a minimum of 5 pounds of homemade beef or buffalo jerky and 3 1/2 pounds of homemade fish jerky, both made and stored according to instructions in the book Jerky by J.D. Livingston; along with a wide selection of canned or dehydrated or vacuum-packed vegetables and fruit; a can of nutritional yeast; and, of course, a gallon of pure water per person per day.

I hope this gives you the structure you were looking for. Best wishes to you and your family, Angel! :-D

My wife and I buy your vitemens and minerals and have a question that has been on our minds for some time. According to the Dr. type A's need iron much more than tupe O's ( She is an A and I am an O ) however Phytocal A has no iron while Phytocal O has 5mg. If A's are deficiant in iron how come Phytocal A does not contain it??? David

Hello, David! Most As are better off getting their iron from food sources rather than from supplements. Blackstrap molasses, turkey, cod, sardines and nutritional yeast are all great sources of iron. However, it is certainly wise to use a highly-absorbable supplement if she is iron-deficient. Thanks for writing! :-D

Howdy from VA Heidi! Once again I am here to bug you to no end. First let me say how much pleasure and knowledge I get from your column. It is a real help. Now for my question. I mentioned once before how much I like the MFC. Sometimes, though, I get in such a rush in the AM that I don't get it fixed and drank. Is it acceptable to drink it at other times in the day? Also, I have a history of migraines and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (took me about 13 years and one rare and exceptional neurologist to get me properly diagnosed and medicated). The epilepsy is finally under control, however, the migraines are a continuing problem. What in the BTD realm could help with these? My husband is a type A potato love so I definately sympathized with the lady from Ireland, that's his toughest thing to accept about the diet. He's taking the VERY gradual approach. He says he may try to start with avoiding the avoids and packing lunches since his work causes him to be away from home so much. What could you suggest for him that would be closest to potato in taste? Thanks again for all your help. Your genuine interest and concern not to mention humor is refreshing! Keep up the good work. TTFN (Ta Ta For Now) (you know I'll be back, I'm like a recurring nightmare!) :-D Alicia



Hey there, Alicia! I'm pleased to be bugged, repeatedly! :-D

You can have the MFC any time you wish. Morning is great, but later is fine, too. The only sure way I know of saying goodbye to migraines permanently is to completely avoid caffeine in every form. True migraine, I've come to believe, is a severe caffeine-withdrawal reaction. To keep them away forever means avoiding every food, supplement, and drug that contains even a minuscule amount of caffeine.

For potato substitutes, there really is nothing that tastes just like them. However, jerusalem artichokes are a decent substitute, and sweet potatoes & turnips make wonderful savory or sweet side dishes, including baked fries, etc. Part of the change your husband will go through will involve finding substitutes for what he likes, and part of it will be developing a taste for the foods that are really good for him. I'm really happy he's willing to try!

Good luck with those migraines, and let me know how you both do! :-D

I just received my copy of Eat Right for Your Baby and I am wondering why it isn't seperated out by secretor and non-secretor. Many things listed contradict the nonsecretor list. I understand the chameleon food concept but corn and other avoids for nonsecretors are listed neutrals and Tofu and other items that are neutral for nons are listed as highly beneficial. Is it better to stick to the nons list from Live Right or is the Baby book better to follow? We are planning to start our family in October and the book says to follow it six months prior to trying. I am very intersted in an answer. Thank You, Trina

Hi, Trina! The diet portion of the Baby Book is designed along secretor lines. Use your nonsecretor food list, and make only the asterisked changes (where a Neutral or Beneficial food or supp are marked as avoids during pregnancy, for example). Best wishes, dear! :-D

I'd like you to tell me everything about blood diet/ I have the first blood group/ THANKS! Lidia



Greetings, Lidia ~~ Well, in brief, the blood type diet is based on research which revealed that ABO group determines many digestive, neurochemical and disease susceptibility conditions in human beings. The diet is not just a weight-loss technique. In fact, it is not just a diet, but a complete plan of foods, exercise and stress-reduction recommendations designed to enhance every aspect of health. If you are interested in a Russian-language edition, I see from the International Editions page that Eat Right 4 Your Type is published in Russian by Popurri,

Aerodromnaya 4-20, 220065 Minsk Berorus. That book gives a sound basis from which you can use this information to your benefit.



Thanks for writing! and... is it Spring in Moscow yet? take care, dear! :-D

Dear Heidi, thank you for your suggestion about using glycerine to help sugar cravings - I am still searching for some (I live in the UK and the HFSs that I have enquired about it in do not stock it). However, I have an embarrassing problem that I don't know how to resolve. For the past 8 years (yes, 8 years!) I have, on and off, suffered from threadworms. The OTC medicine (mebendazole) only works for a short time and I don't like using it, it gives me swollen and painful gums. I am too embarrassed to go to my doctor about it and anyway, don't want to take any prescription drug that he may suggest. I have tried all this time to eliminate the problem with diet - cut out sugar - which works, but I get so miserable that I then then over consume sugar, and yes, you've guessed, the vicious cycle starts all over again. Recently I have tried the herb 'wormwood' (artemisia), but that hasn't worked. Should this diet be able to help me eliminate this problem? I have already cut out wheat and dairy (type O, secretor status unknown) and have started to increase my consumption of red meat, but I have been consuming more sweet fruit from the beneficial list (figs, bananas, mangoes - all of which I love) and eating other fruit such as raisins, apples and pears to compensate for the loss of cakes, bicuits and puddings that contain wheat. Should I stop eating these fruits or do you have any other suggestions? Thank you so much for what you do - I don't think I would have the courage to do this diet without your support. Rachel



Hi there, Rachel! Yes, the diet should slowly eliminate the problem -- but I want to mention www.healthleadsuk.com -- they also take orders by phone at 0845 345 8880. They carry 500ml bottles of vegetable glycerine, along with many other handy things. (Thanks, Abby!) Getting hold of a supply of veg gly will speed your progress in getting the sugar out of your diet entirely. I truly sympathize with what you're going through! It's not easy to break the sugar cycle, but with the help of veg gly, it's truly a breeze.



The fruit you're eating won't exacerbate the worm trouble at all, but see if you can reach for some protein the next time you're craving sugar. It's surprisingly effective, especially if eaten with a starchy vegetable.



Here's something that may make things rough on those nagging critters: make up a pesto (in the blender, or with mortar & pestle) from cilantro, parsley, pumpkin seeds, fresh garlic, olive oil & salt. I'm not great for keeping notes on specific quantities of ingredients, but a handful cilantro, the same of the parsley, a few tablespoons of the pumpkin seeds, two cloves of garlic, a good pinch of sea salt and maybe 1/3 to 1/2 cup oil -- enough to make a nice paste. It's OK, it's not a precision compound, and you can adjust the ingredients to taste somewhat.



Eat a tablespoon of it twice per day, every day. It's very strong-tasting, so you might thin it with olive oil and use it as a sauce over vegetables or fish, or as a spread on rice or rye crackers or crispbread. Include the following foods on a regular basis: carrots, catnip, walnuts, thyme, mugwort, onions, papaya, tarragon, and white oak (in capsule form). The problem with wormwood and many other powerful vermifuges is they're pretty rough on the host as well! so using the pesto and the other foods mentioned, and avoiding wheat and sugar entirely, is the way to go.



And something you said pricked up my ears... so here I go poking my neb in. If I'm off-base, just ignore me! I was thinking... if you'd hesitate to see your doctor for any reason, it might be a good thing to find another one. A doctor (it means "teacher") should be someone who inspires comfort and confidence, who shows a genuine interest in your concerns, who works WITH you according to your needs and knowledge -- and with whom you'd never feel leery or shy about discussing anything. Of course, this is a relationship between two people -- you must be willing to come halfway, too. I used to see a doctor in my old neighborhood, Greenwich Village in NYC, whose practice primarily consisted of men with AIDS. He's an utterly meticulous, extremely intelligent and thoughtful physician -- I very much appreciated those qualities, and I genuinely liked the guy, so I continued as his patient even though it was quite clear early on that he was not entirely comfortable with women. I found it kind of amusing (mean of me, I guess ;-}), and charming in a way, and I confess I nudged that sore spot now and again, on purpose -- out of curiosity, really. But my needs were minimal (a yearly checkup), and for the most part I consulted with his brilliant young nurse for anything special -- for instance, when I asked for a Pneumovax shot, he was quite fascinated to know why I'd want one, so we got into a long conversation about the BTD, which he now follows (and I got the shot!). If I could choose the perfect GP to whom I could unburden my heart about anything at all, it would be the man who is my gynecologist, and whose nursing staff are beyond compare. I always have such a great time at my appointments, and feel truly sad to leave & wait the year before I see him again. He's just one of those shining people in the world.



It took me years to find him, my acupuncturist and my chiropractor. If you search a bit, I'm sure you'll hook up with a physician who you're willing to form a solid, comfortable, congenial relationship with, based upon mutual respect. Once you do, you'll wonder why you spent all that time & money on the others. Anyway, I've gone on long enough, and rather off-topic, too! Good luck with those pesky critters, and keep in touch! :-D

I hope that you are not too swamped to be able to respond to this question. Anyway, here goes. Since being on the Blood Type diet I have increased my soy-related intake, as recommended for a Type A, mainly from organic tofu, miso, Chinese soybean paste and organic soymilk. My latest blood test shows that my once stable TSH level has moved to the high side (8.2 out of a 0.35-5.00 range) while my Free Thyroine and T3 levels remain within the normal range. I have been on thyroxine (a 50mcg dose per day) for a year now after undergoing treatment for recuring hyperthyroidism. Do you also think that I should somewhat curtail my soy intake (I was estatic to get back onto it since your diet recommends it for Type A and I have always liked soy products), and/or can I also perhaps introduce an intake of iodine rich foods? I do sometimes take small servings of spinach. Previously while I was hyperthyroid, I shied away from iodine rich foods. My doctor is now suggesting that I increase my thyoxine intake level (to 75mcg) since my TSH seems to be on the move! Can you shed any light on whether an adjustment in my diet (soy intake) may help level out my TSH level?. HELP!!! Secondly, is there any other supplement that could be substituted by a hypothyroid Type A rather than use quercetin when it is listed in the protocol lists for Type As (eg. anti-cancer)in the encyclopedia? The article by Dr. D'Adamo on soy shows that quercetin seems to be more potent than soy isoflavinoids for inhibiting thyroid hormone biosynthesis (and may produce goiter and/or high TSH levels). Thanks for recommending the soy article to readers, and a big, big thank you if I hear from you soon. Keep up the good work! Diane



Hi there, Diane! Your questions belong to a territory that I'm not fully equipped to handle effectively, I'm sorry to say! I do suggest you copy the question, and paste it into the Ask Dr. Bron question form. He can give you an informed analysis of your situation, which I'm afraid my knowledge isn't quite up to! Thanks, dear, and all the best to you!! :-D

Hi Heidi, Thanks so much for being their - I have learned so much from you and it has given me the strength to stick to and not sway from the BTD...you're making me a better woman. *LOL* I just read (3/25) a note from Helen that your recommendation to help stop food cravings has worked wonders...maca root, gotu kola and l-tyrosine. What mg of each and what brand (or type). (For type 0 and A). Thanks, you're an angel. Linda



Aw, gosh! :-} What a sweetie.



I'd be glad to give you the dosages, Linda ~ in fact, here's the column she was referring to: Type A Roundup ~ #4! No particular brands, although I prefer the maca root from www.pennherb.com, both for quality and price. My friends in Oregon say they've found it in bulk, so if there's a bulk seller in your area, that's another possibility. Hope it helps, and keep "polishing your practice!" :-D

Hi Heidi, Thanks for the answer I will increase my dosage of TFA and try again with the Deflect. I know how busy you are and I hesitate to ask this question but it is causing some controvercy and I need a dependable answer. Father blood type O with both parents blood type O, Mother type AB. They have 3 children two are blood type A and one is blood type AB. I searched and searched Dr. D's material and other places on the web and I got the impression that it was not possible for that como to produce an AB child. Is it possible? Am I mistaken can an O father, with both parents O and an AB mother have an AB child? It's my cousin so it's a family discussion that maybe I'd better drop. If you get time I'd love an answer if not I understand. Thanks Heidi for all your knowledge and willingness to share it. Love Pat



Hello, Pat ~~ This situation is almost always the result of an error in the AB's blood type. If your cousin is willing, I would do a careful re-test with the home kit. Only one tiny drop of water in each circle, and be diligent in ensuring no liquid passes between the anti-A and the anti-B circles. If the result is definitely AB, I'd see about testing Dad, too. ;-) but I don't expect the child of those parents to be AB. Do let me know! thanks, Pat! And anyone who could shed some further light on this problem, please do write in! :-D

Is black cohosh compatible with "O" and/or "B" type blood? Estela



Greetings, Estela! Peter uses it primarily for groups A and AB. For other types, depending on the specific condition, other herbs tend to work better. If you have a particular problem you were thinking of using black cohosh for, just write back & let me know ~~ and remember that the BTD Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia contains detailed information about ABO and supplementation. thanks, dear!

I am a type A. I have a question about soba pasta and soy sauce. I ordered the soba noodles from a food co-op because they are on our beneficial list. When I went to use them, I suddenly saw that the first ingredient is wheat. Is this with all soba, or just with the particular brand I happened to purchase? Are they still beneficial with wheat? Also with soy sauce, it contains wheat. I use it alot, and had thought it was okay, but is it? Thanks, Heidi! Rachel



Hi, Rachel ~~ there are wheat-free soba noodles and wheat-free tamari sauce, and I'll mention a few brands -- see if you can get hold of them. Eden makes wheat-free soba, as do Clearspring, Mitoku Organic, and Yamagata Jyuwari (sold in Asian specialty food stores). The most common brand of organic, wheat-free tamari I've found is the one by San-J. Look for the bottle with lots of dull gold in the label, and read carefully, as they make several varieties -- not all wheat-free, and not all organic. There you go, dear! enjoy!! :-D

Hello Heidi- I have enjoyed your column each day and have gained much knowledge.My question is for my wife.She has been diagnosed as being anemic.She is O+,secretor,and for some reason does not care much for red meat.Since her diagnosis I got her to eat red meat 3 times per week,but her iron count did not improve.The doctor put her on a supplement twice a day,but still no improvement.He now wants to refer her to a specialist.I am thinking it is an absorption problem,but that is off the top of my head.Do you have any recommendations that may help?Is the Floradix formula compatable with type O?Any suggestions you may be able to give,of course,is much appreciated...Thank you, John



Hi there, John! I'm pleased that you enjoy the column!



It sounds like the "top of your head" is smarter than her doctors. Yes, it is most likely an absorption problem -- and can be boosted by taking vitamin C (in a small glass of grapefruit or prune juice) with iron-rich foods such as beef, venison, lamb (red meat is certainly the best source), turkey, sardines, cod, nutritional yeast, blackstrap molasses, and greens of all kinds (turnip, beet, spinach, etc.). She should really stock up on those items and eat them daily. Maybe you can find a way to stuff 'em into her? ;-) In stews or soups, some means whereby she wouldn't be faced with a big steak twice per day?



Do look into Floradix and/or Floravit iron supps. I can't seem to pull up a list of ingredients! If you find them, drop me a note with those ingredients. Please explain to your wife that it takes time to build up her iron reserves. I'd put off seeing a specialist until she has been on her high-iron diet with liquid iron supplementation for at least one month and has had the standard tests done again. Keep me posted, and best wishes, John!

Dear Heidi, I have a looooong question in mind, but have not yet taken the time to formulate it........ so be forewarned! But for now, I have a queston regarding your advice today of washing raw eggs before using them. I was told by a health food store employee (here in France) that you should NEVER wash eggs. She had gone to some special training classes on eggs and seemed to have an inordinate amount of knowledge on eggs. Anyway, she said that any bacteria on the outside shell would (somehow) go inside the shell if you get it wet. I had asked her about washing eggs since I notice what I would guess to be chicken poop on some organic eggs here. (I also see spiders, snails and ants on organic produce - so you know it is certainly pesticide free!) At the time she gave me this advice on not washing eggs, I mentioned it to my 82 year old father, who said he had known not to wash eggs forever! Sooooooooo, can you shed any light on this? Thanks once again, Abby



Allo, Abby! Darned if I can help there! Washing eggs is something my family never did, either, but it's been authoritatively suggested on various alt-health mailing lists so I felt duty-bound to report it. See? Your Dad knows better, evidently, and that's good enough for me! thanks for the note, dear, and I'm looking forward to the long one!! :-D

Heidi, Thanks for your response a while ago about my type-O son who didn't get much breast! (part of your answer is below) * For a type O baby, brown rice syrup, coconut oil and sunflower oil are all definitely avoids for him if he is a secretor. If he happens to be a nonsecretor, the soy is an avoid as well -- the only OK thing would be the coconut oil. And I'd definitely want to avoid the synthetic vits & mins for such a wee tyke. ** I have a couple likely quick followups: 1) I know sunflower and coconut oils are avoids (at least for secretors), but why Brown Rice Syrup? Was that a mistype? The online database shows it to be neutral, and in fact I'm a type O and eat foods w/ brown rice syrup sometimes (when I don't have Stevia handy) - I figure relatively healthy. 2) You mentioned "only OK thing would be coconut oil." Not sure about a non-sec, but coconut oil is an avoid, right? 3) You mentioned 1-2 cups of water. That's quite a range. Should I start w/ two cups, and go down if needed until I see nice-looking bowel movements? 4) On the water for the nuts, I think you said 2X the volume of water as nuts. This seems very concentrated! Is this intended? I'm on a 10-day business trip, and when I return, will start this rotation to the extent my wife and I can and still keep our sanity. At first (during the first 2-3 weeks or so) we thought he was allergic to Goat's milk [skin rash, and strong vomiting], but I've given him 7 ozs or so a couple times, and seen no issues so far that I can tell. Thank you again!! Jim



Hi, Jim! Hey, I'm glad you & your wife are going to give this a good try.



Brown rice syrup is OK for O secretors, and avoid for nonsecretors. Coconut oil is allowed only for O nonsecretors - it's an avoid for everyone else. About the water, I'd start with two cups & reduce as you mentioned. And a 2-1 ratio of water to nuts does make a very thick mixture, which you can adjust to the consistency desired by adding water.



I'm looking forward to you next report (if you ever again have time to do so! :-D) ~~ thanks for writing, Jim! :-D

My question/s relate/s to items such as tinned salmon which is listed as beneficial and a recommended food source, bone and all, for type-A's. Should all tinned or frozen fish be listed as avoids? How does that relate to tinned salmon being a recommended/beneficial food? Is there any general level that can be considered as sufficient for keeping polyamide levels below the harmful levels - say if consumed twice a week? Apart from the toxic indicators given according to blood types, how do we make sure we are not getting anywhere close to the toxic levels indicated? In other words, out of the 8 indicators listed for a Type-A (on page 105 of LR4YT), how many would be considered as being at a toxic level, or is any one indicator sufficient to indicate toxicity and which, if any, is the most important toxic indicator? As I have a tendency to resort to frozen cod (from the supermarket) which I take is quick frozen and high in polyamines, do certain frozen/tinned fish have high/undesirable polyamine levels while others contain reasonable or even acceptable levels of polyamines - would this varying level also apply to frozen vegetables? I also resort to home-freezing fresh cod and salmon myself when I am unable to use up what I have purchased. What are your views on this type of freezing? Would it be better to cook or partly cook the fish first before freezing at home? Finally, as my other half is an Type-O, what is the low-down on frozen and tinned meat such as frozen lamb and tinned beef, particularly since red meat such as beef and lamb are beneficials for Type-Os. Thus, how will tinned/frozen meats affect a Type-O? The recommendation (on page 104 of LR4YT) is for Type-Os to reduce their GRAIN lectins - a matter which I have succeeded in getting accomplished thus far! Once again, many thanks for being there! Diane



Hi, Diane! Commercially frozen or tinned fish is not an avoid ~ it is a less desirable alternative to fresh or home-frozen or dried or vacuum-packed fish. The polyamine levels are higher in flash-frozen fish especially, and in fowl or meat to a lesser extent -- far less in vegetables. But they are not so high even in fish that one should eat none at all if only flash-frozen is available. It is a moderating factor, one which should be weighed by individual circumstances. And remember, adding black cherry juice to a marinade or sauce will reduce the polyamine load in whatever fish or meat it's used on.

Even though red meat is listed as having a high polyamine level, it's also recommended for type Os, daily. Every one of the blood type diets is based upon fresh vegetables and fruit, which greatly improve digestion of protein foods and contain plentiful antioxidants. That's what you should focus on in feeding both you and your type O. :-)

Any one of the toxic indicators for A on page 104, if present, means that doing some detoxifying is a good idea. The most telling indicators are probably halitosis, skin problems, odiferous stools, and headaches.

And if you're freezing fish & meat at home, make sure it is fresh as possible and uncooked. Double-wrap it tightly, in small servings for convenience' sake. thanks for writing, Diane!

HiHi, I wonder if I can refer some reference (out of BTD) for Wendy (last question April 3) who has Type I diabetes children. It is an flower essence called "Peach-flowered Tea-tree (www.ausflowers.com.au) and I would quote the following from their book : "As mentioned in my earlier book, this remedy balances the pancreas. Since that publication we have had a number of case histories where insulin dependent diabetics taking this remedy, in consultation with their medical doctor, have been able to come off all medication. In fact two women who had both been taking insulin injections for over 15 years were able to come off all insulin within a month of being on Peach-flowered Tea-tree - and with neither needing to ever go back onto insulin again" Hope it helps. Thank you. lily

Lily, I so appreciate your writing in with that note! I hope it will help those girls! Thanks, dear!

Comment to "Eva", I am an O and whenever I take Phytocal I have severe diarreha. I can turn it on and off by doing nothing but taking or not taking Phytocal. I did mention it to NAP. I am totally healthy,have never had digestive trouble and I thrive on the secreter BTO diet. I have someone dedicated to researching and preparing all my meals (lucky I am). It could not hurt to stick with the O diet and cancel the Phytocal for a week as a test. Sincerely, Clyde

Thanks, Clyde! Hey, Eva ~ if I didn't say it before, DO experiment with your supps as well as different foods, eliminating one or another to see if you're reacting to a specific item. We're all individuals, and research of this kind can save a bundle of frustration and doctor's bills! best wishes, and thanks again!

Hello Heidi Thanks again for all your hard work. I enjoy reading the column every morning. I'm writing this time to share some great news about mustard for type O. I've found 4 varieties that are O friendly. (no wheat, no corn syrup, no vinegar except apple cider, and no gummy sounding additives at all.) The first three are "Annie's Naturals" which comes in three flavors: Organic Honey, Organic Raspberry and Organic Horseradish. The last is "Whole Kids" Organic Yellow Mustard. The last is a Whole Foods brand. All four are available at Whole Foods and two can be found at Trader Joes where I live. (SF Bay area) I LOVE mustard and have been feeling either deprived or guilty, depending on my compliance with the limits. My next quest is for an O friendly ketchup! (salsa works for some foods.) Now for a quick question. An herbalist I know recommends raw sauerkraut for digestive complaints. I know cabbage isn't an avoid anymore, but I'm wondering if it's good advice for an O secretor? I take the probiotics faithfully but am still prone to bloating and flatulence, mostly when I eat raw veggies such as brocolli. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance, Diane

Hey there, Diane! Nice work on the mustards! Don posted a while back on his condiment search -- he found a few good ones:

"Tree of Life Ketchup Ingredients: Organic tomato paste, water, organic apple cider vinegar, organic brown rice syrup, spices, sea salt. It would appear that type O ketchup lovers could eat all of this ketchup they want! [Well, at least you secretors can, Don! ;-D -- h]

"Tree of Life makes a couple of acceptable mustards too. Organic Stone Ground Mustard Ingredients: Organic apple cider vinegar, organic mustard seed, salt, citric acid, spices. Organic Yellow Mustard Ingredients: Organic apple cider vinegar, organic mustard seed, salt, turmeric, spices."

Whaddya think of that! :-D

Hmmm.... raw sauerkraut? You know what? I'm going to let your type O try that one out. ;-> I once upon a time consumed quite a lot of raw cabbage juice (it literally put hair on the head of my AB partner of that time, so he still makes some now & again) but those days are gone. A salad of very finely chopped raw red or white cabbage would certainly be edible, so give it a whirl. I'm not sure what raw sauerkraut would be, unless it is just the raw cabbage with pickling added. Anyway, do report back on that one, OK? :-D

If raw crucifers give you trouble, steam them instead. That's a not-uncommon reaction to eating raw broccoli, especially in quantity. By the way, broccoli sprouts (my brand is The Sproutman, they're grown in PA) are a great way to get all the benefits of broccoli in a tiny (raw, and highly digestible) package. You could grow your own if you liked. I'll bet your area offers a selection of organic seed producers ~~ Whole Foods certainly carries the sprouts. enjoy! :-D

Hi Heidi, I love your column and appreciate the time you offer to all of us persuing the BTD. Dr. Bron answered part of my question, but I was really hoping for more detail because I'm so nervous about the plunge we're about to take. What do you think would be the best coarse to take for introducing real food to a 15 year old who has only had canned formula tube feedings her whole life? She's had absolutely tons of antibiotics in her short life. Will her O+ sec, NN digestive system be able to jump into pureed stews easily? My nervousness stems from the fact that she is nonverbal (due to severe cerebral palsy), and I'll be guessing as to what she's experiencing if she seems uncomfortable when I start her on the BTD. Her present formula is nondairy, but 80% corn syrup, with guar gum. She's never ever had meat. See why I'm anxious to start, knowing what I now know about the diet? I'm hoping for some marked changes in increasing negative-type behaviors, I often have to resort to Valium in order to manage her-- poor thing. Erin's pediatrician was supportive enough of my desire for this change to give me a lab slip with blanks to write in the tests I wanted (which she's never heard of). I've gotten lots of ideas from reading your column over the past months (and have personally benefitted greatly), but still not confident in deciding the safest route. Start with rice milk and veggies then progress to all the Tier 2 beneficials??? Have all the books. Any suggestions would be greatly welcomed. Donna in CA

Hello, Donna! With what this girl has gone through, she is going to experience symptoms when you begin giving her actual food-based liquids and take away that damaging gummy corn syrup she's always been fed -- no matter what you start with. The antibiotics and that formula together have wreaked havoc on her mood as well as her digestive system, so the sooner you begin, the better. There is NOTHING worse than what she's been getting! so don't you worry about changing her diet, you're doing her an enormous benefit.

You can start with rice milk (or broth) and cooked veg, blended. Add some probiotic (just empty the capsule into the liquid) twice per day. You can proceed to give her one feeding per day of carrot/celery juice with a little olive or walnut oil added, and I'd slowly work away at introducing some beneficial fruits, with some added C and nutritional yeast. Then, blend some hard-boiled egg with broth & veg, and make that a regular meal. In a couple of weeks, you can begin introducing some blended cooked fish, fowl or meat -- but I'd give some ground pancreatic enzyme tablets in the veg mix for two days before doing so, and keep it up for her first two weeks of flesh proteins.

Donna, have faith! and plunge right in! Let me know how she adjusts to the new diet. It will take some time, and she may experience some cravings (vegetable glycerine mixed with water will take care of those) but in only a month I'm sure you'll see improvements which will continue into the future. Best of everything to you both, dear, and keep me posted! :-D

I am a Type A and have been applying the diet for about 3 months - result is I feel great and have even lost a little weight (need to lose a lot more!). My question relates to Sushi, which I have become very fond of but I am unsure whether the amount of Rice Vinegar in it negates any health benefits. Dagmar

No worries there, Dagmar - there is only a tiny bit of vinegar in them, and you'll still get the health benefits of the other ingredients. Ask your sushi chef exactly what he uses, just to make sure! and Thanks for writing! :-D

Hello Heidi! Thank you very much for your column. I am a blood type B, secrator status unknown (I have recently ordered a test). I use soy lecithin granules for my daily membrane fluidizer cocktail. Is that wrong? Should I use lecithin from eggs as a type B? Thanks in advance Anita, Sweden

You're very welcome, Anita! It's my pleasure. ;-> Both egg and soy lecithin are fine for Bs ~ lecithin does not contain the soy lectin. enjoy! :-D

Hi Heidi, 1.Can you tell me what type of consistency ghee should have when it has set on the counter for 24 hrs. When I eyeball it to the foam stage, pour it off and let it set, it clouds over and has a butter-type consistency that is soft but will stay on a knife. When I do the paper test, it clouds up somewhat but is partially liquid in form. My thinking is that when the latter happens, I have overcooked it. Is one right and the other wrong, or is either acceptable? Joyce

Hi, Joyce! As long as the milk proteins are burned off in the bottom of the pan (that brownish stuff) and there's no foam remaining, it's done. That's the way I do mine, and it does collect some liquid as time goes by, but it can be mixed in and it's still quite buttery! hope this helps! :-D

Hi Heidi! Thanks for all the helpful info. I, too, start my day with your column. I just got (and finished reading) Dr. D's brand new "Eat Right 4 Your Baby" (LOVE IT!) as I am planning to become pregnant. 2 quick questions: First, I am still about 15 pounds overweight (but have been losing steadily since BTD & exercise), and I've just turned 39 (my husband is 36 & O secretor). Do I attempt conception now (due to "advancing" age) or finish losing the weight first (at my current rate of weight loss, I think I'll lose it in about 2-3 months)? Second, I noticed the recommondations for diet seem to be the more general secretor-based. (I am a B-, non-secretor). Do I follow what's in this book as far as diet or stick with my non-secretor list from "Live Right..." & "Encyclopedia..."? And if I may be so bold to ask a 3rd question(!): There's nothing in the "Encyclopedia..." for varicose veins. I have one bothersome one in the back of one leg (behind knee). I don't think it's circulation because my feet and hands are always warm and pink. Also, I run regularly, have good blood test levels, etc. Any help would be much appreciated. Again, thanks for the column and to all other moms-to-be & planning-to-be-moms: read the new book--it has loads of helpful info.! --M.K. -- More questions: Do you have any idea when the Pre-Natal vitamins will be available (and the protein powder and bars)? Just wondering and waiting. Thanks! --M.K.

Hi, M.K.! Do wait for the weight loss to be complete before attempting to conceive. Trying to lose weight once you're pregnant is only suggested if you are *very* overweight. Pregnancy is a demanding condition, and both your body and the developing babe deserve the best possible situation *before* pregnancy. :-)

Glad you like the new book!! The "Baby Book's" activity and preparation recommendations should be followed, along with the specific avoids listed. Otherwise, your nonsecretor Rh-neg diet in Live Right is the way to go!

About the varicose vein: use the suggestions in this column from January 5 of this year.

Hey, I'm very excited to hear you're going to have a child, and 'get away' with that advancing age stuff, OK? With your commitment to the BTD, you're healthier than lots of 20-year-olds I know! ;-) Keep me CLOSELY updated, please! :-D best of everything to you & your family, dear!!

I tried to get my own blood today by using a lancet to send off blood to find out my MN status and my A subgrouping and I literally couldn't get one drop. Had to go get blood drawn. I am an A negative, non-secretor and 38 years old. I have given the blood type test to many others and never ran into this problem. I already knew my blood type from my pregancy and took the spit test for secretor status. I know As have more Von Willebrand factor and the like but I imagine it is not a good thing to coagulate so severely. I have already started taking Vitamin E after my unsuccessful efforts to draw blood. Any recommendations? Any possible explanations? Do other A subgroups clot more than others? Thanks, Nina PS Finding out I was a non-secretor was truly life changing and that is why I want to find out all I can about the other subgroupings. Thanks to all of you for your incredible work.

{big smile!} Hello, Nina! Don't be concerned by the apparent absence of blood in your body. :-D I can't tell you how many times I've experienced the same thing with type As of every polymorphic persuasion. Now, when I do blood tests, I use the little spring-loaded Microtainer lancets made by Becton-Dickinson, as they are quick and make a nice deep stab. In difficult cases, a Claigh Mor (the Scottish two-handed sword) comes in handy. ~;-)

I have to tell you that your post reminded me of the time I tested the last member of a family of As. The mother and father and four of the five grown children severely challenged my ability to squeeze out enough substance to properly do the little ABO/Rhesus test. So by the time I got to Offspring #5, I was prepared. First, soak the to-be-pricked hand up to the arm in very warm water for a couple of minutes. Then, have subject stand & lean on a counter, or perch on a high stool. Have him shake the arm thoroughly, then give a mini-massage by rubbing and squeezing the arm down toward the hand. Then... ATTACK!

Well, this guy (the rebel of the family, and the only one who persisted in eating red meat daily) was quite calm and only mildly attentive as I walked him through this preparation. I rubbed his arm down, he picked up his roast beef sandwich and proceeded to munch as I delivered the blow. Well, I should have had a gallon jar on hand, cuz he bled all over the place. I had to staunch the thing with a wad of paper towels. He placidly observed the events, at one time moving his bite of sandwich over far enough in his mouth to murmur, "Wow." Well... he turned out to be type O, and it was only my mistaken conclusion that he'd be A like all the rest that kept me from realizing that fact the instant the gusher blew.

The lesson? The difference in productive result between pricking an O finger and doing the same to an A is vast. As' physiologies in general are sometimes slow, and on other occasions entirely unwilling, to part with even a drop of life's red essence, so don't let your own little fluidic stubbornness discourage you. Besides, a lancet would never be adequate to draw the amount of blood the serotype panel requires -- we all need venipuncture for that -- so don't feel bad at all!

And a big THANK YOU for telling us how much it has meant to your life to follow the plan by your secretor status! I think sometimes people see that information in the books and it seems kind of academic or overzealous to them -- it ain't! It's a very illuminating piece of one's personal puzzle, and most often makes a remarkable contribution to one's joy in living. :-D

Dear Heidi, I enjoy your column so much and never miss a day!! My son, a type A, has a very bad heart health history on his fathers side of the family. Heart attack and bypass surgery with clogged arteries in heart and legs. Have you ever heard of the Straus Heart drops that are supposed to help unclog the arteries? My son does not want to wind up with these problems. He is 31 now. Have seen a lot on the internet about the heart drops and wanted your opinion, plus any other suggestions to help him not experience these problems. Thanks for all your hard work!!! Connie from Ohio

Hello, Connie! Well, I wouldn't go with the Straus Drops. I would follow the Encyclopedia protocols, do yoga daily, take the Hawthorne and Cortiguard supps, and add vitamin E every day. Keep the cholesterol levels low thereby -- stay active -- And follow the diet!! that goes without saying, I suppose. ;-) His family's history need not be his -- he has the advantages of all the cutting-edge research now available in Live Right and is in a perfect position to live a long, vibrant, healthy life.

His lifestyle is a major consideration, as stress is such a potent problem in this regard. He should carefully follow the lifestyle recommendations in Live Right -- just make them habits. Don't you worry! and he shouldn't worry about this, either. Just do these simple things, and proceed with a joyful attitude. Thanks for writing, Connie ~~ I wish you and your family all the best, and I'm sure all will be well! :-D

Hello Heidi! I'm type A. I started the diet about two weeks ago, read up very carefully including reading up on all you've written about type A, and then dropped by my local Whole Foods market and went cold turkey, replacing all my flours, oils, and baking goods, making my own mayo, eating like 95% beneficial foods, and making my neutral choices among low calorie veggies, and I feel just incredible. If it's okay to send a letter that just natters about how happy I am and doesn't ask a question, I'd love to do so, but I know y'all are very busy. Please let me know if there's an appropriate venue for "Testimonials" rather than questions. On to my one question. I realized I've had two meals now that took something for granted about my favorite veggie, but I figure I better ask. Is Kabocha Pumpkin, the green, hard, warty-skinned kind, just considered pumpkin? Is it beneficial, like pumpkin, or neutral, like many squashes, or heaven forfend, avoid, like yam, which it tastes so much like? When you bake or microwave it sealed in casserole with water for a long time, it develops a sweet, rich taste and velvety, starchy texture. Makes great soup too, when you puree the soft-cooked stuff and add it to your soup. Seems too good to be true, like I'm cheating with a yam that has pumpkin seeds inside. (I do know that yams are nightshades, like potatos/tomatos/eggplants and that squashes aren't, but still, better safe than sorry, maybe there's something else about it that I don't know.) I wish you peace in troubled times, Morrisa

thank you, dear! :-) Testimonials are most gratefully received here, day or night, so please feel fully empowered to natter away to me at your lengthiest convenience! :-D

Kabocha and the rest of 'em are indeed pumpkins. The yam is an entirely different animal -- an obvious tuber, long, white inside with a tan-to-dark-brown shiny thin skin. Specifically, Dioscorea villosa. Enjoy your kabochas and all the rest of the wondrous pumpkin family, dear! :-D

Heidi, I keep trying to find a source of vitamin C in the health food store that says rose hips but they're looking at me rather strangely there. What ARE rose hips, where do I find them in a vitamin C form and what IF a person is allergic to roses? Maddy

Hello, Maddy! If one is allergic to roses, then seek out an acerola-cherry based C. I went to www.alltheweb.com, chose "all the words," and typed in "acerola cherry vitamin C." I came up with 3,386 pages, and picking the first likely one, I found an inexpensive 100% acerola cherry powder. That was only the first site I came upon, there are thousands, it's a common item. You could try that as a search term, as well.

If they look at you funny when you suggest acerola cherry, you might return to your HFS and suggest some brands you've found on the Net. If their prices cannot compete, or they're unwilling to do orders, just buy it from one of the online sellers. Hope this helps, dear! :-D

Dear Heidi, 4 times I've made a drink out of rice milk, maca powder and ARA6 Larch powder. 3 times I woke up and vomited. The one time I didn't puke was when I had it in the morning. Here are the contributing factors: I work long hours, so I don't get to eat till about 8pm. I generally eat too much, but I don't really stuff myself. Last night I ate ground beef with tomato sauce, kale with olive oil, sundried tomatos and garlic, glass of red wine. For dessert around 9:30 I drank the rice milk/maca/larch mix. I went to sleep around 10:30. I woke up with my stomach aching and had to puke twice during the night. This is the 3rd time this has happened. Now I have candida problems again after many years of suffering from it. Do you have any ideas why i would have this reaction? It tastes good and I want the benefits. Any suggestions how to take it the right way? Emme, O-non



Hi, Emme. Yes, that is really late to eat a big meal. Topping it all off with a rice milk "shake" must have made quite a stew. I'm not surprised your stomach totally rebelled. Big meals early in the day, only snacks two hours before sleeping, and nothing within the last two hours except water, are what your body is asking for. See if you can readjust your eating to weigh heavier in the morning and lighter later on. The vomiting is upsetting your entire system, so your intestinal balance has gone off -- hence some yeast trouble.

It would be far better to have your maca/ARA6 drink in the afternoon -- take it in a thermos or a carry bottle and leave it in the fridge until you can drink it. If your workload is severe and you're constantly under pressure, that itself will interfere mightily with digestion. A stress-relief practice like 20 minutes of meditation or yoga on arising will help quite a bit! And consider what impact your lifestyle may be having on your health -- these are difficult issues, but they're best faced and dealt with as early as possible. Do take care of YOU, dear? :-D

Hi Heidi I just had to post this question! Yesterday you suggested to someone in the column that she freeze het fruit for winter when it is no longer available fresh. Brilliant idea and would be of great help if I could freeze beneficial fruit as to have a supply for the whole year. Question - how do you freeze fresh fruit? Done some research on internet - no luck so far. Thanks Eurika



Hello, Eurika! I went to www.alltheweb.com, chose "the exact phrase," and entered "how to freeze fruit." The first hit of 5 is from Diabetic-Lifestyle.com and gives detailed directions. Other means of preserving fruit (plums, apples, pears for instance) are by splitting and/or slicing them, and drying them using a dehydrator. They can then be bagged and frozen. Or, a vacuum-bag system which I've seen advertised -- much of the imported meat and fish I see at the butcher's is vacuum-packed. Just a few ideas for you! Get ready, the season's coming (in the Northern Hemisphere, anyway)! :-D

Hi Heidi, Thanks for all of the wonderful tidbits. I am constantly cutting and pasting from your column and sending off to friends and family. I am an A2, Rh neg, non-secretor, MN. Until about 1 year ago, I was following the LR4YT A vegetarian diet until I found out I was a non-secretor and just recently found out about A2 and MN. Then I started adding a bit more meat and more fish. Now that I am a tired though much healthier A2, I am wondering what I can do to boost my energy. I am eating eggs for breakfast (from our chickens), turkey with veggies for lunch, and fish and veggies for dinner. Cutting back on grains and starches too. I am going to start sticking to the beneficial lists to help with energy. I feel like an A in the body of an O. I do miss my all veggie meals but my body doesn't. Any suggestions for supplements? Or other ideas? Thanks ever so much and keep up the good work. Nina PS Also you have listed salt and pepper a couple of times in your recipe ideas. Black and white pepper are avoids for everyone, yes? I see them listed a lot on the recibase too. Would you mind making sure people know what kind of pepper you mean, it is red pepper flakes for example? I react hideously to black/white pepper. Thank you. Nina

Hi, Nina! Do you do yoga, or other calming exercises? Meditation? Reducing cortisol through this means (and the Cortiguard product sold here can help as well) should give you better energy through the day.

I'd suggest an experiment: for a week, eat oatmeal in the morning instead of the eggs. You could add a hard-boiled egg to your salad in the evening, or have it as a snack in the afternoon, instead.

And try using a tablespoon of maca root powder mixed with the oatmeal or added to a smoothie or to a carrot/celery juice. A juicer is a marvelous way to get a whole bunch of veg in an 8-oz. glass, and we ALL need abundant veggies!

The status of ground black (or white) pepper, the commercial product, is avoid for everyone, but the status of "Pepper (Peppercorn/Red Flakes)" varies by type -- avoid for all As & ABs, and neutral for all Bs & Os. So, Os and Bs can have fresh-ground pepper from a pepper grinder, as well as the red chili flakes as seasoning. Hope that clears it up, dear, and write again with your progress! ;-D

Heidi, Its me again, the type A with IBS. Help! I am very anxious to start treating this problem but am not able to locate the items you suggest. First, what is seacure and where can I find it?!! Second, what did you mean with the fiber? I have no idea what specifically affects me aversely, as I get the same symptoms no matter what I eat, or if I eat. The doctor recom. fibercon and citrucel. Do I take it or not, and how much? About the beans, how much and which kind? Like I said, my body is not able to tell me what's good for it at this point. Also, I'm aware that probiotics are found in yogurt. But isn't yogurt dairy and an avoid? Would this help while I await the arival of my supplements you recommended (online order)? I am just so frustrated at every turn! Rachel

Hi, Rachel: "small servings of well-cooked beans," meaning beneficial beans from your list, small servings meaning whatever is a half or third-portion for you.

I went to www.alltheweb.com and entered the search term "seacure." I came up with 2,186 hits. Pick one of the online sellers, or see if one of the stores listed is near you, or ask your local HFS to order it for you.

About the fiber products -- did your doctor advise you at all as to how much to take? I suggested going easy on them (i.e., focusing on the beans instead and taking a half or quarter dose of the fiber). If your doctor did not specify how much and when to take the fiber supp, I'd ask him or her. He or she may want you to follow the package directions.

I didn't suggest yogurt for you, but I did mention yoga. Take a read through that column, linked here again, slowly, and see if it makes more sense the second time round. Write again if you still have Qs, OK? :-D

Dear Heidi, Thank you for your suggestions to my previous email, RE: legs swelling, I have stopped taking the flax seeds, my next step is to stop eating grains and walnuts...I will keep you posted. I also appreciate others writing in with their suggestions, thanks to all! Some have asked for the Kamut cookies, unfortunately I do not have that recipe, I buy them at a local health food store, they make them fresh, but I do have 2 recipes to share, I hope you all enjoy them! Kamut Cookies 2 1/2 cups kamut flakes 3/4 cup kamut flour 1/2 tsp. sea salt 1/2 tsp. non alum baking powder 1/2 cup maple syrup 2 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 cup chopped dried fruit Preheat oven, 350 degree. Mix flakes, flour, sea salt and baking powder together in a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Drop by teaspoon on oiled cookie sheet and bake in oven for 10-12 minutes or until done. ENJOY! Blackstrap molasses Cookies 1 1/2 cups ghee or butter 1 3/4 cups blackstrap molasses or 1 cup vegetable glycerine 2 tsp. almond extract 4 eggs 3 cups amaranth flour 2 cups rice flour or oat flour 1/2 tsp salt 2 tsp baking soda 2 tblsp hot water 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional) 2 9oz. packages Sunspire organic dark chocolate chips Preheat oven to 350 degree. If using butter, beat it in a large bowl until soft. Add molasses gradually to the butter or ghee, beating in. Add almond extract. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well. Dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add to the moist mixture. In another bowl, blend the flours and salt together. Gradually add flour mixture to moist mixture, beating until well mixed. Stir in chocolate chips (add nuts if desired) Use a heaping tablespoon of dough for each cookie, and place on nonstick cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Let cool before removing. They freeze beautifully, it takes just a few minutes for them to defrost. Makes 6 dozens. ENJOY! Let me know how you all enjoyed the cookies. Rose

Hey! that's my chocolate chip cookie recipe! Hoorah!!

Rose, thanks for typing in those recipes, and I do hope everyone loves them! and I'm looking forward to your report, dear!! :-D

For Type B, I don't understand why milk is beneficial but ice cream isn't allowed. Also, would Frozen yogurt or ice milk be okay? Thanks. KVM

Ah, well, most ice creams are full of corn syrup and gums, for one thing (two things? ;-)). There are, however, some brands of ice cream and yogurt that aren't. If all the ingredients on a product are OK according to your food list, the product's OK. :-D thanks for writing, KVM! :-D

Heidi, The following question and answer ran in our newspaper last week. My husband and I are AB's and have had much success with BTD for 6 years. We recently started using red yeast rice and now, after reading this article would like to know your opinion. Thanks, Sandy

"Dear Dr. Gott: As director of a cardio-vascular center, I must disagree with your conclusion that red yeast rice is harmless. Actually, the product contains lovastatin (Mevacor), which can cause the same side effects -- primarily liver inflammation and muscle damage -- as any of the "statin" drugs available by prescription used to treat high cholesterol levels. Moreover, the amount of lovastatin is entirely unregulated, so patients taking red yeast rice are at higher risk of complications. Please publish a clarification column.

Dear Reader: Red yeast rice is made by fermenting a type of yeast over rice. The final preparation contains at least 11 naturally occurring substances similar to prescription drugs in the statin family. While no serious adverse reactions have been reported, the potential for such side effects is very real. Thank you for writing and asking me to clarify the issue."

-- Sandy

Hi, Sandy! The fact that Dr. Gott could not find a single serious adverse effect from the Red Yeast Rice product in the literature should tell you something very significant, right away. Consider that even aspirin has documented side-effects, and you'll know what I mean. The second thing to notice is that director of the cardiovascular center making the point that Red Yeast Rice "contains lovastatin." This is absolutely incorrect -- in fact, that is what the makers of Mevacor WANT you to believe: that the natural product "contains" a pharmaceutical drug. What's really rubbing them is that they isolated certain fractions of the substance and MADE a drug of it, and the drug DOES have side-effects, whereas Red Yeast Rice does not, and they even went so far as getting the FDA to take RYR off the market -- just so they'd not have to deal with the competition. This is the world we live in.

Go to http://www.redyeastrice-china.com/public_html/index.htm and READ all the links on the right. Some are not the finest English translations, but the meanings are very clear. That is a highest-quality product which comes with a government assay on each individual batch sold, showing in black & white exactly what is (and what is not) in the RYR in your package.

I do hope this puts your mind at ease somewhat. All recommendations and counter-indications for RYR can be found either on the page above or through a websearch of sites which are not funded by drug companies. Thanks for bringing this up, dear! :-D

Hello, My question is probably a bit different from those frequently asked by followers of the blood diet. I wanted to know if you could suggest any ways for me to actually gain weight while following the dietary suggestions provided in the Dr. D'Adamo books and on the website.

I will explain. I am a 25 year old male with A+ blood type. I was born and raised in Russia, moved to US when I was 13. I am six foot tall and currently weigh about 170 pounds. I consider myself an athlete and have played sports in highschool, college, and continue to do so now. I work about three times a week, play soccer and do yoga once in a while. I found out about the blood type diet about two or so months ago and decided to try it. I practically stopped eating red meat (I thought I was a big steak eater, but I do not miss it to tell you the truth) and never actually consumed much dairy since I think I am lactose intolerant.

I try to buy food at the health food stores and I also limit certain foods as described in the books. I will say that I do feel different a bit. My stomach is not "rowdy" after a meal and so forth. So, I would like to incease my muscle mass and "bulk up" another ten pounds or so. I do not want to reserve to the protein shakes as they not really worked when I did try them in college.

What I am trying to do is find out about certain foods or combinations of foods that help promote "healthy" weight gain since the books focus on weight loss. I eat about four medium sized meals a day with fruits and veggies as snacks in between. I usually start my day with a bowl of oatmeal with soy milk and rice cakes with peanut butter. Then have a snack like carrots before lunch and at lunch have some left overs from dinner. I work out during late afternoon and eat a tuna or PBJ sandwich afterwards. I have dinner around 9 o'clock. I try to eat brown rice and fresh made pasta and have went away from eating potatoes although I was brought up on them

My parents are in their sixties and are both very thin and all of us have very fast metabolisms I guess. I am hoping that you can provide some suggests as to how I can gain a bit of weight. It is not crucial for me to do so as I am not going to reserve to any "over-the-counter" aids. I thank you in advance and look forward to your response. Thank you, Vladimir



Greetings, Vladimir!

It sounds like you're doing beautifully on your new diet. In truth, these plans are not specifically designed for weight loss. Instead, they are health-enhancing, with the welcome "side-effect" of weight loss (OR weight gain) for those who need it. Since you are in the U.S. now, do pick up a copy of Live Right 4 Your Type, which contains more recent research and detailed information on the foods and a wealth of other BTD-related subjects of interest.

What you want to do is gain muscle mass, not fat. I can point you in a direction or two, but your helpful note about your slender parents tells me you are genetically inclined to be lanky (many would envy you! :-) ), so it may take a few months to gain those ten pounds, and they will stay only so long as you maintain them. ;-)

See the exercise notes from "chris" & me in the column I put up yesterday, here. They can be used by any blood type -- in your case, just follow the frequency guidelines for type A in Live Right.

Adequate protein, including plant and animal sources, will help you reach your desired mass. As long as your digestion is operating smoothly, you may choose to add a bit more animal protein (chicken, turkey, fish, eggs) than you would normally need. Get your daily ration of "good oils" and plenty of water. And use the excellent calcium-rich foods list in Peter's Calcium from Almonds page in the Ask Dr. D'Adamo column.

By the way, I think you have a wonderful attitude about your health! especially when I hear "no over-the-counter aids." They cost us in money and toxicity, whereas the same goals can be reached through food and exercise without the additional money outlay and potential dangers.

Thanks for writing, Vladimir, and I hope other type A athletes will benefit as well! ~:-D

I have been on the diet for 3 days. I am blood type A. Today, I dicovered that I had eaten some small bits of cabbage in a Romaine salad mix. I was pissed to discover that my steps to health have been undermined. What is the best course of action to counter the intake of avoids? Sincerely, Anthony



Heeheehee! :-) Anthony, you sound like me years back, when I bought an $18.00 jar of organic almond butter, got home, and ate some while reading the label ~ which in fine print said, "May contain peanuts." ARGGGHH! I tossed it straight in the trash. :-) Don't worry ~ that tiny bit of cabbage will do no lasting harm (and I really should have kept that almond butter). However, having some Deflect-A around the house is a good idea, just in case sneaky lectin-laced avoids creep into one's store-bought foods. Take good care, dear, and thanks for your note! I think you'll do well!! :-D

Hi, Thank you for a very helpful program. I started on the BTD diet and feel very good. I have already lost a bit of weight and hope to lose a lot more. I just want to know, I love fruit and am wondering how bad it is for me to eat more fruit than suggested for my type. I am blood type A+. I cant find anyone in my area (in South Africa) who can do a secretor test for me. Is it OK if I just follow the diet as in ER4YT? Thank you very much. Isabel



Hello, Isabel! Glad you like your new diet! :-) The type A fruit frequencies suggested in Live Right 4 Your Type are actually per day, rather than per week (as noted in this site's Updates Page), and come to approximately 2-4 servings daily. Do make room for the other beneficial foods, OK? the diets are designed to provide what you need in balanced proportions. Beyond that "warning," enjoy the fruit to your heart's content! :-)

Eurika posted a while back that the "Western Cape Blood Transfusion Service" does the saliva secretor test, as well as the Lewis (blood) test. Give them a call at (021) 507 6300 and ask for the Serology Department. Good luck, and thank you for writing!!

My husband and I (both A's) have been on the ERFYT diet since Aug. and he has lost almost 30 pounds and feels great. I on the other hand have not noticed a great difference, but enjoy eating more healthy anyway and was back to my pre-pregnancy weight within two months. My question is regarding our 16 week-old son. I am starting to seriously think about weaning him (he is currently completely breast-fed); however, most of the weaning schedules I have looked at include potatoes or sweet potatoes as the second starch. What else could I use? Has a ERFYT weaning schedule ever been developed? Is it okay to use soymilk when he gets to the age when most schedules say to start to introduce cow's milk? Thanks, Michelle



Hello, Michelle ~ congratulations on your new little guy! I'm SO pleased you and your husband are going strong on the A diet, and that you stopped by to ask about weaning foods! ;-) As I've mentioned now and again, I have NO experience with babes of my own, but plenty of other folks around here do! See This Link. Scroll down near the bottom of the page, or do a "control-F" search for "Verna." Suzanna offered insights from weaning her four babies, a schedule, and references to a book and to the premiere resource for breastfeeding, LaLeche League. This page is the column to which Suzanna referred, in which I offered my completely motherhood-inexperienced ideas on 'what' foods to wean a tiny type O on. Is your baby type A (I ask because he could be an O)? You could use the suggestions in that column. If he is type A, substitute turkey or chicken for the "meat" mentioned, and using thoroughly-cooked soft whole grains (like rice, buckwheat, all those Great Grains for As) as a milk-like meal with a tiny bit of good oil added. Soy is fine as well, but keep the beans balanced against the other foods in his diet. Just think "Consistency: Baby Food; Source: Beneficial." ;-)

I do envy your little guy's magnificent start in life, and I thank you sincerely for being such wonderful parents! take care, the three of you!! :-D

Hi! I am a 26-year-old Type A+ secretor and full-time nursing mom to a 6-month-old boy (also A+, as is his older brother). I am mostly enjoying the challenge of settling into the blood type lifestyle, except when I haven't eaten enough protein and my blood sugar crashes!

I have a few questions about specifics of the diet and supplement protocols:

1.) I love beans, and I see that I should eat about 1 serving of beans per day, but they have been causing me a lot of gas. Is there any connection between intestinal candida and gassiness after eating beans? About how long should it take my body to adapt to eating beans? If you recommend starting with small portions, what should I substitute for beans? I am already eating man-sized portions of protein-rich foods the maximum number of times per week to avoid hypoglycemia while nursing. Is this a good strategy?

2.) I have had "geographic tongue" for my entire life, and I suspect that it is really oral thrush (creamy, furry patches on my tongue that cycle through a predictable series of patterns) even though no doctor or dentist has ever seemed concerned when I asked about it. Can I treat thrush while nursing? I know my nursling has intestinal thrush, too, because he almost always has a slight yeasty diaper rash. Can I do anything for him? And what about my toddler, who probably also has a chronic yeast problem (we shared nipple/oral thrush when he was a baby)?

3.) I need to phase-shift my circadian rhythm to be less nocturnal. Can I safely take methylcobalamin in the doses recommended by the protocol, or is there something else I can try?

4.) Is Cortiguard safe to take while nursing? I am just starting an A-friendly exercise routine, but I would like to use any tool available to help lower my cortisol level so I can be an emotionally resilient mother instead of a constantly stressed one. (In the way of supplements, I am currently taking PolyFlora A, ARA6, vitamin C powder from pure acerola cherry, and 1 heaping tablespoon of ground flaxseed daily.) I appreciate your taking the time to read this (long!) letter. I always look forward to reading your invariably encouraging column. Thank you! -- Sarah

Greetings, Sarah! :-)

First, yes: candida will mean extra gassiness if grains, sugar, fruit or beans are eaten, but you need those beans and other proteins. I don't like to add to your supp load, but 25 mg of zinc, 10,000IU of vitamin A and 1000-2000mg of Astragalus membranaceus daily, along with the yeast/fungus resistance protocols in the Encyclopedia, will start working at that candida problem. Heal yourself first, then we'll look at how your baby and toddler are doing. And I'm going to surprise you by suggesting you have a full scoop (four tablespoons) of nutritional yeast every day. It's the B vitamins, dear. you need them and the zinc to help lower your cortisol levels, and nutritional yeast (my recommended brand is KAL) will not feed the candida. Cortiguard would be great for you, and can be taken whenever you feel a stressful situation coming on. Whatever comes through the breast milk will be good for your tiny tyke, too. :-)

As you want to move to a diurnal schedule, take a couple Cortiguards around four or five in the evening. The active B12 will work *if* you take it first thing in the morning and walk right out to get some natural light direct in your eyes. Methylcobalamin is most recommended for As, in any case, due to the usually-lower levels of intrinsic factor produced by folks of your type.

OK, that's a lot of supps, but I offer them for your consideration. Do whatever you are happy and comfortable doing! that's the most important thing right now!!

I want to emphasize that all these things are related ~ the candida, the thrush, the schedule and the stresses. Your immune system has been mightily challenged with all you are doing, affecting your intestinal flora & fauna, hence bringing digestive problems to the fore. The single best piece of support I can give you is what you plan to do already: yoga, meditation, and a shift to a dawn-to-dusk schedule. These are the VERY best things you can do.

I'll tell you a little story: when I was a college student, I was diagnosed with mononucleosis and ordered to stay out of classes, rest, and take antibiotics for four weeks. Since I'd already paid for a TM retreat, I asked the organisers if it was OK for me to arrive with mono! and they said, Sure, come along! so I skipped the antibiotics and headed straight for South Fallsburg with the intention of keeping away from others as much as possible to avoid infecting them! In a TM retreat, you basically meditate, walk out-of-doors, eat and sleep. I came back after four days and went to my doctor, who was shocked to find all my counts normal, the mono gone. Mind you, there was no strenuous exercise involved! and the diet offered was precisely the opposite of what a good O nonsecretor should eat, including NO animal-derived foods, plenty of whole wheat, and daily ice cream, LOL! but I came back feeling absolutely wonderful.

So I have huge faith in your body's ability to heal itself completely through a daily practice of meditation and yoga, along with the fabulous benefits of the A diet. Same goes for your little'uns! they'll recover fast from the yeasty stuff, once you're well and balanced. You are a wonderful Mom, Sarah! and with a little adjustment here and there, you'll get to enjoy it more, too.

Write again if there's anything you think I might be able to help with... and I envy you your fresh discovery of all the joys of yoga and meditation! ~~:-D

I'm a type A and I absolutely love the brank Silk for soy milk products. I've grown up on soy milk and am very used to the taste, but Silk just blows the competitors out of the water! I love the stuff! The problem is, with this brand and most others that taste decent, carageenan is always listed near the bottom in the ingredients list, which is an avoid for A's. So, does this make these soy milks a nuetral or an avoid? Does the soy milk lose its beneficial status because it contains an avoid? Or is it still OK to consume because it is near the bottom of the list? I've been able to find one brand without carageenan, Vitasoy, but I have to drive 45 minutes out of my way to get it and it really doesn't taste that good. How is this Silk soy milk to be categorized and how often can I consume it (if at all)? Julie Anne



Hi, Julie Anne ~ It is not a terrible thing if you use the soy milk you like best, even with the carrageenan. However, carrageenan does not impart flavor -- its function is as an emulsifier, so the difference you're tasting is coming from other ingredients.

After over half an hour of searching, I managed to find White Wave's website and get some info on what's in it.

First, here are the ingredients:





First, I never suggest that anyone, especially a type A, take calcium carbonate (chalk), and certainly not as part of a food eaten daily. It can strain the kidneys, and is the least assimilable form of calcium we've got. What are they putting chalk in their soy milk for? They suggest that calcium carbonate is "highly bioavailable." There is ample research to suggest the opposite.

Second, the vitamins are synthetic additives. Their extensive FAQ pages do not address that concern.

And for those of us who have learned bitter lessons on what hides behind "Natural Flavors/Flavorings:"



Of course, we still don't know what they are.

Again, it is up to each person to make these choices, but if you are drinking soy milk for your health, I am fully supportive of choosing a brand with only organic soybeans, water and sea salt. There are several on the market, and all can be purchased online if one's local store does not stock them. I do sympathize with the 'taste quotient,' but these things do change with time & patience ~ and the difference in health benefits appears pretty substantial.

I hope this gives an idea of, at least, how I look at soy products, Julie Anne. I'm happy for you to make your own decisions, and I offer this information only so you'll know what I'm thinking. :-) best regards to you, dear! ~:-)

Hi Heidi! I love your column and like other readers often go back into the archives... I don't recall this question posted and hopefully you will shed some light. I am an A+/Secretor... I am not much for cooked fish, but absolutely love sushi. Up until recently it was my "treat" once or twice a week. But lately Dr. Mercola and several others have been warning against the high mercury levels in fish, which has me greatly concerned since it is very recommended for my type. I was on the BTD strictly for about 1 year, then off [due to life situations] for about 6 months and I am just coming back on and starting to once again see why I stuck to it to begin with . Since I have CFS/Fibromyalgia, serious allergies [which is why this diet was so perfect to stumble across!!!]and IBS, I am concerned about the mercury... Can you offer anything further?? Also, do you know of a corn syrup free Tonic Water that is available in the US?? Thanks!! Trish



Hey there, Trish! The concern over mercury in fish long pre-dates the good doctor's website. If you follow the top link to the Environmental Working Group's site and search for "mercury," you'll find a page with a number of links on the right to various reports. They are as yet incomplete, and I still find the FDA's high-mercury fish list useful -- but do read the numbers themselves on the FDA chart, and you'll see tuna has tested higher than the top fish on their Top Four list.

Here is a link to the FDA's general advice, which is directed to women of childbearing age and especially pregnant women, but should be observed by everyone (in my opinion):

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/admehg.html

Follow the Methylmercury Levels in Commercial Seafood Species December 2000 link at the bottom of that page to the chart:

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~frf/sea-mehg.html

Folks, we are steadily polluting this planet and there is much to be done to turn that trend around. Refusing to eat fish will remove a valuable element from your diet, as well as hurt the people who harvest it for us, but actively involving yourself in getting the pollution stopped will benefit everyone.

{climbing down from my soapbox, or fish crate in this case} ~:-)

Do follow the protocols in the Encyclopedia for your conditions! Have you looked into "Seacure?" Peter has mentioned that it helped his IBS/colitis patients.

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.

You keep healing, and with the caveats to (1) check with your sushi chef on what he puts in the sushi rice and (2) choose the fish wisely, I say EAT THAT SUSHI, Trish! and keep me posted on how you're doing! :-D

I am an A+ & have been on the diet for eight months with excellent results. My question is very specific: since glucosamine sulfate is derived(or consists primarily of, according to my understanding)from shellfish shells and A's are not compatible with shellfish, is it possible to have an allergic reaction to taking this supplement? This seems like such an obvious question/concern, that I am surprised it has not been addressed. Any insight, thoughts, or referrals to a website for more detailed information on this?? Thanks, Naima

Sure, Naima! Actually, it has been addressed, in Ask Peter D'Adamo. I found it by going to his page and using the search term "sulfate." Deflect for Arthritis is the name of that particular column. Pop over there & have a good read! :-)

Melissa!! Thank you so much for offering your experience and advice on this condition ~~ I deeply appreciate it, and I am sure there are others out there who will benefit from your generosity!

Dear Readers: If you see a topic here on which you have information to relay, please be encouraged to do so! My gratitude goes out to all of you, the seekers and the guides on the BTD path!!

Greetings to everyone!

I am entirely tied up today, and haven't had a chance to write answers, so I'll put up a longer list tomorrow.



Just wanted to post another quick note here on how this column works.

I rarely answer a question the day after it is asked, so for those of you who are concerned that your question of the 19th wasn't answered on the 20th, be aware that the wait-time is closer to a week or two than a day. Between ten and a dozen questions come in daily, not to mention the fact that recent personal events in my life have been very consuming of time and focus -- so while we're not at all backlogged to the extent of months, as was the case until March (those Os! ;-)), we're not on a 24-hour reply schedule.

The longer and more complex your question (some run to three pages), especially if there are multiple and years-long symptoms described, the longer it may take me to answer it. A few of these get shelved because the issues aren't appropriate to this venue. In rare cases, some of them are answered privately. A small percentage of queries are incomprehensible, impossible to answer, or both.

Then again, sometimes a question gets put aside for a special purpose, and then sits there unattended-to. Carol, you wrote about your missing question, and that's where it was! So if it's been a few weeks and you don't see an answer, DO let me know, and I'll see if your question has crept away into a file that hasn't yet been published here.

My goal is to post & reply to as many questions on as many different topics as arise, while covering some repeat issues as often as it seems that reviewing that information is productive. So, please bear with me for a few more days while I get back up to speed here? thanks so much! :-)

More Mac news: Dear Heidi - here are some more Mac news. I am using an iMac as well, and I have no problems at all with your page, the d'Adamo site and the different functions. Just tried it out again. I am using Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.2 for MacIntosh (from April 2002). This is a German version, but I am sure that updated English versions are even more advanced. The "Sahara" internet explorer from Apple works very good for me as well. It is available through the Apple web page as an (English) beta-Version for free. I hope this helps - I am also one of those readers who appreciate your column every morning, and it would be most disappointing if some valuable communications would not be readable! With best greetings to you and the BTD community, Eva

Thanks, Eva ~~ With all the great technical advice we're getting, I'm sure everyone will sort their view-the-column difficulties in short order! :-D

I just wanted to start the live right 4 your type diet, but am really confused about the secretor and non-secretor issue. When I had my blood test at the doctor's I was told I was blood type A (no problem there) but also rhesus negative does this mean that I am a non secretor or is this part something else? If it is something else this means I will need to do the secretor test which I can't do as I live in the UK and can't get the test here. Can you please advise me which diet will be better for me and how I should go about following the Live Right 4 Your type or the Eat right 4 your type (I have both books) and is there anything else I should bear in mind. Thank you Teresa

Hello, Teresa -- and WELCOME! ~:-D Great to hear from another newbie!

Your Rhesus type (negative) is actually a separate "blood type" from your ABO type. Secretor status is separate again from either of those. Live Right 4 Your Type explains it all, just give it a good read from cover to cover. Loads of wonderful information and resources there. ;-)

To get a secretor status test in the UK, just go to the UK site, Nature-Cure Online.

The only advice I have for now is to start in on the A plan, and keep it going! Use the Updates Page to see our Food List Change Log ~~ and check the TYPEbase3 database if you need a value for an individual food item. And of course, write back if questions occur to you ~~ thanks for your note, dear! once gain, nice to see you here! :-D

Hi Heidi, You are doing a great job, just to save you some time here is a note for Sarah and other Mac users of your page: The 'List All Topics' page currently works properly in Mac Netscape 4, and not in Mac Netscape 6 or Mac Internet Explorer 5 (but the front page www.dadamo.com is slow to load on Netscape 4...) Best wishes ~ Tom Greenfield (nature-cure.co.uk)

Well, folks, the Renaissance Man has popped in once again, just to help in yet another way! I sometimes wonder if there's anything he can't do!

Sarah & any other Mac users out there, please take note of Tom's advice ~~ wish I could be of more help in guiding you to a browser upgrade or some such, but unfortunately I am 100% clueless in the Mac environment. IE5 for PC has far fewer security issues than the upgrades, but I'm not sure if that problem applies in Mac World. Is there a Netscape 5 for MacIntosh, and is it a total pain to go there? well, that's the entire "expert consultation" I have to offer today! ;-}

Thank you so much for this and ALL you do, Tom ~~ best wishes to you, too, dear!! :-D

I am an O secretor. Most, or many, muchrooms are on the avoid list for type Os. It seems to be mainly because of the molds that tend to grow on them. If they are cooked, does this change the status of eating them? It would seem that the mold would be destroyed once they get cooked. Or am I missing something? Thank you for your column, it is a big help. Lou

Hi there, Lou! Surprisingly, various species of mushrooms contain lectins which are helpful to some types, and ineffective or actively harmful for other types. While mushrooms may be loosely described as "100% fungus," edible mushrooms should always be as FRESH as possible -- if you detect any mold by sight or smell, do not buy them. Moldy mushrooms are avoids for everybody. ;-) so the lectin factors rather than any mold content are the determiners of ABO reactivity, hence the rating in the food lists. Thanks for your note, Lou ~~ glad the column helps! my pleasure!! :-D

Hi, Heidi, just an update on my (Type A) sneezing habits. Naturally, after having endured the constant sneezing for months, almost as soon as I wrote to you, it has all but ceased. Now I sneeze on exposure to bright light (which is fairly common, I know) and environmental allergens - pollen, cat fur, newsprint, etc., but not in response to food. An interesting side note - last week I had a hamburger for the first time in 18 months. Within seconds my throat had clogged up, my nasal passages were jammed and I was really miserable (but no sneezing, though a lot of nose blowing!). I'm so tuned into noticing the mucus response to foods now that I wasn't surprised to see how beef affected me, but it was instant and dramatic. Good reinforcement for the plan. Thanks for your continued good work. Kim

Aha! It appears that writing to me is what stopped the chronic sneezing. Whoo! I feel quite magical! ;-D Kim, did you ever take quercetin for a period of weeks? It has even more powerful effect upon environmental allergies than I can claim. ;-) Try 1000 grams per day, taken whenever you like, and keep it up for a month ~~ it won't help with the burgers, but at least newsprint & kitties may be rendered quite harmless. Marvelous report, and thanks SO much for updating me, Kim! :-D

hi heidi, i have been using veg glycerin for about four weeks with good results as about nine members of my family are diabetic ie sisters brothers,this is the question? is there any calories in glycerin and how much can i use on a daily basis i really do love your website i've got all dr dadamo's books i feel a lot better than i have felt for a long time thank-you for all your good work. Mary

Hi there, Mary! You can use as much as you like. It does contain "calories," but the calories do not have the same sort of impact on your sugar metabolism as table sugar does. In fact, they have the opposite effect, in that veg gly has a beneficial effect upon serum sugar levels and reduces appetite and reduces cravings. So, use it in anything you'd normally sweeten with something else.

I'm truly pleased you're having happy results with the diet, Mary! You make my work worthwhile! Now, you get to work on those nine brothers & sisters, OK? I want to see them healthy & thriving! and... keep writing, dear!! :-D

John (O) asked for ways to eat canned salmon & sardines. As an A I use these a lot, often in salads mixed into the dressing (I just mash up the salmon backbone rather than remove it) but here is a very easy recipe for a sauce with an Italian flavour. Gently sweat down a large sliced onion (or two smaller ones) - it needs a lot of onion - & two-three cloves of garlic in olive oil. Add a large portion of spinach or other tender greens, put the lid on & wilt thoroughly. Mash in a small can of salmon or sardines (about 3 sardines if you have a big can) & warm through. Eat, possibly with rice pasta or rice, or just on its own. Its taste is improved by a sprinkling of pecorino romano. As an O John might experiment with adding tomato in which case he wouln't need quite as much onion, and would add the spinach after the tomato had rendered down. If John eats grain, canned salmon is also good in a risotto, added near the end, and sardines are good mashed with a little mustard powder & some herbs, or just as they are, on a slice of rye toast, and warmed under the grill (?broiler in US). The kind in olive oil is best for taste & texture. Sarah

Oh, Sarah, you're a jewel among women. MANY thanks for those fish recipes! (I'll be passing them on to my own type A 'cook,' of course! YUM.) :-D

Heidi, You answered my question some while back about "cycling" and suggested I use maca root, gotu kola and l-tyrosine. Well it worked & how!! I've been using it for about six weeks and have just finished my cycle with no food cravings at all. After all these years of two weeks good then two weeks of manic eating you cannot believe what a relief this is. I have a rather large appetite anyway & it's regulated this as well so I can stick to normal portions. As I am 45 I will probably stick to this protocol as I would like to be in the best of health as I approach menopause. Thank you so so much. Best wishes Helen

Hallelujah! ~~:-D What a grand report! I'm just pleased down to the ground about this, and I'm sure you'll enjoy the freedom from cravings that you worked so hard to achieve for yourself. Well done, dear! and my most sincere thanks for sharing it with us here. Best of health to you, Helen! which I am SURE you'll have! :-D

Hi there, just thought I would send a little observation for your attention regarding certain link buttons that are disabled just in case this goes unnoticed. If it is deliberate, just ignore this message! As from yesterday, the 22nd March, I noticed that the direct link to your 'On The Diet' column (from the home page, under 'Today'!) was disabled, it is still disabled today. This means one has to go to the article posted before being able to get to the 'On The Diet' via the home page. Today, the 23rd. March, I noticed a couple of ther buttons are also disable: namely: from the 'As I See It' column/page, both the @list All Topics' button and the 'List The Last Month's Topics' re-page to just two topics. Hope this helps, if it is not deliberate! Diane



Hey, Diane -- thanks for the note on this. I'm a little confused, though, as to exactly what did change. If I want to read this column page, I always do click the link that takes me to the article. What did you do before?



Also, when viewing any column, you should see links on the left side of the page to all the other columns. Do those links work for you?



For the As I See It column, there are only two articles which have appeared -- it's not a daily or weekly feature, but changes only occasionally, when a new article is posted (so far, only two). So the "Read Previous Commentaries" button (which Peter put up instead of the more extensive search fields) is sufficient for that particular column. Hope this helps, dear, and do write back if I've made a muddle of it! :-D

Heidi: I am still ahving problems with parts of your columns not appearing. You have dealt wit hthis before for someone else but the advice you gave does not seem to apply to me. I have an iMac with Internet Explorer 5 Macintosh Edition as the browser, and Outlook Express 5 for Macs as the e-mail. Yet stil it often happens that the end of your column diappears and is replaced by a lot of white space, followed by the list previous subjects button. This is frustrating as I hate to miss any of your advice. PS the tumours seem to be shrinking. Sarah



Hello, Sarah! Hey, I'm THRILLED that the tumours are disappearing! Nice Work!! Listen, just email me with the titles of the columns you can't view in their entirety. Or tell me the URLs, or the dates, whatever's easiest for you. I'll just return-mail them to you in text format.



Anyone else having this problem, just use my email (contained in the "About Heidi Merritt" link just above the title for this page). Bear in mind that anyone using Netscape on a Mac may have to view this page with IE instead -- but if you're already using IE, and can't see the whole column page, gimme a holler and I'll do what I can. thanks!! :-D

Hello! I`m bloodtype B, and I`ve followed the diet a couple of weeks now. I have lost some weight, but I want to GAIN weight! I`m 1.84 tall and weigh 66-67 kilograms. My goal is to be 75 kg. Any suggestions on how to gain weight while following the diet? Thanks! Morten



Greetings, Morten! Welcome to the type B world!! The weight you're losing is fat, toxins, old fecal matter and water. The weight you want to gain is muscle tissue (active tissue mass). To do so, follow the portion/frequency tables for each food group in Live Right 4 Your Type as well as the recommended exercise program.



If you are waking up HUNGRY in the morning (I don't mean ready for a cup of tea and a biscuit, but RAVENOUS), you may not have eaten sufficiently the day before -- it will help to add a very light meal or a fruit smoothie a couple of hours before you go to sleep, or snacks between meals, or a larger supper (well before bedtime). Never skimp on your protein foods, but include plenty of the vegetables and fruit on your list, as well as dairy and a serving of grain. And make time once or twice per week for an intense weight-training session, along with a couple of other B activities such as martial arts. Search this column (in the search engine, at the bottom of this page) for the term "superslow" and read through the hits that come up. Healthy weight gain means steady muscle gain. If you're naturally of a slender build, the gains will come slowly, but surely, if you work at it.



Pleased to hear from you! Don't worry much about the scales right now -- just keep at your plan, and drop me a note now & again on how it's coming along! :-D

Hello Heidi. You have mentioned canned wild salmon a few times. My question is: What do put on your plate along with the salmon as an O? John



:-D Hi, John! Canned salmon or sardines (with bones in) are great because the bone calcium is right there in a softened form, and with a blender one can make a dip or paté of it all. Or, once mashed thoroughly, they go nicely made into a "fish loaf," something like meatloaf but with a bit of grated onion, carrot, garlic, handful of walnuts and a bit of green veg (parsley works well) and lemon juice mixed in. Handle loosely, and don't pat it down too heavily in the baking dish. Cook till it's browned and smells good. ;-D



Canned salmon is also great added to a salad. You might want to remove the larger bones for that purpose, and just flake it up. Squeeze of lemon and dash of oil, salt & freshly-ground pepper, and perhaps some walnuts, and you have a wonderful basic salad.



To tell you the truth, I've been known to eat canned fish right from the can. Crunch it up, YUM!! (sorry folks! ;-} but true!! I just get rather involved in my work now and again, and if it weren't for Bryan the Chef in the house, I might be squatting on my computer chair eating watercress, raw meat and nuts, but he's really good at reminding me it's time to eat and dragging me off to the table to do so. :-D ) Now, if you're going to have a proper meal on a plate and all, you might warm the fish, mix up a bit of homemade herbed mayonnaise for it (or just drizzle some really good olive, walnut or almond oil over it) and place some roasted sweet potato or turnip, and broccoli or cooked greens, alongside.



... of course, there's always salmon moussse...... ;-> If none of these suggestions strike your fancy, write in again and we'll give it another shot! :-D thanks for writing, John! :-D

I have been on Dr. D'Adamo's diet for about a year and am a Type O. My question is to do with the distilled water. Is it true that distilled water is acidic and also depletes the right minerals out of your body and causes a lot of other health problems in the body? I have been drinking distilled water for about 5 years now and am wondering why my bone density test was so low being eventhough I have been taking Phytocal for some time now. Awaiting your reply, Thanks for your attention in this matter. Tonie



Hi, Tonie! If your bone density is low, DO stop drinking the distilled water (an item not found in nature), and start using at least one liter of good mineral water every day, along with spring or filtered water (with a pinch of grey sea salt added to each quart). www.mineralwaters.org has a great database of mineral waters from around the world. An excellent brand is Gerolsteiner, for its level of solids and calcium content -- read about it there, and compare other brands as well. Acidity is not the issue for distilled water. It simply skews your electrolyte balance, hence the rinsing-away-of-minerals effect.



Eat an abundance of high-calcium foods (see Peter's Ask Dr. D'Adamo column, and search for "calcium" -- you'll find one called Calcium from Almonds, there's a list of foods there for your reference), and make sure your protein intake is commensurate with the portion/frequency table in Live Right 4 Your Type. Protein foods stimulate the production of intestinal alkaline phosphatase, which facilitates the assimilation of the calcium present in the foods you eat. And take the Phytocal at the "therapeutic" level noted on the bottle.



Your exercise routine is truly essential to your bone growth, including weight-bearing exercise. It's all part of the full plan! Make these changes, and in as little as a few months, your bone scans may already show the difference.



Let me know how this goes for you, Tonie -- keep me posted, OK? :-}

Hi Heidi, Thanks for answering my recent questions about gelatin for type A's and supplements. And also for the encouragement to ask more if needed! It seems like there is so much to understand in the beginning stages of this diet! I'm still a little confused about supplements. Here are my questions/confusions: 1)Is there an "avoid" list for supplements anywhere in either the books or on the website? I've looked but so far can't find. I think I partly got confused by looking at www.er4yt.com. Now I think I understand that those are not totally correct lists? That is where there are alot of supplements listed as "avoid". But I see nothing like that on this website. 2)I'm specifically wondering about pregenenolone, DHEA, and L-Glutamine. These don't come up in a search in the database. Again, they are listed on the other website. All three of these are things my doctor feels I need, for adrenal insufficiency and/or to strengthen the bowel. So I would like to get this straightened out.3) Also, Vitamin A is the only supplement I've specifically seen mentioned as an "avoid" for Type A's, but I see there is Vitamin A in the supplement sold for A's on the website. Help! 4)The FAQ's say that if we don't know our secretor status, we should use the "Food, Beverage and Supplement lists". Are those the ones in Eat Right For Your Type? So, thank you again Heidi for your seemingly never-endingpatience with all these questions you get every day! Joan



Aw, you're a sweetie, Joan! I'm very pleased to answer questions, so don't hesitate to fling 'em in here!



The er4yt.com lists represented an earlier compliation of values, collected from BTD and Peter's occasional message-board notes & Ask Dr. D. columns of years ago. The quantity & quality of the detailed information on this plan was great in the beginning, but it has grown tremendously over time, not only through Peter's observation of his own patients' results, but also as others' research and advances in testing have developed. The definitive text on supplements right now is the ER4YT Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia, and for each condition are recommendations by blood type as well as a supplement reference by type/condition in the back of the book.



If you have a doctor savvy enough to talk about pregnenolone, DHEA and L-glutamine, I think you're in excellent hands -- and please let me know his or her name!! None of those supps are harmful for you, and will most likely do a world of good. NOTE ADDED: make an exception for L-glutamine: it should be avoided by types A and B because it raises cortisol levels. Vitamin A is indeed used for type A, depending on the condition, and it's also included in some BTD-specific supplements.



Oh, and the Food, Beverage and Supplement Lists are little pocket-sized books with secretor-nonspecific food lists. Each is for one blood type only -- they were published in 2002. Yours is blue & white, and entitled Blood Type A Food, Beverage and Supplement Lists.



Let me know if I can help further, any time, Joan! :-D

Heidi, I thought I would share some information with you that I recently read about Coleus. According to the book “The Cortisol Connection” by Shawn Talbott, PH.D. the roots of the Coleus plant are a natural source of forskolin, a compound that can increase cellular levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), an effect that is theorized to influence many areas of metabolism. The typical dosage recommendations for coleus extracts are in the range of 100-300 mg per day (10-20 % forsholin). The downside is that the typical dosage amount appears to be more than enough to induce a significant rise in blood levels of cortisol. For that reason he does not recommend it. You can read most of the same information at http://www.supplementwatch.com. Dr. Talbott was one of the original founders of SupplementWatch.com. However, on the other hand I have also read in “The Anti-Aging Zone” by Barry Sears a recommendation for taking it. I noticed that Dr. D’Adamo recommends it in his Fatigue-Fighting Protocol for Type Os. This seems to balance the other 2 recommendations, since type Os are supposed to typically have the lowest cortisol levels. Regards, Don



Good observation, Don! Peter originally suggested Coleus as a cAMP modulator for Os who do not eat adequate quantities of flesh proteins, and while it would be absolutely NOT ok for a type A, the cortisol boost (early in the day) is a useful balancing effect for many Os as well. I truly appreciate your continuing research! A Lion in the forests of knowledge! thanks, dear!! :-D

Heidi, Christina, Type O Secretor back again! hee! I was so happy to learn that I could have the Goat Milk Protein Powder as I know Goat Milk is an Avoid for Type O's. I figured since I could not have Goat Milk, that the protein powder was a no no as well. As to your concern of me obtaining good quality goat milk protein powder, I get Goatein Powder. You can read about it at http://www.gardenoflifeusa.com. I buy it at Whole Foods here in San Diego and it's a bit pricey, but we really like the taste of it. Also i have a question coming in from Woody.... you informed him to take his 'Polyflora' supps on between meals or before bedtime.. well in reading about how to take the Polyflora on the NAP website (question and answer area), it says that it really doesn't matter if one takes between meals or with meals... So... in the beginning, I myself was taking them inbetween which is sort of a hassle since i eat 6 small meals a day, but after reading that info., i just started taking them with all my other supps. Is this really ok from Dr. Dadamo's standpoint? We really want to obtain the full benefit of the Polyflora so we are looking forward to hearing the best way. Ok.. signing off for now... Christina



YOO-HOO! Christina, the goat milk answer was MY ERROR! I'm going off to correct it in the column database. Goat CHEESE (no whey) is neutral for O secretors, but goat MILK (includes whey) is an avoid. Weird how I scan the food list in my head and make these awful bloopers now and again. My apologies! No, the goat milk protein powder is a definite no-no for ya. It's fine for A secretors, though -- avoid for A nonsecretors.



For the absolute most benefit from PolyFlora, take it first thing in the morning, last thing in the evening, with plenty of water, but away from food. Lets the little guys travel unimpeded to their new home! :-D thanks for that, dear, and keep smiling! :-D

Hello I have just started the BTD diet and I have two questions : First of all I can't sleep longer than 6 hours since I started the diet.The strange thing is that I am not tired , on the contrary ,I feel very fit.But my concern is that I'll have a backlash sooner or later.What do you think? Normally I am used to sleeping my eight hours. My second question is : Is it ok to seperate carbonhydrates from proteins? And I also only eat fruit on a empty stomach.I have been doing so for the last eleven months with very positive results. Is it ok to continue like this with the ER4YT-diet ? Howard



Greetings, Howard! :-) You're experiencing one of the unexpected happy side-effects of this diet: often people require less sleep when their foods and activities are suited to their physiology. Read more about it in the column called Live Right 4 Your Get Up & Go. ;-D I wouldn't expect a backlash, but rather a settling-in of a good, steady sleep/wake routine that is perfect for you.



Sure, feel free to use food separation if it suits you. Enjoy! and thanks for your note -- & welcome to the very best health system in the world!! :-D

I have read both the Eat right for your type and the Live right for your type. I am a AB+ blood group and what I find confusing is that in Eat right for your type you list hake as beneficial. And in the live right for your type as avoid. The same applies for coffee. I am allergic to seafood so when ever I eat it my body swells up and I need a adrenaline injection. This limits me to the amount of fish I can at. I only like the taste of hake or tuna and am to scared to try the others as I might have a reaction. Please help me as I have been eating a lot of hake and I do not know if this is correct or not. The same applies with coffee can I or cant I drink it. Colleen



Hello, Colleen! The Live Right book is years further on into blood type research, so there were changes from the original Eat Right book. Tuna is Beneficial for you, but Hake is an avoid, as is coffee. The Updates Page also located on the homepage (www.dadamo.com) explains the reasons for food value changes. If it's any consolation, we expect any changes to be very few and far between from here on in, other than perhaps additions to the lists. You certainly have a seafood allergy -- does it apply only to shellfish and cephalopods (like squid & cuttlefish), or does it extend to salmon, cod, other fish on your OK list? You may be able to get from your doctor an allergy test (blood or scratch test) for other fish, to see if it's just the "seafood" category or if it's much broader. That way, you can have the knowledge to go forward without fear. Please write again, and thank you for stopping by! :-D

Hi Heidi! I had to write in with a happy report for people who worry that they aren't getting better fast enough. I have stayed with this diet for 3 years now, and I didn't have a sudden energy burst at the start, not at all! I just stayed with it because I knew it felt right anyway. I couldn't make myself exercise either, was too tired...had a theory that when my body healed I would WANT to exercise. It's been a gradual improvement, so slow it was easy to question whether I was improving at all. Had major nutritional deficiencies & took basic supplements also. But my theory is playing out! I have energy now! Thanks for your earlier answers! I am working on some things still. But I feel great! Take care, Maia, O blood type



thanks, Maia ~~ a lovely reminder!! :-D

My wife Bianca and I are both blood type A and are on the diet. Are we able to use yeast? Ryan

Hello, Ryan! Yes, both live yeast (for baking) and brewers / debittered/ nutritional yeast (for supplementation). If you go to the TYPEbase 3 database, you can enter a single-word search term such as yeast and bring up the ratings for all types (by using the "search" button, not your keyboard's "enter" key). Enjoy! :-)

I have two questions about supplements. I am new to the diet and have Type A blood. I see that gelatin is an "avoid" for A's. So my first question is : 1) what do A's do about supplements that have gelatin capsules (almost all of them)? The second question is: 2)as far as I can tell, the info on this website leads me to believe that in general, supplements should be considered as "avoids" unless perhaps specifically needed for a health condition. But the food lists on the website include numerous specific supplements as avoids (and perhaps as beneficial too, I don't remember). These lists also have Dr. D'Adamo's name on them. Any help you can give to clarifiy these issues would be greatly appreciated! Thank you. Joan

Hello, Joan! Commercial gelatin, found in plain packets and in products such as Jello, is the stuff that is to be avoided (usually pork-sourced, although other animals' carcases get involved as well), not only for the source but also for the quantity in which that gelatin is usually eaten. Many supps offer Kosher gelatin, or (better still) veggie caps. Choose those over the regular gelatin supps when possible, but do not worry about the tiny amounts in just one or two supps you take. Supplementation in general is up to the individual -- we do acknowledge that commercially-produced fruit and vegetables shipped long distances before they reach your table are far lower in many essential elements than fresh, home-garden organics, hence those folks who have a hard time getting really fresh food like to supplement to counteract this effect, as well as to support the body in times of stress (which is every day, for a great many people these days). Your health comes first, so take what you need in the way of extras, depending on your health situation and the quality of your food and water supply. I hope this helps, dear! Write again if you have more Qs! :-D

Hello Heidi, I am type B+ NS, MM. I know that gelatin is avoid for me. However, I wanted to find out if I am allowed to have gelatin derived from fish bones that contains no seaweed polysaccharides. I found it on the website www.digestivewellness.com under baking ingriedients. I am following the "Breaking the Vicious Cycle" by Elaine Gottschall along with BTD, to take care of my Ulcerative Colitis. Thanks a lot and Thanks for you column, I realy love reading it everyday. Magda

Hi, Magda ~ you are very kind!! :-} Certainly, fish bone gelatin is fine for you. Don't forget "SEACURE" for the colitis -- and see the answer to Joan's gelatin question, above, for more details. Thanks again, dear! :-D

I wanted to make a comment on pH and the O diet. Yes, meat is an acid type food but not for this O. I take my pH for a month straight twice a year to see how I am doing . I have discovered a very interesting fact. If I eat wheat and most grains, my pH takes a dive really fast(dairy also but not a severe). It can go as low as 5 within an hour. If I eat meat alone it stays pretty close to normal but if I eat meat and veges together it will go up to perfect, between 6.5 and 7.0 and stay there for hours. So in the morning around 10:00 if I eat a beef pattie with a raw carrot my pH will stay perfect until around 3:00. Then if I eat a dinner(7:30) of meat and salad for dinner my pH will stay perfect until I wake the next morning.The best feeling is to wake with a good pH.I have tried this many times and the meat vege combo is like a magic pill for my system. Fruit and veges alone or meat alone don't give me near the amazing results though still good. I too was worried about meat being an acid food but for this O if combined with vegetables it is very alkalizing. Also I have found exercise very alkalizing. It really is amazing to discover this acid food making my system alkaline. Just wanted to put her fears to rest. Heidi, thought you could forward this to the person with the concern. Thanks,Kathy

Hello, Kath! I'll do better than that, I'll post it here. This has certainly been my experience as well. Thank you and a Big Hug for sharing your knowledge! :-D

I don't want to come across to you as being stupid, but I'm very serious about getting a basic understanding of how to start into this Eating for my Blood Type. My stumbling block is this. According to my blood tests, I'm type A- (A negative), is my blood type according to your book in the "A" group? It would stand to reason that I'm in the "A" group. However, I know there are four groups listed in your books: A, AB, B & O but I can't seem to find an absolute statement in any of the books that indicates that A- is actually in the "A" catagory officially. I'm sure the answer is simple to you, but to me, it's not. Please give me the answer so I can get on with starting the eating program. Thanks, Mark

Hey there, Mark ~~ That's an excellent question! What you are dealing with is two different blood "types." The ABO type (A, B, AB and O) and the Rhesus type (positive or negative). These two typing systems are completely unrelated to each other. So all Rhesus positive and Rhesus negative individuals each belong to only one ABO group -- in your case, group (or type) A. thanks for writing, and welcome to the best diet on the planet! write again, ok? :-)

A simple question: In BTD, my only resource, I can't find a listing for pecans. I'm Type A. Are these good, neutral, or bad? Thanks! L. Kemp

Yep, they were missing from that list. Just go to the TYPEbase 3 database if you have questions about the values of specific foods. For this one, I'll make it easier for ya -- pecans are neutral for Everybody! enjoy!! :-D

I am a type O. I just wanted to confirm that I can eat any type of esekiel bread. There are a variety of them at my health food store (not in the freezer but more of a refridgerator display) and they are delicious. I think that this bread is ok for my blood type because of the way it is processed I just wanted to double check. I also wanted to know about Kashi cereals. In "Eat Right for your Type" it says that type O's can eat kasha cereal. Is that the same as Kashi? The ingredients listed on the box contain: whole oat flour, oat bran, corm meal and Kashi seven whole grains & sesame flour. I wanted to make sure that I am allowed to eat this product...if like the esekiel bread it is ok because of the way it is processed... Also, Mozzarella cheese is listed as neutral for my blood type. I assume this is cow's milk mozzarella and I can continue to eat my favorite caprese salad which is very exciting...if it's true. It's been a new experience to eliminate wheat from my diet. Eliminating dairy wasn't bad at all and I actually found some great soy products but wheat is everywhere and it makes it difficult to eat out but I am trying! Thank you Becca

Welcome, Becca! Nice to have you "on board!" In "Kashi," the corn makes it an avoid, and I think you'll also find wheat among the "seven whole grains." 'Kasha' is a form of buckwheat, and is OK for O (secretors). Always check each ingredient on commercial products -- sometimes there are really nasty things hiding in there that you'd never expect to find, seeing the lovely wrapper! ;-) Same goes for the Ezekiel breads: check each ingredient list, and make sure they didn't sneak some whole wheat or other avoid stuff in there.

Mozzarella can be either the waterbuffalo ("mozzarella di bufala") or the cows' milk kind, both are fine for you. I'm so pleased you're enjoying the challenge -- it truly gets much easier the longer you keep with it, until it becomes second nature! thanks for writing, Becca, and drop me a note anytime if you have any questions or just want to gab! :-D

Hi Heidi, thanks for the response on grain portions!! I am sorry for my focus on numbers and size of portions..... I work in a laboratory so you could say this is an occupational hazard for me! (I always want to solve an equation exactly..... )Well, thanks to you and the experiences of others shared here, I do think I have my own personal formula derived!! Maybe this pattern will help someone else. Its funny that you mentioned that A's might do better with smaller more frequent meals; I have on my own gravitated to doing this. I find I fill up too quickly, and actually had a hard time eating enough over the course of the day, until I started doing that. I have actually lost weight over this winter, but do not need to lose more! After I adopted this pattern things seemed to have plateaued and balanced out well over the past few weeks and I feel very energetic. I have five small meals/snacks a day. As far as grains go, I am eating them more than once a day, but in smaller portions. Say a half cup (cooked) at a time for oatmeal and brown rice, and about the same or a little less for amaranth (which I find very satisfying and filling!) I might very well have oatmeal in the am, rice midday, amaranth in the evening, along with whatever fruits, veggies, beans, or fish I'm eating. It seems to be working for me; and if I take the time to count it up, over the week I am eating the right amount, counting one cup cooked as a full portion. It doesn't feel like too much; sometimes I sort of crave those grains! Having them more often in smaller amounts, rather than one larger serving once a day, satisfies that yen but doesn't fill me up too much, so that I can eat lots of other good stuff too! Thanks for the cooking suggestion for the amaranth; it worked very well. It seems to mix in nicely with some of my favorites! Cathy

Hey now! That sounds like a lovely success story, and cooking right along! I TRULY appreciate hearing everyone's way of working this plan -- it cheers me up no end to read all the happy campers around here! thanks, Cathy!!!