Nina's comment about black pepper reminded me of something I'd been meaning to share. Black onion seeds make a pretty good substitute for black pepper. They are hard to grind in a pestle & mortar but OK in a coffee grinder. I include them in my home made spice powder. I assume they are at worst neutral as onions are beneficial for As. -- Sarah

Hello, Sarah! Fascinating idea, using black onion seed instead of black pepper. I wonder if a pepper grinder would have any effect on them -- they're very small! but perhaps a really sturdy grinder with a fine setting would do it.

"Black onion seed" (Nigella sativa is the seed of an annual herb also called black cumin, black caraway or nutmeg plant. Turns out it's unrelated to onions, caraway, nutmeg OR cumin -- it's a member of the Ranunculacea family, along with aconite, buttercup, clematis, black cohosh, columbine, hellebore, rue, and goldenseal. Its closest relative appears to be the lovely flowering annual "Love-in-a-Mist" -- whose seeds, interestingly, are also edible and are described as having a "nutmeg-like flavor."

Funny thing is, I think this spice might actually be that mysterious little seed so frequently used in Indian cuisine (papadam, for example??) that I always wondered about -- every time I queried a waiter about it, back came the smiling answer, "Ah! That is Indian spice." (thanks, fella! )

As with all "unknowns," do proceed with caution. If you are ill or seeking weight loss, we always advise to avoid the unlisted. And, if you experience any untoward effects from using any unknown, discontinue it (and make a little notation in your "personal avoids" file). But at this time, I see no potential problem from using black onion seed as a spice, so experiment, enjoy, and report! :-D thanks, Sarah!!

I have been a big believer in this way of eating and living since Sept. 2002. I have had a big weight loss and no more headaches which I had daily. But, I am a bit disappointed to see so many discrepancies between the first book, "Eat 4 your type", and the smaller book "Food, Beverage and Supplement" smaller book for one type, ex: type O. A handbook so to speak. Let me give some examples: I'm type O so this is the type I'm speaking of. The first book says pinto beans are highly beneficial whereas the smaller book says they are on the avoid list. The first book says avoid brussel sprouts and cabbage. The small one says they are neutral. Kiwis are neutral on first book, avoid in the small book.The first book says mozzarella cheese is neutral, but avoid string cheese. String cheese is mozarella, I believe. First book says avoid cinnamon and vanilla, smaller one says they are neutral. The first book says avoid strawberries, smaller one says they are nuetral. Bananas, bleberries, mangoes, guava, cherries are all the neutral list in the first book, whereas they are listed as highly beneficial in the smaller handbook for type O. The first book lists Ezekial bread as highly beneficial whereas it is neutral in the handbook. I'm sure I could find more, but this is a bit upsetting considering I have followed the first book strictly for 7 months. So which is correct? It's making me question the validity of the information. I have been a big proponet of this way of life to many people, now they are expressing doubts because the information is contradictory. Please respond with some answers I can disseminate, Signed, Confused, Lisa Gandara. Thank-you.

Greetings, Lisa! I am indeed sorry you're suffering from uncertainty. I'll do my best to help.

First, it's important to understand that in the seven years since BTD appeared as the very first book on blood type's far-reaching influence on health, new research, new testing tools and far more interest in the scientific community have developed. Thus, the literature and knowledge have expanded, to our benefit. The later books were written to publish the blood type plans in a thorough-going form, incorporating all those significant discoveries made since 1996.

Second, the "little books," while they were built upon the later research, are designed to serve people who do not know their secretor status, and do not intend to find out. So, their food lists must walk a single line between the best beneficials and the worst avoids for both secretors and nonsecretors. That's why the "little book" lists are different from those in Eat Right/Cook Right, AND from the Live Right/Encyclopedia lists.

If you are interested, please read the Updates Page (also linked at the bottom of the "Library" section on our home page, www.dadamo.com). It gives more specific reasons why food values were revised from the ones published in 1996.

Those who followed BTD's food lists, and those who continue to do so, are far better off today than if they hadn't. I feel that is the primary point to make to your friends. Yes, Peter could have left all as-is and just rested on his laurels. Hey! Eat Right is STILL doing so well that it never went to paperback! That is a record in this area of publishing. So, why bother putting out new and "conflicting" data, and taking the endless flack for doing so? Because it matters to him. He's just that kind of person, and I for one am daily grateful for everything that he and Catherine have worked so hard to bring to us. Personally, I don't like to think about what my health... my life would be like if I hadn't found them.

Lisa, I hope this fills the bill! Do feel free to write again if there is anything I can clarify for you! thanks, dear! :-D

I am Blood type A+. I recently started the diet you recommend for A blood type. When reading your books I have realised that you mention Helicobacteria Pylory only in the section devoted to O. I have that virus. What can I do to heal? Thank you in advance for your kind reply! annalaura

Hello, annalaura! Many As do have trouble with H. pylori -- especially nonsecretor As. There is an Antibacterial and a Stomach protocol in the BTD Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia just for type As, and those are what I recommend that you follow. They are listed under "Ulcer, peptic." Get hold of that book, and consider finding out your secretor status so you can follow your diet with a higher level of compliance. I hope you are better VERY soon, dear -- thanks for writing, and feel free to drop me a note if you have any Qs about the diet or the protocols! :-D

Heidi, keep up the great work! In response to Rachel (Type A w/IBS), I did the EXACT same thing and are experiencing the EXACT same symptoms! But I'm an A+ non-secretor MM. Should I do anything different as a non-secretor? Thanks in advance! Miranda

Hi, Miranda! thanks! :-} Listen, since you're a nonsecretor, the only modifications you'd observe in the food lists would be according to your Rhesus type and your secretor status -- the MM modifications don't apply to nonsecretors. We did publish this note in the Updates Page, but it bears repeating now and again.

The advice to Rachel would suit you perfectly; I wouldn't change a thing.

My best wishes to you, Miranda, and keep me posted, OK? :-D