Are coffee enemas ok for type A? Thanks -- Mary

Hi, Mary -- We don't encourage *regular use* of enemas, simply because the diet is more effective (and less costly and/or time consuming) at ensuring good digestion & elimination. Before "plunging in" at home, I'd suggest at least one session and consultation with a hydrotherapist to determine whether enemas would be a useful jump-start for your colon health.

If constipation is the problem, try drinking at least 1/2 ounce of water daily per one pound of body weight; getting plenty of raw and steamed beneficial veggies; adhering closely to the portions & frequencies of foods; and taking two tablespoons of flax soaked for 10 or 15 minutes in a little water, an hour or two before bedtime ~ not to mention doing your yoga! it's really key for type As, to boost the robust functioning of ALL the organs! Hope this helps!! :-D

Heidi, On June 14, in a response to Marshal, you appeared to indicate that even though he is Lewis double-negative, he should continue to follow the diet as a secretor. However, in a reply to Jennie on July 26, you seemed to indicate the opposite. This is of concern to me because I am an A+ secretor, but I strongly suspect that I am Lewis double negative because both of my children are non-secretors [as is my husband] and secretors are supposed to be a dominant gene. If I am Lewis double-negative, should I follow the secretor or non-secretor diet? Thanks for all your help. Susan

Hi, Susan -- Remember what Marshal wrote: "Per Dr. D'Adamo's office, I use the "Secretor" column in the LR4YT book, since my saliva sample came out as "Secretor." So, you bet! Of course I would counsel him to follow those instructions.

As Peter has indicated in the past, he puts nearly all his LDN patients on the nonsecretor diet. In fact, Marshal is the only LDN I have ever heard of who has produced a positive secretor results through the saliva test. Now you see that Peter's office gave those instructions precisely because the saliva result is the ultimate determinant even in very rare cases like Marshal's.

Since you obtained a secretor result through the saliva test, there is no need to go further to the Lewis test; as you see by the above, the saliva test rules. As to your kids' secretor status, the reasonable conclusion is that you are a heterozygous secretor (one dominant secretor gene, one recessive nonsecretor gene), hence your recessive nonsecretor gene was passed on to your kids, along with your husband's only possible contribution (nonsecretor gene). This is a very common occurrence! and whether you were Lewis double negative, Lewis nonsecretor, or Lewis secretor, it would not change your diet since your saliva test has given the overriding mandate as to what your diet should be. :-D

Heidi, thank you so much for forwarding my name to Nina. I had meant to ask you to do this and forgot. I so enjoy your column and continually get great information from the 3 of you. Thanks for your thoughts about not trying to rush things and do everything all at once. This is my down fall in all that I do, jumping right in and then loosing interest. Bless you and yours for all the great work you do. I can tell you have affected to many lives. Fond regard Pat



You're MOST welcome, Pat! :-) I gave her your name because you *did* ask... didn't want you to think I was reading your mind! :-D Thanks for your loving support! :-D

All hog meat is an avoid food for all blood groups. Does this include wild boar? Rosemary

I hope not! ;-) but we don't yet know. Stay tuned!! :-D

Just a quick thank you for your patience with my questions.I tend to be nit picky concerning minute details until I reach clairty.Because of that I sometimes cannot see the forest because of the trees.Keep up the good work and the good demeanor...John

John, you are most welcome! It's my pleasure, truly -- and I actively encourage precision in communications!! :-) Be well, and thanks for your kindness! :-D

Dear Heidi, Don't know if there is anything you can do on this matter, but thought I'd pass it on. There have been two columns recently that crash my computer (Macintosh) every time I try to open them - I think it says something like "AOL has quit due to a System 2 error. Restart your computer." One column was from this week with the title "Some This, Some That...All Kindsa Qs and As!" The other column was on May 5th ( I remember the date as it is my birthday). Is there any reason for this that you can think of???

I hate missing your column!!!!!!! a bientot, Abby (P.S. I did not go to see my doc on Thursday the 24th, as I was too sick with this cold/flu thing - will see him on the 31st instead and will let you know what he says - also did not get the copies made and sent, but have not forgotten!) Abby

Any reason? Well, using AOL on a Mac might be it, LOL! Honestly, I'm not at all sure why those pages would crash you, but I've sent them out to you. Don't rush on the labs, no hurry at all. I hope you kick that cold in a hurry, dear!! and I fervently hope it's detoxing you nicely. Let's visualize THAT! :-D Take good care, and write again when you feel better! :-)

For Sally B-type concerning bread and cereals. If you by any change was like me when I started: I just changed all the avoid stuff with neutrals and beneficials - and that was hard enough- but simply not good enough!. Look at how much you consume and when. Think about fruits and veggies first, then top with meat, fish, beans, nuts, cheese,eggs or yoghurt. Think about cereal and bread as a small sidedish not a pricipal part in your meal. In the summertime my breakfast is without cereal/bread because I eat mainly fruit or veggies, small amount of cheese or yoghurt- so I save the bread /cereal for later . In the wintertime I eat most of my bread or cereal in the morning, mostly as poridge or bread with eggs. I eat oat, rice and spelt. When I am at good health I eat homemade organic white bread(I´m not perfect!) Try to learn or take up cooking and baking - it will save you a lot of money and worries.! Heidi, I think that the B-types might be lucky to have(My O and A friends think so!) the diet with most variety - but it is also very difficult to get the right B-alance in it. Most B´s have tried: "I am not loosing weight- feeling better- but I only eat beneficial stuff......." most of us was overdooing the cereal and dairy part! I hope Sally can use my experience. Good luck Henriette B- sec.

Lovely advice from a member of the type B sisterhood! thanks SO much, Henriette! :-D

Heidi, I want to thank you for your wonderful column and all the advise you are able to give from being involved with the BTD plan. However, on July 24, 2003 you answered Nina's question: " Is rice protein powder in the grains/starches category and soy protein powder in the bean/legume category? Thanks so much Heidi for everything. Nina I'll bet you know the answer, too, Nina! I'd put it in the grains group -- nice to hear from you, busy person! :-D " Are you saying soy protein powder is in the grains group? That doesn't sound right to me. Would you please clarify this? Sarah SE OK

Hi, Sarah! Thanks for that note -- I've corrected that column to say what I meant to convey! I agreed with *both* categorizations as she presented them. And how are you doing, dear? :-D

Methionine question to Heidi: Hi, it’s me again with a question. (By the way, thanks for the bone soup recipe).

On today’s post it mentions how L-glutamine, in supplement form, raises the cortisol levels in A and B blood types. In the same way, does the supplemental use of methionine found in a number of products, like soy protein powders, help produce polyamines as mentioned on p. 440, (last paragraph), of the BTD Encyclopedia?

Also, when I did a search on methionine in Dr. Bron’s column, dated 4 Dec 2002, converting homecystine to methionine is apparently a good thing, promoting good balance in health. Therefore, if it exists naturally in foods, since it is an essential amino acid, would it be OK? I’m thinking of buying Bragg’s liquid aminos, but I don’t know if methionine is a naturally occurring amino acid or if it is processed in such a way as to not make it safe. Am I missing something here? I hope you can unravel this for me, since it has me stymied. Thanks, Susan

Hey there, Susan! After reading Doc Bron's 4 December 2002 post, I have two things to offer:

(1) A certain level of polyamines is necessary even in adults for building new tissue. That level is supported through the normal conversion of homocysteine to methionine, and that's what his discussion referred to as healthy and beneficial.



(2) The Encyclopedia's advice is that supplementing with ornithine, cysteine, and/or methionine is to be avoided if one is trying to reduce high gut polyamine levels -- so, you can see that this doesn't conflict with what Doc Bron described. If you're seeking to lower your polyamine levels, you would want to stay away from concentrated sources of methionine, cysteine, and ornithine -- and eat your folates! :-)

If this still isn't clear, please feel free to let me know! Best to you, dear!

Dear Heidi, I love reading your column. I think it's great that you are so knowledgeable and helpful to people regarding the blood type diet. Please don't ever give it up!

I have a question about small white patches I've got on my skin. I've had them for years. They are mainly found on my legs and arms and they are much more prominent in the summer, when I've got a tan (not that I try to tan, I live in FL and can't avoid the sun). I use sunscreen, but the things just don't seem to go away.

Do you know what could be causing these and would the diet help to clear them up? By the way, I'm a B+, sec status unknown. I ask because my 7 y.o. daughter has a few on one of her legs so if it could be cleared up, that would be great.

Also, I have a question about kefir. I know it is HB for B's so I recently bought some and it seemed to be the consistency of very soured milk! It kind of tasted that way too. It was not passed it's exp date. Is kefir supposed to be like that?? No one I know has ever heard of it.

One last thing, are there any B's out there who know of a salad dressing that does not contain canola or soy oil? I love my salads, but all the dressings I find in the store contain and avoid oil for a B. And sometimes, I'd like a good Ranch dressing instead of just Olive oil and vinegar or lemon. Thanks, Heidi. Hope to hear from you soon! Carol

Carol, how very kind of you! thanks!! :-}

For those white patches -- see this column, just scroll down (or control-F) for "tinea versicolor." That may be what is causing the white patches on you and your daughter. What little I know about it is all there. :-}

I had kefir years ago, and it tasted pretty gamey, but fascinating. Someone made a strawberry shake with it (that tells you this was a very long time ago), and I drank a good quantity of it with no ill effects. Of course, I can't vouch for the proper consistency since I only sampled it after blending... Bs, any advice here?

For salad dressings, I just start with a base of olive oil, lemon juice (vinegar for you if desired), and sea salt, in a blender. From there, you can make any dressing you see on the market, you name it. If you like a bit of sweetness and a touch of tomato, stick 'em in. Herbs? Garlic? Basil? No problem, they pop in and whiz up beautifully.

Taste as you go along. Once you've gotten your batch as you like it, bottle it up and make another, and stick 'em all in the fridge. Fresh, organic, and much more flavorful than the store-bought stuff, I think!

There's a pretty tasty ranch dressing recipe in the column entitled "A Many-Type Splendor" that I put up in March of this year -- the only BTD adjustment for a B would be to use animal rather than soy yogurt. Experiment! Report! Enjoy!! ~:-D

Hi Heidi ~ I've often thought about writing in, but had too much to say, so I usually decided not to.

I am a type O; don't know my secretor status but suspect that I am a non-secretor. I have been overweight for the majority of my life, and very sedentary.

I started the blood type diet at the end of August, 2001, and to date have lost approximately 65 lbs. I am actually a tiny person! Still a shocker when I look in the mirror . . . and I am still carrying some excess around my belly/ab area (first place to gain and last place to lose!)

The whole weight-loss process has been a real journey; as the layers were coming off, it was as though I was having to face difficult issues from my past that lay stagnant under the excess. I don't know if this makes sense to you, but there is not other way to explain it.

I have definitely been a "poster child" for the BTD in my small town of approx 4000 people; I know of at least 10 who have bought the book after they asked me what I was doing. I am annoyed that people still view it as a diet, or some sort of get thin quick scheme. It is a lifestyle for me that I can not deviate from, unless I wish to suffer in mind, body and spirit.

I was reading your column earlier today, and noticed your comments to another type O who was eating fish but no red meat. You commented that her liver was possibly not receiving the protein it needed to work properly, hence her skin problems, etc. I never looked at it this way. Though I know from the book that red meat is beneficial, every time I ate it, because of the damage I had done to my body in the past, I winced, thinking "I know I need to eat this, but I hope my liver can handle it!" Can you please expand on this for me?

I have struggled with acne for going on five years now - never had a blemish growing up. I suspect it is from dirty blood, as it seems to get better when I experiment with blood cleansers. Does this mean my liver is not doing it's job? Is more red meat OK for a type O whose liver is not functioning properly? Is it the more the better?

I have had liver function tests that have come out with flying colors, and still the skin issues. I understand that the health of the bowel is also an issue when it comes to skin; any suggestions for a type O with a unexplainably sluggish bowel? There are no doctors in town who really support the BTD, so I have been pretty much on my own since I started, and hoping and praying that I was doing the right thing.

As the weight has come off, obviously there is huge benefit in that, especially as my Dad died of a heart attack at the age of 59 in 1999 (that was the catalyst for my search for health).

Sorry for the rambling . . . I have many questions, and "what ifs". I believe in the research behind the BTD, and though many people I have spoken with say it's "not for them", I think that every one could benefit greatly by listening to their body and fueling it with what it desires, and was made to digest!

It never occurs to some people that the reason their bodies reject foods that are listed as beneficial, is because their bodies are so out of balance from years of abuse, that they are not going to recognize "medicine" until they get consistent doses for a greater period of time! Again, I apologize for going on and on. I hope to catch your thoughts on my questions; thank you for what you do. Tanya

Greetings, Tanya! I'm so very pleased you decided to take the leap, and enrich us with your experiences -- this would have been a poorer place without you!

I can most certainly relate to your observation that working through the layers of fat is more than just a physical process. All kinds of issues arise and go, along with the excess weight. The sense of oneself can alter in unexpected ways, while others' perceptions of you may also transform in mysterious fashion. It can be quite a wonderful learning process -- it's such a profound personal change in ways that are difficult to describe. I think you summed it up beautifully. ;-)

About your skin and sluggish digestion, there are a few different ways to go. The first things I'd look at are:

(1) limiting grain consumption to 3 or less servings per week

(2) sticking to lean meats for now, and getting ten portions per week

(3) eating two tablespoons fresh-ground flaxseed soaked in a little water (it gels up) daily -- before bed, or first thing in the morning, doesn't matter. NOTE: If you experience any unexplained itching or rash soon after starting it, you're one of the very few people with whom it does not agree, so just discontinue it in that case.

(4) shooting for at least 6, and preferably 8, servings of veg daily. Raw, as well as lightly cooked, as well as fresh-juiced. Use every means possible to stuff the veg into yourself. Fill up on it, snack on it, make it the largest item in every meal.

(5) Heidi's Harped-upon Water Thing: 1/2 ounce of water per pound of bodyweight, with a squeeze of lemon or a very small pinch of sea salt in each quart.

(6) Strenous, heart-pounding, sweat-producing hard exercise three times weekly. :-D If you feel very far removed from such activity and would like some tips on getting started closer to where you are, please let me know! I've got lots of great ideas in that area :-D

In less than two weeks, your bowel function should be stellar, and your skin should show marked improvement. IF after that time you're still feeling 'blocked up' or 'thick,' we'd want to explore doing a little detox, and a gallbladder flush or two to eliminate that potential problem.

So, give it a go! And I enthusiastically support your idea of getting your secretor status -- it's a brilliant thing for fitting those last little pieces of the puzzle together! Once again, I am DEEPLY pleased you wrote, and I'm looking forward to hearing how you do in the next couple of weeks -- do not be a stranger!! :-D

Aloha Heidi, I read about Kim and feel for her. If I could add to helping her out a bit. What I know is for shingles, so if it's not that, then this might not help that much. Make a salve from zinc ointment (an over the counter product), a table spoon of aloe vera (available at any health food store), and the content of one 1,000 I.U. capsule of natural vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol, NOT DL-alpha tocopheral) mixed together and applied to the vesicle. Also vitamin b-12 should help as well. Peter sells the active form (metholcobalamin). Most b-12 is sold as (cyanacobalamin) the inactive form. The info I'm getting this from says about 500mcg a day. Hope this helps, Carl (an "A+secretor" also).

Hey there, Carl!! What a guy! Thanks for this one, friend! It's going in the "shingles" files. have a marvelous day... :-D