Not really a question, just more of a thought .. I realised that organic nut butters tend to have alot of oil.. as compared to the commercial peanut butter which is not oily.. or not at all. I suppose the organic one is the better choice but I'm wary of the oil. What do you think Heidi? -- Mavis

Hi, Mavis! Actually, much of the oil you see floating on the top of organic nutbutters is also present in the supermarket brands. Some of it is marketed separately. Those companies use "hydrogenated oils" to re-moisten the dried-out peanut mash they work from. You can't see that, though, because the ADDED hydrogenated oils (no good for anyone) as well as sweeteners (of all things), are whipped all up together, which stabilizes the "mix." It always looks just the way consumers expect. Take a good look at the labels -- you'll see some of those additives, but they're under no obligation to list the pesticides used in raising the peanuts.

The oil you see in any organic nutbutter is perfectly healthy for you if the nut is OK for type A. This kind of product is far superior to anything made by commercial non-organic manufacturers! And if you'd prefer, you can pour off the oil and blend the remainder with water to make a spreadable consistency. Just promise me you won't be eating that hydrogenated, sweetened stuff! :-) Thanks for your note, Mavis! :-D

I am type O. I believe I might have a sensitivity to iodine causing cystic acne that looks almost like welps on my skin. Are you aware of any type O conditions that might result in sensitivity to iodine? If I have this sensitivity, should I stay away from the O beneficial foods like kelp, seaweed, and bladderwrack? Another question I have is, I'm pretty sure I'm allergic to bananas (at least bananas that aren't fully ripe). I notice the Blood Type PolyFlora contains "Banana Fruit" along with the Probiotic Blend. Should I not use this supplement? Thank you so much for your help! Tina

Hey there, Tina! Tell me more, OK? Are you taking PolyFlora now? and how much sea salt, seaweeds (including supplements) do you eat daily? If you cut out all iodine-containing foods & supps, does the acne disappear?

And what are the symptoms of banana allergy? If you abstain from them for two weeks, then eat a whole (ripe) banana, what happens?

Sorry I've got more questions than answers here, but I want to make sure I understand your situation before offering advice! Let me know, OK? I'll wait to hear from you! :-)

A little birdie sent me this one. You know who you are, mmhbrrraa haha!! I understand your reluctance to have me publish this post. However, I'll make it very clear here that "Little Birdie" had low blood pressure, and her results might not be the same for someone with high blood pressure! Your Mileage May Vary! OK? This note was just too full of valuable information to keep to myself -- besides, we ALL have different blood types and different situations of all kinds. We're used to that! So, here we go!

Hi Heidi! An update on salt! I'm doing so very much better since starting more salt -- I'm taking 3.5g a day salt, will reduce when deficiency is corrected.

It's been a month, and my energy is gradually improving. Best yet, all of a sudden I'm doing the detox that people talk about when they start ER -- and I never did! My sinuses are clearing out. Turns out I've had a low-grade sinus infection for at least 7 years -- I thought my tooth hurt because it was cracked and it was just going to be that way because the dentist fixed it as best she could.

What I'm reading in Guyton's Textbook of Medical Physiology, is salt is required for proper mucous production. (Nerves signal sodium & chloride to go into mucous-producing cells, water follows the salt, cells swell until it triggers mucous release.) Salt deficiency would mean my sinuses don't function right. Plus no doubt lots else -- there isn't much available research on salt deficiency. (Though one of the symptoms of chloride deficiency is "profound lethargy" -- that's been me!)

I am hoping the rosacea goes away when the sinus inflammation dies down -- a low grade infection would surely ramp up the histamines in that side of my face. I think anybody like me who switched from lots of processed foods to cooking all my own food, and who exercises or sweats alot (no air-conditioning) could be at risk for salt deficiency.

We are so ingrained with the concept of reducing salt intake. I was salting my food and not trying to skimp -- but when I added up all the natural food-sodium plus what I salted, it was just a bit higher than the amount of sodium a body naturally loses in a normal day -- about 530mg (I was eating 730mg). But you lose a lot more if you sweat: 1g/hr in intense exercise. So I was gradually depleted, even though a nutritionist would say my salt intake was wonderful.

P.S. -- my tooth doesn't hurt anymore. I haven't been able to chew on that side of my mouth for as long as I can remember, and now I can even chew carrots! "Little Birdie"

I'm THRILLED that salt was the key for so much healing!!!! Be well, and keep writing! :-D

For Helena in Sweden and glucosamin / Defelect O. I suppose Stacktheme products are mailed out from within the EU so the Swedish Customs aren't interested. The prices are in British pounds too. I say go for it! Ingrid in Sweden

I say, you're a devil! and thanks so much, Ingrid! ~;-D

Hi, Heidi, a newsletter I get points out that mercurochrome and merthiolate both contain mercury, so do not belong in the medicine chest. Also, iodine and hydrogen peroxide both damage the skin and retard healing. The best bets are anti-bacterial creams like Bacitracin and Neosporin, but even those should be used sparingly. I keep an aloe vera plant in the kitchen and often use the pulp on cuts and scrapes. Honey also is a good antibacterial substance, in a pinch.

By the way, my aunt has since been told she does not have Fuchs' - big sigh of relief for everyone, AND she's a B+, not an A (my grandmother was an AB+). But she is going to have cataracts removed from both eyes, which will help a lot. My aunt is fascinated with the blood type diet information and you have a new convert in her. Thanks for all your help. Kim

Bless you, Kim -- I am thrilled to the ground that your aunt is "cleared" of Fuchs'. The mercury and disinfectant notes you posted are familiar to me. Anyone else have some notes on this subject -- or on cataracts? Write 'em in! :-) Be well, Kim, and my very best wishes to your aunt's ocular health! :-)

hello heidi its your scots nonnie i would like to know if you have a translation site for words that i can't understand for instance i don't know what cilantro is i thought it was parsley and, what is sweetbreads i took it to understand sweetbreads are cakes etc! which i believe you call cookies my sis in new jersey calls them cookies hoping to here from you soon thank-you for all the info its great!! mary.

Good morning, Mary! Cilantro is coriander leaf -- we here in the States make a distinction in name between the two, and call the leaf by the Italian name, and the seed by the English name. A melting pot it's been called, and not for nothing. ;-) Sweetbreads are meats (the thymus or pancreas), and sweetmeats are the sweets (although no one here has said sweetmeats for only 200 years or so). It's a lovely country, and you should visit more often!

;-D

I don't have a translation site for you, and I've been known to fall short of the mark in the "beans" area as my English friends have patiently pointed out from time to time, but if you send me a list of the food names that are on you like a headache, I promise to do my utmost to translate them into Scots (not the Gaelic, I mean, but even that I'd try if you'd like to see a grown woman cry). How will that do you, dear?