Hi Heidi! I have recieved so much help from you in the past for medical issues regarging my husband and myself. His problem was a hiatus hernia and I'm happy to say we've found a chiropractor who did the stomach pull down method (that's just what it's called). He also teached him how to do this at home and together with the ginger juice you suggested, it seems to help a lot.

Being on the diet also brought down his high blood pressure to a normal 120/80 and he certainly doesn't complain about losing weight so easily!

I'm the nonnie and have been struggling with my weight all my life until I started the BTD diet about 4 years ago. I also find that the Atkins-low carbohydrate approach combined with the BTD diet helps me to maintain my weight, so I've cut back on a lot of fruit and sweet potatoes and added more beneficial nuts instead.

I've also contacted "nowfoods" and asked them what the carb value for vegetable glycerine is and their response was that it is not a carbohydrate and has no carb value and has 4.3 calories per gram. Great news for all of us!

I have a question (again!), this time about Julia Chang's gallbladder flush... you suggested to somebody recently with similar problems I'm experiencing ( bad breath, fatigue etc.) to look into her website and everything I read points to a "heated" stomach and liver and possibly gallstones.

I had jaundice about ten years ago and 3 years ago a naturopath in Australia told me that my organs were extremely weak and suggested a similar flush. I never did it because I couldn't imagine drinking a whole cup of oil but since you've suggested it again I'm more open to a solution. You said recently that the GCG is not a must... Does one absolutely have to do the day of apple juice (Can't stand it ... way too sweet)? I'll appreciate your thoughts again. Regards Ilze

Hello, Ilze ~~ That's a happy report on your husband!

Don't be put off by that cup of oil. It gets gulped right down. It needn't be olive if that seems too heavy -- you can substitute any organic neutral or beneficial oil. Use some sweet red grapefruit juice instead of lemon -- I was so impressed with the taste, I ended up designing a salad dressing around it.

I used very tart, green Granny Smith apples, freshly-juiced at home. The juice is mixed 1/2-1/2 with water. I'd now try it with whole cherries, blended with an equal volume of water, instead. OR juiced watermelon, no dilution. Whichever you prefer!

By the way, I hope you're getting plenty of dark green vegetables as well as those nuts!

Be well, dear, and let me know how the flush goes! :-D

http://groups.msn.com/er4ytUK/foodtranslations.msnw Is the link for food translations from US to British English. Anyone is free to suggest additions. There are Scots variations though, eg Rutabaga is swede in England but Turnip in Scotland, while I think Turnips proper are known as Neaps. Sweetbreads are still sweetbreads in Britain but are not commonly eaten nowadays. Sarah

Many thanks, Sarah! Nice resource! :-)

All right Heidi you stinker!! {:oP, ;o)-- in that case you are just obligated to print my loooong correction and precautions! Ahem. Regarding the salt report – I should have said that I eat a total of 3.5g sodium daily (not 3.5g salt) including food sodium. Salt is composed of about 40% sodium and 60% chloride. A dietician would likely say this is too high, though not extreme.

To estimate food-sodium intake, use the FDA database, http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/cgi-bin/nut_search.pl. For info on salt deficiency, web search on “chronic hyponatremia,” electrolyte depletion. It’s somewhat different than the acute hyponatremia associated with endurance athletes – the chronic form must be addressed gradually for safety, and there may be fewer symptoms because your body has had time to adjust to depletion.

Hospital doctors should be familiar with chronic hyponatremia, they watch for it in relation to their medications. If anyone thinks they are salt deficient, talk to your doctor – I think there is a test for electrolytes. It’s best to be medically monitored for blood pressure & heartbeat, or if you have kidney problems, and to ask how gradual repletion should be.

Note that I couldn’t increase salt while I had a vit D, calcium & magnesium deficiency; it gave me heart arrhythmias. So far, here’s what I’ve found salt deficiency affects: any mucous production, absorption of water & water soluble vitamins B & C, absorption of glucose (think energy) and amino acids (required for healing), heart rhythm, digestion (acid production), iodine intake into cells (affects thyroid hormone production), and mental function (brain is powered by glucose.)

I had to increase my salt gradually to reach 3.5g sodium, or it gave me headaches. (Immediate slight headache when I reached a certain salt level, and it would go away if I switched to pure water.) And if you increase salt without drinking enough water you’ll get headaches for sure. I’m drinking a gallon water daily, some with salt & some pure, and I watch myself carefully for dehydration, and to make sure urination frequency stays healthy. Signed, the Bird (Yah Heidi, I am appreciating your column, never would have thought about salt if you hadn’t mentioned. I do remember Joachim talking about it on the old message board, but I was too sick then to think.)

Tee Hee! :-D Many thanks for this marvelous info, M... uh, Little Bird!

Aren't you glad I'm such a stinker? ~~:-D

I have very severe case of CFIDS (CFS) of 5 yrs. bedridden and very debilitated with it. i was dx in ll/98 by dr. paul cheney md phd. a top dr. in the fiedl. I"ve been trying to follow the type O diet as much as possible with leaky gut syndrome numerous food sensitivites per the ALLCAT IGG test my Dr. uses

Dr. Cheney says i've always tested low in glutathione and most research including jacob teitlebaum (from fatigue to fantastic) say most CFS patients are "universally" low in gluthithione. Yet you say WHEY is avoid for type O's .... Does this include bioactive non denatured whey protein isolates, ie like immunocal, and other brands basically same thing?

If you are familiar with CFS research, the 450 cytocrome system ie especially the liver are "centrally strained" in CFS patients, therefore the need for bio active non denatured whey protein isolates because it helps the body make the most of it's own glutathiane accordign to DR. Cheney and the research i've read on it. So do you speak of like sweet dairy whey or does Dr. D Adamo say all type O's should avoid this type of non denatured whey protein isolates thanks you Paul Story in KY

Hello, Paul! The type O diet with modifications for your food sensitivities will do miraculous things for your condition -- it has resolved fatal illnesses that the medical community has declared incurable. No one substance can do what the diet system achieves. Because of your situation, I strongly suggest setting up a phone consultation with Dr. Bronner Handwerger at the D'Adamo Clinic.

Telephone consultations include:

· Phone consultation with the clinic director Dr. Bronner Handwerger, N.D. · A discussion of your full personal medical history · Recommendations for adapting the Blood Type Diet to your specific health conditions · Recommendations for nutritional supplements and lifestyle changes · Scheduled follow up telephone consultations

Call 203-348-4800 for further information.

Doc Bron can answer your questions in the detail you require, and I'd feel much better if you called him as soon as possible! VERY warmest wishes to you, Paul, and do write again! I'd like to hear how you do. :-)

Something popped out at me while reading your column. Someone mentioned a banana allergy and I've read that there's a cross reaction between bananas and latex. If a person is sure of an allergy to bananas s/he might need to be cautious about exposure to latex. Mav

Interesting one! Mav, let me know if you find the source of that research, I'd very much like to read about it! THANKS!! :-)

Hi Heidi! I have a small question - I'm O+ on the diet for 2 years - My problem is 'dust, humidity, stretofiloccocus and huge problem stafilococcus. When I was living in Paris I used something called 'divasta' but pasteur stop producting that. The diet is wonderful so divasta (almost freedom to avoid list}:-}. Can you advise in something similar I know all yours protocols and I use then but some times they are a bit heavy and the most important 'slepness(ative mind), tiredness ... ... they don't go away a really nightmare. Fatigue/insomia protocol, methylB12 active, vit ... for my type doesn't work. With the diet and urtica dioica I can fight 'dust, humidity & streto' but I haven't slept well since I stopped divasta (3 years}. If you have any advise I would be greatfull. And even if is at last I'd like to congratulate Dr. Adamo & all team for all your excellent work, books {eat/live/A-Z enc 4ut} ... ... Many Thanks Maty

Hiya, Maty ~~ Do you have any information on what divasta IS? An old bottle, a label, any details on what it is or what's in it? If I knew what it was, I might have a better handle on what worked so well for you & how to replicate that effect.

By the way, do you exercise regularly? That is a major key for type O stress relief (which translates into higher allergic threshold, as well as better sleep).

Do write again, and we'll see what we can do! :-D

Greetings, Heidi I am writing on behalf of my wife who is a type B secretor. Her naturopath has prescribed collagen for her and for several years she has been faithfully taking it. We began the BTD about 6 mos. ago. She recently learned the collagen she uses is made of chicken sterum cartilage and is labeled "undenatured type II". She takes 10 mg. daily. Chicken is a type B avoid. Is chicken sternum cartilage also an avoid ? If so, can you suggest a substitute? jonny

Hi, jonny -- I would not use that particular supplement. Have her make up a big pot of turkey stock, using the entire leftover roasted carcase plus skin and attached meat, as well as several carrots, a few stalks of celery, bunch of parsley, an onion, a handful of garlic, and a couple teaspoons of good gray sea salt. I make mine in a 16-quart stockpot, with enough water added to cover the bones. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to simmer for six to eight hours (overnight is fine). Remove from heat to cool enough to handle it, then strain out all the solids and store the broth in pint containers in the freezer. Each will have a layer of fat on top -- that's good, but she can discard the fat before re-heating the broth if desired (I don't).

One cup daily should provide all her collagen needs. She will notice that most of the broth is "gelled" when she defrosts it. It is absolutely full of collagen, proteins, and minerals. Have her discuss this option with her naturopath! As a nutrient-packed traditional food, it should make big points with the doc. Alternately, she might ask the ND to find a non-chicken collagen supplement for her. Hope this helps, and do write again! :-)

Hello there Heidi! I really appreciate this service to all of us, thank you deeply! I have several questions to ask you.

My husband and I have been on this way of eating for 4 years now. My husband (O secretor) has been much more, shall we say, compliant than I and has had marvelous success with eradicating long term tinnitus, chronic fatigue after lunch, yeast overgrowth and a small but protruberent belly. I on the otherhand (type O nonnie) have not fared so well. When I began this new lifestyle, I did really well and I felt fantastic. I lost 30 pounds over the course of a year and my migraine headaches began to go away (one every 3 months instead of 3 a month). In general, i began to feel fabulous. Then I got pregnant.

During my pregnancy several things happened, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (not Hashimoto's) and I had hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) from week 2 until delivery. If you are not aware, HG is basically unremitting nausea and vomiting from the smell, taste, texture and even sight of food! Following any semblance of the BTD was impossible! In fact, the highly beneficial items made me very nauseous (especially meat). I woefully fell off of the wagon and ate whatever i could.

I lost 30 pounds by 20 weeks gestation and by the time i delivered my sweet daughter, had gained it back to weigh the same i had started. She is now 6 months and i am still struggling to stay away from carbs, potatoes especially. I now have some more health issues as well.

I have just been diagnoses with lichen sclerosis and rosacea both of which seem to be auto immune in nature, my teeth are also giving me problems as well (I make tons of plaque and have to get my teeth cleaned 4 times a year and have big problems with buildup. I am continueing to breastfeed my daughter Zia (who is an O for sure!) but I need some help dietarily and in initiating some bit of exercise.

1. Is there such a thing as a dentist who is holistic and who understands the ins and outs of my non secretor status?

2. If such a bird exists, where or how would I find him/her? I live in the San Francisco Bay area and would be willing to travel for such a rare bird.

3. Do non secretors secrete their immune system into their breast milk?

4. Other than stopping the potatoes (which i am trying to do), how else can I help my auto immune predilection? (I take fucus, and O probiotics).

5. I crave dairy something fierce, and always have since beginning this diet. Is there any way to alleviate or replace this craving that you have found?

6. Can you please add me to the nonnie list?

I know that this is a long email and i completely give you permission to edit it for length if you choose to answer it. I am also hoping for a good reccommendation of an ND in the Bay area, because I need one! Thankyou so much for bearing with me with this lengthy missive. I appreciate everything that you do and the very kind way in which you answer all of the questions. Thank you! Misty

OK, Everyone! Stump up with a great recommendation for a Bay Area ND and/or Holistic BTD-DD for our Misty, please? Thanks in advance!!

Here are some prior notes on NDs in your area (and the number for Doc Bron):

I live in the San Francisco Bay area as well and there is one practictioner (Moses Goldberg ND) that includes the BTD program. He's in Santa Rosa but that's only about a half hour from 94947 (Novato) in non-commute times of course. The webaddress is www.imcsr.com. Hope that helps. -- Diane

Christine Chan is in Castro Valley, which is in the East Bay. She can find her in the registry. Also, Dr. Bron will do phone consults at Dr. D's clinic. The clinic number is 203-348-4800. -- Lisa

Hope those help!

On question #3, the child's immune system builds from exposure to the world of food & bacteria, and your breast milk has provided colostrum AND continues to give your baby the very best start in life!

#4: What are those potatoes doing in the house? :-) Use artichokes, sweet potatoes, turnips (white and yellow), carrots, any other savory vegetable you can get your hands on. Butter 'em up and chow down!

#5. I'd definitely start taking Phytocal-O. You certainly need the added support while nursing, and I think your mineral levels are low right now, which can exacerbate many other symptoms. Also take a look at the broth recipe above. It provides a nice wallop of minerals, collagen and proteins; it's tremendously satisfying; and it's a great little pick-me-up plain with a pinch of sea salt, a touch of cumin, a little garlic powder and some cayenne (if the little one isn't troubled by those items).

#6. Sure will!

And I'll publish any ND/DD recommendations that come in from this tremendously plugged-in and caring network of readers! Hang in there, Misty -- it will all turn around for you, just keep doing your best!! Warm regards ~ :-D