Archives for: May 2001
News on Galectin/Cancer Research ~ Hypotension? ~ Carob & Pretzels ~ Where do Lectins Go? ~ and Tasty Recipes from Jenny! :-D
May 27th, 2001 , by admin
Hi Heidi, Just thought you might like to read this article about galectin-3 and cancer. Cheers Annette
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99993801
Deadly spread of cancer halted
12:21 05 June 03 NewScientist.com news service
The spread of cancers through the body could be halted by targeting a protein that helps cells latch on to each other, reveals a new study.
The spreading of cancer from an initial tumour to other parts of the body - called metastasis - frequently means there is little hope a person can be saved. But scientists have now modified a naturally occurring human protein to disrupt this deadly process in mouse models of human breast cancer.
"We were able to significantly reduce the spread of the disease and decrease tumour growth without any evidence of toxicity," says Gary Jarvis, a microbiologist at the University of California in San Francisco. "If we can stop metastasis in humans, we will have gone a long way towards successfully treating cancer." "It's when tumours spread to essential organs, such as the liver or lung, that they become fatal," says colleague Constance John, a research chemist. "There is nothing to date that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of cancer that works on that process."
Stick together
The team modified a protein that seems play an important role in helping cells stick to each other. This ability aids metastasis by allowing cancerous cells that enter the bloodstream to lodge themselves in other parts of the body.
The team, lead by Jarvis in the US and Hakon Leffler at the University of Lund in Sweden, singled out a human protein named galectin-3. This is from a family of proteins called lectins that bind to sugar molecules on the surfaces of cells. Galectin-3 is known to play a role in cancer formation, particularly in promoting cell-to-cell adhesion. "The idea was to break that contact and inhibit secondary cancer formation," says Jarvis. So the team removed the key part of galectin-3 that normally allows cells to stick to each other.
The modified protein also occupies the site on a cell's surface blocking normal galectin-3 from binding. This stops cells from adhering to each other. The modified protein more than halved the number of mice that developed metastatic tumours. Cancer implanted into the mice spread to the lymph nodes or other organs in 11 of the 20 control mice given sham injections, but only four of the 20 mice given the truncated protein.
Slow growth
The growth of the implanted tumours was also significantly less in mice treated with the modified protein compared to the control mice. "It's not only affecting metastasis," Leffler told New Scientist. "It's reducing the primary tumour a lot." Importantly, he adds, the novel treatment did not cause any adverse reactions.
A drug therapy targeting galectin-3 might one day be effectively used in combination with currently available cancer medications like chemotherapy and radiation, say the researchers. Although, the results are "optimistic", Leffler cautions that "an animal model is not human". "We're not trying to develop a cure for cancer," says John. "What we're trying to do is make cancer a disease that one can live with."
Journal reference: Clinical Cancer Research (June issue) Shaoni Bhattacharya
Thank you for the article, Annette! You'd be very interested in the developments foreseen by IfHI at the February conference -- keywords: cadherin/adherin!
!! :-D
Hi Heidi! I read your column almost dayly and I find much support in it! I am doing pretty well on the BTD, except for that my previously nicely low blood pressure is even lower now, too low actually. I excercize daily, (alternating between aerobics, long walks, bikeing etc) and I drink plenty of water with lemon or salt just as you recommend. But the low pressure is a problem and I can´t wait in lines or stand on the bus or get up from a chair too fast or I will just faint!
And I do look gasthly pale...I have heard that cutting out grains and increasing proteins (as I have done since I am an O that used to eat mostly vegetarian...) can lower the blood pressure, but it is always thougt of as something good, and for me it surely is not! I am stubborn and first I just waited, thinking my body would get used to it, but it has been several weeks now... Do you know how I can RAISE my blood preassure? (I would forget about avoiding sugar and grains and eat a lot of lichorice candy, but I am celiac and have to avoid it carefully as there is always wheat in it...I used to love it though!!!)
I have also had much more headaches than I am used to, but I think it is slowly getting a little better. I also want to tell you that I have introduced the BTD to my Mum (who also is an O), she has problems with extremely high cholesterol, and to my sister (who is A). My sister is very VERY much underweight and has struggled with it for all her life. She has intuitively always eaten the A type food except that she used to avoid ALL animal proteins. She also avoids all dairy since she is lactose intolerant and she often beware of gluten as I am a celiac and it is often running in the family so she decided to be careful with it herself as well. I have read in a previous column of yours that increasing the protein could help her as she likely is lacking protein and then her body can't use the fat she is eating. (She loves peanuts and almonds and other fattening things, but this far it has not helped...)I am very curious about how the BTD can help them both! Love, Helena
Hello there, Helena! It may be low blood pressure you're experiencing -- but the cause may be adrenal fatigue. First, try some licorice root tea instead -- no gluten or additives of any kind in it. Alvita is a well-known supplier here in the States, and I'm sure you'll find a brand easily in any organic grocer. I think it will make you more comfortable while your body is making its adjustments to the no-grain 'way.' If in a week your low pressure hasn't shown some improvement, take a good read through the following page linked here: Understanding Adrenal Function.
Type Os most often experience a dramatic drop in cholesterol once they've brought their diets into line with the BTD. Eliminating grains altogether will produce the most noticeable results -- wheat is a terrible fiend to our systems! So just have your mother do pretty much what you're doing. If her cholesterol remains persistently high, she can look into the supplement "red yeast rice," which has a great history of normalizing lipid levels.
I think your sister would do well on one small serving of whole grain daily. This could be oatmeal, or some 100% rye or 100% sprouted grain bread. I think it would very much help her -- that's straight from the Doc. One serving each day won't make her a celiac, and as long as she follows the rest of the A diet, she should feel much better and begin to show some weight gain. She would greatly benefit from doing yoga, meditation, or other deeply calming practice. And yes, if her protein intake is very low, she'd do better following the Live Right portion/frequency guidelines for all her foods.
You're accomplishing a great deal in your family, Helene -- well done! Let me know how that pesky low blood pressure gets along, OK? :-D
Hi Heidi, I went to the NOW foods website. They list their ingredients for their carob drops as: Carob Powder, Partially Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Sorbitan Monostearate and Soya Lecithin. My bag from an internet distributor did not contain the sorbitan one. So the oil is not from corn but I did no feel so good with it.
But better news on another product front. I found Kamut pretzels by Happy Herbert's at Whole Foods. The guy there is actually Gary. Very nice man. Gives 10% of profits to children's charities and has an exclusive contract with the one and only kamut flour maker in the US to make kamut pretzels. I feel so much better eating them than spelt pretzels. I really do feel the difference in the gluten response and my daughter likes them better than the spelt pretzels.
Here are the ingredients: Organic unbleached kamut flour, organic whole kamut flour, organic canola oil, organic barley malt, salt, yeast, soda So with those ingredients, it works for all As and O secretors.
Kamut is okay for A and O but canola oil and barley malt are avoids for O nonnies. :-{ I told Gary about the Blood Type Diet and making it blood type friendly. Maybe if he gets enough calls from those on our nonnie list and others, he will make a change so the O nonnies, especially kids, could enjoy them too. He will also ship 12 bags with no shipping and handling cost. His number is 1-800-SO-HAPPY Thanks Heidi. Nina
Hi, Nina! Yeah, any "hydrogenated" oil is not so good for any of us. I can't figure out why they wouldn't just go with carob powder, lecithin (emulsifier), and some stabilizer like sorbitan monostearate -- which is also a thickener. What's with the hydrogenated oil? Must be something that complements the machinery of their manufacturing process. Sigh!
Your new pretzel find sounds great ~~ keep up the wonderful work! :-D
Hi Heidi, I appreciate your ability to tie together so many elements of the blood type dieting approach and compress them in fairly readable fashion on this site...so I've got a couple tough ones for you, one of which could well open a pretty big debate I've seen the beginnings of already.
First: given that grapes, grape juice and red wine are neutral for O's, would it stand to reason that since apples, juice,cider and apple cider vinegar are neutral for O's that alcoholic apple cider would also be neutral? What would alcoholic apple cider be for A's given that the fruit, juice and cider are neutral while the vinegar is an avoid?
My other question has to do with lectin uptake and transferance to humans via animal product consumption. Fortunately, I have, in Alberta, plenty of access to grass fed beef, bison and lamb...but what about chicken? And eggs? Even organic chicken and eggs are fed grains of various sorts...what does this mean for O's like me who have hitherto been big chicken and egg eaters, if the poultry is fed with corn, wheat, etc? Poultry like turkey and chicken don't eat grass in nature, do they? And what about these birds for type A consumption, and ostrich -- the "other" red meat poultry in abundance up here and a neutral for A's and O's? What kind of feed should people look for in the poultry and eggs they eat?
What about dairy products like mozza or ghee from milk from grain fed cattle? Where do we draw the line? Will Dr. D'Adamo address this, or should O's go straight to wild game and A's vegetarian? thnx!! John
Hi there, John! Apple cider is much like beer or wine, depending on the fruit and the processing. The best ones are very light and dry, of a rather high alcohol content (10-14%, like wine) and anyone for whom apples are OK could enjoy it in moderation -- technically it's an unknown. I wouldn't extend the same welcome to the standard commercial varieties found in six-packs, since they contain added sulfites and preservatives which put them in the reactive category for sensitive individuals -- and in the blood-sugar spike category -- akin to white wine for type O (an avoid).
Chicken, turkey, etc. are natural grain eaters. They also eat grass. Chickens can get 20-30% of their nutritional needs from grass alone -- and turkeys, if left to their own devices on good pasture, will eat up to 40% of their diet in grass. For the rest, they eat bugs, grit or sand, berries, seeds, worms, and they thrive on these foods. I'd make sure that the poultry you eat is properly ranged, has a varied pasture from which to choose food (they peck all day long), and is not stuffed with grain for fattening. Any grains they're given as supplements to this natural scratching & pecking should be organic -- and no, I wouldn't be fearful that the chicken is storing away corn and wheat lectins which will pounce on me when I eat the chicken. Grain is perfectly digested by the chicken or turkey or pheasant (organic only, please), and is not stored in the fat the way pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and other rotten interventions are stored -- nor the way rich grains of that kind show up as traces in the stored fat of ruminants (cows, sheep, etc.).
Now, as to the flightless fowl we know as "ratites" (ostrich, emu, rhea, cassowary, and kiwi), they are a very ancient family of animals. I was interested to note that ostriches in the wild have a lifespan similar to humans - 60- and 70-year-old birds are not uncommon. The thrive quite nicely on grass, along with succulents (like cacti), seeds, berries, and leaf browse, and probably get the odd bug along with their predominantly vegetarian diet.
A note here which is rather off-topic but which much deserves this space: there are no humane treatment laws for birds designated "domesticated" in this country (don't know about Canada). We are well familiar with the barbary and butchery visited upon factory chickens and turkeys. The ostrich and emu are grand, wide-open-spaces creatures, who currently are the new "meat craze" here and who are kept in the ugliest conditions and receive absolutely miserable and horrifying treatment during their "domesticated" lives by most "producers." Here is a very calm and meticulous description of the ostrich industry as practiced in the States. Please read it if you can.
the moral of my rantings?? KNOW YOUR FARMER, FOLKS! Please, Please do NOT purchase the products of ANY farmer who disdains the welfare of her/his animals. This includes ostrich ranchers who pluck their birds regularly to sell the feathers. It is an extremely painful experience (which the commercial producers outright LIE about), and usually drives the birds to insanity long before they're slaughtered for their meat. And Please do NOT buy the meat of ratites who spent their lives in cages. Please support CONSCIOUS FARMING AND RANCHING!! ... thank you, my dear friends!!!
*phew.* OK. Now, where were we? Milk and milk products from grain-fed cattle. You're not going to be getting corn and wheat lectins in your milk or cheese. However, remember that the nutritional value of the product will be significantly reduced if the cow is fed grain. The essential fatty acid balance will be way off.
Frankly, I don't understand the idea of giving milch cows grain, anyway. Ours never got any -- they were pastured on rich grass, alfalfa, clover; hay from our barns in the winter; ok, come to think of it, they got some fermented corn (silage) in the winter as well, but very little. It was the big feedlot operations who grain-finished the beef cattle, to fatten their meat and raise their weight for a better price at market - at least that was true when I was a child. I imagine, though, that the factory-raised female calves and heifers (virgin cows) are probably shot full of growth hormones and may get an inordinate amount of grain to hasten their growth to the milking stage. They'd also be given antibiotic tags. And Yes, all those dirty little chemicals will come right through into the milk, likely along with nice strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. But the grain lectins, no.
I noted with hope and pleasure that some of the dairy farmers who list on www.eatwild.com now offer arrangements whereby you can purchase raw milk and raw milk cheeses. That's pretty wonderful -- something I also remember well from my childhood. :-) There is a growing abundance of conscious farmers and ranchers, many of whom can be found on the eatwild site. These very encouraging developments mean that we and our children will not be self-defensively forced to subsist on home grown veg, nor to depend upon the sharpened stick for any hope of good meat. ;->
My best to you, John -- thanks for your Qs! :-D
Thanks for your varicose vein advice, Heidi, I'll let you know how it goes. In the meantime, more fun in the kitchen with Jenny.......
RE SOY OR DAIRY YOGHURT MAKING......I am told that placing the covered dish inside a polystyrene box with lid (eg from the greengrocer) for 6 hours will retain the heat sufficiently to do the job in the absence of a yoghurt maker.
RE SOY CHEESE ....I am told that placing some fresh soy yoghurt mixed with chopped herbs of one's own choice, to drain overnight using muslin or kitchen paper x 3 in a sieve will produce a nice soft cheese.
RE TOFU CHOCOLATE MOUSSE....p 296 of "Cook Right" - I have tried this several times, but find it too powerful for my taste, so I adapted it to a simpler version viz: 1 packet, 300grams or 10 oz approx. of medium-firm or silken tofu (not hard tofu) 1 cup or slightly less of chocolate icing sugar (tch tch), 1 egg, and half teaspoon crushed cardomon seeds or powder, blended well and set in a steamer over boiling water for 30 mins, then chilled. Cheers! Jenny
icing sugar - shame on you! ~~:-D Lovely recipes, Jenny -- thank you! and I look forward to your progress with those pesky veins! :-D
DETOX-O-RAMA // Spuds 4 O-nons// Help with Green Tea /Fluoride Issue, Anyone?? :-)
May 26th, 2001 , by admin
Hi Heidi, I'm an O+ sec, and have a boatload of questions about detoxing and cleansing, so I apologize in advance for the length (feel free to edit)! First, I'm interested in the Detox Protocol from the Encyclopedia, and I've been reading as many posts as I could find on this, but have run into problems with two of the supplements. Prune Powder - no luck at either HFSs or Asian grocery stores, and the one website where I found it for sale (you also recommended it - Voigt Global, has discontinued it. FutureCeuticals makes "HiActive Prune Powder, and I've emailed them to see if they're willing to sell it to individuals (they appear to be only a wholesaler), but haven't heard back yet. I know my HFS isn't willing to buy 45 pounds (or whatever the minumum order is) on the chance that more people will want it. What would be a good substitute for this? Prune juice? If so, how much, how often and how long? Is there another supplement appropriate for type O that will suffice?
Chinese Garlic Extract- I've checked with 3 HFSs and none of them seem to know what this is or how it differs from the numerous other garlic supps available. Can you provide some info? Web searches yielded surprisingly few sources that specified "Chinese" garlic, but lots that talked about "aged" garlic extract (lots of references to Kyolic brand)- are these the same? Would you recommend a particular brand? The one site that sells the exact item (emersonecologics.com), requires that I list my physician's name, address and phone number (which I'm not willing to do). Whew!
Ok, the next set of questions is about liver and/or gallbladdar cleansing. All the info in various posts has got me to thinking about detox/cleansing in general - can you explain what the Detox Protocol does that is different from the cleanses? (I'm referring specifically to those recommended in Julia Chang's site) I don't have any reason to think I have gallstones, but the liver cleanse sounds like a good overall detox-type thing to try. Is this correct?
It's unclear to me from the site, whether there is actually a separate cleanse or "flush" for the liver - and if I should do the first two steps (gold coin grass and intestinal cleansing), if I don't think the gallbladdar issues are a problem for me. Should I just take the Chinese Bitters (recommended for "de-congesting the liver), and call it good? Or are the two cleanses really designed to work together? If doing the combined liver/gallbladdar flush - do you recommend the apple juice for type O? I also have concerns about my ability to go for two days without food and 3 days with no protein. I tend to get headaches if I don't eat properly - especially if not enough protein. Do you have a recommendation for this? Sorry to go on and on - thanks for your patience and great information! Jane
Hello, Jane! Long Qs are no problem! I've been known to go on and on myself from time to time (as EVERYONE will attest!! ~:-D) About the prune powder: I'd use prune juice for the moment, probably 10-12 ounces to the tablespoon of powder needed. But since FutureCeuticals does make this perennially elusive product, it stands to reason that they sell it to SOMEBODY. Now, whether those retailers market it only in combination products, I don't know -- but I'd ask FC if there ARE retailers they could direct you to -- while making it clear you're not trying to steal their clients, you're just trying to get hold of some gol' derned PRUNE POWDER for personal use! ;-)
I'm not sure if this is the case, but in looking at the name "Chinese Garlic Extract," it occurs to me that perhaps we're supposed to notice "Chinese Extract" rather than "Chinese garlic" -- and if so, the Kyolic brand is most likely what's being recommended. Weird how so many supps are being corralled into doctors' proprietary sites for their own patients or somehow restricted to distribution only on doctors' orders. Very odd. This would actually be an excellent question for Doc Bron, as he very likely uses it in his practice and might be able to suggest a substitute if it's not available OTC. Absent other options, I'd be inclined to chop and age my garlic and just use it as is.
The detox protocols work gently to draw out toxins from the entire body and gradually eliminate them. The gallbladder cleanse, on the other hand, is a bile purge -- meaning that it's a relatively safe home therapeutic procedure whereby you prepare your digestive tract for a day or two with light diet and stone-softening/bile-releasing stuff (apple juice), then ingest (1) substances which relax the bile ducts and keep the elimination process moving RIGHT along (the Epsom salts); and (2) substances which strongly stimulate the liver and gallbladder to dump all their bile into the GI tract at once (the oil & citrus juice). The idea there is the same as washing out a sink full of sand. You can trickle water forever, and the sand will stay largely where it is, but jet the water full-force, and the sand is lifted and carried away with it. The bile dump carries the stones out as well -- and gets rid of a great deal of stagnant old bile as well. The liver cleanse Julia suggests is a combination of some hepatic stimulating herbs in tincture, and the avoidance of a handful of foods, including chilled food and drink. She also suggests taking some warm water in the morning, and doing some exercise. Exercise enlivens and strengthens ALL the organs, stimulating their full function.
I suggest doing whichever procedure, or combination of procedures, you would like to try. They're all rather different. How about two gallbladder flushes, one month apart, and do the standard liver herb prep beforehand? Use the malic acid supplements she suggests instead of the apple juice. Then do the Encyclopedia Detox Protocol for one week on, one week off, one week on, one week off, then repeat the flush.
I understand your concern about no protein for a few days, and no food. It's quite common to get headachy or woozy during a 'fasting' protocol such as this -- but it won't do you harm. In fact, these reactions indicate work going on that needed doing, so they are to be welcomed as a sign of progress. ;-) Shorten the three days to two if you like. And try to do it at a time when you can be relaxed and engaged in pleasant activities, rather than pressured by work or other responsibilities. ;-)
I think I covered everything, but when more questions crop up, do write again! Best of luck, and let me know what ya do & how it goes! :-D
Hi Heidi, I need some info to help me (O non-secretor) stay away from potatoes! In LR4YT, potatoes are listed as an avoid in Tier 2. As I understand it, Tier 2 food lists are for those who are using the diet to fight disease. What about for us healthy people? Is it OK to eat potatoes occasionally if we are just following Tier 1 and avoiding avoids? I'm sure it's not that simple (since potatoes are also listed in LR4YT as one of the Type O Red Flags)... However, I still really like potatoes and need some help staying away from them!
I notice definite bad effects from eating sugar (one of my favourite things) and wheat and this has really helped me stop eating these foods entirely, but I don't have the same experience with potatoes. What is it about potatoes that makes them so bad for type O? Is there anything really nasty that they do to our bodies that can repulse me? Any help is appreciated! Kate
Hello, Kate! ;-) The evildoer in potatoes is the lectin. It just loves the joints. In some folks, the small joints (fingers, toes) stiffen considerably within an hour or two of a potato meal. In most people, however, the damage is done quietly over time, and may not be noticeable as creaks, stiffness, pain, swelling, etc. until many years have passed. I'm not surprised you notice the ill effects of sugar and wheat. They act fairly immediately on blood sugar levels and speed of elimination (and boost allergic reactions) -- not to mention the harm sugar does to the immune system. If you feel like half your strength just vanished after consuming a teaspoon total of sugar, well, you're right. Immunity drops 50% in a flash, just from that small amount of "refined horror."
Now back to potatoes. The Tier system in LR4YT is intended to offer some options for folks who have no health complaints and would like to occasionally consume some avoids which are "less avoid-y" than others. The bad news is: those options aren't available to you & me.
Nonsecretors, A2s and MM types should follow the food values as written -- including the avoids in Tier 2. So, we "variants" aren't offered the the leeway that healthy, average-weight MN secretors (including those who are A1 rather than A2) have in regard to Tier 2 -- for good reason! It's designed that way to safeguard our health. Whether a food appears in Tier 1, Tier 2 or the Neutral Tier is immaterial to nonsecretors -- we just look at the food name and the value assigned, and that's what we follow. ;-}
sorry to be the bearer of less than welcome tidings, Kate! ;-/ but at least it's a simpler system to follow, eh? just remember that you're not alone in this!! you have PLENTY of company! ;-> be well, and turn ever away from those spuds, ok? :-D
Dear Heidi, I have very thin hair and my body is like a candida machine. I've heard about the BTD in 96 and started making diet and lifestyle changes and I have gradually become very disciplined. I visited Dr. Bron last year. He recommended lots of biotin.
Here's what I take Biotin-8 by Thorne 2 caps 2x (4), MulitVM 1 cap 2x (2), MaxEPA 1 cap 2x (2), Fucus by NAP 1 cap 2x (2), Phytocal by NAP 2 caps 2x (4), Methyl B12 by NAP 1 cap 2x (2), Folacal by Thorne 1 cap 2x (2). I take a few drops of Horsetail tincture in water, a few Polyflora and Quercitin every other day when I remember to. I take 1-2 tbsp of ARA6 almost daily.
I learned that I was a nonnie and started making those adjustments. In the past year, my hair has improved slightly and I get candida problems if I stray too far from the nonnie diet baseline. From reading your column, I have made efforts to choose organic foods as much as possible, including grass fed meat. I've also learned that supplementation with msm, floradix, thyroid can help improve hair growth.
I'm not sure which therapies to use when. I would like to know if I should do a gallbladder liver cleanse first and if it would make the supplementation more effective. I figured I would just go through one therapy at a time until my hair got better, so I started using msm and have gotten through 2 tubs of it. I am up to 6 tsp a day. I have started to include 1000 mg of Glucosamine sulfate because my sinuses are going crazy. MSM? Hay fever? I don't know. Then I thought I should consult with you instead of going ahead on my own.
I have detailed food lists which I can scan and send to you. I'm not diet perfect, but it's because I'm working hard and having as many great times as I can fit in. I'm in NY so I would like to arrange a consultation, if possible. I could drive back up to CT to visit Dr Bron, but he is so handsome that I can't keep my mind on diets around him. ; o ) Emme, o-non
Hi there, Emme! Hey, it never occurred to me that being handsome might impair one's patients' thinking processes, but this puts a whole new aspect on my relationship with my beloved and extremely handsome gynocologist! ya learn something new every day! ;->
I wonder if Doc Bron should wear a 'warning label?? ~:-D
As y'all know, I'm not accredited by any board or institution to practice any form of medicine, including complementary health care practices of any kind. Instead, my mission here is to help people get the information they need, and to suggest areas of improvement according to what I've learned -- operating as a source of 'new eyes' looking at what is presented to me, in hope that my perspective will lead you to insights that might not have occurred to you on your own. Getting a different angle on a problem from someone heretofore unconnected to it can be instrumental in speeding a resolution forward.
For right now, and from what you've told me, a gallbladder/liver cleanse procedure cannot hurt you and is very likely to get your progress kicked up a few notches. If you'd like, I'd be glad to review your diet and exercise regimen with you! I don't charge anything for doing so. If you'd like to go ahead with that, just drop me a note and we can talk about where to go from here. But do consider the flush/cleanse, and use Julia Chang's site as reference. She's got all the info you'll need on the procedures.
Blessings and very best wishes, Emme! I hope to hear from you soon!! :-D
THANKS ALOT TOM!!!!!!!!! Now, it seems I may have done more harm than good switching a year ago from coffee to (organic) green tea! Okay, Heidi, now what CAN I drink in the morning??? Should I just check LR4RT on which herbal teas are beneficial, or do you have an especially good recommendation? I've been having 3-5 cups daily of green tea. I guess no other tea-or-coffee-like beverage would give a little kick of caffeine... What next will I have to give up, eh? I read the link Tom noted, and since I do have aluminum as well as mercury to contend with, and osteoporosis as well.....sound like green tea should be stopped. boo hoo.....Abby
hi, abby...
Well, Tom's post mentioned (1) Medline research indicating low short-term uptake of toxic metals in tea, and (2) his opinion is that Schuld's timetable for the onset of fluorosis is unrealistically grim. So, while the news isn't tremendously uplifting, I don't want it to cast you down into despair, either!
I would welcome some BTD-expert input on the issues Dr. Schuld raised, as green tea's such a popular beverage and recommended generally for all blood groups. The only related info I've come across is the Ask Dr. D. column on Os and fluoride, suggesting that type is particularly susceptible to fluorosis. I'm gazing wistfully at my second cup of green tea, and hoping for its reprieve from this particular judgment.
Thought I'd mosey around and see if fluoride levels are something I could test all by myself. (hey folks, you know how I am.) Found a pocket-sized device used by water inspectors, sold by Hach for about $300 including reagent strips, etc. I'm SO tempted to buy it and test my tea (and urine). I'm going to look further, but I'll be giving the budget a good squeeze to accommodate that item if nothing else useful presents itself quick-like-a-bunny.
So: my dear friend, I'd suggest choosing an herbal blend for now (perhaps roasted dandelion root, or a choice of herbs & spices you know you can tolerate well), and we'll see whether some new information comes to light... I'll keep you posted! :-}
Hello Heidi, I am A+ and my husband is O+. We have been on the diet for about three and 1/2 weeks now and I read your column daily. I have lost about 7 pounds but I am includig neutral foods along with the highly beneficial foods to lose in a healthy manner. I have searched the archives for specific information, but have been unable to find what I am looking for, hence the question. My husband has been overweight most of his life. We have been married a little over a year before we discovered ERFYT. He has a tough schedule but tries to get his workouts in. When he does work out and sweats he gets these pimples. We assume they are due to toxins but I was wondering is there a way to detox from the inside out to prevent them? I cannot think of any other way to put it but they smell. Thanks, Dawn
Greetings, Dawn ~~ welcome to the BTD!
As your husband loses weight, the fat cells are releasing a number of toxins which the liver is a bit too overburdened to process effectively. They circulate in the bloodstream and show up as skin disturbances, particularly after a workout. Now, that process of detox is a GOOD one, one we don't want to stop, but rather we'd like to increase his ability to process and eliminate the poisons as they are released.
He should do his best to stick VERY closely to his diet, and try to minimize grains and sugars of all kinds. He may be particularly sensitive to pesticides and other contaminants, so going organic and free-range with the food is an excellent idea. Here are some tips for him:
(1) Drink 1/2 ounce of water per pound of bodyweight. Into each liter or quart, add a squeeze of lemon juice and/or a pinch of gray sea salt. If you're using the salt, let it sit for five minutes, then shake (to allow the salt to dissolve in the water). Never, never go thirsty. If you eat and still feel hungry, down some water first and see how you feel in a few minutes.
(2) Absolutely stuff vegetables into every corner of your diet, particularly dark green leaf veg, salads of all kinds, broccoli, onions, carrots, celery, and emphasize beneficial veg whenever possible. The minerals, water, and fiber they provide will speed digestion and move the weight loss right along.
(3) Regular steambaths or saunas would help the skin to get rid of the toxins it's passing. The dry skin brushing technique, done with a soft brush in circular motions all over the body from soles to crown (except the face and groin) is another helpful tool. Believe it or not, more frequent cardio workouts would speed this process, too. The more often you really work up a sweat, the more quickly your skin will finish its detox job and heal -- and look better than ever before.
(4) Take PolyFlora-O and ARA6. The beneficial bacteria in the gut needs a little support when weight loss is producing a greater toxic load. Feed them, and you'll ease the weight loss and the detox.
(5) Consider doing a gallbladder flush (there's been lots of talk about it in the past few columns, and the reference site is www.sensiblehealth.com). It's not a necessity, but any adult who's been overweight all his life deserves a chance to find out what it's like to have a clear and fully-functioning liver and gallbladder. It's quite an experience!
Let me know how these ideas might work for him, Dawn, and please keep in touch! I'm very pleased to hear you're losing weight like a champ!! keep up the wonderful work you're doing for yourself & yer man! :-D
Supps / HCL / Type A Newbie / Exercise 4 B? / Tuna / Hair growth / and more! :-)
May 25th, 2001 , by admin
What is inositol? How does ARA differ from lecithin in terms of health benefit and should I take both regularly? Rachel
Hello, Rachel ~~
HERE is a fact page on inositol;
HERE is the page on ARA6;
HERE is an interesting page on lecithin and gallstones -- follow the "lecithin" link to the standard description.
Keep them bookmarked - I think they'll answer your questions admirably!
Thanks for writing! :-D
Dear Heidi: I am an O nonnie who has been following the O diet for about 6 years now. I have been having major gastric upsets for the past year. Throwing up, diahrea, sore stomach etc. I thought I was catching stomach bugs and being stressed out, not being able to cope.
In July, I had another bout of stomach flu and last weekend, I started again but with no respite from the pain. With increasing abdominal pains, I went to the doctor on Monday and she said ulcer. The pains increased throughout the week and I ended up in emerg on Wednesday night. They did some tests and found my white blood cell counts were high. They gave my anti-spasmodic medicine which took away the pain for 12 hours.
I started doing research on the internet and found a condition called hypochlorhydria which is low stomach acid. With low stomach acid, your body does not kill the bacteria that comes into your stomach and voila, more occurances of stomach flu. You also may experience constipation, fullness of stomach, burping and a feeling of being hungry all the time.
From a Website:
Good health and the presence of absolute immunity depend on the existence of a normal production of hydrochloric acid and its presence in the bloodstream and other fluids of the body. When the HCL production falls short, and a progressive diminution takes place, we find a loss of absolute immunity, a decreasing degree of tissue susceptibility, an imbalance of blood chemistry, and poor digestion and assimilation. This is the starting point of general ill-health and malnutrition.
It is a logical assumption that a lack of sufficient minerals in the daily diet must of necessity give rise to a deficiency in the hydrochloric acid production. It is known that certain salts, such as potassium, are needed by the glands responsible for its production. It is also known that when the hydrochloric acid production falls short the required amount necessary to maintain the acidity of the white cells and the acid-base balance becomes insufficient and hydrogen chloride eventually vanishes from the circulation.
When hydrogen chloride disappears from the circulation some other acid must take its place immediately in order to maintain the pH of the circulating fluids. The acid wastes assume the role of hydrogen chloride in the blood chemistry. This is followed by an imbalance of the blood chemistry. The acid wastes can not be thrown off as quickly as they are formed so they begin to accumulate in the fluids and tissues of the body with the resultant struggle between these and the alkaline reserve. The result is a depletion of the latter.
Functional disorders of a metabolic, endocrine and allergic nature and the condition of acidosis become manifest. The person loses his natural immunity and is highly prone to develop focal infection followed by acute disease. In this depleted condition they lack the necessary reserve to destroy the invading microorganisms completely.
What I did: I started taking hcl supplements from the health food store along with enzymes on Friday. Today is 1 week with the HCL and I feel like a new person. Since last week, I have lost 4 pounds and these 4 pounds came from areas around my lymphatic system, under arms, hip creases, and collar bones.
My stomach pains have finally released and my bowels are starting to return to normal. I am not craving carbonated drinks, nor do I need to eat every 3 hours. What a relief to finally find out what is happening and being able to do something about it.
Believe it or not, I think I have had this condition since childhood. I can remember always getting gastric bugs throughout my life and no-one else would get them. I think my mother may have this as well. She had been diagnosed with an ulcer, but all of her symptoms look like low HCL. I know this contradicts what Dr. D says about O's and stomach acid, but I think with many O's eating foods that aren't great for their blood type, their stomach acid might be depleted when they start BTD. The good news is this seems to be an easy problem to overcome. Jean
Interesting website! http://www.rheumatic.org/hcl.htm --
I noticed, buried in the discussion of HCL, a note about insufficient minerals. Jean, had you been getting sufficient minerals from foods or supps? I realize the constant diarrhea must have depleted most of what you took, but there are ways around the dietary means of getting them. If you were also kind of hooked on carbonated drinks, perhaps their contents were contributing to the mineral depletion? they do tend to do that.
If you get the chance, I'd love to hear your account of your usual diet through this period ~ it would help us all, and particularly anyone facing what you've gone through! :-)
Right now I'm just truly pleased that you discovered a major piece of your health puzzle and are on the mend -- thanks so much for your post, Jean!
I am blood type A. I am allergic to all forms of seafood, (violently to some, but not the ones on my list...) and allergic to soybeans and many soy products. I am also a type2 diabetic, and overweight with a bmi of ~40. what do I eat for protein on this diet? I have been trying to eat low-carb for yrs to keep my blood sugars normal. What does a diet plan look like for someone like me? Vicki
Hello, Vicki! Your proteins would come from the vast number of other beans on your OK list, along with nuts, seeds, yogurt and allowed cheeses, nutritional yeast, all the neutral beasts & birds on the Live Right 4 Your Type food list, eggs, and whatever fish you're able to tolerate.
Go carefully through that list, red-flag foods you can't have right now, and proceed with the rest. Vegetables are the staple in every blood group's diet, and the dark leafy greens are well familiar to you from your low-carbing history.
Be aware that as your gut heals and your sugar metabolism returns to normal (which it will), the intolerances you experience now will fade. Give it a good solid try for one month, and have your physician monitor your medications carefully -- people most frequently find that the dosages should be reduced, in a very short time.
A MOST warm welcome to you, Vicki -- please and keep in touch! I'm listening!! :-)
Hi Heidi: I have been following the blood type diet for several years. I am a type B but not sure if I am a secretor or not. I always feel well when I follow the diet for my type but it was not until about 6 months ago when I tried eliminating wheat products and refined sugar that I began to see some weight loss.
I also avoid any food that has corn syrup in it - and many do! I have been eating mostly Irish Oatmeal for breakfast for a month or so and this helps to quell my morning hunger until a mid morning snack.
I did have an exercise question. I bought a manual treadmill a couple of weeks ago. I finally had to buy one to use several times a week to replace outdoor walking, since the weather has been terribly hot this summer and I just don't tolerate extreme heat well. This treadmill is set on an uphill incline, and since it is not powered by a motor,it really works me out in a short period of time. My question is - is this a good workout for my type and should I pair it with other exercise or make this my main type of exercise. Joyce
Hey there, Joyce! That's a good cardio exercise. If I were a B, I'd add a little something different, as well.
Eo Omwake at Mind, Body & Spirit Academy has a great collection of videotapes available -- I have the Stretching and beginner's Tai Chi & Qi Gong. He's a marvelous teacher, and a wonderful presence (even on VHS. ;-)). I'd pick up one or more of those for when getting out & about is really unpleasant. Also, a quick and effective addition to your cardio work is those Five Tibetan Rites I keep harping about. ;-} Try one or both, and let me know what you think!
:-D
Hi Heidi, I have a question about Dr.D's new book "Eat Right For Your Baby", in the section on Diet for Blood Type O's. He says fresh tuna is one of the fish with high mercury levels, but he says canned tuna is ok. I have read so much contradicting information out there about what fish are ok to eat and which ones are not. Can you tell me that the canned tuna are really ok and not a typo, I love tuna salad sandwiches, they are easy and delicious and my kids like it too, but I want to make sure it's safe. Thanks! Stephanie
Hi, Stephanie! Yes, it is the fresh tuna (which may or may not be tested for contaminants) which is to be avoided -- but only during pregnancy. Pre- and post-pregnancy, tuna of all kinds is Neutral again. ... thanks for your note, and glad your kids are enjoying their diets, too! :-D
Hi Heidi, I just got some routine blood work back from my OBGYN checkup and was surprised by the results. I expected my blood work to be perfect after being on the blood type diet for nearly 3 years and the nonsecretor diet for the past 3 months, but instead my cholestrol is elevated (228) and my TSH is elevated (6500). The OB wants me to find a physician and have this "evaluated". What are your thoughts on this?? Suzanna (B non)
Hello, Suzanna! Give me as complete a rundown on your diet and exercise as possible, and I'll take a good close look at it. Hang in there, dear -- thanks for letting me know what's happening! :-)
Hi Heidi... I'm responding to a suggestion you gave someone about 6 weeks ago about thinning hair. You said to combine Nutritional yeast, MSM and horsetail...then report back to you at the end of August. Well, I started that regimen immediatley, and can report that my hair DOES feel thicker. There are far fewer strands of hair coming out in the shower, too. So, will keep up these supplements with joy. I also have been taking 5mg biotin, Maca and Fo-ti for the same hair thinningness....but was doing those for several months (years?) before adding the yeast, MSM and horsetail. Thanks.....you're the BEST!!! Linda (B- Nonnie)
Hey, I'm pleased you've finally gotten some good results! Sometimes these things go by trial and error -- certain underlying problems can resolve through taking biotin and maca, while others which also cause the same-seeming hair loss are better addressed with silica, elemental sulphur and B vitamins. Once you've found what works, you've also gotten a clue on some deficiency you had, and can keep an eye on it in future. Congratulations, Linda, and thanks for that note, dear! :-D
Heidi, Thank you for your response on the hormonal connection to the acne. I'll be headed to the store to get the wild yam capsules and yaca root powder and I look forward to seeing the effect. However, I must confess that the Type O Female Balancing Protocol in the Encyclopedia looked quite daunting! Lots of tinctures that seem not so easy to get. I have purchased the FEM Balance supplement from NAP. It is friendly to all Blood types. Would this be acceptable to use as the protocol for the next month? How long should I plan to take these supplements? Will it be on again, off again, or should I plan to make them part of my daily supplements going forward? - TINA
Hello, Tina -- The FEM Balance supp is fine to start with, and it may take care of everything without your having to do the full protocols. See how it goes for you, and if your progress is not noticeable in a month or two, then consider doing the protocols in their entirety.
Maca and wild yam can be taken regularly and indefinitely -- they act rather as foods, unlike many herbs and specific nutrients. If you do the protocols, follow the instructions on timing given for each of them.
Best wishes, dear! Keep me posted! :-D
A Bouquet of Happy Campers ~~ :-D
May 24th, 2001 , by admin
Dear Heidi: Thank you for responding ti my questions. And for the big congrats. Yes, it was a bit difficult but not living in fear of food anymore is worth the hassle, believe you me.
Thank you for the phytocal suggestions. It feels as if I really need the manganese as I have recently felt joint pain. The calcium suggestions are also a great plus. Luckily I eat most everything on that list, so that calms my mind. As I said, I actually like collard greens, spinach, okra, etc. I will wait for my hunger pains to subside.
As I try to wean myself off all grains (though I do eat sushi because I get my fish and my seaweed fixes and I love eel), I will keep that in mind and try and boil some eggs and keep some almonds on hand. If I need that protein fix, will miso soup do, as I carry that around with me and it has all the tofu and seaweed I like so much. All in all, however, I feel I have been doing very well. And I thank you for answering my questions. Regards, Allison
Good going, Allison!! My pleasure -- and please do keep in touch! :-D
hi heidi hope you are happy and healthy. A quick progress report - after eating fish at least once a day for the last 6 weeks or so, my last period was MARKEDLY better! Yay Yay Yay! It wasnt perfect, but id have to say it was 80% improved, and I was even able to go to work without having to make a hasty and very pale faced departure once it started. Apart from the radical decrease in pain, the flow is much healthier - it was on the scanty side before.
Other issues resolving too - digestion is better as is the skin. The other thing that I noticed is that I have lost a bit of weight -I was already slim but the increase in proteien and the decrease in carbs (grains and beans) has made me leaner, and I must say I feel physically better for it - like I am functioning at my optimum!
I also just read Connie from Ohios question about osteoperosis. While I am but a mere layperson, the advice I have is straight from the jaws of an expert! Anyway, according to him, the latest research into the area suggests that walking is not enough to improve bone density; that the most (and he couldnt emphasis this enough)effective remedial and preventative activity is weight bearing exercise (as you referred to in your reply). So walking with weights, or holding weights (with straight arms) above the head and bending the knees, making sure to keep the back straight (ie tummy tucked in to avoid arching the lower back and of course not hunching the shoulders). Hope this is of help cheers, Emma
Ah, another glowing report ~~ I'm so happy for you, Emma! And thank you for the corroboration on bone building!! :-D
this isn't a question but a suggestion re bone loss/gain. studies out of Tufts that resulted in the books that include Strong Women Stay Young. the studies have shown that strength building (30 minutes twice a week) results in bone gain. it also results in leaner muscles over time. thanks, ruth
Great -- thanks for that, Ruth. There seems to be an abundance of research supporting weight-bearing exercise as a good idea for anyone seeking to reverse osteoporosis. :-D
A couple of questions as I prepare for my gall bladder flush(es) - first, I have been taking Chinese Bitters for about a month now (and an order for Gold coin grass is probably arriving today), but I have had a worsening of one of my symptoms; I have been having diarrhea, pretty constantly for the last, maybe, 5-6 years. The diet has helped, but still loose. Well recently (not sure if it coincided w/the Bitters), it's much worse, watery really, pretty unpleasant. It seems to improve if I cut way back on any fats and sugars, but not totally. Is this a reaction to the Bitters, or is this going to continue until the flushes clear things out? Julie Chang has said my symptoms indicate clogged liver, gall bladder and spleen; I guess my question is, can small amts of good fats, and sugar cause this to worsen, or is it the Bitters?
It's ok if it's just part of the fix, but I just don't want to make it worse. Also, I know from nutritional testing, that I am extremely low in all minerals, especially potassium and magnesium, and I know diarrhea can cause that and certainly make it worse. My tests also show I am very low in protein, even though I have always eaten meat, and red & white blood cells.
Also, I bought some ghee to give it a try, as Dr. D says it's a great intestinal healer; thought it would help; but it's loaded w/fat. Can it really be healthy with 11 g of fat in each teaspoon (3 of which are saturated)?
I got my juicer and am playing with different blends; and try to always have a green drink w/barley and wheat grass each day. It makes me feel good! And I am taking ARA6, Polyflora A, and Deflect. And have started doing yoga/light aerobics each morning, which also feel wonderful - good advise all around !
Could you also put me on the nonnie list? (I'm an A non secretor) Not sure what that entails - is it a chat group, or newsletter? But I bet it would be helpful, as is everything else you and this great site do for people.
Oh, I wanted to tell you - someone suggested I try inositol for depression, and I started taking 2 t/day; and it certainly has helped (along w/everything else). I feel much calmer/ less anxious all the time and generally happier. If I miss a couple of days, I feel myself slipping back. What do you think? Carrie Ann
Hello, Carrie Ann! That diarrhea should clear up a few days after you do the flush. Remember to keep taking PolyFlora-A throughout -- it will greatly help your intestinal environment to get back to normal. Julia, of course, is correct about poor fat metabolism being connected to constant diarrhea. Don't worry, it will be easier to correct itself once the flush is complete.
Try to stick very closely to your A nonnie diet, in order to resolve the low-protein and low-RBC/WBC issues. Use your beneficial protein foods at the higher frequencies. And be sure to include dark leafy green veg at every opportunity -- daily is not too often. ;-)
Ghee is loaded with butyrate, a potent intestinal healer and friend to YOUR best friends, the happy good-guy bacteria without whom we wouldn't be alive. who enable life for us. I can very cheerfully say here that once again, it's not that it's fat, or protein, or vegetable... it's the KIND of fat, or protein, or vegetable that makes all the difference. Hallelujah for Dr. D.!! If it weren't for him, we'd still be in the dark ages, trying to decide between grape juice fasting, whole wheat bread, and hunter-gathering with nothing but heatlh magazines dependent on supplement sales to show us the way. *phew!!*
Juicing is marvelous, isn't it? :-D And that inositol tip may prove VERY significant for folks out there battling depression. thanks! ;-)
The nonsecretors list is a wonderful group, mostly for recipe exchange, hosted by the estimable Nina -- I'll send her a note, and she'll send you an invitation.
Keep me posted on the results of your flush, and I'm really glad you're getting out from under that depression! bless ya & keep ya -- :-D
Hey Heidi - Thanks so much for answering my questions about weight loss earlier. It was helpful to look over Shirley's experience. I also appreciated the "yelling" you did the other day. I laughed so hard but really took it to heart. It's so good to get the hard line every now and again. I sure needed it too!
I have a few comments that you may or may not wish to share and a question. My AB Hubby and I (A) did the gallbladder/liver flush on the site you regularly recommend this weekend and let's say it was an experience. After the fast, I couldn't down an entire cup of the olive oil (he did... God bless him!)
Our experience was freeing. He had his gallbladder removed 8 years ago at 24 and has had problems with sluggish metabolism and depression on an increasing level since. He's been a much more "lively" self...nearly the man I married 5 years ago. His "excema" (what dr.s call something that they can't really diagnose) has cleared noticibly. My benefit relates to my previous post. I've finally broken the 300 pound mark!!! I've been hoovering just above that for weeks. YIPPEE!
My other question is about hunger... or lack thereof. Since going on the diet, I have only occationally been hungry or had few instances that a very small amount of food has satisfied my hunger. I mean to say that about a handfull of food has satisfied my hunger every 2 1/2 hours. Is this normal? Could I possibly be getting enough calories?
I eat 1/2 cup oatmeal toasted with a bit of molasses and about 1/4 cup soy milk or a scalloped veg dish I adapted for my type. Mid-morning I have 1/2 - 1 cup of fruit with green tea or soy mocha. For lunch a slice of spinach, tofu and soy cheese lasagne (all beneficials) or salad (again all beneficial veg and fruit) with a walnut oil and maple syrup dressing or the like or refried beans/corn chips/guacamole/soy sour cream & salad. Then for dinner, fish or 1x to 2x per week turkey or ostrich, veg and occasionally a rice/veg dish. For "dessert" a handful of peanuts with a few chocolate chips or a glass of soy milk.) I do drink about 100 oz. of water a day and rarely with a meal.
Am I eating enough? Thanks again for the response, and the help. Susan - the chef from MN (A)
Hi there, Susan! Hey, it's certainly nice to hear from you... I took a chance there, letting "Gunny" have his say. I was a little concerned I might never hear from anyone ever again!! :-D
It is just a joy to me to hear that you and your husband have experienced great results from the gallbladder flush. Yeah, it is a bit of an eye-opener, you might say... ;-> but the benefits are most commonly WELL worth the ... surprises. :-} THREE CHEERS for the weight loss -- CONGRATULATIONS!!!! :-D
One of the things that is perfectly maddening to me about my type A man is how little food he needs to remain broad, husky and strong. He was pretty surprised at it himself at first. Handful of salad here, cup of beans there, a tiny portion of pasta and veg, a little bit of fish or fowl, and I mean, LITTLE... the breakfast of 1/4 cup plain oatmeal and coffee that would send me climbing the walls in search of edible protein (this being NYC, I'd probably find some). He calls his diet pine needles, grass and dirt -- and is now rather proud & happy about it. ;-D It's enviable, and I hope you rejoice in it!
In brief: yes, you most certainly are eating enough, and wouldn't it be nice if that splendid "built for famines" quality were characteristic of every blood type! *sigh.* I think you're doing just beautifully, and I wish I could get another woman, a fine chef and type A (and just under 300 pounds), to just put a toe into the A-plan pool. I just know she'd love it once she's inspired by the possibilities.... but I think she & her husband will be off to their new home in France before I can really get my talons into her, LOL. ~
I'm very much looking forward to hearing how things progress for you & your man, Susan. Sounds like a grand time for you both!! thanks SO much for letting us share the joy with you!! :-D
Dear Heidi, I had a strong suspicion that I was an O nonsecretor because the more I ate soy the worse the gas and stomachs became. Also I have alot of dental carries.
I had an acupoint energy reading and for food sensitivity/ allergies my reading was only 30. 48-60 is a balance for an acupoint, >60 = Inflammatory energy (CHI), <42 = Chronic downward energy (CHI). Eliminating soy, oatmeal, mozzarella cheese, cinnamon, honey, etc. brought my reading up to 40 after only 2 weeks.
My acupoint tester strongly advocates for the BTD and said that he usually finds that people who follow the BTD are in the acupoint balance range for food sensitivities and was surprised that I wasn't. He suggested I may be a non-secretor.
Yesterday I received my official salivary secretor profile is group o non-secretor. I already feel better on the non-secretor diet. Could you please add me to Nina's ad hoc nonnies list for e mail. Thank you very much, Rose
Well, my goodness! The newest addition to the O-Nonnie crew --- WELCOME IN, Rose!!! I'll be sending Nina your info -- look for her invitation, and ... hey, you wouldn't want to share the name of your acupoint tester, would you? Sounds like a man lots of us would like to meet!
That's a great little report on the effects of eliminating the avoids. Thanks for your message, Rose -- Keep shining, dear! :-D
More on Soup Stock/Broth ~
May 23rd, 2001 , by admin
Hello, Heidi: I notice to my delight that you posted a detailed "how to" for your famous soup stock in today's "On the Diet". I immediately cut and pasted it into a word processing document called "Heidistock" (kind of like Woodstock, only without the tye-dyed shirts and Hendrix *L*) so that, just maybe, with practice, I can progress from "stock challenged" to a stock wiz.
I would also like to humbly suggest--wait a minute, that is a split infinitive, so make that I would also like humbly to suggest--that you place your stock recipe in the "Recibase". Currently, when one searches under "stock", one is met with a resounding "No matches found for stock". Since stock/broth is such an important staple in the BTD kitchen, particularly for us O's in search of calcium and natural gelatin and all that good jazz, would you consider posting your recipe there? That way, anyone looking for a "how to" primer on making good stock will find it easily.
Thanks--oh, and could you include whether to cover it or not for the eight-hour overnight stint. Logically, I would assume YES, but one never knows...also, could you suggest what proportion of veg to the pot size one should add? You do say 3/4 of a pot of bones, and that is very clear and helpful, but saying how much veg and, ideally, what are good veg to add, would be fab, too. Think of the stock-challenged, such as me, and don't assume that we know ANYTHING *lol*. Thanks again, and peace to you! "O-nonymous"
As I was typing up the recipe for the stock, it occurred to me I hadn't said whether to cover it or not. I idly wondered to myself who would be the first to ask whether the stock should simmer covered or uncovered -- or if anyone would ask at all. I guess some part of my consciousness decided not to include that part of the instructions in the post -- maybe just cuz I wanted to hear from ya! :-}
I leave it uncovered in the boil and simmer stages. Technically speaking, stock-making is a reduction process -- moisture released from the meat and veg, along with some of the cooking water, is removed from the broth as steam -- concentrating the goodies out into the broth. At the moment I turn the heat off, the cover goes on for the cooling stage... I don't want to leave it open to errant bacteria while it's turning lukewarm and inviting. The only airborne critters with access are those already in that little space 'tween lid and stock level -- and they have a rough time of it, cuz the steam's still coming off and the liquid's still too hot for them when that lid clamps down on their hopes. Sorry, critters! MY stock, NOT yours!! :-D
The veg we should use is the standard ole stuff: onions, carrots, celery. They are the classic and time-honored stockveg. If we're brothing up some bird (ahem! all you Scots, Irish, Ozzies and English: remember I'm American and any perceived obscenity you're giggling at is QUITE unintended! ;-D), I've first stuffed the cavity with a nice tied-up bundle of (1) parsley -- with the addition of thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, basil, mint, marjoram, in some toothsome combination... any good fresh herb I have on hand. That bundle gets plopped in along with the bones.
IF we're making broth from other meats/fish, etc., which do not obviously lend themselves to being stuffed with a buncha herbs, then DO drop into the broth pot a nice bouquet garni of your choice of the above (I always include more parsley than anything else) -- wrapped in cheesecloth and tied off.
As to quantities: my descriptions are suggestive, but not precise, since this kind of knowledge is gained in the doing (and the size of your stock-pot relative to the item(s) roasted is relevant). Inspiring you all to swallow any feelings of inadequacy in the kitchen prowess department and plow right in is my aim. Marring broth, if the simple instructions I indicated are followed, is gosh darn purt'n'near impossible.
Here's my example, which you can scale up or down as circumstances allow:
I have a 24-pound turkey. In the bottom of the broiling pan, I've set a "rack" of four large carrots, four celery stalks, and one or two onions cut in thick 'strips,' across the short width of the pan (rather than the length or longest measure of the pan). The neck and innards are rinsed and placed snugly around & between, or atop, the veg, and it all gets a sprinkle of sea salt and a drizzle of olive oil. On top goes the roasting rack proper, OR just the turk (oiled, salted, peppered, or however one likes it), which sits comfortably in said pan (3-inch-high sides). I add a cup or so of water in the pan, to keep things from burning while they give up their moisture in the heat. We baste with those juices, and sometimes add a bit of this & that to the basting liquid. When birdy's done, the meat is carved off and eaten or stored. (We often start off with the legs & wings, gnawing as we go, then add those bones to the pot when we're done. :-D) The bones go straight in the pot and get mangled around a bit if necessary to fit below the top.
I use a 16-quart stockpot. Once the bird's carved, we put dem bones straight into the pot, along with the herb bunch from the cavity, the juices that gathered on the carving board, and all the veg and liquids that remain in the roasting pan. It all gets scraped right in. Water is then added to cover the bones and the heat is turned on -- and one proceeds as per the previous column.
NOTE: if you're going to be up & about and tending it, you can add water as the level lowers in the simmer. However, if you're doing it overnight, best to give it a full two inches over the level of the bones. You still may wake up to a few bones poking up over the water level, but it matters little. Just stuff 'em down in, add your lemon squeeze, and proceed with the last hour of simmer.
Anything bigger than a 24-pounder, you may want a larger pot. If you've got a few little quail or grouse or pheasant guys you've roasted, they'll all fit in a much smaller receptacle. And so forth. :-) But the quantity of veg you use for the roasting is the perfect amount for the brothing.
I have made a note to enter the recipe in RECIbase® -- but I confess that I seem to have trodden into a psychological meander of terrible laziness recently!! My mind curls and wriggles like a wet puppy at the thought of DOING anything right now... the mere impulse to knuckle down to some task finds my eyes drifting to my right, where Bocklin's "Villa am Meer II" beckons... and above it, an ancient pen and ink of Tupper Lake in the moonlight... then to its left, the big black & white pic of autumn waves crashing against the rocks of the Oregon coast... my entire psyche seems to have gone on holiday and left my body affixed to my office chair....
... but I'll keep that note here for when the operative portions of my personality return from their wanderings!
thanks for your note, dear -- and I profoundly hope that you're prospering!! peace and fulfillment to you! :-D
Osteoporosis - Type B
May 22nd, 2001 , by admin
Hi Heidi, love your column and have learned a lot.
My mother is a type B, both of us have been on the diet for 2 years and have had such good results. She is very upset after her doctor sent her for a bone density test and scan. He told her that her bones are in very bad shape and wants to put her on fosamax or actoml.
I hate to see her on either of these due to the possible nasty side effects that they have. Can you suggest anything else that will help to strengthen the bones naturally, She is 71, walks over a mile a day, and follows the diet at about 75-80% compliancy. I will be very grateful for any supplement ideas, etc to try and keep her off the medication. Thank you, Connie in Ohio
Hello, Connie! I'm glad you wrote! This is how my 70'ish friend (type A secretor) did it:
-- High compliance to her diet (around 90-95%)
-- Phytocal-A, four capsules daily
-- Walking for about 45 minutes daily, in addition to her usual housekeeping and gardening (she has a good-sized house in the country, with lawns, trees & gardens -- she's working in the gardens on days of good weather, and doing all manner of housework in addition to shopping, etc., when she's not outside).
One year after committing to this plan, her scan still showed some bone loss, although it had slowed considerably.
-- She then added Cortiguard, two capsules around 4:00 with her afternoon meal.
-- She also increased her walk time to one hour daily, and started carrying some weights in a back pack or fanny pack -- we wanted to increased the weight-bearing part of the exercise to stimulate bone growth.
A year of that, and her new Dexa scan shows she has been *building bone again.* The loss was not only stopped, but reversed.
Here is what I suggest for your Mom:
(1) Make sure she is getting daily beneficial proteins, alternately from red meat, turkey and fish -- preferably roasted on the bone (and the bones come in handy for making broth (below)).
(2) Daily portions of one or more foods on the high-calcium foods "Ask Dr. D'Adamo" post entitled "Calcium from Almonds." Of special note for her as a type B: one or two cups of cooked dark leaf greens (collards, kale, chard, spinach, turnip greens, beet greens, mustard greens); a tablespoon or two of blaskstrap molasses; broccoli, almonds, figs, bok choy.
(3) Bone broth made from roasted meats, turkey, or fish -- with the usual vegetables (carrots, celery, onion, parsley roasted with the meat or bird or fish). No crucifers in the broth -- no broccoli, cabbage, or hardy greens. They're fine to cook in the finished broth if she's making soup, for instance, but not as vegetables in the broth-making process.
She probably is quite well versed in making stock! but I'll offer my tips here anyway.
I use enough bones to loosely fill about 3/4 of a pot, then add the veg, then cover it all another 1-2 inches with water. I add sea salt, bring it to a boil, then lower it to a quiet simmer and let it do its thing for six to eight hours (I usually let it go overnight). I then give it a squeeze of lemon juice (half a lemon does fine) and let it continue simmering for another hour. This does brighten the flavor a tiny bit, but the operative clause here is "extract calcium." The acid from the lemon juice works quickly to grab what minerals remain in the stewed bones.
Then I let it cool off a bit, strain it through a colander, and distribute it into pint containers which I freeze. I don't skim the fat. It all floats to the top and forms a nice little preserving seal over the broth as it freezes. If she doesn't want to consume the fat (although I think it's better if she does), it's much easier to just pop the pieces off after thawing the container in the fridge than to do the whole messy French defatting process while the broth is still hot.
Note: if I roast small birds or fish, I pack the bones away in heavy plastic bags and freeze them till I have enough to make a batch of stock. Go ahead and stick the rabbit bones in with the lamb bones, with the bird carcase. Butchers and fishmongers can be persuaded to save bones from clean critters for you -- keep those frozen separately, and roast them before broth-ing. ;-) Also, if she is planning to roast any kind of meat *off* the bone, have her get the bones from her butcher and ask him or her to saw them up into fist-sized lengths. Just lay the bones alongside the meat to roast with it. Then, she can poke the marrow out of the roasted bone and eat it -- or plop it in with the bones to make the broth.
I have my freezer (such as it is) packed full of this stuff. I pull one out, run hot water over the outside, open it and plop it into a saucepan. I drink it alone with spices (cayenne, sea salt, turmeric, cumin,), some nutritional yeast, and a handful of crushed dried seaweed. It can be the base for a soup or a sauce. It can be reduced all the way down to demi-glace as a very elegant sauce, for instance. It's a chef's best friend and a nutritional medicament, all rolled into one tasty and simply-prepared package. :-D
(4) Phytocal-B, six capsules daily -- with meals or a little citrus juice (with vitamin C stirred in, if possible, as a booster).
(5) Cortiguard, two caps daily with an early evening meal
If that sounds surprising, remember that Cortiguard is recommended for Bs as well as As, since they both tend to overproduce cortisol and have trouble getting rid of it. Cortisol is a bone-eater. ;-)
(6) Make full use of her inherent visualization talents! Suggest she spend a few minutes before sleeping in a little 'mental picture' exercise. Have her imagine / see / feel her bones drawing all that calcium right into the crystalline matrix -- it's getting packed full of crystals, growing thicker and stronger, like a pale, flexible steel. Have her envision this kind of growth in any way that rings true for her.
This kind of exercise benefits everyone! but type Bs seem to take to it a bit more easily, and have rather remarkable success with it.
In my utterly layman's opinion, DEFINITELY do not start taking fosamax or actomel. I say that not only because of the potential digestive tissue damage, but also because fosamax for instance is effective only in a limited number of cases -- and that success is short-lived, since it often reverses itself and bone loss continues. Osteoporosis is not a disease of fosamax deficiency, if you know what I mean. ;-)
SO: have your Mom look this over, and let me know if you two have any questions or need further information. I wish her the VERY best in this process, and I look forward to hearing from you both! :-D
Green Tea Notes from Tom ~ a little carob, a touch of coconut oil, some apple juice? and homemade Deflect?? :-)
May 21st, 2001 , by admin
Hello Heidi, There have been some comments about tea recently, Maddy thought that green tea (and miso) might be helpful as metal chelators.
Anyone interested in the subject of tea and metals may wish to read a well referenced open letter by Andreas Schuld published on Dr. Mercola's web site: http://www.mercola.com/2000/sept/10/green_tea_fluoride_thyroid.htm It suggests that far from being a chelator, tea collects Fluoride and Aluminium from the soil, the air, or from chemical treatments, and this can add to the body's burden of these elements in the long term.
Other (Medline) research suggests that the short-term uptake of toxic metals (Cd, Hg, Pb, Al) with tea is low, and generally there appears to be little difference in heavy metal content between green and black teas.
I would suggest that Schuld's timetable for skeletal flourosis is a little pessimistic, but apart from that it would seem reasonable to avoid long term consumption of green (or black) tea in situations where you are hoping to remove metals from the body. Tom
Great note, Tom -- MANY thanks, once again! :-D
Replacement for carob chips - feel free to modify as you see fit! This was my "first try" recipe and I like it as is...but you can change any aspect of it:
In a small bowl stir together:
1 heaping tablespoon of rice protein powder (NAP will be shipping Dr. D'Adamo's new protein powder later this year we hope!)
2 heaping tablespoons of brewer's yeast (try nutritional yeast if you'd like)
1 heaping tablespoon roasted carob powder (try cocoa powder if you'd like)
Now add some liquids and gently stir to wet: a big dash of almond extract or almond flavor, about 2 tablespoons of vegetable glycerine (I use food grade Frontier brand), about 1 tablespoon of molasses (or better for you yet: blackstrap molasses), add water as necessary to form a thick paste or thick liquid, as you desire. I just eat it from the bowl.
You can also try to make your own carob chips - I haven't tried yet....gently heat and stir together carob powder, vegetable glycerine and/or ghee (ghee will make it softer and somewhat oily), molasses. Put the result into a parchment paper lined pan to dry for a day- then chop up to form "chips".
There is a product called "carob molasses" - I'm hoping it is a thick liquid taken directly from the plant...I'll have to research that further.
BTW, carob increases one's requirement for water intake! I saw recommended limits for carob at 20g or less for adults per day (15g or less for children). Be careful not to become dehydrated. Happy carobing!
Thanks for the tips, Vicki ~ I hope the home cooks take up the challenge and devise their own variations (and post them!) ~:-D
Hi, Heidi -- I'm one of those rare AB's surfacing with a question. As I'm sure you know, there's been tremendous hype recently regarding coconut oil and its miraculous benefits to thyroid function, weight loss, etc. As I recall, coconut oil is classified as an avoid for all blood types. Has Dr. D'Adamo responded to the new issues surrounding this oil? Thanks for any updates! Linda
Hi there, rare bird! Coconut oil was evaluated by Peter not too long ago, and he's given it a neutral rating for O nonsecretors, but it remains an avoid for other types.
When I hear that one food is heaped with praise and miracle properties are ascribed to it, I tend to think that it has somehow provided something missing in the standard American diet "S.A.D." That's not difficult to do, and it's tempting for marketers to then publicize the results as miraculous.
Your diet, however, is an elegant and nutrient-rich way of eating, as well as one which shuns so many harmful elements present in the standard packaged/processed/pesticided/poisoned food diet most people eat. That puts you way ahead of the crowd. ;-)
I hope this is some consolation! Give us a glimpse of your usual diet, and I'll be glad to help tweak it with you to accomplish your goals in expedited fashion!
Thank you for writing in, and don't be a stranger!! :-D
Hi Heidi! Thanks for your very thoughtful response about the gallbladder flush. I just read today's question about it, namely whether store bought apple juice would work... obviously you say not... so I'm wondering if I can just eat those granny smiths that day instead of drinking the juice.
I also don't have a juicer - we live on a boat and it's simply not practical for us (I'm already getting away with a dehydrator for jerkey and a big freezer for meat and lots of storage for veggies). Can I perhaps just skip the apple juice part and go ahead and do the flush?
Sorry to grind this topic to death but I'd like to be sure the flush is worth it. Kind regards Ilze
Hey there, Ilze! Well, you're close-quartered as it is -- I forgot you're on a boat!
Here are the options I can suggest: get a watermelon and eat that all day. Or, go with a mix of grapefruit and lime juice, diluted somewhat with water. Those can be squeezed without special equipment. Obviously, there's no apple pectin in either alternative, but it will definitely help clear the colon and kidneys -- a nice prep for the process.
And do read through Julia's instructions and "what to expect" info until you know it backward & forward. It helps calm any jitters one might feel, and makes for a pleasanter experience.
Let me know how it goes! Best wishes, dear! :-D
Moi encore!!!!! Sorry to write you about the tempting restaurant items..... But, regarding your reply, I do not have N-Acetyl-Glucosamine, but "Resbid" which is a time-released version, supposedly the best on the market, of N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (sp??). And, the word I could not remember is bladderwrack (duh..). So, will either or both of these supps do me any good as far as wheat lectins go???
The Italien restaurant is chosen because it is only about 5 minutes from our apartment (in an old villa) and right on the water, and full of interesting Italiens for people-watching pleasure... We live basically on the Italien border of France on the Mediterranean, so lots of Italien restaurants here. It is also a fixed-price menu, and the ONLY "amuse bouche" they offer are the little thin pizza-bread thingies.
As to the sardine dish you mentioned, I LOVE it, but I have been avoiding seafood since the mercury diagnosis. So, I'll be having risotto (rather than pasta) for the 1st course, and steak rather than seafood for the 2nd. Dessert??? Maybe they will have some nice berries as I will forego the TIRAMISU!!!!!!! And, oy vay! IT is WONDERFUL there!!!! (Sorry, Heidi, can't resist!!!)
Anyhoo, let me know if the Resbid and/or bladderwrack are worth taking in case I can't resist temptation - and I'll let you know how dinner goes. (As to choice of restaurants.....there unfortunately aren't too many great ones right here, and nearby in Monaco the good ones are also Italien - or super-expensive French joints. Fortunately, the Italien places have steak and lamb, salad and spinach - so I'm not FORCED to eat the pasta!)
By the way...it FINALLY cooled down...we're on our 2nd lovely day, and what a difference it makes on my mood! Sending love your way, Abby
Forget the love! I want that tiramisu!! ~:-D
Well, the NAC (yep, and I thought it was a typo) isn't prime lectin bait on its own, exactly, although the bladderwrack will help to a degree. Can you get hold of NAG at all, or is that one of those hard-to-find (or 'outlawed' bless their hearts) supps? Looking at the Deflect-O bottle, the dosage is 500 mg of NAG, 400 of Sodium Alginate (from Laminaria, another seaweed), 200 mg of bladderwrack, 200 of ARA6, 100 of NAC and 100 mg of gum tragacanth from Astragalus to kick the whole mix up a few notches.
See if any of those things are pick-up-able through your supp supplier, to jazz up what you already have on hand.
Oh, Lord, I'm relieved to hear the heat's letting go of you. We've had such a gorgeous summer here that I find myself wondering when the other karmic klog will drop. typical NYC pessimism! ;->
Now... PLEASE have pity - you wouldn't come back and torture me with a detailed report of how magnificent those meals are, would you? :-D well... a little report would be nice. Just leave out anything you know I couldn't bear.... like in the pasta, pastry and cream sauce departments, stuff like that. ~~
;-D
have a marvelous time with your friends, Abby, and keep that electrolytical H2O working for you too, ok? ... ENJOY!! :-D
HI Heidi, Still reading your column every day. I learn so much from you and others. You know how I said that a magazine had written bad things about veg gly well I read that article in a doctor's office and haven't been back yet, so I can't ask them about where they got their information but Cindi sent in a good article about it anyway, it just sounds like everything else - in moderation.
For example green tea is great for everyone, and at one stage I was drinking 4 large cups a day and had bad headaches every day for six months until I gave it up and they stopped, so now i only drink one cup a day.
I've noticed you've mentioned that apple juice may be alright to drink for therapeutic benefits for one day for non-secretors, well I don't know my secretor status but I may try that anyway, did you ever have ANY ill effects from drinking all that apple juice. You also mentioned that you should have half apple juice and half water. On the sensible health website, it says to have 2 cups at a time - 8 ounces, so would it be 8 ounces of apple juice and then another 8 ounces of water or 4 of apple juice and 4 of water.
I've also been drinking alot of vegetable juice - my own disgusting concotion - pumpkin, beet, carrot, parsnip, beet leaves, radishes and ginger - not very tasty but it seems to have improved my symptoms much quicker in the last few weeks than just eating lots of vegetables for the last 8 months or so, why do you think that is? Anyway that all I can think of for now. Thanks for you help!! Chantelle
Hi, Chantelle! You'd take 4 oz of juice mixed with 4 of water, to dilute the impact of the fruit sugars. I had no noticeably profound or lasting ill effects from the apple juice -- just a very subtle feeling of "stiffness" in my stomach, as if the tissues had "seized up" or "hardened" just a tiny bit. You may not notice any such effect at all.
Vegetable juices are highly esteemed for the reason you mention: they deliver nutrients in a concentrated, immediately-digestible form. You can get very nearly the entire vitamin and mineral blast of two pounds of veg in a glass of juice -- down the hatch! :-) I'm very pleased to hear you're seeing quicker results by using this natural "medicine."
Best wishes, my dear -- and let me know your experience with the flush! ;-D
Theanine ~ Lamb ~ Monkfish ~ Carob ~ Salt ~ Alt-Nosey Link ~ this 'n' that, and a whole lotta Detox! :-)
May 20th, 2001 , by admin
Hi Heidi, I have just read about L-Theanine which is supposed to be great for enhancing mood and well-being and relieving stress and I am wondering if it would be ok to take for an "O" neg. The brand I am looking at is "Naka". From the write-up it sounds as though it would just be the ticket for me -- it comes from Green Tea and also relieves Anxiety and insomnia. I am also wondering if it would ok to take along with Anti-depressants I am on (zoloft). Look forward to your answer.
Oh, one more question. I am quite slim (Size 4) about 112 lb. 5" 2" and so have no weight concerns. I do have a handful of fat (which I would love to have cut off - LOL) on my tummy - even if I lose more weight I know it would still be there. Is there anything I can do to rid myself of this or shall I just have to finally accept it? (I am 55 so am thinking this may be it now!!) Thanks in advance and keep up your good work!! love sue
Hey there, Sue! always nice to hear from you! ;-)
The overwhelming body of research on theanine, an amino acid in green tea, is focused on its role in improving immune response. However, I just ran across a Medline abstract dealing with the issue you're hoping to treat with theanine:
As long as human neurochemistry will respond in much the same way that the rats did, and as long as this substance has no MAO-inhibiting action in humans, it sounds like a winner to me! I can't see how theanine would interact adversely with the zoloft -- unless tea is contraindicated as well.
And you might do as Carl in Hawaii does, and have several cups of green tea daily as well -- for that tummy. ;-) Do a tape measurement record now, or (even better) use calipers if you have them. Give it two months, and measure again... and let me know! Green tea has protective properties through its lipid-oxidation inhibition and insulin-modulating attributes, so if that's what your tum needs for "letting go," green tea's the ticket.
Very warmest wishes, sue -- write again, OK? :-D
New to BTD, but absolutely love the theory...and it makes sense in every aspect om my (O) and wifes' (A) experiences. We fit the profiles to a Tee...well...I think the "patient" trait under type O is missing an "im" in front..but hey...probally an O typesetter would couldn't find all the letters RIGHT NOW!!..
Q. in LRFYT: Pg 354, Dr D. says: "I presume that I received an A allele from each parent(making me genotype Aa) because my two daughters are both Type A". He mentioned both his parents were A's...so couldn't one or both parents be Ao..and he(Dr D)could just as well be an Ao?
Again, love the books, and the websites provided. We have ordered the S/ns test kits and both intend to start higher compliance to see what effect: Wife would like to loose 40 pounds or so: I'm an elderly (66) type O who has fortunately always eaten a socially frowned upon amount of meat, lifted..and still lift...very heavy weights..and so am seriously healthy and strong. Knew I was sort of reactive to wheat/peanuts/dairy, and the 2 weeks avoiding has made me feel even better...further disgusting my gym-rat friends. First post-any future will be much briefer..promise. Thanks for all your work. Marv and Lucy---converts!
Hey there, Marv & Lucy! A very warm WELCOME to you both! :-D I'm pleased you got some personal confirmation on the diet choices right away!
Peter and his parents technically could be A(o), but with new generations coming along and nary an O among them (even though his wife is type O), the likelihood that a recessive O gene has been quietly hiding in him and his parents is kinda remote. You know how we are -- unobtrusive we ain't. ;->
I had a good chuckle at your gym-mates' discomfiture. Tee hee! "Whatsamatta buddy? Yer only half the age of that guy who looks twice as good as you?? Is that it? Awwww!!!" ;-D
Keep 'em on their toes, Marv -- and let me know your thoughts when you've got your secretor status reports in hand. VERY exciting! I'm looking forward to any questions you & Lucy may have -- best wishes to you both. :-D
Hi Heidi, I was so glad to hear you suggest Dr. Lee and progesterone cream to Ros for her friend with the cyst on her left ovary. She will find a lot of answers to questions by reading one of his books. I have used his cream for about three years and am quite pleased with how it keeps my hormones balanced. It cleared up my uterine fibroids and regulated my cycle.
I had to use Dr. D's Female Balancing Protocol to clear up my fibrocystic breasts though. The Protocol was amazing. Now I use FEM Balance and it seems to keep the fibrocyst disease at bay along with treating menopausal symptoms.
But back to Dr. Lee, I went to one of his ten hour workshops last year on a cruise to Alaska. He was great and Dr. Zava, who does hormone saliva tests spoke too. These are two wise men that really care about helping women with their hormones. I'm so glad we have these options available to us.
Between Dr. D's FEM Balance and Dr. Lee's cream, life is really good for this 50 year young woman! P.S. Thanks Heidi for all you do. You're the best! I noticed you had another Pat write in so I'll go by Pat S. (O+ MN Non-Sec)
Greetings, and a big Welcome In, Pat S.! It's most heartening to hear testimonials from folks who are using these protocols with great success!! Thank you SO much for writing -- don't be a stranger, OK? :-D
Hi Heidi, Thanks for the recent info on PCOS. I forwarded it to my AB nonnie cousin in NY who also has them. I have been eating a lot of lamb lately and loving it. It is locally raised lamb which is grass fed and also given ground organic corn. The best lamb I have ever eaten. Tastes like corned beef to me. At least what I remember corned beef tasting like. ;-)
My question is whether the corn lectins ingested by the lamb affect the meat? I remember my A nonnie friend who had a consult with Doc Bron mentioned that he had said something along those lines about corn fed beef.
And for Laura, the way I cook monkfish it tastes like lobster but has a scallop shape. I cut the thick piece into 1/2 inch thick slices. I cook in olive oil and cover with lid on medium high. It creates its own broth with the juices from the fish. Very quickly too - about 3 minutes. You can tell when it is done because it becomes an opaque white and it curls up slightly . I then fold in some kale or swiss chard which soaks up all of the broth and wilts it nicely. I squeeze lemon over the top and some sea salt. You can also cook in ghee to get that "true" lobster tail dipped in butter flavor. Thank you so much Heidi for this amazing forum. Nina
Hi, Nina! As I understand it, the corn lectins deposited in the lamb flesh concentrate primarily in the fat. If it's well trimmed, and drained of fat after cooking, you'll be getting very little lectin action from your lamb. I'd certainly be taking the Deflect-A, though -- the d-mannose may mop up the remainder.
NICE monkfish recipe! Very simple and lovely! I wonder, if you jiggle the pot back and forth off the heat (sort of letting it stir its own broth), does it form an emulsion (a thickened sauce) the way bacalhao does? It just sounds delicious -- I think I'll make it for me & my A nonnie! :-)
Many thanks for all your great contributions, Nina! :-D
Hi Heidi, Well ordered 4 lbs. of the NOW brand unsweetened carob drops. :-O Was not impressed with the website, thebetterhealthstore.com It said only "This milk-free product has a mild sweetness due to the naturally occurring sugars in the carob." And when you clicked on "nutritional info", a pop up said it was not available at this time. I should have emailed them first. :-{
Well, my daughter didn't like it which turned out fine because I ate it and realized it was not a good thing. I felt bad afterwards. Really tired and depressed and then it lifted after about 1 1/2 hours. Oy! It has carob powder, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, soya lecithin.
So still need a good dairy and sweetener free and hydrogenated oil free product so I can make carob chip products for my daughter and others who are sensitive to chocolate. Can I make it myself with carob powder and veg gly and some good oil like walnut? The unsweetened chocolate from any old grocery store works great melted in a double boiler with the veg gly and then allowed to cool again. Delish! Thanks Heidi to you and to all. Nina (A2 nonnie)
Gack! I also found out that my HFS is repackaging bulk Sunspire carob vegan chips, which have the same hydrogenated oil problem. "Vegetable," eh? very likely CORN oil. SIGH!! :-(
As to making one's own... that's a good question! Carob is something that never quite found its way into my heart -- and, as you discovered, it's a simple matter to work chocolate into Nonnie-OK treats -- so I haven't experimented at all with it.
Yoo-hoo .... Any carob experts out there who'd like to lend a hand with this one?
:-) We'll keep an eye out for carob suggestions, and post 'em when folks send 'em. :-D
Hi Heidi, it's me again I've been reading about the wonders on drinking water with a pinch of sea salt. So I went to my organic shop and was greeted with a huge variety of sea salts.. course, fine, macrobiotic, etc etc and apart from the texture they seem like the very same table salt we get at the supermarket.. or am I wrong? I came across grey sea salt.. what is that? mm, sorry for giving you more questions
And you'd be pleased to know I've switched to organic nutbutters
yay! Mavis
Hey there, Mavis ~ three cheers for organic nutbutters!! great, aren't they? :-)
Sea salt is quite different from the generic salts found in the supermarket. For one thing, it's only about half as "salty"-tasting because the sodium content is much lower. Second, a package of sea salt won't contain the corn filler used in commercial brands to allow it to, let us say, "pour" when "it rains." Surprising, eh! Don't take my word for it... check the labels. It's kind of amazing. ;-) Gray sea salt is sort of like the "first cold pressing." The Grain & Salt Society maintains several informative pages on the differences -- be sure to follow the links at the bottom of that page. Enjoy, dear! :-D
Heidi Love your column and now read it daily. You have a way with words and educate so effortlessly. Congrats! I discovered an interesting link you might like to follow regarding Alternate Nostril Breathing. It was outlined in a yoga magazine I found in the chiropracter's office. www.yiextra.org Click on "Nostril to Nostril:Balancing the Breath" Thank you for all you do for everyone. Hugs Toni
Very kind of you, Toni -- very kind! ;-) That's a great link for the "altnosey" technique! Thank you so much for posting it! Be well, and keep shining!! :-D
Thanks to Maddy for the notes on mercury - and to Heidi for putting it in the column today. I guess I'm just lucky on not having detox symptoms. I have been taking 1000mg chlorella 30 minutes before meals, then 6 drops cilantro tincture in the mouth (holding it a couple of minutes) right before the meal daily for almost a month, as recommended by my doctor. The pharmacist who sells the ParaCilantro drops suggested starting slower on the drops, at they may produce "mercury" symptoms such as depression, headaches, etc. Since it can cause muscle contractions, it can cause headaches.
If Maddy does not know this trick, the pharmacist says you can rub cilantro tincture onto a painful area (maybe for fibromyalgia??), and can also rub it on ankles and wrists for detox.
Anyway,I have had no detox symptoms except for one odd problem, which I am hoping was caused by the cilantro.... Sorry but this is a bit, uh, "intimate" for the men out there.... I had "spotting" for a little over a week which started a couple of days after beginning the cilantro. Since I'm "paused" and have not had a period for 2 years now, I had to get a pelvic ultrasound done - a real task to find a gynecologist actually WORKING in France during August!!!! Anyhow, he thinks I'm okay, and agrees it may be from uterine contractions from the cilantro (if I have further bleeding in the next few months, I have to go in for a "hysteroscopie" - aaargh).
But, other than that, I've had nada - no headaches, no fatigue (more than the usual, that is), and only hope it is working! Anyway, thanks Maddy, I am taking milk thistle.
Now, question to Heidi: I do not have the Encyclopedia, but "RM" told me that milk thistle is okay for O's with a liver issue??? Is there anything better??? I do not seem to have any symptoms of liver trouble, but know as Maddy says that the liver should be supported during detox. FYI, I read that liver (and I would presume gallbladder) flushes should not be done during detoxing from heavy metals.
Also to Heidi, I wonder if non-secretors are more likely to suffer from mercury toxicity than those lucky secretors??? Sounds logical to moi. And yes, it's still HOT and miserable where I am.....but maybe I'm sweating out some toxins... A bientot, Abby
Great going with the process, Abby! And do keep rinsing the whole system out with salted or lemon-juiced water -- that weather has GOT to break sometime! (hopefully a little earlier than NYC summers "give up the ghost" -- and it's a classic NYC summer you're 'enjoying' there. :-< )
RM's the expert on heavy metal detox! The other elements in the Type O Liver Support Protocol are standardized artichoke extract (Cynara scolymnus), 160 mg, 1-2 caps daily; Phyllanthus amarus, 500 mg, 1-2 caps daily; dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale), 200 mg, 1-2 caps daily; L-glutathione, 500 mg, 1 cap twice daily.
The gallbladder flush should be done *before* beginning a detox routine -- and the bowels should always be kept open during a detox regimen.
Not sure about secretor vs. nonsecretor susceptibility to mercury toxicity -- good question for Doc Bron! If you do get an answer on that one, please let me know -- Take good care, and write often, Abby! :-D
Hi Heidi, I am responding to Maddy and about detoxing with cilantro. I drink 2 ounces of wheatgrass juice daily and if i dont take flax or pysillium as fiber i will get retoxicified. I also need to take fiber after cilantro or any green juice or beets.
I will get the same symptoms as she mentioned, the fibro aches and pains and sometimes a headache. I also use a liver herbal detox program with my protocol, so i think my problem comes from a leaky gut issue. The wheatgrass picks up toxins, but my body needs the extra fiber to carry the toxins out.
Also Heidi, thanks for the ground flaxseed with hot water idea. I used to sprinkle it on oatmeal and it never dawned on my to use it as the oatmeal. I ground up the flax put the hot water on it and stirred it up and put it in tupperware bowl and ate it when i got to work. It was yummy like you said and it suited my needs perfectly since i drink 1 ounce of wheatgrass in the morning and then about 1/2 hour later i take sometype of fiber pill.
Much Thanks for your column, I have learned so much and I keep learning more every day Arlene
Hey, I'm pleased you're enjoying the flaxseed breakfast, Arlene! And do keep us posted on your progress getting rid of the heavy metals -- it is certainly well worth the effort, as the payoff is something akin to a grand new life. Be well! I always look forward to hearing from you! :-D
Allergic Attack... Food combining? Mercury detox... grapeseed oil... NDs Worldwide!
May 19th, 2001 , by admin
Heidi, HELP!! Yesterday I woke up with red dots that got worse and this morning there's even more and whole red patches. It is very itchy all over my body. I went to the doctor today and he said it is a bad allergic reation and I'll probably never find out what caused it. He recommended stopping all supplements and taking a prescription antihistimine. I want to find out what caused this!
I've been on the diet a year and take polyflora O and phytocal O every day. I had written in before about my allergies/asthma and started taking Quercetin about the first of July. My prescriptions were running out and I just finished them off and kept with the Quercetin daily. I only had slight allergy/asthma symptoms and was hoping for the best when on Aug 17 I started feeling that achy, sick feeling and the congestion picked up. I took heallix for two days, and felt that it kept the flu (or whatever) from fully developing. Then I ran out of heallix and felt it coming back, as well as the congestion & coughing really picking up.
My son was getting married in 5 days and I did not want to be sick so I ran over and refilled my prescriptions (8-18). I also called to order more heallix and since I live relatively close to Leo, he offered to meet me in between that night so I didn't have to wait the 2-3 days. I was amazed at his offer, but took him up on it.
So anyway, I started the prescriptions and quit the quercetin and started more heallix. I never did get 'sick' and was still taking the regular treatment of heallix up until yesterday (8-26) morning when the allergic reaction started. I didn't know if it could be from the heallix, so I stopped taking it.
Another thing I thought might have caused it was a new recipe I tried (8-24) and also had some left over the next day. It was a red pepper, onion, zuchini, eggplant, tomato dish. That was the first time I've had eggplant, and also you saute it in 1/4 cup of sun-dried tomato salad dressing. I bought the dressing and thought it wouldn't be too bad even though there were a few avoids in there, because you use such a small amount in the whole recipe. These are the avoids: soybean oil (at the time I just remembered that soy is neutral, so I thought the oil was too), and less than 2%armesan & romano cheese, vinegar, xanthan gum, and potassium sorbate & calcuim disodium edta as preservatives. Could that have been it? I spent years eating stuff like that before going on the diet and never had this reaction before. And anyway, I ate it Sunday and Monday; late Mon & Tues I started the rash and didn't eat any more. Why would the rash and itching be worse the next day after not eating any more?
I know this sounds confusing, I guess I'm just trying to give any pertinent details. There is no other new or different foods I've eaten lately. I did start a different toothpaste about a week ago. . . So, I guess I'm wondering if you have a good idea what this is from and what I do now. Take the antihistimine? Try something else for the symptoms?
I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but so far on the diet I have not been able to eat organic produce, because of financial and availability reasons. Could some pesticide have caused this? Please help as soon as possible. THANKS! mfn
Hello, mfn! I'm sorry you're suffering through this rash, on top of all the other pressures you've had lately. :-(
Most doctors don't understand the mechanism of this kind of allergic response, so it's not surprising that yours told you the cause would never be identified.
The cause is cumulative. Yes, lifelong pesticide ingestion is implicated, but only as one of the elements which have built up to create a total volume of stressors which has now triggered a major allergic event. Yes, the avoids were part of the picture as well -- you may have eaten them all your life and felt fine -- yet, eat them long enough and add enough other stressors to the mix, then eat them that one more time after a hiatus and voila! a horrible rash.
Everyone has a certain capacity for processing stress without untoward reactions. Think of that capacity as a bowl half-filled with water. The size of the bowl is determined by factors we cannot change, such as our age and basic genetic characteristics, as well as the flexibility and health of the individual's immune system (determined by habits of diet and lifestyle, things we CAN change).
Now, drop a stressor (a major life event, a deficiency in diet, a toxin, lack of exercise, a surgery, a drug, a new and harmful cosmetic or hygienic product, a significant change in one or more of these things) into the bowl. The water level rises somewhat above the norm - but if the stressor is minor, the water will still cover it smoothly. Drop a few more in, and suddenly one of them may stick up above the water level. Now you have a reaction of some kind - your system can't mask the effects of that stressor any longer. Drop enough into the bowl, and you'll see all those jagged objects rather than the water, which has probably started running out over the sides. Now you have a major confluence of stressors, and the physical response is far more urgent: a bad rash, in your case.
Taking the doctor's antihistamine may help the rash, or it may not. Your body will need to detoxify itself of such medications after you stop taking them, at any rate.
Think of it this way: antihistamines are palliatives. They do nothing to remove the cause of the problem -- they simply circumvent the undesirable (noticeable) symptoms. Allergies are not caused by taking too few antihistamines. There is no "deficiency of allergy drugs" involved.
Only you have the power to lower your stressors and raise your allergic threshold (your "normal" water level). Virtually all the tools are available to you in Live Right 4 Your Type.
Examine your schedule for ways to reduce the stresses; your exercise regimen for means to excrete stress hormones; your diet for avoids and other toxins. I realize you're trying to keep the budget under control - but green tea is a wonderful allergy-reducer. Catechol, and/or Cortiguard, and/or Rhodiola rosea separately or in combination will have a major impact on your stress levels. Take time for regular exercise, drink plenty of water, make a concerted effort to clean up the diet, and get some time alone now and again to listen to your own mind and body. Right now, they're yellin' atcha trying to be heard. ;-)
My heart goes out to you right now! and I wish I had a simple solution, like a single supplement, for you -- but it's a complex matter. That said, it's also a matter I'm sure you have the power to resolve! Please let me know how things come along for you! :-)
Hi, This is Sonia, I am 49 years and my husband is 52yrs . I came to know about your diet and live right for your type from a doctor who has recommende your books after he had a severe heart attack and was adviced to follow your diet acording to his blood group. My question is i am a group A and my husband is group O. I have a problem with my gum i try to eat the right things and i am losing weight but i don't know what is the right thing to do for my gum.
My husband he has a disk and he was operated twice, he eats everything and he eats alot of sweets and he gets the attack very often. I don't know whether this is due to his over weight and wrong eating habits or what. please help me to be able to save him and help him avoid all the pain he goes through. As it is he is convinced that if you say he should avoid eating certain things he will follow what you say. Sorry for taking so much of your time, and i hope to hear from you an answer very soon. Thank you Sonia
Hello, Sonia! For your gums, take a look at the quote at the bottom of this linked page.
Please tell your husband that Live Right 4 Your Type's food lists will make wonderful changes in his life! He certainly will suffer if he continues eating the way he does now. Wouldn't he like to be slender and pain-free? Tell him to give the full diet a trial for one month, and then he can decide whether he wants to continue it. Just one month. Help him as best you can, and write back to tell me how you both are doing! :-D
Food combination issue! We are not supposed to combine meats/proteins with carbohydrates. Is Ezekiel 4:9 bread considered a carbohydrate, since they say it is a total protein? And what about in cook right for your type, some of the recipes mention combining Ezekiel 4:9 and meats (ie. tuna salad). What is the correct way to combine foods? Lou
Hello, Lou! Ezekiel and Essene breads contain significant amounts of carbohydrate -- neither one is 100% protein. Food combining, or food separation, is largely up to the individual. It does help digestive efficiency, but many people find they're fine without it. So, give it a try and see if it's the thing for you.
Thanks for writing! :-D
Heidi, I wanted to get a message back to Abby who made suggestions for a mercury protocol. I know about the chlorella and have taken it for a long while, even before I started on the cilantro. And I put garlic on anything I can...
Just to update how I'm doing on cilantro. I had to stop for a week and start over as I thought this worked so well, that for the first time in a long while, I was getting new symptoms...headaches and old fibromyalgia issues which disappeared on an A diet. Just thought I took too much too soon and had problems on as little as 4 drops, even though I followed the protocol the Life Extension Institute recommends. My guess is that my body can't keep up with the rapid pace of detoxing. And I might not have been hydrated enough.
So, after a week off the cilantro and feeling fine , I'm starting over tomorrow but will only take one drop per day for a few days until I see I tolerate it. I will go much slower this time and stop again if I have to. Cilantro is pretty powerful stuff in a concentrated supplement form. It really surprised me just how strong it was.
I wanted Abby and everyone else considering a natural metal detox to know that another important step in detoxing heavy metals is to keep supporting the LIVER! . I think green tea and miso might be helpful as metal chelators. Does anyone know about that? Maddy
Many thanks for the update, Maddy ~ sounds like you have your treatment well under control. I, too, would like to hear of any research on green tea and/or miso as chelators.
Blessings, and keep shining! :-D
My friend is a Type A- and wants to know about grapeseed oil. Janine
Hey there, Janine! So far we have no rating for it. The rule is that if a food does not appear in the food lists, consider it a "neutral" if you have no weight loss needs and no other health issues to resolve -- otherwise, avoid it.
Thanks for your note! be well... :-)
Dear Heidi, This is another request to the wonderful list for a great ND in the New York City area. Although I live in London and The Netherlands I would like to establish a relationship with an ND I can visit regularly for when I return to the US in the next five years. Also, a recommendation in London, UK would be great too. Many thanks to the list, Karen (O- secretor but a body that is more like a nonsecretor)
Hi, Karen! Well, NYC is the MD capital of the world. There are no NDs practicing as such here because NDs aren't licensed in New York State. Connecticut is nearby, though (wink!). Only twelve States and two U.S. territories have ND licensing authorities. Here is a searchable database by zip code, maintained by the American Association of Naturopathic Doctors. Also bear in mind that naturopath does not necessarily equal a BTD-knowledgeable person -- worth a discussion before making an appointment.
If you do a websearch for the phrase "Find a naturopathic doctor," you may find a database for England. Enjoy!! :-)
Re Latex-bananb allergy Don't have time to read 'em but here are a few links. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Link&db=PubMed&dbFrom=PubMed&from_uid=12866323
http://www.nyallergy.com/LatexAllergy.htm http://dmd.nihs.go.jp/latex/cross-e.html
http://allallergy.net/abstracts/index.cfm?ShowMonth=February2001
cache-dk07.proxy.aol.com -- Mav
Ah! Many thanks, Mav! Interesting stuff! :-D
Marvelous Reports ~ Q&A of all sorts! :-D
May 18th, 2001 , by admin
Dear Heidi, I wrote to Dr Bron 4 months ago about the last vestiges of the damage I sustained through several years of veganism and fruitarianism, which is a very unnatural amount of air that builds up in my stomach and upper intestine after food, that then has to be belched up - sometimes causing burping fits of an hour or more. It is far worse if I eat grains or a lot of fruit/sweets, and consequently I have been eating nothing but meat, fish, nuts and veges (all organic and beneficial) for several months. Dr Bron said he thought it is fermentation from a bacterial infection in my upper GI and suggested Larch and probiotics, which I am using in large doses, as well as fucus, thyme, clove, coptis, grarefruit seed extract, kelp, liquid oxygen and heaps of raw garlic.
All of this has helped a little ie no more bloating, distension or farting - yet the burping continues, although slightly reduced if I also stay away from sweet potato etc. Except for a small rash on my chest that comes up if I eat sweet things, I am otherwise very well. I am wondering if you have any further thoughts or suggestions. As you could imagine, I am quite keen to speed up the process if possible - burping constantly for 6 years gets a bit tiresome. Besides, summer is coming and keeping myself away from the stone fruits and mangoes when it is 35'C is nightmare. Thanks for all your energy, Louke.
Hey there, Louke! I'm very pleased you're making progress in your healing!
Believe it or not, if I had your burping trouble, I'd go straight to a good chiropractor. Explain the problem and ask for adjustments accordingly. I wouldn't be surprised if you had a touch of hiatus hernia (plain ginger juice, a teaspoon at a time before meals, may take care of it entirely). Ask the chiro about doing the "pulldown" technique - it's a maneuver whereby he or she can release any tissue protruding through the diaphragm. A good, experienced chiro can do great things for you -- adjustments have very salutary effects upon the nerves which run right from your spine to all parts of your body. Try it and see how you do! Thanks, dear!! :-D
Heidi, thanks for defining "flocculating" and so on!! Bad, huh?? Like some of your other readers, I have a dietarily recalcitrant husband. He has one of those indestructable bodies that finally "got" something, which was diabetes, in his mid 50s. He can keep it under control if he does the right stuff, but does he??? Well, he started in with the Royal Air Force exercise plan, and thanks for that suggestion to all of us! He off the sweets, mostly. Too much bread and pasta, but the bread is now mostly whole rye. Chips! Yuck! I can talk him out of those much of the time, especially the potato chips. Here's the one I'd like some help on: he has had cayenne peppers in some form with every meal of his adult life, unless that meal were 100% fruit. Otherwise, lots of hot peppers or Tabasco (I know, that has vinegar too) on everything. While he eats tomatoes and other avoids, the main one that he pumps in at each meal is the hot stuff. He is convinced that cayenne is the best thing he eats. It will save his digestion, process out toxins, and generally extend his life. He may be quite right about much of this, but peppers are avoids, so I'd like to know why! What exactly do they do? I'll pitch a new approach, but I'd like to understand as much as I can first! Any tips for me? Best, Cyndi
:-) Hey there, Cyndi! The pepper question will be an easy one for you -- it goes right back to the flocculating and precipitating effects we discussed last time.
A thought: you didn't mention his type, but I'm gathering from the foods you mentioned that he's an A. Hmmm.... is he a nonsecretor? sure is tempting to find out, eh? since peppers are OK for A nonnies! ??? .... ;-)
Hi: First allow me to say that I have, well had, suffered from varying degrees of Irritable Bowel Syndrome for 15-17 years (though I do remember having a certain degree of G-I problems my whole life) and the last 2 years, I had seen a severe increase in attacks and gastro-intestinal problems. I was afraid that I'd have to be on strong medication or have parts of my lower intestine removed. I wanted neither.
This finally prompted me to visit a naturpathic doctor. She put me on the O-Type diet and within three months, I no longer have IBS. It's really amazing.
Secondly, allow me to say that I grew up in an Italian-American family so I was reared on pasta, veggies and fish (hardly any meat) -- we basically followed a Mediterranean type diet. With 2 weeks of giving up wheat I felt like a million dollars.
I have never had this much energy in my life. I no longer feel dead tired when waking up in the morning, I generally wake up before my alarm, and require less sleep. My body no longer feels sluggish, I feels as if things are finally moving. The O-Type diet has truly changed my life and I am so thankful for the advice of the naturpathic doctor.
A little about my routine: in the morning, I drink a bottle of water About 10 am, I have a banana and some prunes, figs, dates, etc. For lunch I bring some kind of spreadable thing like hummus or homemade black bean dip or pesto and eat a few pieces of Ryvita, with some carrots. At some point during the day, I have a cup of green tea or peppermint licorice tea. For dinner, I either prepare veal, lean beaf, liver or fish (usually prepared in wheat free tamari soy, lemon juice, a little red wine or olive oil) and have lots of green leafy veggies to round it out. At times, I put a little handful of nuts or flax seed in with the green veggies. I am actually one of these people who like okra!! I have always love spices and use a god deal of turmeric and garlic. I drink water through the day.
Here are my questions: In term of grains, because of my history with IBS, I feel I need fiber. Although I eat grains during the day, I avoid eating them at night finding they make my sluggish. How important for an O-Type are grains. I do not wish to overdo the grains -- my weight is dropping effortlessly for the first time in my life. So exactly how important are they? Can they be avoided all together? I will say for certain that the less grains I eat, the hungrier I feel, which I find a cause for concern.
My other question is about calcium. I was taken off dairy at 6 months old due to lactose intolerance and have only ever eaten yoghurt (yoghurt is out for me now too). I do use soy milk with vitamin A,D and calcium. But I fear I am not getting enough. I will turn 35 this year. I am thinking I will have to start taking calcium pills, but I know that they vary in efficacy. What do some other posters use and what might they recommend? Again, thanks for reading and let me say that Dr. D'Adamo's diet has truly changed the way I approach life. No longer being afaird to eat, feeling so strong and having so much energy is such a positive and welcome change. Any suggestions you can make will be most welcome, Regards, Allison
Allison, that is a spectacular story! I'm thrilled to hear how the diet has freed you from the misery of IBS. And HUGE congratulations to you for taking hold and following through with it! It's not always easy, right? You've done a fantastic job turning your life around. ;-)
Grains are not at all important for type O. They do slow down the digestive function, as you noticed. It takes time for most people to wean off them altogether -- they are like sugar in many ways, and your liver & neurotransmitters will need to adjust to the lack. That's where that creeping hunger is coming from when you cut back. Easy does it, and go very gradually, and if you're hungry have a bit of protein and fat.
There is plenty of fiber in vegetables, so if you're getting your full complement of greens, broccoli, and other fibrous stuff, you may not need to worry about adding additional fiber. However, a great "natural" fiber that is soothing to the GI tract is plain old brown flaxseed. Two tablespoons ground up and soaked for 10 minutes will "gel" up, and are a very tasty breakfast as well!
The best calcium supplement for you is the type O Phytocal, available here in the Store. Other good supps include the microhydroxyapatite form -- Standard Process Labs makes it -- and calcium citrate, clean bone meal, or the "bone builder" formula. Using homemade broth made from roasted birds or meats or fish and vegetables will provide good quantities of minerals. Also choose from among the high-calcium foods list as staples for your calcium needs.
It's great to hear stories like yours, Allison -- powerful inspiration! :-D
Dear Heidi, I just wanted to write a quick note regarding "Heallix". I started taking it about 10 days ago and I am astounded!
I am an O- non-secretor and am very prone to yeast infections and gut problems. I had started to take an anti-inflammatory Bextra again for my sciatic nerve problem - with disastrous results - I became bloated and very uncomfortable and got an immediate yeast infection. It took away the pain in my hip but with awful side affects.
So I started to take the Heallix - the yeast infection disappeared immediately and also my rosacea on my face started to clear. I have to avoid all types of sugars as my face breaks out immediately - but not with the heallix. Unbelievable!
I got so overexcited that I ended up eating cake and doritos (oh horror!) at a birthday party over the weekend - my skin stayed totally clear with the heallix. I of course felt absolutely awful - I haven't eaten that sort of food in months, if not years, since starting the blood type diet. My body felt like it had been run over by a truck - luckily I had some deflect left over and I am hoping that it will help me feel better. It is Monday and I am still very groggy.
So it would seem that Heallix is actually good for folks with Rosacea and general skin problems - this is a God send for many of us. Thanks again for all your help with this wonderful site Suz.
WHOO-HOO!! Oh, that is marvelous news!!
You are very kind to thank me, Suz -- but it's heallix.com who makes it, I just talk about it. ;-)
Do drop a note to Leo there at Heallix as well! Sounds like you should enter the "free bottle" testimonial sweepstakes! I'm so VERY pleased with your discovery -- now, take it easy on those birthday parties anyway, OK? ;->
best wishes, my dear!! :-D
I am a type A. Please tell me why mozzarella cheese is on our neutral list and string cheese (which is mozzarella) is on our avoid. Thank you. Rho
Hello, Rho! String cheese products vary by brand. It's not uncommon to find corn sweeteners in some of them. Some have chemical additives. Some contain vinegar along with the mozzarella. When this product was rated for the food lists, those variables were noted and the item was relegated to avoid for some types.
As always, read the label on the product and compare the ingredients against your food list. If the ingredients are OK for you, so's the product. The only category where this rule may not appear intuitive is the cheese section. There are other criteria by which cheeses can make the grade (or not), aside from the ingredients. And you may be relieved to know that we will probably remove a number of product names from the TYPEbase 3 database and upcoming books' food lists in favor of listing whole foods only for the most part. It's quite impossible to list ALL bread, cracker, and cereal brands or descriptions, so consistency and clarity both will be served by streamlining the lists in that manner.
Thank you for writing!! :-)
Heidi You asked for more information on my mother and the blood thinner recommendation. The dr. ran all kinds of tests, maybe 25-30, and had her do one of those quick full body catscans and calcium scans. The catscan and calcium scan came back normal, so it appears she doesn't have either heart disease or a solid tumor. Fibrinogen, C Reactive Protein and Homeocysteine came back slightly elevated.
I read Life Extension and know those can be cardiovascular risk factors. I know C reactive protein is inflammation, and tried to get her to stop eating wheat - no luck though. I know homocsyteine can cause all sorts of problems. I'm not a doctor, just a tradtional naturopath type from Clayton. I go to the same doctor, and every year I tell her how great I'm doing on the Type O diet!
When my mother refused the heavy duty blood thinner, the dr told her to go to a hematologist/oncologist. I go to one and like him, so my Mom is going to see him. I believe myself that these are early warning sings, not indicators of current serious disease, and that Mom could resolve most of them with diet changes and supplements! But I hate to stop her taking blood thinners if a dr. I trust more than the gyn. says she must take them. I'll let you know what the hematologist has to say. She sees him this week. And I will keep after her about the wheat. Then if she stops eating wheat, I'll go on to the next thing. :-) Cindy
Good work, Cindy!! Keep us posted! I've been talking to one friend about the BTD for years, and he just now decided to give it a go, so there is every possibility your mom will decide to do the same. What a good daughter you are! I'll listen up for your next report, and if there's something we can add, I'll get right back to ya.
Blessings! :-D
Thank so much Heidi for responding to my question regarding ways of increasing my bone density. As part of your response, you recommended "Cortiguard" supplement as well. But isn't Cortiguard only just recommended for Type A & B? I noticed in Dr. D'Adamo's catalog for supplements where he lists which ones are best for individual Blood Types, and the one for Cortiguard, he does not recommend it for Type 0. I forgot to mention it to you this time around that I am a Type 0. Could it react the wrong way for me if I was to take it anyway? Did you recommend it because you assumed that I was Type A or do you feel that in my condition, eventhough I am a Type 0 that it might help me? Thank you Heidi for your comments. Tonie
Hello, Tonie! We all produce cortisol -- type As and Bs tend to overproduce it, and not clear it as quickly as Os (and ABs, to a lesser degree). Cortiguard is OK for any type to take, and you may be surprised at how well it works for you in your bone-building strategy. Be well, and thanks for your note! :-)
Type A on a Tug ~ The 411 on Turkey ~ A Compliance Fest ~ Sandie Wins and Gets Chewed Out by a Professional! :-D
May 17th, 2001 , by admin
Hi Heidi, Thanks for giving me another go to get the schedule correct of my friend who works on a boat. :-) He is new to the BTD. 35 yrs. old, Type A Rh pos and most likely a secretor.
He works on a tugboat in the harbor in NY 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off. When he works, he lives on the boat and works from noon - 6 pm, sleeps from 7:30 pm - midnight, works from midnight - 6 am, then sleeps from 6:30 am - 11:30 am. He doesn't have a lot of say in terms of what is cooked on the boat for the crew - pork chops, shrimp, beef, sausage, potatoes, chili with lima beans, etc. You get the picture - a Type A nightmare. When he can, he makes his own greens (loves swiss chard, kale and canned collard greens) and yogurt and snacks on peanuts and raisins. He is taking Cortiguard, MethylB12 and Deflect with every meal.
When he is off for the 2 weeks, he eats a lot of fish and enjoys beans, tofu/tempeh, and salad/greens. He had smoked for 20 years and is now on the patch after having taken it up again after having quit for almost a year. Any suggestions to get him off the patch gracefully, help with cravings, and the damage done from past smoking?
Because circadian rhythms are so important for As, my question is what is the best timing for the supps, and any suggestions for supps, to help him get the most from his sleep/rest? He has been taking the Cortiguard at 3 pm and the Methyl B12 when he goes to bed. Would you recommend melatonin as well to help him fall asleep quickly and if so, at what dosage? He can't be groggy when he is working. Thanks for your all of your support and guidance. We are so lucky! Best, Nina
Since your buddy is tugging around NY Harbor, I guess I'm not going to suggest he drop a fishing line for dinner. ;-) I think he's doing the best he can on the food front, unless he can vacuum-pack a few meals or main dishes and heat them up on board. If he has access to the galley to cook his greens, how about some sliced tempeh and tamari to go with them? I've seen bags of organic dried cooked peas, soybeans and such which are fabulous snacks. If space permits, a bag of sliced fresh veg like celery with a bit of spring water, or carrots, will last for a week at least if he has a cool place to store them.
For the smoking, there's a How to Quit Smoking page on the Minnesota Wellness Directory site which could help. It's mostly geared toward people who still smoke, but has excellent tips about the patch and other nicotine-delivery devices -- and how to get free of them all. N-acetyl cysteine is a good measure to take to repair damage. It's among several healing elements included in Respiratone, a NAP product.
I'd be inclined to take the B12 upon awakening at noon, but he should experiment with the timing to find out which slot works best for him. Three minutes of alternate nostril breathing should prepare him for dreamland nicely. If he's truly having difficulty getting to sleep, a few drops of valerian extract at 7:30 pm will do the trick -- but it's best used only when really needed, rather than as a regular habit. I'd use that 7:30pm to midnight block as his "central" sleep time. On the other rest shift, three to four hours of sleep should be quite sufficient for him -- think of it as a nap in the middle of his day.
This is actually quite a healthy sleep schedule, believe it or not. ;-) Much better for ease of physical toxin processing, mental acuity and psychological vigor than a straight 8 or 9 hours followed by a straight 16 hours awake. He'd do well to continue it in a similar form during his shore stints. And ALWAYS drink plenty of water through the day ~ that's very dehydrating work he does.
Hope this is helpful! I'm going to resume my practice of waving at tugboats now, since one of them out there carries a friend-of-a-friend! :-D
Dear Heidi, Good to have you back safe and sound after the blackout. Was offline with computer woes but kept up through my older daughter. You are a major topic of conversation for us on a daily basis. We learn so much and we pass it on!
I do have two questions: Since my daughters and granddaughter are A nonnies,I have been eating a lot of turkey with them. I am finding that I get sleepy after a turkey meal. Is it the tryptophan? Any way to counteract the effect?
Also, what would you suggest for supplements for my A+ secretor husband beyond the D'Adamo A Polyvite, Cortiguard and Hawthorne, CoQ10 and Vitamin E? He is a stressed executive with no chronic health problems except overweight. He sticks to the BTD at home but strays when at work events. Thanks, Karen
Hi, Karen! I'm very glad the column is popular with you & yours. ;-)
Tryptophan will indeed induce the drowsies -- but only taken on an empty stomach, alone. It just doesn't have the chance to process to the brain otherwise. Turkey's other amino acids vie with the tryptophan to block this effect. Weird, huh? we've all come to believe that turkey => sleepy, but the true story's a bit different.
If you're feeling less alert after a turkey meal, chances are you're eating a bit too much, or including starches like sweet potato, bread, beans, rice, along with the meat. A glass of wine on top of it all will truly "slow things down" and lead to grogginess.
Try eating smaller portions, with green veg ~ and to counteract the sleepies, take a nice walk outside after eating. It will perk you up nicely!
For that hard-charging hubby of yours, I suggest alternate nostril breathing just before he starts work, and around lunchtime before he continues working, and just after the workday. A few minutes only, each time, will make an enormous change in his cortisol levels -- aiding weight loss, along with reducing blood pressure & increasing the "feel-goods." ;-) Drinking a liter of water four times daily (preferably with a squeeze of lemon) is extremely refreshing for the little gray cells.
Hi Heidi, always learn something from reading your column, thanks for that, but this is the first time I've written! I'm O+ and just discovered I'm a secretor (which I have to admit is a relief..., I don't think I have the perseverence needed to be a nonnie).
I've been following the diet with varying degrees of compliance for about 6 months, but now the secretor thing is sorted out am planning a little 100% compliance blitz during September, when there will not be too many (foreseeable) disruptions in my life!
I'm 33, generally in pretty good health, and enjoying an improving (but plenty of scope for more improvement) shape having discovered the gym and gradually moved towards a better diet after years of following the wrong advice (yes, i was one of those cheese sandwich dependent veggies for 8 years...oh dear). Just want to give myself a bit of a boost, and learn what can happen if I really go for it for a little while... So, I would appreciate a bit of advice from you and other O's out there.
Firstly, please feed me any fabulous ideas for breakfasts and portable lunches. I am fine with the meals I have time to eat and prepare at home, but my breakfasts are stuck in a scrambled egg rut (accompanied by my home made bread - spelt and rye, pretty good but I'm sure one can have too much of it), and I am not proving very inventive about food to take with me when I travel to work or just out and about. The issue is getting enough protein and avoiding the bread...
Secondly, having picked like a magpie from different good ideas you've mentioned or I've read about, I've accumulated a little collection of supplements, and I'd like to check out with you how appropriate/necessary they are, and how I should be timing them in relation to meals. At the moment it's all very haphazard and I'm probably not maximising the benefits of any of them. I have: ARA (capsule form); a good probiotic; L-glutamine; proberry (capsules); garlic; bladderwrack. If you can recommend an optimum schedule for these, at least for my 100% compliance fest, that would make me feel my money's been better spent! Thanks for your help, keep up your fantastically cheery good work! Kate in England
Hi, Kate! Glad you wrote in! ;-)
As you your supps, they sound OK -- although the blood type probiotics are far superior to the off-the-shelf standard formulations. The lables should all tell you whether the supp is to be taken with, or away from, meals -- if it makes a difference, which with some of them, it doesn't. ARA can be taken with the probiotic, on a rather empty stomach an hour before bedtime. Glutamine is useful if sugar cravings hit. Proberry is a nice morning thing, maybe with your green tea in the a.m. ;-) The bladderwrack I'd take with breakfast, and the garlic with lunch. Another bladderwrack cap with dinner if you're taking it "therapeutically."
Now, for the foods: the one rule to remember is that 'there is no breakfast.' There IS a first meal in the day, which is best filled with a good whack of protein and vegetables. Your dinner should be little more than a snack, so you might take that time to make tomorrow's breakfast instead... or to prepare a stew or two, or several hamburgers or turkey burgers & a batch of stir-fried veg that can last you for a few days of breakfasts.
Between-meal munching times can cover your fresh fruit allowance, and/or the old trail mix strategem with dried fruits, berries, seeds, and nuts of your choice, and/or a hardboiled egg, or some homemade or good-quality commercial jerky (the latter is pretty hard to find!).
Lunch can be a container of salad greens, with some chopped red pepper, sprouts and a handful of walnuts. Sliced artichoke hearts, hard-boiled egg, mushrooms, whatever you'd like in there. When you're ready to eat, add the sliced roasted protein (meat, fish, or fowl) from a second container (heat it if desired, and if you have heating equipment where you work) or food thermos. Or, a thermos of homemade soup containing a protein and vegetables.
These suggestions, I hope, are general enough to give an idea of the variety possible, while specific enough to get you started!
Hey! Anyone who has particular favorites for first and/or portable meals, do write in with your suggestions for Kate! t'ank ye kindly, as always!! :-D
Heidi- Thank you for your response on my husband's crappy diet. I told him what you said and he said he's willing to give it a shot. WHOOPI!! I threatened him with another kidney stone and i think he's gonna cooperate now, No MORE BEEF!!!!! I have a question though, since I am going through this whole transitional process of trying to eliminate all the stuff that is bad for me, I find myself having difficulty giving up a few things I love. Maybe if you slap me with a dose of what these two things really do to my body (A type) I will be willing to give them up. The two things are, potatoes and tomatoes. Love them both!!! o.k., now you can let me have it. Be kind. :0) Thanks again. Sandie
LOL!!! {{{ ~;-D }}} Oh, Sandie, I'd really let you have it over the maters & spuds (gently of course), except I'm laughing too hard. ;-D That's very fine work you did with your man. I think I'd do nearly anything under the threat of a kidney stone, and I've never even had one, but only SEEN others suffer them. Straightened him right out, that did -- so he's a rational being who can feel pain, after all! There IS hope for mankind!! ~;-D
... And now! Hmph! we find you've been nibbling nightshades on the sly. Well, well, well, missy, what to do with you? Oh -- I just thought of something. Ever seen "Mail Call" on the History Channel? It's a show about military weaponry, hosted by a retired (? ;->) Marine Gunnery Sergeant by the name of R. Lee Ermey. "Gunny" has a very direct way of getting his points across to us, and is full of inspirational and motivational messages. With apologies to him, I'll offer some BTD-adapted quotes:
, Mac!!
YOU COULD EAT THAT???
ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME, CHESTER?
. You got a DEATH WISH, IS THAT IT??
...Whoa. OK, Gunny, as you were. Semper Fi, big guy. whew!!
OK! OK. I mean, SIR! OK, SIR!
oh lordy. whooo. sheesh, Sandie. Guess the tomatoes & potatoes are off the rations list. if you know what's good for you. Literally. whoooo. ~#:xo ;->
Supps & Nursing ~ Newbie As ~ B, AB, O, UNameIt, They're Here! :-D
May 16th, 2001 , by admin
Hi heidi, this is probably a Q for NAP, but i was just wondering if there are any NAP products that should definately not be taken whilst breast feeding. Most of them say to consult your doctor before taking them, but frankly I think thats a waste of time as I'm sure she'll tell me to take the multivitamins on the shelf for breast feeding.
I regularly take the main four and proberry caps, but with each order i like to alternate between other supps such as helix, quercetin, cortiguard, live cell and hawthorne. (I like to keep me and the little guy healthy!) If I dont hear from you I'll get in touch with NAP. Thanks anyway, cheers ros
LOL, ros! :-D you cracked me up with your estimation of what your doc would tell you. ;-)
Ironically, I feel a little akin to your doc, since I am only minimally skilled in the supplement-for-nursing-moms area. If the littl'un doesn't seem to be bothered by what you've been taking, I'd say you're doing precisely the right thing for both of you. I think he's getting a FABULOUS start in life all round! I truly admire what you're doing for your family, ros, and I am in awe of your wonderful energy and spectacular attitude & determination. Blessings, and keep writing! :-D
I have had problems with migraine headaches, depression, anxiety, and mild fibromyalgia-like symptoms (pain and burning/tingling sensations mostly in my arms, legs, hands that wax and wane)for about 16 years.
I also have low back problems and a bulging disk, and heel spur syndrom in my feet. A couple of years ago I started using Herbalife products and had dramatic improvement for a couple of months, but then everything started coming back.
I have been seeing a naturopathic doctor for around 9 months and he put me on a number of supplements - a multi-vitamin, flaxseed oil, B-50 complex, panothenic acid, and phosphytal complex (my adrenals were running hot), enterobiotics and 400 mg of niacin a day. Again, I improved, went off my anti-depressant (zoloft), but it only lasted a few months and everything starting coming back. He wants me to take more "stuff", but I simply cannot afford it.
I'm also in the pre-menopause time (48 years old) and having sleep disturbances, some hot flashes, very irregular periods - I didn't have one for six months and then started having them every two weeks for the last six weeks with very heavy flow for the first two days with severe PMS several days before. On my second adrenal test, it showed up a mild gluten intolerance.
My depression has returned and I don't know if I can continue without an anti-depressant. I recently read Eat Right for your Type and want to try the diet and see if this helps. I'm Type A+. I do not know my secretor status. I have never had stomache problems in the past, but I now have indigestion quite a bit. My husband is Type O and we have two children still at home. We are on a tight budget and I'm wondering if I start the diet can I discontinue some of the supplements - they don't seem to be helping anyway! Also any suggestions you could make would really be appreciated! Julie
Hi, Julie! I have a suggestion for you first of all: you have some complex issues, and for that reason I strongly suggest you get hold of the book Live Right 4 Your Type. It goes into many health issues in far more detail. Second, the Complete BTD Blood Type Encyclopedia is something which would stand you in good stead as well. I truly understand your budget concerns, but at least these are one-time purchases.
Now, YES, YES, the diet will have profound effects on your entire system, and will take care of some of the things those supplements are meant to do for you. If you have mild gluten intolerance, we can work with you to modify the type A diet for that condition. If you stick strictly to this diet -- which includes doing some of the specific stress-relieving exercises and a little walking every day -- it will put you well on the path to healing. It is NOT a "deprivation" diet, but (as you can see from the book) one which targets foods which will act as medicine for you, and allows you to move away from those which do you little or no good at all. There will always be plenty of foods to choose from! :-D
The first thing you will notice is "feeling better" -- a little more energy, a little less pain. You may go through a healing period in which your symptoms worsen, but it will be brief and only means that your body has taken new strength to eliminate toxins from your system. It is a beneficial process.
For now, consider buying your flax oil in food (rather than supplement) form. It is cheaper and more effective in the long run. Purchase whole organic flax seed, and use a clean coffee grinder to chop it up. Take two tablespoons soaked in a quarter cup of warm water for 10-20 minutes (it forms a gel-like substance that tastes like nutty, toasted oatmeal).
Make sure to drink at least 1/2 ounce of spring or other clean water per each pound you weigh, daily, and squeeze some fresh lemon juice into each quart -- or add a pinch of good sea salt, or switch off between the two. This alone will begin changing everything. ;-)
Right this moment, start the type A diet in your book. Keep your grain intake to one serving per day. Alternate between fish and beneficial beans for one serving per day. Eat some nutbutter or a handful of nuts every day. Have a little turkey or chicken if you crave more protein. Eggs are fine once or twice weekly. Load up your menu with beneficial and neutral vegetables at every single meal. Salads, steamed veg, baked veg, stir-fried veg, eat them till they're coming out your ears. ;-D Enjoy a little seasonal fruit daily, whatever looks good from your OK list. Start each day with a squeeze of lemon in some warm water -- it will do unbelievable things for your digestion and sense of clarity.
And Most important: begin doing some yoga, and taking a walk daily in the best, most relaxing surroundings you can find. The simplest form of yoga is something that is incredibly powerful for the little it requires to perform: it's called alternate nostril breathing, and I describe the technique in this column. Or, just scroll to the bottom of any of my column pages, and enter "nosey" (without the quotation marks) in the search form. You'll find that column (and this one! ;-))
You have every reason to look forward to a happy, healthy, energetic future! Just get started, and write in here as often as you wish! I'll look forward to hearing from you! :-D
hello, i'm marinela from pula, croatia. i just read your book. it's interesting and i'm trying the diet (A). i found out that i like the food that is allowed for my food group, and amazingly i never liked the food, or i ate very low amounts of food you stated it is not good for my food group. exept for tomatoes and potatoes. i wonder how do you know which food is good for my blood group and which is not? on what basis do you categorise food? best regards marinela
Greetings, marinela, and welcome!!
The foods are so categorized for many different reasons. Some have to do with your ability to produce the enzymes and other secretions necessary to assimilate a food. Other reasons involve the health risks associated with one blood group or another, meaning certain foods are chosen as beneficial because they strengthen our weaknesses. Yet other reasons are the way a food stimulates good or bad effects in the microbes which help to digest our foods -- or (alternately) stimulates toxins in the digestive tract. Many of these reasons are based upon the way eating a food affects our red blood cells, our immune response, or our hormone system. I'm very grateful that someone else figured it all out for me! ;-)
By the way, do you play Tarock at all? My friends to the north of you love it very much, and it is my very favorite card game.... be well, and thank you for writing! Do write again! ;-)
Hello Heidi Greetings from Oz - very chilly at the moment! Now, a couple of questions. Lately, when talking about sweeteners, you have not mentioned black strap molasses. I like the fact that it has some taste, other than just sweetness, and thought that it was actually beneficial, at least for us Bs. Are you now recommending that vegetable glycerine would be preferable? I hope not, as I have grown very fond of b.s. molasses (organic, Australian) on my organic, Western Australian rolled oats, with organic, full cream milk. ;-)
Secondly, what do you think about clinical Pilates for a B? I started about 6 weeks ago (about 3/4 to 1 hour, twice a week) and am really enjoying it. BTW, watching on television here, it was fascinating to see the lights gradually coming back on in the various districts of New York. Susan (B sec. from Oz)
Oh, Susan, I've been nattering on about veg gly because it fills the bill for people who really would benefit from a sweetener which actively promotes better sugar metabolism. Most of us don't have those needs. A secondary reason is that it has a mostly neutral taste, which lots of sugar-free pastry and confection chefs want for their creations (and green-tea drinkers may desire for their sugar substitute). However, blackstrap molasses is a marvelous thing, and provides trace elements that are indeed good for us. Its status has not changed, no matter how much use we make of veg gly. :-D
I think your Pilates program is a great thing for type B! Excellent choice for you. As a perfect little adjunct, try the < href="http://www.alchemilla.com/martial/5rites.html">Tibetan Five Rites a couple of times per week as well. Between the two, I think you'll experience a remarkable upsurge of energy and balance. I'd also suggest adding one plain old weight-training session weekly, or alternating between that and a roller-skating hour, or a jog to explore areas around you (with a partner?), from one week to the next.
Glad you enjoyed that view of the lights coming back on in the "city that never sleeps." I can say that despite the cricket who took up his post under our window and made a racket to wake Morpheus, that was one night we slept BEAUTIFULLY in the luxurious DARK so briefly vouchsafed to us. :-D
P.S. ~ about the question we were discussing, don't feel bad -- I just wanted to let you know that (you may be surprised to learn) I have since done the same, with the same result. So, we're both in the same boat there! ;->
Hi Heidi, Thanks for your offer of help for my AB nonnie cousin. Any recommendations of a HFS in midtown?
Wanted to let Paige know that I ordered a gallon jug :-) from azurestandard.com (also know as azurefarm.com). I have some Frontier brand from Whole Foods and I taste tested the 2 and I find that the Azure one has less of a metallic taste and is smoother. It is 100% pure and is safe for ingestion. Also, the Azure Standard is much cheaper than the Frontier brand even with shipping.
I saved my glass bottle of Frontier and am filling it from the gallon of veg gly from Azure. Personally I thought it was markedly better than the Frontier brand but everyone's taste buds are different.
And now they can actually test for using a simple tongue test to tell whether you are a "super taster" or not. Super tasters perceive all tastes as more intense than do tasters and non-tasters. Here is the link to find out more:
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2880471.stm
I read Kate's post and wanted to mention again that all nonnies and friends of nonnies are welcome to join our group to get great recipe ideas and support from BTD'ers from around the world. Thanks again Heidi. Best, Nina
OH! marvelous, thanks for that supertasters test link! I've used the term 'supertaster without the hyphen so that folks can use that "word" to search & find the link again. ;-)
As to recommendations of an organic grocer in midtown -- glory be, you shure does find the hard stuff for the old infant-on-the-phone here, Nina! The only midtown HFS I've ever frequented was Health Nuts on 2nd Ave. & 44th, and that only for fill-ins (chosen simply because I worked in that neighborhood). I'll give your cousin a list, but these places should be checked out by phone, as HN is the only one I've ever been in. Most are likely to be supp shops, but some may offer actual foods. Many of them are not even technically in midtown, but I've included them since I don't know where exactly yer cuz lives (the HFS's are overwhelmingly in the "hippie" parts of town, not midtown) :-D
Here we go:
Good Earth - 1330 1st Ave. @ 69th 472-9055
Health King - 526 7th Ave. @ 38th 764-6699
Health Nuts
835 2nd Ave. @ 44th 490-2979
1208 2nd @ 76th 724-1972
Healthtec Corp. - 274 Madison Ave. @ 40th 213-3354
Nature Food Centers - 1050 Avenue of the Americas @ 40th 869 6373
Super Natural - 728 9th Ave. @ 49th 399 9200
Westerly Health Foods - 913 8th Ave. @ 54th
With the turnover in this town, frankly, one or more may be closed altogether by the time you read this. If I knew which nabe your cousin has set up her teepee in, I'd most likely suggest a bus or subway route to the nearest REAL HFS in the Village, Soho, Noho, UWS, etc. Let me know how y'all do with this, OK? Keep shining, dear!!! :-D
Hi Heidi, Can you think of any reason that cherries and grapes would make my tongue hurt? This happens with organic as well as nonorganic, and it has only started recently (since nonsecretor diet, 3 months now). Otherwise everything's still great!! Suzanna (B-non)
Well, dang it! No, I can't, unless you've been eating them daily AND your system has decided it doesn't want them daily. Drop them for one month, then have one serving of one of them. See if your tongue tolerates it. Wait a week, and test the other one. In the meanwhile, use other fruit (alternating them -- use no single item more frequently than two days in the week), and report back!! :-)
Hi Heidi, I recently bought some kelp powder--I don't suffer from any thyroid problems, but as it has been extolled as a 'metabolic enhancer' as well as providing many minerals, I thought I'd give it a try and see if I noticed a difference. Well I thought that i would just mix it with water or juice and guzzle it down that way but didn't realize how potent the taste was! Would you suggest just forgetting about and sticking to the core blood type diet--I just wanted to rev up my metabolism as it's rather sluggish--or would you suggest getting capsule form/some other form of seaweed. What is the best way to incorporate it into the diet? Thanks a lot! Caroline
Hello, Caroline! Kelp powder is best used as a seasoning. It can replace salt in that respect, although I suggest keeping up one's salt intake at the same time with good, gray sea salt.
The capsule form of bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosis) is available in the Store here, and that's the form you'd want to use for your purposes. Dried seaweeds can taste pretty strong if you're unaccustomed to them, but for food purposes I suggest dulse instead. It's fairly mild (as is hijiki), and you can just rip off bits of it to stir into broth or use for anything listed on the package. I hope this helps! let me know, OK? :-D
My mother's gynecologist wants to get into preventive medicine. She ran a whole bunch of tests on my mother, most of which were normal, and then prescribed a heavy duty IV blood thinner. My sister and I looked into it, and urged her not to take it. Mother is a Type O and in her early 80's. The doctor then suggested Heparin. Could a person with Type O blood ever have a clotting problem? I'm concerned that if she took a blood thinner, it could harm her. I suggested that if she's worried about it, she might just take Vitamin E which also thins our Type O blood. Cindy T
Hey there, Cindy -- My big question is WHY they'd suggest a blood thinner for your Mom. What's their explanation? Preventive medicine.... prevention against what? I suggest that since the gyno wants to make a foray into prevention, that she be presented with Live Right 4 Your Type and asked if she is familiar with the vast research basis for the recommendations. It's a good litmus test for whether a doctor is growing in their practice, or just sitting there and collecting fees.
Definitely nix the blood thinners. Sheesh. Your mom's done well right into her 80's, so what does the gyno have to offer here toward her continuing good health? Man, these kinds of things get MY thin blood a little steamy. Let me know quick like a bunny, if you can, what the deal is on the prognosis/prevention scheme. Thanks, Cindy! ;-)
Dear Heidi: Thanks so much for your advise on my overuse of Polyflora O. I think part of the problem was that in the past 5 weeks I’ve really cut back on my sugar habit (candy mostly, though not chocolate) so I didn’t need as much Polyflora O to be effective as not as much sugar was destroying the good bacteria.
I’m also a lightweight, about 97 pounds and I’m very sensitive to any kind of medication (one Advil usually does it for me when I’m in a lot of pain). Also, I have a pattern of overdoing supplements stemming from a diagnosis of Celiac and before that leaky gut syndrome (for years).
By staying away from gluten the past couple of years I think I’ve healed my gut substantially, but I think I’ve been taking supplements at the same level I used to, with not necessarily positive results.
Anyway, I’ve cut back the Polyflora O to one and not more than two a day for now. I’ve also cut back the amount of the other supps I’ve been taking for now. My diet for the most part (other than the sugar) is quite good I think. I eat salmon and bennie veggies for breakfast most days, more veggies and other protein (lots eggs, more salmon or beef, occasionally cottage cheese) for lunch and dinner.
I drink diluted pineapple juice all day long. For snacks I eat a ton of raw almonds and hazelnuts, bananas, blueberries, apples and almond or rice milk. Sometimes I’ll have a plain yogurt, but only on occasion.
I have had a “sugar addiction” for years which I’ve recently tried to tackle once again. I’ve tried to use vegetable glycerine, but it didn’t really do it for me. Lately I’ve been able to get by with some sugarless gum which I know isn’t necessarily any better for me, but I don’t consume as much of it as I was the sugar candy/gum.
I still have the bumps on my thighs which my dermatologist says is an allergic reaction to something. I’m very fair and I also scar easily (purple) and they take a long time to heal. My nails also tend to be weak and pull away from the cuticles. Interestingly enough, however, I never get sick. In fact in the past seven years I’ve never once called in sick for work. Instead I tend to hurt myself…fallen a lot..seems like I'm always healing and dealing with some scratch, bump, bruise or injury. I’m an athlete (though not currently competitive), so I’m always in motion. Anyway, hope that gives you a bit more information. I’d love any insights you might have. Sorry for being so long-winded. Thanks once again for all of your help! Carolyn
Hey there, Carolyn! Sugar alone will account for the skin bumps, the scarring (so did I scar very easily and permanently back in the sugary days) and the bruises which look like major trauma from an auto crash when all ya did is bump into a file cabinet drawer and you didn't even notice the contact at the time. ;=> One of the most astonishing things I noticed when I quit the sugar back in 1995 was that my lifelong soft nails started hardening up. They didn't come to their full hardness till I got full-force onto the nonsecretor O diet. I'm convinced that even the nail trouble you're having is connected to the same danged thing. Sugar trashes your immune system, zaps nutrients right out of your diet, and in some people doesn't at all show up in increased colds or flus, but works in quieter ways.
Read Nina's recommendation on the veg gly brand, above, and find some way to finagle yourself slowly away from the sugar (as you're doing very nicely alread, FYI). Second, get hold of some Rhodiola rosea, or Catechol-O, or Cortiguard. You may benefit greatly from one or all of them.
And when you're really jonesing for some sugar, promise yourself you'll have some -- right after you load up on some protein covered in olive oil or ghee. Drink a big glass of water (or club soda, or seltzer, or mineral water) with a squeeze of lemon or lime in it, gorge down on the protein, and ask yourself how you feel. I can't tell you how many times the craving disappeared within 20 minutes for me, just doing this simple thing.
Be good, hon! Keep strong, and write more! :-D
A Little Switchboard Action... Q&A 4 As... and Where All The ABs Have Been Hiding! :-D
May 15th, 2001 , by admin
Switchboard!
..... Never found it! You had referred me to a web site (if I remember correctly) of a company in France who makes it. However, the site lists a phone number that has one too few numbers, and I could not find any other number or address... Typically French I must say - but then I'm in a real gripey mood with this unrelenting heat and humidity!!!!!
I asked in the local health food stores about chicory extract to no avail, so I just use the vegetable glycerine I have to order from the UK at great expense. If anyone over here knows of chicory extract let me know. Also, hope someone in the USA comes up and shares a source there. (I might be back!) a bientot, Abby (P.S. I loved your account of the blackout!)
Heidi, The chicory syrup is called 'Sweet Choice'. On the label it also says 'ENVI Distribution, Montreal, ON (Canada), H2V 2A1'. I just happened to see it in my favourite HFS, Rainbow Natural Foods (check it out on the web!) and nearly jumped for joy! It comes in 250mL bottles and I just ordered a case of 12 . Hope that helps. Cheers, Paige
Thank you so very much Heidi and Paige for helpful answers and cookbook recommendations! Yes, Stacktheme will work from Sweden as well as long as the Deflect-O is not caught in customs, glucosamine was recently taken away from all healthfood stores and cannot be found for sale here anymore. Something about not beeing tested clinically for side effects...(?!!) Sounds like you are fighting off the same problem in America right now. I wish you luck!!!! The cookbooks are not translated into Swedish, but I have read the 4 Your Type books in English (only the first one is translated into Swedish) so it will be OK. I can get the books on the Internet and I look forwards to trying them out! Love, Helena
who mentioned about a meeting with BTD enthusiasts near her suburb... I'm quite keen to know which suburb they're from as I'm also in Melbourne

Yoghurt making: Although I confess I usually buy my soy yoghurt (provamel) I have successfully made soy or (in the past) dairy yoghurt many times. It would also work for goats milk for As & those Os who are only adhering to tier 1. I use a thermos flask. If the milk is UHT and freshly opened, there is no need to boil, just heat to blood temperature. If fresh, boil & cool. Stir in the yoghurt (about a tablespoonful for a pint), pour into flask, put on lid, give a shake, leave overnight. Home made yoghurt is often quite a bit runnier than commercial yoghurt, you may want to make a quart & strain it. Some people find adding a teaspoonful of sugar helps the set, I've not found it makes much difference. Sarah
Dear Heidi (this is for Debs), Most, if not all of the NAP products and tests are available in the UK at Stacktheme.com. Karen
Greetings! For Helena in Sweden; The secretor test is indeed available from Stacktheme in Europe as are Deflect-O, got my status tested (O Rh-, non-sec). Just wish more from your website would appear on Stacktheme's list though... and yes - dreadul bread-situation in Sweden if you are a celiac and a BTD:er! Almost like being an O-nonsecretor :-D Smiles from Ingrid in Sweden
Regarding Nina's comments about titration of her friend's AB blood, it could be useful to get a titration report on his saliva to find out if there are any weak A or B antigens there, if such a thing were possible.
Titrating his blood however is unlikely to produce any answers relating to his secretor status. Being an AB he is unlikely to have any anti-A or anti-B antigens in his blood, as you don't make antibodies to yourself.
Being a Lewis negative he could in theory have anti-Lewis a or anti-Lewis b antibodies in the blood, but these would not have any effect as he is unable to manufacture either of these antigens due to his Lewis status. Does this help? Tom
Certainly does here! :-D Nina? :-)
Jenny, drop me a line to get in touch with Mavis!
LOL @ Abby! Pretty wishful thinking on my part, eh? Poor thing, you must be wilted to a puddle by now! Europe got all of our weather this year -- we're having a splendid summer, notwithstanding a little blackout here & there!
Thanks so much, everyone ~~ what a group!!
I am an A and have been on the diet 2 years now. Still have trouble with insomnia after exercise -- Can you recommend anything to help with this? rthom
Greetings, friend! If you exercise in the evening, your cortisol levels get boosted -- just in time for you to try to sleep. ;-) Here's the quick & dirty solution: get ready for bed, and sit up comfortably with a pillow behind or under you. Do a few minutes of alternate nostril breathing, and just let your mind wander over pleasant things (like what great shape you're in ;->, and what beautiful places you'd like to visit in your dreams once you're asleep). In case you're not familiar with it, the alt-nosey technique is simply closing one nostril with your middle & ring fingers, breathing in through the other nostril, closing that nostril with the thumb, and breathing out through the "first" nostril. Repeat. ;-) It acts directly on the cortisol issue, and is remarkably calming (and eminently portable). ;-D
Taking a couple Cortiguard capsules with your post-workout water is another sure-fire way to ready your endocrine system for rest. If you're wide awake in the morning, you're getting plenty of sleep -- but if you're a bit groggy, an active B12 (Methyl Plus) dose along with some sun in the eyes will help re-set your circadian rhythm.
Hope these suggestions are of help to you -- let me know how you do! :-D
Hi!! Thank you for providing such easy access to you. I am A - (don't know my secretor status, but I suspect I am a non). I have suffered with allergies my entire life (I am 30) and have spent much time being miserable. I have seen numerous allergists and dermatologists (allergic reactions are itchy eyes, swollen and reddened eyelids, unclear sinuses and severe eczema) and no one has ever been able to help me. I have tried a food elimination diet, allergy shots, we have moved to a new home (no carpeting, a high end state of the art air filter system throughout the house), no pets and I keep the house SPOTLESS and dust free. Not working. I am allergic to just about everything, and if I am not allergic yet to something, if I am exposed to something enough times I will develop an allergy to it.
Before I started your diet, I was beginning to think that I would eventually run out of foods that I could eat. However once I began the BTD diet, my health has improved SIGNIFICANTLY. My eczema has cleared up (it will spring back up if I have any of the avoid foods). I have more energy and feel as if my head has cleared! I still react to atmospheric allergens, but I know how to avoid those.
I am married with 3 children (We are all type As) and we all suffer with allergies. My husband is the least severe (really only spring and fall pollens seem to affect him), but all of my children suffer with eczema and both of my boys are asthmatics.
So, my question to you is: Should I enforce a type A diet on my children (their ages are 4, 2, and 15 mos)? Already they are allergic to peanuts, soy, dairy, bananas, peaches. But I hate to cut too much meat out of their diet as they are growing children. And they love beef! Don't growing children need protein? Any suggestions you might offer would help--I don't want them to suffer with allergies as I have, but I also don't want to stunt their growth--and I can't really depend on them eating salads (they won't touch it!) They love spaghetti and lasagna and hamburgers. I would love to hear from you. Thank you in advance for your response. Lebby
Greetings, Lebby! How wonderful to hear from you! You're so fortunate to have only one blood type in your five-person family!! The other truly great thing about your situation is that your children are all so young. You can gradually make the changes necessary, say over a month or two, and it's unlikely that any of them will have the slightest complaint. It will be easier than it seems right now! ;-)
Just as in your own body, your children will continue suffering from eczema and allergies if they eat avoids. The boys, especially, are experiencing the full brunt of diet's effects on their lungs and immune systems. Imagine what it will be like when they no longer have to take drugs for these conditions. Diet will do it all -- you've already done all the rest in making your home safe for sensitive folks.
Your kids will prosper on the type A diet, just as you have. And if you remove wheat entirely from your family's pantry, and make sure everyone gets a spoonful of fresh flax oil in a smoothie or drizzled on salad or warm food, you will be astonished to see the skin difficulties and allergic reactions disappear with all of them.
Type A, no matter what age, prospers on a vegetarian diet augmented with eggs and beneficial and neutral fish and fowl. Vegetables at every meal in some form; fresh veg juice; beans or fish daily; and if anyone's missing their hamburgers, have your butcher make up fresh ground turkey from "organic" birds. You can mix some minced, stir-fried onion & garlic into the mix, along with sea salt or wheat-free tamari, and they're DELICIOUS. I'd be interested to find out if one or more of your bunch tests nonsecretor (lamb-burgers are absolutely delectable, too ;-)) but I'm crossing my fingers for "all one or the other." :-D
Using ghee instead of butter is another way to heal your kids' and husband's immune systems. Go to Ask Dr. D'Adamo, and enter the search term "ghee." He even included a recipe!
By the way -- are your kids allergic to ORGANIC soy, bananas, peanuts, peaches? Do they react to fermented (yogurt, etc.) dairy -- and have you tried sheep's milk cheese (like feta) or goat cheese instead of cow's milk products? As time goes on (their allergies will fade), try the fermented soy products, such as tempeh, miso, tamari, and other all-soy preparations like yogurt. We just posted the instructions a day or two ago for making soy yogurt at home! Take a look!
Dairy is not at all a necessary food group for As -- all your calcium and minerals can be obtained through beans, nuts & seeds (almonds, sesame, sesame tahini), vegetables such as broccoli, dark leafy greens, seaweeds in soups & stews, and good homemade broth from roasted birds or fish & made with mineral-rich root veg, celery, and greens. If you'd like to supplement, some Phytocal-A capsules can be emptied into fresh veg juice or a fruit smoothie.
Your little Type As were born with the ideal digestive equipment to get all they need from this kind of "light diet" -- in equestrian language, we'd say they are the "easy keepers" of the 4-type spectrum. Once they're weaned, they're ready to begin with their own blood-type foods, and they will certainly flourish on them and grow tall & strong. As a type O nonsecretor who requires nearly the opposite diet, I still feel a little pang of jealousy toward you folks!! but I'm past trying to argue with Mother Nature! :-D (just a few grumbles now & again. ;-))
So be reassured, Lebby, and please "report back" on how you're all doing! I think you'll be amazed at the changes you'll see... warmest wishes, and thanks for writing!
Hi ! I'm a type A, and about to begin the diet since I bought Dr D'adamo's book. My question is ( because I don't know much about the gastro-intestinal system ): Why can I have so much problems caused by an excess of acidity in my system ( reflux, IBS, migraines, etc ) if, being an A, my stomach is supposed to produce a low level of acidity ? Of course, my excess of acidity is caused by stress and eating food that is not right for me, a condition that I hope will be changed with the diet, but can you explain how it's possible to have a low level of acidity, that always turns for me into an excess ? Thank you very much ! Genevieve
Hello, Genevieve! Your question is a popular one among type As. Peter explained this mechanism in "Type A with Acid Reflux", so have a good read through that one. You'll see why type A in particular is plagued by garden-variety reflux, as well as GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disorder) and its further result (Barrett's Esophagus).
IBS is not directly related to the amount of stomach acid you produce. It IS directly related to your diet, however. Migraines are also caused by inappropriate diet, something people have trial&error'ed to death (you know the list: red wine, aged cheeses, chocolate, nuts, and on & on). Have a look at the Migraine & Caffeine site. It is one heck of an eye-opener, and no mistake. If you follow that researcher's instructions, and also get solidly onto the A diet, your migraines will become just a storied memory. :-D
By the way, a cup of warm water with a hefty squeeze of fresh lemon juice is a wonderful way to start your morning. It clears mucus all through the digestive tract, and has an alkaline effect on your system. ;-)
A warm welcome to you, dear, and don't hesitate to pop back in here if other questions arise! :-D
I have been trying to stick to the A diet as best I can and I have a few questions. I do not eat veggies or fruit very much at all but have been able to stop using dairy and have incorporated soy into my diet. Recently my breath has been off and it is not from a lack of oral hygien. Could there be something in my gut triggering this reaction and what could I do to relieve this.... Thanks, Jerome
Hey there, Jerome -- Good work on getting the dairy out & the soy in! :-)
As your digestive system adjusts to your new diet, the beneficial microbes in your gut will change accordingly. Give that part a bit of time. Taking Polyflora-A (the probiotic for your type, available in the Store here) will ease that transition along. You can also look into using a digestive enzyme such as bromelain (or fresh pineapple), 10 drops of gentian tincture in a little warm water,
The next (and extremely important step) is to start introducing more plant life into your diet.
You see, for every blood type, veg and fruit make up the "base of the pyramid." You'll notice in Live Right 4 Your Type and in the "Little Books" (consult the Updates Page on this point) that most of your food categories' allowances fall right around once daily, or three times weekly, numbers of that sort. Now, look at the fruits. Between two and four servings DAILY! Whoa! All of a sudden we're up to 28 servings weekly, four to five times what's recommended in the beans/legumes category. Go to Vegetables, and you don't even see a number -- you see UNLIMITED. Hmmm!! Got to be more than the fruit, I guess! so, that must mean AT LEAST 30 servings weekly, or more than FOUR daily.
Vegetables and fruits are the backbone -- in fact, the entire skeletal structure -- maybe I should say, the bones, blood and skin of these diet plans. Everything else fills in for specific reasons -- fish for protein & oils (essential fatty acids); beans for proteins and beneficial complex sugars; whole grains for fiber, certain proteins, and various supportive lectins; and so forth. Vegetables and fruits, with their high water and fiber content (not to mention all the protective vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and "plant dyes" found in dark berries & fruit for example) are meant to be the bulk of your diet. You'll see a marked improvement in your digestion, including the way your breath and skin smell, as you get nearer their recommended frequencies in your own diet.
Very best wishes, and thanks for writing!! :-D
My blood type is AB. Can I have yak's milk - I am going to Himalaya? Helen
Heck, I would! ;-> I'd wager it would be quite a wonderful food for you, Helen! Have a wonderful trip -- and let us know what was on the menu! :-D
Hi, Heidi! I only found out about Eat Right for Your Blood Type this past weekend (August 9th) from a friend and I'm completely riveted. Of interest, I am AB-, as is MOST OF MY FAMILY ON BOTH PARENTS' SIDE!! (I believe both my mother and father are AB-, as are a number of their siblings, many of my cousins, etc.)
So I find it funny to be called a minority in a family of so many! Anyhoo .... I am wondering, even if we are a minority, if there is anyway to start a special area dedicated to our weird blood type to ask questions and learn more about ourselves! Jackie
Well Hallelujah, I've hit the motherlode! ~:-D Now we know why so few type ABs write in -- most of them hadn't heard of this site till now! LOL!
Well, Jackie, start in writing your questions, and I'll bet you'll entice a bunch of your fellow rare birds out into the open. :-D Actually, we have a good number who post here (relative to that 4% of the populace, that is). I'm not too bad a source for info, myself -- I lived with an AB for eight years, and have several as close friends. So let 'er rip!
And anyone with suggestions for Jackie on mailing lists, etc. -- write on in!
A pleasure to make your acquaintance, dear! And mighty exciting to welcome you all into the fold! Enjoy your reading, and pick up Live Right 4 Your Type when you've finished Eat Right -- lots more fascinating stuff there. Thanks VERY much for writing!! ~:-D
Various Qs, All Types! :-)
May 14th, 2001 , by admin
Hi Heidi, Had an interesting AB story to share.
A friend who has been getting great benefits from the BTD got the full serotyping panel done at SCNM. He is 43 and is back to his college figure with a 15 lb. weight loss and cleared up the mucous and congestion that had plagued him as a singer. Generally in good health. He got his results back and he is an AB+, Lewis Double Negative. He is going to do the salivary test now to determine secretor status.
I read in the http://www.dadamo.com/abh-lewis.html that ABH secretor status is not an "all or none situation" according to Dr. D. Here is the salient excerpt. "ABH secretor status is often thought of as an all or none situation, this is generally not the case. In some ABH non-secretors (known as partial or weak secretors) there will often be some form of active A or B blood group substance in the saliva; however, the quantity and quality of these substances is greatly reduced, predisposing them to similar functional problems as other non-secretors. (3,4)"
So I called the lab at SCNM and asked Michael if he could test using blood for gradations of secretor status. He said he can titer the blood and can get a rating between 1-20 but has no way at present to provide interpretation of what that means. Fascinating, yes?
So my AB friend is going to spit first and then also send off more blood to get titrated at SCNM. Since he is an AB with 2 antigens, it is $20 to get them titrated. I will keep you posted.
Do you have any inside info on interpreting weak/partial secretor titration results? I know LDNs are rare birds and there just may not be enough info/research yet but thought I would ask.
We also have another family friend who tested as LDN and a weak secretor so we are really interested on how they should proceed in regards to secretor vs. non-secretor food values. Thanks again for everything Heidi. Nina
Hey there, Nina! Regarding the interpretation of titration results, and determining a food list based upon a refined secretor status (weak/partial), we'd need the experts for that kind of job. And if Michael cannot interpret the titration outcomes, I am not sure who could.
So, I'm publishing your note here to send up an SOS to any knowledgeable lab techs or medicos out there -- I'll post what we find out! thanks again, dear! :-D
Greetings, 2 ?s: There are starch blockers available now made fr white kidney beans. Is this out of the ? for type O? If so, what's the opinion on starch blockers--are there others that are good? Re commercially raised animal protein--I've not been able to come across this answer specifically in looking at the archives. What do those of us do that can only afford to eat commercial meats? Are we doing more harm than good & should we avoid them? What to do pls? I would appreciate your answers. Thank you. lora
Hi, Lora! Ummm.... starch blockers? The idea is that you'd be eating the appropriate starches, in the right quantities, for your blood group. We don't suggest folks eat things that would harm them, then take something to block what they ate. Are you seeking weight loss? Tell me more about yourself, OK? and why you'd be interested in starch blockers? I'm sure we can figure out the best way to go about it!
If your budget will not support buying ranged, unmedicated beef, then choose among the meats least likely to contain antibiotics and hormones: buffalo (bison), lamb, venison, rabbit, or game birds. Find out if anyone in your area raises chickens or turkeys using clean feed, good shelter practices and no medications. www.eatwild.com is a great place to look for local products. Best wishes, and do write again! :-)
Welcome back dearest Heidi!! You were missed more than words can say. Kudos to Bryan for helping you with the computer glitch, and by the way, the fact that you thought yourself ready for a straight jacket merely indicates how conscientious you are re this column!
My question concerns some herbs that seem to be very popular now that my baby boomer generation is aging. I've not been able to find any information on the BTD web site about their suitablility for O+ secretors - can you help? The first is "Mucuna Pruriens" (purported to be a natural HGH secretagogue - I understand from Doc Bron that synthetic HGH is undesirable). "Mucuna Pruriens" is alternately known as "Velvet Bean" or "dopa bean" and helps to provide L-dopa, or so I understand. The second is "Yin Yang Huo" also known as "Inyokaku" , "Herba Epimedii(aerial plant)" or "horny goatweed". Supposedly this contains benefits for men and women struggling with sexual functionality. A common ingredient added to most fomulations is "Polypodium vulgare".
If any of these are suitable for O+ secretors, would they interfere in any way with the absorption of other desirable herbs or supps? Also, I understand that after taking an herb for a month or so, a rest period of about two weeks is recommended before resuming the protocol. Does this apply to BTD supps such as Phytocal, Polyflora, Deflect, Fucus, Polyvite, etc? Thanks a million for all of your help! Becky
Hi, Becky! :-) I have no info on any of the herbs you mentioned. They're all "unknowns" at the moment. About the "take-a-break" procedure with the protocols, it is done due to the way herbs act on the body. They have their strongest effect when taken as a full round, followed by a rest, and a re-start if desired. Sort of like not using your starter when your car's already running. The effectiveness of some herbs diminishes with constant use. For others, daily persistent dosing does more harm than good. So, the protocols are written with those factors in mmind.
However, the standard BTD products such as the ones you mentioned may be taken as directed on the bottle, as consistently as you like. Thanks for your note, and take good care!! :-D
Heidi- Thank you for your response to my question regarding stevia, but being a Newbie I have yet another question. My husband and I are both new to the btd and are both A's. His diet his entire life was pretty close to being an O type diet. NOT GOOD FOR HIM!! He has a kidney stone every year and recently had an episode of severe abdominal pain to the point where his doctor jumped him around from specialist to specialist trying to figure out what the heck was wrong with him. Well, to no avail, they have no clue. However, the last doctor he went to did some blood work on him and it came back with a extremely high red blood cell count and high calcium count. My question is.... do you think that his poor diet for 33 years could be a factor in this? Naturally i'd say yes, but my husband says Im crazy. What do you think? I've begged my husband to give the diet a few months to see if he notices a difference cause he constantly complains of a burning sensation in his stomach and lethargy. Any suggestions you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for all you do. Sandie
Hey there, Sandie ~ Yes, that kind of stomach & abdominal pain, along with the kidney stones & fatigue, are certainly coming about because of poor diet. Kidney stones are the result of a diet that is way too "acid-forming" for type A, and his body is trying to restore stasis by buffering that acid (by drawing from calcium stored in the bones -- that's how the stones form, and why he has high serum levels). His digestive system is producing toxins at an enormous rate, and they're circulating. That, combined with slow transit time, will definitely lead to a very lethargic person. The worst thing is that while these conditions are uncomfortable, they are only the beginning. :-(
I guess he found out how good the doctors are at figuring out his trouble. For the cost of food alone, he could solve it himself - and he certainly has a willing partner in his wife! What the heck we gonna do with him, huh? Anyone who can go through multiple kidney stone attacks and STILL resist changing his diet is a stubborn guy, indeed! Whew! Well, pass this note on to him, and see if he has any comment. It's hard for me to tell whether continued efforts would help to encourage him, or whether letting the subject drop entirely might be the answer... or something in-between. Do your best, and write again, Sandie! Good Luck, dear!! :-)
Hi Heidi Thanks so much for giving us so much advice. This time I really need your help. Is there anything to treat Gout for A type? I have checked in the Encyclopeadia but could not find any. My husband had a this attack on the foot that leave him so painful. He is already following the Blood type diet. Could the tofu be one of the cause because the tofu used a setting agent (calcium carbonate or something like that) to make it into a solid piece. Another problem is he was checked to have very high blood pressure yesterday (maybe due to the pain from gout). He was on medication once for the pressure but had weaned the pills off and move to Blood type diet. I was told that taking the medication for blood pressure is no good because one need to continue to taking it all the time (Is this true). He is now on Gingko Biloba and also saw palmetto and Pygeum for benign prostate. I just need a little advice on this two areas.
Shirley
Hi, Shirley! For the high blood pressure, give him one serving of oatmeal daily. It does wonders! Black cherry juice is a great treatment for gout, along with lots of quercetin (anti-inflammatory)/bromelain (digestive) daily. 5000 mg is not too much. I'd also make sure he's taking Deflect-A to help clear out the old lectin damage from his body.
Try using the soft tofu -- or better, use only fermented soy such as soy yogurt, miso, and tempeh. They are more easily digestible, and provide beneficial digestive micro-organisms. Let me know how he does, OK? :-)
hi heidi its me again, i just wanted to clarify a few things. i'm supposed to do the xbs including run every day & then do weights 3 times a week?or is the run only done a certain amount of times?
i did get nutritional yeast & been taking it most days should i be taking it every day then?does it help thyroid then?
what are glandulars?the only fucus vesiculosis i can seem to get hold of in uk is in liquid form & apparently the 'active' ingredient for thyroid is in the solid bit of seaweed.so i stopped using it. i have bought seaweed but the stuff from supermarket(ie;wakame,arame etc) is a tad indigestible but i did try dulse by mail order & it is far nicer but seem a bit pricey especially when taking into accoount p&p.however i gave the company details to my hfs & he said he'll try to order it so hopefully it might work out cheaper i don't know.how much seaweed does one need to eat to regulate a thyroid.would it be a little per day or a lot once a week.(how much?) what other things can i do to help my thyroid.
by the way i'm still constipated i'm up to 4000mg time release vitamin c & i only poo-ed once today & likewise the last few days,i much prefer it when i've been 2-3 times any ideas (other than a stick of dynamite!!!)would it be ok to keep upping the vit c until motions loosen up?i have been taking 2 in morning 2 at night perhaps take the extra one(s) midday? well thanks again for all your endeavours take care love debs ps. hope i didn't put anyone off their breakfast!
:-) Hi, debs! :-) The 5BX routine is 4 exercises, then a run or a walk. The weight routine is twice (or thrice) per week, and that's a separate thing.
Nutritional yeast most certainly helps thyroid function, along with all its other great attributes. "Glandulars" are supplements. One brand may contain only one kind of animal gland extract (like thymus), whilst others have several extracts, and may also have some B vits in there as "helpers."
Fucus vesiculosis (bladderwrack) can be used in in water-based preparations (the active part, the fucose, is not soluble in alcohol). As long as the liquid you buy is not alcohol-based, it's fine for your use. However, it's better to get the bladderwrack capsules from NAP, as they're more effective, and it's quite difficult to find a water-based formulation in stores.
One bowel movement daily may be quite normal for you! but it is quite safe to proceed up to your saturation dosage (loose stools) and cut back a bit from there. If you're eating three full meals (including plenty of veg (with all its fiber)), I think you'll make it to 3 poos per day! Keep me posted, and take care, my dear! :-)
Hi Heidi. I'm a B+ expecting to receive the results of my secretor test within the next week or so. I have two questions.
The first one is about meat, and the second one is about grains. I have found sources for organic lamb and beef. The lamb is grain-fed and the beef is grass-fed. According to my research, cows that are fed grass produce CLA, which is good for you, but when they are fed grain they produce a different fatty acid that causes all the health problems red meat gets such a bad reputation for. Is this true for lambs as well? If it is, which is better for me: grain-fed lamb or grass-fed beef? I'm under the impression that type B's are supposed to try to stick with beneficial meats and limit the neutral ones.
As for my other question, I have been following a gluten-free diet for celiac disease for about a year and a half now. Rice flour does not make very good baked goods unless it is used in combination with other alternative flours, but it turns out all the other flours I have gotten so used to working with are avoids! This is kind of distressing because I was just starting to feel like I had a really good handle on this gluten-free stuff and now everything has changed on me again. I'm trying not to whine about it, but gosh darn it, this stinks!:-( Do you know of anyone else in this predicament, and if so how do they handle it? Thanks for your help, Heidi. I've been reading your column every day for a couple of months now, and you do a really great job. Jessica
Hey there, Jessica! Welcome!
How about venison or rabbit? Turkey is a decent source of CLA as well. ;-) I'd use the lamb for the most part over beef, but do include some beef as well.
Go to the bottom of this page, and enter the search term "cookbook." There are a number of cookbook (and suggestions from other gluten-free folks on adapting recipes), and perhaps you can pick up some tips there. Let me know how your secretor test turns out, and we'll put our heads together at that point on helping you get back in the swing of alternative flour cooking!
Very best wishes, dear!! :-)
Notes & Quotes & Reports! Sprouts? Supp Q ...Yogurt-Making! :-)
May 13th, 2001 , by admin
Bonjour Heidi, Seems like I have read several posts lately of people complaining about dry eyes.....so thought I'd make a suggestion - though it has nothing to do with diet!
I suffered from "dry eye syndrome" for years and finally stopped wearing contact lenses due to it. Well, 3 years ago, before I came to France, I went to see my opthamologist in LA and he suggested putting plugs in tear ducts in my eyes. (I think they are some kind of silicone, but not sure.) Anyhoo, it was a miracle! I seldom need any eye drops now, and was formerly an addict. I had asked him about the laser surgery to correct vision, but he did not recommend it for me due to dry eyes - even with the plugs. Other note, one can plug both ducts in each eye, but my doc said it was a really bad idea (just in case anyone's doctor mentions it...). Also, I'm pretty sure the plugs can be removed relatively easily if for some reason they don't work out.
Soooooo, if anyone out there still has problems with dry eyes after your suggestion to add salt to their drinking water, they may have a chat with their opthamologist about plugs.
Another note: I have been putting salt (more like 3 good size pinches of good sea salt "fleur de sel") in my 1 1/2 liter water bottle for 2-3 months now, and I have noticed that the fine lines on my forehead, cheeks, and around my mouth are diminishing! The French cosmetic ladies have always told me I was dehydrated, and all the expensive creams I have been using to combat this did nada! So, a HUGE merci to you, Heidi!!!!!!!! a bientot, Abby
Thanks for the tip, Abby ~~ and amazing what regular old sea salt can do, eh? Keep shining, dear! :-)
Hi Heidi! R.e. A's, cortisol & depression -- my understanding through my old nutritional chiropractor, is that for women excess cortisol gets in the way of progesterone and blocks it from receptors on cells. This would lead to an imbalance of progesterone & estrogen and in effect create estrogen dominance and all the associated symptoms, like fatigue, depression, low libido & PMS. So it is one way that stress can really affect quality of life! Also I think I remember my chiro saying that cortisol intereres with thyroid hormone in the same way, which would affect energy & lots else, regardless of gender. Anyway, here's to stress reduction! (o:Maia
I'll drink to that! ;-)
Hi Heidi :-) My daughter, A nonnie, is doing great. No cough since starting the Polyflora A. She starts Kindergarten in a couple of weeks so I am glad that is in place.
My A nonnie sister is doing incredibly well. Between your response and a visit to Doc Bron, she is on the right track. She has so embraced the BTD and eats not one avoid. She used to go about 4-5 times per month, now it is that but per week. She no longer has a chronic urinary tract infection (UTI) and if she feels one coming on then she sips some tea made from corn silk that Doc Bron recommended and it stops it dead in its tracks. Since going on this diet she has become so attuned to her body.
Thanks so much Heidi for all of your help with my family and friends. The changes are truly wonderful and inspiring! Best, Nina
Great news, Nina ~~ it's a pleasure to hear!
About your friend who works on a boat -- could you re-vamp the message, in terms of the times he sleeps, wakes, and works? I did switch the hours around as requested, but then wasn't sure how it all worked -- that's why I didn't print that Q. thanks, dear, and be well!! :-)
Sprouting - I am a type A non-secretor. Wheat is listed as an avoid in all forms. However is sprouted wheat and wheatgrass beneficial? Similarly what about sprouted corn, garbanzo beans, pistachios and so on that are listed as avoids prior to being sprouted. Once they are sprouted are they all safe? Can one assume that once a seed, nut or grain is sprouted it can be removed from the avoid list? And do you know of a good source of specific information on the nutritional value of sprouted versus non-sprouted forms of grains, nuts and seeds. I am interested in comparing the bioavailability of macro and micro nutrients and enzymes before and after sprouting and before and after dehydration of sprouts. Thanks, Thomas
Greetings, Thomas ~ Sprouted classic grains, such as wheat, rye, spelt, and the like, are great for type A. Wheat grass and barley grass are beneficial for everyone.
As to corn, beans, and nuts, the results of sprouting are somewhat different, and we do not have test results on their values -- so no, we don't assume that sprouting any avoid will turn it into a beneficial.
I don't have at hand a ready nutritional comparison reference such as the one you're seeking. A thorough web search may turn up the info -- or perhaps one of the knowledgeable readers around here can recommend a good reference work?
Thanks for your message, Thomas! :-)
Dear Heidi, I missed you on your hiatus! Your column, wise advise and the knowledge I'm not alone helps keep me dedicated to this path. Question: Leo from Heallix sends a jar of Body Tune-up every time I order Heallix. I'm not sure if it's ok to take. The ingredients are ginseng, licorice root, hawthorn berry, astragalus, yerba mate, aloe vera, echinacea, sarsaparilla, yucca, capsicum, fulvic acid. maybe I'll just send it back to him if it's not good for type O. Thanks, Emme, o-non
Greetings, Emme! There are, regrettably, some O-avoid ingredients there: aloe vera, echinacea and yucca. Bs & ABs are OK with yucca, but not with aloe. The closest fit I can think of would be type A nonsecretors -- if it weren't for the yucca. Looks like we've got to get Leo on the blood type program! ;-) I owe him a note, so let's see what I can do! thanks for your Q, Emme! :-D
Dear Heidi and all yoghurt lovers,
Fortunately I picked up an old Breville yoghurt maker in a garage sale; I don't know if they are still made (commercial interests would not like that as it is such a saving!). It is simply a plastic tub which must have a thermostat in the works which keeps it at blood heat. It fits a large jar (any large jar left over from drinking chocolate etc).
I boil soymilk (best quality, creamy), the volume being just under the capacity of the jar I plan to use.I let it cool to blood heat, either naturally, or in a cold water basin if I'm in a hurry, stir in a teaspoon of the prior yoghurt (or from a commercial one, even if dairy, as there is so little involved) and place it in the jar, in the electric tub.
I then leave it for 5-6 hours.
As you probably know, it is really important not to have the milk too warm, but it has to be prior boiled to eliminate stray bugs. If I didn't have the electric tub, I'd try doing it in a frypan with water in the bottom, set at the lowest possible level, with a low,flat container lifted off the base. Now that I have a thermometer for thyroid function testing, maybe I'll test the soymilk temperature and get to a more scientific level!
By the way, I've met some ERFYT enthusiasts in my suburb, and we plan to get together for support. It was fun cooking for my O granddaughter while she stayed with me and she has gone away bubbling with enthusiasm. My A2 status is taking some time to adjust to, as I have always loved eating too much grain, cereal, bread etc - they were my mainstay. Now, only one of them, once a day is a serious and almost impossible challenge, but when I achieve it, I can feel the difference.Cheerio, Jenny (Melbourne)
Fabulous news! I hope you're VERY proud of the progress you're making with the A2 modifications -- and your beneficial effect on family & friends!
Thanks so much for the yogurt instructions!! Be well, and enjoy it!! :-D
Surprise! :-) ... Type A Depression ~ Type B Stress Injuries ~ Note from Marshal ~Celiac in Sweden !
May 12th, 2001 , by admin
Hey there, folks ~ I just discovered that the bulletin board archives are open & available for reading! HOO-rah! This was quite a surprise, and I can't be sure how long we'll have access to them, so enjoy while they're open! Start with any search you like, using the mainpage Search link, and have a rockin' good time. ~~:-D
Hi Heidi....welcome back. Dr. D. wrote in detail about type O and depression today in his column. It was very interesting. I'd like to know about depression in type A specifically but it might be helpful to others with depression to understand their brain chemistry differences as it applies to blood types. The BT encyclopedia doesn't elaborate quite enough for me. Maddy
Thanks for the welcome, Maddy! I don't have at hand a great deal of material on type A and depression, so I nosed around a bit and found the following which appear to give clues to the mechanism of depression in type As:
from http://www.dadamo.com/disease3.htm
(emphasis added)
(Involutional depression is age-related, and more common in the very elderly. Remember that some B vitamins are poorly assimilated (and generally absent in the diet) of many elderly people, and that may well be a factor in this particular syndrome. Type As need a lot of extra B vitamins when under stress. They have far less intrinsic factor (which declines further with age), so require co-factors such as active B12 in order to maintain neural health and move smoothly through their 24-hour "function clocks." Taking these elements into consideration, it looks like melatonin production can be more severely skewed in As as a group, in general. That increased susceptibility to circadian rhythm disturbance must play a huge role in type A depression. I also think that the predilection for high cortisol, translating into constant low-level irritation as well as stressor hypersensitivity, can bring As to a "breaking point" or "give-up point" if it is persistently overproduced over a long period of time -- another mechanism whereby the door may be opened to bitterness and depression.)
Here's something I ran across at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/gui/c/a1r/show/NCT00001413?order=17&JServSessionIdzone_ct=z3gtoswvj1 -- the description of a NIMH study, "Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Major Depression" (now recruiting subjects - it will be a while before a report is available):
(emphasis added)
As we know, group A has the lowest levels of IAP (intestinal alkaline phosphatase) of all the ABO types. IAP not only breaks down fat, but is involved in calcium assimilation as well. Adequate calcium is required for many neural functions, and most folks just don't get enough of it In A Form They Can Assimilate. ;-) -- I suspect type As are overrepresented among calcium-deficient people, and this would certainly be a factor in the incidence of depression in this group.
Another aspect of ABO biochemistry is monoamine oxidase (MAO). Type As with depression appear to benefit from MAO inhibitors (like St. John's Wort as Os do not due to their already-rather-low MAO. So -- do As perhaps produce more MAO than the other types? if so, does this make them more likely to experience certain kinds of depression? food for further thought!
I'd like to hear from anyone with some insights on this fascinating area of ABO brain chemistry -- the lines are open!! :-)
Hi Heidi! I'd like to say first that you really amaze me with the personal interest you take in each person. Thank you for your genuine concern.
This is the 2nd time I have ever written you. I am type B, 43 years old, secretor status unknown. My question concerns a problem which, while not acute, has affected my life for several years now. I seem to have a tendency toward repetetive strain injuries. I had what I assumed was carpal tunnel syndrome, though my chiropractor explained it was not the carpal tunnel, but another ligament. This persisted for a good part of a year (I was doing medical transcription at the time).
I pulled something in my groin area which caused me to lay off my exercise routine for several months. Now for about the past 8-10 months I have had tennis elbow (I don't play tennis or any regular actitivity that you would associate with this). Do you have any thoughts on a nutritional basis for this?
I am about 80-90% compliant with BT diet for about 3 years now. Also wanted to add that for over a decade I suffered with sleep problems (fall asleep easily, but awake about 2:30 am for several hours) and anxiety problems (generalized - worried about nothing in particular, but everything in general). I took several routes in treating this from pharmaceutical drugs to Chinese medicine doctor. Recently I gave up caffeine (although I have always drank only 1 cup per day of coffee)and chocolate (though I never was a big chocoholic). I couldn't believe it, but my sleep problems and anxiety are almost completely gone (or down to tolerable levels).
Not one single professional asked about caffeine or suggested that I should stop. And who would have thought 1 cup per day could have made the difference. Just wanted to offer that in case it helps anyone else. This definitely convinces me that some people are just that much more sensitive to caffeine than others.
OH! Sorry to be lengthy, but one more question. I have had trouble with dryness (eyes - every morning use artificial tears upon awakening and can't use contact lenses because of the dryness) as well as lack of vaginal lubrication. Could these problems be related? This has been with me for over a decade as well. Thank you Heidi. Wendy
Hey there, Wendy! :-) I'm wondering if general full hydration plus some mineral supplementation might help with your ligaments as well as your secretions. Peter noted some time ago that manganese (100 mg daily for four to six weeks) can be helpful to tighten up ligaments (if that is the side of the problem you're experiencing). Surely, a good gentle stretching as a warm-up AND cool-down around any demanding activity is definitely called for, to keep the muscles and ligaments supple. Do you practice T'ai Chi, or meditate? When we live hectic lifestyles, we can get a little abrupt with our movements and may not be as aware of where in the body we're habitually storing tension. T'ai Chi or Qi Gong are wonderful for locating and releasing those armored areas.
I'm truly pleased you discovered that caffeine was the culprit in your sleep disturbances. If you're interested, take a look at this Caffeine and Migraine site. It has a rather exhaustive list of products containing caffeine. Some of them came as quite a surprise. :-)
I do want to encourage you to start drinking 1/2 ounce of water per pound of bodyweight daily, with a tiny pinch of sea salt and a wee squeeze of lemon in each quart. Second, use Phytocal-B! And finally, make up a big batch of broth from good roasted leftover bones, meat and beneficial vegetables, and include a good shake of sea salt in there. It keeps beautifully in the freezer, and you can take out a single-portion container to boil up as a daily cuppa. I add to the cup some turmeric, cayenne, cumin, nutritional yeast, sea salt, and/or whatever other powdered dry herbs or spices suit my fancy. It's just a lovely thing, and will stock you up on the minerals I think you may be a little low on right now. GREAT for sound sleep, as well! :-)
Be well, and thanks for your message!! :-D
Dear Heidi, How are You? Last year I gave Dr. D'Adamo's blood type series books to a friend of mine and his wife. It was his 36th birthday. They are both "A" Positive. His occupation is that of a bartender between two taverns, working between 60 to 70 hours a week. Sometime ago, not having seen my friend, Tom, the bartender, in 6 months, he was quite happy. He had lost approximately 30 pounds following Dr. D'Adamo's blood type "A" diet. He said that it was one of the best things that ever happened to him. He is now trying to quit smoking. Tom was a "medic" in the U.S. Army years ago. The "FLIP" side of all this is that Tom has had the same reaction as I have had when trying to explain Dr. D'Adamo's blood type program to various individuals, including his former colleagues in the Army. In plain language, they did everything from laugh to saying that he was crazy. HEIDI, THIS IS JUST ANOTHER REMINDER THAT THIS COUNTRY HAS A LONG WAY TO GO TO BECOMING NUTRITION AND HEALTH ORIENTED ON A NATIONAL SCALE. HEIDI, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR ALL THE HARD WORK THAT YOU HAVE DONE, AND ARE STILL DOING! God bless you and your family, God bless the U.S.A.. - Marshal in Wichita, KS
AGREED! :-> Thanks so much for the work you're doing in that direction, Marshal -- and congratulations on your friend's success! He should be VERY proud of his accomplishments, and I'm sure he's thankful for your excellent advice!! Blessings, dear!!
Hi! I am 0+ and very allergic to gluten. I think it is called celiac in english (I live in Sweden). I am confused about a few things: Can I eat sprouted wheat? My doctor says no but in the 0 diet it is OK, as the lectins in the seed coat are gone. Does it become gluten free???
In the food lists gluten free bread is OK. I used to eat naturally gluten free bread (due to my extreme sensitivity to gluten), but it is made of starch and fibers from rice, corn and potatoes! And that would not work at all for me, would it? Is the gluten free bread in the lists made of wheat starch? I use fibers from potatoes in my cooking (called POFIBER in Swedish)because it is the best substitute for bread crumbs I know of. Should I stop?
(I actually have reactions to oats as well, so there is not much left to use...) I suppose meat from moose and reindeer (very easy to get here) is good for me although they are nowhere to be found in the lists?
I am very keen on following the O type diet closely as I still have problems that the celiac diagnose two years ago did not ease (although it litterally saved my life because I was very ill!) I have lost much weight, but have a few stubborn kilograms to go. I get bruses far to easily (it really looks bad) but mainly my problem is chronic fatigue and muscle pain. Do you know anyone working with this diet in Sweden? I have not found one yet, although many have heard of the diet. I have not been able to find anyone to do the secretor/non secretor test for example. (I eat soy-products a lot instead of dairy and because I am used to it as I used to be a vegetarian.) I hope you can help me find some answers! Thank you! Love, Helena
Helena
Greetings, Helena! As a celiac patient, you need to avoid all gluten grains whether sprouted or not. In fact, gluten is present in some products as well. Do a websearch in your language, using the terms "celiac" "gluten-free" "products" "safe." You should be able to find good resources on avoiding gluten -- you must avoid it altogether in order to heal.
And yes, you certainly need to avoid corn in every form, and potatoes in every form. Reading the ingredients of each and every product you buy, and comparing those ingredients to (1) the ingredients on your food list and (2) the list I hope you'll find online of gluten-containing products and common supplements. Some of those products will surprise you -- and I would attempt to get you some kind of list in English, but you'll need to have a reference for products you would see in your local markets there in Sweden.
Can you obtain supplements from www.stacktheme.com ? Such as Deflect-O? It would be of great help in your healing. Stacktheme can also get you a secretor test. Peter uses a product called "Seacure" for Crohn's/colitis patients (inflammation, as you are experiencing as well). It is a peptide made from whitefish -- ask your doctor if he can obtain it for you, and do a web search there to find it if he's unfamiliar with it.
Moose and reindeer would be fine for you. The more meat, fish and vegetables (and some fruit) you can eat, the better! Fill up on those things, and try to avoid the grains!! Limit your bean foods (including soy) three servings per week (or less). The chronic fatigue and bruising will fade if you keep to those foods (and supplement with some good oils from your list, as well as some Phytocal-O from stacktheme, above).
SWEDISH FOLKS, can anyone lend a "local hand" to Helena? :-}
VERY best wishes, Helena, and please write again if we can be of additional help to you! Do keep in touch! :-)
Cool Veg Gly Stuff from Cyndi ~ Serious Ear Infections, type O ~ How much is too much PolyFlora? ~ Grasses & Juicing, & more... :-)
May 11th, 2001 , by admin
Here's some info on glycerol. I noted that a few people were curious about whether it had any downside. This is undoubtedly an incomplete picture--but it's a start! Best, Cyndi
[LENGTHY COMPANY DISCLAIMER HERE REMOVED - basically states they bear no liability for the completeness or accuracy of the info. It's available from the contact listed at the end of the article, if desired. ;-) - H]
Thanks a bunch for posting this info, Cyndi! The study group of 30 people is tiny by modern research standards, but at least it gives us a very rough starting point from which we can figure out how much is OK and how much is too much.
One question (of many) that popped into mind is, were the subjects eating or drinking anything else during the experiment? - if so, what, and how much, and ABO type, etc.? How long was the experiment continued? Guess that's more than one question, but I'd certainly like to learn more.
So, now we have a handle on how to moderate our glycerine intake.
(1) Multiply your weight in pounds by .45 to get your weight in kg.
(2) Multiply that figure by 700 to get your upper limit of veg gly consumption in mg.
(3) Divide that figure by 1000 (or just move the decimal point three places to the left) to get the amount in grams.
(4) Divide that figure by 225 to get the quantity in "cups."
(5) Keep your daily intake reasonably below that limit! :-D
I think that most of us who use veg gly are putting a teaspoon of it into our tea, or glugging a tablespoon or two when cravings hit, or using 1/2-to-1 cup in big batches of candies or baked goods. So, just another little reminder to exercise prudence and keep a balance in all things. ;-)
BIG thanks to Cyndi for posting this info -- again, MUCH appreciated, dear!!
:-D
Dear Heidi, thanks so much for all your help! i read you faithfully,but this question is for my adult type O daughter. She is interested in the diet but has food issues with meat and fat. In the last six months she has had two severe ear infections, leading to the ear drum bursting and a round of antibiotics. She is desperate enough to listen to any input you and your readers may have. By the way she has cut way down on dairy and wheat in the last year. Sincerely,Nancy
Greetings, Nancy! When you say "food issues with meat and fat," do you mean physiological issues, or emotional ones? If her digestion is difficult or sluggish, a digestive enzyme like "pancreatic enzymes" sold at most supp stores will help if taken with meat meals for a few weeks. Bromelain is another helpful protein-digestive.
Increasing her protein will stimulate intestinal alkaline phosphatase, which will in turn break down dietary fat nicely (and boost calcium assimilation as well).
How about fish? There's a huge range of O-OK seafoods to choose from. If she has emotional issues surrounding eating animals, let her know that her biological needs for this kind of diet are a given -- they don't change, no matter how we may feel about it (unfortunately!!). ;-> Her choice is between illness and health -- and only she can make the decision. I hope she chooses a path away from illness!!
The antibiotics will not prevent recurrence of her infections -- only changing her diet can do that -- and antibiotics overwhelmingly cause digestive and vaginal yeast problems which she should start defending against, by using PolyFlora-O and getting strictly on her diet, emphasizing animal proteins, beneficial vegetables and fruit, and some nuts and seeds as fill-ins.
Blessings, Nancy - I'm sorry she's had to go through this painful experience! Please let me know if there's anything I can help with, OK? :-)
Heidi: I'm addicted to your column! Sooo missed your absense last week. Here's my question: is it possible to take too many Polyflora O? I pop them all day long, but lately I've had some strange symptoms and after eliminating everything else, I'm wondering if I'm overdoing the probiotics. My symptoms are acne-like red dots only on the tops of my thighs (some are pussy). Also, I've had pain in my upper right thoracic area, one spot of which my accupuncturist says is right along the meridian for small intestine. What do you think? Carolyn
Hey there, Carolyn!
I'm looking back over your Qs of this year & last, which gave me some info on the supplements you take, but I can't find anything about your diet. :-(
Could you fill me in a little on that front, just for my information? I realize you've pinpointed the problem in this case, but I'd feel better giving my suggestions to you if I knew what y'all's eatin.' ;-)
You mentioned back in May that you have a very sensitive digestive system. The label on PolyFlora indicates a dosage of only four caps per day, so taking them well in excess of that number wouldn't be advisable. Think of something like sea salt: it's fabulous for providing natural mineral concentrations in just the right balance for us, but if you only take 1/4 teaspoon daily it won't be effective -- while if you eat a full cup of it, you won't like the results, either. ;-)
This doesn't mean sea salt is toxic. ;-> Everything has a range within which it is useful, and outside of which its effectiveness diminishes. So, limit your PolyFlora dosage to 4 caps daily, and let me know how it goes! Best wishes, my dear! :-D
Heidi, thanks so much for your quick, kind, and encouraging reply to my letter. I have come to seek daily, the info and guidance that you give to everyone each day, and although it took a few months to get up the courage to write myself, I am so glad I did.
I have ordered a juicer (here's a dumb question - do you find wheat grass and barley in a health food store, or do you use the powdered versions?) and have started the heallix as you suggested. I have printed the sensible health site info, and will begin the flush soon. Do you think I should do the gall bladder flush and the liver flush, or is that too much at once?
And the big question - do you really feel these problems will be able to be eliminated completely? Can I actually believe that? And do you think my father and his mother both were also non secretors? Or do you think they and I have something else that makes us a bit different than most folks.
Sorry for all these questions, but they have been tormenting me for many many years. I spent about 5000.00 dollars on a candida program from a nutritionist, with all the testing and supplements, hoping to solve them, and though it regulated my intestines, and brought the candida under control, it did nothing for my mouth and skin odors. I wish I had connected with the diet and with your help long, long ago ! Thanks again for all you do for everyone- Carrie Ann
Hello, dear! I am pleased as all get-out that you enjoy the column and benefit from it!! and I'm doubly glad you don't regret writing in. If you hadn't, we would have been that much poorer for your absence. Every time someone plucks up courage to explain their situation and ask for help, a thousand other people are thankful to see a problem addressed that they feel too shy to discuss -- and they, too, benefit from your question, and your courage. :-)
Well, if your wheat/barley grass question is dumb, I'm an idiot! I had to scratch my head over that one. The HFS's I frequent run juice bars, which means they get shipments of those grasses. They come in "flats," square shallow baskets or boxes in which the grass is still growing in a little soil or growth medium. Look around in your area and see if your HFS or organic grocer or farmer's market can get you hooked up with a supply. You can also easily grow them yourself from seed! They're great to have on the windowsill, and if you have cats you need a bunch of them - cats just love the stuff for their digestive health! :-D
By the way, a particular kind of juicer is used to get all the juice out of grasses -- it looks like a little meat grinder with a pointy nozzle (nice technical description, eh?). In some models, this feature is built in, but most of us need to purchase a separate grass juicer for that purpose. (sorry, I guess I may have just upped your expenses a little more!!! But WELL worth it, never fear!! :-})
Now: I'd do the gallbladder flush first, and repeat it at the suggested intervals. Do the liver flush, if desired, after a couple of gallbladder flushes.
$5,000?? Yeeee-ouch!! I'm sure you're glad it cleared up some of your complaints, but... wow, that's a chunk of change. I promise nothing we suggest here will remotely approach that kind of bracket - and I'm sure the results will be satisfying, out of all proportion to their cost. ;-)
YES! YES! I certainly think you will see the elimination of your troubles. They don't come out of thin air - there has to be toxicity, then bacterial involvement, in order to produce the odor you've described. Removing the toxicity gives the bacteria nothing to feed upon, and hammering the bacteria with Heallix along with basic good hygiene sends them on their way that much more quickly. The type A nonsecretor diet, along with a few tips & tricks, will keep the problem from returning EVER. You and your family are not some ancestral line of "smelly people" or anything like that. Turn the thought around in this direction: If you are alive, you can be healthy. That probably does sound stupidly simple to someone who's been through all you've experienced -- but I've found it's absolutely true. These strategies are exceptionally powerful, and deceptively simple in application (thank God for the geniuses who gave them to us).
OK! enough from me -- keep me posted, and don't hesitate to come back with ANY question that arises! Promise? :-D
POLL CONTINUES -- Readers Offer Tips & Recipes ... Happy Campers Report ... and the word keeps spreading!!! :-)
May 10th, 2001 , by admin
As you may have heard, it's possible we'll have a new interactive space at dadamo.com: the Premium Content web. It would host a wide variety of message boards with an entirely new look and functionality -- in tandem with a wealth of other features I think you'll find intriguing.
Drop by Peter's As I See It column for an overview of what the new boards would offer & how they'd work.
It's not going to happen right away; it's still in the planning stages. It's only a possibility! To figure out whether it will come to be, or not, we'd like to hear your suggestions on what you'd like it to be, and also if you'd be interested in joining -- having an approximate head count would be very helpful to us in this process.
SO: comments, suggestions, and a show of hands, please? Let me know what you think and whether you'd be interested in joining the new board! Right now it's only a possibility -- so we need your feedback!
~;-D
P.S.: Do try to include a "Yes I would sign up" or a "No, I won't" with your suggestions & comments -- makes it far easier for me! :-)
We'd like to close our "poll" on Sunday, September 28 -- so, spread the news, ask your friends, family & BTD buddies stop by & let us know what they think. Thanks, everyone!! :-D
Heidi, This is for Ann, with the AB children and how to get more greens into them. I am not a real big fan of kale or spinach etc. myself (O non-secretor) so I try to mix them into other foods I do like.
One thing I do is dry the greens in my dehydrator (an oven can be used too), crumble the dried leaves and mix them into things like ground meat patties, sweet potato pancakes, soups, stews, casseroles etc.; anywhere you might use dried parsley. The small amounts you mix in will add up.
I also do this with grated carrots. I make up ground meat (beef, turkey, chicken, whatever) 'burgers' with grated carrot, dried kale and/or spinach, onions, garlic, acceptable bread crumbs, red wine, ume-su and a dab of veg-gly and freeze them. They're great for quick and tasty meals or snacks.
I make homemade 'ketchup' with tomato paste, tomato sauce, lemon juice, ume-su, garlic and onion powder, parsley, oregano, basil etc. and use it on the burgers. Kids would probably respond well to this.
Another way I eat spinach is in an omelet. I pan fry mushrooms and onions and add chopped spinach at the end of cooking (just barely wilt it) and use it as the filling with salt and pepper to taste (or whatever seasoning is good for you).
It goes to say that most greens can be mixed into a salad. Drying the greens is probably not the ideal way to eat greens, but it's probably better than none at all. Hope this helps and gives you some ideas of your own. Paige
Marvelous ideas, Paige -- thanks! I'd forgotten about drying the greens -- they toast up nicely in the oven, and can be tossed with olive oil & salt before baking as well. Dried seaweeds can be tucked into other dishes in the same way. Great tips -- thanks again!! :-D
ABOUT babies and reflux- well the baby could be just very loose in the top of his stomach- My sister and I (both b) and my daughter, my mum and my grandmother (all O) where all very loose - it made us spit most of our milk up- and loose weight- My daughter had a bib with the text "handle with care" and had to be seated in her car seat for at least 30 minutes after feeding -
the solution for all of us was the solids- ricestarch makes a great "concrete" so maybe it has nothing to do with mums diet- just a minor "construction flaw" that sometimes runs in families? Best wishes Henriette B-
:-) A very wet, runny rice cereal may be just the thing to settle that baby's tummy -- thanks so much, Henriette! :-)
^heidi^ Thanks for showing us an organic black cherry juice concentrate source! Anyway, we've been able to get fresh pressed (not from concentrate) organic black cherry juice from Lakewood. (http://www.lakewoodjuices.com) I'm sure this is a seasonal item just like most organic produce! We get their organic pineapple juice also! We are very excited to hear about the future return of a new message board community here! Vicki
:-D thanks for the vote of support, Vicki, and for the info on Lakewood products! :-D Hope your little guy is growing along splendidly! :-)
Lakewood Organics, 305-324-5900 makes a black cherry juice along with many, many other juices. They have a not from concentrate pineapple juice that is wonderful. I belong to a co op and must order by the case, but any local health food store can do the same, or call their number and see what supplier they have in your area.
The juice you mention from Eden is from tart Montmorency cherries. Knudsen, in addition to their black cherry concentrate which is not orgain also has a line called Knudsen Orgainics and they have a tart cherry juice. knudsenjuices.com. My question is, should we use the dark cherry which is wonderfully sweet or only the Eden or Knudsen type which is a tart cherry? Thanks, BarbaraL type O sec
Either one is fine, Barbara! Very grateful for those tips on brand names!
Regarding the lady who wanted Progesterone in the UK, she can buy the American "Emerita Progest Body Cream" from NHM Worldwide the phone number from the UK is 08707 650 304 - I think they are in Ireland. This is natural progesterone aka Dr. John Lee.
Do you have any ideas for a 16 year old boy who sweats constantly. He is more or less blood group compliant, but i can't get his mum to do it all the time. The doc has given him Aluminium Chloride to put on topically which has stopped him sweating completely - this I think is very dangerous. His lymph glands will suffer. Any experience you have on this one would be greatfully received.
Also how do I access the non-secretor "O" sections etc. where people post receipes etc. I can't work out how to get there. I have suddenly become allergic to Essene bread, probably because Ii have been eating it everyday for 2 years! and Ii am also very stressed at the moment.
Rye grains seem to be a problem too. So my breakfast has gone out the window and I am stuck for ideas - can't face eggs every day. I'm O secretor, I think I and millions of others find breakfast the most difficult and unimaginative meal of the day, especially when in a hurry which is most days........!Thank you Heidi, take care, don't overwork too..... Sarah
Hi, Sarah ~ The recipe group you're thinking of is designed for nonsecretors -- and the moderator has to place that limit in order to keep everything on-topic and manageable. However, we have loads of breakfast ideas posted in this column alone -- just enter the term 'breakfast' in the form at the bottom of this page, and have a read through to pick & choose!
About the boy -- aluminum chorhydrate or whatever compound his doctor gave him is undesireable not only for its potential effects on his lymphatic system, but the aluminum is absorbed in a form that can pass the blood-brain barrier and is a risk factor for Alzheimer's -- it's not a good thing for anyone. I'd suggest stress relief exercise for his type (which you didn't mention, but you know where to go for the type-specific assistance), and make sure he gets plenty of dark green leafy veg and a good mineral supplement (and make use of the "Calcium from Almonds" list in Dr. D's column, along with homemade broth as described a few times in this column).
Thanks so much for the progesterone tip -- very useful! Very best wishes, dear!! :-D
I have been on the diet (O+) for 5 weeks now, and cannot say enough good things about the effects it has had on my whole being!
I am an Area Marketing Manager for Borders Books in Los Angeles and literally stumbled across BTD a few months ago in one of my stores. As an ulcerative colitis sufferer, I was looking for a positive approach to the disease that traditional practitioners could not offer. I have a high stress job and the diet really helps me to feel more in control of all of my bits during crazy times. Thank you so much for your dedication and hard work. I am a total convert! Jan
Hoorah! Ulcerative colitis is a horrendous thing to suffer with. Please drop me a note now & again on your progress -- sounds like things are off to a really great start for you. Thanks so much for writing, Jan, and for your kind words!! :-D
Just wanted to update you on my progress. It has been six weeks since I (Type A) started the diet. I have now lost 10 lbs. My cholesterol is down 20 point from last year and my triglycerides down from 107 to 80. Best of all the allergy symptoms that seemed to persist year round are practically non-existent.
I have been telling everyone I know about the diet. Thank you for your positive feedback on my last post. I have been challenged with fertility issues and I am hoping the changes will help out in this department. I did a search on the subject and the three articles you cited under Dr. D'Adamo's column did not come up when I clicked on the link. I purchased ER4YBaby as well as Cook and Live Right. Hopefully, we will get positive results soon. Dawn
Hey there, Dawn -- marvelous results so far!! As your body heals itself, it will be fertile when it's ready to undertake the demands of pregnancy. Keep going, you're doing great!!
About finding the articles on Ask Dr. D'Adamo, here's what I post at the bottom of my columns:
The reason why the links didn't work when you read my column is, his link names change from time to time as his entries are assigned to new dates for viewing on his column. So, do use the search engine in the Ask Dr. D. column, and see if you have any further questions.
Very best wishes on your path to health -- you're doing a splendid job! :-)
I have finally given up coffee for organic gree tea. I had read someone say that they lost weight when they started green tea and it is true! I have lost about 3 pounds just because of that! thank you for all you do on this site. I don't e-mail you often with questions, but I read the message board everyday.
Oh, yes, information about the diet is permeating the populace! I am a high school English teacher and one of the science teachers e-mailed me and asked if I would be interviewed because one of her students is doing a research project on the blood type diet. They are even considering doing a study by choosing so many students to get their blood tested for type and then follow them as they eat according to their type! I never thought it would happen!
I have been talking about this diet to my colleagues for 3 years with no apparent success except I have finally gotten one of them to eat flaxseed. She is o+ and has all of the classic problems for her type. Anyway, I can't wait to talk to the student about my success on the diet. Mine have been very slow changes because I am not 100% compliant. Going back to the coffee/green tea, I have simply lost my taste for coffee and I attribute it to the diet.
My blood pressure plummeted (I had been on medication for 3 years) and my hair quite breaking off (I swim) just to name a few of my successes. I didn't mean to go on and on, but I am a convert. Sue
Hey there, Sue - Yep, it was our dear friend Carl in Hawaii who'd switched to green tea... and remarked that without changing anything else, he'd suddenly lost his tummy! how careless of him, you might say! ;->
It's a great pleasure to see schools getting involved with this plan. Bit by bit, inch by inch, with time the truth prevails over great obstacles. Many thanks for your long-awaited report -- and bless you for being part of the solution!! ~:-D
Tale of the Heart & Lungs -- Lecithin for fungus -- Qs from Alia -- Supps, B'fast, Vinegar, Water, Topicals... and Eagle swooooops by! :-D
May 9th, 2001 , by admin
Hello Heidi, This is such a wonderful experience of how others are coping with various aspects of health. Thank you again for your great work. I feel a lot of compassion here, coming from everyone.
I am enjoying Nina's Nonnie Nuggets (aka the nonnie recipes group) ;-D as well. Nina is doing a fabulous job with that group.
I've been dealing with some recent test results that have me looking everywhere I can (inner and outer) for information that might clue me in to what's going on with my body right now. Your reply to Cindi (of our same group) on 7/13 about looking at the condition (her feet) as metaphor was pure synchronicity for me--and I've had several instances of that lately. I had already begun looking at my problems from that vantage point (metaphor), so it was not a complete surprise to run into it in your column. :-)
My problems: lungs and heart. Almost a year ago I developed breathing problems after being heavily exposed to mold (a week of sitting outside on a visit with my sis, not realizing that mold was everywhere in her yard and in the air). I even went to the emergency room, feeling that I could not get my breath and that a large elephant had taken up residence on my chest. They sent me home with steroid inhalers, which I used because I really needed to breathe! ;-{
Then some months later, after it was determined that I was indeed very allergic to inhaled mold, ragweed, and tree pollen, I did some detective work into the timing of all my symptoms and realized that I had had some slight breathing problems for a year or more--long story short, I'm sensitive to copier ink and had been working part-time in a place that used a copier many times a day. I've now been taking allergy shots and they seem to be helping, and I've had tests that show that this is NOT asthma, for which I'm grateful, but it does make my lungs feel as if they have been scraped raw. I've been off the steroid inhalers since the first of the year and have been slowly getting my energy back from the adrenal depletion they caused.
Recently I had a CT scan that showed some scarring and some nodules in both lungs. I will probably have another scan in a few months to see if what was found is worsening. Meanwhile, my allergies continue to affect my lungs. The CT scan also showed some atherosclerosis in my left coronary artery. Concerned about this, my family practice doc sent me to a cardiologist who did bloodwork and a cardiolyte scan and stress test. Blood lipids and homocysteine were normal, but my C-reactive protein was elevated, which indicates inflammation somewhere and which cardiologists see as a marker for heart disease risk, along with the atherosclerosis. My heart checked out fine on the scan, though; but there was a brief episode of atrial fibrillation immediately after the stress part of the test. I have had brief episodes of AF before, not knowing their name, always when I was under stress. As long as they are infrequent and caused by adrenaline surge, I'm not in too much danger of clots and stroke.
The doc wanted to start me on a statin drug (they have been in the news lately for benefitting heart disease and other conditions), but I told her that I'd rather see if I could reduce the risk by altering my lifestyle rather than taking a drug. She said okay; I'm to be retested in a year.
So, I am looking in depth into the metaphors for both of these problems that have arisen. I will check with my chiropractor again about using quercetin for the inflammation. He uses applied kinesiology to test my body's reaction to my supplements every time I see him, and so far, my body has said it didn't need quercetin, whenever he checked. It also rejected Cortisol, as well as Respiratone. Of course I will check them again next week when I see him again. I have utmost confidence in him and in his muscle testing, as he has diagnosed and treated several less serious problems that have arisen for me in the past 5 years, and he is a champion of the BTD. I am following the A non-secretor regime closely--heavily using beneficials with some neutrals, no avoids. I take Polyflora A (my body says it loves it!), ARA 6, ginko biloba, extra vitamin C, and occasional ginseng. My stomach won't tolerate MSM, but I'll look into vitamin A and CoQ 10. I eat lots of ginger and garlic daily, artichoke several times a week. I'll check my body's reaction to hawthorne once again.
I have been very healthy all of my life (I'm 65), but I seem lately to be susceptible to stress, ever since I went back to school in my late 50s (I received my BA in 98). Now I'm a full time grad student--with student loans to prove it! I am back doing meditation and about to start a yoga practice. I had to give up my part time job, so my only 'jobs' (read 'stresses') are my studies (writing: creative nonfiction) and living on a very tight budget; but being a typical A, I can get pretty stressed when I'm stressed! So, do I have a question? hmmm.... I guess I was just checking in. Do you think Healix would address any of my problems? I have to consider it carefully before I spend the money on it. Also, I am interested in the ongoing tinnitus saga, because I'm experiencing that as well--and it seems to have gotten louder. I feel as if my body is yelling at me--and I'm determined to find out what it's saying! Meanwhile, if you do have any suggestions, I would appreciate them. My apologies for the long email. Sayrah (my Nonnie group Name)
Hi, Sayrah ~ While you're having some of those supps retested, you might include red yeast rice. Statin drugs are not worth the side effects when ryr can give you better results, in my opinion. You also might ask your DC to test n-acetyl cysteine (a component of Respiratone) alone, as well as lungwort, mullein, etc. You may be reacting poorly to one ingredient only, in which case you could design your own lung-support supp from the rest of those items. Same for the Cortiguard.
Heallix is superb for tissue healing and for keeping the mouth clear of bacteria implicated in heart problems (especially in nonnies). It can even be inhaled into the lungs, in fact (stings and you'll cough, but it gets some down there direct on those tissues) and is safely used that way.
I am very much convinced that the yoga practice will change your life in wonderful ways. Don't forget the little alternate nostril breathing practice, which you can do in a few minutes and is remarkably effective in lowering cortisol!
I'm looking forward to hearing your progress & reports on the supp testing... and the allegories of heart and lungs... enjoy your creative and scholarly undertakings, and do keep me posted! :-D
Heidi, I would like to suggest lecithin for Eagle and her son and the fungus, wart problems. A friend had nail fungus so bad it was pushing the nails right off of her hands and it smelled BAD too. Her many trips to the dermatologist did no good. I also have a niece who suffered with many warts on her hands and nothing did any good that her Dr tried, and the school kids were making fun of her. When I researched these two problems, the answer was LECITHIN. Both people took the capsules and corrected their problems. Too much fat in the diet was the cause of the fungus (according to the literature)as I remember asking my friend if she ate a lot of fat and gravies from marbled meats and she said yes that she loved them. About three months later she called me and said I should see her nails, that they looked as if they had been done at the beauty parlor! Perhaps Eagle and her son could try lecithin and have good results too. Theresa
Suggestions welcome!! Many thanks for this, Theresa! :-D
Hi Heidi- This is Alia again. I want to give you a big "thanks" for answering my question regarding the appropriate calories consumed per day for my weight (100 Lbs.) and tips for my stressful life at this moment. I started to reduce my grain portions slightly and noticed a vast difference. But now, if I do not want to lose any more weight, should I increase my grain portions or would my body benefit more by increasing another food tier/area?
I have three more questions for you today. My first question is in regards to the appropriate grain portion sizes for Type A Secretors. I've been utilizing the "Type A Food, Beverage, and Supplement" Booklet as my reference guide. However, the other day, I just purchased my second copy of LR4YT, since my other copy has been with a friend who lives out-of-state. Like a typical detailed "A", I flipped through the food tiers and noticed that there was a big difference in 'grain portions'. For your immediate disposal, the "A Blood Type Food, Beverage & Supplement" booklet reads: Grains/Pasta/Bread: Portion: 1/2 cup dry grains, 1 muffin, or 2 slices of bread Type A Secretor (Asian): 7-10 times a week The LY4YT book reads: Grains and Starches: Portion: 1 cup dry grains or pastas Type A Secretor (Asian): 7-10 times a week Heidi, can you please clear up the ambigious portion size information for me? There is a vast difference between consuming 1/2 cup to 1 cup of dry grains 7-10 times a week. Again, I am not looking to lose any weight; but I do not want to overdo it on the grains, even though A's do better on grains than other blood types. Since purchasing LY4YT, I've been following the guidelines from the book, instead of the "A" booklet, since it is the most current information regarding portion sizes.
Question #2: What is your position on soaking nuts for a few hours and drying them out thoroughly before eating them as they are suppose to be made more digestable? And should we only buy raw nuts/seeds?
Question #3: My last question is in regards to unrefined oils and refrigeration. I am still conflicted by all the information out there on what unrefined oils are necessary to refrigerate. Currently, I refrigerate 1 bottle of organic flax oil, 1 bottle of unrefined toasted walnut oil and 1 bottle of unrefined sunflower oil. Is it really necessary to refrigerate the latter two oils (which I use very frequently for my salads). Do unrefined oils become rancid over time due to light and heat or do they go rancid immediately? Also, if I keep these oils along with my extra virgin olive oil in a dark place, such as my sliding cabinet drawer near the ground, would this suffice as keeping it away from heat and light? Also, I only open the drawer to reach for my olive oil. I'll stop rambling on and let you get to some other queries. Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer my questions. -Alia
Hi, Alia! I'm glad the previous info was helpful for you!
About juggling grain portions: you've discovered it's highly effective for weight control, so it's fine to use it for that purpose. Type As tend to do well with a serving of whole grain, daily or thereabouts -- but other foods offer far more in the way of beneficial elements of all kinds. So, experiment with squashes and foods high in beneficial polysaccharides (okra comes to mind there) as well.
#1: Personally, I think all the books' grain serving sizes should be consistent with the lowest ones published, but in any case they are bald averages and only for the most rudimentary guidance. We all should use our own average "normal" serving according to height, weight, activity level and balance with the volume of the other (i.e. vegetable and fruit) foods we eat. You are a far lighter person than the "average" individual upon which these recommendations are meant to be based, so you should certainly put them aside completely and use an average for youhelping of the particular grain product -- balanced with the other foods, as noted above.
#2. Fresh, raw organic seeds & nuts are to be preferred over commercially-roasted ones, since the oils are better preserved through home baking or toasting than in the flash-heat process used by many manufacturers. The soaking (/sprouting) process is claimed to make nuts more easily digestible -- if you find this is so for you, there's certainly no reason why you shouldn't do so.
#3. Again, I am not a titled authority on the subject of oil storage ;-) , but common sense and experience have taught me that the principles I outlined in that previous column do apply to oil "shelf life." Yes, unrefined oils DO become rancid over time with exposure to light & heat -- and each type of oil, and each batch thereof, has a slightly different natural "life" outside of dark refrigeration (even within it). Flax oil should always, always be refrigerated, from the moment of manufacture until you open it, preferably in bottles that do not allow light to reach the oil. For the rest, it becomes a matter of how quickly that product acquires any off odor or taste; how much room you have to refrigerate everything (all oils will last longer in the fridge, especially in those dark bottles I mentioned, so if you CAN stick 'em all in there, do!); and how long one bottle lasts you. If you're going to use up a tiny bottle of sunflower oil within a few days, and really can't give it space in the fridge, then keep it in a cool, dark place instead. Same goes for the toasted walnut oil. BUT: make sure to check by smell and taste before using that there is no bitter or petroleum-ish savor happening. Those are signs of rancicity.
I've found that the level of filtering used also has an impact upon the shelf life of oils. Regular extra-virgin from Spectrum will last nicely for a couple of weeks sitting in a warm kitchen -- but Flora's olive oil is more delicate in that respect, and is best fridged instead.
*WHEW!* Guess I went on a bit again, but you see that we are dealing with whole foods in all their nature-given variety, & potentially varied personal circumstances as well. I hope this fills the gap though, Alia! Thanks for writing, dear!! :-D
Hello Heidi, I would just like to make a comment for all the people with the constipation problems. Vitamin C. When my daughter was small the Dr put her on 3 tablespoons of mineral oil a day for severe constipation! I researched and found out that you could take vitamin C in increasing doses (like the magnesium) until the stools become sloppy, and then you back up to the dose of the previous day and that is your personal amount to use. This worked so much better for my little girl and was much better FOR her too. Adults are recommended to start with 1000 mg a day and add another thousand each day until the desired result. I hope this helps someone. Thanks you for your wonderful column. Theresa
Yep, that approach works quite effectively! Thanks for the reminder, and the kind words, Theresa! ~:-D
Hello again! You know I must say that BTD is a lot easier to follow rather than counting grams of carbs/protein/fat like some other plans have you do! And I'm feeling better too. Being an O, I've been avoiding milk and wheat - quite a hard task for someone who lived on cereal as a breakfast staple. I'm especially concerned about getting protein in the morning (I used to get it from a protein powder shake, but have decided to go natural and cut out the powder). I only need to lose about 6 lbs. and would like to build some more muscle. Any suggestions for well balanced, quick breakfast options for me? I appreciate your input. Eva.
Hi, Eva!
O breakfast options are vast. The classic eggs, (turkey) bacon and (essene or ezekiel) toast is one option, since you're healthy and desire only minimal weight loss. Steak & eggs with grilled tomato is another. I do prefer getting some veg in at breakfast, since our "widest part of the pyramid" is veggies -- include them at every opportunity! Any "egg thing" such as an omelette, frittata or Spanish tortilla can include a wide variety of veg, along with leftover meat, fish or fowl. A small serving of stew with poached eggs on top? Cold dill-cured fish with a salad? A cup of homemade broth, warmed up with bits of leftovers as above? Half a red pepper stuffed with tuna salad? Essentially, any beneficial or neutral dinner menu that you can have in the fridge and warm quickly for breakfast -- or just eat chilled. :-)
enjoy your experimentation, and don't be shy about 'reporting in!' :-D
Me again! I just found some umeboshi plum vinegar. Any opinion (it's not in TYPEbase) on whether it would be acceptable for an O secretor? DH would love a new vinegar choice. Thanks, as always! Kathy K
Hey there, Kathy! :-) Well, if I were a secretor O, I'd compare the acidity of apple vs. umeboshi vinegar, test it on my lips to see if it produced a whitish skin patch, and then... I still wouldn't know if it's truly OK -- but at least I'd have formed an opinion. LOL! I'm afraid I should fall back on the old "unknown" principle on this item as well... but if he does the above tests and is satisfied with the results, it's probably fine for him, y'know?
:-D thanks for your note, dear! :-D
I haven't found anything that tells me about water consumption. Should I be drinking (the commonly recommended) 8 glasses of water a day with the blood type diet? jan
Hi, Jan! We recommend having water away from meals, so as to allow the digestive juices to do their work undiluted. A good yardstick for water consumption is 1/2 ounce for each pound of body weight, daily, with a squeeze of lemon or a tiny pinch of good gray sea salt in each quart.
Blessings, and let us know if any other questions come to mind! :-)
Hi Heidi, I always enjoy reading your column whenever I get a chance in order to gain insight from others' questions and insights on how the Blood Type "Diet" has enhanced their lives (and of course, I always anxiously look foward to my own questions being addressed!) I dislike even utilizing the word "diet", because it usually connotes something short-term or a quick fix. Rather, BTD is simply a holistic approach to living in accordance with our blood types and aligning it with the correct foods/exercise/supplements. Now, I have a question for you that I could not locate an answer for on the ER4YT search engine.
My question concerns using topical skin products that contain an "avoid". I have a natural skin exfoliant from Astara that contains "comfrey", which is an avoid for a Type A Secretors. Does an "avoid" on the herb tier apply to topical use on the skin, such as in beauty/skin products or is it classified as an avoid only if it is orally ingested? I should also mention that "comfrey" is listed as the second ingredient out of ten other ingredients (all which are ok for my blood type). Also, I've been searching and experimenting with various shower gels and bar soaps for my daily shower. I try to buy "natural" skin products, but many of these products contain coconut and/or palm oils in either a triple-milled bar soap or liquid shower gel version. Again, does topical use apply here as well for shower/bath products? Thanks again, Heidi! -Alia
Allo! No worries about avoids applied topically. The "avoid" status is meant to apply only to ingested items. Hooray!! :-D
Dear Heidi, SURPRISE! I'm not going to try to pick your wonderful brain about anything this time-I just wanted to write to say THANK YOU SO VERY VERY VERY VERY MUCH for taking the time to look into the warts/fungus problem(s) for us. I also thought you might like to know you are impacting on us beyond the answers you have provided to me about specific questions I have asked you and I appreciate that as well. For example, I used the link to a yoga site you recommended to someone else a while back and that lead me to a series of links that lead me to some really nice beginner yoga instructional CD's. I found 'em. I got 'em. I really like 'em (Yoga Zone). Even though I never asked you for that particular type of info. it proved very useful. There are other examples as well. So, THANK YOU for them, too! You are appreciated! Eagle
Aw shucks!!!! :-} MY pleasure entirely (along with all the others who contribute so marvelously here) -- and our very best to you, Eagle! :-)
Newbie O ~ RYR ~ a marvelous success! ~ South African correspondence, anyone? meal plans and sunning! :-)
May 8th, 2001 , by admin
I am new to the blood type diet and I find it interesting and would like to eat and be healthy. I am a type O and I haven't eaten red meat for the last 21 years. How can I reintroduce red meat into my diet without a negative body response?
I have tried eating a meatball once during this time and many years later I ate a piece of veal. Both times I became very ill with vomiting, diarrhea, and lower back pain. Like I had the flu but no fever or chills. I stopped eating red meat to lose weight which I did but I now relize that I probably was eating too large of a portion at the time. Can you please help? Thank you in advance for your time and effort to my question. Zebbie
Hey there, Zebbie ~~ welcome!! Pancreatic enzymes, available at any health food store, are what we usually suggest for Os who have been many years away from eating red meat.
However, I'm concerned by those reactions you had. For right now, focus on adding other kinds of protein like fish and fowl, if you tolerate those. And please write back & tell me what your usual diet is, and whether you have any health problems -- include your age and weight if you're comfortable doing so. Pain, vomiting and diarrhea are very serious reactions, and I hesitate to suggest anything until we know more about your situation. Take good care, dear, and I'll wait to hear from you! :-D
On red yeast rice: Dr. Julian Whitaker has tried to have the statin makers (and red yeast rice producers too, I believe) note on the bottles that statins can reduce the level of CoEnzyme Q 10, and has I believe appeared before a congressional committee to testify regarding this matter.
Losing some CoQ 10 is probably not a big deal if you are young and healthy, but potentially very problematic if you are older, sicker, dealing with Syndrome X, or whatever. He suggests supplementing with CoQ 10, but that is expensive, and it may be unclear how much for whom. (This was on a website, but unfortunately I have lost the reference.)
My 80-year old aunt has congestive heart trouble (which she defies!) and high cholesterol. I suggested pantethine, which I believe you have mentioned. As an O, I take it for excess adrenaline, but among its effects is lowering cholesterol (and not damaging the hdl/ldl ratio in the process).
That's a comment, here's the question: could you review the KAL vs. other yeast products discussion--or just a link? Your wonderful messages are just too long, even searching, for me to get through and find things. In the future, any chance of an index? Even if I don't have whatever it is at the moment, I inevitably meet someone three weeks later who does--and have trouble finding the source again. Anyway, many thanks for all the time and care you put into this, Elizabeth
Hi, Elizabeth! I'll be interested to follow the statin/CoQ10 issue, as it's a new one to me. About KAL vs. other brands, it's simply that their product is certified non-GMO, is grown on beets (OK for all) and contains no whey (as many other nutritional yeast products do), making it something we all can use if B-supplementation is desired.
I'm so backlogged with other work that you may be waiting a very long time for an index! But the suggestion is excellent, and I'll certainly note it on the website "wish list." Thanks for writing, my dear! :-D
About a year ago, I was diagnosed with ulcerative proctitis, a lower colon disease. The doctor prescribed a regular routine (every other day or so) of Rowasso Enemas. This medicated enema is what's called a suspended enema, in that it's taken at night before going to bed and the medication remains in the body for the night. My doctor said this was likely a disease that I'd have for the rest of my life (I'm 52 years old). To his knowledge, there was no evidence that any change in diet would help cure this disease.
I stumbled on the BTD plan three months ago and have followed the food recommendations for Type A regularly since then. About a month ago, I began taking two 800mg quercetin capsules per day. My symptoms have all but vanished (what a treat!) and it's now been ten days since I've had my last enema. For most of the past year, I had a difficult time going more than one day between enemas, as nasty symptoms surfaced every time I tried to extend the breaks between treatments. Now that I'm seeing the easing of my symptoms, I wonder how likely it is that my disease is going away because of (1) the diet changes or (2) the quercetin. I'd appreciate any insights you have into what might be happening. Thanks. John
Hey there, John!! Well, whatever the cause for your return to health, I say HALLELUJAH! :-D Quercetin is a superb anti-inflammatory, and the diet promotes healing in ways obvious and arcane, large and small. The supp has alleviated your symptoms, but without the diet you wouldn't be addressing the cause. ;-)
Bless you -- Please drop me a note with any questions you may have, and I love hearing progress reports!! Thanks so much for writing in with your lovely success!! :-D
I have bought Eat Right for your type, published 2001. I am A positive blood type (50 years old) and have been advised that I should pursue your eating plan but cannot find the diets/eating plan. There are only 3 samples for 3 days in the book which does not help me. Where can I get a complete eating plan - I tried contacting the South African doctor listed on your web site and evidently she has not operated for a long time so I do not know who to contact in South Africa regards receiving a comprehensive eating plan. It is not easy to create your own eating plan as the book suggests. Many thanks and I look forward to finding your reply. Ginny
Hey there, Ginny! Thanks for the note on the South African doctor -- I'll update the Practitioner Registry to reflect that information.
I know it may seem confusing at first, trying to get a handle on all the different foods and making up meals. I wish we had meal plans for you, but people have such varied tastes in foods and different ways of handling breakfast vs. lunch vs. dinner vs. snacks, that it's best to start from where you are and what you like to eat & when.
It makes it easier to create your own eating plan by designing just a weekly menu from the foods recommended, and with the portion/frequency guidelines in mind. For type A, you could plan your weekly menu based on some fowl or fish most days of the week; one serving of beans, one of grains, a handful of nuts/seeds and unlimited veg and fruit daily. Three eggs weekly, a little oil daily, and some yogurt or other fermented dairy a few times per week. Within those parameters, just choose certain beneficial and neutral foods for your weekly shopping, and use simple preparation techniques (steaming, baking, stewing, stir-frying). After a while, you'll be an expert and will be branching out into adapting recipes and trying new foods. ;=)
It truly is a lot of fun!! Just take it one step at a time, one week (or perhaps half a week) at a time.
Hi Heidi I just read the question Vanessa from SA sent and wondered about the possibility of making contact with fellow South Africans also on the diet. I would not mind if you made my e-mail address available to fellow South Africans (only!). Maybe we can share info like the nonnie group. I'm a A+. Thanks for a wonderful column!
Regarding the South African Snoek which you said is what you call a "pike" and is neutral for all A's - is this the same fish that is mentioned in this info: http://www.fish4fun.com/snook.htm? I am just making sure as the scientific name differs fron the one you mentioned to Vanessa and the SA Snoek is a wonderfull tasting fish that I used to love, but stopped eating because I thought it is an AVOID! I am so far very successfull with this diet and need to be absolutely sure before I start eating Snoek again. Thanks for all the very usefull info you give in this column. Thanks!!!!!! Eurika
Hey there, Eurika! Yes, snoek is nearly identical to our 'pike' and is fine for you.
TO EURIKA'S FELLOW SOUTH AFRICANS: I'll be glad to offer her email to you if you ask. Bless you, and be well!! :-D
Hello Heidi - I am writing for a friend who has not quite found his way to trying the BTD lifestyle. Type O, he has been having lots of health problems. The most recent appears to be an acid stomach. He is going for a colonoscopy on Thursday, but I was hoping to get some words of wisdom from you and hopefully 'convert' him to a healthier lifestyle. He is a wonderful person and I hate to see him in pain and his wife worry herself so. Other problems have been incessant coughing which appears to have subsided for now. Looking forward to your response. Vicki from Oz
Hey there, Vicki! Well, tell me more about your friend. Is he someone who likes to find things on his own? or does he like to learn through his peers and friends? or does he only respect what the newspaper or the doctor tells him?
Is he against using the O diet, or is he just kind of lacking enthusiasm to start? Can you figure out why he may not have gotten interested enough to try it? If I knew more about him, I might be able to help you make some inroads with him -- let me know, OK? take good care, sweetie! :-D
Heidi, Thanks for all you do. Some time recently I saw a recipe for bone soup that was supposed to help a lot with calcium. However, I have gone back looking for it, and cannot find it. The search engine associated with these files only allows me to search on a single word or initial, but rejects multiple words, like "bone soup". Anyhow, if you could give me the reference for that recipe, or just repeat it again in your column, I would appreciate it greatly. Susan
Hi, Susan! The "bone soup" recipe is basically just a roast, whether meat or fowl, and I suggest a rack in a roasting pan so that you can stack some onions, carrots and celery under the roasting item -- and stuff some herbs (parsley especially) and garlic if desired, into the cavity if you're using a bird.
Just carve the meat off, and stuff the carcass into a big stock pot -- along with the roasted veg, and some fresh carrots, onions, celery, garlic if you like. Fill with water to an inch or two over the top of the bones, bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer. It should be kept covered with water as it simmers -- six to twelve hours, over night if possible. Then cool (covered), strain and store -- it freezes in small containers beautifully. If you don't have enough bones from, say, a steak or chop, just pop them into a freezer bag and freeze them until you've accumulated enough for a nice big batch.
Sorry about the difficulty finding things -- seems to be a perennial challenge round here. :-} hope this little recipe redux helped! :-D
Dear Heidi, I love your advice about sun glasses and sun screen. Can you refer us to either a web site or book that will give us more detail on the sun, it's beneficial effects, and best ways to promote "natural protection, while avoiding damage to our skin and eyes? My specific questions are: How much time, what time of day, and how much skin exposure is recommended for enough vitamin D production? (Dermatologists say ANY sun on the skin is damaging and aging!) During more harmful and or "glarey" times of day , is it best to continue to avoid sunglasses and wear a hat, or wear the sun glasses to protect against eye damage and potential cataracts in later life? Thanks so much, Heidi, for your continued expertise and support! Best, Mary
Hello, Mary! Sadly, I'm not sure where to refer you that would have the specific information you're seeking. My friends who are biologists and NDs have agreed that ten minutes with arms, legs and face exposed is adequate for your daily vitamin D; 20 minutes EARLY morning exposure in the eyes is adequate for melatonin production. For ALL the rest of the day, covering up is the very best approach, including sunglasses, hat and full djellaba if desired. ;-) I think you'll find that advice would satisfy the most conservative of skin cancer specialists.
Blessings, dear -- and thank you for your kindness!!! :-D
New BB Poll ... and Q&A on water, protein, exercise, you name it! :-)
May 7th, 2001 , by admin
As you may have heard, it looks like there's a possibility we may be hosting a new message board.
Here's the basic idea so far. It's not going to happen right away; it's still in the planning stages. It's only a possibility! To figure out whether it will come to be, or not, we'd like to hear your suggestions on what you'd like it to be, and also if you'd be interested in joining -- having an approximate head count would be very helpful to us in this process.
Drop by Peter's As I See It column for an overview of what the new boards would offer & how they'd work.
By the way, the plans for a new "community forum" are entirely distinct & separate from the columns now running on this site -- it would be a new entity altogether, and having one doesn't mean we wouldn't have the other. ;-)
SO: comments, suggestions, and a show of hands, please? Let me know what you think and whether you'd be interested in joining the new board! Right now it's only a possibility -- so we need your feedback!
~;-D
P.S.: Do try to include a "Yes I would sign up" or a "No, I won't" with your suggestions & comments -- makes it far easier for me! :-)
We'd like to close our "poll" on Sunday, September 28 -- so, spread the news, ask your friends, family & BTD buddies stop by & let us know what they think. Thanks, everyone!! :-D
Hi Heidi! Things are going pretty well with me, I'm getting more complient every day! I've just started Heallix and hope to see some health benefits from that soon.
My question is about the water issue. What exactly is the purpose of the lemon or salt in the water? I use sea salt liberally in my food and drink lemon in my veg-gly sweetened iced green tea and in my homemade ginger-lemon soda, is it necessary to add it to the plain water I drink? (I have a reverse osmosis system in my home-wonderful and I recommend it for anyone who likes great tasting, pure, clean water) I really don't like the taste of unsweetened lemon in my water and would drink much more just plain. Thanks again! Cheers, Paige
Hello, Paige! I'm happy to hear you're moving right along with your diet!
The idea behind sea salt or lemon in one's drinking water is to encourage proper electrolyte balance in the body; to direct a little more of the water into the bowels for more thorough elimination of toxins; to carry in a little more food-sourced trace mineral stuff; to help alkalinize the digestive tract to alleviate a wide number of digestive difficulties; and primarily, to scoot the water into the cells more readily, since dehydration is a very common, little-noticed, and surprisingly harmful state in which to live. So, I suggest 1/2 ounce per pound of body weight daily.
Many folks comment on how one or both of these water additions have made remarkable differences in their weight loss, skin quality, mood, and general health. So, the only way to find out if it would work for you is to try it. It's certainly not a necessity -- just a tool to use to your advantage if you wish. Thanks for your note, dear! :-)
Hi Heidi, I wrote to you about a month and a half ago for a friend of mine who is Type A and has been battling high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high liver enzymes, and hypothyroidism for quite some time and nothing seemed to be bringing any of the test results down very much.
Her holistic doctor finally diagnosed her with Syndrome X and told her to specifically eat the foods that were from the Beneficial list. You also suggested that she take Red Yeast Rice and a few other diet changes. It has only been about a month since she started taking the Red Yeast Rice and she had her blood work done again this past week. Everything was down! The biggest change I saw was that the triglycerides the last time were 298 and were down to 95.
Her liver profile was even back down within the normal range. Her blood pressure was low so her doctor is taking her off the blood pressure medicine this Tuesday. Since she will be off her blood pressure medication is there something else she needs to take for a while to maintain her normal blood pressure? Also her holistic doctor told her she has celiacs and needs to avoid gluten products. Any suggestions for this? Thanks again for your help. Susan
Hi there, Susan! Fantastic news about your friend -- this is just what I expected, yet I'm always thrilled to pieces when the results come in. THANKS for posting them!! She must be very happy!
She can certainly relax about her blood pressure -- the doc wouldn't have taken her off the meds if she still needed them. What's happened is that her type A plan has eliminated the causes of the high blood pressure.
The doc should advise her on how to proceed concerning the celiac diagnosis. As someone with Syndrome X, one item on gluten-free grain lists that will give her trouble is corn -- and as a type A, the other common item (potato flour, potato starch) is an avoid for her. Rice, soy, arrowroot, tapioca, bean flour (from OK beans), lentil flour, and nut flours (from OK nuts) are fine, of course.
(1) has she had her secretor status tested? I wouldn't be surprised if she were a nonsecretor, in which case both corn and potato are avoids.
(2) what did the doc have to say about the oatmeal in the morning? Was she eating it for the past month? As I mentioned to you in July, oatmeal appears to do very good things for both cholesterol and blood pressure, so oatmeal (which contains little if any gluten) might be allowed to remain in her diet based on her results so far.
By the way, I'd love to know the name of that holistic doctor -- we TRULY need more like him or her, and I'd be honored to publicize his or her practice! ;-D Thanks again for giving us the update, Susan!! :-D
Hello there, I was wondering by researching all the wonderful benefits 'rebounding' accomplishes if it would be a good exercise routine for an 'O' who cannot commit to the 5BX or any other form of exercise but walking. It is the only other thing that I have found to be fun & enjoyable for me,if it's not, I can't stick with it:-(
Can you make a suggestion for how many times per week & length of time etc. I should do it for?
I also have two questions regarding my 5yr old son who is a 'B'.What would be the correct dosage for the MFC? I have been giving him 1 tsp. of flax oil & 1 tsp. of lecithin in 4oz of juice before his breakfast, should I change this amount at all? I also just read that this mixture should sit until the lecithin dissolves, he has been drinking it as soon as it's mixed, right down the hatch! He also eats nothing but what is on the beneficial & neutral lists - until now - he has started school & has tasted those other nasty things out there! You just can't seem to avoid that when there are other kids around, however he still eats well at home, never asks to buy those other nasties & does understand that not all foods are good for everyone, so I think that is pretty exceptional for a just turned 5yr.old :-)
My other question is that for the last 3 yrs. starting the month of July & into August his left eye has become bloodshot & itchy constantly (more so this year than last)I have given him homeopathic eye drops & pulsatilla 6ch, which has kept it toned down & not so bothersome. I am guessing this is due to ragweed? Is there anything else I could give him for next year when it pops up again? I'm thinking quercertin? anything else?
Also, I will ask you and anyone else out there if they know of a group of parents out there who have chosen not to vaccinate their children & have suggestions & alternatives etc...? Thanks for your time & dedication to all of us, you are providing a great service! Angela
Hello, Angela! I'll put up here your request for a vaccination awareness group, and if I come across any on my own, I'll post them as well.
For your magnificent 5-year-old, the MFC mix you're making sounds great. The only reason I suggested the routine of letting it sit for a bit is that some folks noticed the lecithin wasn't dissolving enough for their taste. Either way is just fine, it's a matter of taste.
I would look into quercetin for him next year -- it can do him no harm, and is wonderful for inflammation. Bilberry extract (capsules - PhytoPharmica is a company that carries these) is another thing to look into. They're great for eye problems of many kinds. He'd take a half dose or less (2 or 3 caps daily). However, I have no way of knowing the cause of the problem. Sounds odd that it's in one eye only if it's a reaction to pollens -- or eyestrain. Be sure he gets plenty of water -- again, 1/2 ounce per pound of body weight, and a squeeze of lemon in the glass when convenient.
Rebounding (on good equipment, for safety's sake!) is a great form of cardiovascular training, and marvelous for the lymphatic system. Three times weekly for 30 minutes, at the proper heart rate (if you haven't a heart monitor, then just carry on a conversation with yourself while working out -- if you can keep talking, you're not overdoing it) is plenty. I'd like to just pop a note in here, though, that cross-training is most definitely better than one form of aerobic workout alone. Just 20 minutes twice weekly with a simple set of rather heavy (for you) store-bought or homemade weights will make a huge difference in your feelings of health and strength. :-}
Thanks for writing, Angela, and I'll keep an ear cocked for info on that parents' group you're looking for. :-D
Hello, My question is about protein sources. I would like to know what to eat.
I am a type A. I am currently nursing my 3 month old daughter. I have been hypothyroid since I was 13, and right now I am managing without hormones. This means I cannot eat soy, because it is a thyroid suppressor.
I think that I may also have some sort of heavy metal poisoning, because of certain symptoms, so I don't think fish is the solution. Even if I do not actually have metal poisoning, I can't stand to eay fish more than once a month. I have been eating a lot of mozzarella, yogurt, kefir, eggs, beans and rice, and more chicken than I would like. What do you suggest? Katy
Hello, Katy! I'd suggest a good ND who uses the blood type paradigm in practice. The issues you're raising are multiple and complex, especially for someone who's nursing an infant.
Just now, I ran through the food lists and found 50 kinds of fish that are Beneficial or Neutral for you. Could you tell me a little more about your dislike? Have you tried a whole lot of different fish and preparations, or very few? When did you discover you hate fish? Did your parents dislike it -- or did you get very little of it as a kid, or was it poor quality? I can assure you I've worked with a number of people who started out detesting fish and ended up finding out they'd never really had good fish -- and with some trial and error they found many kinds of fish dishes that they really enjoyed. I'd like to extend that hope to you, since seafood offers a number of benefits to type A beyond being just a protein source. I'd love to learn more about your own views!
Eggs, along with the various beans, nuts and seeds allowed for type A, are great protein sources for you. I think you'll do best by limiting dairy foods to the portions and frequencies recommended in Live Right 4 Your Type: two ounces of cheese three times weekly (maximum) and six ounces of yogurt or kefir three times weekly (maximum). A rice protein supplement to be added to a smoothie is another way to up your protein intake.
A quick note about soy: did the source of your information have knowledge of how soy affects people differently depending on their physiological makeup? I think you'd truly benefit from reading through what Dr. D'Adamo has written on the subject. Just go to his column, Ask Dr. D'Adamo, and scroll to the bottom of the page. Enter the search term 'soy' and read his comments. They're well-researched, and have the advantage of specific knowledge on individual responses to soy, as well as the unfounded claims made for, and against, it.
Best wishes, and please write again if I can help in any way. :-D
I am type o and a vegetarian. Is whey isolate the same as whey? Can whey isolate be used as a substitute for animal protein? If not any other suggestions? i donot know if i am a sector or non-sector (how do i find out?). are all this item right for type o? sheshe
Hi, sheshe -- nope, whey in any form cannot be used by type Os as a substitute for meat, poultry or fish. Look into rice or egg protein powder instead. Also, think about using the supplement Coleus forskohlii. It's helpful for cellular metabolism in vegetarian type Os.
The secretor vs nonsecretor information is right here: What's a Secretor or Nonsecretor?
Best of health to you, dear! :-)
I WAS TOLD BY A DOCTOR TO TAKE FIBER EVERYDAY. I BLINDLY BOUGHT THE ONE HE SUGGESTED BUT AFTER READING THE LABEL REALIZED THAT MY HUSBAND NOR I SHOULD BE TAKING IT BECAUSE IT IS 100% GUAR GUM. (HE`S AN O AND I`M AN A.) WHAT FIBER SUPPLEMENT CAN WE BOTH TAKE? I`VE PURCHASED I BELIEVE ALL YOUR BOOKS AND HAVE SEARCHED THROUGH THE BT ENCYCLOPEDIA BUT COULDN`T FIND THE ANSWER. connie
The best fiber supplement for you both is plain organic flaxseed, either golden or brown. Get a pound of it (available in packages and bulk in most health food stores) and stick it in the fridge. Each morning, grind two tablespoons of seed to a powder in a clean electric coffee grinder. Cover the powder with some warm water, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Slurp it up! The two tablespoon measure is for one person, so you'd use four total for the two of you.
Thanks for writing, Connie, and let me know how this works for you! :-)
New BB Poll Continues ~~ and 7 Qs, 4 types, Newbies, Old Hands & all ages!!
May 6th, 2001 , by admin
As you may have heard, it looks like there's a possibility we may be hosting a new message board.
Here's the basic idea so far. It's not going to happen right away; it's still in the planning stages. It's only a possibility! To figure out whether it will come to be, or not, we'd like to hear your suggestions on what you'd like it to be, and also if you'd be interested in joining -- having an approximate head count would be very helpful to us in this process.
Drop by Peter's As I See It column for an overview of what the new boards would offer & how they'd work.
By the way, the plans for a new "community forum" are entirely distinct & separate from the columns now running on this site -- it would be a new entity altogether, and having one doesn't mean we wouldn't have the other. ;-)
SO: comments, suggestions, and a show of hands, please? Let me know what you think and whether you'd be interested in joining the new board! Right now it's only a possibility -- so we need your feedback!
~;-D
P.S.: Do try to include a "Yes I would sign up" or a "No, I won't" with your suggestions & comments -- makes it far easier for me! :-)
We'd like to close our "poll" on Sunday, September 28 -- so, spread the news, ask your friends, family & BTD buddies stop by & let us know what they think. Thanks, everyone!! :-D
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Hi Heidi, Thanks for the information on soaking the lecithin before shaking - that was the first time I'd heard that advice - tried it this morning and it worked great.
My question is regarding children and greens. I've heard you mention several times how important it is for children (mine are AB-) to eat plenty of greens. My 10 month old eats them as he doesn't know any better, but my nearly 5 year old strong-willed son will rarely touch them. He used to eat all sorts, even kale and seaweed salads, but not any more. He loves tamari, so I often use tamari and olive oil on the greens, but that won't even work these days. Do you, or others on the list, have any suggestions? Thanks, Ann
Hello, Ann! Glad you like your "new & improved MFC." :-)
Well, sounds like that 10-month-old of yours DOES know better. :-) Do you serve the greens to everyone, as a vegetable that you all (except the elder son) enjoy?
My trick for getting greens into the recalcitrant is to make a blended soup. I start by sauteing sliced onions in olive oil, add some sea salt, then minced garlic to taste, then parsnips or turnips, and carrots, cut up & dumped in. I stir them around until they begin to release their sugars (showing a bit of brown here and there), then in goes a big batch of roughly chopped chard, collards, kale, whatever green is at hand. Cover with homemade turkey stock to about two inches above the vegetables, and add a bunch of herbs (thyme, basil, marjoram, or some combo) wrapped up in cheesecloth & tied securely. I let them cook at a high simmer for an hour or so, until the root veg are soft right through. I check the seasoning at that point -- then fish out the herb bundle and begin blending the soup in batches. It makes a really pretty, thick light green soup. Tastes wonderful, too!
OK, I'm putting out the call for other recipes in which greens may be hidden! Cooks, contribute your ideas!! We need to take care of those rare little AB kids!! ;-D Thanks for writing, Ann!! :-D
I'm a type O and don't like soya milk. Is it an option to replace milk by lactose free milk? Thanks! Coty
Hi there, Coty -- Try to find rice or nutmilk (like almond milk) instead, and be sure to check the ingredients for avoids. These things aren't too difficult to make at home -- there are lots of recipes flying around the Net. Lactose-free milk is a no-no for Os ~~ the lactose is only one problem many of us have with it. Its sugars are the main problem -- they act on our digestive systems in much the way a bad blood transfusion affects the bloodstream (albeit in a much slower manner).
Let me know if you need any help finding or making some tasty OK milk sub! :-D
Hi Heidi. Thank you for the effort and time (and humor) you expend keeping us all healthy. I enjoy and learn from your column every day.
A while back there was a question about cherry juice and the pitfalls (pardon the pun) of using any that was not organic. Several readers said they were unable to find organic cherry juice. That was bad news to me because I love my black cherry juice, but it was not organic.
So, I looked myself and came across the following, available on the internet at www.enkueros.net (search for black cherry juice). It is organic and the only ingredients are black cherry juice and "Lactobacillus Acidophilus - 10 Billion Live Cells." No preservatives, artificial colors, wheat, yeast, egg, etc. I'm trying to picture 10 billion live anything. :-0 Would this juice concentrate be an okay thing for us? And if ordered in bulk, how long would unopened bottles last if not refrigerated? (The site also says they welcome international orders.) Thanks....Diane
Thank you Diane - you're very kind!!
That organic cherry juice stuffed with acidophilus is a fascinating little item. 10 billion is only about 7 times the quantity in one capsule of PolyFlora, so I can well believe they'll all fit comfortably in a bottle of juice, LOL -- still, I'm pretty sure that it's not a good idea for everyone. L. acidophilus is the "usual" bacterium we all think of when the word "probiotic" is mentioned, each blood type does best when supplementing with its own particular blend of critters. I'd say a steady stream of acidophilus in cherry juice may not be a healthy addition for any of us.
If you run through the list of bacteria strains in each of the PolyFlora products (just hit the Search link at the top of this page, and enter the name polyflora, then follow each "more info" link), you'll notice (a) they're all a bit different, and (b) none of them include L. acidophilus. Each blood type is literally "food" for a different natural mix of critters, and in turn we're healthiest with that mix.
How about Eden Foods for organic cherry juice concentrate? Walnut Acres also makes organic cherry juice, to which they add apple juice (putting it off-limits for nonsecretor Os). If anyone out there knows a brand or two of plain organic black cherry juice, do write in!! :-D
Bonjour Heidi, Believe it or not.....a quick and hopefully simple question today! Unless I'm mistaken, green olives became an avoid for me when I found out I am a nonnie (O). Is this due to the fact that they are generally preserved in vinegar??? I just saw fresh green organic olives from Nice at my health food store that are sold "dry" (actually packaged from bulk by the owner of the store). They have been preserved by some kind of water & sea salt method, and are evidently on the market for only a very short time each year. Would these be okay for moi??? Merci et a bientot, Abby
Hi, Abby! The avoid status you mention is due to the olive flesh itself, as I understand it. The difficulty we have is in distinguishing the precise kind of green olives which are OK for O secretors. The genus and species names aren't much help when out & about shopping, so this is proving rather a pesky issue for BTD olive lovers everywhere. :-} For nonsecretors, all olives are avoidskis.
Abby, it's becoming clear that we need to move you far away from all those gorgeous Mediterranean temptations! Ever thought about Finland? LOL! take good care, love! :-D
Dear Dr.Dadmao I'm writing to you in concern of my mother, she is a 57years old Caucasian (Irish) 12st7, her blood group is Type A.
She has been abiding by the Eat Right for Your Blood Type diet for the past 9 months, i wanted to ask on her behalf for advise as she takes quite alot of medication, she's concerned if that it affecting the fact that she doesn't feel there has been any change over a period of time?
Initially she lost 14pounds, but that's all. she takes 150mg Eltroxan for underactive thyroid Each day, 30mg Lipther for chlorestrol each day, 2 antibiotics because she has no spleen each day, 1 tablet for osteoproses each day, 1 water tablet each day. my mother also had her womb removed in 1997. She was also told recently that her Chlorestrol has risen again. she is an active woman who takes walks everyday & goes irish dancing once a week, we would be so gratful if you could advise my mother in what to do. awaiting your response, Kind Regards, Esther
Greetings, Esther! Welcome to you! I'm glad you came by to ask about help for your mother. I have to tell you that I'm not the doctor -- this is the "BTD Help Desk" here, run by a layman -- but I believe I can offer some useful assistance to you.
Tell me a little more about the medications: for instance, the water tablet - it's what they call a diuretic, right? There's the first thing I'd be inclined to talk to the doctor about. I mean why's he got her on it, and wouldn't it be grand to just drop that one. She needs more water in her tissues, not less. It's the fat she's after losing, not the water. More about that in a moment.
What's the thing he's got her on for her bones, it's not calcium, is it? If it's a drug, I'm going right out on the limb here and I'm going to suggest she stop taking it if it's anything like I think it is. Fosamax or Actomel, are what we get here in the States. Those drugs (1) are murder on the stomach lining, which in type A is already on the sensitive side, and (2) usually don't do what they're supposed to, and if you're so fortunate that a little bone growth happens, it tends to reverse itself to the same or worse as time goes by. I'm beginning to feel a powerful desire to share some views with that doctor of hers.
Her thyroid troubles should begin to resolve on this diet. As well the cholesterol. I'd like her to supplement with a good B vitamin source each day - could be brewer's yeast in some warm broth with a little salt, could be a B vitamin pill, could be some nice chicken livers, it's up to her. That will help her thyroid function greatly. For the high cholesterol, read through what I wrote in this column here -- actually, just scroll down to where the blue text starts, then begin reading at the start of that question.
Then, go to this column linked here, and read the top of the entry where I describe my type A friend's success with osteoporosis. For purchasing the products I mentioned there, go to the www.stacktheme.com site and look on the left for Peter's area. The specific links to those products are in the Type A Catalog ("phytocal-A") and the ABO-Friendly Catalog ("cortiguard").
Now: The antibiotics she's taking can be replaced with a good non-invasive product like Heallix. It's very effective, while it does No Harm. The trouble with antibiotic drugs is that they clear out all the GOOD, NECESSARY digestive bacteria in the intestinal tract which she needs for digestion and for immunity. Heallix does the job without disturbing that essential 'population of friendly critters.'
Her doctor's job should now be monitoring her progress regularly, and reducing those dosages of thyroid and cholesterol drugs. If she goes ahead with my suggestions, she will have a great many more Irish dances to look forward to (for which I am profoundly jealous of her, please tell her so :-) ) and far less pain and trouble once the drugs are put away for once and all (yes, she can! slowly but surely). Losing a stone on this diet was only the beginning. She but needs a little extra step to the right & straight forward here. Type As are often the ones who lose the weight most slowly, but once it's off it's gone forever. The other small troubles will go the same way.
One more note, since I can't seem to stop myself. Try to lay hands on the book Live Right 4 Your Type. I'm sure the Stacktheme site carries it, some bookstore near you may have it as well. It's an important reference to have at hand, for the massive amount of useful information in it, much more than the first Eat Right 4 Your Type title. Stacktheme can send her the saliva secretor test, and if she's a nonsecretor she'll be well pleased with the modifications to the diet. At any rate, there are many new food listings in the book, and the very important portion/frequency tables which will enable her to significantly speed her progress.
Now, Esther ~ I'd be pleased if you write again if you have questions of any kind -- between the two of us, we'll have your Ma fiddling and dancing at the same time. Be well, dear, and I'm waiting to hear from you! :-D
I am a Jamaican of African descent Blood type B. Should we adhere to the diet more strictly than other races? Earl
Hello, Earl! A very warm Welcome to you!
No matter one's blood type or race, we recommend close adherence to the diet for everyone. When there is an illness present, or severe weight problem, we often ask the person to consider using the Beneficial foods only, in specific combinations, sometimes with certain modifications, along with additional therapeutic measures to optimize the healing process.
Peter has noted his experience with many of his type B patients of African descent who have had more difficulties in certain areas than people who were type B but not African -- or African, but not type B. These individuals required special regimens for their conditions, which also took more time to resolve.
However, this is not to say that all African type Bs will face additional hurdles to attaining optimal health -- any more than a nonsecretor must somehow expect worse health problems than his 'secretor' neighbor. Rest assured that it doesn't work that way. If you have an issue to resolve, we're well equipped to address it -- but if not, then the diet will enhance your present vitality, and work its protective magic throughout your life. :-)
So, as with everyone around the world, I invite you to use the diet and exercise plan for 30 days and see how it works for you. It's like a collection of varied sets of building blocks which may be acquired and used in construction as best meets your circumstances: - first the ABO type, then the rhesus type, then secretor status, then ABO subtype (for As and ABs), then MN type. Each set of blocks offers some refinement of the basic idea of choosing healthy food and activity. So, the structure an individual makes of those blocks can be as simple, or as detailed and complex, as he needs or desires. The book Live Right 4 Your Type is the "complete builder's manual" in this respect, outlining virtually all the ways in which these information sets can be used in creating the ideal personal structure of diet, exercise and stress relief practices.
Again, a very cordial welcome to the BTD, Earl -- do write again! :-)
New Message Board? Gimme Feedback!! ~ Note for ros & bub ~ Sugar, Yerba Mate & O ~ Type A Diabetic ~ and a whole lot more! :-)
May 5th, 2001 , by admin
Well, folks -- the day has come. ;-> It looks like there's a possibility we may be hosting a new message board.
Here's the basic idea so far. It's not going to happen right away; it's still in the planning stages. We'd like to hear your suggestions on what you'd like it to be, and also if you'd be interested in joining -- having an approximate head count would be very helpful to us in this process.
The board will be structured a bit differently from the ones that ran from 1997 to 2002. There would be lots of new features -- various type-specific and subject-specific forums, a facility for hosting on-site personal pages for participants, a photo gallery, one or more IfHI-accredited moderators, and scheduled chats with our beloved NDs and NAP folks!
A notable difference is that it will be private, accessible only with a unique username and login given to each participant. There'd be a nominal access fee -- somewhere between five & eight dollars, paid monthly as a membership 'renewal' -- to help defray the costs of design, maintenance, and to support high-quality content & moderation and ensure a spam-free experience. :-)
SO: comments, suggestions, and a show of hands, please? Let me know what you think and whether you'd be interested in joining the new board! Right now it's only a possibility -- so we need your feedback!
~;-D
I'll be running this message here for a few weeks -- spread the news, ask your friends, family & BTD buddies stop by & let us know what they think. Thanks, everyone!! :-D
Regarding the baby who can't keep things down: yes, of course pay attention to what is going down there.
As an infant, some fancy specialist was about to sever my vagus nerve, as I just kept rejecting whatever went down. An old GP told my father he knew what to do, but the specialist must be discharged before he could take the case. This happened, and I got plain old paregoric, calmed down, and was able to retain my food. (Can you guess I am a high-strung O?)
This may not be directly applicable, but sometimes approaching the problem as a stress response might help. Very best of luck! --Elizabeth
Elizabeth, thanks (AS ALWAYS) for offering your help. I have to say I'm darned relieved that your vagus nerve is still intact. *phew!* My childhood doctor was another old-fashioned GP, who showed remarkable insight on a number of occasions. Of course, I came to appreciate his gifts only many years later -- by contrast, you might say.
It's wonderful that we have an opportunity to exchange views and enlarge our knowledge here. Thanks again for contributing!! :-D
My type is O.
1) I undertand that occasional sugar is quite tolerated by type O. Can one have it with one's tea?
2) I was introduced to "yerba mate" (ilex paraguayensis) long before it became an available item in North America and I drink it in a dense preparation. Is it compatible with type O? Thank you -- m. gimenez
Greetings! Sugar is best avoided by type O, although secretor Os can use it very occasionally as a condiment. We have no specific rating for yerba mate, although it is used therapeutically in at least one Encyclopedia protocol for O. There is a column entry by Dr. D'Dadamo you might want to read also: TYPE O AND YERBA MATE. Best wishes! :-)
Bonjour Heidi, So, who is this Ryan guy! Certainly knows how to research! Merci to him for all the tea info, and maybe he or you can answer this.... I was actually a wee bit more concerned about the aluminum in the green tea than the flouride, as my aluminum levels are somewhat high.
I have switched to herb tea (so far, a combo of dandelion root/licorice) and Yerba Mate - all organic. Are these teas safe from aluminum??
I assume that flouride is only present is "real" tea, whether black, green, or white. But, what about the aluminum, eh? I figure I can have my organic green tea (okay - only 3 cups max...) maybe once a week or less if I feel the need for caffiene without too much worry?? Or, would I be better off with one small cup of coffee on such occasions?
On a different issue, someone wrote in recently about garlic in detox protocols. I have read in my mercury searches that "bear" garlic (which I think is a young, wild garlic) is best for detoxing, while other garlics are better for antibacterial purposes. In France, I get bear garlic tincure made by Vogel, a Swiss company. I can't remember if it distributes in USA health food stores or not.
(Also, Heidi, I went for the tiramisu and skipped the pizza bread - it was yummy!) I'm just enjoying the beautiful weather we are finally having, and hope you are having same! a bientot, Abby
Hi, Abby! Whaddya mean, who's Ryan? ;-) Didn't you see the IfHI photo gallery yet? ;-> He's a student at the moment, and one of our most knowledgeable contributors here. I'm posting your note so that he'll have an opportunity of seeing it & responding if possible.
Thank you kindly for the bear garlic mention -- and I figured that tiramisu would be splendid! Glad you enjoyed it, dear!! :-)
Hello Heidi, I've been away for several weeks, and have missed being able to access your column while away. Thanks for keeping the archives going!
Just before I left town, I visited the doctor in connection with an ultrasound exam I'd had earlier. The part I want to ask you about is the cysts he said I had on my liver and maybe also on the gall bladder (I'm not sure of this last, simply can't recall what he said). The doc said not to worry about the cysts, they're a normal development, and certainly not dangerous. However, I'd like your opinion/advice about their existence.
I'm a B+ non-secretor, and I am 65 years old (but in great shape, generally!) ;-} Love to you, Janet in Toronto
Hello, Janet!! You certainly have been in wonderful shape. I'm trying to figure out what yer doc meant.
Any chance of getting a second medical opinion on those cysts? Ask for a copy of the ultrasound record, and have another doc talk to you about it. Also, ask your original doctor exactly what kind of cysts they are. Hydatid cysts? We'd want to know what he's found in order to understand what's going on there. And ask about what he told you -- they're a normal development "because..." of... what? :-)
While we're waiting, have a nice read through Julia Chang's Liver and Gallbladder Health site. And consider starting the Encyclopedia liver support protocols. I can't think why it would be perfectly fine for you to have cysts on the liver and gallbladder (or spleen, did he say perhaps?) -- but then, there's plenty I don't know. I'll wait to hear from you, dear! Take good care!! :-D
I have just picked up BTD Complete Encyclopedia yesterday. This is the first time I have BOUGHT any book of this type. However even for this cynic - Doctor D'Adamo gives hope. So I forked out the cash because I was grateful.
I am OnsetDiabetic -Type A and have slowly lost weight 1 kilo/month down ten kilos. I use Emu oil and Cogent DB Plus to assist me. The Cogent has been particularly helpful, happier disposition, lessens the Diabex tablet symptoms, and I now take less medicine, whilst the Emu Oil helps the knees and joints as well, at age 51 years.
Finally am a chef by trade, also a Nursing Aide, which in Australia was a One year course like a first year nurse in the old Registered Nursing system. I walk often, with my wife 5 days per week. Enough of that ! Too much information
My wife wants to slim down but is a worry wart, also type A. I on the other hand have always believed to some extent that the mind controls the body. In other words it is healthier to be overweight and not worry too much about that, then be more the right weight and watching everything. In other words lighten up and have a smile.
With these books however, it seems there are more certainties than not. The great thing to me is that it does not matter about putting on weight if you feel like a binge. It's not healthy maybe and not the writer's purpose but now I know that I can easily lose the weight again. If bad food choices lure you to walk the gangplank of life, and you fall into the murky depths you can still swim to safety. This makes me feel really happy in myself, and strangely keeps me on a steadier course in my diet.
The new food lists in this book are easier to read than the past D'Adamo titles I've read. But I can't believe that I can't find cornflakes etc. The same on your knowlege base, unless I'm trying my Dummy duck methods. I would also like to be sure of white flour and bread, and such things as Vita Brits made by Nabisco. One minute I can't have white flour or bread, the next book I can. I am not going to give up everything but if I have to make breads, etc I can.
Surely America is the home of breakfast cereals, why not list all by blood type or have they threatened to sue you, ie Kellogs etc. Australian fish also are often in different names interstate as well as internationally, eg John Dory.
Some cheese names are lost on me. Is American cheese like processed cheddar in foil put out here by Kraft? I can eat Mozzerella but you say no string cheese, so do you mean that to be shredded Mozzerella or instead shredded cheese such as cheddar
Golden syrup. Is that your ordinary molasses, and our treacle your blackstrap molasses. Mandarines are probably avoid for type A or are they? White flour, ordinary or processed. White bread etc. one book says no the next book says I can. Wholemeal flour and bread as well. They are just the awy Americans say things as opposed to Aussies. Like you say jelly we say jam. I am not going to give up everything but if I have to make breads, etc I can. I just want to be sure if I am on the gangplank or not. Many thanks --Chris
~:-D Hey there, Chris! Welcome to the ... gangplank! ~:-D
We've updated and slimmed down the food lists since the first publication (Eat Right 4 Your Type -- that's why some of the product names you're seeking aren't included in later books. This narrowing-down process is continuing in future books, by the way, as well as in our online database.
There are two reasons why branded products were initially listed. Back in 1996, relatively few people would know what to do when told to find "100% sprouted grain" bread. So, Peter used the Ezekiel and Essene names to provide a beginning reference point on what to look for. Second, most of his readers were accustomed to shopping in the "center aisles," so he included some of the commonest bread and cracker names to make the transition a little easier.
Now that this concept has become more familiar, and there are support groups springing up virtually everywhere, we're in a far better position to upgrade the food lists to show Ingredients Only.
We've also seen various commercial items come & go (like 100% Artichoke Pasta). Other things (like Ezekiel & Essene breads) vary significantly depending on the manufacturer (of which there are now several), and additional ingredients in variations like "date & nut" have also multiplied. There are some other products whose formulations change from time to time -- a cracker that was tested in 1996, for instance, may now include some cornstarch or sunflower oil or other BTD-variable that wasn't there way back when. The string cheese Peter saw everywhere had either vinegar, or corn syrup, or the ominous "natural flavorings." Of course, I've fielded hundreds of questions asking why "their" string cheese, which contains 'mozzarella only,' should be an avoid. Pesky! :->
Talk about too much info, huh? ;-) So, this is all a long way of saying: in order to determine whether the cereal, cracker, bread or ANYTHING else at all is OK for you, compare the ingredients themselves to the food list. Oh -- and if you see a bunch of nearly unpronounceable chemical names on the package, well... if it were me, I'd be backing away at light speed.
I have a suggestion to make, although I know you didn't ask about it. For diabetics of all types, wheat and corn in any form should really and truly be avoided. Refined sugar as well. And most definitely, laboratory creations like 'splenda,' aspartame and saccharine -- avoid 'em like the plague. They have an absolutely lousy reputation in the liver & kidney departments. One non-whole-food that I do recommend is vegetable glycerine, especially for those with sugar metabolism disorders. I've lots of info on it in the archives of this column, and you might try the search form on Ask Dr. D'Adamo & enter "glycerin" -- he has some very interesting comments there.
Your skills as a cook and baker will come in mighty handy. Spelt, amaranth, kamut, buckwheat, rice, rye and the other beneficial and neutral flours can fill the bill for everything from quickbread to pastry. However, do your best to keep to the Live Right 4 Your Type portion/frequency tables for each food group. Grains? About one serving daily as a maximum. Vegetables? perhaps four servings. Fruit, two or three.
Our ordinary molasses looks pretty much the same as the blackstrap molasses -- blackstrap is somewhat darker, and is less processed (more iron and B vitamins). If Mandarines are what we call Mandarine Oranges, they're to be avoided. Anything "orange-like," such as mandarine oranges, tangerines, mineolas, blood oranges, etc. should be avoided
"White flour, ordinary or processed. White bread etc." -- It's the ingredients, rather than the color of the product, that determines its BTD status -- so if it's white WHEAT bread, OR wholemeal wheat bread, again I'd definitely avoid it if I had diabetes. Wheat and corn are pure terror on the metabolism. The body converts them to sugars in a New York minute.
Depending on your secretor status, which you may want to obtain at some point (and we'll help you there, if desired), some forms of wheat and corn may turn neutral again for you -- but we need to get you healthy first! :-)
About John Dory, here's a column in which a type O asked about it. (I found it by going to the bottom of this page and searching for 'dory.') The general rule is, a food not on the list is "unknown," which can be considered neutral IF you're not trying to resolve a health problem OR lose weight. Otherwise, unknowns are best avoided until those conditions are happily in the past.
"American" cheese is another term we're going to have to re-visit. Generally, it means the processed white cheese wrapped in little single-slice portions - and it sure is made by Kraft, among others.
Chris, I hope all this helps you to get the lay of the land... or the set of the plank! :-) (I love that one!) I'd like to encourage you to think of the "give-ups" as "get-rids" in aid of my personal goal to show you how great life can be when you're not shelling out for that medication. Yep! The diet can do it. :-) And please don't be afraid to write again because you think I'm going to respond with another Tolstoyesque tome like this one! :-D I CAN be brief -- it just takes a little diligent effort. :-> OK! Be well, and let me hear from ya!! :-D
Bonjour Heidi, I've been meaning to ask this question for a while, and finally got to it! Can you explain why apples are an avoid for O nonnies???
It seems that you have mentioned that non-sugary types like Granny Smith were okay to use for the gallbladder flush. But, fruits that are beneficial for us like figs (both fresh and dry) and cherries and bananas seem far more sugary than apples. Is this not true?? If it is not a sugar thing, then what is it?
Reason this comes up now is that I have gained weight since I quit Essene bread with almond butter in June and switched to fresh figs with almond butter for breakfast. Don't know if this could be the reason, or something else. Mind you, I eat 4-8 figs (maybe up to 200 grams), whereas I ate one hefty slice of Essene bread (approx. 100 grams). I don't feel any better or worse - just "fatter!"
Anyhoo, I was looking at a book my French doc wrote, a "caveman" diet, which said that the only fruit one should eat while on the diet is green/yellow apples or pears. (Believe me, I would NOT put his dietary advice above D'Adamo's!) But, for years before switching to the O nonnie diet, apples were about the only fruit I ever ate. There may well be some other reason for the weight gain, but thought I'd check on this fig possibility, and clear up my apple quandry. FYI, sorry to say your September 11 column crashed my computer (Mac), so I missed that one! Oh well... Love from France, Abby
Abby, sheesh, I'm tempted to set up a NO RESPOND list and make you #1. You're always prodding my tender points -- like tiramisu, and pasta in French/Italian restaurants, and dangling those FRESH FIGS just out of my reach, and... now APPLES, my Lord!! Give me strength!!
~;-D
My beloved, my gorgeous, brilliant and memory-enshrined APPLE contains a lectin. As we know, most lectin-endowed foods that are avoids for secretors are neutral for nons. We're let off the hook there due to our relative lack of free antigen in the digestive tract -- those little items don't harm us, whilst secretors cain't eatem. Howsomever that may be, apples are one of the exceptions -- ain't I lucky? (not!) !! cripes. Maybe the orchard's always greener on the other side of the S/NS divide, but APPLES, man! Come on! I have Mystical Visions involving that ancient apple orchard on my childhood farm (which I discovered has been cut down entirely -- when I went home for my Mom's funeral, there it was, a... green, flat field. '':-( Fate echoing a certain ND's dictum?) I stubbornly nurse my agony over this particular "avoid" rating. It's a personal affront! A low blow, don't you agree?? I ... I haven't yet entirely forgiven Peter for that one. What did I ever do to Him? {{sob!}} (lol!)
When I suggested that a very hard, tart apple would be OK for the gallbladder flush, it's because a high-sugar variety would just add insult to injury for the O non. (1) It's a one- or two-day apple juice treatment, every two months and not forever (if repeated), so it's an infrequent 'therapeutic' use of an avoid. (2) The reason apples are used is their high malic acid content. (3) A malic acid supplement can be used instead, along with a mild and low-sugar juice like blueberry (diluted, of course).
Now, to your question on weight gain: My sense is that it's not the fruit, nor the nut butter (although if your fat metabolism is off, you may be having difficulty processing that quantity of vegetable fat -- how much almond butter, total? and how much more through the day, in olive oil, etc.?) -- However, I think it's the lack of meat protein and general size & composition of breakfast - also perhaps a heavier (and later?) dinner than is best for your metabolism? which may be working against your weight loss goal. When one would like to lose weight, consider not only what you eat, but when you eat it, and whether you're thoroughly hydrated throughout the day with a nice little electrolyte like mineral water, lemon water, salted plain water, and how seriously you commit to the other big half of the plan -- vigorous exercise, babe! Am I a broken record, or what? ;-/
We're very special, Abby -- and for that, we pay. ;-> It's OK, it's worth it. Think of where we'd be if we were born to poor seventeenth-century type A folks in the Spanish Estradura, eating chickpeas and wheat and the occasional pig at festival time. You and I wouldn't have lasted out of childhood. We gotsta look at the bright side. :-) There were hard little pears in my old orchard, too. :-)
You, my dear, need a new 'puter. I'll send along the column, sans little U.S. flag. :-)
love to you, dear Abby! :-D
Just a quick note for Don, and anyone else who is interested, regarding straight Fulvic Acid (sans silver). It is available through 'Reach For Life' internationally You can get it by both retail and internet in Australia, but I don't know about in the US. Check out www.rflproducts.com. They also have some huge and wonderfully technical downloads on Humic & Fulvic Acids that are worth looking at.
Dear Heidi. You often mention the virtues of 'ionized colloidal silver' especially in relation the Heallix. Knowing a little about chemistry, it has confused me why anyone would bother to consume ionized silver as most of it would react immediately with the abundant chloride ions in the stomach or blood to form silver chloride, which is a totally useless compound. This is the same compound you see when Heallix is put in a glass of tap water - the so called test of purity. Thus all the fuss about distilled water. There is a lot of confusion and misinformation when it comes to colloidal silver, and most brands sell the benefits of ionized silver because it is very cheap and easy to make. Producing true colloidal silver is far more complicated and a bit more expensive, but it is probably well worth taking over its cheaper counter parts. People may get more benefits from a true silver colloid and fulvic acid separately, both of which are available. Anyone interested in some reading could check out http://www.silver-colloids.com/Papers/FAQ.html and http://www.purestcolloids.com/ionic.htm Regards, Louke.
Hi there, Louke! Well, actually, I don't talk about ionized colloidal silver. I have often recommended Heallix because of its unique combination of IONIZED ONLY silver and FULVIC ACID. That product has proven remarkably effective for many friends who've dealt unsuccessfully with certain conditions over the years. My continued suggestion of that product for specific purposes is largely based on the successes I've seen.
Now to the why's of it all -- I don't know. One faces significant difficulties getting to the root of the matter, at least on the Net, where 99.9% of the information available on these supps is by no means disinterested. It's coming from someone marketing fulvic acid, or colloidal silver, or ionized silver, or a generator for making the stuff at home, or ... well, you name it, but finding objective sources of info is a daunting little job.
For instance: the colloidal silver marketers claim that ionized silver is what causes argyria. The ionized silver folks say (and Leo initially made this claim, then learned the truth and withdrew it) that only colloidal silver causes argyria. Well, by examining the only two cases readily available, it turns out that argyria (bluish or copper-blue discoloration of the skin) is darned hard to develop, first of all. Second, it seems to appear only through use of (a) CSP, which is colloidal silver PROTEIN, meaning not just ionized OR colloidal silver but specifically a protein/silver compound, or (b) a home-brewed colloidal/ionized silver (with impurities and high levels of all kinds of silver) taken at outlandishly high dosages for significant periods of time. Third, you'll never get it anyway, if you supplement selenium to the point where your blood levels are within the standard healthy range for that element. And fourth, there appears to be an effective antidote for this condition, which was thought to be permanent. Ok, that's it for argyria.
Now, for the fuss: distilled water is used for the same reason that one's advised to take Heallix on an empty stomach. Nearly everyone's tap water contains chlorine. Heallix is not going to stimulate stomach HCL, the chloride compound you mentioned, and an empty stomach needs an HCL-stimulus to get going on secreting the levels of HCL needed for adequate digestion. Remember, too, that the fulvic acid has chelated the ionized silver -- there's something else going on besides just a fulvic acid effect plus a silver effect if any. It also need not pass into the bloodstream to do its work -- we all know that sodium chloride (common table salt, generally speaking) is abundant in the blood. I suspect that the work it does is most concentrated along the digestive tract and especially in the small intestine -- particularly along the ganglia commonly referred to as the "gut brain." And as to whether it's the silver, or the fulvic acid, or the combination, that does the job -- I plain don't know. I very unscientifically just observe that in living beings, the stuff kicks the crap out of an enormous spectrum of physical ailments -- while never doing harm.
Girl, you know a lot more about chemical interactions than I do, that's for sure! Please -- help me out with this one. Tell me why it works. And expand on your suggestion for Don -- Does fulvic acid alone get the same kind of results? Or 'colloidal silver' alone? Cheap, expensive, I don't care. I only want "the best." What's the mechanism of it all?
Thanks for writing, Louke, and I'd be grateful if you can lend a hand with this issue!! Best wishes!!! :-D
Dear Heidi, just thought I would update you on my progress. At 5'3" I weighed 182 lbs when I started the O- secretor diet approximately 3 years ago and lost 7lbs. When I was tested for the secretor status and found I was a non-secretor I started this diet on 1st June 2003. I am amazed that I have lost another 13lbs making my wieght today 162lbs.
I have tried every diet there is before the blood type diet and never lost a pound. All my other health problems have improved but progress is slow. I am beginning to exercise more often at the gym with my A blood type (non-secretor) husband who has also managed to lose the extra weight, again after failing on other diets over the years.
As I am in the UK I have to stay on the HRT available here which in my case is estradiol patches with progestogen patches. I am eagerly awaiting the relaunch in the UK of crinone/prochieve 4% which is a progesterone and therefore biodentical with our natural hormones. I am on synthetic thyroxine as it is difficult to get anything else in the UK. However, I have been tested for the conversion from t4 to t3 and this seems fine and if I am losing weight I reckon it is probably alright.
My question concerns the use of sea salt in mineral water. My husdand brought me back some "black salt" from a shop selling various ethnic foods. The salt was in the food section but has no information on the label. It smells strongly of sulphur but it did remind me of the natural springs such as at Bath where victorians went to "take the water". Do you think this is likely to be the salt you mentioned? -- Doreen
Oh, Doreen, you are doing such a magnificent job of staying on course with your diet, and I'm just in awe of your patience and single-minded commitment! Because you're getting both reproductive and thyroid HRT, the weight loss has been slow rather than spectacular -- but because you're who you are, nothing is going to stop you from attaining your ideal weight and an optimal state of health.
About your salt question -- there are hundreds of varieties of salt, and the one your husband found is likely to be of great benefit to you. I'd use it, most certainly. The sea salt I talk about is a light grey (not white) stuff harvested from certain areas in mainland Europe, primarily Brittany (Bretagne, in France). I've tasted the salt you mentioned- in a very pricey restaurant that carried perhaps eight kinds of salt, all different colors, one of which was dark red and from a Paleolithic-era stratum of rock in the Sudan. :-) Salt is good. Get enough salt and enough water, and among desert folk you're rich. :-D
By the way, if any UK readers know of a way Doreen might lay hands on some proper progesterone, please write in and let us know. I'll post your notes ASAP.
Doreen, you've come to the right place and I'm very pleased to make your acquaintance. Keep in touch, and keep shining!!! :-D
Help for Ros -- More on Cortisone -- Alma Writes -- and bob's nonnie adventure! :-)
May 4th, 2001 , by admin
Hi, Heidi! I saw Ros's question about reflux in infants and thought I'd share my experience.
I'm a Type A (secretor), and both of my boys are Type A's, too (secretor status unknown--possibly nonnies). Both of my boys developed spit-up troubles, though they were never diagnosed with reflux.
I wasn't BTD-compliant with my first baby, and cow's milk in my diet caused major spit-up episodes and colic every night until I eliminated it. Then, after a few days of waiting for my system to process the last of the problem proteins, no more spitting up--AT ALL! My second baby was sensitive to goat and sheep milks in my diet as well.
A second source of trouble for both boys was the iron-containing multi-vitamin I was told to take. About four days after I stopped taking supplemental iron, no more troubles. I noticed also that I could tell which substance was causing any given spit-up episode: dairy products caused a noisy, burp-like spit-up, while iron caused a gagging, vomit-like spit-up. I remember seeing in BTD that many iron suplements can cause an upset stomach.
If iron turns out to be your bub's trouble but you still definitely need a supplement, something like Floradix might not be so nauseating for the bub. Also, I don't know what commercial baby foods are like in Australia, or whether you're feeding your bub any of these, but here in the States they fortify formula and baby cereals with iron.
Anyway, this is my experience; yours may turn out to be completely different. But I do agree with Heidi that your diet is the first place to look for a culprit. I hope it's relatively easy to track down! Good luck! --Sarah in PA
Thank you so much for pitching in with your experience, Sarah -- I hope ros picks up some helpful tips from your advice. Bless ya, and be well!! :-)
OK Heidi, I'm laughing because you are just less worried than I am about making people worry! Could you print this then too?...
R.E. the cortisone-related burns on my hands, people ought to know that I used cortisone extensively for a looong time, probably 20+ years. Some strong prescription, much over-the-counter, every night & day. Thought I was taking good care of myself. (Dermatologists said, "eczema is chronic, you need to use cortisone cream.")
My old chiropractor said in his experience, many people who stop cortisone use get an itchy blister reaction, but he'd never seen anything so extensive as my hands. Good nutrition, studying detox nutrients & lightening the load on my immune system through BTD was critical for me in healing -- the immune system is what heals you when you're hurt or sick, it doesn't just fight off germs! (o:Maia
Yes maam! :-D Thanks for the elaboration -- and you know, I think it's what people don't know that DOES hurt them, so the more info, the better. Tx again, dear!! :-D
Ciao Heidi! Yesterday I sold some raku pottery works of mine in the USA for the first time since I started to perform this Japanese technique and I'm very happy! Hope you'll see some pictures of my works in my interview on the ABO site.
However, I'm writing because I need some support from you. Mid of last August, after being very well with my (O) non-secretor diet, I started to lose lot of hair and have different forms of eczemas on my hands, face and décolleté. At the beginning, I put the blame on the terrible heat (40 degrees at 9 am!!! ) that had plagued my country from June till the end of August, but, after one month without relevant improvements, I now start to feel insecure and depressed.
One week ago, thanks to Cocky van Hesteren 's precious advice, I started to take polyvite 0 (now six caps daily), gotu kola (2 caps daily) while keeping on with maca root to balance my hormones (2 caps daily). I also got one bottle of Heallix, still sealed. This is my daily routine:
5,45 am: I wake up to do a 60-minutes workout (weight/aerobic/tonification)
7.00 am: breakfast with 1 omelets (with cacao and veg glycerin) and a fruit shake (banana, seasonal fruit and nutritional yeast)
from 9.00 to noon: a handful of dried fruits + 1 cup of green tea
12,30: lunch with meat or fish + raw vegetables (carrots, zucchini, red/green/yellow peppers) dressed with extra virgin oil afternoon: some carrots and 1 fruit + 2/3 glasses of raw veg juiced (carrots, celery, beets, ginger, fennel or bananas+ carrots)
20,30 dinner with meat or fish + some raw veg (lettuce or escarole with onions, tomatoes, flaxseed oil and extra virgin oil) and some stewed veg such as string beans or peppers I also drink about 1 liter of water with some lemon juice
At 11,30 time to go to bed!
I'm aware that last summer I spent lot of energies, maybe too much, but I felt so strong and full of adrenaline for the first time in my life that I didn't put too much attention to it. Is there something, in your opinion, I should change in my daily habits? Every time I wash my hair or have a look at my shoulders, I feel miserable and powerless. From every other aspect, I feel great! Thanks a lot, Heidi: your daily column is so precious. Alma (Milan, Italy)
Hello, Alma!
Your artworks are truly gorgeous -- thanks for letting us post them on this site!! :-)
I'd suggest more water -- one liter of mineral water and two of good pure plain water with a squeeze of lemon. Also, you may need some extra B vitamins, and a mineral supplement. Take a tablespoon of flax oil, even though it's a little over the recommended 'normal' limit.
It is a little difficult to make sure that some food you added to your diet may not be causing a skin/hair reaction. Do you recall what you added and subtracted from your foods when you started the nonsecretor diet? Maybe we can work out what is missing or what may be stimulating the skin trouble.
Do try the Heallix on the skin -- if there is any kind of bacterial overgrowth, you'll see it fade pretty quickly.
OK! Take good care, and let me know how this works for you! :-)
dear heidi wow this secretor stuff is powerful medicine. i woke up in the midddle of the night with a headache after going to bed @ 7:30 toataly wiped out. slept 11 hrs! the next morning i tried to figure out what poisoned me .my energy was still in the toilet. the chicken soup with rice noodles was ok.the self made veg juice with many benificials was ok. however l ate some date pieces and i checked the ingrediants dates,dextrose(?).
heidi i have been avoiding corn products and feeling alot better but this wiped me out(i am sure the GMO content was good and high). finding out that corn and wheat are total avoids has helped my type a health out a lot. thanks for hammering the secretor point home. love your work. bob h A-noni
Good going, Bob!! It's always great to hear how much the fine-tuning results in huge gains in health. Thanks so much for your note -- and keep writing!! :-D
Breast Milk Booster -- Uterine Fibroids -- Medline Search -- Fish and lots more! :-)
May 3rd, 2001 , by admin
hi heidi, rebecca posted a note today about breast milk declining at night- i have a tip! 'attachment parenting' is a great way of increasing milk production. she can look it up on the net, but it basically involves keeping the baby close to you as much as possible eg carrying in a sling and even sleeping with you at night. it may develop some bad habits like the bub wont want to sleep by itself BUT it definately works. A friend of mine used the method and had to resort to wearing breast pads again as her milk production was so huge!
now for a bub question. my four and a half month old type A nonny has terrible reflux. we visit the chiro once a month and he has no problem with his valve at the top of his stomach. im told hell grow out of it, but i get worried as sometimes he spews up more than he drinks (it seems) im just starting him on rice cereal and pureed pumpkin to see if that keeps it down. do you have any ideas? i realize this isnt a diet Q but if you can help that'd be great! cheers, ros ps thanks for the ovary cyst info a while back, it was very helpful!
Hello, ros!! Thank you for you tip!
I'm posting your question here so that knowledgeable Moms & others may see it and offer some help for the spit-up problem -- it may possibly be a reaction to something you're eating that isn't agreeing with him through the breast milk? that's about the only clue I'm coming up with here! :-? so, if anyone has some helpful advice for Ros, please write in! :-D
Hi Heidi! I'm a newbie 0- and have been on the diet for 2 weeks now, and have noticed an increase in energy and a better out-look on life.
My question is I'm taking Vitex for hormone imbalance, but I also have uterine fibroids (within the uterine lining). Since I'm avoiding dairy, wheat, corn and potatoes, will these fibroids shrink? My waistline is shrinking (thank goodness)but one fibroid presses against my bladder and I'm wondering if that will go away, most doctors want to do a hysterectomy, but the vitex is helping in regulating my mensus so I feel a hysterectomy is unwarrented. -- Denise
Hello, Denise! Welcome to the fold!!
In my experience, yes -- eliminating dairy and 'grain avoids' should make an enormous difference with the fibroids. Make sure to strictly avoid coffee as well, as it's been implicated in some instances.
Thanks for writing, and let us know how it goes for you! Do avoid the hysterectomy, and keep working the diet! :-)
Dear Heidi,This is a request for a URL for the Medlines searches that you do. There are many sites to choose from. Thanks, Karen
Hello, Karen! On the main page, www.dadamo.com, you'll see at the top right a "search" link. Follow it, and you'll see a handy Medline search engine. enjoy! :-)
Hi Heidi, I also start my day with your column and when on the west coast get to read 2 day's worth of column in one because at 9 pm, west coast time the next day's column comes up. So I start and end with OTD over there. :-)
You wrote to Bcha and mused about the existence of a an eatwildfish.com site. Well, my Type A tug boat friend brought back some Walleye from a Canadian fishing trip. I think in the perch family, yes? I hope it is okay for me because it was exquisite. And I was looking online to see if I could possibly find some fresh that could be delivered to my door and stumbled across FreshFish4U.com Would you take a look and see what you think? I figured if it had a "4" in the title it couldn't be half bad. ;-}
I know the herpes discussions have slowed down but just read in Prevention, Sept. 2002, that applying ice to a cold sore may combat herpes simplex type I by freezing the virus and preventing the blister from forming. No one knows why but experts do know that viruses can't thrive in cold environments. The recommendation said the minute you feel a cold sore coming on (often signaled by a tingling or prickling feeling), wrap an ice cube in a cloth handkerchief, and hold it directly on the sore for 5 mins. in 15 second intervals (15 secs. on, 15 secs. off). Then wait for 15 mins, and repeat. To avoid frostbite on such a small area, do not put the cube directly on the skin, don't press too hard, and never use it from more than 5 mins. at a time. The article didn't mention herpes simplex 2 but who knows? Thanks Heidi for everything. Nina
Hey there, Nina! Your 'walleye,' if it wasn't 'walleye pollock,' was either pike or perch -- so it's either beneficial or neutral for ya. ;-)
The FreshFish4U site seems OK in terms of their processing/packaging/delivery system. However, their salmon is farmed, not wild. I'd take a careful look through each fish they offer (and visit their discussion board, where their authority on the fishies is in residence) to ensure that you know where they're being fished and exactly what yer getting for yer money.
I've heard of the ice-cube trick for herpes -- thanks for the reminder, and for your very kind words! :-D
Hi Heidi! Coupla notes. For Kylie with the fungal rash, I had extreme fungal rash problems because of the chemical burns on my hands. The best/easiest thing I found to deal with it was Weleda Diaper Care cream, found it at Whole Foods. No kidding, the zinc and essential oils in this are very good at hindering fungus & bacteria, and it's a natural product. Used it to help until I figured out why my immunities weren't enough to fight off the rash, which for me was due to nutritional deficiencies. (Avoiding avoids aside of course.)
For Kylie, conventional doctors aren't able to give you hope in things like this, mostly because they don't study nutrient deficiencies! (Weleda cream might also help that writer with the damp little toes.) In my experience, topical steroids/cortisone creams make fungal rashes worse, because they mess with your immune system. They are like a band-aid solution that lets you along by telling your body to ignore the fungus, which the fungus appreciates. (Actually, even doctors have told me that cortisone cream is counter-indicated when it's a fungal rash.)
... if you're getting blisters when you stop the cortisone cream, it might be a reaction to the cortisone. The burns on my hands were a reaction to long term cortisone cream use, they blistered all over when I stopped using it thanks to my chiro, then the skin burned off. It's been 3 1/2 yrs now and the burning is still mildly there, almost gone. That stuff is powerful, not for long term use, and if doctors are having her plaster herself with it, IMHO they are damn negligent.
In addition hydrocortisone mimics cortisol in the body and in such large doses that would be a strong effect. Plus after you stop using it, takes a while for your adrenals to start producing their own cortisol effectively, so for a while you're over-inflamed, because cortisol is an anti-inflammatory in the body too. So I'll stop now, because it's my lil' soapbox! Maybe just add a little note if you think it's good to, like "P.S., blisters, vesicles & acne-like eruptions can sometimes be a sign of an adverse reaction to topical cortisone/steroid creams. Can find out more if you search for "topical hydrocortisone" & "adverse reactions" on the web."
Looking into a possible zinc deficiency might help; zinc deficiencies impair immunity. (Search on "zinc" in this column and you come up with a lot.) Also B vitamins & fatty acids like in flax oil helped.
Also, zinc might be something Adam with the sweaty hands ought to check out, my old nutritional chiro used to say that's often a zinc deficiency sign. Especially if your feet are kind of smelly too! ;oD Maia, whose feet now smell like roses
Hi, Maia! Glad your tootsies smell wonderful! :-D
Thanks for your very valuable input on these matters -- always wonderful to hear from you! :-D
Intestinal Gas ~ Bigger Muscles ~ Breakfast ~ Babies ~ Qs from Italy and On Pork! :-)
May 2nd, 2001 , by admin
Intestinal Gas. Type O+. I have been on the diet for four months. I am experiencing a distended belly. It is full of gas. It does not move out very well. I am not constipated. Any suggestions? Ruth
Hi, Ruth -- can you give me a little more information? How long has the gas been bothering you, and did your activities or diet change around that time if it was a month or more after you began the O diet? Do you take any kind of enzyme (pancreatic enzymes, bromelain, or even fresh pineapple) before heavy protein meals? Were you a vegetarian before you started the diet?
Do any particular foods produce the gas, or is it with anything and everything?
How often do you eat grain, or beans? Do you eat grain with meat or fish, or fruit? Meat with beans? As non-wholistic as it is, the product "Beano" can help with bean digestion -- as can preparing the beans properly with full soak/cook times and the use of kombu in the cooking pot.
:-) I guess that was more questions than answers... pop me a note back, OK? :-)
Hi, I'm a 21 year old type O, and have been on the diet for 2 years now, I am strictly on beneficial foods and would like to start having bigger muscles, I don't weigh a lot and don't eat very big portions.
Whenever I eat a bigger portion than my fist, my body feels overfull and I get tired. However, I would love to be able to take in more food for when I have big meals at holidays without having my stomach store them as fat like it does every year because it is overful. What can I do?
Also, I would like to know how much fat is in pumpkin seeds, how many grams? What is the best way to cook them so that there is less fat and all the nutrients?
Also, if the blood type foods are so great, (which they are since I have not been sick at all since I started the diet two years ago and lost 40 pounds)how come doctors in hospitals feed their patients hospital food instead of the blood type recommendations, don't they know, they are feeding these people dairy and wheat and potatoes and corn? It is not helping them. It does not make any sense shouldn't doctors know about this? Maybe the patients would not end up with so many heart attacks and cholesterol and diabetes and surgery etc. Why doesn't somebody do something about this? It makes me so angry. Old people are the ones who should follow this as most of them have been eating avoids all their lives. Thank-you, and I hope to hear from you soon! Emily
Hello, Emily! The portion/frequency tables in Live Right 4 Your Type should help you gauge your portion sizes and how much of each food to eat. Generally speaking, the "size of your fist" rule is a good one on which to base the total volume of a single meal.
That said, have you consulted a good chiropractor about the possibility of hiatus hernia? Phone around first, and find a chiro who is familiar with the diaphragm pull-down technique. It's painless and can readjust that condition (if that's what you have).
Eating meat with grains can make a very uncomfortable meal for many people. Try eating meat or fish with vegetables only, and any grain with veg only as well. Flesh foods and grains require quite different digestive environments to be ideally assimilated without trouble -- some folks notice this effect, and some do not, so see if that element may be at work in your discomfort.
Otherwise (for all of us), the key to holiday eating is moderation. Pick small amounts of the foods, and never overstuff. It's funny that most people never seem tempted to overeat beneficial proteins and veg -- it's the avoids that say "more," and "MORE," until a nice big stomach ache / headache / drowsiness /brain fog are the result. ;->
The fat in whole seeds is wonderful for you. Why would you want to reduce it? Fats on our neutral and beneficial lists do NOT make us fat -- it's the grains and other avoids that do it. Fats are essential for most of the functions of your body. Your brain is 90% fats -- all your cells are lined with fat -- if you took that fat away, a warm shower would dissolve you down to your bones. ;-D Pumpkin seeds can be eaten raw, or toasted briefly in the oven at medium heat.
Muscle development is attained through regular exercise. Do two weight-training sessions weekly -- one focused on the upper body, and one on the lower. Use near-maximum weights, heavy enough to work each muscle group to exhaustion with two sets of three to five reps. Allow three days between sessions. Your muscles will grow, dear! Believe me!!
I believe, with you, that institutions such as hospitals and care homes would be doing an enormous service to their clients if they adopted the blood type plans. There are obstacles, however. Look right up to the people who ultimately make the money decisions: they are in the profit business, not the get-these-people-healthy business.
There are also enormous pressures upon institutional cafeterias and kitchens to conform their diet sheets to "board guidelines" set by powerful influences who have other, very different, interests in mind. Additionally, the costs of providing high-quality food rather than that execrable junk they feed sick and elderly people would make their "overhead" in food far higher than the cost of the powdered, frozen, polyamine-riddled garbage they pass off as "food" now. AND, think of this: how many would refuse a perfect meal-4-their-type because they want their shredded wheat and bad coffee and white toast and bacon and gelatin "fruit" cup instead? and what would it be like to be a seriously ill 80-year-old and eating the right foods for the first time -- it's likely that a big intestinal upheaval and other detoxing would start in, and how many health care professionals would know what to do in that situation?
I have hope that some day, sufficient inroads will be made so that there is a significant improvement in institutional feeding plans -- but it will be a long while down the road, and a very difficult accomplishment.
Hope this answers your questions, Emily -- best wishes, and let me know how you do! :-D
Hey Heidi, I don't yet know my secretor status but I basically follow the nonnie diet becuase of my health problems. I have a few breakfast suggestions - these are my favourite, either mince with tomatoes, tomato paste, capsicum, garlic, onion and sometimes spinach,(this is usually done the night before) or a banana smoothie with water, 2 bananas, carob powder and macadamia or almond nut butter - yum!!! Chantelle
Hi, Chantelle! hey... tasty-looking treats! My beef/lamb extravaganza's similar to your meat breakfast idea. ;-)
By the way, I just wanted to mention that there are places you can get the Lewis test in Australia -- I think I may have written them out for you before -- just let me know if that's an option for you, OK? I wouldn't want you following the wrong diet!!
Take care, dear -- and thanks again for the breakfast tips! :-)
Hi - I am new to the BTD (O - sec.status unknown). I am an advocate of organic meats, and am curious to know if KANGAROO meat is suitable for O's as this is always an organic meat. If so, would this be a beneficial or neutral meat?
Another question, I have a 7 month old baby girl (also an O) and I am breastfeeding and introducing solids according to her blood type. My milk supply at night is very low and she needs some supplementing with a formula milk. All the soy based milk formulas contain CORN SYRUP SOLIDS. Is there an alternative? It seems to me, either the standard Milk based formulas or this soy formula which also has AVOID substances in it? A big dilemma for a new mum trying to do the best thing for her bub. I have tried expressing my milk manually to keep the supply up but late at night it just ain't there! Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. From Rebecca (SA) - THe land down under
Kangaroo's most likely beneficial, but it hasn't been tested -- so technically, it's an unknown. If you're in good health and of OK weight, it may be considered neutral for ya.
There are some herbs that increase milk production: borage (flowers and leaves), hops (the green flower), motherwort and anise seed. You can make infusions of any of them, and drink them freely. The anise seed goes well to flavor any of the other three.
As a supplement to nursing, find out if the products Nutramigen or Pregestimil are available there. Ask your midwife or doctor. They are pre-digested protein products, and far better for your type O baby than dairy or soy. Since she's already starting on a little solid food, and will continue getting some breast milk from you, one of those formulas are pretty good fill-ins.
Glad you're doing so well with your little one! She's getting a magnificent start in life!! Take good care, Rebecca, and write when you can! :-D
H'lo, In a seminar earlier this year strength coach Charles Poliquin discussed the BTD diet and how he uses it for his athletes. However, he said a majority of them are type O's.
I'm a 35 yr old male weightlifter and have tried many things (nutrition wise) with little success, so hoping maybe this is the place to look for help. High protein diets are a must for weightlifters like myself, however,I have searched the site and cannot find info on what should be used for Type A+ weight trainers. I know soy is a protein recommended, but due to its estrogenic properties, I tend to avoid it.
I'm hoping you can help me with this as I've tried contacting coach Poliquin, but didn't get any info. Thank you, Ron
Welcome Ron!
First, understand how fortunate you are. ;-D You can build nicely with far less protein food than necessary for the typical type O to develop and maintain the muscle. Type As are lucky in that way!
The key for you is twofold: the right *kinds" of protein in the proper portion sizes and frequencies, and the appropriate *kind* of training schedule for your unique physiology.
Soy should be used in conjunction with all the other bean, seed and nut proteins on your diet -- not overemphasized, but not cast aside. Fish, chicken, turkey and the other A-ok flesh proteins get in there too. Soy is actually not estrogenic for your purposes, and if you'd like to hear the words of the master on that topic, just go to the Ask Dr. D'Adamo column and use soy as the search term in form at the bottom. He wouldn't be recommending soy if it would adversely affect men (or women, for that matter) in any way. But remember that too much of anything is... too much. ;-)
Balance is very important. I suggest you pick up Live Right 4 Your Type and get your secretor status. You'll want all the information you can use to maximize the results of your efforts. That book also includes important updates on portions, frequencies and food values. Choose the highest-nutrient vegetables (the beneficials), because you'll want the utmost benefit from everything you put in your mouth. Adjust all portion sizes to reflect your weight and activity level -- the ones given are based on a moderately active 150-pound person. You might add 50% to each portion, and add one portion daily of a soy or egg-based protein powder shake that includes blended whole fruit and nut butter. Another snack could be carrot/celery juice with a shot of wheatgrass or barley grass.
Designing the right training schedule for you means managing your cortisol levels. Cortisol is something type As produce rather readily and constantly, and have a hard time excreting. Cortisol is a "tear-down" influence in your body. Include activities and supplements to increase your cortisol excretion, and you'll boost your ability to "build up."
So, train hard for three days (or two days) weekly -- then do some yoga and calming, light exercise on the other days. Yoga reduces cortisol like nobody's business. I know it sounds pretty weird to recommend yoga to a weightlifter, right? Believe me, once you feel and see the difference that a half hour of yoga three times per week does, you'll never look back. One of the simplest yoga techniques is one you can do just about anywhere, and it's remarkably effective in a very short amount of time. It's called Alternate Nostril Breathing (or "altnosey" as I fondly call it).
Another fantastic aid to your progress is the Cortiguard product sold here. It, too, is highly effective -- you can definitely feel the difference, and it will show in muscle mass as well.
I'm glad you stopped by, and I hope these tips are helpful! Please write again with any questions you may have -- :-)
Hello Heidi! My A-Non husband and I(AB-Sec) have been on the BTD diet for about a year and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your column for about 9 months and am so grateful for the daily encouragement because otherwise it would often feel like I'm fighting an uphill battle alone.
If only I would devote as much time to actual menu and meal preparation as I do to researching the diet! We have yet to accomplish eating the entire amount of foods our pyramids suggest for even one whole week.
It will be a long time before I am healthy enough to consider pregnancy, (severe asthma & allergies for the last 15 years of my adult life) but I still couldn't resist reading ER4YBaby. There were some particularily AB contradictions I wanted to bring to your attention. Perhaps a new errata page needs to be (or already is?) started. Page 237 Day 1 suggests Braised SHITAKE Mushrooms. Page 238 Day 3:Toasted Tamari PUMKIN SEEDS. Page 241 Day 10: SESAME Broccoli. Page 245 under Vitamin A: CHICKEN livers, Page 284 #3. should say "Seven-Day Super AB Diet" and page 293 under Zinc sources....LIMA beans and finally Vitamin B6 says to eat BLACK-EYED PEAS? Any AB alternatives that might be good substitute sources for those nutrients that you might offer or steer me in the right direction in finding would be wonderful. Also, please connect me with the non-secretor list/group.
Your incredible dedication to helping us all in finding ways to help ourselves remains a highlight in my day and I know I am not alone! Thank you. Marianne
Thank you for those notes, Marianne, and for your very kind words!! I'll put your errata into my file for the authors and an online reference page here. The nonnies group is primarily for nonsecretor recipe exchange -- if that's your interest, please let me know and I'll send a note to request an invitation for you.
About those allergies and so forth -- tell me more? anything I might help with there? If you'd like, send me more details on your diet, exercise, supplements, and what allergic reactions you're having... maybe I can come up with a helpful suggestion or two. It needn't be an uphill battle, and I hope that with a full year of the diet under your belt, we might quickly pinpoint and resolve those persistent persnickety issues!
Thanks again for your note, dear -- do write again! :-)
Hello, I'm Anna from Italy; I bought the book 'Eat right 4 your type' and the last week I started to follow your diet suggestions. But I've some questions about foods that I can eat. My blood group is ORH negative; I'd like to know if I can eat this nourishments: 1) chickpea flour 2) leaver beer; if I can't eat it, I'd like to know which type of leaver I can use to cook spelt bread (i.e. leaver powder). 3) water-soluble barley 4) is the kidney a beneficial food as the liver or not? 5) I must take the contraceptive pill for two months; this will disturb the diet? 6) I was born in Northem Italy (Genoa); is the Italian heritage considered caucasian? Many thanks! Anna
Hi, Anna! Chickpea = "garbanzo bean" -- it is Neutral for type O secretors and Avoid for type O nonsecretors.
Not sure what leaver beer is. By leaver powder, I think you mean "baking powder" -- it's OK if there is no maize or corn in it. We use fresh or dry "yeast" for baking breads -- that's OK for everyone.
Barley grain is Avoid for Os. Barley 'grass' (powdered or fresh) is very good for you.
Kidney is good (neutral), but not quite as good as liver. ;-)
The contraceptive pill may slow down your weight loss (if that is why you are following the diet) and is not recommended for type O for other health reasons.
If you are of Italian heritage, you are considered Caucasian.
Thank you for visiting our site, and for your questions! :-)
Hi Heidi I don't do the dairy except the eggs. Pork only a small amount and since Peter's books very little at that. But I am still unclear on what Pork does/has that is bad. Nitrites etc. yes, but the actual meat like Pork Tenderlon or Pork Chops???? I would expect that my ancestors hunted and ate wild boar so.... I look in Live Right again and could not find anything. I loaned out Eat Right. Jeff
Hi, Jeff!
There's a column page I wrote back in July of last year, which I'll link here with its title: Rye Bread, Butter and Pork -- Yum!. The first couple of paragraphs explain that old Pork thing, and contain a link to Peter's column on the subject of pork.
The wild boar our ancestors ate may or may not have carried the various impediments to healthy eating that the domesticated pig breeds do -- as yet, modern boar is unrated, so it's an unknown for now. Do bear in mind that our ancestors ate a whole lot of things they weren't necessarily well-adapted to. That's where Peter's system is head and shoulders above the various paleolithic diet designs which suggest one ancestral food plan for everyone with that ancestry. The BTD works by acknowledging and working with the many varieties of physiology we exhibit, and offering custom-fitted plans for each. enjoy!