Hi Heidi, It's me again (don't groan - lol!). Still trying to build up the courage to do the gallbladder flush.

I am doing so poorly right now with the diet - I don't know what's gotten into me - for four years I did so well and lately, I have been having "carb failure" or something. So, I KNOW that doing the gallbladder flush will get me back on track and I know I will feel a lot better.

My biggest fear is not the epsom salts or the olive oil - I can usually take anything that I have to take without much bother. My fear is the two days with only juice and soft veg. I get so hungry if I don't have protein that sometimes I can get all shaky. I am afraid this might happen at work.

Tell me what you eat for those two days and what kind of portions. I am figuring that I will make a mixture of carrots/turnip/parsnip mashed (which I love) and some soft broccoli and just eat that any time I get hungry and plenty of water - what kind of juice would you suggest? Would this be ok?

I think I will take the epsom and stuff early and go to bed early - say 8 p.m. so I don't have to stay up feeling hungry. I know I am a worry wart, that seems to have happened to me in the last couple of years - getting old!! I promise after you answer this post I will not bother you again until I have positive results to tell you about!! I am planning (if courage comes to me) to do the flush two weeks from now.

Thanks as always for your wonderful help. love sue p.s. - loved your post the other day on gettng back to basics - just what I needed to remind me that the diet is THE way to go!!!! sue o-neg

GROAN! ~;-D just kidding!! I ALWAYS love hearing from you, sue!! "carb failure," LOL! The winter brings that on in many folks. Sleeping EARLY and in the DARK (no ambient light or night lights), believe it or not, is helpful there. ;->

Well, I think your pre-flush plan is excellent. For the two days before the flush (on day 2's evening), when I worked in an office, I just gutted it out. I wasn't shaky -- but if I had grains or sugars or caffeine, I would have been -- but I *was* a bit spacey at first, which focused into a nice fasting-type clarity the second day. I truly don't think you'll have any trouble there. I'm not sure what kinds of demands you must meet during the workday, but I believe the problems you anticipate will not materialize. And I'd choose black cherry juice diluted 1/2-1/2 with pure water or mineral water, and a squeeze of lemon or lime.

Just follow the schedule in my instructions post -- and keep some warm mineral or soda water, mixed with some cherry juice, at hand to sip in case you feel nauseated. It should help you feel calm about the procedure, and so promote restful sleep. Once you've done the flush, you'll be amazed at what a simple, painless and effective thing it is.

MOST people will think twice or twenty times before doing something entirely new to them. You're not alone! We're all different, and it's just good sense to evaluate everything about your own situation and think carefully before plunging straight in -- especially when it's stuff you read about on the internet, know what I mean? :-D

Well, it just so happens we have a couple more successful 'flush flashes' right here, so read on! And here's a thought from Mary Anne Radmacher: "Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, I'll try again tomorrow." :-) that's the kind of courage that gets MOST things done, don't ya worry! :-D

Inspired by the advice and experiences here I did a gallbladder flush recently but was left a bit disappointed. After following your guidance closely, I had been expecting a veritable landslide into the pan but only produced a few mouldy peas. I had some mild nausea the morning of day 2, and a few liquid rushes but no drama.

Its left me wondering is there an onslaught yet to come or is that it? As an ex-veggie of many years and eaten more than my share of 'avoids', I thought I must have accumulated more gunk - but maybe not.

I will do another flush though in a few weeks. I've been a BTDer for 3 years and feeling great on it. It seems I can't get too much protein! Dr D's portion/frequency guidelines I've found especially important with respect to fruit - too much causes me lethargy. Thank you Heidi, our guardian angel in this cyberhood. Keith (O-non, Brit)

Hallo, Keith! Be not dismayed, your first-fruits... uh, FLUSH... result is very common. ;-> In fact, it's most common. And you had palpable success! Moldy peas, I'll take 'em! Those are stones, and they're signs of great things to come! :-D

Seriously, while I truly can't promise drama, I do assure you that your next flush will release more in terms of quantity and newsworthy quality. Also, while passing the eighth wonder of the world is personally satisfying, those small clear-outs make an equally big difference in one's health via keeping the bile mechanism free and unimpeded. So -- keep me posted! and very pleased to hear you're thriving on the nonnie path! :-)

Hello Heidi, Thank you for the prompt reply about the eye twitching. I'm not that familiar with supplements and need to ask a couple questions about your recommendation. You said a B-vit, with KAL yeast as your preference. I looked up KAL and WOW they have a bunch. I'm totally in the dark here. Should I order the "KAL yeast" and which one, or a B, and which one? Help! There are so many Bs, I just don't know which way to go. Thanks! Rachel

Hi, Rachel! Either a good B vitamin supplement (pill or capsule form) or KAL yeast, or both if you'd like the versatility of adding the KAL powder to foods as well as having a convenient capsule form to take your Bs when travelling.

There are loads of B supps, and I couldn't begin to guide you there except to suggest you seek out the highest concentration and widest coverage of B vitamins in the supp. Use a comparison-shopper thingy like VitaminShoppe have on their site. with such a wide choice, you can be very picky as to the cost and the formulation. Look for 'organic.' Make notes on what you find, and narrow it down to the very best you come up with.

The KAL yeast I take comes in a big yellow container, with a white, blue and red label, and states "non genetically modified." Most organic grocers or supp shops carry only that version of KAL, in either a 12-ounce or 22-ounce (foot-high container) size. Hope this helps, Rachel! :-D

Heidi – Well, THANK GOODNESS for your forum. Just in the last few weeks I’ve learned so much from your responses to people’s write-ins and questions.

For example, one writer mentioned that she and her hub were starting a pro-biotic regimen and noticed a LOT of gas, etc. Sure helped me through my new trial this week of pro-biotic. I took some for the first time today and about mid-day felt like I was getting the stomach flu. I’m pretty sure that it’s the pro-biotic, but WOW. At least I know that it’s to be expected.

Last weekend, because Monday was a work holiday for me, I did my second gallbladder/liver flush. This time, much bigger stones, but very few. How happy am I that I took another reader’s suggestion and mixed the grapefruit juice and olive oil? (HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY!) I just shook it up like salad dressing and I actually took in about ½ a cup of oil each time. Last time I did the flush I tried to just drink the oil. . . I even put it in a pretty wineglass… I couldn’t gag down more than ½ cup total. I recommend the mixing.

I also found myself in a little predicament over a urinary tract infection. I followed the protocol in the book and the pain/inflammation has reduced to nil over night. I’d gone 3 days before treating it and after using the cranberry and corn silk (couldn’t find the other items) combo, I was able to sleep comfortably.

With regards to the weight loss... unfortunately, I’d stalled out over the last few weeks. I didn’t gain over the holidays, which is good, but I didn’t loose either. I have been doing very well on the alternate nostril breathing, and deep meditative breathing, it’s really helped keep my anxiety and stress levels down, but I’ve been focusing so much energy into my hub’s eating habits and all the while neglecting mine.

Now, while concentrating on my own stuff, I’ve dropped again just a few more pounds. I got so excited when I found some sheep and goat’s milk cheeses that appealed to me, I went a bit over-board. I’ve been a cheese addict for years, and it continues to be my downfall, soy cheese doesn’t appeal in the same manner.

I know I’ve got to be better about getting more low and slow cardio work in, but walking has been my think and it’s SO cold here in Minneapolis. I’m resolving to get onto my recumbent bike and ride, ride, ride…. Hope all is well with you! Hugs from your fan (and friend) in Minneapolis. Susan - A-Secretor, Chef from Minneapolis

Hey-Ho, Susan! You're doing really splendidly! I hear you about the cold -- NYC's been frozen solid ever since our balmy New Year's Day. At least today the wind chill's not -25 like last week. Sheesh! this is a port city, we usually don't get this kind of Canadian Breath weather at all (the way you folks do EVERY year up there). Makes running in the park a little challenging, to say the least. This kind of cold is a stress in and of itself.

The big stones you're seeing from the flush are good news -- the second flush does usually produce more and/or bigger 'collectibles,' if they're waiting in there to be found. Hey, I'm pleased you're mixing the oil & grapefruit now. Folks, everyone please take note -- DO shake up the mixture. It's like lovely salad dressing. It's meant to be mixed & taken together. Try a pretty wineglass, too -- nice idea!

And thanks for 'reporting' on the urinary protocol's effectiveness and your resumed weight loss... NO gain over the holidays, that's a whoo-hoo, right there! Tip for the probiotics: I find the best way to take them is with a full glass of water, half an hour before bed -- and first thing in the morning with plenty of water then, too. Try it that way and see how you fare.

SO lovely to hear from you, Susan -- I'd say 'stay cozy,' but I think the better advice at the moment is STAY INSIDE! enjoy the biking! :-D

Heidi, Just read your column from the 16th. Good for you!!!

It amazes me that the ads for the medications have won over so many people. When I listen to the side affects, my thoughts are "who in their right mind would want ask their doctor for that???" In the Graedon's "People's Pharmacy" last week in the newspaper, they quoted a pharmaceutical exec who commented that the medications were only 30 - 50% successful for the people who are taking them. What terrible odds!!! And what a waste of money, and further ill health for the 50 - 70% that they don't help I agree with the percentages you pointed out.

I know when I stray from the diet and suffer the consequences - it's only my fault. I know what to do, it has been very clearly outlined for me.

On a personal note. I recently finished the liver and gall bladder flush. While I didn't capture the stones, I know I passed several. And it just wasn't the big deal it's made up to be - I'm looking forward to another in a month or so.

I've also completed my 3rd month at the gym. (Treadmill and weightlifting for an "O" secretor, 40+ woman.) I'm happy I did this for my well being, and also to get in shape for my spring horse back riding competitions.

I asked you in a column about the difference between trying to sweat out toxins in a dry sauna or steam bath. You questioned the chlorine in the steam bath, and I can only hope they are aware of the health issues on that. I did read on the internet where the toxins sometimes are dried back onto the skin in the dry sauna, whereas in the steam room , you continue to sweat. So, I still alternate back and forth.

Continued thanks for all you do, I look forward to all your advice! Amber

Hello, Amber! Thanks for the corroboration on the pharmaceutical effectiveness issue. I just read a rather disturbing news article (as if I could be any MORE disturbed by anything that goes on, knowing what we know already) about drug companies ghost-writing scientific articles -- like what you might read in the New England Journal of Medicine, or Lancet, could have been substantively put together by the corporation that funded the project. Yeah, I know, the majority of the research would never be done without drug company funding, but WRITING the gosh-darn article as well? Probably been going on for years. Still upsetting.

P.S., I'm tired of research into all these DRUGS and DISEASES, using ANIMALS (I'm shouting ;->), which Peter's work has already settled nicely for human beings, thank you. And with the FDA effectively *owned* by special interests now, small wonder that these powerful lobbies keep pressing the Congresscritters to 'enact' some sort of bogus restriction on all the supplements which CAN'T be patented and which are competing for the profits gained from the drug forms of the same substances. *grrrr.*

Anyhoo, I digress. About the water there -- If you're regularly taking those saunas & steambaths -- do you smell chlorine? I mean, that's how I'd determine whether it's in the water. Even a little chlorine really sets my nose quivering, so I'll bet you can tell, too.

Thank you so much for noting how simple & effective the gallbladder flush is! I appreciate the report, and hope others will be emboldened to write in with their results, too. Bless ya, and best wishes on your training! :-)

Hi Heidi, I remember someone recently mentioned that vegetable glycerine may contain asbestos. Here is an online excerpt of Dr. Clark's book from curezone.com. This excerpt implies most glycerines do contain asbestos and silicone. What do you think? Thanks. Carol

Hi, Carol! Yeah, that's the excerpt I read. Unfortunately, I can't find a single supporting bit of evidence for the presence in either, in any brand of veg gly. That's what I'm still looking for, but the trail has pretty much petered out. If anyone does have lab reports or any kind of research showing these things ARE present in the veg gly on the market, please send it in! Inquiring minds wanna know! ;-> thanks, carol!! :-D

Hi, Heidi!

I have two questions for you today.

First, I seem to recall your noting that a very few individuals should not take the KAL yeast. Since I cannot find that reference, would you please clarify that issue for me?

My second question is a plea for information on companies that sell turkey stock. (Don't these guys realize there's a real market out here?) As an AB, I would really appreciate having the boxed or canned version in my pantry. In the past I often used these handy packs of chicken stock (before I saw the light!) to create great winter soups. Busy as life is, I just don't have time to always start from scratch (turkey scratch, that is)! Thanks for any help. I greatly enjoy your column! LindaC

Hello, Linda! I believe you're remembering a response to a woman with severe nickel allergy. Nutritional yeast contains really teeny quantities of lithium, nickel and tin, so it was off limites for her. It was interesting when she figured out that her nickel problem was likely the result of wearing braces for years. Even in cases like this, once the 'system overload' is resolved, the allergy generally goes away with it.

Your query on turkey stock is a goodie! I don't know of any companies selling it. One big turkey makes a mighty quantity of stock - sixteen quarts, as I usually make it - which lasts longer than 'between turkeys' for us, and is wonderfully convenient when frozen in portion sizes.

However: I do hear your concern here, and it's a great one to act on.

In fact, it's a marvelous opportunity to make your desires known to the people who make stock. Stroll through the organic soup aisle, take down names & websites or addresses/phone #'s, and give them some cordially urgent customer feedback. Every food co. has whole departments trying to find out what people want so they can give it to them. Help 'em out! Eden Foods and Westbrae come immediately to mind, and there are a slew of others. If you will do the legwork to make up a list of company names and contact information, I'll post it here and write to them myself, and encourage others to do so, too. HOO-rah!! Let's rock!! ~:-D No kidding, this is a very, very good thing to get in the habit of doing. Let me know, dear! and thanks so much for writing!! :-D