Dear Heidi, Regarding dark circles under the eyes this is a reply from an O- secretor.

When I eliminated grains and starches from my diet my life-long dark circles disappeared in about one month's time along with the most severe allergy symptoms. Karen O

Yep! :-) I've seen it happen many, many times. Just removing wheat often does the trick for type O, and it's fun to hear the reactions as that image in the mirror changes so quickly. ;-) Thank you for the reminder, Karen! :-D

I have had breast cancer and am Type B. The cocktail recommended for my blood type includes lecithin granules made from soy. I thought because of my cancer I should avoid soy. Is this a harmful drink, and if not, can it be consumed everyday given my cancer history? THANK YOU Carol S

Hello, Carol! Lecithin, whether soy- or egg-based, is absolutely fine for type B. The TYPEbase3 database and the Updates page (find them in the pull-down menus) both have been amended to show this rating. Try to find an organic soy lecithin, to limit your exposure to pesticides and genetically-modified organisms. And you can certainly have the Membrane Fluidizer Cocktail every day! Very warmest wishes to you, and congratulations on your success! :-D

From New Zealand,a million thanks Heidi for your response to my questions about Heart disease, Gout and blancing the O type. I have now purchased the products recommended in the protocols for Metabolism and for Cardiac conditions. I find I am horrendously reactive to the Protein Blend. Wheezy breathing, itchy eyes, red, blotchy skin. I checked out the Allergy Protocols and so my question is this.

Would you suggest beginning the allergy protocols and then returning to the protein blend? Or perhaps, greatly reducing the amount of the blend? Or something entirely different? If you have any theories on why an O would react to a recommended food, I am interested. I have only been on the other Protocols for two weeks and am feeling the difference. Thanks for all your energy and help. marni

Hi, marni! Allergies such as the one you describe are a cumulative result of foods and stress. For now, put aside the Protein Blend, and focus on soothing your overactive immune system by following the diet and exercise recommendations, along with the protocols you are doing now. In time, you will find that foods which triggered problems in the past will no longer do so.

I suspect you may be reacting to the bromelain in the Blend -- ever have a problem with pineapple? I do believe the allergies will resolve themselves with time on the diet, as that has been the customary experience of BTD'ers around the world.

I'm so pleased you're seeing results from the Protocols! Keep at it, dear, and you'll be amazed at the life awaiting you! :-D

Hi Heidi, Is it OK for an A secretor to add Stevia to green tea? I know one should not add milk or lemon. Jack

Hey there, Jack! Yes, milk is out for you, although lemon is fine if you'd like it. As long as your stevia is 'stevia only' or contains only OK ingredients for your type, sure! a bit in the tea is perfectly OK, too! :-D

Hi Heidi, I was thinking about Lisya's bladder infection - what do you think of cranberry extract for it? I think it was studied for urinary tract infection (the Cranactin (r) product) and was shown to be effective also for preventing bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder. Do you recommend avoiding this product for some reason? --Shima

Hello, Shima! Cranberry is great for UTIs, but I omitted it partly because the protocol for O omits it, and partly because Lisya's tried most food-based treatments already and cranberry is the commonest-known. For other types it apparently has proven more effective than the elements suggested for O in the Urinary Tract Health protocol. That said, it will certainly do no harm, and for some it is a quick and inexpensive way to alleviate the problem. Thanks for your thoughtful reading, Shima! :-D

I'm relatively new to the diet. I'm O Rh neg. Secreter status unknown.

In two weeks alone, I have lost 10 pounds by eliminating wheat, corn and dairy. I'm not starving. In fact, I'm eating like a pig.

I have a few questions. Are seltzer water and club soda the same substance? Are they interchangable?

Roasted chicory root as a coffee substitute--I had this when in New Orleans last summer. I've yet to come across it in Toronto, but I'm sure to make the effort to find it if you tell me it's an acceptable substance for O. Chicory is listed as a beneficial veg for O.

For the past few years I have religiously ingested a Green drink every morning. Now to my horror I find that the wheat grass, barley grass, and alfalfa grass are not in compliance with my type. Might these grasses be an acceptable, just as sprouted wheat bread is?

Alas, when will the blood type supplements be available for purchase in Canada, other than over the net. ~ charlotte

Hello, Charlotte ~ and welcome!! :-) I don't know if plans are underway to get Right4YourType products into Canada, but the man in charge of that department is John Harris -- drop him a note at his column, on our main page (www.dadamo.com).

Seltzer tends to be fizzy water (carbonated) without salt, and club soda is much the same except it may contain a bit of salt. This truly varies among regions, so check your bottle for the ingredients. For purposes of the diet, they're interchangeable.

Roasted chicory is GREAT for type O, and does make a fine coffee sub!

About your green drink, we've got modified rapture: wheat grass and barley grass are very good for you (and everyone else), but alfalfa is not. Alfalfa in sprout OR grass form is a no-no for O. :-}

Great work on the weight loss! "I'm eating like a pig and losing weight like a bandit" is something I've heard a lot over the years ~ enjoy it! and do write again! ~:-D