I am blood type O and have been on the program for just over three weeks. I have been very strict about not eating any harmful foods and have attempted to eat at least one highly beneficial food at every meal. I have also started a pretty intense exercise program -- 500-600 stairs every morning (I live in a very hilly town).

What I have noticed is that I require far less sleep than I used to. I have an intense, demanding, challenging job, and I always said that I need to sleep 8-9 hours each night to be able to function well during the day. Lately, I go to bed at about 9:00 p.m. (tired and able to fall asleep right away), but I wake up between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m. feeling completely rested. I'm not tired again until 8:30 or 9:00 p.m. I guess I'm just asking if you have heard of this before with the blood type diet. Chronologically, it has corresponded perfectly with my beginning the diet and the exercise regimen. I don't like waking up so early but enjoy the energy I feel.

Another question: What about the grain Kamut? It is not mentioned in the book. --Dr. J.R. Curtis

I'm smiling, because your sleep changes are one of the beneficial "side-effects" of this paradigm. When you began feeding and exercising according to your body's needs, the negative chemical and physical stresses of your old way of living began processing out of your system -- "getting out of the way," as it were. Result: you need less sleep. This doesn't happen to everyone right away; some report low energy and a need for more sleep initially. In your case, your abundant natural vitality reasserted itself immediately.

This development could mean 600 stairs climbed and a couple of hours of work completed, all before anybody else is out of bed! :-> It may become permanent, or your need for sleep may change as your body settles into its newfound clarity. In addition, seasonal changes can affect natural circadian rhythms -- you may tend to sleep earlier and longer in winter than in high summer. Lights Out: Sleep, Sugar and Survival by T.S. Wiley with Brent Formby, M.D. relates some of the current research on the profound effects of light (and darkness) on physical and mental health.

Sleeping when you're tired and getting up when you're rested is one of the signs of a truly healthy lifestyle. Congratulations! As long as you are comfortable with this schedule, it is fine and normal for you.

In my experience, a brief nap (1/2 to one hour) in the late afternoon (between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.) can be salutary, just to break up the long stretch of waking time and allow your body and mind a surcease in which to process the events of the day. If this works for you, your long block of sleep time may move to 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., or thereabouts. None of this need be set in stone ~ just follow your natural impulses as you've been doing.

Kamut is an ancient grain, one of many items which we've added to the food lists since Eat Right and Cook Right were published. It's Neutral for As and Os, Avoid for Bs and ABs. Live Right 4 Your Type (the red book) was the first to carry the revised lists, and the small single-blood type Food, Beverage and Supplement Lists include secretor-neutral values for all foods.

Such a pleasure to get your note! and I hope you continue to experience new and surprising benefits!