Heidi, This isn't a question for you to answer, but a request that you talk to someone about changing the margins on the website. Whenever I try to print out info, whether your Q&A or those of Dr. D'Adamo, the right-hand margins cut off some letters, even whole words. Then I have to laboriously go through and hand-letter in the omissions. And that is time-consuming and very aggravating. Also, if the material is something I want to show my doctor, for example, it looks mighty unprofessional. I originally thought it was my small printer, but not so, because I am just now on my husband's larger system, and the same thing occurs. So it must be the margins on your site. Please see what you can do to solve this problem. It might be a little insignificant, but I surely am not the only person facing it. Thanks for your work and blessings be heaped upon you! Ruth



I think it's been fixed as of today, Ruth ~ thank you for the suggestion, and for your kind blessings!



Hello Heidi, I love your column. However, each time I click your column's link to the "official change log," I get a notice that the page cannot be found. Any suggestion? Thank you, Eva



The URL is HERE! -- I'm not sure which column contained the link that doesn't work, but I'll correct it if I find it ~ thanks! :-)



Has "Eat Right for your type" been published in Spanish? If so, where is it available for purchase. Thank you, Ana



Both Eat Right and Live Right are available in Spanish, at least in Argentina. See the Library link heading on our home page for the availability of international editions. :-)



I have tried to get information regarding "Subtype" from the webpage, specifically "RH incompatibility and schizophrenia" to no avail. Can someone somewhere send me the information that is available with regard to the previously mentioned site as it may relate to my son. (I realize this may not be your department, but I would appreciate it very much if you could find the time to send this request on to the appropriate person so that I may access this information) Thanks a bunch! Deb



Dear Deb: I reviewed the Ask Dr. D'Adamo page you noted, but couldn't ascertain what information regarding subtype you're seeking. Have you tried the "subtype" link at the bottom right corner of the home page? If this doesn't provide what you need, please let me know!



Hello Heidi Somewhere I recall you making a reference to the Practitioners registry. Could you change my listing? I am listed under Healing Garden Clinic. Kenneth Carlin, ND 919 3rd Street, Suite 102 Langley, WA 98260 (360) 221-5596 Thanks - Ken



Hi, Ken ~ thanks for updating your entry! We truly appreciate your support!!



Thanks to all for their hints, tips and suggestions ~ always glad to hear from you!

I'll be putting up more "Potpourri" pages in the next few weeks. Since I receive many more questions than I could cover by addressing one per day (and I start feeling bad when people go unanswered), the potpourris help clear up the backlog. Thanks for your patience! Keep writing, and keep smiling!! :-D

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Hi, Cindy ~ (1) Supplemental vitamin E is a known blood thinner. Since Os have the "thinnest" blood of the four types and are more highly susceptible to bleeding disorders, Polyvite-O is designed without vitamin E. (2) Aloe is indeed a common ingredient in moisturizers, but there are others based on almond oil, jojoba oil, even plain old olive oil ("Kiss My Face" products come to mind). On the other hand, it is not a major concern -- we're far more interested in keeping aloe out of the type O digestive system -- but watch for any adverse reactions to those skin care products. Some folks are more sensitive to topicals than others are.

July 5 had a question about tofu boredom where your answer suggested several bean options, one being limas. I thought limas are avoid for type A. Many thanks. Brenda

WHOOPS! Thank you, Brenda, you're quite right -- I've corrected it. Much appreciate your note!

To give everyone the chance of having more quality of life why not make shure that no children are born non-sec genetically manipulate there genes so they are born secretors instead of non-secretors. Do you think such a thing would ever be done? Kevin

Hmmm... golly, I think my quality of life is pretty darned fine. ;-) Nonsecretors have comparatively higher defenses against certain types of cancer, and less lectin-related dietary restrictions than secretors have. It ain't all bad! Remember that all those disease statistics about our sad & sorry NS state are based on people not following the D'Adamo diets - so if we just follow our plans, we have better health than many of our secretor counterparts who do not. As far as the kind of genetic manipulation you mention, I wouldn't be at all surprised ~ but I'd prefer it were restricted to alleviation of actual disease states, of which nonsecretordom is not one! :->

Please give more details on how & why senna leaves/pods herbal teas are not suitable for blood type B to use as laxatives. ~ Sy

Glad you checked in, Sy! Senna was on the old "avoid" list. It's been upgraded to "Neutral" for everyone except type A nonsecretors, so it's fine for you. Be sure to check TYPEbase 3® now and again, to see if a favorite avoid may have crept up in the charts! :-D

I cannot find any information on Chickpeas? I am an A can I eat chickpeas? Hummus? Also, in NZ we have a fruit called a feijoa. Do you know if these are OK for A's? Thanks --Tina

Chickpeas = garbanzo beans. In Live Right 4 Your Type, both terms are listed. Feijoa.... Beautiful, isn't it? Even those lovely flowers are edible. While it's technically an unknown, I'd exercise caution with all unlisted tropical-bred fruits if I were type A. Be a little extra vigilant for any untoward reactions -- otherwise, enjoy!

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Hi Heidi,

Just wondering if you could pop in one of your answers for UK residents that it is possible to buy organic white spelt flour here (I searched high and low for it and only came up with one outlet). It can be purchased from Green's Mill in Nottingham and the phone number is 0115 9156878.

There is also a website http://www.innotts.co.uk/greensmill. Greens Mill is quite fascinating, it is an old windmill which is open to the public (gratis too), a museum where one can go and see how the windmill works (and much more) and actually see grains being stoneground... if the wind is blowing. :-) Thank you for your time and a wonderful column. :-) Regards, Annette

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"Blow the wind southerly, southerly, southerly..."

Thanks for that bit of great info, Annette! Tell me, does Nottingham still have that gorgeous theatre they were restoring when I last visited in the 70s? and what a beautiful town. *sigh.* I do miss your lovely country. :-}

UK spelt-shoppers, take note -- and I hope this helps!

Thanks again, Annette!!

I am 52 (O+ and I assume a secretor since I have auburn hair and green eyes) and have been in ill health for the past 20 years.

Up until I was 32 I felt great--no allergies, no food intolerances, tons of energy, perfectly functioning intestinal system, all coupled with the ability to roll quite well with the emotional punches of life. BUT then I came down with a bad case of the flu and bronchitis. Because I felt so awful, I went to the doctor (I didn't have a regular physician because I was never sick) who put me on erythromycin. That was the beginning of the end. I had a severe reaction to the erythromicin--bad rash, candida infection, and an intestinal system that completely stopped functioning for two weeks. Although the acute phase of the illness passed, I never got better.

I have been left with extreme weakness and fatigue, numerous allergies, arthritis, intolerances to almost everything I eat, dizzy spells, nasal congestion, intestinal problems, constant sore throats and colds, the inability to tolerate antibiotics of any kind, headaches that occur almost every waking moment, and many other symptoms, including inflammation that seems to ricochet all over my body. Doctors--both conventional and alternative have been of no help--although at least the alternative doctors believed me, while the conventional doctors kept telling me that it was all in my head (this in spite of the fact that at the height of the illness my blood pressure dropped to 80 over 60, I lost 20 pounds in less than four weeks, I ran a fever for three months, my skin was greyish green, I had trouble swallowing, I couldn't walk up a flight of stairs, and every time I ate ANYTHING I doubled over in excruciating pain). (My favorite doctor was the one who told me that I was having an hysterical conversion reaction because my husband and I were in the same field and I was subconsciously competing with him.)

Be that as it may, I have managed to live a semi-normal life by doing a lot of pretending and pushing through the pain. (I even managed to have a baby who is now 14.) I have been on Nystatin, numerous supplements, B12 and magnesium shots, anti-parasitic formulas and amino acids and probiotics (none of which I could tolerate), Nizoral (which caused liver damage and almost killed me), thyroid medication, and lots of other things--nothing helped. I have tried the blood type diet for a number of months and it has quieted the symptoms down, but there's been no great change. The only diagnosis that I have gotten (and this was about six years ago) that has been confirmed by laboratory testing is intestinal permeability and the presence of blastocystis hominis. I was given aloe vera juice and evening primrose oil and a liquid charcoal drink and Chinese herbs--I just felt sicker and sicker with an overlay of extreme anxiety and depression, neither of which I'm prone to except as a side effect of any supplement or medication I can't tolerate. Needless to say, I stopped taking all that stuff.

In any event, I don't think the blood type diet alone will work. Do you have any suggestions as to supplements? I am already using the fucus, the larch, the methyl B12, and the blood type vitamin and mineral formulas. I am really tired of feeling awful. Many, many thanks. Sorry for the length of this. Deanna

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Dear Deanna,

Your situation is terrible, and I wish it were more uncommon than it is.

Right now I have more questions than answers for you, but in the space of this column I'll try to give you a start on the direction to head in.

The first event, as you pointed out, was: erythromycin destroyed your gut bacteria. In that process, it destroyed (1) your ability to digest food and (2) your immune system. It also damaged your digestive lining, including the stomach lining. As an extra added bonus, it compromised the nerve ganglia (the "gut brain") in your intestines. The candida gleefully rose up when the beneficial bacteria were killed by the antibiotic, and their free-for-all concluded with a feast on your intestinal walls. Every symptom you described is a direct and indirect result of this damage -- even low blood pressure and feelings of impending doom, which present quite expectedly with systemic candidiasis infection.

The fact that you have persevered for twenty years under these conditions is a testament to your natural strength, mental toughness and determination. That tells me that you are going to succeed. You will heal. Nothing is going to stop you.

Here are my recommendations:

Food won't do you much good until you can digest it. If you lived in Germany or Switzerland, you would probably already have undertaken a supervised fast -- but skilled practitioners in such matters are thin on the ground here in the States. For that reason, I do not recommend a fast. Instead, I suggest the following guidelines:

A. IF you tried the O probiotic and couldn't tolerate it, please email me at helpinghand. If you haven't tried it, please begin it now. Discontinue the vitamin and mineral formulas -- they're not worth the cost until you can assimilate them. They'll keep for a later date. Keep taking the larch, the B12 and the fucus.

B. Get a bag of whole organic flaxseed and stick it in the fridge. Gold, brown, doesn't matter. Also, a $10 electric coffee grinder from Braun or Salton. Don't use it yet. In a few weeks, grind a tablespoon into powder and soak in 1/4 cup of water for twenty minutes. Eat it down. If this gives you any pain, wait another three weeks and try it again.

C. IF you can tolerate both wild blueberries and rice, here's a nice German recipe for curing colitis. I suggest it to you because its action is to heal inflammation in the digestive tract, and provide valuable proanthocyanadins and many trace substances in a harmless package. My friend Joachim wrote it, and I have edited it for your use.

Boil white rice in plenty of saltwater until the rice is very soft. As you probably won't be able to buy fresh WILD Blueberries, soak dried wild blueberries in a little warm water (initially boil because you want to rule out any germs) and add the water + Blueberries to the drained rice. Eat this by carefully chewing. Drink wild Blueberry tea (2 - 3 tablespoons, boiled in a cup of water, let rest for 10 Min.), also eat a few tablespoons of dried wild blueberries in-between meals, and again chew carefully.









See the wild blueberry sellers page for getting the fruit.

D. Eat no grain whatsoever, neither whole nor sprouted, other than that rice concoction. Eat no dairy of any kind, and no dried fruit. Absolutely no refined sugar -- including molasses. DO use vegetable glycerine -- "NOW" is a good brand, and it's the only sweetener you should put in your mouth (for the moment). It will not feed the rapacious critters, and it will actually aid your cells in energy production. A little nutbutter or seedbutter every day is fine, but no whole nuts or seeds. Get some okra and eat it any way you can -- stewed, sauteed, etc. (not raw).

E. How are your teeth (and your budget)? If you have bunches of mercury amalgam fillings, it will help your cause to get them replaced with biologically suitable composites -- but ONLY by a dentist skilled in substance testing who has the appropriate equipment and experience to replace amalgams.

F. Lovely dark red hair and green eyes notwithstanding, I suspect you are a nonsecretor. We are hit particularly hard by unfettered candida growth, since we do not produce (as do secretors) the protective glycocompounds which inhibit candida's ability to stick to our sensitive mucosa. Once the deed (nasty course of antibiotics) is done, it's a long road back for us. Please consider getting the saliva secretor test offered by NAP on this site.

G. In the meantime, follow the standard type O meat, fish and vegetable diet (with the modifications noted above). Eat only the beneficial foods from these categories -- again, except for the specific modifications noted. Don't eat anything that gives you pain: concentrate on the wild blueberry/rice protocol and add other foods singly as you can tolerate them. Focus on oily fish like wild salmon (widely available canned), monkfish, mackerel, etc. Consider purchasing a product called "Omegasentials." Read about it at the Minnesota Wellness Directory pages.

H. Don't ever take any antibiotic again as long as you live. ;-) Instead, get a supply of "Heallix" from my friend Leo at www.heallix.com. It looks expensive (around $40 per bottle), but he offers specials all the time. This is an antimicrobial/healing combination of fulvic acid and ionized (NOT colloidal) silver -- well worth the price to have on hand. Read about it on his site.

Eventually, you won't need much in the way of fancy supps, and will prosper on your O diet. You can do all this by yourself ~ no doctors required. Please keep in touch, and let me know your progress. And keep that wonderful spirit shining!

I'm in shock. As of when did wheat become a neutral for type A? (See Doc Bron column of 6/26/02.) Since wheat is such a "biggie," how could it have been classified incorrectly for so long? It really makes me call into question the whole blood type diet in general. I'm sure others will be equally upset. Thanks. Julia



Hi, Julia ~~ May I call you "Evilcactus?" :-) WHAT a great email addy! :-D



Doc Bron addressed that bit, and corrected the page. I'll reprint it here, in case you or others didn't see it:











Hope this has rehabilitated the blood type diet in your eyes!



Best wishes, and thanks for writing!

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You've done beautifully. If you lost 15# in 8 months, it'll be 20# in a couple more. Rather than focus on those sickening Bs (LOL!), take a survey of the single-minded hardihood you've demonstrated, and how it has served you so well! It takes a strong character to set goals and persist in the necessary work over time, for small incremental gains. Someone once said, "Discipline is doing what you REALLY want to do." You've done a whole lot more than just lose weight. Here's a PAT, PAT, PAT on your back!!! You'll get where you're headed, and have a great deal to be proud of in the accomplishment. I truly believe that's what obstacles (and type B siblings) are for -- to make those of us who have to work for it, look good! :-D

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Greetings, Kirsty ~~



You're going to love me, girl. You just went out and spent good dollars (better than ours these days) on a book, and I'm after sending you straight back out to buy another. :-( ! Live Right 4 Your Type, that is.



First, my excuse: the book copyrights don't allow for the food lists to be posted on the Internet. Otherwise, I'd point you to the full, revised food lists. Second, it's more than an update: there have been significant changes to the lists (in items as well as values), and vastly increased information on this new science, and either one makes the price of Live Right well worth it. Third, we've ironed out those wrinkles you so quickly noted in Eat Right, and we ask people to check ingredients now instead of rating in our lists mixed products as OK or Avoid. Makes it a ton easier.

Let me try to tiptoe back into your good graces by clearing up those Qs: rye is an avoid -- whether the whole grain or the flour -- so seven-grain bread, pumpernickel, Finn Crisp, etc. should be avoided. The regular wheat products, like semolina, white flour, unbleached flour, sprouted flours, all except whole wheat, wheat bran and wheat germ, are fine for you (unless you're a nonsecretor, about 20% of the population). If they're in your pasta (including spinach pasta), that's fine, too. :-)

It sounds like you're doing splendidly. Great job converting from vegetarianism ~ you'll be pleased with the results! If you're wondering about ANY other updated food values, just pop over to the TYPEbase3® database!

I do hope this helps!

:-D

Dear "On the Diet": Greetings from Squamish, BC, Canada. I have been on the diet for almost a year now (Type A), and have noticed numerous health changes and benefits.

As I continue to search for products that may be of use to me in my quest for "better health", there are the odd esoteric ones that are not listed in either of the two books I own (Cook Right.. and Eat Right...). I would be interested if any of the HEMP products (oil, seeds, hearts) are safe for A's, along with SAW PALMETTO. I am a 50 year old male, and have read that the latter is useful for the potentially looming prostate problems. Your help would be much appreciated. Yours truly, George

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Hallo, British Columbia! :-)

In regard to hemp, Peter wrote a reply for you, here.

Saw Palmetto is listed in the Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia protocols as a specific for prostate health, for As, ABs and Bs. Please check any supplements you take, to see if zinc is listed. 25 mg per day is recommended, which you might be getting already. The UDA Plus supplement is also recommended. The fun part is having a couple of handfuls of pumpkin seeds, every day if you can manage it!

Thanks for your happy report, and my best wishes for your continued good health!

I am a healthy, 41 yr. old, type O, female. I have been on your diet very religiously for 2 weeks. I am starting to experience moderate swelling in my hands and feet with arthritis-like aching in my fingers, knees and ankles. Is there some period of detox to be expected and this is normal or should I be concerned about this discomfort? I have always been a protien, fruit and vegetable eater. The only real change to my diet has been the exclusion of wheat and corn. I was also told by a friend the "white corn" is okay for type "O". Is that true or should all corn be avoided? Lisa

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Hello, Lisa!

Corn should indeed be avoided in all its forms. If we someday find a variety that does not carry the "corn lectin," we'll be posting an update on this site!

Yes, it does sound like the symptoms you're experiencing are the result of eliminating wheat and corn. It happened to me in a very slight form. I wouldn't be concerned about it, as long as it clears up in a month or so.

Taking DEFLECT-O™ and perhaps Taraxacum will help speed this process through loosening old lectin-damaged tissues, and boosting liver and kidney function to eliminate the toxins and release the swelling. You needn't take them forever. They can be used just for a "jump-start" to ease the transition for your system as it adjusts to the new diet.

Thanks for your note, and let me know how you're feeling now!

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Hi, Echota!

Generally speaking, I don’t respond at all, as the science side is not my forte. From my vantage point, the results speak for themselves –- the Outcome Registry, for instance, and the thousands of folks I’ve heard from informally over the years.

However, Peter has responded on many occasions. I did a quick scan of the hundreds of Ask Dr. D’Adamo pages, and found a number of relevant answers there. That’s a great place to start. Not knowing the specific issues you're referring to, let's start with a few general criticism-related links:

"WEIRD SCIENCE" OR SELECTIVE IGNORANCE?

HARD FACTS FROM THE FICTION DEPARTMENT

AGAIN (AND AGAIN AND AGAIN)

"WHAT ABOUT SO-AND-SO'S CRITICISM..."

Also, our home page has a "Science" section on the lower right hand side, with links to eleven different pages. You might start with "Citations," "Disease," "Immunology," "Lectins," and "Theory," for example.

Enjoy your reading, and thank you for writing!

The information provided in your book "Eat Right 4 Your Type" has vastly improved the quality of my life and most likely extended my lifetime.

I am a 62 year old, type O, male Caucasian. For the two years prior to reading your book (and applying the principals) I was plagued with an unending siege of constipation, diarrhea and ultimately diverticulitis which put me in the hospital twice. My doctor ran me through a battery of tests which cost thousands of dollars only to come up short. It was only due to chance that we stumbled first across an article in a health food magazine on Celiac disease (which clued me to wheat) and then across your book.

For years I have pursued and practiced what I thought was a healthy diet and consumed huge quantities of whole grains (mainly organic wheat in various forms). Toward the end of the traditional medical approach which was ending in complete frustration I decided to take matters into my own hands and see if I could solve the mystery.

My approach was to simply stop eating for a couple of days and then begin adding back foods one by one and seeing what happened. It was this experiment that lead me to the conclusion that I was not tolerating wheat nor dairy but I didn't know why until I read your book.

Since employing your recommendations for type Os I have regained my health and been symptom free.

I have mentioned your book to my physician who responded with a smirk. It makes me want to change doctors but alas I fear that I would only find a similar response with other traditional doctors and solve nothing by changing. What is likewise amazing is to discover the host of other medical research giants who are actively involved in the study of lectins and the effect on human health. When you run an Internet search on "lectins" you get a hit on thousands of pages. I have attempted to read some of the information but have concluded that I am not nearly educated well enough to comprehend what is being said.

In light of the plethora of such scholarly advances it is embarrassing that the traditional medical community would have such an arrogant and cavalier attitude. It would appear that if you want to be and stay healthy you must assume personal responsibility. A dangerous matter when you consider the complexity of human biology. I shudder to contemplate where I would be today if, by chance, I hadn't discovered your book.

I am truly sad for the millions of others, who are suffering with no clue why. Thank you for your work. I wish there was something that could be done to spread your good work further and faster. John, New York State

P.S. I have noticed there are a few contradictions between information in your book and that provided on your web sight. Does this suggest that your Internet information is more current?

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Dear John ~~ I, too, would like to spread Peter's work further and faster! By taking the time to share your story with us, you have done exactly that.

In general, yes, the website reflects the most recent research.

Thank you for writing, and a long and healthy life to you!

Just a brief recap to all who continue to write to me about discrepancies between the books:

:

The latest food lists are in Live Right 4 Your Type and the Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia -- with modifications! The modifications are on the updates page.

* These latest SECRETOR-SPECIFIC LISTS supercede and replace the lists in Eat Right and Cook Right. *

II. FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW THEIR SECRETOR STATUS, AND DO NOT PLAN TO DO SO:

The latest food lists are in the individual blood type Food Beverage & Supplement Lists (otherwise known as the "Little Books").

* These latest SECRETOR-NEUTRAL LISTS supercede and replace the lists in Eat Right and Cook Right.*

(Caps used for clarity, not shouting. :-D)



ADDITIONALLY:

The lists for Group I, above, under "secretors" cannot be directly compared to the lists for Group II, above. THE TWO SETS OF LISTS HAVE DIFFERENT PURPOSES.

The SECRETOR-SPECIFIC LISTS take advantage of the added knowledge of secretor status, which allows more specific recommendations and more targeted help for people with health problems.

The SECRETOR-NEUTRAL LISTS are designed to straddle the fence between the worst secretor and nonsecretor avoids, and the best secretor and nonsecretor beneficials -- in order to serve both groups well.



I think this covers it -- if not, just let me know! thanks, everyone!!

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Sharon, there are no silly questions ~ only silly people, and you came to the right place to find one. :-D

There's no hurry to test your kids. They are all type O. The reason is, in order to be type O, one must possess only O genes (two of them, actually) because O is recessive to any other kind of ABO gene. So neither you nor your husband has anything except O genes to pass to your offspring. That means the kiddles are definitely O.

About the Rhesus type: again, two genes. The possible gene combinations are:

+/+ (Rh positive), +/- (Rh positive), or -/- (Rh negative). You see that the Rh negative gene is just like the O gene: it's recessive. You must have two of them (in other words, none of the "dominant" gene(s))in order to express that characteristic.

The likelihood is that your kids are Rh positive, since both their parents are. However, if both you and your husband are "+/-" AND if both of you contributed that "-" gene to any one of your kids, then he or she would be Rh negative. Maybe a 25% chance of this happening. In that case, you & hubby can also walk around your neighborhood saying "We're heterozygous! We're heterozygous!" [Big word meaning "got one of each." :-)] On second thought, maybe your neighbors wouldn't react warmly to this behavior, but it would sure inspire conversation! ;-D

Rh type is not of paramount importance in following the diets, so I'd say go ahead and assume the kids are Rh positive. No problem waiting till they're older to use the blood type test & find out for sure.

Thanks for your note, and enjoy that single-bloodtype household!

The type B lists paperback book shows a separate frequency for nuts and seeds versus nut butters but the type O book only has one frequency shown even though both nut and seeds and nut butters are listed. Are both books correct in how they show the frequency for the Nuts and Seeds category or does one of them have an error? Don



Nice spotting, Don! The type B and AB books show an either/or frequency, while the type O and A books list one frequency to be followed for both. All four books are correct. :-)

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What artificial sweeteners are acceptable for Blood Type B persons? How about sucralose (Splenda)? 2. I have recently started on a soy protein supplement (Revival Soy) as I can't take estrogen (previous breast cancer) and my Pap smears are coming back abnormal because of the deterioration of the vaginal tissues. I had hoped this would be the answer to my problem, but now I see in the "Food Beverage & Supplement Lists" for Blood Type B that soy products are to be avoided. Does this include the Revival Soy protein/soy isoflavone products? Ann



I can't recommend any artificial sweetener to anyone, especially cancer survivors. The blood type diets list the sweeteners we should use. Don't be afraid of them! They won't contribute to weight gain if used in balance with the other, nutrient rich, foods. Yes, soy really should be avoided by Bs, although some forms are less harmful than others -- just follow the Live Right food lists, as modified on the updates page. Do use whole foods in preference to chemical substitutes and fractionated foods -- and because of your history, I suggest getting a copy of both Live Right 4 Your Type and the Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia. They contain vital information for you! Good health to you, Ann!

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As an O, I am not to ingest aloe vera and safflower oil. Does it matter if these ingredients are applied topically as in cosmetics. Anne



In his practice, Peter hasn't noted reactions to topical avoids. Just to be on the safe side, monitor yourself for any sensitivity to these products. By the way, there is a wide range of health-conscious body care formulations these days, and many of them are surprisingly avoid-free. Aubrey, for example, makes great shampoos... Kiss My Face has a variety of OK soaps, Burt's Bees makes lovely toothpaste... the list goes on, and more manufacturers are getting the clue every day. When you can, set aside an hour and just browse through the ingredient list of every single brand you find in your HFS. Nothing like a nice surprise, right? ;->

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what is tahini,and can i make it or buy it? ~ carol



Tahini is a thick paste of crushed sesame seeds, which are rich in oil. It is a staple ingredient in Middle Eastern and Greek recipes for sauces. Technically, yes -- you can make your own: you'd have to find unroasted, hulled sesame seeds, and use a food processor (or a juicer like Vitamix which has a nutbutter attachment) to make a smooth paste. It might be best at first to pick up a small jar of organic tahini... just to see if you like it. Then you can decide if the make-at-home process is worthwhile. It's lovely stuff, I hope you enjoy it!

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I note in the recent interview with Dr D'Adamo on the site, that the good doctor, a type A, is taking karate lessons -- surely a recipe for elevated cortisol, and an activity NOT listed for blood type A in the books...what gives? John



Aw, heck. Cut him some slack, OK? Peter’s getting to be such an old guy. Hey, he’s even a few months older than I am! He's been SO good for SUCH a long time. Would it hurt you to let him have his fun? Break out a little? Besides, as an O, the amount of yoga and meditation I'm doing should balance the slate somehow. LOL! :-D Seriously speaking, I don't think we have to worry about his martial arts practice -- yeah, ok, I did worry a touch when he broke his ankle, but that was a freak accident. (Right?) Besides: think of all the ancient Shaolin monks, kickin' butt and living on rice. Which blood type would survive in THAT environment? Not me!! {Guess I'm just digging myself a deeper hole here... let's move on... [smile]}

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i am type o. i'm wondering about soy milk. is the 0-1 x/week reccomendation for dairy milk or any milk? spade



That's for dairy milk. Your soy milk properly falls under the "beans" category, so use the "beans" portion/frequency guide to gauge your soymilk consumption.

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Hy Heiddi, There is a new product in natural food store that is suppose to be very good for healt. I am talking about hemp. They now sell it's oil and it's grain . I am a A type and I would like to know if it can be good for me and for other types too. Thank you very much. rebecca



As long as you don't have to undergo drug testing at your job, it's probably fine. Researchers found that significant amounts of hemp's active compound remained in the bodies of those who ingested it... enough to fail their drug tests! Take a gander at Peter's article on hemp ~ just click the Ask Dr. D'Adamo link and scroll to the search form at the bottom. Enter "hemp" and you'll find the page!

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First I'd like to say that the er4yt, lr4yt, and the cr4yt books are wonderful. I have found wonderful success in getting my family healthy again, and keeping them there.



BUT-- Can you PLEASE bring an end to an on-going argument between my husband (o secretor) and myself (a non-secretor)? It is my understanding that in lr4yt, Dr. D'Adamo explains that the type O should seek out organic, lean, red meat. I am insistant on this, however, my husband seems to think that eating the meat (is it really meat anymore?) from the grocery store is fine, and better than not eating meat at all. I STRONGLY disagree. What is your opinion? Erin

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Our thanks for the compliments! I'm pleased to hear that you and your family are prospering on the BTD.



Now ~ with great trepidation, I tiptoe into your domestic disagreement. :-)



Your husband has a point: if his only choice is between eating meat from the grocery store and eating no meat at all, I'd say go ahead and eat it -- but just enough to cover his minimum requirements. Eating fish instead is a decent option, but given half the chance I'd start into a longwinded recommendation of wild (meaning non-farmed) fish -- so we'd end up in the same issue, different species. :-> Is eating meat from the grocery store fine? well, no, I can't say it is.



Deep breath, and here I go. Supermarket meat starts out as animals kept in torturous conditions. Because of crowding and poor care, they are medicated with antibiotics in hopes of keeping them just healthy enough to pass inspection. In addition, they are dosed with growth hormones so that they may attain great size in the shortest amount of time (to reduce the total expense between birth and slaughter, and increase the number of sales per year). I hope your husband wouldn't want to be part of that particular food chain, nor vote with his dollars for a business that engages in such cruel practices.



All those hormones and antibiotics and chemical preservatives end up on your plate and eventually in the water supply and the ground. They wreak havoc with our endocrine systems, stimulate unnatural growth (as in cancer), and propagate antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria which cause stubborn diseases and debilitate our environment's natural microbial balance. The newest calamity is the use of genetically-modified feed, and not only because these "new" life forms are eventually ingested by the meat eater. It is a threat to the integrity of crops over the entire world. How can organic crops be protected against ... the wind? How can we 'fence off' insects who visit a GMO field, and head for the organic plants a couple of miles away? It's about as hopeless as designating a peeing section in a swimming pool.



There's a lot more to say, but I guess I've ranted long enough on this one. :-}



My hope is that you & your husband will find a way to primarily use unmedicated, organically-fed (or grass-fed) free-ranged animals -- not only for your health, but for the planet. Take a look at www.eatwild.com, see if there are conscientious farmers and ranchers near you or within mailorder distance. By eliminating the middleman you get better meat for less money -- and the savings mount if you buy in bulk for freezing or with a group of like-minded friends. Even you type A or AB or B lacto-ovo vegetarians out there, please visit eatwild ~ you might find a nearby farmer who can supply you with eggs and milk of the very best quality.



Erin, I do hope this is helpful. Good luck, dear! It sounds like you're doing a wonderful job!!



and ... break the news to him gently, OK? ;-)

Ketchup Research:



Good Morning Heidi,

Shortly after I bought some Muir Glen Organic Ketchup for my sons a couple of months ago I found some Tree of Life Ketchup that appears to be even better for type Os. However, we haven't finished the Muir Glen Ketchup yet so we haven't tried the Tree of Life Ketchup to see if it is any good. I copied the ingredients from their website for you. Tree of Life Ketchup Ingredients: Organic tomato paste, water, organic apple cider vinegar, organic brown rice syrup, spices, sea salt. It would appear that type O ketchup lovers could eat all of this ketchup they want!

Tree of Life makes a couple of acceptable mustards too. Organic Stone Ground Mustard Ingredients: Organic apple cider vinegar, organic mustard seed, salt, citric acid, spices. Organic Yellow Mustard Ingredients: Organic apple cider vinegar, organic mustard seed, salt, turmeric, spices. By the way, have you tried the Pumpkorn brand dry roasted pumpkin seeds? They have 7 flavors. I really like 3 or 4 of them and my kids do too! My older son takes them to school for a healthy snack. Their web site can be found at www.coolfruits.com Thanks you for the all the great information you provide. Don

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Don: thank YOU for the all the great information you provide! Folks, this is the man who brought you compliant ice cream, put sherbet back in TYPEbase3, and even reported a Dr. Pepper facility in Dublin, Texas using sugar instead of corn syrup. You gotta love this guy! ;-)

I haven't tried the Pumpkorn, but I'm glad your kids like them. I'm going to take your Tree of Life recommendations straight to my organic grocer's product manager. It will be a treat to get the jump on him with a new & better product... it happens so infrequently! The very thoroughgoing among us may wish to research whether the "citric acid" is derived from corn, and what the "spices" consist of... but this is clearly yet another change in the right direction!

The positive developments we're seeing in food products is directly related to the power of consumers in partnership with producers. The more clearly and frequently you express your desires, the more quickly compliant products show up on the shelves.

Keep it moving! and thanks again, Don!!

A few more varied Q&A:







Thanks, Shirley! Neither Durian nor Threadfin has been tested for ABO interaction, so they can be used as Unknowns = Neutrals. I believe Peter is planning a new round of food testing, so I will suggest these to him. Durian I know is available here as an import. The fish Threadfin may be a bit more difficult to get hold of, so let's see what he comes up with. :-)



I am O+ secretor. I am really missing ketchup. I use it in a sauce for a meat loaf that I love. Is it only the vinegar that makes it not O.K. and can you tell me what vinegar does to us so that I can determine if it's worth the price once in a while? Thanks. Debra



O secretors might consider one of the health food ketchups which are made with cider vinegar and no corn syrup (that's the other no-no in conventional brands). Alternately, Muir Glen Organic uses sugar and white wine vinegar. I think you could get away with the small amount of vinegar there ~ enjoy your meat loaf!



Sherbert is listed in the paperback list books but is not in the TYPEbase 3 online. Could you explain and confirm the correct value for the different blood types? Thanks! Don



An oversight on my part ~ sorry! I've added it to the TYPEbase3 search. Use the spelling "sherbet."



I am allergic to all soy products. I have looked at the ingredients listed for the blood-type O nutrition bars and don't see soy listed. However, I do see bittersweet chocolate on the list. I have found that most chocolate products are made with lecithin, which is usually derived from soy. Can you verify that the O nutrition bars are soy-free? Thanks! Edith



Dear Edith, I am sorry I can't verify that they are lecithin-free, and I know of no chocolate maker who uses egg lecithin. If you are sensitive to tiny amounts of soy lecithin, it might be best to skip the O bars for now. :-(



Hello Heidi, I love your column. However, each time I click your collumn's link to the "official change log," I get a notice that the page cannot be found. Any suggestion? Thank you, Eva



It’s fixed, Eva ~ thank you for the heads-up!



And thank you, everyone, for the kind "cards & letters." Have a lovely week!

Heidi, I would love to get some answer about the following: Internetclients of mine from Belgium were tested both Non-secretor! She is an O-non-secretor and her husband an A-nonnie! It is the same situation you have at home! She, also a Heidi is troubled by IBS in a terrible way. Since on the diet, she has improved. But now she knows she is a nonnie, things have become more complicated. One urging question from me (I have been checking the archives and your recent column entries!) Question: are ther ANY grains she can have?? I read in a previous entry that O-nonnies must not eat any grain!! and that later on some can be introduced slowly again. Is Amaranth and Kamut also to be avoided by O-nonnies. And what about 100% sprouted wheat: ezekiel or essenebread! She loves the mannabread (is what we have here: 100% sprouted!) Would be much obliged if you could mean something for my Belgian Heidi-client!! Love Cocky

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Hello, dear!

Since your Belgian Heidi has IBS, I would suggest she eliminate grain products for the time being. That is not because any one of them will necessarily cause her trouble, but because she is very ill right now and would be best served by a diet of vegetables, meat, fruit, nut- and seed-butters (no whole seeds or nuts) and oils. If you think of the ancient times in which we were forged, it becomes apparent that very little in the way of grain was available. People ate what the seasons of hunting and gathering provided. That is the safest route for now.

When grains became widely cultivated and used in bread, we Os thought we were in heaven... all those grain carbs right there, easily available, in quantity, when we used to get so little!! No more waiting till next year for a little honey!! Like a kid (me, in particular) let loose in a Teuscher shop! but it was a curse for us, and we have paid with our health.

O nonsecretors have a choice of neutral grains: amaranth, kamut, quinoa, millet, rice, rye and teff. Amaranth and millet are seeds rather than true grains. Strictly speaking, none of them should make trouble for her -- but I'm playing it safe, and she would probably prefer to do so, too. The sprouted grain is a little better for her than whole grain, so if it does not provoke an IBS attack, it would be OK to have a few times per week. In order to find out if it does indeed change her intestinal health, I suggest she take two weeks away from it, then try one slice and see what happens.

Good luck, dear ~ with friends like you, she is in good hands!

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

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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!

I am a Type B vegetarian. I participate in weight training and need to increase my protein. What about whey protein powdered drinks? Kim



Whey is fine for Bs ~ just promise me you'll check the other ingredients of your product for avoids!



Hi, I love to eat homemade bread. I was wondering can spelt flour be used in the bread machine? If not, what flour can I use for type O and/or A. Thanks. Maria



Sure it can! Just pick a recipe from the thousands available around the Net ~ www.alltheweb.com/advanced is one of my favorite search engines.



I was wondering if soybean oil, the kind that is used in a lot of margarine is ok for a type A? Jaime



The LR4YT food list says Neutral for As & ABs. :-)



From Belgium: Is Rapeseedoil HB, N or A for bloodtype O?? And is there anywhere Carobe without any milk nor cornsyrup in it??



Rapeseed oil is also called canola oil ~ listed in the Live Right food lists. I have found unsweetened (carob is naturally sweet), dairy-free carob chips in my local health food store (LifeThyme). Try a websearch, using both spellings "carob" and "carobe" ~ see what you find in your area!



Hi ... I'm a type AB and have been following the diet for about 1 year with good results. Corn is an avoid for me .. does that include corn syrup which seems to be in alot of processed foods? Thanks, Kihm



Yes, it does!



I have just found out that I'm a type A non secretor. I have noticed on the Type database on the web page that the food for type A secretor are different than what may work for a type A non secretor. Is there a book I can refer to that lists foods specifically for Type A non secretors? I already have "Eat right" and "Cook Right" but they don't seem to list non secretor status. Actually there doesn't seem to be as much information out there on this subject. Could you please recommend where I can find more information. Thanks ~ Lisa



Both Live Right 4 Your Type and the Encyclopedia contain this information, and more is available in the Secretors and Nonsecretors page -- follow the Knowledge Base link to the left of this column.

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FOUND CONTRADICTIONS between the various books' food lists? The latest ones (in Live Right 4 Your Type, the BTD Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia and the Food, Beverage & Supplement Lists (these "Little Books" are secretor non-specific)) should be used. ALSO check the official change log for the most recent updates -- at a later date, an update area for all the recent books will be created.



FOUND CONTRADICTIONS between the text and the lists in the Encyclopedia? Put the word "errata" in the search box below, and click the "Search Topics For:" button. :-)

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I live in Florida and there is no listings for doctors in my state that provide your program. I was willing to drive to Georgia to be seen but the address for the one listing for GA is, John Hargrove, DC Holistic Center of Savannah 7037 Hodgson Memorial Dr Savannah, CT 31406 (912) 355-3185 That appears to be in CT, not GA. Was this a mistake? I am very sick and at my wits end!!! I need someone who understand what is going on with me and who can possibly help me get my life back.



I am willing to try the diet for weight (because I am about 60lbs. over weight) but mostly for the other health problems I have. So, I would like to find someone who you prescribe me herbal remedies as Dr D'Adamo mentions in his "Eat right 4 your type" book. Any help you can provide will be most appreciated!!! These are the following medical conditions I currently have; gastritis, peptic ulcer, GERDS, spastic colon, IBS, fibermyalgia, CFS and I am constantly bloated and retain water. I am currently on Nexium (the new so called magic purple pill) but it is not helping, Levbid and a prescription water pill. I am in constant pain and suffer from headaches and the bloating is the worst. I look like I'm six months pregnant and my feet and legs swell so bad. I have been to every doctor under the sun and had numerous test ran and they have tried me on many, many medications but nothing really seems to help me so I'm asking that you please, please point me in the right direction. Thank you for what ever you can do!!! Sincerly, Ginny

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Hello, Ginny ~~ I am sorry you're suffering, and I'm sure we can get you started on a plan that will help you feel better!



The address of John Hargrove, DC (chiropractor) is indeed in Savannah, Georgia. The "CT" was a typo in his entry form, which I've corrected on our page.



Since no Florida practitioner has entered contact information in our database, I decided to go dig them up myself. Here's a website I heartily recommend to you: the Body, Mind, Spirit Directory for Florida. Maybe you won't have to drive to Georgia, after all! At first glance, I saw two naturopaths in Orlando. There are hundreds of listings of all kinds of services on the page, so be patient while it loads and scan it carefully.



I suggest that you call anyone you plan to see, explain your situation, saying you would like to use the Blood Type Plan under supervision. Ask them to tell you honestly if they will support you in doing so. I don't want you to get stuck with some classic nutritionist who thinks this plan is nonsense, and will feed you full of grain, orange juice, corn syrup and expensive supplements -- or worse. If they haven't heard of Peter D'Adamo, or sound dismissive, just thank them and try the next phone number. At this difficult time, you're not in the business of educating health care practitioners -- they should already know the best means to help you get well.



In the meantime, get a copy of Live Right 4 Your Type, order a saliva secretor test (and an ABO kit, if you don't know your blood type) from North American Pharmacal, and start the diet as outlined in the book. Just follow the links under "The Departments" to the left of this column. Your body is fully empowered to heal itself, and will happily commence doing so when given the appropriate food, activity and stress relief. Given your current situation, I think you'll see some good results very quickly.



A note for Floridians who are concerned about the availability of health care options in their State:















~ from the Body, Mind, Spirit Directory



Floridians, please get involved! Ginny, thank you for entrusting your trouble to us, and let us know your progress!

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Hi there, Linda ~~

Hmmm.... It could have been a glitch in the scripts here. If it happens again, first reload your page -- click on a blank area, then right-click your mouse and choose "refresh." It may be that your browser had an old version of the main page in its cache, and was displaying that page initially.

Alternately, if you know the title of the answer you're seeking, use the search function at the bottom of the Ask Dr. D. page. Enter one word only. Be careful with spelling (for instance, it's spelled "bladderwRack," with an R after the W -- although in this case, you'd want to use both ~ our spelling hasn't been so great, either, and you'll find a few entries for each! :-}). I typed in "antacid" and got the answer you're looking for, Bladderwrack and Antacids.

If the idea of searching gives you the heebie-jeebies, select "List Previous Questions" for a full list of the titles of all the answers for that page, then pick the one you'd like to read -- or hold down the Control key while hitting F, to find your key word among the titles.

I hope these tips will help our readers quickly find the information they're looking for. There are over 300 Ask Dr. D. answers and loads of other stuff that could help in a hurry if you only knew how to find it! For instance, I receive many requests about about encyclopedia errata, or which book's food list is correct, or whether oatmeal is OK for Os -- these answers can be pulled up immediately by using the search field or the List Previous Questions button at the bottom of the On The Diet page. Instant gratification! :-)

Questions about a North American Pharmacal product? Check the Consumer Educationpage. If your answer isn't there, use the Email Customer service link under Customer Support. It appears handily to the left of all our column pages.

More website notes:

1.) I expect to have a link posted on the front page to general 'latest book information' area sometime in September. This new page will have links to all updates and comments on Live Right and the Encyclopedia, the Food & Supplement Guides, anything about publications that needs announcing, all in one place.

2.) The archives will be unavailable at least until the end of this year, unless we discover a workable, lower-bandwidth solution in the interim. There are well over 100,000 message pages there, dating from a comparatively technologically ancient time :-), which must be coddled somehow into the present without dragging the entire site back down into the tar pit with them. I extend my sincere apologies to those of you who are anxiously waiting for their return! Wish us luck!

Linda, thanks for prompting a website overview, and I hope the information helps you & everyone else find what you're seeking.