Diane, I think you're doing just fine. My cholesterol is low, too -- around 160 -- but the HDL/LDL ratios are spectacular (as I suspect yours are) and it appears this is something we can thank our genetic heritage for ~ it's been associated with good health and long life, as long as we're getting ENOUGH good fats! Feel free to add the flax oil back into your routine -- it will help, not hurt, your weight loss plans. And a little more ghee is a good idea, too. Keeps the intestinal walls smooth and the flora & fauna joyous. :-)



For Type As, I have some questions related to the BTD: (1) Is cactus (any variety) a suitable vegetable? (2) Why are peanuts beneficial but not peanut oil? (3) Can scrod be included as a beneficial or neutral fish? (4) Artichoke pasta is allowed but I cannot find it in health food stores. Help! (5) Are blueberry juice and aloe vera juice highly beneficial? Should blueberry juice be diluted with water? (6) Is meat tenderizer (unseasoned) a beneficial or neutral spice? (7) Do you have specific suggestions for someone who is immune compromised? I had Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 1997 and my spleen and adominal lymph nodes were removed. (FYI: I was always very healthy, rarely got sick, skipped most childhood diseases, have my tonsils, adenoids and appendix and went 2-1/2 yrs. without a cold between 1994 and 1997. Oncologists say this cancer is brought on by a virus, hits most people in their 40s and is the fastest rising cancer within the U.S.) Since 1998, I have taken numerous nutraceuticals, eaten a clean diet (before I discovered BTD) and take AM/PM probiotics with FOS. Mira

Whoo! Mira, I'll take these questions in order:

(1) Prickly pear is the only cactus, other than aloe (a succulent) listed in our databases. Aloe is beneficial for secretors, neutral for nons... and prickly pear is neutral for all As. Unlisted cactuses ("unknowns") may be considered neutral for folks who are not overweight or trying to resolve other health issues.

(2) Peanuts vs. peanut oil: see Peter's Ask Dr. D'Adamo column entitled Peanut Oil Versus Peanuts for the answer!

(3) Scrod's been added to the lists since BTD! In late 2000, as a matter of fact. See the TYPEbase3 reference database on our site, remember to use the "search" button (hitting the 'enter' key don't do it), and have fun!!

(4) Once upon a time, there was a brand of 100% artichoke pasta... it tasted so spooky, few customers bought it twice, and the product was discontinued. Use one of the many great organic rice pastas instead!

(5) Blueberries are a low-sugar fruit, but I'm from the tradition of "dilute all fruit juices 1/2-1/2 with spring or mineral water." Unless you're using them in combination with other fruits in a juice, I'd say you could get away trying it at full strength... but if it boinks your sugar metabolism at all, go back to diluting, OK? :-)

(6) Meat tenderizer... hmm... You mean the chop-headed mallet I pound things with? Fine for all types! ;-) I hope you don't mean that MSG-stuffed chemical substance sold as a powder in supermarkets? Yikes! Get it away, get it gone!! Not OK for any type, especially not for As, most especially not for As with health challenges. By the way, what kind of meat are you eating that you'd be putting tenderizer on it? For fish or fowl, use a quick trip to the fridge in marinade (olive oil, lemon juice, salt is the basic recipe - 20 minutes for fish filets, 2 hours for the birdies) instead of the powdery unpronounceably-ingrediented chemical product.

(7) Yes. (a) Get hold of Live Right 4 Your Type AND the BTD Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia from this site or any major bookstore or health food emporium. (b) Check your nutraceuticals against the lists for possible avoids, and (c) consider using the PolyFlora-O product sold here along with ARA6, a truly astonshing flora-food and antioxidant.

You sound like a woman with determination and energy, and robust natural health & healing abilities ~ and I know you will prevail over any challenges you face. Keep in touch!! :-)