Archives for: August 2002
... and In with the New!
August 27th, 2002 , by admin
Heilfasten für den Blutgruppentyp A? Ist Heilfasten (1-2mal jährlich) gesundheitlich wertvoll für den Blutgruppentyp A? Gibt es deutsche Seiten von dadamo? Monika
[Is a liquid fast (once or twice per year) worthwhile for type A? Is there a German site for www.dadamo.com?]
Hallo, Monika!
Aus http://medichi.de/gesundheit/gesund_ernaehr5.htm:
'"Heilfasten" is a liquid diet, in which only drink is taken -- for instance, tea with honey, fruit juice, or a little buttermilk. A good supply of mineral water (at least 2.5 liters per day) has a desirable cleansing effect upon the kidneys.'
We don't generally recommend fasting, although a brief (one or two days) fast on fruit juice and water will probably do you no harm. Fasts are rather extreme measures, and provide relief especially in supervised cases where inappropriate foods are eaten year round -- but we prefer to suggest a habitually good diet, including plenty of that good mineral water, instead. :-)
At the moment we have no German mirror site for www.dadamo.com ~ anyone interested in setting one up? :-D Thank you for writing, Monika!
Hello. I've been following the Type "O" diet for some time with some good results. What I was wondering about was whether either Dr D'adamo or you would recommend occasional fasting as a general cleansing practice and whether there are any specific instructions for Type "O"s. Looking forward to your response. -- Heidi (and yes, I did have a grandfather in the Alps!)
Guten Tag, Heidi! :-D 'Fraid my grandparents never got closer to the Alps than Dublin, Ireland ~ and would you believe, I'm missing the blonde pigtails as well?? I feel SO Cheated! ;-D As a former Ehretist, I've done well more than my share of fasts ~ not to mention the fruit-and-starchless-veg diet ~ and I had a long road in regaining my health after years of that regimen. But your question is about occasional fasts, and I would have to repeat what I told Monika, above: once in a while -- meaning four times per year, tops -- if you wish to do a fruit juice and water fast for a day or two, sure, go ahead. Just promise me you won't go on a week's hiking trip in the mountains with nothing but grape juice to sustain you, OK? Tried that, not a good move. ;-} Thanks for your question ~ stop by more often! :-D
Heidi : Would you be interested to browse structure of Spring/distilled H2O and their performance conducted by consciousness, prayer, sutra, JS Bach, Mother Teresa etc ? Here is the site address: http://www.wellnessgoods.com/fl_art_wat_messages.html
An important element in our body which will look like the world's most magnificient jewellery when we are good and kind. Hope you enjoy the beauty of water. Cheers ~ ~ ~ Lily
Ah, wonderful!! thanks, Lily! Have a brilliant New Year, ok? :-D
Heidi, From an "A." (Rh-, Secretor, MM) Fun to read your column. I always note the ones that discuss weight loss as well. Over the last six months, I have been doing BTD in earnest and have lost 15 (out of 25) pounds, but not solely following ER4YT. Americans tend to eat too much, even "too much of a good thing." This is not just a question of retraining, it's in our culture to eat too much; we are constantly served "too much" as well. And we forget the importance of the "unlimited vegetables" clause.
I've found that BTD complements Weight Watchers VERY nicely. Both systems allow for unlimited vegetables, with protein varying by ER4YT. I use ER4YT for health and well-being, WW for weight loss (portion control, etc.) Even on ER4YT, you can unconsciously consume too many nuts, too much grain or oils, etc. The difference is that, when I favor the 'beneficials,' I eat the same amount I did before, lose the same amount of weight on WW, but the food is much more satisfying, I am never hungry. And, key to this for me is to not consume a 'toxic' level of animal protein as well.
So, I don't recommend increasing animal protein as a weight loss strategy for Type A's, especially us Secretors, etc. I noticed your last list of foods for Type A weight loss, you suggested an A might want to favor more fish and poultry. I want to add that I lose plenty of weight eating plenty of beans and tofu. The issue is really "portion." Measuring out 1/2 to 1 cup of cooked beans doesn't look like much, for instance, (served with 1/2 a cup of rice (or less)), but in 1/2 hour, one can notice it was incredibly satisfying, especially if one concentrates on filling up on a huge plate of steamed veggies or salad. And the beans are LOADED with fiber, so they really aren't all that 'fattening.'
I realize you addressed the issue of 'portion control,' but I still think people may not understand, because most of us just don't realize we have truly been eating too much protein (at a time), and too many carbohydrates. I keep looking to see if you will ever suggest to anyone that this program works well with Weight Watchers. You that many people in WW are aware of BTD, but don't quite understand how to put the two together. I can tell you it works very well indeed. There is a lot of retraining here, and the body tends to WANT to maintain. Losing requires much more attention. While I realize you may not want to SAY this on your web site, you may want to suggest it ... privately. ~~ Marissa
... or I might want to suggest it publicly! Great points, Marissa (no WW pun intended!!), and I wholeheartedly recommend that everyone explore all their options and put together a strategy that serves each one best, as you have done so wisely. Warm wishes to you, dear!! :-D
Hi there -- I am a naturopath practicing from a resort in the Whitsunday Islands (Great Barrier Reef) in Australia. We have a large and modern spa facility on the island which includes various treatments such as massage, beauty therapy, mud and algae wraps, hydrotherapy etc. We also offer a full naturopathic service including computerised iridology, live blood analysis, bio-impedance analysis, blood lipid testing, etc. One of the main programs that we recommend for our guests is the blood type diet, and we sell many of Dr D'Adamo's books.
I am currently working with our executive chef to create menu's for our main restaurants, which are 'blood type compatable'. As far as I am aware, we will be the first resort or spa in Australia to offer this sort of menu, which we are very excited about. This will enable our clients to experience blood type eating first hand, which will help to overcome some of the inherant reluctance that people experience when changing their diets.
I was wondering whether Dr D'Adamo or your organisation would be interested in endorsing the diets that we have put together. We could then use this in our marketing, which would draw more people to the concept of blood type eating (and sell more books!). I would also be very interested in organising a symposium / seminar on blood type eating (perhaps combined with some other health topics) at our resort, featuring Dr D'Adamo. We could invite health practitioners and members of the public to come along and share in his knowledge. With our extensive spa facilities, plus daily activites such as yoga, aqua aerobics and all of the marine options (diving etc), we could structure a fantastic 3-5 day program. Anyway - if you are interested please advise and we can initiate a discussion. I would be pleased to send you a copy of the menu if you can provide a direct email address. Thanks ~ Paul Mannion BHSc, ND - Spa Director. Please also feel free to have a look at our website www.daydream.net.au
Whoo! Anyone in Australia or interested in travelling there, here's a great option for a luxurious BTD holiday! Paul, thank you so much for making us aware of your spectacular facility, and we'll be in touch!
My New Year wish for you all:
"-- I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish enough 'Hellos' to get you through the final 'Good-bye'... My friends and loved ones, I wish you ENOUGH!!!" ~~ Anon.
ERRATA ? REDUX
August 26th, 2002 , by admin
Encyclopedia errata? Page 472: Arthritis Protocol Type B calls for Glucosamine sulfate. Page 565: Glucosamine sulfate listed for type O only. Glucosamine, N-acetyl listed for type B. Which is correct? Nancy
Both N-acetyl glucosamine (lectin-binding) and glucosamine sulfate (anti-inflammatory) may be used by type Os and Bs. Thanks for your note, Nancy. :-)
I am a female, 58 years old, AB, non-secretor. I have been on the diet for 3 months, and just within the past few days found out my secretor status. I have been eating a lot of salmon, but last night as I was reading the blood type encyclopedia, I read that salmon has lectins which would make it not a good choice for me. However, salmon is listed as a beneficial food in the seafood list. I am really confused at this point. There are a few other foods that this is true for also. Can I not rely on the food lists? Also, I have been adhering to the food lists pretty rigidly and have not lost weight although my general health and feeling of well being has improved tremendously. Any hints for weight loss for me? Karen
Karen, the food lists are correct. Please see this link to my June 6 column, where your question about the A & B lectin paragraphs is answered. To spur your weight loss, aim for a diet comprised of 100% beneficial foods. And do your strenuous exercise interspersed with yoga, meditation, or tai chi. :-)
Dr. D'Adamo is not currently accepting questions and has diverted all questions this way. My question is simple. In both "Eat Right 4 Your Blood Type" and the new "Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia" he says that salmon, apples and beets are either beneficial or neutral for blood type b but on p.349 in the encyclopedia, in the chapter on lectins in a small paragraph, he states that blood type b's should avoid salmon, beets and apples. I'm trying to figure out whats what. I live in Washington State. Salmon and apples are a main staple up here and I would like to know whether are not to avoid them. A reply of some sort would be appreciable. Thanks David
Hi, David! Washington State is a great place to live... a little envy here! Please see this link to my June 6 column, where your question is answered.
:-)
Different books from Dr. D'Adamato show foods in different categories. Which list should I follow? eg. in one book maynnaise is neutral for O's and in another it is to be avoided. In one book kiwi is neutral in another it is to be avoided. There are many examples of this type of movement from the 1996 book to the encyclopedia book. Help, which is correct? Balakhovsky
Greetings! New techniques, new discoveries and wider research have resulted in the several value changes and item additions found in the later books. Please see the bottom of the page of this link to my August 12 column, where your question is answered. :-)
I currently have the "EAT RIGHT 4 YOUR TYPE" book and the "EAT RIGHT 4 YOUR TYPE" Encyclopedia. I am type O blood and I noticed some contraditions. 1. The book says "Cabbage-like" foods are bad for type O and the encyclopedia lists thems as nuetral. 2. The Enclopeda classifies bananas as highly beneficial for type O, the book does not. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks for your help. TS
Tom, please see the bottom of the page of this link to my August 12 column, where your question is answered. Let me know if anything else comes up. :-)
Why aren't Tier 1 & Tier 2 indicators in the Blood Type Encyclopedia? Dear Heidi, I've discovered some errata between Live Right 4 Your Type and the Encyclopedia. Is the Encyclopedia "The Word" now? If so, why is there no mention of "Tier 1" and "Tier 2" in the Encyclopedia? Is the "Tier 1"/"Tier 2" distinction still inportant? If so, why is it missing from the encyclopedia? Also, is there a place to check whether the errata has been reported before, or should I email you the errata? Chris
The Encyclopedia is designed as a reference guide to therapies, and includes the food lists only as an addendum. Live Right is devoted to specific food ratings, the secretor system, and in-depth lifestyle guidelines -- with supplements mentioned in passing. The two books work hand-in-hand in that respect. For checking whether a discrepancy has already been addressed here, see the bottom of the page of this link to my August 12 column. :-)
Re: Pinto Beans: I've reviewed the Eat Right, Cook Right, and Supplement for Type "O" books and need more info regarding Pinto Beans. In the Eat Right and Cook Right book, pinto beans are NUETRAL. However, in the Supplement booklet it is listed as AVOID. Please tell me which is most accurate? If they are an AVOID for Type O, can you tell me what has changed as it relates to Type O's? Regards Peggy
Hi, Peggy! Please see the bottom of the page of this link to my August 12 column, where your question is answered. :-)
Dear Ms. Merritt, I'm wondering if there's possibly an error on page 269 of "Live Right 4 Your Type." On that page the guidelines for eating fruits are given as "Times per week," but shouldn't they be "Times per day"? Otherwise, this disagrees with advice on page 191 to "Eat lots of beneficial fruits and vegetables" and also with "Blood Type A Food, Beverage and Supplement Lists" guidelines, page 35. I'm pretty sure page 269 is a typo, but I look forward to your definitely clearing up the discrepancy. Thank you so much! Regards, Will, a very satisfied user of the wonderful Blood Type Diet!
I'm happy that you're happy, Will! Go to our LR4YT change log here (it is also linked on our main page and many of my columns) and scan down the page for "Corrections." The exact line begins, "Under FRUITS, and under VEGETABLES...." Your question is answered there. :-)
CONFLICT between COOK RIGHT 4 YOUR TYPE and BLOOD TYPE 0 FOOD, BEVERAGE AND SUPPLEMENT LISTS -- Pinto beans listed as "highly beneficial" for type O in former and "avoid" in latter. Which one is correct? Mij
Please see the bottom of the page of this link to my August 12 column, where your question is answered. :-)
thank you for your notes, everyone ~ your contributions mean more information for everyone!! :-)
a HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY to all ~ and
POTPOURRI ~~ mostly B!
August 25th, 2002 , by admin
Of course I remember you, Joyce! :-) Rice, oats, barley, quinoa and millet come to mind ~ along with spelt, which makes a more recognizable sandwich-y bread dough than rice or millet alone. If you enjoy making breads at home, try mixing a number of flours, including oat flour ~ a flour mill to grind the grain fresh is a nice gadget ~ and experiment with the yeast quantity, liquid, and rising times until you have a good feel for how these flours work. There are also commercial rice, spelt, millet and quinoa breads as well as the sprouted grain varieties. If you are trying to eliminate wheat, sprouted wheat flour or bread is fine, as is spelt ~ but you may find you make better progress resolving the bloat and ovarian troubles if you set grains (and sugars) aside for a few weeks. It will certainly do you no harm, and the hiatus in grain eating will allow you to add one grain at a time later on and see exactly what your reactions are. Good luck, Joyce, and drop me a note to tell me how it's going!
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Type B and PMS My wife (B age 39, and me (O) age 36, have been following the BT lifestyle for 4 months now, with great improvements in helth, energy and weight loss. Anyhow my wife is the cutest, nicest and most lovable woman in the world, 3 weeks every month. BUT, the last 3 days before she gets her period, and the following days, she turns in to a "monster". Aggressive, no tolerance and generally in a bad mood. We both follow Dr. D's plan very strictly. Is there anything you recommend to reduce the "hormone-party" in my wifes body? Geir
Oh, dear, you're having fun, eh? Well, how are her calcium and magnesium levels? Lots of dark green leafy veg, almonds, allowed dairy products? Does she get adequate protein? Additional time on the diet, along with the recommended B-group stress-relief practices such as visualization, meditation, even a nice rousing martial arts class around that time of the month, may be the keys to balancing those hormones. If the problem persists despite the diet and stress-relief regime, she might try the following supplements. I doubt you have access to the BTD Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia there in Norway yet, so I'll transcribe here the suggestions for raging type B PMS: FOR EIGHT WEEKS: Cordyceps sinensis, 500 mg: 1-2 caps 2x/day, GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) 500 mg: 1 cap 1x/day, Inositol, 500 mg: 1-2 caps 2x/day; Schizandra (or "Wu-Wei-Zi") herbal tincture: 15-25 drops 2x/day. FOR FOUR WEEKS (can be concurrent with the above): Chaste Berry (Vitex agnus-castus), 400 mg standardized extract: 1 cap 2x/day, Raspberry leaf (Rubus spp.) tincture: 15-20 drops, twice daily, Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) tincture: 10-15 drops 1x/day; black currant seed oil, 500 mg: 2-3 caps 1x/day. Let me know what you choose & how things proceed! :-)
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Heidi, two of my children have very high cholestrol levels at a very young age. My son was 10 and my daughter was 4 when they were routinely tested and were found to have cholesterol levels near 400, and their HDL/LDL's were not very good. They are otherwise extremely healthy, thin, muscular, active, good students, etc. They are now 11 and 17 years old. My pediatrician keeps trying to get me to go to specialists for the last 7 years but my husband and I don't want them put through all kinds of tests and live the "patient" life from appointment to appointment, test to test, blah blah...especially when there is so much contradicting advise, medications, etc. which brought me to BTD in the first place. I have always suspected that it was something with their diet and their heredity so in the past I struggled to find out what would help them until 2 years ago I found ER4Yt. I have been on the diet since Feb./01 and have been feeding my kids right as best as I can, my daughter is very compliant, but my 17 year old son cheats every chance he can get even though he has seen positive results in the way he feels, and acne clearing up, and athletic performance levels when he eats right. My daughter is type 0 and my son is type B. I have stopped trying to discuss any of this with the MD, since they don't agree with the diet and think I should persue consultants and specialists and possible put them on lipid lowering drugs. I haven't had them retested since I don't want to involve MD in this any more. My concern is should I be doing more for them ? Is there any way to monitor their progress or lack of progress ? I just don't know what to do and I am sort of burring my head in the sand and just hoping and praying that the diet will do it's job and just pretend that I never found out that their cholesterol was so high in the first place. ( we never even knew about such things 20 years ago anyway). Any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated . Thank you. Suzanna
Hi, Suzanna ~ hey, you're in a stressful situation there, and I understand how scary it can be when you're so worried about your kids you don't want to THINK about it anymore! :-} Let me suggest an approach that might take the mental pressure off you without making your children live-ins at the MD. If the cholesterol levels started out that high, I'd test them twice per year (then forget about it until next time). I suspect this may just be a condition that runs in the family, but don't despair! There is a SAFE natural alternative to the specialists and the drugs called Red Yeast Rice. Before you run out and purchase a bottle from the HFS, I'd like to recommend that you get the best RYR available -- highest levels of cholesterol-lowering compounds, and government-certified against any harmful elements. That brand is from Jingxin ~ here is their webpage and the phone number to call in the U.S. is 732-257-8844 -- it's in New Jersey. Each batch comes with its own chemical assay and certification. "Michael" is the person I spoke to when I ordered my kilo (2.2 pounds) package. The prices vary, and when I purchased it they did not offer capsules - only bulk - but it can be stored in the fridge for a year and used in smoothies or stirred into pineapple or carrot juice for the kids. A teaspoon a day will do it! It works within weeks, rather spectacularly. If you have any questions about this, please write again. Take charge of the situation, and you'll sleep better at night, dear! Take care!! Let me know how this works out!
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Thank you all for writing!!!
A little O, a little A... :-)
August 24th, 2002 , by admin
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!! :-)
POTPOURRI ~ we got some Qs from Os, we got some As
August 23rd, 2002 , by admin
I am already 10 months on ERFYT diet,O+ (non secretor). First period went rapidly wery wel, I lost 4 kilos overweight (after pregnancy) but the most importent of all I do not have migraine attacs any more (until now). But there is one thing I cant clarify, my weight goes up and down in periods, between 58 and 60 kilos. Some times obviously water retantion. Also a swelling of the stomac/belly area. But I dont know why?? Because I strictly eat according the diet. I decided to register every thing I eat, may be in this way I can find an answer. I love eating fruit all from the list beneficials/neutrals dry or fresh. I replaced bread with rice cracers and rarly kamut bread. I know that non secretors more sencetive for insuline/water retantion.Should I reduce even more the amount of fruit or grains. could you please advice about more factors may be I am not aware of. Thanks! Lisya
Lisya! Writing down everything you eat and how you feel & digest afterwards is the BEST way to track down inscrutable symptoms. Smart thing to do! And I'm really happy the migraines are gone. What terrible things they are. I'd suggest going grain-free and fruit-free for one week. Also, no sugar or sweeteners except for vegetable glycerine. The next week, add one grain or fruit item - eat it at the same time each day, and see if your bloating returns after any of those meals. If you do get a reaction to a food, mark it as a temporary avoid and stop eating it - and if you eat nuts, watch carefully for a reaction there as well. The week after, choose a different item to add, and proceed that way until you've tested all the fruits & grains you usually eat. There are plenty of simple meals you can make from fish or meat and vegetables ~ eat small amounts at four daily meals, if possible, to simplify the job for your digestive processes. Let me know how this is working for you!
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type A, curently have Limes with hives, BIG ones. tried to stay away from staroyds untel diffaculty with breathing. This tretment worked imiteley, today infact was the first dose. My concern is, the last time ( ten years ago ) I was not able to get OFF staroyds. I would get down to 5mg. and flar up again. When this happens the welts are Large,I'm weak, cold, garthing thought is difacult, light headed... This went on for nine mo's. then I colapsed.(braking three toes) The only thing that worked was the drug SELDINE, (since taken off the market),. ONE if the ingrents in Saldine stoped the rebound sydrum. Am now taking Doxyccline 100mg.x2 and Prednisone 10mg.starting at 5 tabs 2x day. Each day decresing one with each dayly dose. I looked in your three books for info. Hives connected to same? Is there any thing I might do drefernt at this point? I am 67 years NEW,200lbs,5.5 1/2 atteng Weight Witches). Just so you get a better idia of the " Witch " your dealing with... I coulden't resist... patricia
:-) Hi, Patricia! ~ Lyme infection is nasty, eh? let's try to steer you a course toward improvements. First, follow the type A diet strictly, and get going with your yoga -- either a class (preferable!) or tapes you can do at home. You really need to remove the food burden from your immune system, and to drop your cortisol levels through the yoga in order to get the hives under control. I'd also like you to keep a journal of everything you eat, and when, and note if a hives attack or any other negative reaction follows soon after. At least keep a very close eye on what your body thinks of what you eat! In your present state, the food could be an avoid, neutral, or even beneficial -- but eliminate it if it triggers the hives or gives any discomfort. Once you've gotten rid of food irritations and excess cortisol, you're going to see great improvements, and your medication can be reduced further (under your doctor's supervision, of course) and eventually eliminated. Hey - watch those Witches, and make sure they don't influence you to alter your diet from All A, All The Time. Get the support at your meetings, they're great for that -- but "fly alone" on your food choices, OK? You have a great spirit, and you'll have great success! Keep me posted on how you're doing!!
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hi there! have been recommended your book & diet by a friend & wish to start soon. have just spent approx. 1 hour on your website & found very interesting - but- did not find the answer to my questions. i am type o with lebanese parents. the type o chart is divided into african, caucasian & asian.eg: milk & yogurt are 0 for african & up to 2-3 for asian. which category do I use with my lebanese background? also i am approx. 10kg overweight, underactive thyroid not picked up by doctor but by the naturopath, have 2nd recurrent ovarian cysts (last time pathology showed benign but low grade cancer potential),have had sinus & pimples & acne mainly on back, chest & back almost all my life (i'am almost 40), now have hyperpigmentation as well.any further hints/suggestions to help with all of this? looking foreward with thanks. rose
Welcome, Rose!! You're a Caucasian ~ use those charts. Since you have something brewing there in your ovaries, I suggest (1) you eliminate all dairy completely for the time being, and (2) you obtain your secretor status. Ask your naturopath (and may I say, you are EXTREMELY fortunate to have one in your area!!) to give you a saliva secretor test (if available) or to direct you to a laboratory that tests for Lewis subtype (it's a blood test), which corresponds exactly to secretor type (with some rare exceptions). Try to get hold of the newer book, Live Right 4 Your Type, and follow the protocol just as closely as you can. Emphasize the clean meats and fish, and the beneficial vegetables, have some eggs a few times per week, take a tablespoon or two of nutritional yeast every day (my favorite brand is KAL, and it tastes great in salad dressing, meat sauce, even fruit smoothies -- and disappears when added to tuna with oil & lemon), and include either VERY FRESH flax oil or some fresh-ground flax meal soaked for 20 minutes in a bit of water, every day for now. The O plan of diet and exercise will do the lion's share of the work, but if you're motivated to use these tips, you'll speed your progress. At any rate, you've come to the right place for the last diet you'll ever need!! Please keep in touch and let us know how it's going for you!
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PSORIASIS
August 22nd, 2002 , by admin
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Hello, George! The type O diet is the place to start. Modify it as follows for one month: eat no refined sugars, no grains, no fried foods and no nightshade vegetables (tomatoes or peppers of any kind). We want to eliminate anything that might be worsening the psoriasis, so if you notice any food that seems to make things worse, give it the boot. Every day, grind up (in a clean coffee-grinder or with a mortar & pestle) a tablespoon of brown or gold flaxseed. Cover with a little water for 20 minutes, and slurp it down. Follow it with a teaspoon of good, fresh fish oil. Eat as many raw and lightly-steamed beneficial vegetables as you can stuff into yourself. Have your organic meat and one serving of fish every day. Get an (organic) egg or two per day. Drink near three quarts of pure water every day (NOT distilled, but spring or filtered water), and a quart of high-solids mineral water such as Gerolsteiner. Take the PolyFlora-O and ARA6 supps from this site if possible ~ they will speed your healing.
Check EVERY SINGLE INGREDIENT of every product that goes in your mouth. It’s a lot safer to make your own salad dressing in a blender, using oil, lemon juice, salt, and anything else you like to add, than to risk any storebought brand which may contain bad oils or corn sweeteners. Same goes for ketchup & mayonnaise… although there are some decent ketchup brands such as Muir Glen. I plan to post basic recipes for common condiments here soon. They are simple to make, take about 5 minutes, keep just as long as the commercial stuff, and are much tastier when you make them at home.
If you are now taking any drugs, or have been on courses of antibiotics and/or corticosteroids, I cannot tell you to stop taking them ~ but these drugs do slow the course of your healing. They impair your immune functions, which reside primarily in the health and activity of beneficial flora and fauna in your digestive system. Psoriasis is a symptom of autoimmune dysfunction. These drugs are given because conventional medicine doesn’t know how to treat the causes of your condition – they’re doing the best they can to limit your symptoms, but such treatments are counterproductive in the case of most health troubles, including yours. As your condition improves, consult with your doctor about very gradually lowering the dosages of the psoriasis medications, if any, that you’re on.
The last thing you’re enthusiastic about right now is exercise, right? ;-) I want to strongly encourage you to begin an exercise plan. Its benefits are far above and beyond the effort it takes to get started and stick with it. Every aspect of your life will thank you for pursuing a solid type O exercise regime ~ including, most swiftly and notably, your largest organ: your skin. And consider a deep stress-relief practice such as Transcendental Meditation or Medical Meditation ~ the book Meditation as Medicine is available at most general bookstores and from online sellers like amazon.com and is a treasure in a package. Lower your stored stresses, and allow your body’s natural healing to take over from the fight-or-flight mode which lies at the root of autoimmune disorders.
Folks, if you have psoriasis, just follow these instructions based on your own ABO diet and activity plan. And please, give me your feedback on your experiences with psoriasis. This is a disabling disease that strikes children, adults of childbearing age, the elderly... let's work together to make it as rare as hens' teeth! My ears are wide open over here! :-)
More P O T P O U R R I ~
August 21st, 2002 , by adminHow is a green olive different from a spanish olive??? Doug
i just started the program yesterday. how long will it take before i see results in my blood pressure and how long before i will start losing weight and how much per week will i lose. i roade exercise bike for 21 minutes this morning. what types of exercise should i be doing. is biking and walking okay and what about toning stretches. betty
hi - i've been told i may have candida overgrowth and have been recommended to take caprylic acid (amongst other steps.) As an O I'm not sure if this supplement is a problem as it is derived from coconuts. Can you tell me? I'd be enormously grateful as I can't find the info anywhere! thanks sue.
Is it ok for type A's to use black pepper if it's freshly ground? Olympia
I have a follow up to your "Soy Sauce... with wheat?" answer. Is the Bragg Liquid Aminos product OK for type B? I wasn't sure since the ABO diet for Bs shows some soy foods as avoid. Thanks! Don
ABs ~~ this one's for you!
August 20th, 2002 , by admin
Hello, Cheryl! Good question! Barley malt (the sweetener; that’s its common name), is the avoid. Whole barley and sprouted barley or ‘malted barley’ (the whole grains or flours) are neutral for ABs. On product ingredient lists, the sweetener will appear as “barley malt” and the OK stuff will show up as “sprouted barley” or “malted barley,” or the flours made thereof. Sorry for the confusion! :-}
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The best grapeseed oil available is expeller-pressed. If you find an organic brand, please let me know and I’ll publish it here ~ I’ve yet to find either grapeseed or rice bran oil, domestic or imported, from an organic producer, and those are the oils whose high smoke-points make them safer choices for high-heat cooking. Organic wine makers would be the logical place to start to find organic grapeseed oil, but I suspect their output is not yet large enough to support a commercial oil-pressing endeavour. Same for organic rice farms, but check into it for yourself if possible. There’s no ABO rating for grapeseed oil at the moment, so it may be considered neutral for all types for now. A note: if your walnut oil is unrefined (a few high-end companies like Flora offer it), it should be used only in low- or no-heat applications ~ salad dressings, or a drizzle on already-cooked food. Same goes for all nut oils, like macadamia or almond, and seed oils such as safflower or flax. By the way, sesame oil has a smoke-point near that of olive oil (325 F or lower), and is an avoid for ABs, so make me happy and stay away from that one? After all, you’ve got peanut oil, you lucky devil! Even better, look into soy oil ~ it has the highest smoke-point of any oil on your neutral & beneficial list. :-) I’m going on a bit long here, so let me refer you to a basic reference for oil composition and great details: the CYB Edible Oils Site. Enjoy!
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Well, Shani, the more listed avoids you’ve been eating regularly, the more spectacular your progress will be when you get fully on the AB diet! So I want to hear you thank that chicken for how great it makes you feel when you stop eating it. :-D The food lectins for specified items do not change from location to location ~ however, named foods (beans and fish especially) may be confusing due to the U.S. terminology we use, or missing altogether from the lists because of the item’s rarity or general unavailability here in the States. This problem shouldn’t arise as much for you in Canada as it does for folks in – say, China, for example ~ but if you find unlisted foods common in your area, drop me a note and we’ll stumble through it together! I’m batting a pretty high average for fish, and our readers haul me up on the bean issue when I need it. Keep in touch!!
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Oh, drat. This is a complex issue, on which I’m truly not professionally equipped to comment and as well severely prejudiced in favor of abolishing inoculations altogether except in cases of specific and extreme risk. Let me set aside my personal feelings and relate to you what our Blood Type Encyclopedia (page 454) has to say: “Blood group AB has a relatively [compared with the other ABO types] poor ability to generate antibodies against any of the influenza viruses.” So I have to say, if you decide you are at risk, do get that flu shot. If you do so, plan ahead to embark upon a program of taking Probiotic-AB and ARA6 every single day thereafter; the toxins and potential digestive imbalances created by the action of the influenza vaccination should be dealt with immediately for your greatest health and comfort. As my personal opinion only: if you are solidly on the AB diet and in good health right now, get a bottle of ProBerry3 from our store here and take it according to the package directions, every day till Spring is sprung. Include ARA6 to motivate your intestinal health and feed those vital flora and fauna, and eat your beneficials all winter long ~ with special emphasis on hardy greens, turkey, coldwater fish, eggs, oils, yams, and tempeh. Immunity resides in your gut, and we want those wonderful creatures to be happy, happy, happy. If you’re in the U.S., visit www.heallix.com and spring for this expensive but nearly miraculous compound. A little goes a long way, and nothing’s nicer than knowing you’re safe from viral and bacterial infection. Good health and a flu-free winter to you, Karen!
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I'll paraphrase my column from August 12: The coffee status is an update ~ a refinement to the original ratings, based on new research and made possible by further work on secretor and nonsecretor reactions as well as other recent developments in this field. Peter decided that when considering all the new data together, coffee’s known detriments to your type have now been judged to outweigh the benefits – thus, the rating was adjusted. This is still a rather new science, but we expect more additions to the lists than changes from here on in. Thanks for your patience, and take a look at all the marvelous coffee substitutes on the health-food market that you can have & I can’t! Kaffree Roma and Teechino in all its varieties come immediately to mind, along with Raja’s Cup (a potent cup of antioxidants that we ALL can use). Your wide choice of grains means nearly every coffee sub you see will be OK for your type, and don’t forget roasted dandelion root ~ it’s lovely made into a tea that does yeoman service as a coffee-ish drink. Read the labels and pick a tasty one that will help enhance your health!!! _
Hi, Pamela ~ I can’t recommend coral calcium, for reasons I went into in the column on October 22. Your AB diet is “secretly” supporting an ideal acid/alkaline balance in your body, so stick with it. The Phytocal-AB product sold here on this site is the one type of calcium supplement I can wholeheartedly endorse, not only for the care taken in gathering its elements, and the high absorption factor of its ingredients, but most of all for the crafting of the supplement to suit AB biochemistry – including their generally rather low comparative stomach acid levels. A friend of mine credits the addition of Phytocal-AB to his diet for the remission of his intractable prostate cancer ~ I can’t say for certain that this happened as he described it, but it’s worth a mention here if only as an anecdote. I hear a lot of them, and the general trend leads me to believe that any AB concerned about their calcium intake will be well served by the supp Peter made just for YOU.
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Type ABs ~ Want to see more columns about youse guys? WRITE IN!! :-) I’m running mighty low on AB questions! I'm sure there are plenty of ideas you have on topics of interest to those rare birds among us! Gimme ‘em.
:->
Potpourri Persists!!! :-)
August 19th, 2002 , by admin
Is grapeseed oil acceptable to use on an O Type diet? Dianne
The nice thing about grapeseed oil (and rice bran oil) is the high smoke point. It is better for high-heat cooking than olive oil. However, both products undergo far more processing to extract the oil than olives, nuts and seeds (all higher in oil) and this fact is a concern for whole-food advocates. In terms of ABO reactivity, we have no test results for either of them ~ they may be considered "neutral" until proven otherwise. :-)
Hi Heidi, This may be more a doc Bron query, but: I am type O on the diet for over a year, do the high protein, high raw version but have recently encountered a strange problem: I now have dark discoloration at the outside corner of each eye, the same as the typical circles under the eyes, which I don't have a problem with. I once read somewhere that discoloration of the skin around the eyes related to kidney or oxygen uptake issues, which I hope isn't happening to me. What could cause/cure this condition? thanks. jc
J, you've taken a shot in the dark by offering me this Q, and I've little other than the same to shoot back: Is this a pinkish-brown or a bluish discoloration? Do you spend most of your waking hours in front of a video monitor? I'd say if it is pinkish rather than blue, it may be cause for adding at least a liter per day of mineral water to your diet as well as some really fresh flax oil or meal. If it is bluish, it may be simply the result of a sharp reduction in your skin fat layer ~ or the result of eyestrain. Bilberry? Cheap and worth a shot! ;->
Hi, Heidi, I'm not going to give you time to respond to my previous question before asking again because this has been "bugging" me since I got the Blood Type Encyclopedia this summer. I have been an advocate of natural remedies for decades, and was surprised to see how some of them were classified. I am a type B secretor, and have been taking, among others, garlic, hawthorne and bilberry for their supportive effects. I take others, but those three are interesting because they are not listed as being beneficial to type Bs for their usual support (cholesterol, cardiac and eye health respectively). They aren't listed as avoid either, but it makes me wonder if they do any good for a type B, as they are listed with those benefits or as part of the protocols for one or two other blood types such as O or O and A. Herb
Herb, since you have the Encyclopedia, I'd suggest you use your experience and knowledge of your own body's reactions to design your own protocol. Some herbs/supps/compounds work wonders in one type while they're rather limp noodles for others, even though they do no active harm. The issue is bang for the buck. Using the Encyclopedia's recommendations means you can take advantage of this research in order to maximize your results per dollar.
:-)
I want to suggest that a map location of the dadamo clinic be posted on this site because I live in san diego , CA & I have an appointment at his clinic on dec /11/2002 thanx
I notice that some listed avoid foods make energize me & some beneficial foods sicken me,?what can be determined about that?
the Encyclopedia says Caviar is avoid 4 type(A): ?Is that all species of fish eggs even beneficial fish?-Happy holidays:-)
I forgot to mention that I put a little squeeze of fresh lemon in the hot filtered water with Cortiguard pills. bhop
Bhop, if you go to www.yahoo.com, you'll see a tiny link to "Maps." Just enter the address listed on our site for the clinic, and a map will be created before your very eyes. :-) If any of the beneficial foods give you trouble, put them aside for a month. Test small amounts at that time, and give it another month's break if they still don't sit right. As to the avoids, I must say that whole wheat and sugar energize me, too ~ then they drop me like a rock, all the while urging me to eat more, more, more.... many avoids act as drugs, and although the initial effect may seem positive, they do nothing but harm and entail a withdrawal period which we all face if we're committed to better health. "Caviar" means Beluga, Sevruga and Osetra caviar. Salmon roe is listed separately. Others (unlisted) are unknowns, to be treated as neutrals unless you are trying to resolve a health problem. About the lemon water & cortiguard ~ interesting, thanks!!
I just started on the blood type diet. I am type O. Under cereals in the book, kasha is listed as neutral. I'm not sure what that is, and have not found it in a store. However, I found a cereal by the name of Kashi at the Whole Foods store. Is that the same thing, or if not, is it still allowable for type O? It does have Whole Hard Red Winter Wheat listed as the first ingredient, and I didn't know if that was different than the whole wheat that is on the Avoid List. (This kashi cereal also contains whole long grain brown rice, honey, evaporated cane juice, whole oats, whole barley, whole triticale, whole rye, whole buckwheat, sesame seeds.) Thanks very much! Joan
Hi, Joan ~ Kasha is ... well, I'll let the folks at AgInnovation News explain it:
"A whole buckwheat seed looks like a tiny black pyramid with a round base. About 16 seeds fit on a thumbnail. The seed's hull is black and fibrous, but not that difficult to crack. Inside lays the light and sweet groat, which some say tastes like honey and nuts. Cracked buckwheat groats are sold as buckwheat grits. Roasted buckwheat groats or grits are known as kasha.
Kashi, on the other hand, is only a company name, and as you so astutely pointed out, the ingredients list is "where it's at" when deciding whether to purchase a product. Good work!! :-)
thanks again, everyone!! :-D
Recent notes & posts ~ various Q&A
August 18th, 2002 , by admin
Today a BTD-er asked about haricot & butter beans. In the UK and possibly Australia these are our names for navy beans & dried (yellow) lima beans. I suspect these are what your correspondent was asking about, rather than any green bean. Both have entries in ER, LR & typebase. Borlotti beans I researched for ages when I first went on the BTD. I found lots of other names for them such as cranberry beans (the cook's thesaurus is a good link) but could never find a name that was on typebase. It is possible they are only used in Europe & not the US. They are pink & marbled when fresh, brownish & marbled when dried, and brown when cooked, & are sold widely in the UK in cans. Sarah
On potpourri you had a question from Debbie asking abouut beans. I was oncerned that you put haricot beans and butter beans in with green beans as I am fairly sure that haricot is the 'english' name for navy beans, and butter beans are also known as lima beans. There is quite a problem with different 'local' names for beans and fish, perhaps the latin names should be included? christine
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Ladies, thank you for your notes! I shall adjust my pescatorial and bean-y replies to the UK & Oz accordingly. :-)
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Hi, Heidi. If you answer one of our questions, do you email us, too, or do we have to be "present to win"? Lisa
Hi, Lisa ~ the answers are posted only on the site here, with very rare exceptions. However, one can always do a search, or list past entries, rather than read the column daily. :-D
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I am a type B. Also I am vegetarian so would like to know what products I can eat to make up for the lack of meat or fish. I do eat eggs and dairy products. Many thanks, Anat
Nutritional yeast; whey, rice or egg protein powders; blackstrap molasses; and focus on the few beans, nuts and seeds which are beneficial or neutral for B's. In my view, this is not an ideal way to approach the diet, but these tips may help you find the balance between your vegetarian tenets and your body's needs. Good fortune, and good health!
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I am a B+ non-secretor with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. I have a question about the two tier diet. Tier one is to maximize health, Tier two is to overcome disease. Should I limit my choices to Tier two to overcome disease, or should it be used with Tier one? Tier two alone seems rather restrictive in choices. Thank you. Leesa
Leesa, use both Tier One and Tier Two. The Updates/errata page contains an explanation of the use of the Tiers system... just click here. Let me know how you come along!
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I am an A non-secretor. My diet has included a green supplement that contains both spirulina and chlorella. In the Blood Type A Food list pamphlet (but no where else in Dr. D'Adamo's books, "Algae (blue-green)" is listed as an avoid, in the "spices" section. Is this true for both of the types of algae I take, is it true for non-secretors as well as secretors? Also, what about cheeses made from sheep's milk? Thanks, Ty
Hello, Ty ~ We try to discourage people from using blue-green algae because of toxic contamination reports on one brand quite a while back. Chlorella is OK for all types to my knowledge. Cheeses ~ well, it's true that we have no specific listing for "sheep's milk," or "sheep cheese," so technically it is an unknown & therefore can be considered neutral. But! Just promise me you'll keep a sharp eye (or a soft hanky) out for any signs of goopiness ~ a little cough, runny nose, itchy eyes, or sudden digestive s l o o w d o w w n... those are signs that your immune system considers that lovely sheep's milk cheese a foreigner! :-)
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For the eat right for your type diet, the book states in the type O section to not take goldenseal or echinacea. However, in the back of the book under medical strategies it advises we can take these for flu or indigestion. Please advise. Thanks -- lori
Goldenseal is fine as a gargle, but like echinacea, it shouldn't be taken internally by Os. Substitute astragalus for echinacea as a flu fighter ~ works nicely!
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Why have some foods changed their place on the lists, from beneficial to neutral, avoid to neutral, etc.? I read "Eat Right 4 Your Type" a year ago and recently purchased the Type O Food, Beverage and Supplement Lists. I found Ezekial bread to have moved from beneficial to neutral. This is a problem because my weight loss is slow -- and I was trying to eat beneficial foods as often as possible. Now I find I have been eating the wrong bread for a year! I noted other changes too -- such as that cinnamon has moved up from avoid to neutral. Beer (formerly neutral) and apple juice (formerly avoid) are no longer listed at all. What's the story? Thank you. Kathryn
Kathryn, here is the link to our Updates/Errata Page, which contains explanations on the rationale behind the value changes. Also, feel free to check the TYPEbase3 food database for the latest values. By the way, limiting breads (and any other grain foods) to three or less servings per week is an effective weight-loss jump-starter for Os. I hope this helps! :-)
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I AM 49 YRS OLD MALE,A+, 5 MONTHS ON A DIET. I WAS SUCCESSFUL IN REDUCING MY CHOLESTEROL LEVELS, BUT COULD NOT LOOSE ANY WEIGHT. MY BLOOD PRESSURE IS ALSO HIGH. ANY SUGGESTIONS??? Mirek
Hello, Mirek ~ the first thing I'd do is begin a daily program of yoga and/or meditation. Second, try limiting the grain element of your diet to one serving per day. Do some mild exercise three times per week -- walking, light weight-lifting or a short spell in the pool. The idea is to engage in calming activities so that you can reduce your cortisol levels. This will work to enhance your weight loss and BP normalization. Let me know your progress!
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Have your internet site been hacked? Entering I first got some strange pages with a one eyed creature. Geir
:-D You've probably received my email, Geir, but just a note here in case others had the same question:
that one-eyed creature is a prince among men ~~ as well as your enigmatic host, here at dadamo.com. :->
if you see an odd front page hereabouts again, just click around on it looking for links ~ you'll undoubtedly find yourself heading for some surprising and worthwhile destination... as usual. :-D
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Dear Heidi, Merry Meet! Thank you for remembering us (Celtic/Wiccan) with your harvest blessing. I appreciate your column; I also start my day reading the dadamo website. Thanks for your clear concise answers and information, and your sense of humor (love the "pic"). Bright Blessings to you all. Susi
How kind of you to write! It's great to hear from you ~ thank you so much for your compliments. :-} Go soirbhigh an fios thu! and may your blessings return to you threefold!
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And to you all!
~ 4-Type Family Here -- what do I feed them?~
August 17th, 2002 , by admin
:-D Well, with all four blood types in your family, my opinion is that if your husband and kids get up in the morning, get dressed, get fed and go about their daily business, you're doing a spectacular job! You've got the basics down cold, and what can I say? Whew! Have a seat for a moment or two, and let's put our heads together on making that job a bit easier.
There are a few basic meals that work for everyone. I compiled these originally for dinner party menu planning, since I don't always know everyone's blood type ~ that situation rarely continues past the appetizer course (:-D) but if I don't get the chance to sneak up behind the "unknown types," yell "SURPRISE!!" and prick their finger, at least I know I haven't fed them avoids. tee hee!
I. Fish/green veg or salad/rice. Bullhead, carp, chub, cod, croaker, cusk, drum, halfmoon fish, mackerel, mahi-mahi, monkfish, mullet, perch of all kinds, pickerel, pike, porgy, red snapper, rosefish, sailfish, salmon, sardines, scrod, shark, smelt, sturgeon, sucker, sunfish, swordfish, tilapia, tuna, weakfish and whitefish are all OK for all types. Many of them are cheap and readily available in most seasons. Cod, mullet, snapper, salmon and others do well with a touch of lemon, butter and salt and a quick jaunt under the broiler. Your daughter & husband will appreciate a bit of OK cheese sprinkled on their half of the filet. Canned Alaskan salmon and sardines are amazingly inexpensive and beneficial for nearly all of us. A "fishloaf" made from mashed canned salmon (with the bones and skin), dried Ezekiel bread crumbs, egg, sea salt and minced onions & green herbs is simple and fast to make. Try the www.foodtv.com site for Mario Batali's recipes for oily fish like sardines and mackerel. The kids will like them, trust me!
II. Turkey/green or orange veg (and/or salad)/rice. Good quality organically-fed birds are more and more commonly found in large supermarkets these days, and year-round. If you buy a 15-pound bird, it can be roasted (unstuffed) very simply on a bed of carrots, celery and onions, and will provide a meat course for 4 for a few days. We carve the turkey immediately after roasting, and make stock from the bones and roasted vegetables. Frozen in pint containers, this is a great base for a quick soup of any kind later on. There's a vast number of veggies which work for all types. Also: ask your butcher for ground dark meat turkey. It makes great burgers for everyone.
III. OSTRICH in a rich stew with vegetables (carrots, celery, turnips or parsnips, cremini or portobello mushrooms, onions, parsley, garlic, kale sauteed separately with onions & salt, and some warm sweet spices like ginger and clove -- you can really stuff the veggies into them this way!!) with some red wine or marsala for richness (the alcohol boils away). If you live in an area of the world where ostrich is inexpensive, by all means make use of it. Just sear the chunked meat in a bit of oil, add the veg and broth, wine if desired, and sea salt, pepper & spices to taste. Cook until the ostrich begins to show a "looser" texture, but not so long that it begins to shred. It does have a flavor reminiscent of venison (a touch liver-y) which virtually disappears after storing the stew in the fridge for a day. At that point it will fool everyone into thinking it's beef. Reassure your son & husband that it's OK!
IV. Two-Pot Stir-Fry: A little olive oil and water in each pan. Onions, carrots, celery, mushrooms, curly kale, broccoli, summer or winter squash, ~ asparagus & spinach in the spring ~ In the type O & B pot, put slices of the beef, lamb, liver, venison, turkey, or others, and in the A & AB pot, sizzle up some sliced tofu or tempeh... or turkey.
V. The Spanish Tortilla: It's a huge, thick omelette, primarily made up of vegetables -- onions, garlic, greens, shredded squashes, you name it. Saute it all in a heavy pan with olive oild, cover with beaten egg salted & peppered & herbed (if desired). Scatter some ground meat on one half, some diced tofu or tempeh on the other. Bake it until toasty-gold on top and cooked through. This can be sliced pizza-style and eaten hot, room temperature or cold. Grated cheese is a nice touch for the cheese-eaters. Tomato & sweet or hot pepper fans can have their portions sprinkled accordingly. A fresh salad goes superbly with it.
VI. Little Green Mystery Bundles: Boil a pot of salted water and add whole kale or collard leaves, with the stems snipped off. Leave them for a minute then plunge them into ice water, drain and set out on a pan. For the stuffing, some steamed rice for the hubby & kids, some tofu seasoned with tamari for hubby & son, sliced leftover meat for you & daughter, and any leftover cooked veggies for everyone. A little grated horseradish in each packet, roll up the leaves over the stuffing, secure with a toothpick, pour a cup of broth over the whole thing and bake for 30 minutes at 350 or so. Mark each one with a piece of veg, or different-colored toothpicks, so you'll know which is which! :-)
I know Denise isn't the only head cook of a four-type family out there. Got strategies of your own? Send them in, and we'll publish them for the benefit of all the readers. Denise, I hope these offerings stimulate your creativity and reduce your workload!! You are already doing a superb job of feeding your family. We'll do our best to support you!! My sincerest admiration goes out to you, and congratulations on your devotion to your family's health and well-being. Prosper, my dear!
Buncha Potpourri!
August 16th, 2002 , by adminthanks, bhop, that's very interesting! I'll have my type A guy try it out!! :-)
Where can I find vegetable glycerin you spoke about? Can you substitute it for honey? Is it equally acceptable for all blood types? I don't know anything about it. Can you talk about it please. Maddy
Yes, it is a tasty and metabolically effective sweetener, with active balancing effects. "Heritage" and "NOW" are two brands commonly found in health food stores. It is fine for all types!
Please give the name of Pro-Biotic supplement for my type A, that I might find in a HFS. re: page 137 in BTD. Thanks much. Jim.
I can't recommend any specific brands of probiotics available in local retail establishments, but I can recommend Polyflora-A, which is sold on this site. Check the Type A Store, it's there!
Dr. D. Hello, First I wanted to personally thank for you saving my life. I was diagnosed with RA 6 years ago (suffering for 10 years, since I was 21) I was unable to walk, my doctors gave up on me and told me to get a wheelchair and go on Chemotherapy. I told them to "buzz off". Finally after searching the Internet for years on end trying thousands of products - I found out I was O type and was allergic to all wheat products. After 1 week on the diet I was Pain Free! I took lots of Omega 3/6 with my Ultra Clear shakes. Now I'm eating lots of red meat and probably too much protein and not enough fruits/veggies and fiber. What do you recommend for constipation? I bought a vita-mix blender to help make veggie/fruit shakes to get more fiber. Do I need more flora? Thank you for any help. I prayed to god to take my life or find me health from the pain I went through - thank god for Dr. D and he family's research. --Take Care-- (On the O type diet for 1 year.) -- Kevin
Kevin, that's an inspiring account! The juicing is a great idea. Get some whole flax seed and a cheap electric coffee grinder. Grind up two tablespoons of flax, soak it in just enough water to cover for 15-20 minutes, and eat it up. It's a tasty way to get plenty of fiber in your diet. You can add it to your smoothies, and a bit of fish oil added in as well can help balance your EFAs and help with your healing. Polyflora-O and ARA6, both available on our site here, are great additions to an intestinal health protocol. Remember to MOVE as much as you can, every day! Any form of exercise you can do will keep you going in the right direction. I pray that your blessings will redound on you 1000 fold, and I look forward to hearing from you as you progress!
hi heidi, please could you tell me the what type are borlotti bean, butter bean,haricot bean,black-eyed bean?as i cannot find this on typebase or your books.i am type o non-secretor.thankyou for all your wonderful work i always start my day reading yours & dr d & dr b's pages.i wish the others would do pot pourri pages too i imagine it would help them clear their backlog of mail.in the meantime keep those pot pourris coming,pretty,pretty please.thankyou:-))) debbie
Borlotti beans are unknown ~ butter beans and haricots may be used with our "green bean" rating ~ black-eyed bean = blackeyed pea. More potpourris coming all the time, and thanks for your kind words, Debbie!
Happy New Year to our Celtic friends, and may you all know peace and prosperity in this Harvest season! :-)
A little POTPOURRI for Halloween! :->
August 15th, 2002 , by adminDarn it, Lee, it bothers me no end to tell someone that a favorite element of their local cuisine is a baddie for their type. Here's Peter's column on Blood Groups, Nitrates and Nitrites. I don't have a definitive answer on whether home-smoked = restaurant-smoked = commercially-packaged smoked. What I can tell you are two things: (1) sodium nitrate and/or potassium nitrate ("saltpeter" to you old-timers) are the real bugaboos, and you will find them listed as additives to some commercial sausage and jerky products (they produce the desired red color). Ask the chefs at your eating places if any sauce they use contains sodium or potassium nitrate -- if they do, donchu eat it. (2) Get a nice whopping dose of vitamin C (acerola cherry or rosehip-based only, please) before heading for a dish of kalua-style food. It will help short-circuit any lurking nitrosamines. Enjoy!!
Not a thing as far as I remember, Ann. I'm sure that if Peter felt salt were an issue to be addressed, he'd a' done it. So, I'd suggest moderate use of good sea salt, drink pure water, add some high-solids mineral water now and again to optimize electrolytes, and not to worry. :-)
Hanna, do the best you can! That's what we all do. Tangerine, plaintain, orange, papaya, mango, honeydew, coconut and banana are the only avoids for type A out of the whole fruit list, so keep an eye peeled for any fresh fruits in your local markets now and again, OK? But the tinned ones are fine! Spelt flour is the closest to wheat for making baked goods, although it has a more delicate gluten than wheat so it tends to require a little more leaven and bake up better with only one rising rather than two. You could mix white flour in with the spelt, and add some oat or soy flour for body. The only avoids in the grain department for type A secretors are teff, wheat germ, wheat bran and whole wheat, so search around and see what kinds of flour you can find and keep experimenting! The Gluten-Free site has thousands of recipes. Check the ingredients against the TYPEbase3 database and go to town! :-)
Kevan, write back and tell me your blood type and I'll do my best to help!
Hi, Melanie! Follow your own diet (assuming you're the Mom?). It will ensure your optimal health and the best supply of milk, along with the usual lovely 'surprise' side-effects -- all good! If you notice that the baby is discomfited when you eat certain foods, just limit them somewhat. Every nursing experience is different, and with attention and responsive effort, Mom gets the hang of the little details soon enough. I always get a bit of a thrill when I hear about nursing mothers following the BTD. What a great way to experience this wonderful thing -- and what a fabulous start for the kidling! :-D
Many thanks for this chance to learn so much and share with all of you ~~ and, ^
P O T P O U R R I !!!!
August 14th, 2002 , by admin
I'm a type A (secretor status unknown) and would like to know about the following foods: 1. Ansazi, cranberry and Flageolet beans 2. coconut oil 3. tomatillos 4. yucca root 5. taro root 6. hempseed butter Thank you!!! Carol
Anasazi, cranberry & flageolet beans can all be considered Neutral since they are unlisted at this time. A note added later: some readers identify these beans as young kidney beans because of their genus and species -- however, Phaseolus vulgaris encompasses nearly every true bean in the food list. It's a very populous species of plants, including beneficial, neutral and avoid varieties. :-) Coconut oil, yucca and taro root can all be found in the TYPEbase3 database on our home page. Hemp products are unlisted, although Peter issued some warnings in this Ask Dr. D'Adamo column.
Iam blood type A. I would like to know when it says whey in the book does that mean whey protein and if it does could you suggest me some other protein drinks I could take. Thank you ~ roberto
Yes, it refers to the milk component, whey, where most of the proteins reside. Rice protein would be a better choice for A's. Read those ingredients carefully, OK? :-)
Does the irradiation of the mail to stop Anthrax have any impact on the PolyFlora sent out to customers? If not, how does this work? Wouldn't this even effect our food ship through the mail? Phillip
NAP offers shipment via UPS, who don't irradiate their packages. The best solution is to use UPS or another courier service for shipments of your comestibles, rather than having them sent through the U.S. Mails.
Bovine Colostrum and type A, B and O blood types? Thank YOU Very Much. Roger.
It is unlikely to do type Bs harm, and it is recommended to Os in the Encyclopedia intestinal health protocols. For other types, I have no data ~ thanks for your Q!
I'm a 58 year old type O negative and have been having extreme hair loss the last six months. I had a hysterectomy ten years ago, so that cannot be the cause of this current problem. I take an occasional Vicodin and an occasional Librium, but most of the time take Glucosamine, MSM, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin B complex, Soy/Lecithin, Selenium. I have changed my shampoo and hair products to Nioxin. Can there be a problem in my diet--would the hair test determine if there is poison in my system causing this? Also, is there any difference in O negative and O positive in the diet? Thanks. Linda
There are minor differences in O+ and O- diets, mostly along the lines of a bit more meat and a bit less grain. These can be found in Live Right 4 Your Type. Not knowing your diet, it is difficult to say what might be causing hair loss ~ yes, I would get the hair test to start with. I'd also use nutritional yeast in place of the B complex, and add a horsetail supplement for silica. Not familiar with Nioxin, but Aubrey makes several avoid-free shampoos. I'm also not schooled in the potential side effects of drugs such as Vicodin or Librium, but the package inserts may mention hair loss? Darned things are in tiny type and a mile long, but it's worth a look! :-)
I am a type O secretor and avoid dairy products. Butter is listed as a neutral food. Can I assume that since butter is made from whold crem, that whole or whipping cream is a neutral food. Kathleen
Buttermaking begins with cream, but the churning process separates the butterfat (neutral) from the buttermilk (avoid). Whole cream is an avoid, like milk and half-and-half (half cream, half milk). Here's a great site from the University of Guelph, all about butter! for those who are interested!
I AM AN O BLOOD TYPE AND HAVE BEEN ON THE DIET APPROXIMATELY 1 WEEK. I AM USING A PRODUCT CALLED PARKAY BUTTER SPRAY, 0 CALORIES. THE MAIN INGREDIENTS ARE WATER,SOYBEAN OIL,BUTTERMILK,SALT,ETC. MY MAIN CONCERN WAS THE BUTTERMILK WHICH IS NOT ACCEPTABLE--WOULD THIS SMALL AMOUNT BE SIGNIFICANT. PLEASE REPLY. THANK YOU. SYLVIA
Hello, Sylvia ~ I'd be happier if you used a bit of plain butter or good olive oil in your pan. The essential fatty acids in good, fresh olive oil are active health-builders, and will actually help your weight loss far more than highly processed products such as this one. Soybean oil and buttermilk are avoids for Os, and the "etc." part worries me a bunch... I can just imagine what-all that is! :-}
I have a couple of questions. I found a discrepency in the books and website over whole wheat for blood type A. The list book says it is neutral but the encyclopedia says it is avoid and the Eat Right book does not mention it at all. Can you clarify? No where do the food lists mention sour dough french bread. Where does it fall for a blood type A? In the cook right book it has a receipe for sweet or regular french bread and lists it as beneficial for type A. Also, there is much mention of Ezekiel and Essene breads but no receipe for them that I can find anywhere. Can you provide a source for the receipes? Thanks much for your help, Katie
Whole wheat is an avoid for type A -- see the TYPEbase3 database (on the homepage, www.dadamo.com). If a baked product is not listed, check the individual ingredients to determine if it's OK for you. Here's the page I wrote on recipes for essene and Ezekiel breads. Hope this helps, Katie!
__
thanks for your questions, everyone! (and for your patience!!!) :-)
5HTP, Allergies, Leaky Gut... Type O
August 13th, 2002 , by admin
Hi Heidi I have just recently started the BTD and have a few questions which I hope you can help with... 5-htp - how much of this (mg) should be taken and at what time of the day. Should it be between meals or with meals or before sleep? I am taking it more to reduce my cravings and control appetite than for insomnia or depression. Vegetable glycerin - I believe you mention this is a good sugar substitute - but is this the same glycerin used to make soaps or something else? Also, is it okay for all blood types? And how much should be taken daily? Hayfever - what supplement does Dr D recommend to alleviate the symptoms of hayfever such as itchy eyes and constant sneezing? I'm a type o and would really value your feedback. Thanks! Shalinee
As an appetite regulator, 50 mg of 5HTP with 5 mg of B6, one cap, 20 minutes before meals should do the trick. L-glutamine is also a good cravings controller ~ take as directed on the bottle. Vegetable glycerine is a food-grade product made from coconut or palm oil, and is OK for all types -- especially helpful for people with sugar metabolism imbalances.
The blood type diet slowly removes the straws from the camel's back which add up to allergic response. The supplement quercetin (a few grams per day is fine) is an inexpensive and effective way to raise the allergic threshold, so that common allergies are reduced or resolved altogether. It is nontoxic at high dosages, and should work within a couple of weeks. As the causes of your allergies (food/chemical stress, emotional stress) are removed, the symptoms will subside. I don't know of any naturopathic remedy which deals directly with the symptoms -- sorry! :-}
Hi Heidi My 22-month old son (type o) has been diagnosed with Leaky Gut Syndrome. He has multiple food allergies and had thrush for a short time at around 3 months of age. I hear all these conditions are connected to one another. I was wondering what I could give him, as a type o, which would help to heal his gut lining. He is fully dairy free already because of his allergies and occasionally has wheat although I have been substituting spelt whenever possible....but is the BTD okay to start on someone so young? Thanks! Shalinee
The BTD is the best possible thing to start your son on. YES! Since he is not yet in school, it's much easier to make sure his diet is absolutely avoid-free. He needs careful evaluation and control of his diet, which should be based upon meat and vegetables, especially dark greens, seaweeds and okra, and some nutbutters and fresh fruit (the lowest-sugar kinds, blueberries, grapefruit, etc. -- although if he tolerates pineapple well, this is a great anti-inflammatory fruit). I would limit the grains to whole rice only, and only a few times per week, just in case he is a very sensitive tiny nonsecretor! :-) Nutritional yeast blended into a smoothie with a bit of nutbutter, a teaspoon of flax oil and a little fruit will help his immune system stabilize, as long as these ingredients aren't on his no-go list. (NOTE: of course, eliminate anything that you know triggers his allergies). Use ghee instead of butter, it is a great gut healer.
Ask his doctor about caprylic acid (a mild anti-candida supp), Peter's Polyflora O, and ARA6. I wouldn't load him up with supplements, but these few are very gentle and could help a great deal -- but such a young child with these difficulties is best treated hands-on by a knowledgeable N.D. or BTD nutritionist.
I hope this helps!! take care, and let me know how you and your tyke are doing. :-D
Type O, Hashimoto's -- Atkins?
August 12th, 2002 , by admin
Yes, it is perfectly OK to avoid the higher-carb foods for now, and to introduce them very slowly as your body's balance re-asserts itself. Most of the beneficial vegetables in the O diet are dark greens, very low-carb. The pork and dairy products as well as the avoid fats, vegetables and fruits approved under the Atkins plan are contributing to the toxicity (skin healing trouble) and high blood pressure. You will certainly see an improvement if you follow the Live Right 4 Your Type food list, with an emphasis on the beneficial meats, vegetables and fats. You can still have a serving (or two) per day of low-sugar berries -- you need those proanthocyanadins for skin health and antioxidant effects.
I'm sure that if the Atkins plan helped somewhat, this one will work wonders for you. It incorporates all the basic theories behind that system, but protects you from the deleterious effects of pork, bad fats and dairy. Consult the BTD Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia for specific protocols to boost your thyroid functioning.
Keep in touch about your progress, and thanks for writing, Sophie! :-)
Wild Foods in Finland ~ from Paula, type B!
August 11th, 2002 , by admin
Greetings, Paula! While we have no rating for reindeer or tysk elk, I feel quite confident recommending them as "Neutral" for your type -- and I suspect this rating will apply to all members of the "Bambi" family you may encounter there in the Finnish woodlands! :-D
About wild duck, I am less sanguine. Duck, goose, grouse, partridge and quail are all avoids for Bs, which tells me that unlisted birdies are better considered "avoids" in your case. Pheasant, however, is fine for you, albeit rarer than ducks of all kinds, sorry to say!
Vaccinium vitis idaea (lingonberry) shares its small family Ericacea and genus Vaccinium with blueberries (including bilberries and whortleberries) and cranberries. My opinion is: eat them with gusto! Considering their relatives, they are likely Neutral for you, and might even be Beneficial.
Well, frankly, I had no idea rowan tree berries were edible at all... shame on me, and thank you for improving my education! I've always found the tree magnificently beautiful, and as it turns out, Sorbus aucuparia (European mountain ash, or "rowan") bears tasty fruit. You type Bs have much to be envied for, but for the moment I'll single out your magnificent fruit list. Rowan belongs to a huge family of plants (Rosaceae) of which not one is an avoid for you... so as to rowan berries, be my guest and call 'em "Neutral!" Hey - how do they taste? :->
Thanks for writing!!
WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT?
August 10th, 2002 , by adminThis is my first article for Peter's site, and I thought I'd talk a bit about what I'd like to accomplish with it, and the kinds of questions I can be of most help with. I'll run this initial column page for a few days, and I'll begin answering questions this coming week.
Those of you who participated in our bulletin board project over the years are pretty familiar with me (although my portrait may come as a surprise). For newcomers, I've provided a brief bio.
What I'm not is a certified health practitioner in any field. I am a layperson with experience in helping others heal themselves through diet, focused stress release, and exercise.
A human being is so magnificently complex that healing may require unaccustomed self-exploration. After all, you are the person who knows you best, no matter what others (including me) may tell you. :-) If the answers given here do not show you a way out of your difficulty, please feel free to contact me privately. If I have more specific information that I feel may help you, I will offer it; if I don't, I will tell you. All personal health details revealed to me via email are kept confidential from every other person, without exception.
So, what do I hope to accomplish? World recognition of the blood type guidelines as the premiere basis for healthy living. :-D That should keep me busy!
Welcome to our spot in cyberspace, and I hope with all my heart that you will find here what you are looking for ~~ and perhaps more even than you had hoped.
Wishing you robust health and its joys,
^heidi^
The BTD Faces the Holidays ! ~:-D
August 9th, 2002 , by admin
... with a special nod to the "sweet stuff!" #:-0
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Hi Heidi, Something that I've been concerned about, but after yesterday thought I'd verbalize. ((Spent the day making 3 kinds of Christmas cookies (lots of white flour and sugar) and all the tasting and sampling that goes with it )) I'm B- nonsecretor. I take the Deflect-B at least once a day for maintenance and extra doses when eating known avoids. I usually notice lots of congestion and swollen eyes the next day after eating avoids, even after taking the Deflect. Is the Defect working? Do I need to take more at these times? Otherwise the B-non diet works well, and I'm about 85% compliant most of the time (mixed neutrals and bennies). Thanks and Happy Holidays to you! ~ Linda
which ones plan to cause you trouble.
Of course, you know I can't resist suggesting: how about white spelt and rice flour for next year's cookies? Hm? ;-) I doubt that millet, oat or quinoa will produce swelling & sneezing either, and various combinations or solos of these neutral or beneficial grains make all manner of wonderful cookies. [And an even happier Holiday in 2003! :-D ]
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Can we have the sweetner Splenda, and if so is it ok to drink occasionally a soft drink made with this sweetner. Tim
Hello, Tim! The only "artificial" sweetener I recommend at all ~ and I recommend it wholeheartedly, both for its safety and its metabolic-balancing benefits ~ is vegetable glycerine. If you really don't want to give up commercial soft drinks entirely, please choose one sweetened with sugar, and free of corn syrup. Better yet, choose from the variety of fruit-juice based sodas, as well as fruit-flavored mineral waters and seltzers, which are generally available these days. It will make me really happy if you read the labels and choose the avoid-free brands! Best of all, use some seltzer or mineral water, add some organic fruit concentrate, shake & serve! But I will be utterly devastated if you start glugging Splenda!
:'''''{
~ lots of info on ordering, at the bottom. Enjoy!
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I am an O+ blood type and I don't know my secretor status as yet. I have been on the diet for approximately 4 months now and love it. I have just had the results of my annual checkup at the doctors. I am pleased to say everything was great. My cholestrol has dropped from 6.5 to 4.0 and I'm very pleased. The only thing that hasn't improved is my sugar level. The last two years it has slightly risen and had still risen this time. I had a glucose tolerance test and it shows I have impaired glucose intolerance. I am wondering what more you can tell me about lowering this by way of the diet. I follow the diet pretty much to the book LR4YT. I exercise, don't smoke and eat well. The doctor seems to think I have the genetic disposition. I don't want to end up with diabetes. Noelene
Hi, Noelene! Keep on your diet, reduce your grain intake to the minimum, include plenty of good fats and starchy vegetables every day along with meats and fish, and see the answers to Tim and Joel above and below this one! Vegetable glycerine has a wonderful effect on blood sugar levels. Don't be bothered by your doctor's prognosis ~ you're going to be fine! Let me know how things go in the next few weeks & months. I'm sure you'll turn it around in short order. Keep in touch!
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I am type B. 54 years old. Have Diabetes type 2 for 8 years. Walk, and not under pressure. Take pills and long lasting Insulin at night. Often have low blood-sugar levels in early morning. Otherwise quite well and blood sugar near normal if I do my thing. Am about to start your diet and enthusiastic. Have read "sugar related" info. Need more information on sweetening food with aspertame and/or saccarine. Also about diet drinks and soda/cola as I drink 6-8 liters of liquid per day (its very hot here)and need something sweet. Also is sheep milk/cheese the same as goat in the diet ? Thank you, Joel
Hey, Joel ~ Welcome to the BTD! I think you're going to be very happy with your results ~
is a link to a site on which the many dangers of asparatame (Nutrasweet, Equal, etc.) are pretty well documented. This stuff gets heavily marketed to diabetics, which is outrageous ~ it is something no one should be ingesting, especially people with diabetes.
Saccharine has been found in numerous studies to cause cancer in laboratory animals. So what do they do with it? Give it to diabetics! Do you think this is a cool idea? It's one of those ingredients that must be declared on the label and accompanied with a warning about its potential hazards to your health -- all this so that the Food & Drug Administration can let the manufacturers market it TO YOU. No good.
and it is safe for everyone to use. Among those 8 liters of liquid, I hope at least four are plain, pure water! It will greatly help your progress!!
Please get some vegetable glycerine for general use as a sweetener, and pick up some blackstrap molasses if you would like some variety -- You will be well on your way to resolving your diabetes in an amazingly short time!
Sheep milk and cheese can be considered equal to goat dairy, but try to stick to the types of cheese on your LR4YT food list. No moldy ones, OK? Thanks for writing, Joel! Please keep me posted on how you're doing!
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Hi, I am a Type A+ (as are my husband and our two children, which makes life much easier from a BTD standpoint). However, the children are teenagers who don't yet want to accept much of what Mom says about how to live their lives, and will eat more or less what they like, regardless. Sigh. Anyway, we have a traditional Thanksgiving with just a few modifications - thought some of your other Type As might like to know about it. We have turkey, peas, homemade stuffing from spelt bread, wild rice instead of mashed potatoes, acorn squash instead of sweet potatoes, cranberries, gravy thickened with spelt flour, wine, and homemade pumpkin pie made with evaporated goat's milk (which is available at my regular grocery store). Not many beneficials there, but no avoids, either, so I'm happy, and no traditional bloated stomaches, either! Makes me truly thankful. -- Kim
Nice job, Kim! It can be done, eh? :-D Don't worry about those teenagers ~ they'll surprise you in a few years. ;-)Thanks so much for your report! It offers solid hope for everyone BTD'ing through the Holiday hazards & pitfalls!
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Speaking of hazards, now everyone gets to experience my favorite Christmas carol. I love this one, always have ~ yes, as you no doubt expected, it's one of the longest! LOL!
Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay roundabout, deep and crisp and even.
Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight, gathering winter fuel.
"Hither, Page, and stand by me. If thou knowst it telling,
Yonder peasant, who is he? where and what his dwelling?"
"Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain,
Right beside the forest fence, by St. Agnes' fountain."
"Bring me flesh and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither.
Thou and I shall see him dine, when we bear them thither."
Page and monarch forth they went, forth they went together
Through the rude wind's wild lament, and the bitter weather.
"Sire, the night grows darker now, and the wind grows stronger.
Fails my heart, I know not how... I can go no longer!"
"Mark my footsteps, my good Page; tread thou in them boldly.
Thou shalt feel the winter's rage freeze thy blood less coldly."
In his master's steps he trod, where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod which the Saint had printed!
Therefore, Christian men, be sure -- wealth or rank possessing,
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~ Wishing Joy, Peace and Prosperity to you and yours! ~
A Splendiferous TYPE A POTPOURRI... and that pie crust recipe!
August 8th, 2002 , by admin
Greetings, Susan! Maté isn't in our food lists, so technically it's "unknown" and may be considered a neutral for our purposes. However, Peter did write a column for a type O maté fan which raises some concerns ~ here it is. Read it over, and see how maté will fit for you. Thanks for your note! :-)
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Hello, Charlotte ~ the A diet is designed for the ideal acid/alkaline balance for that type, but if you wish to combine the two specific plans, just follow AAD while emphasizing the type A beneficials and avoiding the avoids. Good luck, and let me know how that works!
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Hi, Marilee ~~ The entry on page 582 of the Encyclopedia is not actually a "beneficial" marking. It only says type Os can use it in the stated therapies. I hope this clears up the confusion! Wild yam is wonderful for hormone balancing, and I'm sure your clients will benefit from it. :-)
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~;-D In BTD, peas are listed under Beans and Legumes rather than Vegetables. Pretty tricky, huh? Don't feel bad, it's caused no end of confusion. :-} On the website, you'll find this item in the TYPEbase 3® database. Click on the link, enter "pea" and remember to hit the search button (your "enter" key doesn't work on that page). Among the six hits you'll retrieve is "pea (green/pod/snow)." It's neutral for everyone.
:-D
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Well, folks: this French gentlemen (type A) relates that he has bought the three books, and gotten his Lewis test results: SECRETOR! Yes, Philippe, this is the same result as that obtained through the saliva test. He then asks about a tyrosine-based product ~ L-tyrosine can be purchased as an individual supplement, and it is also used in many combination products. "Catechol" contient 600 mg de tyrosine. Bienvenu ~ et merci! :-)
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Hmmm... the spices cumin and paprika, and the vegetable horseradish, add quite a peppery kick to dishes. Mustard can be extraordinarily hot & spicy ~ mix the ground seeds or powder with water and some lemon juice & salt, and put it right in the fridge. You'll be astonished at its eye-watering potency! If you have your heart set on those peppers, whether hot or sweet, you might consider finding out if you are an A nonsecretor. They can eat peppers! Visit the store here to order the test... who knows? you might be looking forward to a summer full of hot sauce and stuffed bell peppers! Take care, dear ~ and thanks for writing!
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OK! Vicki, I didn't forget... {drum roll} ... here at last is that ephemeral
Hmmm... What's that I hear? Ah, it's you Bs and ABs out there, grumbling because kamut's an avoid for you. Well, my dears, SPELT IS NEUTRAL for y'all, so I haven't a shred of pity for you. Besides, I wouldn't be in the least surprised if white spelt flour makes a magnificent crust using this very recipe! So: off you go to the kitchen, and I expect a full report!! ~~;-D
Enjoy those Holiday treats, everyone! :-D
Tiers Revisited... Part I ! :-)
August 7th, 2002 , by adminDear Heidi-- I need to check two things on the Blood type diet for A+ secretor... The first is; tomato, eggplant and pepper are tier two 2 in the Italian translation of Lr4yt. Is it correct or they should be a tier 1 Avoid ?
The second question is: I am forty years old, thin and healthy and my brother thirty four. Only for him six years later a pediatrician diagnosed gluten intolerance. I had the same entheropaty (undiagnosed), but I seemed to recover well without any wheat-free diet when I became three years old . He recovered after one year of gluten free diet but I do not know his secretor status.
I was easily struck by colds and sinusitis, but without cow milk it gets far better. Should I try to forget about wheat for my gluten entheropaty as a child, or being a A secretor eventually I was able to cope with wheat and I can eat pasta just not too frequently? Thank you very much for helping us ! Maria
Hi, Maria! Yes, the Tier II list in your book is correct. As to how much pasta is good for you, it seems to me that what you are doing now has shown its results: you are "thin and healthy." As long as your digestion is unimpeded by pasta ~ and by that I mean, if you have regular and easy bowel movements (twice per day at least, for three meals per day) which pasta does not slow or dilute ~ then I believe your childhood enteropathy episode is not predictive of your present physical response to this food. Not to worry! After all, type A secretors (you lucky rascals) have white flour and semolina on your Neutral list, so the classic pasta secca should present no problem for you. This is surely the case with you if eating pasta regularly does not trigger the colds and sinusitis you mentioned, as dairy did.
Do your local pasta shops carry dry pasta made of any other grains? This is another option you may have to limit your wheat exposure, IF you would feel more secure on the safer-than-necessary side! For instance, I can find quinoa/corn pasta, 100% rice pasta, spelt pasta, all in many shapes, at my local organic grocer -- and the rice pastas are truly wonderful in taste and texture, in my (Irish! :-}) opinion. I'm sorry to say I have no recipes for making fresh pastas from these ingredients! :-( but dry pasta produced from alternative grains is becoming rather common in some parts of the world.
At any rate, give thanks for your type A heritage of all those beautiful Italian pastas! Eat! Enjoy! {a little envious here!! :-D}
I am still a little confused on the difference between type I and type II avoid and beneficial foods. When I read the descriptions of the impact of the type II foods on the body, they seem as ominous as the type I's, and yet the "Live right" book indicates you don't need total compliance to type II avoids if you're healthy. I know that's a big if and I'm not there yet! I've also read responses from Peter that indicate a healthy person can probably be compliant 80% of the time and still be okay. I don't know if he still feels that way since that was some time in the past. But does that mean you can eat type I avoids 20% of the time? Or does that mean you can eat type II avoids 20% of the time? Or what? Also, what does it mean to be a type II beneficial? I've been on the diet for a year and a half, I am in my late forties and am starting to feel good for the first time in my adult life, but it's been an uphill battle, and I don't ever want to feel that bad again. FYI - I'm an A. ~ Chris
Hello, Chris ~~ It is a little confusing! Compliance itself is a vexed issue; (70%, by the way! :-D) ~~ does "70% is OK for healthy people" mean 70% Beneficials? Some combination of Beneficials & Neutrals? How can eating 70% Neutrals and 30% Avoids be viewed as equivalent to eating 70% Beneficials and 30% Avoids? Do Neutrals count? Does one cancel out the other? (ah, at least I can answer that one: NO. :-D)
Makes me want to ask a different question: How about the digestive need for calm and focus upon the food itself, rather than weighing out what portion of every single morsel is counting toward some percentage which was given by Peter as a mere guideline anyway? :-} phew! thanks for listening! :-} It was nice of Peter to give his professional observations on how well his patients seem to fare if they comply with the BTD to a certain extent ~~ Heaven knows we dogged him and harried him until he produced that number. Look at what success brought us. ;->
I find the percentage-compliance idea useful only as a back-of-the-mind reassurance touchstone/pressure release valve. Had a bad (avoid-ridden) day? Well, adding it up ~ turns out it was only 25% avoids... not so horrible after all! Got Gramma Beatrice's 80th birthday coming up? An avoid or two won't kill you, but she might if you turn up your nose at her six-layer cream-cheese pistachio pound cake. Been eating 100% beneficials for six months and feel like you're going to spit bullets if you don't have JUST ONE BITE of that magnificent ham from your Italian cousin in Parma???? Hey! Mangia! I don't want to open the paper someday and see, "Inmate pleads 'It was BTD Compliance that drove me bonkers!'" Remember Peter's yearly meat-stuffed cabbage, and eat that ham joyfully, with gratitude. ;-}
Here's my little message: KNOWLEDGE - COMMITMENT - RELAX. You know your diet (maybe by heart at this point!). You've got the commitment ~ you made the decision that this was the course to follow, and you're right out there, walking the walk! cuz why else would I see you struggling to get all the i's dotted and the t's crossed? :-) Now gimme an R... gimme an E... :-> we want to open the circle of all that beautiful energy from your newfound health ~ open it out into things you'd like to accomplish in the world.
The Tiers system is a guide, like "compliance" numbers ~ it is a diet refinement tool to incorporate or not, depending on one's choice. Take stock of your health and goals right now, and use the Tiers as you see fit. The listings are correct as emended in the Updates Page. For your present situation, I'd say: focus on Tier I Beneficials -- and substitute Tier II Beneficials for some of the neutrals you'd usually eat. See if there's a neutral or two you can slip in for any avoid that has been a pain in the seat of temptation. In this way, you boost the salutary medical effects of the diet.
Well, I've gone on way too long. what a surprise! ;-D Hope you know I'm not yelling atcha ~ probably just yelling at myself! I'm not sure whether I should thank you for writing or for reading... so I'll just say thanks, Chris! ~:-D
I am confused about the Tier System in Live Right. It says in the text for Type A that you should add Tier Two values to Tier One values in order to be more compliant and that you should then "use caution incorporating neutral foods from general nutritional supplementation". This concept leads to some interesting priorities in food use that seem to be against the general suggestions for Type A (I am a non-secretor and so am using those values) For example, cottage cheese would be allowed and yoghurt and Kefir (good probiotics which the text says we should use) would not be advised. Lamb would be used and chicken not; kidney beans would be used (which are in general really bad for Type A the text says) and snap beans or mung sprouts not: tomatos would be good (another text no-no for Type A) and a whole host of other vegetables like kelp (said to be good in the text), asparagus, beets, string beans, etc not good; bananas (a lectin food for Type A) good and peaches, pears, etc. not good. These items especially seem puzzling to me. Maybe I am not interpreting the Tier System correctly. I find the instructions about it somewhat confusing. Thanks for answering this question. Since you have added info about the secretor status, the Blood Type diet feels very resonant and useful (I always wondered why in the original book I felt more like an O than an A). Thanks again. Clare
Well, Clare, I kinda hope you skipped right down here to your question. Stop the presses: we nonsecretors can toss those Tiers right off the parapet. Look through LR4YT's food lists, and you'll see that ALL Secretor Neutrals are in the Neutral Tier (with the exception of blackberries for AB, which was an errant boo-boo); ALL Secretor Beneficials & Avoids are in Tiers I & II. Conversely, nonsecretor food values are in and out all over the place. The Tiers system is aligned along a Secretor "spine." Thus, our food list (the Nonsecretor Tier, if you will) is not affected by where a value falls. It's just the old Bene-Neut-Avoid grind for us! :-) Makes it a little less exciting, but a touch simpler, too. Hope you like it! I sure do ~ mostly!!
:->
Hi Heidi, A few questions if I might. 1. If two parents are type O will children also be type O? LR4YT maintains A & B are dominant so we are assuming we are both Oo. 2. Is Jasmine tea (sometimes called Chinese tea) ok for type O non-secretors? 3. Are potatoes neutral for type O non-secretors on Tier I diet? Potatoes are Tier II avoid. Thank you for your time. Willie
Hallo, Willie! Yes, the union of two type O parents can produce only type O offspring. To be type O, one must have two O genes, so there's no other kind available to contribute. "Jasmine tea" only means there are jasmine flowers in whatever tea has been so flavored. Green tea is OK for Os, but black tea is not ~ so it's the old case of "read yon label." Potatoes, alas; take a look at the answer to Clare's question above. Nonsecretors are not given the leeway of secretors in using the Tier II foods as we wish. But heck, we don't mind! We get... Turtle! ~~ they can have their demmed potatoes. Right, Willie? Right? hmmm... :-} *sigh!*
Hi Heidi, I'm traveling to Brazil. Is anaconda acceptable for type O? Couldn't find it on the lists. Now for my real question. Back in the old days...five years ago or so, regular white potatoes and their various relatives were considered a major type O avoid like wheat, dairy, etc. But when "Live Right" came out they became a tier 2 avoid which means to me that they're OK for O's who have no health issues and simply wish to maintain their current level of health. In other words, according to BTD are white potatoes OK in moderation for ... Bob L ?
Yeah, thanks, Bob, I just went through all that with Willie just above, and now here you pop up, Johnny-on-the-spot to rub it in. Yeah. Fine. Eat those potatoes, old buddy. Eat as many as you can hold ~ you leanbean types really frazzle my razzer, have I mentioned that before? By the way, those spuds go really well with capers, shiitake mushrooms and some acacia gum to hold it all together ~~ check it out! I'll be thinking of you in South America this winter, as I look out upon the lovely traditional NYC Christmas Scene of brown snow and gray ice. And hey: Enjoy those big Brazilian snakes, my friend! Have a beautiful trip!!!
... to be continued...
Potpourri 4 You & Me
August 6th, 2002 , by adminI'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
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!
Type O, Severe and Persistent Illness: Thanks, Erythromycin!
August 5th, 2002 , by adminI 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
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!
READERS WRITE: Organic Spelt in the UK
August 4th, 2002 , by admin
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
"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!!
Type A Japanese Food Fan... and Weight Loss
August 3rd, 2002 , by admin
I am blood type A, with 3 questions:
Yamagata Jyuwari Soba is one Japanese brand that is 100% buckwheat. Look for it in Asian specialty food stores. Mitoku Organic is another brand, and is available online. Just do a websearch for their name, and choose where you’d like to buy it. Clearspring is yet another. Or talk to the manager of your HFS and ask if he can order for you.
I don’t know your secretor status, but if you are a secretor and have no history of Celiac disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, a small amount of wheat shouldn’t hurt you. However, if you wish to lose weight and you love soba, it’s well worth the extra effort to get hold of the no-wheat variety. Much tastier, too!
2) what about sushi, which typically uses a glutinous rice and contains vinegar. I love it, but am not sure it is appropriate for type A.
I feel your pain! :-} The tiny amount of rice vinegar in most sushi rice preparations is nothing to worry about. Again, if you happen to be a nonsecretor, the more important avoid is the corn sweetener some sushi rice contains. Talk to your sushi chef! Ask what kind of sweetener they use, and check this against TYPEbase3. Again, it is a tiny amount, but for weight loss purposes it might make a difference if you eat lots of sushi (did anyone ever eat just one? ;-D).
3) Is there a good substitute for white spelt flour? I can't find it in any stores near me.
Until recently, although I shop in New York City, I never saw white spelt flour in my HFS. Yesterday, there it was, right next to another new addition: kamut pastry flour. I was too bowled over to check the brand name of the spelt (avoid for me). Kamut Pastry Flour! Hooray! Perfect for my yearly pizza and holiday pastries!! *...ahem.* As I was about to say, I suggest putting this on the list to ask your local HFS manager about. Shiloh Farms produces kamut and amaranth flours, so that’s a good name to start with -- they may have the white spelt as well. Purity Foods is the big producer, and they have a webpage (www.purityfoods.com), if you’d like to order it in bulk online.
I have stopped and started this diet several times over the past 2 years, for various reasons, but would now like to follow it more closely. I am very unhappy with my current weight, which has been a struggle over the last couple of years (metabolism?) and I have recently gained 10 pound in only a couple of months. I am really discouraged and uncomfortable (my clothes don't fit!) and hope to see results from this diet, which was strongly recommended to me by my doctor. Keep up the great work. Thank you very much!
You are most welcome, and I hope my comments are of help. I'm always delighted to hear that more doctors are recommending this plan! Have you pinpointed what it is in your current diet for the past few months that caused your weight gain? How about mild exercise and yoga... great weight-loss tools for most As.
Use the food lists to design your meal plan ~ detailed in a column I wrote a couple of days ago. For type As, it’s usually overeating animal protein, and/or a high-grain diet, which puts on the weight. Remember to use vegetables as the centerpiece of your meals, and use the beneficial fish and fruits to your advantage. Mix in some sashimi with your beloved sushi now and again. :-) Let us know how you do!
THOSE ARCHIVES
August 2nd, 2002 , by admin
I very often get some form of this question, which is a happy indication of the popularity of Peter's longtime message board project. Unfortunately, limitations in the compatible search engine software available combined with the size and structure of the archives make for a rather time-consuming and fussy task of searching them at this time.
Some tips: Go to the Search link on Peter's main page. It will take you to a long page of links -- scroll down to the list of archives and see if the dates will help you narrow things down. Start at the first archive you want to scan, hit search, and the minute the page begins to load (it will be that archive's index page), hit the search button again. Now you can search within every message there.
I hope to set up a FAQ based upon many of the repeated questions and answers in the message board archives, including highlights of the brightest and most useful & inspiring posts, as well as some edifying exchanges regarding special difficulties. When this more user-friendly page may be available is yet up in the air, but I'm working on it. In the meantime, a half-hour should be adequate to search the archives by following the tips above. Take heart, we've all been through it, and it can be done! :-)
When this column was written, in May 2002, the archives could be accessed from our homepage. As of this time (July 2002), and foreseeably for at least the rest of this year, they are unavailable while we attempt find solutions for the bandwidth demands they entail. We appreciate your patience while this problem is being addressed! thanks again, everyone!!

