I have a question about the relationship of behavior/personality type, blood type, and supplements for neurochemical balance and stress response. I will use myself as an example.

I am blood type O. However, I fit the description of "Type C Behavior" personality type described in the blood type A section of the LR4YT book better then the "Type A behavior" personality type described in the blood type O section of the book. Using the personality test on the web site I tested as a ISTP. However, I am blood type O from the standpoint I have always believed I feel better when I get regular intense physical exercise.

It appears from the text in the "Emotional Equalizers" sections of the LR4YT book for each blood type that what is recommended in each section is based on the tendency for each blood type to exhibit a particular behavior/personality type, not specifically on blood type. Therefore, the information appears to be more directed at an individuals behavior/personality type versus their blood type. Is this true? Should a person follow the recommendations from the section that best describes their behavior/personality type or just follow recommendations from the section from their blood type?

To be even more specific, which "Emotional Equalizers" section of the LR4YT book concerning adaptogens and neurochemical supplements and which blood type section of the Anti-Stress protocol from the The Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia book should I follow? If I believe I am a "Type C Behavior" person, can I safely use and follow, and should I, the recommendations for blood type A from the two books? Up to this point I have been following the recommendations for blood type Os. I am asking these questions because I am suffering from stress problems, including adrenal fatigue and/or low thyroid function.

Related to this, should I cut back or stop intense physical exercise, which is primarily bike racing? Should I take up Yoga and other exercise forms recommended for blood type As? Background: I am male, 46, 5'10", 146 lbs, type O negative secretor, resting heart rate in the mid to upper 40s', blood pressure in the range of 110/65, an avid racing cyclist as well as enjoy and participate in many other forms of exercise, particularly intense exercise. My weight has been fairly stable for many years, +/- 4 lb range. I have been following the BTD for almost 7 months and even though I basically changed my diet cold turkey I have been improving my compliance as I have learned more, found food sources such as organic range fed beef, etc. I have been under a lot of emotional stress the past few years including chronic sinus problems, divorce involving adolescent children, declining health of elderly parents, job loss, and the biggest problem right now is continuing lengthy unemployment, etc. I appreciate any help and advice you can give me. Thanks! Don

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Hello, Don ~ This is a question many people ask ~ introspective, shy, retiring Type Os... outgoing and/or aggressive Type As.... should they use the blood type stress-handling paradigm, or do they not "fit," somehow?

It's important to remember that Peter's description of the "behavior types" and the blood types is merely an observation that they often, or seem often, to go together --it is not to be taken as predictive of the individual's biochemical response to food and exercise.

Among individuals of any given blood type, we can find examples of every behavior type, and M-B personality type (ISTP, ENFJ, etc.). The recommendations for diet, activity and supplementation are keyed to physiology, so for you, the type O plan is the one to follow.

I am "INFJ," and near your age and size. I require that strenuous exercise, and I feel even better with the addition of meditation. It has been my personal experience, and that of nearly all the reports I've heard from others, that just about everyone benefits from a skilled stress-reduction practice such as the kriyas outlined in Meditation as Medicine by Dr. Dharma Singh Khalsa, or a form of meditation like Transcendental Meditation (tm), which has a multitude of scientific research showing it 'does the job.' ~~ No matter what your blood type.

God, I feel for you, Don -- you've been under a huge and changing emotional burden for years. It's small wonder you're feeling the strain of it all! Yes, adaptogens can help; yes, exercise and meditation will allow your body and mind to bear up better under the load you are carrying; but as Peter once said, the diet cannot do it all. "If your shoes are too small, your feet will still hurt." What these plans do is bolster one's mental, emotional and physical strength so we're better able to GET those bigger shoes, or that new job, or that calmer lifestyle for ourselves.

There's only so much one guy can handle! Is there anything you're dealing with that you can just "SAY NO" to? Establish better boundaries? It's not my province to offer that kind of advice, but it just popped out. If it helps, great -- if not, just ignore me. :-)

What I CAN say with certainty that seven months is a goodly time on the diet, but things grow easier and its effects become stronger as time goes by. I'm celebrating the beginning of my sixth year on this plan, and I have faced some of the issues and asked myself some of the questions you are asking now.

Stick with the O diet, supps, & exercise ~ get plenty of sleep daily ~ and add a deep-reaching meditation practice. This is the "golden road" to well-being, particularly for those of us with long-term weighty matters to attend to.

You'll do beautifully, Don. I know you will. Let me know if there is anything else I can offer! And thank you for writing to me! :-D

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