I’m going to take the opportunity in todays blog to answer some questions that have been posed from a reader in the Netherlands. By the way thanks to all the European readers who regularly correspond, I hope you understand my English OK.

Which book should I use ? Eat Right or Live Right ?

Either option is going to be acceptable. I still use ER4YT as the basis for my lifestyle and eating. LR4YT goes into far more detail on food groups and secretor/non secretor status.

If you are just looking to follow a simple lifestyle use ER4YT , however if you are looking for specific goals and trying to address certain health issues then you need to get your head around the structure of LR4YT.

I want to lose weight on this diet

Simple answer to this one is eliminate the grains and cereals from your diet and watch the pounds/kilos begin to vanish.

As a Type A you probably should also include a low stress exercise regime. Perhaps Tai Chi, Yoga, Cycling, even a regular round of golf would probably help.

We type A’s are fragile things and shouldn’t subject our bodies to too much hard physical activity, which quite frankly suits me nicely.

I didn’t start this way of life to lose weight as I am comfortable with my body shape and weight. You will notice bread and grains are a common thread throughout my story for that very reason.

I’m A Positive is this the same as a Secretor ?

Short answer, No.

The Rhesus factor in your blood which signifies positive or negative has very little influence on the BTD.

The Secretor status has more to do with BTD and must be tested by either a blood test or saliva test. Only 15-20% of the population are non-secretor but if you want to Live Right 4 Your Type you probably should have the test.

We’ve discussed this before and found a lab in Australia that does the tests. I know there is a lab in the USA also. I believe there is one in the UK. I’m not sure about mainland Europe but if you would like to, drop a line to Cocky Van Hesteren.

Cocky works for the European distributor of NAP and if there is a lab anywhere in Europe for testing secretor status I’m sure she will know. Her contact details can be found at the top of her Blood relations page.

By the way I’d like to thank Louise who wrote to me after my article on substitutes for Tomato. Her suggestion was to take your favourite recipe for carrot or pumpkin soup and cook it down to reduce the volume and use as an alternative to tomato sauce or paste in recipes.

Sounds simple and with the addition of a health dollop of sweet paprika powder and a few fresh or dried herbs would work really well.

Thanks to everyone who writes, I don’t answer many of you personally but I do try to respond through my blog and I do read all your comments with interest.

It is often something you write that triggers the subject for my next or future epistle.

Today being a classic example.

Thanks again.