Today is March 25 2006, I am 63 years old, and I am writing to tell you how "Eat Right 4 your Type" saved my life. Until 1991 I was a typical O, type A lifestyle. Full time ER RN supervisor, Shotokan Karate teacher, occasional SCUBA teacher, building a house, busy, busy. In Oct. 91 while running up several flights of stairs, I was stopped in my tracks by palpations and SOB. I guess my diet and lifestyle caught up with me. My physician ruled out any problems but I did have a 2nd degree block, Mobitz I, that was explained away because of my good physical condition and chest pain that was explained away by reflux, even though I had never had these before and eventually the palpations were explained away by lack of exercise. (what?) I lost a lot of problem solving abilities. For example I went from being able to figure out emergency medication dosages in my head to being unable to double the recipe for banana bread. From the moment on the stairs I had severe tachycardia on any exertion, even minor, palpations, SOB and anxiety that went on for years. I had to retire from Nursing, quit karate and all physical activity. I had to cut my long hair as the tachycardia was too overpowering to brush it.

Over the next few years I was tested for every disease known to man, everything was normal, so then they sent me to the Psychiatrist who also said I was normal and offered me Prozac which I did not accept. One day I put all my symptoms into a Dr friends computer and out came Mitral valve proplapse syndrome, and as I have a mild prolapse I said ah, hah, that's it. I took Lopressor and it did keep the palpatations under control, however the anxiety was a daily burden and several times I contemplated suicide. In 2004 I finally decided to take anxiety drugs and went to a Psychiatrist who tried me on every type of drug he could think of, even giving me pediatric doses and I had reactions to everything , mainly low blood pressure and vertigo, so it was back to biting the bullet.

Then in November 2005 a friend bought ER4YT, showed it to me and I said fine, what's another diet book, I'll try it. After three (3) days of eating no "avoids" both my palpitations and anxiety stopped. I even forgot to take my lopressor, which I took as soon as I opened my eyes in the morning before getting out of bed. On the third day I thought I feel good, why do I feel good, I never feel good. and then I thought, it has to be the diet, the no wheat. My Physician cannot understand it but bought your book.

I am totally off lopressor and I feel wonderful, happy to be alive and though I will not return to karate I am walking a fast 2 miles every day. I have other benefits. I no longer get motion sick, a condition I had all my life. Also I can now drink water. Before it made me gag and cough and I would have to doctor it up with something, not any more. There are two minor problems yet to solve even though they too have improved somewhat. Tinnitus and very little sense of taste. I will omit certain foods to see what makes a difference.

I think my biggest problem was wheat and I really knew there was a problem with bread, but kept on eating it. I recommend your book to everyone I meet. I made aeroplane reservations the other day and told them I wanted a special diet, the "O" type and they did not understand, hopefully one day that will come about. There is so much wheat around, sometimes I go to events and I find very little to choose from but that's OK, I am not tempted at all to stray from what makes me feel so good. Thank you for sharing your research and writing your book. You have given me back my enthusiasm and well being.

---Gaenor

Hi Gaenor,

Many of the links associated with being type O and the symptoms you describe are related to the effects of the balance between dopamine adrenaline and the health and effectiveness of the HPA (Hypothalus-Pituitary-Adrenal) axis. It is one of the prime influences that blood type appears to have on stress and physiology.

There are rather sophisticated reasons why type O's seem to be more compromised with regard to clearing adrenaline out of the system, but almost all point to the link between the ABO gene locus and the regulation of the enzyme dopamine beta hydoxylase. In short, as a type O you'll want to enhance your production of dopamine and optimize your metabolism of excess adrenaline.

What dietary secrets are involved?

Well, you already guessed them! Excess wheat consumption leads to increased inability to metabolize adrenaline, whereas higher intake of protein in the diet ehances dopamine production of dopamine.

High wheat intake in the diet is also linked to excessive immune activation in some individuals.

Hmm... Type O... low wheat.. high protein... where have we heard that before?