Hello Heidi I had to respond to the O writer that was confused by the advice to avoid protein for the kidney disease. That's yesteryears medicine really. I worked for 13 years as a dialysis nurse and when I first started, we did limit the protein of our patients to reduce the levels of toxins produced by the metabolism of protein. Less toxins means less time is necessary to clean their blood. Less time means less money, but doesn't promote better health. We also used to recommend drastic reduction of protein intake for patients with kidney failure that weren't on dialysis yet. That way they could put off getting started on treatments and this was felt to improve quality of life. It's less expensive too. Then we found out that protein malnutrition was the most significant factor in morbidity and mortality. You may not start dialysis as soon, and your treatments may not take as long, but you won't live as long as you would if you weren't malnourished. Now we do not advise limiting protein. We recommend enough dietary protein to keep the serum albumin normal. And if it takes more time on the machine, so be it. It costs more to care for people, but they live longer and have more opportunity to prosper.

Now for a question! Another treatment for kidney patients was the use of calcium supplements with meals to bind the phosphorus in the diet and prevent it's absorption. It also blocks the absorption of the calcium, so ever since then I don't take my calcium with any food except fruit or juice, which is low in phosphorus. I can't help wondering why traditional advice includes taking calcium with meals. If it binds to phosphorus in the stomachs of people with kidney failure, how come it doesn't do the same thing in my stomach? Any input about this issue would be much appreciated as calcium intake is one of the daily challenges for us O's. Does the plant based Phytocal absorb regardless of food in the stomach? Thanks in advance for your time and attention again. I really enjoy the columns every morning and know how much work you put into it. Diane

Hi there, Diane! Thanks for your professional views on protein and kidney disease. Much appreciated! As far as I know from the instructions that have always accompanied the Phytocal supplements, this particular formulation is effective when taken with food, and no substances (such as high-phosphorus items) are singled out as to be used separately from the calcium supp. Anecdotally, I've heard that taking calcium and C together is a good idea, so your practice of fruit or juice with the Phytocal may be a useful one. Further than that, I have no hard data on this subject. Readers? Any pros out there with authoritative views? Diane, I'll keep my ear to the ground and post here if we learn something new -- again, thanks for your message!! :-D

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Well.. here i come again! I just thought of a question i had. You have advised a few people on cooking down Kale, beet greens, etc., with olive oil and garlic and onions. I've never done that. How 'down' do you cook them? Woody, (you remember Woody!) says you cook them all the way down until they are almost crispy. Is that true? And also, how much does one use? Unfortunately, I do not like the consistancy of cooked spinich or any leafy vegetable cooked to where it's too limp. And which of the greens are not so strong tasting or overpowering or bitter? Also I ordered a vegetable cookbook and almost all of the recipies have either a grain or pasta involved. I was so disappointed! Can you recommend a vegetable cookbook that works mostly with vegetables? Thanks again Woman! Christina

Woody's right, again! ;-D An entire big bunch is something like three servings ~ kale, chard, chicory, beet greens, etc. cook down tremendously (collards somewhat less so). Beet greens and white or red chard are a tad more delicate than the kale (whether lanciato, or curly green or purple). Once cooked down, kale retains a nice bite, and isn't slimy like overdone spinach (a MUCH more delicate leaf veg). Nor is it bitter once properly cooked & seasoned - it's kind of rich and slightly sweet. A touch of red wine near the end of cooking gives a lovely flavor. ;-)

I don't know of a grain-free veg-only cookbook off the top of my head, but the New Basics Cookbook I've mentioned in the past has loads of single-item recipes. The authors are Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins -- it's probably in 2934th printing by now, a very popular cookbook. hope this encourages your vegetal cooking explorations!! :-D

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I'm type O, non-secretor ,Brazilian and i'm following the diet now for 1 year and with good results. I'd like to know about the use of ghee for my type and if manioc and its flour ( a Brazilian commom food ) is good for me. Thanks, Moema

Ghee is wonderful for all types, Moema. Manioc (or "cassava") would have the same value as the listing for "tapioca" in your book -- sorry to say, it is avoid for nonsecretor Os. Try to substitute true yams, or other tubers, root vegetables and squash? thanks for your note, Moema!! :-D

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You mention black and green teas, but I enjoy red and white teas. I am O, is this good for me? Stacy

Hello, Stacy! "White tea" can be a couple of different things, so check the package. If it is an oolong (or "half-fermented") tea, it's a question mark. In other words, its processing is stopped halfway to making black tea (an avoid). Many products claiming to be white tea are oolongs, so I'd consider them closer to avoid than neutral. However, if your is the Chinese variety of roasted green tea, it's perfectly fine.

Red (or "rooibos") tea is Ok for all types as well. :-D

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Dear Heidi, Thank you for all your help. I can not praise the BTD enough! I am O+ (secretor status unknown because I live in N.Y.) I read an article in PREVENTION magazine about dark chocolate, especially DOVE dark, made by Mars Inc. It states that "DOVE" dark contains cocoapro cocoa, a proprietary, specially processed cocoa that contains SUPERHIGH levels of flavanols - so high that "DOVE" dark is used in medical research. It suggests eating about an ounce a day, if you are not over weight and that dark chocolate with the highest cocoa content is the healthiest. The contents list for "DOVE" are: semisweet chocolate (sugar, chocolate procesed with alkali, chocolate, cocoa butter, milkfat, soy lecithin, natural and artifial flavors). I'm not over weight, would it be beneficial for me to eat this or maybe another brand that doesn't have milkfat and is organic? Thanks again! A chocoholic (Rose)

:-D Wow, they're pushing chocolate as a therapeutic product now, eh? LOL! Prevention used to be such a great publication. Well, there are brands which are made from organic ingredients, and without the dairy, "artificial flavors" and so on. Paul Newman, Tropical Source, and a number of other brands in NY health food stores have good products. To research what's available, start with a big online organic seller like Whole Foods or Wild Oats, just to get an idea of what's what. Check the ingredient lists very carefully. Then you can choose whether to order online or try finding the brands of your choice in a HFS near you. At any rate, chocolate will not become beneficial any time soon ~ but enjoy it in moderation! Hope this helps, dear! :-D

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Hi Heidi, Thanks for your response to my question in today's column. Don't want to suggest a ginko difficiency, but when I look at my LR4YT it shows for A (n/s): Rye flour and Rye/100% Rye Bread= N, Rice Syrup= A, Sugar (brown/white)=A. In the DatabaseType3 it shows for A (n/s): Rye flour and Rye/100% Rye Bread= B, Rice Syrup= N, Sugar (brown/white)= N. So, which is correct? Thanks in advance, Donna

Ah! Now I see the discrepancies. I'll see that they are corrected, and thanks, Donna! The values in LR4YT are correct, and I'm truly not sure how that version of the database slipped by -- I do appreciate the note!! :-D

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Dear Heidi, I have a couple questions I'm hoping you can answer. First my nephew is adhd, has a horrible time focusing in school. He is taking dha, multi-vit, opc, cortigard, calcium and other minerals. They have taken him off of dairy(for the most part)and sugar,I think they are following the diet pretty good. He's a type A and 7yrs old, was wondering about starting him on PS? Also we live in the midwest in a rural town, very hard to get fresh vegetables or fruit here in the winter. Is frozen fruits, vegetables and fish ok? Also as a type A is it ok to eat enriched bleached wheat flour tortillas? I'm a little confused about wheat for type A's. Thank you so much for any help you can give. Linda

Hello, Linda ~ Frozen fruits and vegetables are fine for you, and wheat products are OK (but not really desirable) as long as they do not contain (1) whole wheat, (2) wheat bran or (3) wheat germ. For fish, try to get the freshest fish your neighborhood can offer. And remember to look for canned salmon, sardines, etc., as they are inexpensive and usually the salmon is good wild pink salmon from Alaska. For your nephew, it sounds like they are doing a good job with him. He would benefit from lecithin and flax oil, but I don't know that a straight phosphatidyl serine supplement would be worth the cost, since it would be very expensive supply an effective dosage, and it is generally used in brain-degenerative conditions rather than chemical imbalances (which ADHD is held to be). Dairy is particularly important to get out of his diet, especially if he is prone to ear infections (noted in the development of ADHD in type As). I would also restrict his grain intake to the beneficial ones only, like rye, oatmeal, buckwheat, rice, 100% sprouted breads, etc.

I wish you and your family the greatest success in healing the youngster, Linda! thanks for writing, and let me know how he does. :-)

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i am b none secretor i am taking tablets called enalapril maleate for high blood pressure i have started to take proberry 3 syrup is it alright to take it while i am on BP tablets thank-you. mary

Hi, Mary! Sure! the ProBerry3 syrup should not interfere with your medication. It is pure fruit. If you ever have any doubts about supplements or foods interacting with a drug, take them to your doctor and get the professional opinion on them. You might want to begin eating one serving of oatmeal per day -- it has been reported to lower blood pressure, as well as blood cholesterol, and is cheaper and safer than taking a drug. Enalapril maleate is an ACE inhibitor, and has some potentially fatal side effects. Make sure your doctor explains everything about this drug to you, including that you should watch for any sign of swelling in your face, hands, feet, tongue, or throat, and if you find these signs, call the doctor immediately. Take good care, Mary, and keep in touch! :-D

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Hi, I love your column and of course this new way of eating I have adapted from the LiveR4.... I am an O secretor status unknown and I need to know what types of tests I can get through my doctor. Can I ask for a secretor test? Will my doctor understand what I mean? Also what other tests should I ask for and for what reasons? I am trying to find a doctor on your list but in the meantime I wondered how to go about getting my doctor to do some tests. I am a 40 yr old female in good health, other than constipation problems for the last 20 years, which thank you very much has completed disappeared since I started this diet one month ago. Also, is cabbage a yes or no for type O's I hope to hear from you soon. Cindi



Greetings, Cindi! If you click the "Knowledge Base" link just to the left of this column, you'll see a list of links -- click the one called "Secretors and Non-Secretors. Print out that page, and take it with you for reference when you go to your doctor. He can order a Lewis (blood) test through any major laboratory, which will give you a corollary to secretor status, but you may find it much less expensive (and more accurate) to get the Saliva Secretor test at the Store on this site. There are many other "blood types," and most of them have no impact on diet. MN type is the only other result we use in Live Right to tweak the food lists somewhat, but get your secretor status first -- for example, nonsecretors do not use MN modifications listed in the book: they are for secretors only.



The status for cabbage can be found in the TYPEbase 3 database, also linked on the home page (www.dadamo.com). Use that database for all your food status questions! And remember to click the "search" button -- the "enter" key will not activate the search. Thanks, dear! and I'm really pleased you're already experiencing the benefits of the O plan!! :-D

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I am a female age 56, type O.I do not know my secretor status.I have Hepatitis C since 1984,early cirrhosis and I am 80 pounds overweight.I need to lose the weight as it will help my liver health.I have read BTD,small lists book and ER4YT encyclopedia. I noted in ER4YT a type A with Primary Bilary Cirrhosis that did well. This diet makes sense to me.I have been taking a large number of supplements, some apparently not good for Os. All the protocols have time frames. How should I handle? Most Hep C diets recommend little or no meat. Should I follow the diet as is until I lose the weight or are there modifications I should make. Thanks for your help. Georgia



Hi, Georgia! You might give your body an extra-special break for healing by eliminating all supplements for the moment. Feed it only the best foods, plenty of pure water, and rest whenever you can. If you want to continue some of the supps, make sure every ingredient in each is OK for you. Follow the diet just as is, and use the portion/frequency tables in the small lists book to get just the right balance from all the food groups for your diet. If you go to the bottom of this page and enter 5bx in the search window & hit the search button, you'll see a list of columns in which I talk about a very gentle exercise program that you can begin using right now. This plan will work wonders for you, Georgia -- commit to it and let it do its magic. And keep me posted on your progress, OK? thanks so much for writing!! :-D

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Greetings from Southern Maryland..question on exercise for a type O non-secretor who is 50% on the diet -for type O's the diet recommends strenuous exercise, at least every other day and to really work up a sweat. That's the problem - I have a hard time sweating -I exercise faithfully, but I always reach the point where I overheat, get red in the face and feel faintish - but no sweat - would something be blocking my pores from sweating? Grateful for your daily columns - hope they give you a vacation now and then. Catherine



:-) Hi, Catherine! Nice weather slowly moving in down there now, eh? (about time!! :-D) I do get a kind of vacation here and there, due to server glitches and technical difficulties on my side -- always feel a tad frustrated and p.o.'d about them, but in truth maybe I should be grateful! ~;-D



When we first start exercising, it's customary to have just the result you're describing -- but it changes over time. Trainers will tell you that the "better shape you're in, the faster you break a sweat." I've found it to be true in my experience. Make sure you've drunk at least a liter (say, a quart) of water, with a tiny pinch of sea salt added (and shaken up), about half an hour before working out. The skin is one of your "organs of elimination," and needs plenty of water & minerals to do its job to the utmost. Hydrate well, and keep up the exercise. If you feel faint, lower your pace or take a mini-break until you feel able to continue. And as you enter into a higher compliance with the food guidelines, you will find that all kinds of activities become easier and more pleasant. (you knew I'd pop that one in, right? ;->) Keep rockin', and drop me a note now & again! :-D

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Hi there! Tis me again! Actually, this question is for my mom. She is a type O and was wondering if there was some kind of magic drink for O's like there is for B's. I was telling her how great the membrane fluidizer cocktail is. So far I've used it two days, skipped a day or two (big mistake) and jumped right back on it when I noticed the difference. Just one note that may be of interest, it doesn't taste that great in ruby red grapefruit juice. So far that's the only one that it isn't good in. It's fantastic in grape juice and mixes up a little better if you let all the ingredients sit around for a few minutes. I promised her I would ask even though I don't think they have a "magic tonic". Thanks so much for you column. Alicia



Hey there, Alicia! Well, girl, you're the one who made the mistake of cheering about the MFC to your Mom, so I think I should let you dig yourself out of that one!! {tee hee!! ;-D} too soft-hearted here to do that, though.



Naw, we Os weren't offered any fancy magic elixirs like you lucky Bs got. Heck, hardly seems fair when you guys get that spectacular fruit list on top of everything else, too. Hmph!! ;-> In sympathy for your Mom, who was blessed with a pert young B for a daughter, I'll say that the "O-8" drink for which I posted a recipe in the column a couple of days ago is as close to jewel-juice as we Os can get. Search for the word "splendor" in the search field at the bottom of this page, and that column will pop up. It's just a magnificent way to concentrate the vitamins, minerals, proanthocyanadins, trace elements and pure water from organic vegetables, most of them beneficial for Os. She can adapt it as taste and veg availability dictate, and still get great benefits. Nice hiding place for a little maca powder, red yeast rice, or supps you can empty out from the capsule (as long as that supp is OK to take with food).



I just love it ~ it's a powerhouse of marvelous stuff that tastes great! See if your Mom can be somewhat mollified by knowing we Os have our special drink too, gosh darn it!! ;-D thanks for the note, Alicia! keep 'em coming! :-D

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Heidi, I just want to say thank you to Dr. D'Adamo for a recent bit of information. Please pass this along. This week he suggested using Pantethine for lowering high cholesterol and for the fight or flight adrenaline-loading stress. I fit into both categories! I bought a bottle of pantethine the following day and for the first time in very many years, I don't have the adrenaline-induced racing heart rate, high blood pressure, and insomnia! Nothing has ever managed to slow it down before this. I am extremely grateful and even energetic! Thanks, Sharon (in Alaska)



Hey, Sharon! Great report!! I'm immensely pleased the pantethine is doing the trick for you, and Peter will definitely be pleased as well! thanks so much for writing to let us know!!!! :-D

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I am a type A. I lost weight on this diet last year very easily. At the time I was not on birth control. I am know on birth control, and have started the diet again, but I am not seeing the same results. Also, can I have grits on this diet? What about sweetened rice cereal? And popcorn? Thanks for any info you can give me karen



Hi there, Karen! Let me take the food Qs first: "grits" is corn, neutral for you if you're a secretor and avoid if you're a nonsecretor. Popcorn is included in the "corn" listing as well. Any commercial product, like sweetened rice cereal, is rated according to its ingredients. Check its ingredient list against the TYPEbase 3 database, to make sure all the ingredients are at least OK for you.



What kind of birth control are you using... pill, shots, patch, IUD, implant... ? If you give me a brand name and description, I'll be better able to answer you in detail. Any kind of hormone imbalance or addition will change the way your body holds water and fat. To give you a head start, please consult the portion/frequency tables for the food groups in Live Right 4 Your Type or the Blood Type A Food, Beverage and Supplement Lists. Following them will enable you to get the appropriate balance of the food groups in your diet, so you're not leaning too heavily on grains or too lightly on vegetables & fruit. And do your yoga or meditation practice, and light exercise as often as possible. Don't worry, the weight loss will come round! thanks for writing, Karen, and drop me a note about the birth control method, OK? :-D

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Hi Heidi, earlier this month the 'Food, beverage and supplements list' was released in the Netherlands. Yesterday I bought the list for type A, but I was dissapointed to see that the translation is horrible! It's full of mistakes and it lists lots of products that are not available in the Netherlands (and leaves out many Dutch/European products). I notice that you get lots of questions from people outside the USA and I was wondering if Dr. D'Adamo would consider adjusting his books so they include other than American products. I'm sure there are European/Asian/Australian/African doctors, homeopaths etc. who are willing to cooperate. In your column you often use measures as ounce, gallon, etc. Is it possible to use gramms and liters? I'm sure I'm not the only European who has no idea how much an ounce is! But I love your column anyway! Keep up the good work, Marieke



Hello, Marieke! If you could forward me a list of the errors you found in your book, I'll be glad to pass it on. I do list quantities in grams & litres when the writer needs the information in that format, but I use conversion tables to do so -- you'd be amazed to find out how many of the 280 million people in this one country (U.S.) have no concept of metric measures, either! I sure need the conversion tables to get it right. ;-)



You can probably find several conversion tables in your language by doing a websearch for 'conversion table,' 'liter,' 'gram,' 'pound,' 'ounce,' etc. (translated, of course!). Thanks for your compliment, Marieke, and do write again, dear!! :-D

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Hello, Heidi! I had written you recently to question why I am not feeling any difference in energy as my type-O counterparts on this diet had felt after a couple of weeks (remember - we're the unhealthy smoking/coffee drinking contingency...but they are still feeling tremendous difference in energy and me not, etc.) Thank you for your speedy and non-judgemental reply in your first following B roundup! So, you asked if I've added beneficial or just cut avoid specifics: I'd say I've done an equal amount of both: I've added beneficial fish (salmon, cod, and sardines)3-5 times a week (I used to eat fish maybe three times a year), am having curry, ginger and cayanne (I never spiced anything previously!)added sweet potato, beets, caulifour and bell peppers several times a week (veggies I never really ate, I have always loved broccoli and carrots), I'm having lamb (again, I had never...)and kale once every couple of weeks so far, I'll try to increase....Some pinapple on it's own a couple of times a week and the cocktail every morning - I never ate any fruit or drank juice before this diet ...I know I still need to work on my frequencies: though I'm having more veggies and water than I ever used to, it's still not nearly the portions suggested per week...still having carbs more than recommended, though I've just switched it from almost exclusively bread to a lot of rice and oat products....but I've realized I may be having more avoids than I know of, as I work full-time in a restuarant where they always cook mine and all meals with an oilblend that is 75%canola, and I have been eating breads than I assume are white flour, because it "looks" white (I'll stop that!). I also had never excersized in any shape or form before - I did just join a gym, and am walking a lot more...so slowly the shifting is coming on... I have a still-undagnosed condition on my hands - I am starting the skin protocol tomorrow - I don't know if it's ezcema, which my father, sister and nieces all have, or an allergy to something at work - my hands are insanely dry, and I have what looks like a glove of greyish-wrinkled skin that comes every winter, but for the last year, also these "bumps" - they sort of look like warts, don't itch, they cluster in places, many more on my left hand than my right, which spends it's work day closer to the steam wand at the espresso/cappaccino machine than the right, but of course, I'm touching wet rags all day, washing them over and over all day (our soap?) and constantly exposing them to the machine, while making coffee drinks. Any guesses? Last question: As a smoker should I stop my recent addition of fresh-sqeezed carrot juice? Someone just told me beta-carotene increases cancer-causing agents in smokers, the opposite of the help it provides a non-smoker. Have you heard of that? Thank you so much for your attention! You are so giving with everyone. All my best, Lizza.



Hallo, Lizza! You're very sweet, dear. It's great to hear from you again!



You're absolutely on the right track with your diet. Now, I recommend "tincture of time" to let it all continue working. Just give it time and keep nuzzling into it, gradually & naturally. just enjoy it!



About beta-carotene, I dimly remember hearing that particular statement a very long time ago. I believe it is old research, and since disproved, but I do not have those facts at my fingertips right now. The more recent findings that I mentioned earlier have shown that those only-three-carrots-per-week are highly protective against cancer in smokers. Note that this applies to the whole food, not to supplements.



OK, you've got some challenges with those hands, and they're primarily due to environmental causes. Here's my best shot at it (other than getting you a different job ;-)):



There is a great healing substance called (are you ready?) Bag Balm. Not being a dairy-farm girl, I imagine you've no idea what this stuff is. Well, it's made by the Dairy Association Co., Inc. of Lyndonville, VT, and says on the label, "for veterinary use only." Guess what, it's been used for terribly chapped hands for a very long time. Do a web search for the Vermont Country Store -- they carry it. I keep a 10-ounce can around. It LASTS for a VERY long time. It's antiseptic, very greasy, and has a mild smell about it, but if anybody needs it, my dear, you do.



Rub it into your hands before sleeping, and put on thin cotton gloves (also available cheaply from vermont country store, or your local big drugstore) to keep it from rubbing off. Take the tin with you to work, along with another pair of cotton gloves and some latex gloves from the drugstore. Coat your hands, put the cotton gloves on and cover with the latex gloves. Your hands won't heal unless they're given a break from the constant detergents and water & steam exposure. Try it out, and let me know how it works for you. thanks, Lizza -- do drop me a note about this if it sounds totally wacko, OK? :-D

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Hello, My husband is a type A and I'm a B. We love Thai food but are unsure about eating it because of the Thai herbs and spices like lemon grass--there are more but I can't remember them right now! Thank you. sharon



Greetings, Sharon! I love Thai food, too! :-D Check the TYPEbase 3 database whenever you're in doubt about a food item. If the item is not listed, it is considered an "unknown," and technically "Neutral" for people with no health difficulties and no weight to lose. Enjoy, it's a marvelous cuisine! thanks for writing!

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Dear friends ~



Last night, on St. Patrick's Day, my mom passed away very peacefully among friends in a Florida nursing home, at the age of 82.



To me, she was a shining light of peace, simplicity and faith in the goodness and rightness of all we meet in life. I loved her so much, and so I miss her for myself, but I can feel so strongly in my heart that she is safe now -- she is there, I feel her, enveloped in joy.



If you're moved to do so, please spare a moment for a kind thought, a prayer, or a smile for my mom ~~ her name was Marion, and I know she will smile and shine her immense kindness back to you. thanks, dear hearts.



~ heidi ~

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Dear Heidi! I'm back again... I have a couple of more questions that I cannot seem to find answers on in the seach engine. I take all of my Type O NAP Supplements and Vitimins together. Is this OK? Like if the bottles say two capsules, two times a day, then I take all of those together at breakfast and then again at dinner. Also, about Iron. I have Hymochromotosis - the disease where there is too much Iron in my blood and every so many years I have to go and give blood to reduce the Ferritin levels. The NAP products have Iron in them. I was advised to take supplements without Iron. Has anyone else written in with this issue and also does NAP provide a multi without Iron and if not, is there anything else, as a Type O+ (secector status currently being tested), I can do to avoid building up the Iron in my system? Thanks so much! And good luck with catching up with all my O ?'s! Christina



Hello Again out there in Heidi Land! What about Goat Milk Protein Powder? Avoid, Netral, or Beneficial, for Type O positive? Thanks! Christina



Hi, Christina! Back again? Didn't notice you'd left! ~~;-D just joshin ya! I would follow the recommendations on the bottles when deciding what to take when ~ also, see the column I put up yesterday (or use the search term "splendor" to find it) for the suggestions given to Luisa on when-to-take-what. If you're using other items than the ones she asked about, gimme a holler with the details and I'll do my best! :-)



There are only 3 products in the NAP catalog which contain iron: the Phytocals for O, B and AB. In three caps of your Phytocal-O, you get 5mg of iron citrate -- a very low dose (around 25% RDA total), and this quantity of calcium actually blocks around 40% of that amount of iron. However, you're absolutely correct that supplementary iron is not recommended for you.



Because your doctor has you give blood so infrequently, I assume that your haemochromatosis is of low severity, and your liver is in good shape. Confirm with him that he has screened you on total iron binding capacity (TIBC), serum ferritin, liver enzymes, serum aspartate aminotransferase and hepatomegaly. There is also a DNA test for genetic haemochromatosis called Hfe, but it's unlikely he did that one. ;-) If your liver is healthy (and the O diet has & will continue to keep you in good health!), a glass of red wine with iron-containing food is a good idea. Also, supplement with "bone builder" or another good non-iron calcium, and get at least 300mg of the elemental calcium portion with every meal (to block more iron from foods).



See Peter's GROUP B WITH HEMOCHROMATOSIS column (this is not an ABO-related condition), and the Life Extension Hemochromatosis page for more in-depth discussion and recommendations. Use the latter along blood-type lines -- for instance, I would not add black tea with meals, but I would certainly use the supplements (especially green tea extract, and vitamins A, E and D), avoid all iron-rich foods except for red meat, and look into other alternative treatments available. And... do you have a Red Cross or a blood bank nearby? I donate on the shortest schedule they allow, which is every 54 days. Are you permitted to give blood? and if so, what if you gave blood every two months?



And... goat milk protein powder... :-) well, I'd look carefully into the source of the goat milk (for Woody only, if he's an A secretor), but it would be an avoid for Os. sorry! :-} Take care, dear, and keep those Qs rolling in! :-D

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Heidi, Food Trivia! I just read that buckwheat is actually a fruit, not a cereal grain. It is the fruit of the dicotyledonious plant, a member of the family Polygonaceae, which is quite distinct from the grass family Gramineae, and actually more related to rhubarb (which I used to love to eat). If this is true, then I assume that buckwheat could be reclassified as a fruit vs. a grain in the BTD. This would impact the frequency counts. For instance, I really like buckwheat pancakes and would probably serve them much more frequently then I currently do if I could consider them a fruit. What do you think? Don



~~;-D Don, that is a splendid idea... wish we could! but I fear we can't reclassify buckwheat as a fruit. However, I commend your research, and applaud your efforts! ;-> If you delve similarly into all the food items listed, you'll discover seeds classified as grains, legumes classified as nuts, fruits in the veg section and "vegetables" which are actually flowers. The categories are populated according to most-similar-effects-on-the-metabolism-after-ingestion, so botanical research (while certainly interesting and worthwhile) may occasion some confusing results now & again. :-}



*sigh!* I, too, love buckwheat (and rhubarb)! Count those secretor blessings and enjoy your pancakes (if only in the frequency allowed for the grain group). ;-D thanks for your note, dear!! ~:-D

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Hi Heidi, I was wondering why curry powder is benefical for non-secretors. I know it is benefical for secretors since turmeric is beneficial and turmeric is one of the main ingredients of curry powder. But for non-secretors turmeric is only neutral, so why the benefical status for curry? Cheers, Thomas



Hi, Thomas! Well, perhaps it's the ginger... or the cayenne... but since a curry can be anything from cumin seed & ghee to a compound of 30 spices, I was within a hair's breadth of recommending it be removed from the food lists as such when LR4YT was in pre-publication. I agree with you, and will discuss it further with the higher-ups! Thanks for the reminder, dear! :-D

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Hi, Heidi, a am a blood type 0 and have been following BTD since January pretty vigilantly and an feeling great except for the elimination of coffee... I have inherited the low blood pressure from my dad and it has been gradually dropping down over years so two cups - morning and afternoon - have always been my daily ritual... I am trying to replace it with some strong green tea but it just does not cut it... Do you have any suggestions as to possible herbal remedies, special teas or alike - or, otherwise, will those two cups seriously inhibit my - otherwise very healthy - nutritional plan? I am not going for a fussy stuff - just pure unsweetened espresso... Thanks a lot in advance, Natasha



Greetings, Natasha! Try strong licorice tea instead, and/or plain licorice extracts (not the DGL kind). Licorice has a component which tends to raise blood pressure. :-D

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Dear Heidi, I am wondering if non-secretors have more trouble with skin rashes from bacteria. I am thinking I may be an O non-secretor, in spite of green eyes/brown hair, because all of the non-secretor foods disagree with me. I'll let you know if I'm a genetic fluke when I get test results! I am wondering -- since blood type markers aren't in body secretions, then they wouldn't be present in abundance on the surface of the skin -- and since blood is antibiotic, could that be the reason I am so susceptable to bacterial attacks on my skin? If so, are there non-secretors who don't have trouble with this (give me hope here?) I haven't been able to exercise yet, because generating heat/humidity makes the current bacterial rash on my face immediately worse. (Still trying to get toward exercising after being sick/sedentary for so long, healthy now otherwise!) Am on antibiotics, so I hope I can exercise soon. Thanks Heidi! I read your column every day! (o:Maia



Oops, P.S. to skin rash e-mail, I have done the skin & antibacterial protocols from the Encyclopedia. And I'm great on oils & probiotics. Thanks. Maia



Hey there, Maia! If the protocols and the probiotics haven't cleared this up for you, I would finish the antibiotic series (this time) but immediately order at least one bottle of Heallix! This sort of condition is precisely what this product is superb for. Take it internally according to the bottle directions, and apply it full strength to the rash areas. Until your skin settles down, can you take gentle walks? and use the 5BX exercises? Even doing a little something every day, without strain, will help everything along.



And I would stick with the Heallix until the rash is gone. After you've finished the antibis, I strongly suggest never taking any antibiotic drugs ever again. Do let me know the results of your secretor test! Yes, there are plenty of nonsecretors who never have bacterial infections -- me, for one. So there is plenty of hope waiting for you, no matter where you look! Keep me posted, dearie!! :-D

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Can you tell me the difference between 'red beans' and 'azuki beans'? I have also I have come across a 'aduki bean' that looks like what is commonly known as a 'red bean' (small and hard, unlike a larger red kidney-type bean), is this 'aduki' bean the 'azuki' bean that is recommended for type A's? I notice in the Live Right book, the 'red bean' is an avoid while the 'azuki bean' is a beneficial. I also venture to put forward a suggestion for your d/bases on foods types/info; that is :- a small picture of the bean variety is attached to the details and/or food values of each bean type. This would be especially helpfull since there are so many bean varieties and they are often termed differently geographically. Thanks. Diane



Hi, Diane ~ The bean category can be trying, can't it? :-) Wish we had little pictures and Latin names to go with every single one. Perhaps someday!



The "aduki" is a Japanese bean, variously spelled aduke, adzuke, adzuki, azuke and azuki. All the same one, and it is quite small with one white spot. The "red bean" is such a confusing term that we removed it from the database -- see the Updates Page for details of this and other changes. Hope this helps! :-D

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I can certainly appreciate that Dr. D'Adamo's "Right 4 Your Type" diets are ideally balanced, just as he has presented them in his books. However, I've noticed that many people are determined to follow a "low carbohydrate" type of diet, regardless of its suitability to their particular bloodtype. I cringe whenever I see any A-Types subjecting their bodies to the red-meat-and-saturated-animal-fat abuse of some popular low-carb diets. I know of one Type-A woman who, after a month on As, began to experience nosebleeds almost daily (perhaps due to insufficient vitamin C) and, decided to switch from herbal remedies to hormone replacement therapy because her menopausal symptoms increased in severity. I imagine Dr. D'Adamo has already considered the idea of publishing a "Low-Carbohydrate 4 Your Type" book (and perhaps decided against this approach.) I'll offer my support for such a project, though, because I can think of several reasons why it would give wonderful opportunities to dieters . First, these would be the healthiest reduced-carbohydrate programs available, because of Dr. D'Adamos unique insights and scientific expertise. Second, it would provide those folks who will accept ONLY a low-carbohydrate diet with an alternative that offers noticeable improvements beyond weight loss alone. Third, I believe Dr. D'Adamo's "Eat Right" guidance would result in the easiest-to-follow low-carb regimen of all those diets now available. Finally, it could also help address the problem that Dr. D'Adamo himself has sometimes referred to as "starch-a-tarianism." I'm submitting this suggestion because, try as I might -- through example and encouragement -- I haven't been able to persuade low-carb dieters to give the "Right 4 Your Type" method a serious look. I'd love to be able to end their unintended self-affliction by handing them a Peter J. D'Adamo book on nutrition whose title assured them it was "low-carbohydrate," yet whose contents would BENEFIT their bodies, instead of causing them harm. Blessings... Mark



It's never easy to convince fad-diet fans of the value of the BTD. Good on you for trying, Mark! :-) "Low-carb" being just another one-size-fits-all catchphrase, I hope that over time more and more people will appreciate the health impact of ABO-specific eating, and perhaps will skip the "next" diet fad when it comes around (again). :-D Peter's experience with type A patients, for example, is that they do better with a daily serving of whole grain than without it. The balance of appropriate foods for each type is the key to getting the ideal protein/carb/fat proportions -- and that information is presented as simply as possible in the portion/frequency tables.



You've done your friends a great favor by suggesting this plan to them. I hope some of them come round, for your sake as well as theirs! ;-) but after all, you've done your bit and now it's up to them. Take care, sweetie ~ and thanks for dropping me a line now and again! :-D

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Hi Heidi, I truly do admire your work and read your questions daily. I just wanted to ask you if I need to take any vitmains or supplements with this diet, since I'm only 17 yrs old with a type B bloodtype. I also wanted to know if this diet is rocommended for someone my age. So far I feel great, and I am in great physical condition. Thanks!! Ashley



Greetings, Ashley! Welcome, and thanks for your kind compliment! Hey, the BTD is for everyone, from babies on up. The earlier you start, the healthier you'll be throughout life. Begin the Type B plan now, and you can continue to build on your great condition, while avoiding the difficulties so many people come upon over time on inappropriate diets. You'll save yourself a bunch of doctor's visits -- whether you're headed for college or the working world, the experience will be far more satisfying and productive for you without illness and the associated loss of time, energy and money! ;-)



The only supps you might use now are PolyFlora-B and Phytocal-B. Take them at the low-key (non-therapeutic) dosages. Study Live Right 4 Your Type thoroughy, paying special attention to exercise recommendations and tips & tricks for Bs. I truly hope you enjoy & profit from the B-TD, and again, welcome! I'm always here for questions if they arise, so send 'em on anytime! :-D

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What is your opinion on the Zone diet? Can it be combined with the blood type diet, or should each blood type group use different protein/carbohydrate ratio? What is the proper ratio for the AB blood type? Michael



Hello, Michael! The appropriate portions and frequencies for each food group for blood type AB can be found in both Live Right 4 Your Type and the "little AB book," the Blood Type AB Food, Beverage and Supplement Lists. We don't model the proportions by a flat protein/carb/fat percentage -- first because it is WHICH proteins, etc. that makes a huge difference in value, and second because most foods contain a combination of proteins, carbs & fats. The simplest and best approach is to use the food lists in conjunction with those frequency tables for each food group.



I do recommend adapting the diet somewhat for individual illnesses or other health difficulties, but only as a temporary adjustment -- not as a regular continuing plan. If you wish to use the Zone diet for hypoglycemia / weight loss, just do so with the beneficial and neutral foods for type AB. I do suggest taking a look at our frequency recommendations, though, to make sure you're not skimping one food group in favor of another. And, if you find you have digestive difficulty combining grain and protein in meals, you might consider using the straight AB plan instead, and using simple food separation: fruit eaten alone, grain combined only with vegetables, and meat combined only with vegetables. Fats may be used with any meal.



Hope this helps you along, and please write again, dear! :-D

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catarrhal gastritis is listed as a condition that collinsonia will help. I was diagnosed with gastritis months ago and I think I have it again. vague burning and misery and it makes me feel weird. will the collinsonia help this? just what is catarrhal gastritis. I believe the symptoms I have with the gastritis have been with me for years are and are sort of at the bottom of my problems. Can you help? Thanks Ann



Hello, Ann ~ According to Peter's COLLINSONIA FOR TYPE A SINUS PROBLEMS column page, Collinsonia canadensis ("stoneroot") is highly recommended for catarrhal gastritis. Here is an excellent description of the condition and its symptoms. I hope this helps, dear, and stay in touch! :-)

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I live in South Africa and have just decided to try this way of eating due to very high cholestrol. Blood Group A+. I have purchased the books, but some of the goods are not readily available in East London, South Africa. Are there any suggestions or should all Health Shops stock e.g. tofu. I would certainly appreciate any guidance. Thank you. Alyson



Hi, Alyson ~ I've heard that soy is not a common food in South Africa, although I would indeed check your health food shops just in case they might carry it or be willing to order it for you. Do try an Internet search as well ~ you may find you can get shipment of foods your local stores do not carry, sometimes more cheaply than buying them in a retail storefront.



If there are items you cannot obtain where you are, focus on the beneficial foods that *are* available in your area, and you'll do just fine. Welcome to the Blood Type Diet, and thanks for writing! :-D

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Additions/Clarifications to Blood Type Diet for Type As



Caraway and mustard seeds are not listed anywhere. Caraway and mustard are used to flavor soups, indian recipes, breads, sausage, etc. Are they permissible?



Soy Butter is not listed (this is a "peanut-like" butter, not the "butter-like" spread for bread and rolls). Is soy “peanut-like” butter a "beneficial" or "neutral" item?



Peanuts are “beneficial” and sesame seeds are "neutral" for Type As. But both peanut oil and sesame oil are "avoid." Why?



What about soy (butter-like) spreads? Allowed?



Pink beans are not listed anywhere.



Canellini beans are listed as "neutral." But they are, actually, white kidney beans and Type As should avoid kidney beans. Should Canellini beans still be "neutral."



Wheatena (a cooked, breakfast cereal) is not listed anywhere.



No mention of rice pastas, brown or white. Can Type As eat rice pastas, white or brown?



Spinach Pasta is to be avoided. But, there are several spinach brown rice pastas on the market (mfr=Tinkyada) that contain no wheat or semolina.



Artichoke pasta is “beneficial”, but the only ones I have found contain durum semolina (wheat) which Type As are supposed to avoid. What type of artichoke pasta can Type As eat?



Is Kasha interchangeable with Kashi (a cooked grain for breakfast)?



Hopefully, you can respond to these questions on your webpage. Thank you. Mira



Hi, Mira! Hey -- next time, go ahead and post a question through the online form here (rather than using my email address), it makes it easier to keep track of things. thanks, dear!



Caraway is in the TYPEbase 3 database. Mustard (dry) is ground yellow mustard seed -- same rating.



Artichoke pasta: That's in the column entitled "A little O, a little A..." -- actually, it was the response to a question you asked. :-) Use the search at the bottom of this page, enter artichoke. That column will pop up for you.



Kasha/Kashi: Do another search down below, for "kashi."



Pink bean? true, we have no rating for that one. Therefore, apply the classic rule: If healthy with no desire for weight loss, consider it NEUTRAL.



Cannellini beans were tested as such, and have different properties from kidney beans -- hence the different status in the food lists.



Question: where did you see that sesame oil is an avoid? If it's on this site, I can't find it, but I'd like to know in order to correct it. ;-) About peanuts vs. peanut oil, take a look at Peter's column, Peanut Oil vs. Peanuts.



Wheatena, soy butter, spinach pasta, rice pasta, any color: as with all commercial products, if all the ingredients are OK, the product is OK. ;-)



thanks for writing, Mira, and I hope I've helped clarify things a bit! :-D

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I am a 30 y.o. type B, non-secretor female. I exercise about 3x/week, follow the BTD (except on weekends), drink 3-4 liters of water daily, and consider myself to be in fairly good shape. My question concerns the exercise portion of this program. My goal is to make as much progress as possible without overtraining. How much cardio should I be doing? I am also doing weight training and Pilates. What is your recommendation? Thank you very much for you time and concern. Brandy



Hello, Brandy! Well, I'll pull out some of the type B exercise info in Live Right 4 Your Type: Cardio, 25 minutes 4-5 times weekly; weights, 20 minutes 2-3 times weekly; flex/stretching, 30 minutes 2-3 times weekly. Tennis, martial arts, cycling, hiking and golf are specifically suggested as being great 4 your type. "[B]alance meditative activities with more intense physical exercise." As time goes on, "[a] daily regimen of stretching, yoga and meditation will lower cortisol levels and increase your mental acuity." Good luck, Brandy, and let me know how it goes! :-D

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I plan on starting the blood type diet.I'm type b. As far as all the minerals,vitamins and synergistic products go what would you reccomend starting with? Susan



Welcome, Susan! :-D Well, that depends on what you want to achieve and your level of health right now. The first thing I'd suggest is PolyFlora-B. "Everything's happening at the zoo" ... among the intestinal flora & fauna, that is. ;-) Everything from your easy adaptation to new foods, to your immunity to disease, to your mood ~ so that's the first place we want to have in happy order!



Beyond that, it also depends on how closely you follow the plan. The diet on its own is designed to provide abundant elements, all in the correct proportion for you, to maintain you in good stead and enhance your health & sense of well-being. If you need a little extra help in a specific area, go ahead and browse through the Store's offerings -- and if this diet is radically different from the one you're accustomed to, go slowly with new supps. Give the foods a chance to work their magic for you!



thanks for your note, and keep in touch! :-D

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Dear Heidi, Thanks for your answer to my questions about magnesium and calcium. It is wonderful to get such a support while trying to follow the directions from the book. About me (B+ secretor): During the last six weeks I have enjoyed the following combination of supplements: Magnesium (400 mg capsules) three times a day; Calcium (Calcium 530 mg, Magnesium 267 mg) twice a day; Poly-Flora B 2caps-twice a day, Cocktail (3 min to blend: whole grapefruit+ flaxseed oil + soy lecithin + whole Psylium husks + one glass of water). This combination definitely helps me with my constipation.



However I have some concerns: a) As soon as I lower a dosage it stops working and I am worried about the possible side-effects – for how long can I safely continue taking mentioned combination? The protocol says four weeks is the time only. b) Lack of magnesium is probably not only one cause for constipation. Blood test showed 5 - nucleotides 52 U/L (ref.3.0-15), the second test was 20U/L. Diagnosis – eholestaza. I wasn’t given any treatment - only control of AFP, GGT, 5-nucl was suggested. For the full picture of my health: cholesterol total -229, HDL- 64, triglycerides – 77. I have a pain under the ribs on the right hand, often bitter taste in the mouth in the morning, pain in the breast, numbness in my feet, pain and burn sensation in the muscles above feet. So, maybe all these problems cause my constipation? c) I also have desiccated disc between 4 -5. But I didn’t feel this disc at all after full, complete elimination which I had some times in January (what was a great pleasure and well being!). So, maybe my constipation causes my other problems?



About my son (28, AB-, non-secretor): You also asked about my son, so here is the story. The effect of the diet on him is that he can now work out much more effectively. Before the diet he could not handle heavy exercises because his heart rate would not calm down for hours after the stress. Now heart rate drops down after training – after an hour it is below 90 instead of above 100 like before. In the resting state the rate is about 70. The reason for increased heart rate always was (and still is) unknown.



At Atkins center few problems were found – increased homocestyine, increased CRP, high triglycerides (TG) and very high level of Candida Albicana antibodies. Using FoltX and anti-yeast protocol (low refined carbohydrate intake and herbal anti-yeast drug) CRP and homocestyine went down twice, but the heart rate, TG and cholesterol remained as high as before. Candida probably was getting less a little bit, because bad cold and itching was less. When my son excluded chicken from his diet (according to the Dr. D’Adamo’s recommendations) itching stopped in just tree days. After four months of following your diet (excluded chicken, beef and wheat but added rye as he is type AB- non-secretor) TG went down to 129 from 189. But the HDL also went down from 44 to 38, and LDL remained the same 169. We all are very excited by this result, because this is the best result that we had in all the previous attempts to address the increased heart rate problem and continuous bad colds and Candida.



Now, about common problem for 3 of us – my son, my husband (A+, secretor) and me: We all gain weight, increase LDL cholesterol, still following diet strictly. We try eat more in the morning: Cocktail (3 min to blend: whole grapefruit + flaxseed oil + soy lecithin + Whole Psylium husks + one glass of water) + boiled oat groat with olive oil. Lunch: 3 oz ricotta cheese, apple, almond and 5oz Mozzarella cheese or muffins, bread (ricotta cheese, rising, some flower for ABO types). Dinner (usually at 7pm): some soy bean + brown rice + vegetables or fish + vegetables. Chicken broth (cooked 8 hours) seems very bad for my husband (he feels vomiting) and we excluded it. In order to treat our mentioned problems, we would like to order ABO Basics: Deflects, PolyVITEs, Phytocals, and PolyFLORAs. However, we didn’t find their amounts of ingredients in your catalog. Having no such information about Basics, we couldn’t follow the recommended protocols (Encyclopedia). Could you please provide us with that information? Thousand thanks to Dr. D’Adamo and to you, Heidi! - Yelena



Greetings, Yelena!



Well, that's quite a report! Let's see how concisely I can answer your questions:



I see no reason why you cannot continue with your supplements and the MFC-style drink daily. Nothing there will build up or harm you in any way. About the constipation, however: what kind of exercise are you doing daily? A brisk walk for half an hour does miracles with constipation! and it trains the muscles (both outer and inner) to do their jobs, hence requiring less and less laxative substances in the diet as time goes on.



The other symptoms may be experienced due to the nerves involved in your disc injury. Which 4/5 is the disc in: lumbar (lower back), thoracic (center of body) or cervical (neck)? And yes, if elimination is full and complete, pressure on the spine is often reduced.



The cholesterol levels, especially total and LDL levels, as well as triglycerides, can be treated with pantethine. See Peter's column which explains the details of effects and dosage, HIGH CHOLESTEROL AND TRIGLYCERIDES.



About weight loss for the three of you: I notice there is an abundance of grain and cheese in the diet (not sure which of you eats which food listed) - but I am certain you will achieve great results by (1) following the portions and frequencies in Live Right 4 Your Type (for instance, only one serving per day of whole grain, for everyone), (2) making sure of enough protein in the morning meal for all (an egg, or a bean dish perhaps, for your husband and a bit of turkey or lamb for you and your son (turkey's fine for your husband, too)) - basically, make the heaviest meal in the morning, with a filling meal at lunch, and the evening meal just a snack, and (3) the proper exercise for each of you as the book recommends. Just fine-tune this a bit, dear, and get those activities going, and I look forward to your next report! :-D

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Hi Heidi, thanks so much for taking the time to answer our questions! I am a B nonsecretor and I have been doing the diet for about 2 months. I have lost a little bit of weight but not nearly what I want to lose. I saw that a previous woman had written to you about food combining. Is this more effective in losing weight for B's? Also is it more difficult for B nonsecretors to lose weight? My final question(sorry!) is since I am a nonsecretor and I am more prone to Urinary Tract infections should I stay on the UTI health protocol all of the time? Thanks so much!!! Nicole



Hey there, Nicole! Blood type doesn't determine the ease or difficulty of losing weight ~ and all the diets are designed to accomplish healthy weight loss. If an individual has a long history of gaining, then losing, then gaining again, the body's set point is a little harder to nudge down, but it does happen. Food combining (or "food separation") does help some people, and it's not terribly difficult to do, so if you'd like, give it a go.



I can't overemphasize the importance of the proper exercise, and stress management, to encouraging weight loss. Those portion/frequency tables in Live Right that I'm always on about are also a vital key to losing weight at a happy rate. The food value ratings let you know which foods are best to eat -- but the tables show how the food groups should proportionately appear in your daily or weekly plan. Get all that information working for you, and I'm sure you'll be smiling at the scale soon!



If you have had UTI bouts with some regularity, the cranberry, Deflect, vitamin C and Probiotic should be continued indefinitely. They're all very good for you (anyone, actually) and should be part of your daily regimen. However, the vitamin A, buchu and uva-ursi would be added on the schedule 'four weeks on, two weeks off.' On the other hand, if you haven't had a UTI in over three months, I'd stick with the first four supps I mentioned, and keep some A and a small supply of the two herbs on hand just in case you feel the 'dreaded inkling' coming on -- then you'd add them to do the formal protocol.



Thanks for writing, Nicole, and drop me a line on your progress! :-D

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Hi there, I am a type A secretor with an A non-secretor 5-year-old boy, and a 3 1/2-year-old AB girl. Both very different personalities! My husband (type and I have both tried the polyvite vitamins and have had very good results in combintation w/ the diet. My boy eats practically anything I put in front of him, but my girl will absolutely not touch any vegetables. It is very frustrating, and very difficult to keep her healthy. We have been through two bouts of RSV since x-mas. She has had severe fevers and of course the horrible respritory cough. If you could throw any ideas my way, I would be eternally greatful! Thank you, Carmelin



Whoo! another three-type family! :-} Carmelin, your little girl is displaying the wonderful mix of self-assuredness, insistence and particularity that make ABs so beloved of (and occasionally maddening for) their parents.



First, let's deal with the recurring illnesses. Fun, ain't it? ;-) Pick up a bottle of ProBerry3 liquid in the Store here. At breakfast (or an hour after dinner), bring out the bottle, pour a teaspoonful for yourself, & slurp it down. "MMMmm!!" Wait for the little person's attention to be drawn, explain that it is "Mommy's special fruit treat," and reluctantly offer her some if she insists. I'd like to get her taking a teaspoonful every day.



The stuff is simply dynamite for colds, flu, all kinds of infections.



Second, I'd try to sneak the contents of one capsule of the probiotic (PolyFlora A and a teaspoon of ARA6 (optional) into some juice or soup at night. A fruit shake, perhaps, or a smooth soup.



Which brings me to the vegetable issue: is there nothing at all she will eat? I count only 14 avoids in the little rascal's list of 89 vegetables. ;-D How about... I used to make a kale soup by blending thoroughly cooked kale, onions, turnip and/or parsnip in batches, adding turkey broth for consistency, and seasoning with sea salt. It makes a smooth, light green soup, tasty and mild. Most of the vegetables can be used this way. Basically, it's a puréed soup, made from (and hiding) the ingredients of your choice.



The same could be done with sweet potato (adding cooked carrots) or white potato and leeks -- like warm vichyssoise. You could "cream" a soup for her by blending cottage cheese and broth, and putting an assortment of veg, turkey & mushrooms into the creamed base.



Will she not drink juiced vegetables, like carrot/celery? I would try that route as well. But throughout all this, I'd show no frustration with her at all over food, and simply offer her what you've made for the family & let it go at that if she refuses it.



You've got your hands full there, dear! A calm demeanor will help a great deal -- you're doing your yoga, I hope? :-D I'm sure it will work itself out in time, but grab the ProBerry (especially) and PolyFlora, to forestall the illnesses and give the family a bit of peace. Take care, and drop me a note now and again -- I'd like to hear what worked for you! :-D

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Hi ! First of all, please convey to Dr. D'Adamo my sincere thanks for this great contribution to humanity, ERFYT & LRFYT. I read both the books, but above all my family is on this various diets. I would like to ask simple questions just to get more into compliance. We are in South Africa, and being so far it is difficult to attend talks or even to visit, but we planning to get to the centre one day soon. Question one - We have a fish here called Kingklip, can A and B types take it ? Question two - Trout is allowed for B type on book ERFYT but is missing on the tables for B type in book LRFYT. Can B take trout as beneficial ? Question three - Can A and B use a local oil called grape seed oil ? Question four - The Dr. listed as contact for South Africa does not exist, we have searched the phone directories and address. Is there any other Dr. in South Africa familiar with this great technology and diets ? Question five - We applied the measurements of waist to ourselves adults, and we, me and my wife are over weight. We applied to the minor slim daughter, 9 years old and it seams did not work, she is not over weight. Is the method only for adults ? Sincere thanks, Long lives Dr. D’Adamo spirit, Enrico, Italian living in South Africa and, Charmaine, South African.



Enrico, my warmest thanks for your appreciation of Peter's work! I am tremendously glad your family is on the plan!!



For your questions: Kinglip (Genypterus capensis) is a demersal, or bottom-feeding (?) fish which perhaps is eel-like? (I've been unable to pull up a picture). We have no listing for it, and it does not share a genus with any of the fish for which we do have a listing. So, the classic rule applies: use it as a NEUTRAL if you have no health complaints or desire for weight loss.



I noticed that this morning, you also sent an email to me, repeating your questions and adding a couple more.



Here are the additions:



You & your wife are both secretors



Status for a vegetable called butternut in South Africa

Status for something called "Lecithin spread"



Check the ingredients in "Lecithin spread" against the individual items in the TYPEbase 3 database. If all ingredients are OK, the product is OK for you.



If by Butternut you mean the squash of that name (Curcubita moschata), a late-maturing squash -- wider at one end, with smooth, thin tan skin and orange flesh -- it is listed in TYPEbase 3 as "Squash (summer/winter) as there are too many of them to list separately.



Grapeseed oil is an "unknown," so proceed as with Kingklip, above.



Trout was missed in Live Right 4 Your Type, but is added through the Updates Page (also linked on the home page at the bottom of the Library section) and in the TYPEbase 3 database (also linked on the home page, in the center). It is fine for As -- but avoid for Bs. :-}



Other than the listings in the Practitioner Registry, I have no information on BTD practitioners in South Africa (Pssst! S.A. Readers ~ any favorite BTD docs around your way, especially in or near Johannesburg? :-))



Yes, the hip-to-waist ratio test mentioned on page 277 of Live Right does not apply properly to people until they have achieved their adult proportions, so it would not accurately tell your daughter's status. :-)



Thank you so much for writing, Enrico & Charmaine ~ best of health to you and your little girl! :-D

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Hi Heidi Greetings from Singapore. I love your column as it gives me many more reasons to tell my friends how blood diet can help them as it has helped me. I tested myself many times on the effectiveness and must say it works. I am of AB blood type and migraine of 30 years had disappeared by simply eliminating just corn and especially chicken from my diet. I have heard that Essential Fatty Acid (EFA)especially Omega 3 is very necessary part of our live. I have chosen flaxseed oil for EFA instead of salmon oil for the reason of mercury posioning in fish. Recently, I was introduced to EFA extracted from the bone marrow of eels. As eel is not part of AB's diet, would the oil counts as well? I have checked information on Omega 3 but have never come across a source of Omega 3 from eel before. Do you not anything of this? Hope you would answer my question. Thanks a lot. Shirley



Hello, Shirley! You all are making me feel very international today. :-D



It is just wonderful to hear that you're free of migraines. I am really, really pleased for you!



Is the eel oil extracted from freshwater eel, or sea eel? Does it give the Latin name of the eel from which the oil is taken? We may be able to find out more for you. For now, I would stick with the flaxseed oil, as I cannot guarantee the safety of the oil from eels.



Do write back, and thank you for your question, Shirley! best wishes!! :-D

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Dear Heidi I am a South African and am A+. I have STRUGGLED with my weight ever since I can remember. I am now trying your blood type diet, but sadly, after two weeks, I have lost little and nothing. I often feel hungry on the diet and that makes it even more distressing! ( I would tolerate hunger if the weight fell off!) I feel hungry most of the time and often go to bed hungry. I seem to urinate more than usual, sometimes even four times a night. I have osteoarthritis and am taking a medication called ARTHROCHOICE. In desperation, I am also taking UNIVERSAL fat burners. I suppose the latter is taboo? Apart from taking Omega 3 and multi vits daily, what can I do to speed up a sluggishly stubborn metabolism. I gues it hasn't worked in decades!. Exercise is somewhat problematic as my knees are in bad shape and therefore I need to do low impact or non weight bearing exercises. When I swim it is great, but walking etc hurts. HELP!!!! Iam desperate to get rid of all this excess weight, but I can't wait ten years for it to happen!!!! Many thanks Gianna

Hello, Gianna!

I came across this quote today:

"Despair is a greater deceiver than hope." -- Marquis de Vauvenargues

Don't give up on the A diet. Two weeks is very little time in which to repair the results of a lifetime of inappropriate eating habits, accumulated stress and a sedentary lifestyle. This plan will work for you, and it will accomplish things that right now are unexpected, unlooked-for. And it will do it in far less time that it took to create the conditions you are trying to resolve -- DON'T give up hope!! Commit to it and trust that it will heal you.

Despair is what often sends people off on wild searches for the miracle pill. Don't give up on yourself! You have the power to lose the weight and create an entirely new and energetic life for yourself. No one else and no pill can do it for you. That power is yours, and it is enormous!

The fat burner you're taking contains a diuretic, hence the frequent urination. Diuretics dry out the tissues -- the exact opposite of what you want to achieve. They drain vital water from the cells, making you appear a little thinner -- but no fat has been lost! What we want is to constantly hydrate the body, not dehydrate it. Try to drink about a gallon of pure water (or mineral water, or water to which a pinch of sea salt has been added) every day. If you have one sixteen-ounce glass on arising, between meals and before bedtime, or eight 8-ounce glasses spread out through the day (away from meals), your elimination will improve, including excretion through the pores of your skin, and you'll find your appetite is a bit reduced. Hydration allows the excreted contents of fat cells to be moved out of your body as quickly and comfortably as possible. It confers a host of other benefits as well.

The diuretic effect is not the worst part of the story. To quote http://www7.netrition.com/fatloss.html : "The products based on ephedrine and/or caffeine (or the herbal forms of these substances such as ephedra, ma huang, and/or guarana) are central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. Upon initial use, they have the potential risk of elevated blood pressure and heart rate. Please check with your doctor to make sure you are in perfect health before using these products. -- IMPORTANT: DO NOT stack (take more than one product at a time) any of the following products containing central nervous system stimulants like ephedra and/or caffeine." You guessed it! your fat burner product is in itself a stimulant "stacked" compound, meaning it contains BOTH caffeine and ephedrine. I heartily recommend that you discontinue it, for the sake of your health, your sleep -- and your wallet. :-)

I looked over the Arthrochoice ingredients, and they appear to be OK for As, but to effectively "stem the tide" of damage, I'd suggest a good calcium supplement like Phytocal-A and the inclusion of several calcium-rich foods and dark green leafy vegetables in your weekly diet, along with one tablespoon of flax oil each day.

Second, the very best kind of exercise for you is YOGA. It lowers cortisol (hence stimulating weight loss as well as a pleasant frame of mind), and gives a thorough, gentle workout without walking, running or bouncing around. Sign up for a class. To get an introduction and overview of how you can get started, use the great resources at www.yoga-for-health-and-fitness.com for example. I've found signing up for a class is the best way to start if you've never had yoga instruction. Good instructors will provide a comfortable atmosphere and will keep you observing proper form in your learning process -- to encourage your progress and prevent injury. And if you pay for a month's classes in advance, you may find yourself far more keenly motivated to participate. ;-)

For the hunger: Sit down and make a list of the Beneficial foods for As. Put that list on your refrigerator, and keep a copy in your purse. Eat as much as you want of those foods ONLY, for a whole month -- and try to eat your largest meal in the morning, and smaller meals as the day goes on, so that your last meal is just a small snack. Have one serving of whole grains like oatmeal, millet, amaranth, or brown rice, every day. Use the beans, nuts and seeds liberally for their proteins (don't skimp there), and fill up on vegetables and fruit. Drink the water I mentioned above. I don't want you to be walking around hungry! Not only is it severely discouraging, but it sets your body in a "famine" mode -- it will hang on to every bit of fat possible, as if reacting to a food shortage. Eat! There's no need to eat to the point of discomfort, but always eat enough and send yourself the message that there will always be enough. Continue with the Beneficials-Only as long as you wish, but do stick to it for one month, just to jump-start the process!

Gianna, if you do these three things -- the diet, the yoga and the water -- I am confident you will experience a dramatic change in your health! Please keep in touch and update me on how it's going for you! :-D

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Dear Heidi: I've just come out of cancer surgery for a tumor in my neck (I'm type A - secetor status unknown), and have been following the diet religiously for my recovery process. The cancer cells actually came from a small nodule from an old tonsil scar. The nodule is very minute and can be cured by radiation. However in a week I start the radiation treatment and besides the apple pectin, (which I read about in one of your previous question columns, can you help me with any other protocol's that might be beneficial for a person going through radiation. I'm going to be loosing my appetite and it's going to be very hard to swallow from what the Doc says, so I really want help with this. Any other readers who have gone through this process as well, please send any suggestions you may have. Thank you so much and GREAT column! The diet is wonderful. Woody

Hello, Woody ~ I have a dear friend (an A who had a very similar condition to yours, although his cancer appeared in an intact tonsil. We used a number of protocols from the BTD Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia, namely: the Cancer Prevention, Chronic Illness Recovery, Surgery Recovery and Immune-Enhancing protocols. He also committed fully to the type AB secretor diet and activity plan, as outlined in Live Right 4 Your Type.

I know you're scheduled to start radiotherapy soon, so pick up a copy of the Encyclopedia and look through those protocols. Here's a quick list of essentials to go on with:

(1) YOGA! yoga, yoga, yoga. If you do not have a daily meditation practice, I strongly recommend the book Meditation as Medicine as a powerful set of tools for you. You can choose kriyas specific to the throat area, and implement them right away -- they take only a few minutes a day.

(2) Green tea, 1-3 cups daily. Burdock root tea, 1-3 cups daily. Larch arabinogalactan ("ARA6"), one tablespoon twice daily. SNAILS! as food, and in the Helix Plus supplement sold in the Store here. Quercetin (cheap and in every HFS), 500 mg at least twice per day (more is fine). Vitamin C, preferably from acerola cherry or rose hips, 250 mg per day. Vitamin A, 10,000 IU daily. Vitamin E, 400 IU daily. Zinc, 25 mg daily. That's really enough for now, but I also want to mention the product Heallix -- www.heallix.com. It is a liquid you can take as often as you wish. Visit the website, talk to Leo, ask questions. It is truly a remarkable immune system booster and potent healer of flesh.

(3) Fresh, organic foods only. Pure water (or bottled mineral water) only, and drink a ton of it. :-) If you don't have a juicer, now's the time to invest in one. A daily serving or three of freshly-juiced vegetables has great health-enhancing properties, and delivers clean water and a wallop of minerals and vitamins and trace elements in perfect harmony. It's also a great place to dump the supps if you have any trouble swallowing capsules. Just empty them into your juice, and shake well. That reminds me: the Harmonia drink mix in the store here goes beautifully with vegetable juice, and it's one of the things my friend used in his recovery plan. He liked it so well, he still uses it!

By the way, his healing was remarkable, and he's now in spectacular health! He says he has never felt so good, energetic and calm, and it shows abundantly in the condition of his skin and hair, and the light in his eyes. I am sure you will come through fine, Woody -- probably in better health than ever! Best wishes on your progress, and drop me a note when you can! take good care, dear ~ you've got a great girlfriend there, and that helps enormously as well!!

:-D

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Heidi, My 20 yr old daughter has just been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. She's waiting for an appt to get more details. Her main symptoms are dizziness when standing, fatigue and loss of concentration. She is an A+. As a college student, with the typical college diet of macaroni and cheese and pizza, she's just barely receptive to the blood type diet, but does want to improve her health. I've copied the thyroid protocols for her to show to her doctor. I don't want to start her on those until the doctor gets a good picture of her condition and we see what medications she'll be taking. In the meantime, what can she do to get herself started without feeling like she has to move to another dietary planet? Thanks so much. Your column is the first place I go every day! Alice

Hey there, Alice! Listen, can you write back to me and tell me who diagnosed her with hyperthyroid based on those symptoms? It sounds mighty like adrenal exhaustion (not at all uncommon in college students), but very little like hyperthyroidism, which is rare and calls for heavy surgical and/or radiation measures.

I don't mean to get between her and the doctor, but all my alarms are going off and I just want to jump up and say, "WHOA! Stop! Wait!" :-}

Please go carefully through the checklists at thyroid.about.com's hyperthyroid page and see if your daughter fits the profile.

Then, look at the section entitled "Associated Symptoms And Consequences Of Impaired Adrenals" on Dr. Mercola's adrenal info page.

As to the diet: She can very easily get started on the A plan at college, but everything depends upon her willingness to do so. Give her two copies of the Type A Food, Beverage and Supplement Lists. She can stick one in her bag and keep one in her room. They're little, like pamphlets almost, and easy to refer to when shopping -- or eating in the dining hall. ;-) If she just makes a stab at shifting toward the A diet, she'll slowly feel a great deal better. Most campuses offer yoga classes, and all college towns certainly do. If she is interested in doing one, say, once or twice per week, that's all I'd ask of a busy student.

Youth has a blessed power to heal, and I'm certain she'll come through just fine! So do look over these recommendations, and I wish you both all the best, dear! :-D

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Heidi, my A+ husband started on Lipitor 10 mg. 18 months ago. Since then his total cholesterol has come down by 60 points to 167, his LDL is down to 84 from 151, but his HDL has dropped from 41 to 35, and his tryglycerides have jumped in the last six months from 173 to 240. He runs 25 miles weekly, he is 6'2", 190 lbs, low bp, good health overall. As we are both As, following the diet is fairly easy, although my husband will not touch soy or fish in any form, and still eats beef occasionally. We have oatmeal with flax seed every morning, lots of fruit and vegetables, and he takes CoQ10 50 mg. daily. I am very concerned about the low HDL and the spike in triglycerides. Should we increase the CoQ10 and add the cardiovascular protocols or is there something he is doing that could be elevating those levels? Our goal is to get off Lipitor altogether! Thanks, Kim

Hello, Kim! It's one thing to enhance our own health, but what a heart-trial it can be with loved ones, eh?

So, we can't even get him to eat tuna or salmon? trout? snails at a posh restaurant?? oh, well! The problem with his cholesterol balance is due in great part to the fact that he is jacking up his cortisol with the daily or four-times-per-week running program. Any chance of picking up some fancy martial-arts videos to inspire him in that direction? While they are by no means fancy, my friend Eo Omwake's Mind, Body & Spirit site offers instructional videos (*VERY good ones*) in Tai Chi, Kung Fu and Qi Gong (I favor the latter for your man).

I suggest using two tablespoons freshly-ground flaxseed soaked in water to cover for 15 minutes before adding to the oatmeal. And a drizzle of flax oil when possible.

And do consider getting him to use Chinese Red Yeast Rice instead of the Lipitor. You can get a year's supply for about $99, and it contains no drugs and no impurities or toxic substances. It will do everything the drugs do, at far less cost in both cash & health. It comes in bulk, and works well in a smoothie as long as there's a bit of texture in it, like some almond butter or bits of whole fruit.

I'd say that if he is over 35, yes, go ahead and add the cardiovascular protocols as a protective measure. You're doing a great job, Kim ~ hang in there, and remember that he bears full responsibility for his health -- you're just going the extra mile to help out, cuz you love him! Peace, dear!! :-D

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Sorry, I couldn't locate the answer to this question: Which is more accurate when there is a conflict between the info in the TYPEbase3 data base and the LR4YT (with errata corrected)? I have noticed that the "Encyclopedia" correlates with the TYPEbase3 (and the "Encyclopedia" has the most recent copyright). I'm a A nons and find conflicts with rye, rice syrup, and brown/white sugar. Also, is it right to assume that dehydrated cane juice falls under brown/white sugar? Thanks for your wonderful column and hard work.

Donna

Whoa, I'm feeling particularly Gingko-deficient at the moment! ;-} Bear with me, here...

First, dehydrated cane juice is listed as Sucanat. Now: I can't find discrepancies between the rye listing in LR4YT and the database, unless it is that the database lists WHOLE rye flour, while LR said "rye flour." -- is that the thing that caught your eye? Sugar (brown/white) and rice syrup are shown everywhere as neutral for secretor As and avoids for nonsecretor As --

HELP! Am I finally losing what's left of my brain cells, or am I just going a little blind? write back, Donna!!! thanks, dearie!! :-D

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I am a Type A, Secretor. I developed my own standard menu based on the TYPEbase 3 database about 9 months ago and converted to the exercise guidelines in "Live Right For Your Type" about 5 months ago. My standard menu consists of 90.5% Beneficials, 9.5% Neutrals, and 0.0% Avoids. It can be further categorized as 18.0% protein, 62.8% carbohydrates, and 19.2% fats.(note - all percentages are % of total calories) During the 9 month period my BMI (body mass index) has gone down from 35.0 to 24.1 and my ancillary health problems have mostly gone away. As I try to fine tune my menu, I have a couple of questions. 1. The TYPEbase 3 database lists snap beans as Neutral under "snap beans" and as Beneficial under "green/snap/string beans", for Type A. Since I am considering growing some in my garden, I would like to know which food value is correct? 2. I have switched to mostly fresh foods based on the discussions on polyamines. However there are certain highly perishable and/or seasonal items such as blueberries and cherries, which because of quality and/or price and/or convenience, work better for me as frozen. Furthermore these items are listed for Blood Group A as "contain component that either block polyamine synthesis or lowers indcian level". My question is does the freezing process cause a polyamine problem for blueberries and cherries and,if so, how significant is it? 3. I have eliminated all listed "Avoid" additives such as carageenan and guar gum, and almost all chemical additives, from my standard menu. However, I still find Potassium Sorbate in certain items, such as red wine, dried plums, and dried figs. I understand that in its original form Sorbic Acid is a naturally occurring fatty acid found in many plants including blueberries and that its potassium salt is rated safe, but I have no information on any blood type related safety when it is used as a preservative. Can you provide any information on this product and its use in otherwise Beneficial foods? Thank you in advance for helping me fine tune my standard menu. I have found the daily columns by yourself and the two Doctors to be very useful and informative. Al

Hey there, Al! Great work on the details, I must say! VERY impressive, and a wonderful job!!

Let me take your Qs one by one:

1. Oho! I'll have to get in there and remove the separate "snap bean" listing, it must have remained when the values were revised. thanks! The combo listing is correct.

2. It is flash freezing in fish and meats that create the polyamine concern. Enjoy the frozen fruit, it is absolutely great for you!

3. On Potassium Sorbate, I'm drawing a bit of a blank on the actual hazards of the substance, if any. Several products have been withdrawn from the market because they did not declare the potassium sorbate ingredient, but that is a function of the breach of labelling laws rather than any health concerns about the additive itself. It's a preservative, that much I know, but whether it does pose any risk to health is uncertain as far as I've been able to learn. Readers, do write in with further info if you're in the know! In the meantime, here is a plain assay of the substance: ChemicalLand21's PS page. Generally speaking, Al, I would avoid it when convenient for now, until we learn more.

Thanks for your message, and congratulations on your superb implementation of your type A plan!! :-D

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Dear Heidi, I've got info for Debbie in England or anyone else in Europe searching for vegetable glycerine. Go to www.healthleadsuk.com on the internet. They have vegetable glycerine in 500ml size, and also have black cherry juice concentrate, as well as other supplements. You can phone them in the UK at 0845 345 8880, or outside the UK at 44 1994 23 1940. Outside UK, the shipping is pretty expensive, so I just made my second order for 12 bottles, and got a good discount. You actually can buy vegetable glycerine in France and possibly other European countries in pharmacies, but it is horribly expensive - and I find the UK source to taste better as well as being more economical.

Also to Debbie regarding surgery, she might check with a homeopathic doctor, as there are certainly good ones in England. There are many homeopathic remedies for pre and post surgery that might help her. However, since I now know I am a non-secretor O.... I do have a question for you, Heidi, regarding homeopathic remedies. The little "pills" contain sucrose, though some are lactose. Does this make them an avoid for O non-secretors? Or does the good they can do overcome the sugar problem??? I have had very good experience with homeopathy. In fact, I can suggest anyone with sugar cravings to try taking Argenicum Nitricum at a 30C potency or higher, and would also suggest taking in in the "dose" form of 10 little "pills" at one time (this can be done once a week if necessary, but might do the trick only one time altogether) rather than 3 pills one or more times daily. I know you are overcome with O questions, Heidi, and THANK YOU so much for your previous answers. I read and enjoy you daily! Abby

Hi there, Abby! Good catch! Those tiny homeopathic pills do contain either sucrose or lactose. Personally, I tried a number of them years ago, for various little things now and again. A cut or bruise, for instance. Whether it's the sugars in them, or some other variable I couldn't pin down, they never did anything noticeable for me. Homeopathic liquid preparations did a much better job. Those minuscule portions of sugar may or may not make the difference in the pills' effectiveness -- I wouldn't say they're an "avoid" for such small amounts in a normal dose -- but I would really like to hear other type Os' views on the pills vs. liquid issue.

Thanks SO much for the UK info on veg gly! Much appreciated! take care, dear! :-D

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Hi Heidi, Once again your response today reminded me of a question I have had about mushrooms. When I buy a can of mushrooms, that doesn’t indicate what kind of mushrooms are used, what kind of mushrooms are they likely to be? To be safe should I continue to shop until I find a can that states what kind of mushrooms is used? Thanks, Don

Hello, dear ~ Unless the label says otherwise, the canned mushrooms are virtually always the button (domestic white) ones (avoid for secretor Os, neutral for nons). And unless they say "organic," I'd stay very far away from them in any case. It takes just a few minutes to wipe off fresh organic mushrooms (never soak them), slice and cook in a bit of butter. Voila! Canned mushrooms without the question marks. ;-D by the way, I know I owe you an email (it's been a little crazy around here) ~ I won't forget!! thanks for writing, and for all the great help you provide! :-D

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Hi Heidi! I've sent you a question a while ago about possible remedies for the healing of a hiatus hernia for my husband (Type O secretor). He has been on the diet for almost 3 weeks, totally eliminating wheat, coffee and all avoids... I would say on a 'Tier Two' compliance level. He is also taking the Polyflora and Deflect O every day. Problems he had before, like heartburn and cronic diarrhea, have disappeared BUT, since he started on the diet he has had headaches every day, sometimes it's so bad that he has to take apsirin a few times per day. Could it be a detoxification process? Or perhaps you've had the same experience with other patients? We're really worried about it and would very much apprecaite your thoughts. Kind regards, Ilze

Greetings, Ilze! Check this link for your answer! best of health to you both, my dears!

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On maca: I am an O, status undetermined, 98% compliant (the other 2% is occasional foods eaten "out"), who for some time struggled with peri- and menopause issues (now resolved). Along the way, I tried maca, and found that it raised my energy levels (and maybe adrenaline?) through the roof. This sounds great, but when you want to clean the house at 4 in the morning, night after night, your sleep cycle eventually complains. Maca was delicious, a lovely butterscotch powder, but I could not find a small enough dose. I mention this because it may work better (i.e. less dramatically) for people who have not yet raised their compliance level very high. I don't know--just thought you might be interested in an experience. Fortunately, a combination of natural progesterone cream and a capsule blend of black cohosh, dong quai, and vitex has caused me to forget those days. I did a lot of experimenting, many things helped "some" but this combination really puts me back in my 30's. Elizabeth

Whoo! First I've heard of maca's potential for all-night housework! ;-) Sounds like it was something you just really didn't need, eh? Marvelous work on finding out what truly works for you. An inspiration for others, I truly hope!! Thanks for your reports, Elizabeth, and I'm so glad you're sailing along happily now!! :-D

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HELP! Hope you see this one soon-we are at the end of our reserves! We are type O, (non-secretors, I think) I have been ill all my life with allergies, Monocleosis (3 times), breast & uterine fibroids (required hysterectomy), cholecystitis (required removal of gallbladder), then later diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, & Fibromyalgia. I am 47, my daughter is 16 and following in my footsteps very rapidly. We are following the O non diet,and it helps, but we still have a great deal of trouble getting out of bed at all. I am already on Social Security Disability, and work part time to make ends meet. We don't have much money to spend on supplements. I have looked at many of the protocols in the blood type encyclopedia, such as Anti-stress, Fatigue, etc. Which one should we start with, and do you lnow of a place that sells the herbs (such as rhodiola) less expensively? Our budget gets shot just buying Multiples, and a couple other basics. We re already using L-tyrosine, folic acid, L-glutamine, & 5-HTP, and a varied bunch of probiotics. Please tell us where to start-I'd like to get my energetic child back. She has trouble concentrating and can't work on school at the moment. Sorry this is so long and jumbled. If it helps, we have no irritable bowel type problems. Thank you, Kathy

Hello, Kathy! I am very sorry to hear you're having such a rough time of it. Tell me, did the supplements you are taking help at all? If not, go ahead and use them up, but don't buy them again. On a tight budget, the first and very best thing for Os to do is focus on buying and cooking the beneficial foods in the diet. For instance, get your folic acid needs from greens -- kale of all kinds, collards, chard, chicory, beet greens. All of them cook up nicely if torn or chopped, and stir-fried with diced onion, garlic, a little tomato sauce, and olive oil & sea salt -- cook them right down, all the way. They are cheap, and pack a wallop of nutrition.

Pound for pound, carrots, turnips, sweet potatoes, parsnips, onions -- all are far cheaper than a loaf of Ezekiel or Essene bread, and provide vitamins, minerals and beneficial sugars that bread can't give us. They, too, are simple to cook. My favorite way of doing them is to cut them into golf-ball-sized chunks and drizzle with a little olive oil & salt (both optional), and just roast them in the oven until they're knife-tender right through and show a little brown where they meet the pan. They're also filling, and wonderfully sweet!

Both greens or root veg can be cooked up in bulk and stored in the fridge for a few days, and warmed up in a pan or the oven. That way, you only need to do them twice per week, and both you and your girl are set for cooked veg.

You both may have higher protein needs than you think. ;-) That is really the only spendy part of the diet for Os, but it's well worth it in energy! as well as avoidance of prescription costs and the many other hidden costs of sickness down the line. I don't know where you live, but see if you can't get some eggs, a handful of nuts, a serving of red meat and a serving of beneficial fish most days for both of you. Cod is very inexpensive in most places, and halibut is cheap in some locales, too, and are simple to prepare in the oven or pan with a little broth, lemon, garlic and salt. Sardines and herring make excellent little stews with some tomato, oil, and a little salt. Look for canned pink salmon -- you'll be surprised how little it costs, and it is usually the wonderful wild Alaskan salmon they use in those cans. Look at the www.eatwild.com site, see if any of those suppliers is local to you. It's usually cheaper to buy direct from the farmer, rancher, or fisherman -- and many of the places listed on eatwild will ship to you.

Now: I know how impossible it seems to think about exercising when you feel overwhelmed just getting up in the morning. However, you both are under tremendous stress, and exercise is that hidden key just waiting to work miracles for you. Walk, bike, move around any way you can, and keep at it. When you feel like life has just dealt you another lousy hand, get up, go out and walk as fast as you can until you've worked up a sweat and the mental pressure seems a little further away than it was. Trust me, it works! Every day, do the five simple daily exercises at the Canadian Air Force's 5BX for Fitness site. Start where you're at, and get where you're going! You may have to kick that 16-year-old out of the house in the morning and have her jog/walk for half an hour. Explain what I've told you, and that it's an open field for her. She can do as much as she pleases, and is at just the right time of life to take full advantage of it!

The only supplement I would suggest for the two of you is the Probiotic (PolyFlora-O). It will help your energy and mood, and will set up the right conditions for optimal digestion of your foods.

Kathy, I know you will both feel amazingly better in just one month if you follow these suggestions. I wish you all the best, and I'd like to hear again in a while how it's going. Ask more questions if they come up. Good health to you, dear!! :-D

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Hi Heidi ~ I wrote in October after being on the diet for 2 months, and still have the same question now (I wonder if my letter got lost?) Anyway, I'm a 44 year old female type O (don't know secreter status). My main reasons for going on the diet were to lose weight , which I have and it's great! and to get off my allergy & asthma medicines (allegra, flonase, pulmicort). I've tried twice to lower doses and stop taking them and the symptoms of sneezing, congestion, and coughing start up again. It's been a big adjustment to change from a grain and dairy based diet, but gradually I'm getting used to eating vegetables, fruits and a little meat or fish for a meal (without any rice, potatoes, pasta or bread). At first I used spelt flour to make substitutes, but not as much now, except for pumpkin/oatmeal/walnut cookies which I keep in the freezer for when my sweet tooth kicks in and a piece of ezekiel bread toast for breakfast). I heard about the diet from my sister who had diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, but now needs no medication for either. I was hoping to have great results with my medications as well. Thank you for your help! MFN

Hey there, friend! In case you didn't see it, your answers are here! Thanks for writing, MFN!

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Heidi, You surely have been very busy generating all of the responses lately. Thank you for all the wonderful information. I just thought I would comment on a couple of things from today’s posting. The only commercial soy milk brand I have found in my area to be OK for type Os is Soy Dreams (http://www.imaginefoods.com/). They offer it in both plain and enriched versions and in different flavors such as vanilla, carob, and chocolate. I still have not found an acceptable rice milk to try.

I really liked your thoughts about the phases of moving to a new diet. I think I have finally reached phase 3, but I probably would have gotten here sooner if I had thought about the diet shift early in the process the way you presented it. I think that both your thoughts about the phases of shifting to the diet and a food pyramid for each BTD would be very useful for people starting the diet. I recommend that you elaborate on your thoughts just a little bit and post the information in the Newbies section of the website. You should also put the section on contradictions at the bottom of your daily posting in the Newbies section or FAQ too. While I am talking about that I know it must be frustrating for you to get asked the same question over and over. Maybe if the FAQ and/or Newbies section were more prominent on the website and updated with the answers for frequently asked questions they would help more. The other thing that would help would be a more advanced search capability for topics in the columns, such as ability to search for a phrase or separate multiple words. The problem with the current search is that it often returns too many topics that don’t have anything to do with what you are trying to find. The last thing I wanted to mention was is that I have fixed a couple of pumpkin custards/puddings lately. I enjoy them. I look forward to trying the recipe you posted the next time I fix it. Thanks Don

Good ideas, Don! We will certainly implement most of them. The coding for the searches may be a little difficult, but I'll pass your suggestion to Peter to see what can be done. And thanks for the notes on soy milk for O secretors ~ let me know how the custard recipe turns out!

folks, always feel free to write in with suggestions or reports ~ I love to hear from all of you! :-D

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Sorry, Heidi, this is not a blood-type question, but I couldn't resist. You mentioned the "give a man a fish" proverb and this is a version I received in an email called "secret Zen sayings" from a friend: Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day. Keep up the good work! Herb

LOL! {laughing out loud, that is!} Gee, thanks, Herb ~ You've forever changed my perceptions of the traditional proverb. The "secret" version sounds much more... likely? ~~:-D

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I enjoy Bushes Baked Beans, are they on my 'avoid' list? I usually follow the 'glycemic index' for weight managemnet which means I can consume pasta but no rice, which is the opposite of BTD - what to do? How come I can consume oatmeal but not oat flour? Thanks for your assistance - I LOVE your column! Rachael

Hey there, Rachael ~ About the beans: check the ingredients list against your food list. If the product is organic and the label lists no avoids, then it's OK for you. Listen, could you write back with your blood type? then I'll have the basic info to go on. I'm also a little confused about the oatmeal issue ~ there is no blood type for whom oatmeal is OK but oat flour is an avoid... Drop me another note, OK? thanks, dear! :-D

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Hi Heidi, Never felt better since I adopted the correct foods for my A blood type. I would like to know, please, if bee pollen and apricot kernels are suitable for A types? I have relied on bee pollen for a good source of raw protein in the past but do not wish to reintroduce it into my new diet until I'm sure about its compatability with A blood types. Thanks for your time and trouble, Glenn

Hi, Glenn! Neither bee pollen nor apricot kernels have been tested for ABO reactivity. I can tell you that it's generally inadvisable to consume large quantities of bee pollen, and I'd rather you obtained your protein from the wide range of traditional plant foods, fish and fowl available to type As. Apricot kernels were, of course, made famous by "laetrile." It's unlikely they will do you any harm, but there again, I hope your intake is somewhat proportional to the other foods in the diet which are cancer-preventive. Here's some interesting reading on the subject ~ enjoy it! and thanks for your note, Glenn! :-)

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Dear heidi.I am an bloodtype A rh negative.Does rh positive stands for secretor and rh negative for a non-secretor? And also , can I eat tuna fish.I couldn't find it in the book.Thanks for responding Carla

Hello, Carla ~ You can read all about secretors and nonsecretors here in an article in the Knowledge Base (linked to the left of this page).

Rhesus type is unrelated to secretor type -- so either positive or negative could be a secretor, or a nonsecretor. I believe you're looking at Eat Right 4 Your Type -- to find "tuna," look for "albacore" - that's the name used for tuna in that book. :-D

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Aloha Heidi, I love your column. It's so wonderful too read every day. I have two questions for you. I've been on the diet for 2 years and I feel better than I have ever felt. I have tinnitus and I am hoping that this diet will help, so for the last two months I have been doing 90 to 100 percent beneficials to try to get rid of my tinnitus. Is their anything else I can do? And since I've been doing only bene- ficials I have had dry skin on my hands. I am An A+ secretor. Thank You so much for all that you do, Carl.

Carl, thanks for your kind compliments! Take a look at one of the Ask Dr. D'Adamo columns, in which Peter mentions a German study on black cohosh. Depending on the cause of your tinnitus, perhaps this herb may help. For that dry skin, add a little more oil in your diet, and increase your water intake in ounces to half your bodyweight in pounds. For instance, I weight 130, so I make sure I get at least 65 ounces per day. Add a tiny pinch of sea salt (just a few large grains) to each 20 ounces of water. Do this for two weeks, I think your skin will improve! Take good care, Carl, and thank you for writing! :-D

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Hi, Heidi! Sarah again (Type A). I thought of a few more questions, if you have the time. First of all, thanks for your recommendations about stress management. I am implementing them with caution, because... The first day I tried the nutritional yeast, nothing happened, but the second day (today) I had a reaction about half an hour later that included itchy palms, a flushed and burning face, and a rash on my chest. It felt like all my superficial blood vessels were dilating simultaneously. Is this an allergic reaction? I'm currently watching my nursling closely to see if he has a similar reaction in the next several hours. I really hope he doesn't! And I won't try taking the nutritional yeast again until I hear from you, just to be safe. I'm also being cautious with the Cortiguard since my little guy spit up more than usual on the days that I took it and I haven't determined the cause yet. I'm so frustrated right now! I wish Dr. D's baby book were out already. You can bet I'm making plans to see him on his author tour! On another topic (beans again): I have to soak beans for 24 hours in hot water to reduce their gassiness to manageable levels. What does this do to their lectins? I'm not asking about Avoids so much (although it would be nice to have REAL chickpea hummus) as about Beneficials--does soaking destroy their good lectins? Also, I have read that gassiness after eating beans is caused in the first place by the lack of the digestive enzyme that breaks down oligosaccharides, which means that all those sugars hang around and ferment (mmmm, yeast food!). Does this mean that I am doomed to have some gas after eating beans, even assuming that I successfully eliminate my candida overgrowth? Or is there some way to convince my body to produce the enzyme? Thanks again, Heidi, for all your help and encouragement. I'm off to exercise now! :-) --Sarah

Hi, Sarah! :-D The effect from the nutritional yeast was a flush from the niacin. It is harmless, and if you'd rather not have a repeat performance, just cut the dose in half and try again. The Cortiguard? My dear, I WANT you to take your Cortiguard!! ;-) There is nothing in it which would harm the little 'un -- he probably just got a tiny taste of the new herbs! -- and it is very important for Mum's stress-relief protocol right now. keep up with that, OK?

Soaking the beans several times in cold water, cooking them in fresh water (with nothing added), and rinsing them off when they're done should help a great deal in the gassiness department. Do you have a product called "Beano" in the UK? If not, ask your HFS for an oligosaccharide enzyme. Better yet, cook the beans with a piece of kombu in the bottom of the pan ~ old Japanese trick. Developing the enzyme occurs naturally, the more you eat them. ;-) Whatever you do to them, they will still be very good for you, so no worries on the beneficial lectin front! I still think the candida is at the root of this trouble, so keep pegging away at that angle.

Well done, you're exercising away and that makes me happy! Take good care, dear, and think about all the wonderful things you're doing for your health, as well as for that lucky kiddle! you're doing just a marvelous job of it, so a pat on the back is MOST appropriate! and a HUG from me! :-D

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DR. D'Adamo mentioned that there exists 27 subtypes of group (A). When will the D'Adamo clinic begin testing for those other subtypes. brian

:-D Hi, brian! to tell you the truth, I think they send out for tests of that kind, but I might be wrong! Since the blood labs do them, there's probably no reason to do it right there in-house. Most of the A subtypes do not entail adjustments to the diet or other therapies, but I'm sure it is a valuable diagnostic tool. Good question! :-D

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Hi Heidi I have a question which is for a Type A. I am an O non secretor and my partner is an A non secretor. Which we find is not that difficult to cater for. My partner has had good results with losing his angina and generally being much fitter and healthier as a result of the diet. However he used to eat some fruit last thing at night which was OK. He has always found fruit at other times resulted in gas. He now finds that he cannot eat fruit at all without gas and severe diarrhoea if he eats more than one piece. This has been coming on since he started the diet. He now feels he cannot eat fruit at all and worries about it. I cannot eat dried fuit without gas. We both eat lots of vegetables but would like to eat fruit. Do you think it is candida? Or is fruit digestion complicated? We eat it on its own on an empty stomach. I am now taking probiotics as gas has always been a problem which I just live with and I would like to do something about it. I am suggesting that he tries this route as well. Is this a common problem? I have read what ERYT suggests and will try all suggestions but wonder if it is just vegetable overload!! Thank you for all your comments they are most helpful. Jenny in England

Hi, Jenny! Intestinal candida overgrowth exhibits a host of symptoms, so if gassiness or diarrhea after eating fruit is the only difficulty, I doubt candidiasis is the trouble. Could you tell me more about what kind of fruit he ate before, and what kind of fruit he is eating now? Probiotics are the most important supplement for anyone to take: if you take only one supp, it should be probiotics. Do try that for a week or two, and see if it helps you. Thanks, Jenny!

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Neither of the two books I have on BTD include the 'Passion Fruit' or Granadella. Its very common down here in South Africa and our family (who are fortunately all A) loves them. Can you tell me if the are A ok? Thanx Mike

Greetings, Mike!! Passion fruit, or Granadilla, we have no listing for. If you are not overweight and have no health problems, you can consider it Neutral. Good news, eh! They are beautiful plants! enjoy!! :-D

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