A year has passed since the first On the Diet column appeared here.



Heartfelt thanks go to Peter and Martha for providing this space in which to share knowledge, vent, get help, tell stories, announce success, "spread the word," and link up with others of like mind. It is an honor to be included here among our illustrious colleagues, Doc Bron, Peter and Cocky!



For me, I get a magnificent free daily seminar, and a wee portal in cyberspace through which healing may pass, and hearts be eased.



My deepest gratitude to everyone who writes, who reads, and who works to bring forth a day when the true potential of all this energetic research may be realized in the world. :-D

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hi heidi (again!) thanks for,posting my questions so promptly, im impressed! just wanted to let you know i also put my q forward on thomas' message board and 'george from oz' replied with a bit of info. apparently he hasnt vaccinated his 3 kids and only had to get a letter from council informing the school the kids are not vaccinated and he must send them straight home if a virus breaks out. ( hes never sent them home!)so you can bet your bottom dollar this little wriggler isnt getting vaccinated for nuthin'! about the vit K, george also says (quite a clever fellow is george) that oral vit K is preferred over the shot. this way the brain can judge whether it needs it and has the chance to throw it up if its not necessary. makes sense to me and that the way ill go i think. Just wanted to let you know.thanks again for your help. cheers roz xox



Hello, roz!! I'm so pleased you got the info you were looking for! I well remember the redoubtable George, and you couldn't have gone to a better place to get the "fair dinkum." ;-) Please give him my warmest regards, and once again, thanks for reporting in, dear!! :-D

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Hi, I've been following the Type O Diet since August last year and look and feel great. My sister has always had weight problems and has always yo-yo dieted in the past. I've spoken to her at length about the Blood Type Diet - she's blood group A and is already vegetarian and has been for the past 10 years or so. The problem is, SHE DOESN'T EAT FISH! Any advice and suggestions and replacement foods/products? Thanks C-B



Hi, C-B ~ She could be a vegetarian and still be eating all kinds of avoid foods which are triggering insulin problems -- and missing a lot of beneficial foods on the A vegetable, fruit and bean list. So, she may need fish or she may not. If she is a nonsecretor, Rhesus negative, and/or A2, she will certainly require more animal proteins than she is eating now -- but only she can determine all this.



You might want to get her a copy of Live Right 4 Your Type and let her decide whether she is willing to give it a good try.

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I'm Type O, secretor status not yet tested. I've been a vegetarian off and on since I was 16 and in very good health until last year. At the age of 55 I suddenly developed what seemed to be gallbladder problems, having severe attacks as many as twice a day, 4 times a week. An ultrasound showed small gallstones and I was urged to have surgery. Instead, I started seeing another doctor about 10 months ago who put me on a path to health with supplements, sacro-cranial therapy, and some dietary restrictions - most of which were temporary. The permanent changes were that I stopped consuming dairy and coffee. I've always consumed a lot of potatoes and popcorn and vegetables. Protein came from soy products and the occasional piece of salmon (my only non-vegetarian food, because of the health benefits). My doctor believes I was sick due to a year of extreme emotional distress. He also believes that it is my pancreas, not my gallbladder, that is my problem.



Once I started taking [an herbal supplement], my attacks lessened and I started to heal. At my last visit, about a month ago, my doctor was extremely pleased with my progress. I really believed that my next office visit might be my last. I was talking with a neighbor about my health and she reminded me of the book Eat Right For Your Type, which I had on my book shelf, and I looked into the diet again. This time I embraced the concept and went on the diet pretty much cold turkey.



Imagine my surprise when about one week later I had my first attack in 5 months! I thought it was a fluke because I was traveling and had to compromise my diet and had consumed American cheese (in a vegetable omelet) for the first time in months and the omelet was cooked in something that certainly wasn't butter or olive oil. Still, it didn't seem right that my body couldn't handle one bad meal and I was worried. Then yesterday, one week after that attack, I had a meal of 1/2 Ezekiel bun, 1 T. mayo made with neutral ingredients, and a piece of halibut. Again I had an attack, this time vomiting the meal. I'm very alarmed that I'm suddenly regressing. I thought I was healed and now I'm having attacks again. The only change I'm aware of is changing to this diet. I've added much more fish to my diet - more salmon and some halibut so far. I stopped eating potatoes and popcorn. Rice was the only grain I was consuming until I discovered Ezekiel bread a couple of days ago. The big change is that I'm eating much more protein, and drastically fewer starchy carbohydrates. Any ideas on these attacks suddenly starting again? Chris



Hello, Chris! I'm glad you wrote to us with your troubles.



Without knowing more about what you eat daily, and considering your doctor's opinion that your pancreas is involved even though you showed gallstones, my first impression is that your digestion is impaired, especially fat (requiring bile through the gallbladder and liver) and protein (requiring pancreatic enzymes) digestion. The weaknesses showed up with very little provocation (American cheese, oil, then mayonnaise and fish). You may also be sensitive to the gluten in the Ezekiel bread, so sticking to rice for the moment may be best.



What I strongly suggest is to go to the "Sensible Health" liver and gallbladder site. Read it all thoroughly, then read it again. Before you use the protocols, consult with Julia Chang via her phone number on the site, and give her the specifics of your symptoms, medical reports, and diet. I do believe that doing the gallbladder flush in series will resolve the root cause of your fat digestion trouble.



When you've done so, we'd then look at using pancreatic enzymes for a few weeks to enable you to begin digesting the protein foods you need for healing.



Once again, thank you so much for writing -- and please keep in touch! I'd like to hear how you're doing! :-D

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Hello Heidi, There was a question in the last few days on where to find 100% buckwheat noodles. Today on the BTD-O Don mentioned he had found them in an Oriental store. He and his boys like it better than spelt noodles. Sarah



Ah, I'm very pleased he found them locally. If you're interested, more on soba noodles here! Thanks for your note, Sarah! :-D

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Hi Heidi: I'm a type O, and just starting the diet. I noticed that one of my Neutral foods is mozzarella. I'm allergic to wheat and dairy products - is it still OK to have mozzarella? I mean, is this "allergy" simply linked to eating the "wrong" foods for my type? If so, why is one type of cheese OK, and another not? Also, I wanted to ask about vanilla - is artificial extract Ok to use as a substitute? -- Rebecca



Hi there, Rebecca! Welcome, dear!! Glad you found us!



The dairy category is one Os can well do without, so if you're allergic to dairy, avoid it altogether. Get your calcium from homemade bone broth, high-calcium foods (the ones allowed for Os, of course), and food-based supplements like Phytocal-O.



Instead of artificial vanilla, try using a natural almond or walnut or hazelnut product -- Frontier makes an extensive line of organic, sugarless food-derived extracts. We encourage everyone to avoid artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, etc., as a basic tenet of healthy eating.



Thanks so much for writing, and a VERY warm welcome to you, Rebecca! Do write again with any question that may arise... :-D

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My daughter is a Type A and suffers from Irritable Bowl Syndrome, Irregularity, and has no bowl control frequently. What can she take to help with this problem? Yvonne



Hello, Yvonne! Here is some advice I wrote to a type O woman. It was designed for type ABs, and works beautifully for type A.

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IF you can tolerate both wild blueberries and rice, here's a nice German recipe for curing colitis. I suggest it to you because its action is to heal inflammation in the digestive tract, and provide valuable proanthocyanadins and many trace substances in a harmless package. My friend Joachim wrote it, and I have edited it for your use.



Boil white rice in plenty of saltwater until the rice is very soft. As you probably won't be able to buy fresh WILD Blueberries, soak dried wild blueberries in a little warm water (initially boil because you want to rule out any germs) and add the water + Blueberries to the drained rice. Eat this by carefully chewing. Drink wild Blueberry tea (2 - 3 tablespoons, boiled in a cup of water, let rest for 10 Min.), also eat a few tablespoons of dried wild blueberries in-between meals, and again chew carefully.



















See the wild blueberry sellers page for getting the fruit.



Yvonne, your daughter should eat no wheat, corn or rye, neither whole nor sprouted, and just stick with that rice concoction. No dairy of any kind, and no dried fruit. Absolutely no refined sugar -- including molasses. DO use vegetable glycerine -- "NOW" and Frontier are good brands. A little nutbutter or seedbutter every day is fine, but no whole nuts or seeds. Get some okra and prepare it any way you can -- stewed, sauteed, etc. (not raw).



And search for the product "Seacure," which is a seaweed-based bowel healing compound. She will need all these things to get back to health, and she may have more questions once she has been a few weeks on this protocol.



I truly believe she will get better if she does these things, so get her started and do write again and let me know her progress! thanks, dear, and best wishes to you both!!

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I have been a follower of the BTD for several years. I wanted to let you know that today I saw on a very negative post about the diet on a nutrition forum. If you go to www.about.com and search for nutriton, there is a post from a group called qwakwatch that did a review on Dr. D'Adamo's book and research. It might be of interest to you. I try to follow the diet as closely as I can and when I do I do feel much healthier. I have recommended the book and the diet to quite a few of my friends. Because the ER4YT is not widely known and probably not promoted by a celebrity, it seems to not be taken seriously by some. I try to keep an open mind about the authenticity of diets or eating plans and thought that these remarks on this forum might be of interest to you. Joyce



Hey there, Joyce! :-) To tell you the truth, I don't even bother reading these things any more. In the rare case where a truly interesting contention comes to light, I hear of it. The last time I did (years ago), the researcher ended up quietly withdrawing his support from the people who hoped he'd help them "disprove" the basis for the BTD. He realized that they were just as willing to twist his words and as little interested in the truth for its own sake as any "diet scam" they might want to "debunk." All this happened with no input from us at all.



The truth? It's in the numbers. This system works, and not just for one subset of people. An over 85% documented success rate is spectacular -- and looks even better in comparison to the overall verifiable results of other health paradigms. This doesn't include all the people who are using and benefiting from this plan, and who've never discovered this website or registered their outcomes. They may be the most numerous of all. ;-)



I kind of feel sorry for those who still spend their time trying to discredit this program. Their energies could be a source of joy if they were diverted to some productive activity instead. So don't you let these things get you down, OK? No matter what a special interest group tells you, your body is the first and last arbiter of the value of the BTD. Thanks for writing, dear!!

:-D

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Please pass on to those who maintain the TYPEbase that Palm Oil is now a regular ingredient in Peanut Butter and Oatcakes to name but two places I regularly encounter it. Could we please have this tested and included in the database. I am sorry to trouble you but the web site has no way to do this sort of thing more directly that I can see. -- Jim B.



Cocky passed this email on to me (thanks, Cocky!! :-)). Peter did post an Ask Dr. D. response to a question about palm oil, which now is missing from the column database. I can refer you to some of the text, in the June 13, 2003 OTD column, but I think you've already read it. Palm oil is on the list for future test runs. Thanks, Jim -- and feel free to write now and again -- it was nice to hear from you, albeit indirectly! ;-D

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Greetings! I have read Dr. D'Adamo's statements in regards to food combining, but I have some unanswered questions regarding this subject. I have resently been told by an acquaintance that the ancient Mayans knew that corn by itself provided significant nutritional value only if combined with lime. I do not know the source of this information. I am wondering if this is true, and if so, in what way does this provide nutrition; and, are the harmful effects of corn neutralized? If so, could it be that some other food combinations have this effect, resulting in, for example, a type A person being able to eat red meat with no adverse effects? Perhaps other ancient food combinations have similar properties...? Lucie



Hi, Lucie ~ Corn is a problematic food for nearly everyone, the exception being A1 MN or MM secretors only. Peter did write in his TEX-MEX and TYPE A article that the mineral lime used in processing commercial tortillas can be of some help in minimizing lectin activity - but not enough so that Os, Bs and ABs could eat it safely. It is not the combination of the elements which does that work, but a complex processing scheme.



The ancient practices of food preparation are no longer observed. A long series of specific procedures were used by native Americans in order to prepare certain items for safe consumption. Among these items were potatoes, tomatoes, and corn. Interestingly, they offered the raw foods to rampaging European invaders, hoping they'd die from eating them. We know now that the damage actually takes quite some time to develop, and I fear the results were not what the canny native peoples hoped. The sugar later imported from the Americas was recognized for its deleterious effect upon the teeth of the nobility in a relatively brief time, but the evils of nightshades went unremarked until much later. ;-) There is also new evidence that corn was only latterly used as a staple food in the native cultures we identify with its use, and contributed to an upsurge of tooth caries and arthritis.



The issue of type As and red meat is one of digestive insufficiency rather than lectin avoidance.



Because each of us is suited to (and needs & benefits by) particular foods, and because we each can eat only so much in a day or week, it makes little sense to do culinary backflips in order to add 'avoid' foods which only push beneficials and neutrals out of the menu. That's the view from here, anyway!



Thanks for bringing this issue to the fore, Lucie ~~ it's one which bears re-airing, as it's a common question. Take care! :-D

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Dear Heidi, I'm a type O (secretor status unknown 'till the test arrives) who has been on the diet for about 5 years, to great effect (as long as I stick to it!). My husband and I are thinking of starting a family, so I went right out and bought "Eat Right 4 Your Baby." I love the book, but I have a couple of questions: 1) The food lists (at least for Type O) look like they're tailored for secretors; if I find out I'm a non-secretor, should I follow the non-secretor lists from LR4YT? 2) In the recipe section, there are a number of recipes listed as okay for type Os which contain ingredients on the avoid list. For example, "Black-eyed peas with leeks" (p. 346), "Pureed pinto beans with garlic" (p. 347), "Black-eyed peas and barley salad" (p. 352), "Banana yogurt drink" (p. 399). Also, there's a recipe for Blueberry buckwheat muffins (p.383) which says its for types A and AB, but it looks like all the ingredients are on the beneficial or neutral lists for O, as well. Are there different rules once foods are cooked/prepared/combined in some way that makes (for example) leeks, pinto beans, barley and yogurt okay? Or is this based on the old lists? Should I go by the ingredients rather than what type is identified at the top of the recipe? Finally, I hope you don't mind one last question: any chance of iron-free supplements for Os coming in the near future? I have extremely high iron levels (no hemachromotosis though--I was checked), so my doctor said absolutely no iron supplements, even when pregnant. I queried Doc Bron on possible alternatives; he recommended trying to get a prescription prenatal without iron, but my doctor just gives me a prescritpion for folic acid. Will following the diet rigorously give me enough of the other nutients, or will I need to figure out some other means of supplementation? And finally, finally (really, this is it): ER4YB recommends DHA supplements. I currently take both essential oil supplements (which contain DHA), and CLA/Tonalin supplements. Are these okay for potentially pregnant ladies, or should I do just the DHA? Thanks, Heidi, for your help. Your column is such a great resource, and is much appreciated here! Mary



Hey there, Mary! :-) Yes, the "Baby Book" food choices in the recipes are based upon the secretor lists. Just scan it through "nonsecretor lenses" if you find out you're a nonnie. And if you find recipes which are OK for you as well, even though they're listed for other types, go ahead and use them -- of course, according to the portion/frequency guidelines for Os in Live Right.



About the supplements: "Added Protection" makes a regular multivitamin without copper or iron. Run it by your doctor, if he is unwilling to prescribe a prenatal. Do email NAP with any questions or requests about the supplements -- they are the ones who should hear of your needs. You'll benefit from the folic acid supplementation anyway, so I'd continue it, as well as including plenty of dark leafy greens and those good oils. The diet, when used according to the frequencies per category, is a powerhouse of nutrients. Until you are pregnant, I think your oil supps are fine, although I'd rather you got the CLA from grass-fed red meat (see www.eatwild.com and the beef available in the Store here for sources). Best wishes to you & your husband, Mary, and I hope your family grows apace! :-D

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Dear Heidi, Not a question but a note to Debbie in the UK regarding vegetable glycerine. She can order a large quantity of the 500ml veg glycerine from Healthleads UK and get a substantial discount, basically a wholesale cost. I ordered 2 bottles the first time, not knowing what my consumption would be - then ordered 12 bottles the 2nd time. If the person at Healthleads does not volunteer the discount, Debbie should remind her that she gave it to Abby in France. The shipping cost to France was a killer, but she should not have that problem within the UK. And, Debbie, if you find a better, less expensive source, please post it here! Thanks, Abby



Wonderful, Abby!! I'll add it to my veg gly resource page (under construction at the moment, but will come to light here soon!) -- thanks SO much, it means a lot to me!! And I'll address your long Q soonly ~~ thanks again, dear!! :-D

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The other day someone suggested a salad dressing with 1T lemon juice and 1T Braggs, but said this wasn't for Bs. I'm a B+ and my favorie dressing that I use nearly every day is Braggs and flax oil. Is this not good for a B? Ann



Hello, Ann! Unlike true tamari, Braggs is made from unfermented soy protein, so it's not considered safe for Bs ~ I know that quantity is a very small one in your dressing, but I wouldn't feel right if I didn't mention the difference and the true value of soy protein. :-) thanks for writing to ask!! :-D

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Hi Heidi, Always a goldmine of info. It makes my morning. Tracy S wrote in about Tamari (neutral for Bs) so my question is about Braggs liquid Aminos. Since it is not fermented but no caramel color or corn sweetener, still an avoid for Bs, yes? This is for Patti (AB nonsecretor) with the "unreal sweet tooth". I have 2 first cousins, who are sisters, who are both AB nonnies. What are the odds? There is one store bought biscuit/cookie type product that my cousin Susi likes. Of course home made is better but in a pinch it will do. We both have scoured the wheat-free low/appropriate sweetener cookie market out there. Here it is and please try to keep an open mind. It is actually a wheat-free teething biscuit by Earth's Best organic. The ingredients are: organic barley flour, organic oat flour, organic molasses, organic whole oat syrup solids, organic canola oil, soy lecithin, baking soda, natural flavor. You can dip it in a hot beverage to soften it up. But the crunch is quite nice. She said it really helps having a box at work. You may want to take the individually wrapped biscuits out of the box that has a baby in diapers on it if you plan to take it to work. Thanks for your dedication and wonderful spirit. Nina



Thanks, Nina, you're very kind!



You're right about Braggs Liquid Aminos - it's mostly unfermented soy protein, so Bs should avoid it.



A teething biscuit! Too funny!! As long as the "natural flavor" isn't a corn derivative, it sounds great for an AB snack. VERY nice piece of brand research -- many thanks once again!! :-D

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Spring Greetings, Heidi! On the subject of tinnitus (ringing/buzzing/noise in the ears) look up www.ata.org, where you will learn more about it. There are many foods, drugs, supplements, and stresses that cause the noise, as well as associated hearing disorders. It may take a little experimentation. Caffeine could be your culprit, or those avoids we all love to hate, or any number of prescription and otc drugs. As to cures, gingko has been known to alleviate some people's symptoms; for others niacin might help. Anyway, don't cut anything in your ear! While you're searching, try white noise to mask the annoying sound. One CAN get more adjusted to the tinnitus as well. Speaking from experience, Alyson



Alyson, my sincerest gratitude for this fine summary of tinnitus info -- thanks so much!! -- I hope Cindi notices this one, for her friend! Best wishes for a joyous Spring to you as well, dear .... :-D

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I read your column a while back about Deflect working on "grain" lectins. Does this mean Deflect has no effect for nonsecretors eating sugar? The few times I've done so, I've always taken extra Deflect. But it doesn't specify anywhere I've looked just why NS people shouldn't have sugar, so I'm unclear as to the rationale behind that. The types of sweeteners allowed change for each NS blood type, too. Can you elucidate on this subject? Thanks! Kathy

You're right: the Deflect products work on lectins only. They contain substances which certain lectins prefer over our tissues ~ the lectins go for the Deflect molecules instead of our joints, skin, etc. Deflect will protect you only from those items which are avoid due to lectins, of which sugar is not one. The types of sweeteners allowed for nonsecretors changes by type, because each type has a slightly different statistical response to refined sugar. Among nonsecretors, O NS's generally have the least tolerance for it, and A NS the most ~ your mileage may vary! these are general guidelines.

Re: "Exercise 4 Everyone" Okay, so I'm resistant. And dumb? Maybe blind? They (and you) talk of 11 minutes a day. Fine. But on the charts there's also a walk or run which seems to add anywhere from 18 minutes to 35 minutes. I can't find anywhere where they discuss this little gem. Is it also to be done every day? (False advertising, LOL!) I must be missing something. Can you enlighten us on that too? Thanks! Kathy

!:-D BUSTED! Well, there was a bit of false advertising involved... but only that these charts were designed for men, not women. LOL! Now don't start shopping for a gun to shoot me! We females will do just fine with the published program, it is very, very gentle and designed so everyone moves at their own pace.

Now, the confusion you're having is the same one I went through, so I'm ideally suited to guide you right along. :-D resistance IS futile, doncha fergit it. >:-E The exercise charts at the Canadian Air Force site have an "either/or/or" at the right side. Either run in place or run a distance or walk. For running in place, they give directions (raise feet at least 4" above floor, 100 paces (for level D-), after 75 paces perform 10 of the "jump & switch's," then the other 25 paces, complete this within 6 minutes). For the run-a-distance, and for the walk, they give distance and time to complete. You need do only one of them, right after doing the other 4 BX (basic exercises).

Each level should be performed for the number of days listed, according to one's age. And even if you've done, say, level D- for the 7 days required for age 40-44 (?), if you cannot complete the entire BX5 within the times allotted, you remain at that level until you can. Once I got the hang of the rather complicated concept, doing the thing became simple & quick, and a great way to start the morning. Hope you enjoy it! :-}

Here at last, in response to popular demand :-) are the Protein/Carb/Fat/Vitamin/Mineral stats for all three D'Adamo Food Bars:

Serving size: 1 Bar (50g). Amount Per Serving: Calories 210, Fat Cal. 60, Total Fat 7g (11% DV), Sat. Fat 1.5g (8% DV), Cholesterol 0mg (0%DV), Sodium 140mg (6% DV), Total Carb. 27g (9% DV), Fiber 3g (12% DV), Sugars 6g, Protein 10g, Vitamin A (0% DV), Vitamin C (0% DV), Calcium (6% DV), Iron (8% DV). Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Type A Bar: Serving size: 1 Bar (50g). Amount Per Serving: Calories 190, Fat Cal. 60, Total Fat 7g (11% DV), Sat. Fat 1g (5% DV), Cholesterol 0mg (0% DV), Sodium 320mg (13% DV), Total Carb. 21g (7% DV), Fiber 2g (8% DV), Sugars 10g, Protein 12g, Vitamin A (0% DV), Vitamin C (0% DV), Calcium (6% DV), Iron (10% DV). Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Type B&AB Bar: Serving size: 1 Bar (50g). Amount Per Serving: Calories 170, Fat Cal. 45, Total Fat 5g (8%DV), Sat. Fat 0g (0% DV), Cholesterol < 5mg (2% DV), Sodium 140mg (6% DV), Total carb. 22g (7% DV), Fiber 4g (16% DV), Sugars 9g, Protein 11g, Vitamin A (0% DV), Vitamin C (0% DV), Calcium (10% DV), Iron (10% DV). Percent Daily Values (DV) are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Last I heard, there were precious few waterbuffalo grazing the Highlands. :-> Not to worry: any mozzarella, especially if made with milk from grass-fed local cattle, is neutral for you. Easier and cheaper than ferreting around for imports ~ any road, my marching cry is "Support Local Farmers & Ranchers!" ;-D



We discuss a number of different kinds of water here: distilled, tap water, spring water, soda, seltzer, tonic, mineral water. Distilled water has specific applications (mostly for medicinal solutions), but is a processed product and contains no trace minerals, so I don't recommend it as one's sole source of drinking water. Tap water quality varies worldwide, and should be assayed on an individual basis. Spring waters vary, too, but are generally superior day-to-day "drinking buddies." The term "soda water" in the States traditionally refers to carbonated water that contains a bit of salt. Seltzer is carbonated as well, but is usually salt-free. Tonic water is yet another fizzy variety with the addition of quinine. And mineral water is such a vast topic, it has its own website! (Feeling bloated yet? :-D) High-solids mineral waters can provide significant dietary minerals and trace elements in the form our prehistoric ancestors prized. The "still" versions are perfectly acceptable for all types, while the fizzy styles confer their digestive benefits upon Os.



Lovely to hear from you, Dorell ~ I do hope this is helpful, and thank you for writing to me!

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Hi there - A few questions from Scotland: My wife and I are trying to develop diets based on the program and we have read the recipe book BTD We would appreciate some help in identifying the status of some foods which aren't listed. Your feedback would be appreciated. Haricot beans Chick peas Also, is it ok to cook "avoid" foods together? for example, I'm an A and my wife is a B so could we cook chicken and turkey in one sauce or should avoid foods for different types be completely segregated? Thanks in advance Gil and Alison



Great questions! Haricot beans would fall under our "string bean" category ~ like the smaller "haricots verts," they grow in long pods and belong to the same family, although the Haricots you are familiar with are the mature bean out of the pod. Chickpea is also called garbanzo bean ~ ~ hmmm. I have a bit of bad news to go with that one. It's an avoid for everyone except type O secretors. sorry, wish I could do something about that one (for you, your wife and me altogether)! Perhaps cannellini, Northern beans or favas might fill the breach?



Some kinds of meat could be cooked together without harm to either party, but chicken is not one of them. Its lectin ("galectin" to be precise) sloshes out over everything. Only the egg of the chicken is spared this invasive pooker. However, if your wife cooked her beef with your turkey, your meal would remain A-edible: beef contains no galectin to wander through the dish, but rather is an avoid for As for reasons of protein concentration/digestibility. Same for beef broth: in small amounts, it won't mar your portion of the pot. Among the vegges, bean water is rife with lectin and should be kept apart. Save beef, other foods are best segregated. If you have any type AB children, please don't hate me for tripling the cooking chores! I don't make the rules, I only annoy people with them! :-}



My heart always beats a bit faster when I 'get mail' from the Celtic Nations ~ still hoping to find a note from Cornwall or the Isle of Man one of these mornings! Thank you all most warmly for stopping by ~~ Slán leat!

Both are perfectly fine. The new Polyvites are tweaked a bit for nonsecretor compliance, and are a slightly more recently-researched formulation. However, I sure do miss those beautiful vibrantly-colored glass bottles the New Chapter supps came in... don't know about you, but that's sure my number 1 criterion for choosing cars and supps! The paint job!! {just kidding!} Either one is good, Lynn, and 1000000% times better for you & your demanding 3-type BTD'ing family than the standard commercial brands. Thanks for asking! :-)



I need to take metamucil every day. I am an O non-secretor. Is this fiber compatible or would you suggest something else? I would also be interested in a book or articles about people who have been on the diet for a year or longer and what changes they feel in their health. Thank you soooo much, Sally



Hi there, Sally ~ nice idea for articles on long-term BTD'ers. I'll always publish testimonials here, as they come in! For the metamucil... if you've tried some fresh-ground flax twice per day in a smoothie, and have greens and/or a magnesium supplement, and drink plenty of water and get your exercise daily, and still need the metamucil: try Citrucel instead. It's not perfect, but Peter has suggested it as a significant improvement over Metamucil. ;-)



Hi Heidi, I'm wondering what the difference is between mineral water and seltzer water. I know seltzer water is beneficial for type O, is mineral water also? Thanks, Amber



Mineral water with natural bubbles has all the beneficial characteristics of seltzer (carbonated water) and more. Read all about it at Mineral Waters of the World! :-D



I am currently living in a country where there is no check on meat/beef quality. One does not know its origine but it is definately local. What do I do as an type O to get my daily protiens? Cees



Hi, Cees ~ if the available meat comes from local sources, pay a visit to them. See how the cattle are kept... see what they are fed... find out if they are given antibiotics or growth hormones. The best are 100% grass fed ~ next best would be grass plus some organic/biologique feed. You may find your local meats are of the very best quality. Good Luck!!



I am age 45 and going towards the menopause. I have been increasing my soya intake for sometime to help with flutuating oestrogen levels If I can't use soya what can I use instead as natural alturnatives to HRT in this peri-menopause period. Soya certainly help plump up the skin etc many thanks trisha



I don't know your blood type... but if you are a type B ~ Dong quai capsules or Motherwort tincture could be of use, and get plenty of magnesium-rich greens. If you're an O nonsecretor ~ Chasteberry, Horsetail, and Vervain are recommended, along with *active* B12, extra vitamin A and boron. There is some anecdotal evidence that Rhodiola Rosea helps Os with hot flashes. "Maca" (the powdered root of a Peruvian plant) has a strong reputation for balancing the endocrine system, with skin results similar to the ones you got from soy. As far as we know, it's effective for all types. Whatever your blood group, make sure to get adequate calcium, vitamin D and a good multivitamin like PolyVite (available on our site), and invest in the Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia for specific protocols. I hope this helps, trisha!



Dear Heidi, Dr.D'Adamo said his team would examine newer food items and add them to the list. I sent him some suggestions for candidate foods. I am especially interested in savoy cabbage. We don't have kale in Hungary, but savoy cabbage is a common item. Thank you, Rose



As the weather cools (and dries, hopefully!) here on the U.S. East Coast, I think Peter may feel more motivated to venture once more into the lab. :-) If new food values are found, you can be sure we'll post 'em ~ we've not forgotten!



My Mom is a blood type O-, she has hypertension. There is much praise for the herb Hawthorn. Is it OK for a blood type O to take Hawthorn? NAP told me it was OK for all blood types but when I got the catalog it lists Hawthorn for blood type A AB & B. What would a blood type O take for hypertension? Of course in addition to following the diet. P.S. Your doing a great job Heidi! I'm so happy for you, this new format has to be less stressful for you. Even though the message board did have it's moments this format is working very well. Love Pat



Thanks, Pat ~ you're sweet, ya made my day. ~:-} Hawthorn is fine for all blood types, but with several caveats. Its action is primarily strengthening/elasticizing blood vessel walls and increasing oxygen flow. It can interact with some HBP medications, so if your mom is taking a drug for her hypertension, then her physician would need to OK hawthorn for her. Does she get adequate potassium, magnesium and calcium? A twenty-minute exercise routine (at her level -- see my column Exercise 4 Everyone of Sept 16) 3x per week is a proven blood pressure reducer. Base her meals on meat & veg, give her a good amount of beneficial fats, and try to avoid the grains (for the moment) whenever possible. I'm yapping away about anything that comes to mind right now, but go through this and pick & choose based on your knowledge of her condition. For instance, if it is primarily stress-related, focus on exercise and supps like Rhodiola rosea and Valerian. If it is hereditary and she is very overweight, for example, look into Arjuna Myrobalan (Terminalia arjuna), Coleus forskohlii, artichoke leaf, guggul, and see if you can get her secretor status. It makes quite a difference in the diet & healing protocols when one's ill. :-) Bless you for taking such good care of your mom, and all your family! Take care of you, too, OK?

I am o type. I've been doing weightwatchers programme for 2.5 years. 2 yrs ago i gave up wheat & dairy within 3 days i didn't need my inhaler anymore. last year i did carol vordermans detox dietalongside the'w/w points' I felt good & decided to become a vegan. however since dec 2001 i feel i have been fighting a battle with my weight despite sticking to the diet & loads of exercise.



about 4 weeks ago i decided to try the o type diet. the first 2 weeks i just eliminated 1/2 tbsp a day of oats. i lost 3lbs. i decided to reintroduce fish & poultry 2 wks ago & yet to see a further weight loss. i do get an overgrowth of yeast of which i found oregano complex(biocare) helps. in the past i've had mysterious pains & rashes which the doctor can't explain but generally isn't interested in other than the usual antibiotics/antistamines/steroids. but i'm fed up with just treating the symptoms and prefer to treat the root cause.



even when i went to the doctors years ago when i kept being sick & having chest/stomach pains, he kept giving me some horrible white medicine. i had to beg for a barium meal. when the results came back as having got a duodenal ulcer & scars of having several previous, he was very surprised. when i asked him what i should do. he said 'find out what makes you sick and avoid it!' and that was that, that was easier said than done as at the time everything made me sick and i didn't know what to do.



one thing i do know now for sure is if i eat either icecream or cream even just a little bit then i am sick within 5 mins. however, i am such a 'windy' person & think i detect an improvement since doing o type diet. so hopefully other things may improve over time. i was hoping to find out my secretor status as i have a funny feeling i may be non secretor because of all my dental probs i've had over the years (or it may be due to a previous dodgy dentist!) However,i live in uk & can't find anything on website in this country to order from, despite sending message to the edgeware, middlesex clinic.



i hope you can help me to help myself by possibly sending me a website to order products from. Also if from my brief(?)resume of my medical history you could advise/enlighten me i'd be real grateful.



p.s i had been getting spotting between menstrual cycle,doctor thought it might be lack of oestrogen as body stores that in fat tissue and as i had lost 7 stone i thought it made sense at the time, but chose to take phytosterols and they worked straight away, however this month i had spotting and a nutritionist advise me to take an omega 3 & 6 supplement so the body can balance its own hormones itself which i've just started doing. but if you could give me advice to help sort my health probs out i'd be very grateful. thanking you in anticipation & if there's any further info you need (ie supplements that i'm taking) then please feel free to ask. once again thanks ~ debbie from england

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Treating the root cause is a wise approach. This plan feeds your strength and avoids foods and activities that harm you ~~ in that way, your body's natural healing abilities are freed to work without impediment.



To get the secretor test in the UK, send an email to Stacktheme.



It sounds like your nutritionist is guiding you in the right direction. You might ask him or her about using Omegasentials or something similar. This page on the Minnesota Wellness Directory site contains a link and other information about the product, including a phone number, and discusses its formulation (which may be of help if you cannot obtain the product itself from the UK).



Your post did not mention exercise, and that would be all I would want to add to what you're doing already. Exercise helps the organs to clear themselves of toxins -- especially that largest organ, the skin. Drink plenty of pure water ~ as much as you are comfortable drinking between meals. Following the diet for your secretor status with the support of your nutritionist will resolve your troubles on the "cause" level. About supplements: discuss with the nutritionist the supplements on our site here ~ see if anything would be useful, but I would rather you make food your medicine for the long run!



Thank you for writing, debbie ~ you are on the right track, and now it's just a matter of "slow and steady wins the race." Take good care, dear!! You WILL make it, and I think you'll enjoy the process!