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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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! :-}