dylan writes:

Regarding blood type pedigrees ... my husband is a type O non-secretor. He is also allergic to eggs (and mildly to chicken). Talk about a O-type 'breakfast' quagmire! We thought soy was the perfect solution after ER4YBT & CR4YBT. Then came LR4YBT and secretor status. OY! Good thing he is a good sport about food. I'm a type A secretor. ER4YBT settled a lot of food 'arguments' between us! Would that qualify for a new Saint Peter? In my book, definitely.

So I'm trying to lose weight (of course) and the dandelion suggestion was wonderful. The lectin situation is frustrating ... irreversible? Let's hope not. And I'm still struggling with understanding the carbohydrate suggestions (how much is too much). We are both relatively healthy mid-50 year olds. We work out regularly (weight training). I appreciate Dr. D'Adamo's clarification on why yoga is good for A's as most yoga 'intructors' create more cortisol for me than reduce it. Giaim's tapes are wonderful. We've both went through a tremendous traumatic experience several years ago but have healed emotionally.

My question is simple. How important is it to know the other two bits of typography for both of us -- MN and A1 or A2? Thanks for all your great work!

Hi, dylan ~~ It's always such a pleasure to hear from people who are making the BTDs work, to build better health for themselves and their loved ones! and thank you for your kind compliments!

MN type can be one of the following three:

MN: the default, and the majority (no diet changes indicated);

MM: less common, associated with increased cancer risk (several suggested diet changes); and

NN: statistically uncommon (less than 10%), primarily affecting fat metabolism. While Live Right 4 Your Type did not offer dietary adjustments based upon NN status, we now know that NN folks benefit by strictly reducing fats, especially cholesterol-containing foods, in their diets. They appear to have less ability to digest and assimilate fats.

So: Since you are a type A secretor, I would recommend getting your full serotype panel. I would say the same to an AB secretor. Why? First, because As and ABs statistically are at higher risk for cancer. DO bear in mind that these statistics are useful to us BECAUSE they compare cancer percentages (occurrence as well as outcome) among ALL types, AND they are based upon people who were NOT following the blood type diet/exercise plans!! I really want to emphasize that point. As Peter said (and I'm paraphrasing), being type A does NOT mean you should head right out and purchase your burial plot!! His books show the *way back* to where type As should be: self-possessed, healthy, and happily engaged with the world.

*whew,* OK, my passion overtook me there. Second, A secretors generally have a lower tolerance for fats, and the NN status can refine that recommendation further. ALSO, I meant to remind folks of an important aspect of following the diets: for secretors, A subtype (A2 for example) and MN type (MM, NN) will have an impact on your food choices as written in the lists. For nonsecretors, your nonsecretor status "Rules." To give an example: type A nonsecretors' lists show tomatoes listed as Neutral. For type A nonsecretor *MMs* (like my man Bryan) that status Does Not change to Beneficial. Nonsecretor status means carefully follow the nonsecretor instructions in Live Right... with one possible exception.

Only if your husband's lipid tests show high, uncontrollable cholesterol levels would I suggest you obtain his serotype panel as well. Why? He is a nonsecretor, meaning his Live Right recommendations already include everything he needs, unless he finds out he carries the NN type -- in which case I would modify his diet away from items which are high in fat, and certainly focus upon the leanest meats, poultry, fish and nuts/seeds/oils. If he finds out he is MM, no dietary changes need be made -- but I'd make sure he is well away from the customary cancer risks, such as cigarette smoke, high radon levels, high EMF radiation, etc., and pile on those dark greens, vegetables and fruits! Good clean red meats are equally important to maintaining his strong immunity.

Yes indeed, dear. Listen to the new Saint Peter! (You know he's reading this and squirming in his chair! LOL! That's OK. Sometimes our need to express praise goes a little beyond "social conventions," and it's just as well. Let 'em just get over it! :-D)

You say your husband is allergic to eggs, and mildly to chicken. That is interesting to me. I've used both with a neutral reaction, but I note that chicken does never satisfy my desire for meat protein. Could you tell me: how did he find out these allergies, and for how long has he been allergic to them? I'm wondering if extreme stresses have contributed to his inability to use these foods... also, was it only ORGANIC chickens and eggs to which he reacted?

The lectin situation... yes, it can be frustrating when we long for a thorough cleaning-out -- but certainly it is NOT irreversible! Our bodies CONSTANTLY replace every cell. At the age of 10, you possess not a single cell which you were born with. At the age of 50, you haven't a single cell of your 40-year-old body. Never think anything from the past is set in stone! It AIN'T.

About the BTD carbohydrate suggestions: I assume these are the grain and sweetener listings. How much is too much? Let's instead think about the minimum we can get away with. That's the best amount, by far. AND it changes with the seasons. In spring and summer, we can tolerate and assimilate more. In fall and winter, concentrate upon your protein and seasonal vegetables, as our ancestors would have done.

Godspeed to you, dylan, and please write again as the mood strikes!

I have read two of the eat right books, and cannot find if psyllium fiber is an avoid or neutral for group O. Can I take psyllium fiber as in metamucil? How about the orange flavoring? Thanks, S.

Psyllium isn't recommended as a regular fiber supplement for type O. Ground flaxseed stirred into water or juice is a better choice. If you prefer an over-the-counter product, Peter has noted that "Citrucel," while not perfect, is an acceptable alternative to psyllium-based blends like Metamucil.

I'm a type O negative. Can I eat oatmeal? I don't understand the difference between nonsecretor and secretor. How can I tell which I am? Also. lots of conflicting information in all the D'Adamo books about pinto beans for type O. Most of the information says beneficial, but some says avoid. What is correct? ~ Mary Ann

Oatmeal is neutral for Os, unless: you wish to lose weight, suffer from inflammatory conditions, or you're a nonsecretor. In these situations, it should be avoided. Pinto beans, in the later round of research, turned out the other way: avoid for secretor Os, neutral for nonsecretor Os. Take a look at our update log for more info on the reasons for the changes. And the secretor/nonsecretor info page will tell you all about the differences between the two!

I'm new to the diet, Type O. I've notice some discrepancies among the food lists in the different books. For example, barley and oatmeal is neutral in one book, and avoid in another. Which is correct? -- Mary Beth

The food lists have changed somewhat, due to improved testing methods and additional research. The latest books have the correct values. Live Right 4 Your Type, the Encyclopedia and TYPEbase3® contain the secretor/nonsecretor-differentiated analysis of foods, while the Food Reference and Supplement Lists have an Eat Right-style design for those who don't plan on learning their secretor status.

I have purchased your books and would like to try out the O-Type Diet, as I can see that a lot of the foods you have on the Avoid list for type O actually cause quite a bit of problems with me. As I have to make some changes and want to substitute with items available here in South Africa where I live, I wanted to know if the following items are Beneficial,Neutral or Avoid on the Type O Diet: - Rooibos Tea (also known as Red Bush Tea) it is herbal and caffeine free and the drink of choice here in South Africa - Ostrich Meat, also very popular and widely available here, very lean red meat. I would appreciate your advise. Many thanks -- Silvana (Johannesburg, South Africa)

Rooibos Tea is fine for all types. Here's more on Rooibos. Ostrich is listed in the later books (Live Right and the Encyclopedia) and in TYPEbase3®. It is Neutral for everyone ... except me. (That is to say, I'm an O nonsecretor, for whom it is Beneficial. :->)

What about chicken liver for type o's? -- Melinda

Os make shopping at the butcher's a breeze. All you have to remember is what you can't have, which ain't much. The only three avoids in the meat/poultry list for type O secretors are . The status of organ meats follows the status of the animal from which it comes. Enjoy your chicken liver!



Thanks, everybody!!

I'm a 'B' and in the list I can have white flour Does this mean all porpose flour?

Hi, Heather! Read the label of the flour you plan to purchase. If it has no additives, then it's fine. The average type B allowance in Live Right 4 Your Type is around 5-7 cups of dry grain or pasta per week, which includes any baked goods (bread or bagels or muffins, etc.) you might have. In other words, try to keep it to around one serving per day, and don't forget yer beneficial meats, fish, vegetables and dairy! ("OK, Mom!!" ;-))

I'm interested in using various products containing xylitol; however, the main sources of commercially produced xylitol are corn cobs and birch bark. As a B, I'm supposed to avoid corn so I'm assuming that I should avoid xylitol. Am I correct in my assumption?

Hello, Elvi! I don't have solid evidence as to whether the troublesome lectin in corn survives the chemical processing involved in making xylitol, a "sugar alcohol." It's highly unlikely.

However, browsing around the Net, I came across a fact sheet on industrial production and handling of this substance, and thought I would pass it on to you for your evaluation. It has some interesting reading on the hazards involved. Not sure what to make of it: what do you think? It's on the Kaddesh Company site. They are Korean pharmaceutical/chemical manufacturers and traders.

The more important concern with xylitol is that roughly 50% of people who use it experience extreme intestinal gas. So be careful!

I drink a lot of green tea and have recently added rooibos tea from South Africa to my diet after learning that it provides lots of antioxidants (many more times the green tea quantity). I am a Type B secretor. Can you validate the usefulness of this product for antioxidants and let me know if there is any adverse 'B' reaction? Thanks.

Hi, Patrick! Rooibos ("redbush," "rotbush" (don't be alarmed: in German, "rot" means "red"!)) tea appears to confer a number of health benefits. Its combination of oligosaccharides, flavanoids and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity pack a powerful antioxidant effect in a tasty package. I would only note in passing that if you have naturally very low blood pressure, it might lower it yet more. If it causes dizziness, try to limit or discontinue it. At present, it has no known ABO bioactivity ~~ so... Enjoy!

Thanks to all you type B nomads for stopping in!! :-D