On The Diet with Heidi Merritt http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php?blog=9 en-US http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 A Very Personal Journey, Type B ~~ Cooking Oils? ~~ and... the sincerest form of flattery? ;-D http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2010/01/10/a-very-personal-journey-type-b-cooking-o?blog=9 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 12:51:00 +0000 admin On The Diet 3500@http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/ <p><br /><br /><br /><br />Hi Heidi, Sorry for the delay in my response. <br /><br />I appreciate your comments and suggested self-questioning - I wrote to you because I wanted your opinion. <br /><br />In fact, your suggestions helped me realize that at that time, and maybe for quite some time, I did feel not-in-control of my eating (at the very least). And, I guess I was looking for a quick-and dirty fix, rather than remembering that I am a self-empowered individual in control of my own life. <br /><br />That being said, your questions weren't very helpful in themselves. It may surprise you but actually, for all my parents faults, they never forced us to be vegetarian - at a young age, it was a decision I made after eating meat and noticing how I felt about it. Furthermore, for all the ways my mother did try to control me, she never gave us any problems about food (no force-feeding of foods we didn't want, cleaning your plate rules, etc.) I think she conciously wanted to give us a healthy attitude toward something she considered a basic need, and maybe break from something her mother forced on her. <br /><br />But, I want to empasize that your suggested self-questioning helped me remember that, and reminded me that I can make my own choices about what I do and don't eat at any given moment. <br /><br />The result was that I started being able to have a little dialogue with my body about food - very new thing for me, as I am usually very disconnected from my body. <br /><br />Then I came to the realization that this was less about food and more about something dealing with not wanting to take care of myself (I noticed problems in other areas of my life too.) <br /><br />So, the first thing I allowed my self to do was not eat if I didn't want to. I started drinking water if I felt hungry, and then I found I was drinking a lot of water (a good thing I think.) Very soon after that decision, one night I fell asleep at around 5pm (unusual for me) and woke up in a couple hours stomach rumbling out of control so hungry that I wanted to eat. I got a take-out of an Indian spinich dish, a mixed veggie dish with rice (there probably was some tomato in there, but I decided to accept that for the time being. I'll work on the tomato problem later.) <br /><br />My breakfasts and lunches had been kind of crummy - excess coffee and juice breakfast, sometimes candy then fruit for lunch. After that evening, I started making eggs for breakfast along with excess coffee and juice - no candy. Then, I notice I was getting nausea and gas. I finally realized the blatantly obvious - that I was drinking too much coffee and probably eating too much suger (even if its good sugar from fruit and juice) and not enough real food. <br /><br />I also noticed the anxiety I had been feeling all along, and the physical symptoms of it. I started my regular vitamins: taking B-complex, MSM, Vitamin C, DHA and Black Currant Seed oil, and also added ginger and turmeric (I know those last two are foods, but this way I take them with little fuss.) <br /><br />Now, I am eating two decent meals a day, about 85% compliant and don't feel any GI trouble. I'm going to add some thing from the Intestinal Health Protocol (Mg, OPC's) and cutting back on the coffee (in particular, I hope Magnesium to help with bowel movements, not to mention needed nutrition.) <br /><br />For now, as far as food goes, I guess now I'm going for finding knowledge as a hypothesis, experimenting with it, and seeing what my body tells me about it, and then coming to conclusions. I know that it should be obvious that if I eat potato chips and coke for lunch and dinner, then My intestines I going to flip out the next day, but somehow its a different way of knowing when I actually experience it, and very motivating not to do it again. <img src="http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/rsc/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt="&#58;&#41;" class="middle" /> <br /><br />Maybe this is a bit annoying to you, but I guess I'm just happy that I'm not flipping out about food anymore. --Shima <br /><br /><b>Hey there Shima! I'm not annoyed, I'm ecstatic! <br /><br />This is a beautiful essay, and I thank you very sincerely for posting it here. I hope you don't mind my saying that it's ... very "B!" ;-) and very personal to you, which is the most important aspect of this kind of exploration. All you need to learn, you can teach yourself from what will arise from within yourself. This is your power. Bringing it out into the open and living it is a spectacular experience. <br /><br />I think you've found your way, and I believe it will be a fulfilling one for you, in ways yet to be discovered! enjoy it... and write again when the spirit moves you! :-D </b><br /><br /><br /></p><hr /><p><br /><br /> Recently Jim posted about the dangers of frying in olive oil. I do not recall reading about htis in ANY of Dr. D's books. Frankly, I saute in olive oil and for my kids, I fry potatos in olive oil. Does Dr. D consider this unwise??? Devora <br /><br /><b>Hi, Devora! Nice to hear from you! <br /><br />I can't speak for Dr. D., but a good rule of thumb with oil is: it's fine so long as the oil does not change color (toward brown) or smoke. For high-heat cooking, grapeseed or rice bran oil is a good choice for all types. Best wishes, dear! :-D </b><br /><br /><br /></p><hr /><p><br /><br /> Hi Heidi, Thanks again for many of your helpful posts. <br /><br />I was reading through a feature about football players the other day, and found that many of them, eg: Ricky Williams and Tim Brown, go to a nutritionist called Sari Mellman in Miami to have their blood analysed and a diet worked out for them. <br /><br />I then checked her website and found out that she basically writes out personalised BTDs for $3000 a time. Yet at no time does she ever mention the BTD specifically, or Peter D'Adamo. <br /><br />Have you ever heard of her, and is there any advantage to having an individual's blood analysed? Thanks once again Paul<br /><br /><b>Hello, Paul! Never heard of Ms. Mellman, but I conjecture that a number of savvy practitioners in certain upscale markets are doing much the same. It's likely, because this system works... and while the alt-med smart folk will have explored it thoroughly over the past 9 years and most likely integrated it into their practices, most clients (unfortunately) wouldn't know the source of the system itself.<br /><br />The price may not be so astronomical as it first appears, depending on the service she provides. She may be ordering Indican tests and full serotypes, along with thyroid/lipid/liver/mineral panels as well as hair analysis &amp; saliva secretor tests. Then there would be a counselling module, with feedback and adjustments and new recommendations. There are certainly benefits to having this information. (All this supposes she's doing her job right. ;->) <br /><br />Anyway, that fee is pocket change for pro football players, and even if they get nothing but a diet sheet, most of them will see their performance improve. <br /><br />It's a bit of a sticky thing to judge as to whether it's professional banditry or the highest form of admiration -- time will tell! At least we'll have healthier football pros, and then their family and friends, and then... who knows? :-D </b><br /><br /><br /></p><hr /><p><br /><br /></p> <div class="sharethis"> <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript"> SHARETHIS.addEntry( { title : 'A Very Personal Journey, Type B ~~ Cooking Oils? ~~ and... the sincerest form of flattery? ;-D', url : 'http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2010/01/10/a-very-personal-journey-type-b-cooking-o?blog=9'}, { button: true } ) ; </script></div> <div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2010/01/10/a-very-personal-journey-type-b-cooking-o?blog=9">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div>



Hi Heidi, Sorry for the delay in my response.

I appreciate your comments and suggested self-questioning - I wrote to you because I wanted your opinion.

In fact, your suggestions helped me realize that at that time, and maybe for quite some time, I did feel not-in-control of my eating (at the very least). And, I guess I was looking for a quick-and dirty fix, rather than remembering that I am a self-empowered individual in control of my own life.

That being said, your questions weren't very helpful in themselves. It may surprise you but actually, for all my parents faults, they never forced us to be vegetarian - at a young age, it was a decision I made after eating meat and noticing how I felt about it. Furthermore, for all the ways my mother did try to control me, she never gave us any problems about food (no force-feeding of foods we didn't want, cleaning your plate rules, etc.) I think she conciously wanted to give us a healthy attitude toward something she considered a basic need, and maybe break from something her mother forced on her.

But, I want to empasize that your suggested self-questioning helped me remember that, and reminded me that I can make my own choices about what I do and don't eat at any given moment.

The result was that I started being able to have a little dialogue with my body about food - very new thing for me, as I am usually very disconnected from my body.

Then I came to the realization that this was less about food and more about something dealing with not wanting to take care of myself (I noticed problems in other areas of my life too.)

So, the first thing I allowed my self to do was not eat if I didn't want to. I started drinking water if I felt hungry, and then I found I was drinking a lot of water (a good thing I think.) Very soon after that decision, one night I fell asleep at around 5pm (unusual for me) and woke up in a couple hours stomach rumbling out of control so hungry that I wanted to eat. I got a take-out of an Indian spinich dish, a mixed veggie dish with rice (there probably was some tomato in there, but I decided to accept that for the time being. I'll work on the tomato problem later.)

My breakfasts and lunches had been kind of crummy - excess coffee and juice breakfast, sometimes candy then fruit for lunch. After that evening, I started making eggs for breakfast along with excess coffee and juice - no candy. Then, I notice I was getting nausea and gas. I finally realized the blatantly obvious - that I was drinking too much coffee and probably eating too much suger (even if its good sugar from fruit and juice) and not enough real food.

I also noticed the anxiety I had been feeling all along, and the physical symptoms of it. I started my regular vitamins: taking B-complex, MSM, Vitamin C, DHA and Black Currant Seed oil, and also added ginger and turmeric (I know those last two are foods, but this way I take them with little fuss.)

Now, I am eating two decent meals a day, about 85% compliant and don't feel any GI trouble. I'm going to add some thing from the Intestinal Health Protocol (Mg, OPC's) and cutting back on the coffee (in particular, I hope Magnesium to help with bowel movements, not to mention needed nutrition.)

For now, as far as food goes, I guess now I'm going for finding knowledge as a hypothesis, experimenting with it, and seeing what my body tells me about it, and then coming to conclusions. I know that it should be obvious that if I eat potato chips and coke for lunch and dinner, then My intestines I going to flip out the next day, but somehow its a different way of knowing when I actually experience it, and very motivating not to do it again. :)

Maybe this is a bit annoying to you, but I guess I'm just happy that I'm not flipping out about food anymore. --Shima

Hey there Shima! I'm not annoyed, I'm ecstatic!

This is a beautiful essay, and I thank you very sincerely for posting it here. I hope you don't mind my saying that it's ... very "B!" ;-) and very personal to you, which is the most important aspect of this kind of exploration. All you need to learn, you can teach yourself from what will arise from within yourself. This is your power. Bringing it out into the open and living it is a spectacular experience.

I think you've found your way, and I believe it will be a fulfilling one for you, in ways yet to be discovered! enjoy it... and write again when the spirit moves you! :-D




Recently Jim posted about the dangers of frying in olive oil. I do not recall reading about htis in ANY of Dr. D's books. Frankly, I saute in olive oil and for my kids, I fry potatos in olive oil. Does Dr. D consider this unwise??? Devora

Hi, Devora! Nice to hear from you!

I can't speak for Dr. D., but a good rule of thumb with oil is: it's fine so long as the oil does not change color (toward brown) or smoke. For high-heat cooking, grapeseed or rice bran oil is a good choice for all types. Best wishes, dear! :-D




Hi Heidi, Thanks again for many of your helpful posts.

I was reading through a feature about football players the other day, and found that many of them, eg: Ricky Williams and Tim Brown, go to a nutritionist called Sari Mellman in Miami to have their blood analysed and a diet worked out for them.

I then checked her website and found out that she basically writes out personalised BTDs for $3000 a time. Yet at no time does she ever mention the BTD specifically, or Peter D'Adamo.

Have you ever heard of her, and is there any advantage to having an individual's blood analysed? Thanks once again Paul

Hello, Paul! Never heard of Ms. Mellman, but I conjecture that a number of savvy practitioners in certain upscale markets are doing much the same. It's likely, because this system works... and while the alt-med smart folk will have explored it thoroughly over the past 9 years and most likely integrated it into their practices, most clients (unfortunately) wouldn't know the source of the system itself.

The price may not be so astronomical as it first appears, depending on the service she provides. She may be ordering Indican tests and full serotypes, along with thyroid/lipid/liver/mineral panels as well as hair analysis & saliva secretor tests. Then there would be a counselling module, with feedback and adjustments and new recommendations. There are certainly benefits to having this information. (All this supposes she's doing her job right. ;->)

Anyway, that fee is pocket change for pro football players, and even if they get nothing but a diet sheet, most of them will see their performance improve.

It's a bit of a sticky thing to judge as to whether it's professional banditry or the highest form of admiration -- time will tell! At least we'll have healthier football pros, and then their family and friends, and then... who knows? :-D




Original post blogged on b2evolution.

]]> http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2010/01/10/a-very-personal-journey-type-b-cooking-o?blog=9#comments Type A with No More Anemia ~ O with Restless Leg Syndrome ..And More! http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2010/01/05/type-a-with-no-more-anemia-o-with-restle?blog=9 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:51:00 +0000 admin On The Diet 3609@http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/ <p><br /><br />Comment on A with anaemia... <br /><br />I am an A and I used to get turned away from blood donors with low iron levels. Since I went on BTD (3 years) - no problem!!! but not eating any red meat (well a bit of lamb sometimes) How would conventional docs explain that!? <br /><br />Keep up the good work, love the colimn K<br /><br /><b>Thanks, K! Nice work there, and if you're an A nonsecretor, lamb is neutral for you! I appreciate the happy report! :-)</b><br /><br /><br /></p><hr /><p><br /><br /> Hi, I am O+ and have been following the diet since Jan. I have the restless leg thing off and on and was hoping the diet would take care of it. But it's back for the last 3 or 4 days. Do you have any advice? Help! Pam.<br /><br /><b>Greetings, Pam! Welcome!! <br /><br />I'd like to help! In order to do so, could you tell me what your exercise schedule is like? and whether you do any form of meditation or yoga? Write again, and I'll do my best to help you! :-)</b><br /><br /><br /></p><hr /><p><br /><br /> Cyperus Esculentus (Tiger Nut) Could you kindly advise me on the nutritional value of the tiger nut or can you refer me to a reliable source? I eat it a lot as a roughage/fibre but I would like to know its other value and what it combines well with and also if it could be harmful in anyway. I would appreciate any information. Regards, Addai <br /><br /><b>Hello, Addai ~ We have no rating for tiger nut, so it properly may be considered an "unknown" and used as a "neutral" by healthy, average-weight people. <br /><br />Tiger nut is actually a grass tuber. It sounds like an interesting plant, and I'd never heard of it before. Apparently it's one of the 'weeds' traded for food, animal feed and construction materials in Niger. For a time, there was a program in Florida, USA raising tiger nut for hog feed. Wonder what it tastes like? ;-)<br /><br />Anyway, thank you for bringing it to my attention. I did a little Net reading, and it appears that a Catalan research group is looking for a manufacturer for their beverage product made from tiger nut, quinoa extract and alpha-amylase type enzymes. The maltodextrin component resulting from that process may put it in an 'avoid' category for virtually all BTD'ers, but the idea is provocative.<br /><br />Best wishes, and welcome! do write again! :-)</b><br /><br /><br /></p><hr /><p><br /><br /> OOOOOOOOOO HEIDI -- I AM SOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!! Thanks, first of all, for the response yesterday. <br /><br />WHAT a difference a day makes.....I answered the phone this morning (it was a lady with an Avon order - yep, I sell Avon in my "spare" LOL time) and during the conversation - don't ask me why -- she asked if I would be interested in buying ORGANIC GROUND BEEF!!! Apparently, the farmer is in a little town just an hour from us!! and, it gets better, she and another couple of ladies are trying to get a CO-OP going in our town!! INTERESTED, I nearly gave her the whole Avon product line free - LOL!! <br /><br />Anyway, I am going to see her today and find out if we will be able to get other cuts of beef as well. Apparently one of the stores here is already selling the farmer's organic eggs - breakfast will be pure!! YES!! can you see I'm excited - <br /><br />OH, and guess what? THIS will make everyone green eyed - the price? I think she must have made a mistake -- $1.35 a lb. (and THAT's Canadian dollars). I think it is probably right though, because this is a small town with 45% retired people and the rest make very low wages, so the price would have to be really reasonable to be able to sell it. I feel great even though I am fighting off another cold!! <br /><br />Even Ron is happy about it (hubby) - he (sort of) follows the diet now too! Well gotta go - YAHOOOOOOOO will keep you posted. love sue P.S. - thanks for the website on Magnesium - tried that one too about 3 years ago, sorry to say it didn't work. 5HTP and Catechol also failed for me. sue (O-neg)<br /><br /><b>Hey there! See, organic beef was only one town away, and clean eggs are coming almost straight to your door. Rejoice! :-D <br /><br />That price is very nice, and I congratulate you on drawing that wonderful knowledge to yourself. HOO-rah! <br /><br />Yeah, you know what? I think we talked about that magnesium/depression site three years ago, because it looked so familiar when I came upon it. Probably because of you! <br /><br />Keep exercising that great energy, and enjoy your newfound farmer. ;-) blessings, dear! </b><br /><br /><br /></p><hr /><p><br /><br /> <br /><br /></p> <div class="sharethis"> <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript"> SHARETHIS.addEntry( { title : 'Type A with No More Anemia ~ O with Restless Leg Syndrome ..And More!', url : 'http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2010/01/05/type-a-with-no-more-anemia-o-with-restle?blog=9'}, { button: true } ) ; </script></div> <div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2010/01/05/type-a-with-no-more-anemia-o-with-restle?blog=9">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div>

Comment on A with anaemia...

I am an A and I used to get turned away from blood donors with low iron levels. Since I went on BTD (3 years) - no problem!!! but not eating any red meat (well a bit of lamb sometimes) How would conventional docs explain that!?

Keep up the good work, love the colimn K

Thanks, K! Nice work there, and if you're an A nonsecretor, lamb is neutral for you! I appreciate the happy report! :-)




Hi, I am O+ and have been following the diet since Jan. I have the restless leg thing off and on and was hoping the diet would take care of it. But it's back for the last 3 or 4 days. Do you have any advice? Help! Pam.

Greetings, Pam! Welcome!!

I'd like to help! In order to do so, could you tell me what your exercise schedule is like? and whether you do any form of meditation or yoga? Write again, and I'll do my best to help you! :-)




Cyperus Esculentus (Tiger Nut) Could you kindly advise me on the nutritional value of the tiger nut or can you refer me to a reliable source? I eat it a lot as a roughage/fibre but I would like to know its other value and what it combines well with and also if it could be harmful in anyway. I would appreciate any information. Regards, Addai

Hello, Addai ~ We have no rating for tiger nut, so it properly may be considered an "unknown" and used as a "neutral" by healthy, average-weight people.

Tiger nut is actually a grass tuber. It sounds like an interesting plant, and I'd never heard of it before. Apparently it's one of the 'weeds' traded for food, animal feed and construction materials in Niger. For a time, there was a program in Florida, USA raising tiger nut for hog feed. Wonder what it tastes like? ;-)

Anyway, thank you for bringing it to my attention. I did a little Net reading, and it appears that a Catalan research group is looking for a manufacturer for their beverage product made from tiger nut, quinoa extract and alpha-amylase type enzymes. The maltodextrin component resulting from that process may put it in an 'avoid' category for virtually all BTD'ers, but the idea is provocative.

Best wishes, and welcome! do write again! :-)




OOOOOOOOOO HEIDI -- I AM SOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!! Thanks, first of all, for the response yesterday.

WHAT a difference a day makes.....I answered the phone this morning (it was a lady with an Avon order - yep, I sell Avon in my "spare" LOL time) and during the conversation - don't ask me why -- she asked if I would be interested in buying ORGANIC GROUND BEEF!!! Apparently, the farmer is in a little town just an hour from us!! and, it gets better, she and another couple of ladies are trying to get a CO-OP going in our town!! INTERESTED, I nearly gave her the whole Avon product line free - LOL!!

Anyway, I am going to see her today and find out if we will be able to get other cuts of beef as well. Apparently one of the stores here is already selling the farmer's organic eggs - breakfast will be pure!! YES!! can you see I'm excited -

OH, and guess what? THIS will make everyone green eyed - the price? I think she must have made a mistake -- $1.35 a lb. (and THAT's Canadian dollars). I think it is probably right though, because this is a small town with 45% retired people and the rest make very low wages, so the price would have to be really reasonable to be able to sell it. I feel great even though I am fighting off another cold!!

Even Ron is happy about it (hubby) - he (sort of) follows the diet now too! Well gotta go - YAHOOOOOOOO will keep you posted. love sue P.S. - thanks for the website on Magnesium - tried that one too about 3 years ago, sorry to say it didn't work. 5HTP and Catechol also failed for me. sue (O-neg)

Hey there! See, organic beef was only one town away, and clean eggs are coming almost straight to your door. Rejoice! :-D

That price is very nice, and I congratulate you on drawing that wonderful knowledge to yourself. HOO-rah!

Yeah, you know what? I think we talked about that magnesium/depression site three years ago, because it looked so familiar when I came upon it. Probably because of you!

Keep exercising that great energy, and enjoy your newfound farmer. ;-) blessings, dear!






Original post blogged on b2evolution.

]]> http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2010/01/05/type-a-with-no-more-anemia-o-with-restle?blog=9#comments Time for an OTD Potpourri http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/08/13/time-for-an-otd-potpourri?blog=9 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:51:00 +0000 admin On The Diet 3480@http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/ <p><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Some quick and varied Q&amp;A:</b><br /><br /><br /><br />Hi Heidi... Nice to "see" you again. Now that the new meal replacement bars are here...is there any way of figuring out servings of what food type are in them?? I'm thinking of portion control as prescribed in LRFYT. (grains, dairy, etc.) Linda<br /><br /><br /><br /><b>The bars carry that information on the label, and we'll soon post it in the ABO Bar store pages for reference before buying. They were designed with blood-group protein/carb/fat proportions in mind, so I think you'll be pleased!</b><br /><br /><br /><br />I am a Type A non-secretor. In ERFYT I noticed that Beta-carotene was listed as an AVOID for Type A. In the 2002 product catalog of The Blood Type Store I find Beta-carotene included in supplements formulated for Type A. Could not find Beta-carotene in the errata page or the database. Please advise re: Beta-carotene and Type A. Thank you. Richard <br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Some recommendations have changed since 1996, and can be found in detail in the <a href="http://www.4yourtype.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ED004">>Encyclopedia</a>.</b><br /><br /><br /><br />I would like to point out a discrepancy involving the book "Eat Right for your Blood Type" and the booklet "Eat Right:Type AB". In the book the list of foods says coffee is "beneficial" but the booklet puts coffee in the "avoid" list. Please help! I dont know whether to drink coffee anymore... Also, the book Live Right for Your Blood Type puts pineapple in "beneficial" at one page (for blood type A<img src="http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/rsc/smilies/icon_cool.gif" alt="&#66;&#41;" class="middle" /> and in another column pineapple is listed as "neutral". I hope you can help to clarify these queries. Thank you. -alina<br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Pineapple has two listings: one for the whole fruit, one for the juice. The coffee status is an update ~ a refinement to the original findings. It's still a rather new science, but we expect more additions than changes from here on in. Thanks for your patience!</b><br /><br /><br /><br />I am Type A and am confused as to being told on one hand - during dtox followed by candida cleanse - I was totally not to eat peanut butter - now the cleanses are finished (successfully) I am on Type A plan and peanut butter is supposedly highly beneficial - please can you clarify which this is for me as I am trying to follow this plan to the letter. Is it because of the preservatives they put in peanut butter and if so, would organic, no preservative peanut butter exist. Thank you. Hilary<br /><br /><br /><br /><b>I can confirm that peanuts are beneficial for type A. Organic peanut butter can be found in health food stores nationwide ~ Marantha is one of many well-known brands. Talk to the manager of your local shop!</b><br /><br /><br /><br />I heard that the good bacterias in yogurt is good for you. I'm a type O. Can I have soy yogurt? It's not a dairy product. Thanks. Carol <br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Sure ~ just remember to check the ingredients of anything you buy, to guard against avoids and make sure it really is what it says it is. Bear in mind that if you are a nonsecretor, soy is an avoid.</b><br /><br /><br /><br />I have read two of the eat right books, and cannot find if psyllium fiber is an avoid or neutral for group O. Thanks, S.<br /><br /><br /><br /><b>Psyllium isn't recommended for Os. Instead, get some flaxseed (brown or gold) and grind a tablespoon or two at a time in an electric coffee grinder. Whole flaxseed keeps a LONG time in the fridge.</b><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><hr /><p><br /><br /></p> <div class="sharethis"> <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript"> SHARETHIS.addEntry( { title : 'Time for an OTD Potpourri', url : 'http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/08/13/time-for-an-otd-potpourri?blog=9'}, { button: true } ) ; </script></div> <div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/08/13/time-for-an-otd-potpourri?blog=9">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div>



Some quick and varied Q&A:



Hi Heidi... Nice to "see" you again. Now that the new meal replacement bars are here...is there any way of figuring out servings of what food type are in them?? I'm thinking of portion control as prescribed in LRFYT. (grains, dairy, etc.) Linda



The bars carry that information on the label, and we'll soon post it in the ABO Bar store pages for reference before buying. They were designed with blood-group protein/carb/fat proportions in mind, so I think you'll be pleased!



I am a Type A non-secretor. In ERFYT I noticed that Beta-carotene was listed as an AVOID for Type A. In the 2002 product catalog of The Blood Type Store I find Beta-carotene included in supplements formulated for Type A. Could not find Beta-carotene in the errata page or the database. Please advise re: Beta-carotene and Type A. Thank you. Richard



Some recommendations have changed since 1996, and can be found in detail in the >Encyclopedia.



I would like to point out a discrepancy involving the book "Eat Right for your Blood Type" and the booklet "Eat Right:Type AB". In the book the list of foods says coffee is "beneficial" but the booklet puts coffee in the "avoid" list. Please help! I dont know whether to drink coffee anymore... Also, the book Live Right for Your Blood Type puts pineapple in "beneficial" at one page (for blood type AB) and in another column pineapple is listed as "neutral". I hope you can help to clarify these queries. Thank you. -alina



Pineapple has two listings: one for the whole fruit, one for the juice. The coffee status is an update ~ a refinement to the original findings. It's still a rather new science, but we expect more additions than changes from here on in. Thanks for your patience!



I am Type A and am confused as to being told on one hand - during dtox followed by candida cleanse - I was totally not to eat peanut butter - now the cleanses are finished (successfully) I am on Type A plan and peanut butter is supposedly highly beneficial - please can you clarify which this is for me as I am trying to follow this plan to the letter. Is it because of the preservatives they put in peanut butter and if so, would organic, no preservative peanut butter exist. Thank you. Hilary



I can confirm that peanuts are beneficial for type A. Organic peanut butter can be found in health food stores nationwide ~ Marantha is one of many well-known brands. Talk to the manager of your local shop!



I heard that the good bacterias in yogurt is good for you. I'm a type O. Can I have soy yogurt? It's not a dairy product. Thanks. Carol



Sure ~ just remember to check the ingredients of anything you buy, to guard against avoids and make sure it really is what it says it is. Bear in mind that if you are a nonsecretor, soy is an avoid.



I have read two of the eat right books, and cannot find if psyllium fiber is an avoid or neutral for group O. Thanks, S.



Psyllium isn't recommended for Os. Instead, get some flaxseed (brown or gold) and grind a tablespoon or two at a time in an electric coffee grinder. Whole flaxseed keeps a LONG time in the fridge.






Original post blogged on b2evolution.

]]> http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/08/13/time-for-an-otd-potpourri?blog=9#comments Considering Gastric Bypass Surgery? http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/08/08/considering-gastric-bypass-surgery?blog=9 Sat, 08 Aug 2009 11:51:00 +0000 admin On The Diet 3502@http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/ <p><br /><br /><br /><br /><b>One of the readers offered this account, and since I am asked so often about the procedure and what to expect, I imagine there are many folks who would be interested in reading it. <br /><br />To me, it is more an object lesson in belief systems than anything else, but it certainly describes a not-uncommon outcome of this particular surgery. </b><br /><br />Dear Heidi, <br /><br />I know of a middle age person who weighs 200 lbs. and had a gastric bypass 5 weeks ago. <br /><br />For 2 weeks PTA, this person had daily epigastric pain lasting 1 to 3 hours. They finally went to the E.D. and were treated for dehydration and sent home. <br /><br />The next day they went to their surgeon's office and was admitted to the hosp. There they subsequently started having bright red blood emesis and stools. They were scoped and an ulcer was visualised and cauterised. <br /><br />They continued to bleed so they were scoped again and a clot was moved and the splenic artery started spurting out blood. They were taken to the O.R. for emergent surgery and revision of their gastric bypass. <br /><br />Two other surgeons were called into the O.R.. They ran out of O, RH- blood so this person received O pos. blood for 24 hours. Their SBP was in the 60s and 70s despite massive fluid resuscitation. Their cardiac monitor showed runs of nonsustained SVT and VT. <br /><br />After 4 days, they were finally able to come off the ventilator and the first words out of their mouth was what a great surgeon they had because this surgeon was able to save their life!!! How thankful and appreciative they are for this great gastric bypass surgeon! I didn't say this but I was thinking they wouldn't need to have their life saved if they never had the gastric bypass surgery in the first place! <br /><br />This "gastric bypass person" who came in "dehydrated" has now gone 4 days with out any nutrition(only received regular i.v. fluid). I asked the surgeon about giving them some nutrition and the reply was, I'm not feeding them thru a groin line and the gut isn't ready yet. <br /><br />This person is so weak they can barely breathe and the pain and suffering they have gone thru is UNREAL!!!Other than being over weight this was a healthy person before surgery. <br /><br />I don't understand how anyone in their right mind could ask to have a gastric bypass surgery. I have followed the BTD diet for several years and have never been healthier!! I eat all I want and never go hungry and my est. body fat is 20%, I'm female. I turned to the BTD because I was over weight and my healh was deteriorating. I can never thank you and Dr.D'Adamo enough for all the help I have received. Please sign this anonymous, for confidential reasons. <br /><br /><b>Thank you, dear! I know people who've had this surgery -- because they wanted to "eat what they want." The thing that never occurs to them is that eating what they want created the excess weight... and continuing to eat what they want will return them to their former state, except that now they'll have the complications of major surgery to contend with as well.<br /><br />The BTD <i>changes</i> what you "want to eat!" That, to me, sets it utterly apart from any other diet program. In addition, it solves the weight problems while sneakily working behind the scenes in a multitude of other ways -- so while you're slimming and trimming, you feel marvelous -- and keep discovering little happy "side effects" as time goes on. <br /><br />Worth mentioning, and passing on to others! :-D </b><br /><br /></p> <div class="sharethis"> <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript"> SHARETHIS.addEntry( { title : 'Considering Gastric Bypass Surgery?', url : 'http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/08/08/considering-gastric-bypass-surgery?blog=9'}, { button: true } ) ; </script></div> <div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/08/08/considering-gastric-bypass-surgery?blog=9">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div>



One of the readers offered this account, and since I am asked so often about the procedure and what to expect, I imagine there are many folks who would be interested in reading it.

To me, it is more an object lesson in belief systems than anything else, but it certainly describes a not-uncommon outcome of this particular surgery.

Dear Heidi,

I know of a middle age person who weighs 200 lbs. and had a gastric bypass 5 weeks ago.

For 2 weeks PTA, this person had daily epigastric pain lasting 1 to 3 hours. They finally went to the E.D. and were treated for dehydration and sent home.

The next day they went to their surgeon's office and was admitted to the hosp. There they subsequently started having bright red blood emesis and stools. They were scoped and an ulcer was visualised and cauterised.

They continued to bleed so they were scoped again and a clot was moved and the splenic artery started spurting out blood. They were taken to the O.R. for emergent surgery and revision of their gastric bypass.

Two other surgeons were called into the O.R.. They ran out of O, RH- blood so this person received O pos. blood for 24 hours. Their SBP was in the 60s and 70s despite massive fluid resuscitation. Their cardiac monitor showed runs of nonsustained SVT and VT.

After 4 days, they were finally able to come off the ventilator and the first words out of their mouth was what a great surgeon they had because this surgeon was able to save their life!!! How thankful and appreciative they are for this great gastric bypass surgeon! I didn't say this but I was thinking they wouldn't need to have their life saved if they never had the gastric bypass surgery in the first place!

This "gastric bypass person" who came in "dehydrated" has now gone 4 days with out any nutrition(only received regular i.v. fluid). I asked the surgeon about giving them some nutrition and the reply was, I'm not feeding them thru a groin line and the gut isn't ready yet.

This person is so weak they can barely breathe and the pain and suffering they have gone thru is UNREAL!!!Other than being over weight this was a healthy person before surgery.

I don't understand how anyone in their right mind could ask to have a gastric bypass surgery. I have followed the BTD diet for several years and have never been healthier!! I eat all I want and never go hungry and my est. body fat is 20%, I'm female. I turned to the BTD because I was over weight and my healh was deteriorating. I can never thank you and Dr.D'Adamo enough for all the help I have received. Please sign this anonymous, for confidential reasons.

Thank you, dear! I know people who've had this surgery -- because they wanted to "eat what they want." The thing that never occurs to them is that eating what they want created the excess weight... and continuing to eat what they want will return them to their former state, except that now they'll have the complications of major surgery to contend with as well.

The BTD changes what you "want to eat!" That, to me, sets it utterly apart from any other diet program. In addition, it solves the weight problems while sneakily working behind the scenes in a multitude of other ways -- so while you're slimming and trimming, you feel marvelous -- and keep discovering little happy "side effects" as time goes on.

Worth mentioning, and passing on to others! :-D

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

]]> http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/08/08/considering-gastric-bypass-surgery?blog=9#comments Yet more Potpourri 4 A & B! http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/08/01/yet-more-potpourri-4-a-aamp-b?blog=9 Sat, 01 Aug 2009 11:51:00 +0000 admin On The Diet 3450@http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/ <p><br /><br /><br /><i>I am a Type A and would like to know what to eat to gain weight. I have always relied on dairy products (ice cream, cheese etc.) to maintain my weight (I have always been underweight - 5'5" 105-110#). What would be good to eat between meals? Laura </i><br /><br />Just following your A diet should normalize your weight. Eat your full quota of acceptable grains and fish/fowl. A couple of tips: eat in a relaxed frame of mind, chew thoroughly, and relax a bit with some soothing music after your meal. Yoga is great for harmonizing your endocrine system, calming your digestion, and encouraging development of active body mass. The Pilates system is a fine method to build muscle on those delicate bones of yours! <br /><br /><i>In the book "Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia" on p. 582 there is listed Wild Yam (Dioscora) being beneficial for Type O, but it does not say anything about the other blood types. I am an A non-secretor and I would like to know if the wild yam is a neutral or an avoid. I would also like to know the answer for the other blood types for this supplement. Thank you so much for your time and effort. Marilee </i><br /><br />I don't have an authoritative value for wild yams as such, Marilee. All I can offer is that "true yams" are an avoid for all type As ~ beneficial for Bs and ABs ~ and neutral for Os. Wild yams and and the yams in our food lists are both <i>Dioscorea villosa</i>. Therefore, the values for both must be identical. :-}<br /><br /><i>I am a B+ nonsecretor diagnosed with invasive breast cancer 11 yrs. ago. Strong family history on both sides. Soy and peanuts have anticancer properties but i do not eat them because they are avoids for me. Should I eat them anyway as being cancerfree is more important than my weight! Also I quit eating flaxseed oil in my MFC because of its high linoleic acid content which I understand to be a cancer promotor.. Again not what I want to do. Confused as many doctors advocate flax. Please help me to understand what is best for ME. Thank you for your time. Jean</i><br /><br />Unfortunately, the benefits soy and peanuts confer on type As don't extend to Bs and Os -- quite the opposite. Soy has been shown to impair Bs' immune defenses by reducing B antigen levels. Instead of peanuts, use Peter's <a href="http://www.dadamo.com/napharm/store3/PJDstore.cgi?user_action=detail&amp;catalogno=NP010">Aromastat</a> supplement to block aromatase levels and inhibit early cancer growth. Also, please consider adding flax oil back into your diet. <a href="http://www.dadamo.com/ask/ask2.pl?20020722.txt">Here's</a> a link to Peter's Ask Dr. D. on flax. I hope you have purchased the Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia, as it is full of detailed information and protocols concerning cancer. Best of health to you, Jean!<br /><br /><br /><br /></p> <div class="sharethis"> <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript"> SHARETHIS.addEntry( { title : 'Yet more Potpourri 4 A &amp; B!', url : 'http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/08/01/yet-more-potpourri-4-a-aamp-b?blog=9'}, { button: true } ) ; </script></div> <div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/08/01/yet-more-potpourri-4-a-aamp-b?blog=9">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div>


I am a Type A and would like to know what to eat to gain weight. I have always relied on dairy products (ice cream, cheese etc.) to maintain my weight (I have always been underweight - 5'5" 105-110#). What would be good to eat between meals? Laura

Just following your A diet should normalize your weight. Eat your full quota of acceptable grains and fish/fowl. A couple of tips: eat in a relaxed frame of mind, chew thoroughly, and relax a bit with some soothing music after your meal. Yoga is great for harmonizing your endocrine system, calming your digestion, and encouraging development of active body mass. The Pilates system is a fine method to build muscle on those delicate bones of yours!

In the book "Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia" on p. 582 there is listed Wild Yam (Dioscora) being beneficial for Type O, but it does not say anything about the other blood types. I am an A non-secretor and I would like to know if the wild yam is a neutral or an avoid. I would also like to know the answer for the other blood types for this supplement. Thank you so much for your time and effort. Marilee

I don't have an authoritative value for wild yams as such, Marilee. All I can offer is that "true yams" are an avoid for all type As ~ beneficial for Bs and ABs ~ and neutral for Os. Wild yams and and the yams in our food lists are both Dioscorea villosa. Therefore, the values for both must be identical. :-}

I am a B+ nonsecretor diagnosed with invasive breast cancer 11 yrs. ago. Strong family history on both sides. Soy and peanuts have anticancer properties but i do not eat them because they are avoids for me. Should I eat them anyway as being cancerfree is more important than my weight! Also I quit eating flaxseed oil in my MFC because of its high linoleic acid content which I understand to be a cancer promotor.. Again not what I want to do. Confused as many doctors advocate flax. Please help me to understand what is best for ME. Thank you for your time. Jean

Unfortunately, the benefits soy and peanuts confer on type As don't extend to Bs and Os -- quite the opposite. Soy has been shown to impair Bs' immune defenses by reducing B antigen levels. Instead of peanuts, use Peter's Aromastat supplement to block aromatase levels and inhibit early cancer growth. Also, please consider adding flax oil back into your diet. Here's a link to Peter's Ask Dr. D. on flax. I hope you have purchased the Complete Blood Type Encyclopedia, as it is full of detailed information and protocols concerning cancer. Best of health to you, Jean!



Original post blogged on b2evolution.

]]> http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/08/01/yet-more-potpourri-4-a-aamp-b?blog=9#comments O, A and B: Qs from Scotland http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/02/16/o-a-and-b-qs-from-scotland?blog=9 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:51:00 +0000 admin On The Diet 3444@http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/ <p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />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 &amp; Ranchers!" ;-D <br /><br /><br /><br />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 <a href="http://www.mineralwaters.org">website!</a> (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.<br /><br /><br /><br />Lovely to hear from you, Dorell ~ I do hope this is helpful, and thank you for writing to me!<br /><br /><br /></p><hr /><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><i>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 </i><br /><br /> <br /><br />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?<br /><br /><br /><br />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! :-} <br /><br /><br /><br />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 ~~ Sl&#225;n leat! <br /><br /><br /><br /></p> <div class="sharethis"> <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript"> SHARETHIS.addEntry( { title : 'O, A and B: Qs from Scotland', url : 'http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/02/16/o-a-and-b-qs-from-scotland?blog=9'}, { button: true } ) ; </script></div> <div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/02/16/o-a-and-b-qs-from-scotland?blog=9">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div>





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!






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!



Original post blogged on b2evolution.

]]> http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/02/16/o-a-and-b-qs-from-scotland?blog=9#comments ~ An accident... and... alcoholism? http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/01/09/an-accident-and-alcoholism?blog=9 Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:51:00 +0000 admin On The Diet 3520@http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/ <p><br /><br /><br /><br />Hi Heidi, I must tell you how much I appreciate Peter's incisive comments today regarding the AOL segment on BTD. <br /><br />I have written before with a question about forest fire smoke. But the question I have today is causing tears to fall on my keyboard. In March we received a midnight phone call that our 28 year old son had totaled in his car--was in the hospital with some broken bones and being observed on a neurological ward. The police officer told me that had it not been for the seat belt and the airbag our son would be dead. He was inebriated and hit a tree. We did not even know that he drank. He always seemed to have it together--had taken some time out to work and is now back at the University and doing well (at least academcially). <br /><br />He had to attend some counseling sessions and yesterday was assigned to an out-patient center for treatment. He called last night and told us that he is an alcoholic. We told him that we would be supportive and treat this like any other disease (although this morning I am a wreck from worry.) <br /><br />My husband and I are ABs and have followed the diet since 1996 or 1997. Our son has not lived with us for the past 7 years--so he was not exposed to the eating style. He is a Native American (adopted--and that is of no consequence but for the fact that we have no medical history). I assume that he is an O because he is Native--his older brother let me test him and he is an O (different tribe)--but the younger one was not willing to be poked for the blood test. The oldest one then went on a successful health kick. <br /><br />My question is what do you think of the information on the Net that says that alcoholism might be a result of an allergy to grain products? Also, what advice do you have re food for an alcoholic? My son has agreed to read anything that I send him. Thanks for your time--I know that this is a long email. Sandy<br /><br /><b> Hello, Sandy! That's not a long email at all, dear -- quite the opposite considering what has transpired with you! Thank you for your compliments on Peter's response piece, and I am so sorry your family is in turmoil right now.<br /><br />To begin, it is only in general terms that I can speak at all to your trouble. Without knowing at least his ABO group, there is little specific information I can give him. My first thought is that I do not even know he is physiologically an alcoholic. <br /><br />Let me explain. The facts I have so far are that he's 28, he was in University, took time off and worked, then returned to school and was making good grades. Three months ago, he totalled his car while drunk. (And the cop was so kind to tell you that without the seatbelt and airbag he'd be dead. I hope I'd stop my mouth before saying such a thing to a mother about her injured son, ever. Moving on...) He spent time (how long?) in a neurological ward. Then apparently he was required (by state or municipal law?) to attend counselling sessions. He now has been assigned to report to an outpatient center for treatment -- whether by state code due to the facts surrounding the accident, or by his hospital because of the injuries he sustained, I don't know... but 'assigned' is conveying to me a certain legal flavor.<br /><br />Perhaps the main question I would ask is, do you think he is telling you the whole story when he says he is an alcoholic? I don't know what he was told at the counselling sessions, nor the pressures the law enforcement establishment may have brought to bear on him to say or do certain things -- perhaps to get his license reinstated, or for 'an easier time of it?' -- nor the pressures he may feel inside himself because of what happened. He seems to be a guy who has worked hard to do well for himself and for you. It takes courage to go back to school at 28 to finish something one's set out to do. <br /><br />My observations here may or may not be appropriate to his situation, but at this juncture I'll just plow ahead and he can pick and choose what he feels might truly be of use to him. His injuries may still trouble him in some way which should be taken into account as well -- fill me in there if you can.<br /><br />The urge to drink alcohol is made more difficult to overcome when sugar, stimulants like caffeine, and (yes) grains are in the diet. Inadequate protein intake, mineral deficiencies and scant B vitamins can all factor into the mix. It is also, as AA and other authorities note, exacerbated by anger, sadness, loneliness, hunger, even the body's simple thirst for water. Brain chemistry is powerfully influenced by the presence or lack of regular exercise as well.<br /><br />And someone who feels driven to prove himself may also feel equally drawn to finding release from that drive. "Drive." I was talking about factors impelling a desire for alcohol, but there's another crucial yet usually overlooked aspect here. Major events in one's life, like this accident, are as laden with meaning as powerful dream events -- and like masterpiece paintings, they are worth far more than a thousand words. Let him be aware of the poetry he wrote via that accident he created. Only he can truly interpret it.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Some helpful tips: <br /><br />Take an hour every day for strenuous exercise, alone or in a team sport; or for a meditation practice; or a martial art; or yoga -- after a few weeks, he will be able to sense which one he really needs.<br />Include some good fats -- olive oil, or ghee, or a black currant seed oil supp -- with each meal.<br />Eliminate wheat, refined sugars and junk food, absolutely. They contain elements which range from lousy to poisonous for him, and after a few days he will feel markedly better from this measure alone.<br /><br />Drink copious water daily -- add lemon juice, lime juice, pineapple or cherry juice if desired, particularly first thing in the morning and last thing at night.<br />Never go hungry or thirsty. Have a decent snack and bottled water always at hand.<br /> Take a dandelion supplement to balance the liver, some nutritional yeast, a multimineral supp (Phytocal or as close to it as he can find), and a food-based multivitamin daily. I also suggest getting PolyFlora or the nearest facsimile he can obtain of a high-quality probiotic. Recent research has shown that major areas of what we think of as the 'brain' are actually ganglia incorporated into the digestive tract! which, as you can imagine, results in quite noticeable effects of various foods upon one's mental states. To paraphrase an aphorism: when the gut critters ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy. :-) <br /><br />These ideas will ease his healing process and strengthen his spirit. If you can tell me more, I will be able to better tailor them to his situation -- particularly if he'll consent to that finger-prick! :-) <br /><br />I hope you find a peaceful stance in your mind which will let your worry be laid to rest. With that commitment, you can perceive the events in your life clearly and caringly, without undue suffering. <br /><br />In the end, your son is himself, and he will do what he will do. You and your husband have been sensitive and loving parents to him, and he evidently cherishes you as well. That is more than tens of thousands of families have! <br /><br />Take good care of yourself, and encourage your son to write me a note if he'd like. Very best wishes, to you all! :-)</b><br /><br /><br /></p><hr /><p><br /><br /></p> <div class="sharethis"> <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript"> SHARETHIS.addEntry( { title : '~ An accident... and... alcoholism?', url : 'http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/01/09/an-accident-and-alcoholism?blog=9'}, { button: true } ) ; </script></div> <div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/01/09/an-accident-and-alcoholism?blog=9">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div>



Hi Heidi, I must tell you how much I appreciate Peter's incisive comments today regarding the AOL segment on BTD.

I have written before with a question about forest fire smoke. But the question I have today is causing tears to fall on my keyboard. In March we received a midnight phone call that our 28 year old son had totaled in his car--was in the hospital with some broken bones and being observed on a neurological ward. The police officer told me that had it not been for the seat belt and the airbag our son would be dead. He was inebriated and hit a tree. We did not even know that he drank. He always seemed to have it together--had taken some time out to work and is now back at the University and doing well (at least academcially).

He had to attend some counseling sessions and yesterday was assigned to an out-patient center for treatment. He called last night and told us that he is an alcoholic. We told him that we would be supportive and treat this like any other disease (although this morning I am a wreck from worry.)

My husband and I are ABs and have followed the diet since 1996 or 1997. Our son has not lived with us for the past 7 years--so he was not exposed to the eating style. He is a Native American (adopted--and that is of no consequence but for the fact that we have no medical history). I assume that he is an O because he is Native--his older brother let me test him and he is an O (different tribe)--but the younger one was not willing to be poked for the blood test. The oldest one then went on a successful health kick.

My question is what do you think of the information on the Net that says that alcoholism might be a result of an allergy to grain products? Also, what advice do you have re food for an alcoholic? My son has agreed to read anything that I send him. Thanks for your time--I know that this is a long email. Sandy

Hello, Sandy! That's not a long email at all, dear -- quite the opposite considering what has transpired with you! Thank you for your compliments on Peter's response piece, and I am so sorry your family is in turmoil right now.

To begin, it is only in general terms that I can speak at all to your trouble. Without knowing at least his ABO group, there is little specific information I can give him. My first thought is that I do not even know he is physiologically an alcoholic.

Let me explain. The facts I have so far are that he's 28, he was in University, took time off and worked, then returned to school and was making good grades. Three months ago, he totalled his car while drunk. (And the cop was so kind to tell you that without the seatbelt and airbag he'd be dead. I hope I'd stop my mouth before saying such a thing to a mother about her injured son, ever. Moving on...) He spent time (how long?) in a neurological ward. Then apparently he was required (by state or municipal law?) to attend counselling sessions. He now has been assigned to report to an outpatient center for treatment -- whether by state code due to the facts surrounding the accident, or by his hospital because of the injuries he sustained, I don't know... but 'assigned' is conveying to me a certain legal flavor.

Perhaps the main question I would ask is, do you think he is telling you the whole story when he says he is an alcoholic? I don't know what he was told at the counselling sessions, nor the pressures the law enforcement establishment may have brought to bear on him to say or do certain things -- perhaps to get his license reinstated, or for 'an easier time of it?' -- nor the pressures he may feel inside himself because of what happened. He seems to be a guy who has worked hard to do well for himself and for you. It takes courage to go back to school at 28 to finish something one's set out to do.

My observations here may or may not be appropriate to his situation, but at this juncture I'll just plow ahead and he can pick and choose what he feels might truly be of use to him. His injuries may still trouble him in some way which should be taken into account as well -- fill me in there if you can.

The urge to drink alcohol is made more difficult to overcome when sugar, stimulants like caffeine, and (yes) grains are in the diet. Inadequate protein intake, mineral deficiencies and scant B vitamins can all factor into the mix. It is also, as AA and other authorities note, exacerbated by anger, sadness, loneliness, hunger, even the body's simple thirst for water. Brain chemistry is powerfully influenced by the presence or lack of regular exercise as well.

And someone who feels driven to prove himself may also feel equally drawn to finding release from that drive. "Drive." I was talking about factors impelling a desire for alcohol, but there's another crucial yet usually overlooked aspect here. Major events in one's life, like this accident, are as laden with meaning as powerful dream events -- and like masterpiece paintings, they are worth far more than a thousand words. Let him be aware of the poetry he wrote via that accident he created. Only he can truly interpret it.



Some helpful tips:

Take an hour every day for strenuous exercise, alone or in a team sport; or for a meditation practice; or a martial art; or yoga -- after a few weeks, he will be able to sense which one he really needs.
Include some good fats -- olive oil, or ghee, or a black currant seed oil supp -- with each meal.
Eliminate wheat, refined sugars and junk food, absolutely. They contain elements which range from lousy to poisonous for him, and after a few days he will feel markedly better from this measure alone.

Drink copious water daily -- add lemon juice, lime juice, pineapple or cherry juice if desired, particularly first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
Never go hungry or thirsty. Have a decent snack and bottled water always at hand.
Take a dandelion supplement to balance the liver, some nutritional yeast, a multimineral supp (Phytocal or as close to it as he can find), and a food-based multivitamin daily. I also suggest getting PolyFlora or the nearest facsimile he can obtain of a high-quality probiotic. Recent research has shown that major areas of what we think of as the 'brain' are actually ganglia incorporated into the digestive tract! which, as you can imagine, results in quite noticeable effects of various foods upon one's mental states. To paraphrase an aphorism: when the gut critters ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy. :-)

These ideas will ease his healing process and strengthen his spirit. If you can tell me more, I will be able to better tailor them to his situation -- particularly if he'll consent to that finger-prick! :-)

I hope you find a peaceful stance in your mind which will let your worry be laid to rest. With that commitment, you can perceive the events in your life clearly and caringly, without undue suffering.

In the end, your son is himself, and he will do what he will do. You and your husband have been sensitive and loving parents to him, and he evidently cherishes you as well. That is more than tens of thousands of families have!

Take good care of yourself, and encourage your son to write me a note if he'd like. Very best wishes, to you all! :-)




Original post blogged on b2evolution.

]]> http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/01/09/an-accident-and-alcoholism?blog=9#comments More on Blood Group Heredity http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/01/02/more-on-blood-group-heredity-1?blog=9 Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:30:12 +0000 admin Uncategorized 8005@http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/ <p><em>My brother is Bo, his wife A_, and their son is A_...would not Aa or Ao x Bo produce either AB or O? What must the silent type of the mother be in the case of Bo x A_ to produce an A_? Could the baby be Ab or Ao...is there such a thing as Ab or is it always AB..or what? Thanks, John -- in Calgary, Canada</em></p> <p>Hi, John! I assume you know your brother is B(o) because (1) he tested as type B, and (2) one of your parents was type B or AB, and the other type O.</p> <p>I think your question stems from the idea of A and B both being dominant to O. This is true in a single individual, but a parent can donate either of her genes to any child.</p> <p>Therefore, your brother can donate an O gene (his recessive one) to the child, and his wife can donate an A gene (her dominant one). There you are: a type A kid.</p> <p>Your brother and his wife may be the classic ABO wildcard combination: B(o) + A(o). Couples with this ABO configuration can have type A(o), B(o), O or AB children. OR, they might be B(o) + A(a), in which case their offspring can only be type A(o) or type AB. In either case, a type A child is certainly possible in this pairing no matter what the silent type, or genotype, of the type A mother.</p> <p>"AB" is the standard name for that blood type, but if it were "BA" instead, it would make no difference. The two letters are both capitalized because the A and B genes are co-dominant; neither is recessive to the other.</p> <p>Hope this clears it up!</p> <div class="sharethis"> <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript"> SHARETHIS.addEntry( { title : 'More on Blood Group Heredity', url : 'http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/01/02/more-on-blood-group-heredity-1?blog=9'}, { button: true } ) ; </script></div> <div class="item_footer"><p><small><a href="http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/01/02/more-on-blood-group-heredity-1?blog=9">Original post</a> blogged on <a href="http://b2evolution.net/">b2evolution</a>.</small></p></div> My brother is Bo, his wife A_, and their son is A_...would not Aa or Ao x Bo produce either AB or O? What must the silent type of the mother be in the case of Bo x A_ to produce an A_? Could the baby be Ab or Ao...is there such a thing as Ab or is it always AB..or what? Thanks, John -- in Calgary, Canada

Hi, John! I assume you know your brother is B(o) because (1) he tested as type B, and (2) one of your parents was type B or AB, and the other type O.

I think your question stems from the idea of A and B both being dominant to O. This is true in a single individual, but a parent can donate either of her genes to any child.

Therefore, your brother can donate an O gene (his recessive one) to the child, and his wife can donate an A gene (her dominant one). There you are: a type A kid.

Your brother and his wife may be the classic ABO wildcard combination: B(o) + A(o). Couples with this ABO configuration can have type A(o), B(o), O or AB children. OR, they might be B(o) + A(a), in which case their offspring can only be type A(o) or type AB. In either case, a type A child is certainly possible in this pairing no matter what the silent type, or genotype, of the type A mother.

"AB" is the standard name for that blood type, but if it were "BA" instead, it would make no difference. The two letters are both capitalized because the A and B genes are co-dominant; neither is recessive to the other.

Hope this clears it up!

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

]]> http://www.dadamo.com/B2blogs/blogs/index.php/2009/01/02/more-on-blood-group-heredity-1?blog=9#comments