I am an O and I usually eat "correctly". But I have an ongoing problem with constipation.  I am drinking more water, and yesterday I started 1  tablespoon of milled flax seed and 1 tablespoon of ground walnuts in applesauce morning and night.  I eat several portions of raw vegetables and fruits a day, and I eat prunes.  I try to walk on the walking machine a little bit each day, but I am not faithful on a daitly basis.  I do not like this feeling of being "stopped up".  In my life before E4YBT I snacked on Fiber One cereal and it helped, but I do not eat wheat now, so that is out.  I would appreciate anyone's advice.  Thanks, meribelle

R U eating enough beneficial red meat per day?. I would up the exercising and maybe you have a sluggish stomach...try fresh lemon juice first thing in the morning in warm water or fresh grapefruit juice 20 minutes before breakfast...should help push things along.

Drink water on an empty stomach and try to drink at least 2 litres a day.

Try eating your vegies lightly steamed instead of raw

try sitting on the toilet the same time every day regardless if you feel the need to or not...after a few days your body will get into a rythym and will decide to comply.

If all else fails try supplementing with Arabinogalactans

http://www.dadamo.com/napharm/BTstore/BTSstore.pl?user_action=detail&catalogno=NP001

Add olive oil to oatmeal, smoothies, anything you can put a small spoonful in eat and you should notice a difference. It has worked miracles for me. I have become regular due to the wonderful works of Olive Oil. Good luck, I have strulggled with this problem for years.

Meribelle,
Reading your post is exactly like reading my own thoughts when I started the BTD.  This is what worked for me.

http://www.dadamo.com/bloggers/h/archives/00000037.htm

Meribelle:

Regular, vigorous exercise stimulates type O bodies to work well.  We also need plenty of water every day.   Also, try that lemon juice idea.  I use 1Tbs. in an 8oz glass of warm water(not hot) in the morning.  It stimulates the liver and bowels.  It also is a wonderful remedy for morning phlem, colds or allergies (I call it morning "yuck").  You can get a 16oz bottle made by Santa Cruz, on the juice isle (not refrigerated)in a store such as Whole Foods for about 3 bucks.

okay, now you all are making me a little confused..........why have at least a couple of people suggested she use lemon water in the mornings when she is an O? Thought that only worked w/ A's. ?????
Healthnut, do you use olive oil FOR regular BM's or is it just a regular part of your daily meals and it seems to help in that dept?
mikeo, how many of the ARA6 (LARCH) would you suggest a day? I have had an ongoing problem w/ this since Jan 7th basically.   I just started some Paraherb and am hoping it will get things moving as well. meribelle, I can let you know if this works, if you'd like. Killing 2 birds w/ one stone works for me, if it works.     Also, wanted to say welcome to BTD and the board!!

I also have had LOTS of experience with constipation! From everyone's responses thus far, you can probably determine that you'll have to experiment with different things and find the answer that works best for you. The  lemon water works great for everyone, no matter the blood type. I've had good luck with a psyllium supplement and polyflora. Exercising and water consumption are very important. You also may want to cut back on carbs. I'm a nonnie though, so maybe that's just me. I've also found it helpful to not drink any fluids one hour before I eat a meal and wait about 2 hrs after a meal. Ground flax seeds soaked in hot water have helped me, too. Constipation has been my chronic condition for over 20 years but now I have no problems. Each morning in the bathroom I bless Dr. D! Keep experimenting and good luck.

I'll have to agree on the olive oil thing.  Beneficial fats typically have laxative effects.

I've always solved my constipation by fasting, but that can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing.

I too have had this problem all of my life and it was one of my first questions on the board. I like Suzanne's solution and have been meaning to get some rice bran to see how it works for me. Don suggested I try whole flax seeds soaked in water overnight (2-3 Tbsp). This works like a charm. In the morning I squeeze a lemon into it (and various amino acids to assist my detoxification), but the whole flax is the key -- not ground. I also supplement with 1.2-1.5 grams of Mg (amino chelates) a day and take this at night since it help relax me too. Of course, if you don't drink enough water it will be difficult no matter what else you do!

Quoted from ruth

I've had good luck with a psyllium supplement ...

You also may want to cut back on carbs. I'm a nonnie though, so maybe that's just me.

Psyllium is considered harsh and not recommended for type O.  I also should add that I have read that where and how psyllium is grown that it is probably not a very chemically clean item to eat, unless you can find an organic product.

To be more specific I think many type O find grains carbs to cause trouble. Vegetable or fruit carbs are probably beneficial.

I forgot to mention that Triphala is good, for occasional use to help clear the bowels. I don't think it would be appropriate to use all the time.

It is mentioned in the Encyclopedia version of the Detoxification Protocols as a general recommendation useable by all groups.

Don,
Thanks - I didn't know about psyllium being too harsh for Os. I rarely take it since my problem is rare. Next time I'll stick with flax seeds.
Ruth

Quoted from JK

Don suggested I try whole flax seeds soaked in water overnight (2-3 Tbsp). This works like a charm.

Genius.

Not only are whole flax seeds full of beneficial fats, but they are difficult to digest, causing movement through the system.

Quoted from ruth

I didn't know about psyllium being too harsh for Os. I rarely take it since my problem is rare. Next time I'll stick with flax seeds.

If you search the main website you will find that Dr. D and Heidi mentioned that psyllium isn't recommended for Os, at least on a regular basis.

http://www.dadamo.com/forum/convert1/config.pl?read=586
http://www.dadamo.com/forum/convert1/config.pl?read=712

It is interesting that I find that using soaked whole flaxseed sort of moves my bowels towards constipation. When I first tried using soaked whole flaxseed the effect was very pronounced. Now its effect is more subtle.

This may just be another example of individuality.

Sorry I guess I got lost....so soaked flax seeds should work for O's or not?  I'm struggling with the same thing.
Do I soak and then grind the flax seeds?  Or grind then soak them?

Sounds to me like, yes, they are fine for O's.   Soak whole and eat whole is how I took it. Sure someone will let us know if that is right or wrong. I need to know also.

You can:

Soak the whole flaxseeds overnight, or similar length of time, and then consume. This way the flaxseeds probably serve as 100% insoluble fiber.
or
Grind the flaxseeds then soak them for several minutes before consuming. This way your body has access to the internal nutrients of the flaxseeds and will yield about 50/50% soluble/insoluble fiber plus some protein and EFAs.

I find my body responds differently to the two methods. You may need to experiement to find what your body needs and which you prefer.

Flaxseeds are OK for all blood types: http://www.dadamo.com/typebase4/typeindexer.htm

Quoted from VeryGnawty

  they are difficult to digest, causing movement through the system.

Hey, did you change your screen name?  
When you said the above re: whole flax seed, you meant that in a good way, right?
If this is the case, it might explain why when my brother was really constipated and ate a ton of shelled sunflower seeds, it moved him.

From the book “The Omega-3 Connection” by Andrew L. Stoll, M.D., it recommends not consuming more than 2 to 3 Tbsp. of flaxseed or flaxmeal per day because the seed husks contain naturally occurring cyanogenic nitrates and linamarin, which can be toxic in higher doses.  The cyanogenic nitrates interfere with the thyroid gland’s ability to take up iodine and may lead to goiter or other thyroid problems.

Immature seeds contain higher amounts of cyanogenic nitrates and glucosides and are more dangerous. Flaxseeds also contain lignans, which have mild estrogenic, antiestrogenic, and steroidlike activity. These problems are not present with flaxseed oil.

The reported estrogenic and antiestrogenic activity makes me wonder if ground flaxseed is better for men or women, or if it is OK for both? Hopefully the Genotype Diet book will answer that question.

I take flax oil as well....do you think I should not use the oil if I'm using the seeds?  Would that be over doing it?

I use both flaxseed and some flax oil. Does that answer your question?

They really are substantially 2 different things.  Notice they are listed in 2 different BTD categories.

A couple of tbsp. of flaxseed just don't have that much flaxseed oil.

Awsome thanks!  I'm so glad you're here to help.

I have recently been wondering if whole sesame seeds might produce the same effect for me that the whole flax does.  I have been using the flax so long now, I'd like to test whether I have developed an intolerance to it (I was also using some ground flax on my salads, along with flax oil, and snacking on flax crisps...). I have estrogen dominance issues too. Definitely over the recommended 2-3 Tbsp flax/day. Yup, time to test sesame seeds.

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions.  I get the impression that mixing the ground flax seed into applesauce is not a good solution.  I guess I will go soak some in water and take it in the morning.  This is not a "fun" problem.  meribelle