I started the BTD in mid-October of this year because of the results from my physical.  Blood pressure up, overall cholesterol up, LDL 143 (normal range is 0-130), C-Reactive Protein Cardio elevated at 3.9.

This week I had an appointment and we tested again for cholesterol and C-Reactive Protein Cardio.  I brought my HDL up, which is good, my triglycerides went from 102 to 52 both of which  are well within the normal range but still a significant improvement  , my C-Reactive Protein Cardio dropped to 1.1  , which is great, but my LDL stayed at exactly 143 and my overall cholesterol was only lowered by one point .  I have a VERY serious family history of heart disease, so it is important to get my LDL down.  My doctor is pleased with the trend and encouraged me to continue with the diet.  It is great to see the majority of my blood tests are being positively impacted by the BTD.  Blood tests do not lie or have a placebo affect.

I read in Dr. D's book on Cardiovascular Disease that Niacin can be effective for Type O's to lower LDL cholesterol, but only under a doctor's care.  I was hoping that I could get some info on the positives and negatives of using Niacin.

Also, I was hoping to get some additional advice to help lower my LDL.

Final question is whether switching from the BTD to the GTD might have a positive impact on my LDL.

Are you eating grass fed meat? not the same as organic.

SWAMI?

When I can get it.  Wholefoods does carry grassfed beef, but that seems to be about it.  They also only seem to carry two different cuts of beef.  Lamb is always grassfed, but not always organic.

I have been considering looking into a local farm where I can purchase my meat.  Do you think that is a good idea?  Any other suggestions on where one can purchase a wider variety of grassfed, organic meat?

I am considering SWAMI.  I am getting tested this week to see if I have a rare blood antigen, Mg.  If so, I really want to understand how that impacts my diet.  BTD vs. GTD, etc.  Once I understand that, I will make the decision on whether or not SWAMI is right for me.

Grass fed buy it on line at---- Wellness Meats.

Organic is not as important as Grass-fed.

Often it is grain finished at the end before slaughter careful.


http://www.pantethine.net/

Hi Patty,

On the grass fed beef, definitely consider local. I don't know where you are in MA but a simple search on the internet will bring up links like the following:
http://www.eatwild.com/products/massachusetts.html
Also, I love my local Wegmans as they have a nice selection of grass fed beef. Although not in MA yet they are planning on opening two stores, one in Northborough (fall of 2011) and another in Westwood (To be determined).

If you have specific issues, I would definitely go Swami. For serious concerns, the clinic that Dr. D. oversees in the U of Bridgeport, CT. might be an option.

Exercise. Especially as a Hunter.

I would try that for a while before doing the niacin, which could be a life-long treatment.

following the guidelines and lifestyle given by your swami, will take care of those numbers.......

hope you read this last article......it explains a lot
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-boblett/what-is-the-genotype-diet_b_813812.html

Thanks!

I read the info on pantethine.  Dr. D recommends this for Type A and AB only in the Blood Type Encyclopedia.  Is there a reason this would not be good for Type O's?

Oh boy - its exercise again - my downfall.  Ok - I will get going on that . . .

I am looking into purchasing meat from a local farm.  That should help, too!  All great suggestions!

glad you have the encyclopedia.....
work with that, until you get your swami and see what you are advised.

have you tried this gadget meanwhile?
http://www.northamericanpharmacal.com/PNC/productguide.html
DPN provides an online guide to help people in selecting the right supplements.
Designed for touch-screen, but also works via mouse click as well
tell it to print the 'highly recommended' ones.

I was on the niacin, and could not stand the itching it caused me, I was advised, it was important for me to take it so to try taking a baby aspirin 30 minutes before taking it and take it right before bed, that way, I would most likely be asleep, when the itching happened.   I had to get off of it, the itching was outragious, nothing like anything I ever experienced, so I now, take zetia only and follow my plan here, and seem to have it pretty well under control, I will be checked again in March.  It was 134 last time, so not worried.

Quoted Text

Pantethine: A naturally occurring compound and the active form of pantothenic acid. Research has demonstrated that pantethine, when taken orally, can be used for lowering cholesterol. It is also used for lowering cardiovsacular risk, improving energy, improving adrenal function, and preventing allergy symptoms.

part of the HUnter activator.....
http://www.4yourtype.com/prodinfo.asp?number=GT1ACT

Are you eating some of your Omega 3-rich fishies?  

Wild salmon
Sardines



Keep your Omega 3 intake on the higher side, and the Omega 6 intake on the lower side.

Quoted Text

serious family history of heart disease

by any chance, do all happen to be Os like you?

Os can run a bit high on the cholesterol count, than other BTs.....
still worth looking into, but rather wearing those BT/GT glasses

Hi Lola,

My oldest brother is a Type O.  My sister and other brother are both Type A.  I know one of my cousins is a Type O (quintuple bypass at age 49).  I don't know what my other male cousins are or the one female cousin with heart issues (two angioplasties).  I think my dad must have been an O since my mom is an A.  Don't know about my other uncles and my one aunt.  I have wondered about their secretor status, but I can guarantee, none of them will be interested in finding out.

Oops, I hit post by mistake.

I am having trouble finding wild salmon that was not previously frozen.  I do not like fish that has been previously frozen.  I love salmon and would be happy to eat it at least three times a week if I could find fresh, wild salmon.  I may have to start expanding my search.  I am taking Omega 3 supplements.

Not too crazy about sardines, though . . . do you buy them canned or fresh?

Patty, check into a good quality canned fish company such as Wild Planet.  Their fish is clean, low in contaminates, unfrozen, and nothing toxic in the cans or lining.
http://www.wildplanetfoods.com/

If I could find fresh sardines, I would certainly buy them, but this company does pack in extra virgin olive oil and sea salt, which is an improvement over most canned sardines.

Their salmon is wild.

How do you eat the sardines?  As an entry? On salads?

Canned salmon?  Being from New England, that might be tough for me to consider, but I see you are from Oregon, and you must have fantastic fresh fish as well, Victoria!

Patty, I much prefer fresh to canned, but in some circumstances, such as the Sardines, it's important enough for me to buy them canned.  Otherwise I would never have access to them.  My favorite fish market, which gets fish daily straight off the Pacific, has only had fresh sardines for a few days at a time, maybe once a year.

You're right, we do have wonderful wild salmon here and I eat it almost daily.  Half the year, it comes in fresh, and what a treat!  The other half of the year, it's all frozen.  But there are 2 kinds.  The big supermarkets have twice-frozen (frozen at sea and refrozen in the grocery store).  I avoid that one.  

My fish market sells frozen at sea wild salmon all winter.  It is not frozen hard, and is thawed and quickly sold.  Always fresh tasting and the texture is like fresh.

I keep a lot of canned wild salmon and sardines anyway.  It's great travel food and if I run out of fresh fish, I'll eat it.

My favorite way to eat canned salmon is just to flake it with a fork and serve a side of fresh vegetables.  

The sardines are not my most favorite taste but I'll still eat them once a week or so.  I mash them very well with a fork, mix them with equal parts minced celery, drizzle with olive oil (unless I have bought the EVOO packed variety) and eat with a side of fresh veggies.  Sardines are one of the most healthy foods we can eat.

I just found some fresh, wild salmon tonight at a specialty store in my town.  I haven't really been in there much.  Looking forward to tonight's dinner.

I will give the sardines and canned salmon a try.  Thanks for the info, Victoria.

I've always been a bit worried about canning.

Quoted from Patty H

I just found some fresh, wild salmon tonight at a specialty store in my town.  I haven't really been in there much.  Looking forward to tonight's dinner.

I will give the sardines and canned salmon a try.  Thanks for the info, Victoria.