The focus of this newsletter is immunity, so perhaps a short essay on a special type of resistance, which I call ‘psychic immunity’ is in order.

Let say you’ve found out your type and started the diet. In a short time you begin to notice some immediate benefits, and when it was time to replace your old multivitamin you picked up a type-specific supplement. You’re exercising and working on reducing stress. All in all there is no doubt that adopting these practices has improved your health and well-being. Soon you’re telling family member and co-workers about your exciting discovery.

Then a friend passes you something they’ve printed off the Internet that is critical of the diet. The author of the criticism seems qualified enough and has convinced your friend that there is no reason on their part to begin dieting or exercise—though it would appear that they need it even more than you. You read it and a chill passes up your spine.

Perhaps you’re not so certain about this Eat Right For Your Type diet anymore…

Friend, you need a lesson in immunity!

Take a look at the criticism and ask yourself (and your friend) these questions:

Does the critic advocate his or her own diet? It is a dog-eat-dog world in the diet book industry and many diet book authors seem to think that the way to promote their theory is to attack those of their competitors. It is a desperate measure and self-defeating in the long run, but it remains a very, very common tactic.

Is the author critical of my work or complementary/alternative medicine in general? Many members of the conventional medical and nutrition community are critical of alternative and complementary forms of treatment. This is especially true of Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, and WebMD where the administrators in charge of entries on alternative medicine are actually opposed to it in all forms.

Where’s the science? A typical attempt to discredit a nutritional theory is to attack its scientific underpinnings. Is the critic an acknowledged expert in the field? What science do they bring to the argument? Did they perform some sort of unbiased test or study or are the just couching their opinions in fancy technical terminology?

So here is the cure for you and your friends.

Vaccine Number 1

Go to the main page of www.dadamo.com and print out the large graph. That says it all:

• 7000 people
• 75% (3 out of 4) saw improvement by following the Blood Type Diet

As the summer winds down, the kids head back off to school, and we are all inevitably exposed to more viruses and bacteria regardless of whether we have children of our own or not. This time of year always brings an influx of cold ridden patients into the clinic. The story is always the same – “My son brought it home from daycare” or “It is rampant around the office.” As the fall moves towards winter, colds become the flu. In this article, I’d like to focus on a few gentle and natural immune support recommendations to help keep your immune systems functioning at optimum levels so your story can be a little different this year!

My first thoughts when it comes to preventative immune support start in the gut. We are constantly exposed to viruses and bacteria. They are on our skin, we breathe them, and we even eat them! You may or not realize that your intestines are a very important part of your immune system, but they are. Have you ever eaten bacteria tainted food? Not only did that food cause immediately noticeable effects to your digestion, but it is more likely than not that you felt it systemically as weakness and fatigue, headaches, and even joint pain for days, weeks or months after - I introduce you to your immune system and also ARA 6 and Intrinsa!

One of the safest substances found in nature for natural immune system support is Larch Arabinogalactan found in ARA 6. Unlike Echinacea, Larch Arabinogalactan can be used by all blood types. Larch Arabinogalactan supports the immune system via two mechanisms.

First, and probably its most well known effect, is on that of the digestive system. A soluble dietary fiber, Larch Arabinogalactan serves the intestinal tract. By acting as a food supply for friendly bacteria, it increases the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA's). These special fatty acids are critically important for the health of the colon. In fact, having an adequate supply of SCFA's is thought to make colon cells more resistant to both tumor promotion as well as a variety of intestinal disease, such as polyps and “leaky gut”. Larch Arabinogalactan has a significant positive effect on our gut microfloral balance. It increases good bacteria like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus, while decreasing bad bacteria. Since these friendly bacteria are critically important for the health of our digestive and immune systems, detoxification and hormone regulating capabilities, and nutrient formation and absorption; the growth promoting effects of Larch Arabinogalactan on these organisms alone makes it a valuable addition to our diet.

Second, Larch Arabinogalactan helps to support our body’s cellular immune system by enhancing the effects of two important white blood cells called Natural Killer Cells (NK) and Macrophages. Natural Killer Cells are responsible for attacking tumor cells and those infected by viruses. Macrophages are involved in the removal cellular debris, especially from the tissues, but also present antigens to other parts of the immune system for identification and antibody production, a critical role in launching an immune attack.

Larch Arabinogalactan can also be found in Intrinsa. Intrinsa is designed to support stomach, small intestine, and colon health using three well-researched ingredients. In addition to Larch Arabinogalactans, Intrinsa contains Butyric and Caprylic acids. Butyric Acid (n-Butyric acid) is a SCFA most notably found in rancid butter or ghee, aged cheeses such as parmesan, and a few rather more unpleasant sources. As stated earlier, it supports the health and healing of cells in the small and large intestine. Many research studies have demonstrated that butyric acid impedes the ability of cancer cells to proliferate in the colon, and therefore is protective of colon cancer. SCFAs have also been associated with helping to maintain healthy blood lipid and sugar levels.

Caprylic acid is a medium chain fatty acid (MCFA). It is an oily liquid with a slightly unpleasant rancid taste found naturally in sweat, fusel oil, in the milk of cows and goats, in coconuts and breast milk, and in palm and coconut oil. It is known to have anti-fungal properties, and is often recommended by nutritionists for the treatment of candidiasis in the intestines. Being a MCFA, it has more difficulty in penetrating fatty cell wall membranes. Therefore Caprylic Acid works best when used with Butyric Acid, so that it that can more easily penetrate tissues in the body such as muscles, joints, and sinuses. Caprylic acid is also used in the treatment of some bacterial infections.

Lastly, and perhaps one of my favorites for use in children (a big hit due to its taste), is Proberry, which comes in a syrup and capsules. It is comprised of elderberry, blueberry and cherry extracts. This product was designed specifically for its contents of Proanthocyanidins. A rather large word, these are a class of flavonoids responsible for the red to blue/purple colors of most berries, cherries, grapes and some flowers. They are compounds capable of increasing intracellular levels of the antioxidant vitamin C. In doing so, they are capable of inactivating bacterial enzymes used to spread infection and block bacteria’s ability to stick to your cells. They also block the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) that is responsible for the production of polyamines, growth factors, which can be problematic when found in the body in excessive amounts. Therefore, consuming pigmented fruits and vegetables can be a valuable method to enhance systemic detoxification.

Elderberry in particular is beneficial in preventing the spread of viral influenza by blocking the production of an enzyme called neuraminidase (this is the enzyme that pharmaceutical companies are spending millions of dollars to design drugs against). Neuraminidase is an enzyme made by the flu virus that allows it to attach to the tissues of the nose and throat. Studies show that people taking elderberry were able to produce a higher level of recognition to Influenza B. What this research showed was that people using the elderberry extract got better much quicker (more than 70% were better after 2 days and over 90% of people completely resolved the infection within 3 days). In experiments, elderberry actually does inhibit replication of all strains of human influenza (both A and B) viruses tested. The British, in the 17th century, often drank homemade elderberry wine believing it to prolong life and cure the common cold.

In Natural Products in Focus we discussed the clinical application of ARA 6, Intrinsa, and Proberry in supporting your immune system through healthy gut function. Like all of the high quality products designed by Dr. Peter D’Adamo for North American Pharmacal, Inc., these products serve many additional functions in the body.

ARA 6

• Besides a source of soluble fiber for intestinal health and gentle immune support for all blood types, ARA 6 is a common product used in the clinic with patients suffering from cancer. Most cancers have a tendency to metastasize to the liver. This is for two reasons – the first being that the liver is a mega filtration and detoxification system of the blood; the second is due to a complicated biochemical reaction between cancer cells and lectin receptor binding to liver tissue cells. Studies show a reduction in cancer metastasis to the liver with treatment of Arabinogalactan. As Dr. D’Adamo says, “Where it wants to stick, we are going to make it slide!”
• To support healthy sinuses and respiratory function, ARA 6 is used with the addition of both Collinsonia Plus and Redoxa.
• For greater affects of fighting an overgrowth of bad bugs in the intestines it can be used with the appropriate PolyFLORA (PolyFLORA A, PolyFLORA B, PolyFLORA AB, PolyFLORA 0) for your type and Harmonia Deluxe! As a side note, healthy intestinal bacteria levels are important in the treatment of hormonal issues such as PMS. The liver processes hormones for excretion through the kidneys and bowels. If the beneficial bacteria levels are not appropriate in the gut, the bad stuff takes up residence. The bad bacterium produces enzymes that affect the excretion of these hormones and they are reabsorbed by the intestines – Hello, hormone imbalance!

Intrinsa

• We discussed briefly Intrinsa’s positive effects on bowel function, the immune system and blood sugar. One of its most significant affects is what it does to cancer cells! If you have read Dr. D’Adamo’s most recent research applied in the GenoType diet, you have been familiarized with epigenetic modifications of the expression of genes – tweaking the volume controls of expression. Intrinsa plays its role on molecules called histones. Histones are the spools that keep DNA tightly wound like thread. If the DNA is wound like a spool of thread it can’t be read. This action causes cancer cells to die. Used in all types of cancer, it has shown profound effects in colon cancer ! In the clinic, we have had great success using Intrinsa with our ulcerative colitis patients.

Proberry

• Besides its positive affects in fighting viruses like the flu, and help in decreasing the production of polyamines, the food based extracts in Proberry are the most bioavailable source of Vitamin C. For individuals with iron deficient anemia, taking iron supplementation with a dose of Proberry will increase its absorption!

1. Waldecker M, Kautenburger T, Daumann H, Busch C, Schrenk D. Inhibition of histone-deacetylase activity by short-chain fatty acids and some polyphenol metabolites formed in the colon. J Nutr Biochem. 2008 Sep;19(9):587-93. Epub 2007 Dec 3.

1. Prokop O, Kohler W, Rackwitz A, Paunova R, Barthold E. [Secretory antibodies in saliva against group G streptococci].Z Immunitatsforsch Immunobiol 1977 Dec;153(5):428-34



2. Holbrook WP, Blackwell CC. Secretor status and dental caries in Iceland.FEMS Microbiol Immunol 1989 Jun;1(6-7):397-9

• Butternut Squash Soup with Ginger and Lime
• Farmer's Vegetable Soup
• Parsnip Soup With Apples