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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by FluffMama on December 1, 2010, at 13:00:45
This is a simple explanation from Dr. D'Adamo's website. It is by Ginger Nash, ND, MIfHI
Q: Are individuals of certain blood types more susceptible to different types of depression or anxiety? What causes this?A: One's blood type can certainly predispose an individual to different ways of responding to stress and balancing mood. This is because the gene that codes for *B* blood type also affects other genes in close proximity that control things like dopamine metabolism, cortisol levels, and other processes that will affect the entire nervous system's coordination. For example, Type B needs additional nitrogen rich foods and supplements because their bodies lack the ability to produce a compound called nitric oxide to the extent that the other blood types do. Nitric oxide helps coordinate the nervous system, immune system and cardiovascular system. We know that when you are stressed all three of these systems are put under more strain.
Another important factor is the stress hormone cortisol. Type O produces the least amount and Type A produces the most amount of cortisol. When cortisol is continually over-produced it can cause adrenal exhaustion and the corresponding symptoms of depression and fatigue. Type Os reaction to stress can cause an overproduction of adrenaline which can make them more susceptible to anxiety when stressed. But again, long-term imbalances can create more depression from burn out of the nervous system as well.
Q: What role does everyday stress play in depression?
A: Certainly Type A, with their naturally higher levels of cortisol, are particularly prone to problems from "everyday" stress. As the adrenal glands pump out more and more cortisol they eventually tire out, causing the person to have a quicker response to minor stressors. Type Os are more prone to problems that arise from an inability to clear stress hormones from their system quickly; it takes more to get a Type O stressed but it takes more to de-stress them as well. That's why they require more vigorous exercise, whereas Type A can do a lot with yoga and Tai Chi for cortisol balance.
Q: What suggestions do you have for individuals of each blood type to alleviate stress and/or depression?
A: So as I just mentioned, Type A does better with activities that clear cortisol from their systems, like yoga and Tai Chi. Type O does better with more vigorous exercise that clears a class of stress hormones called catecholamines from their bodies. Type B can also benefit from more calming exercises especially if they are prone to depression in the family. ABs benefit from routine and anything that keeps their immune system functioning properly like eating and going to bed at the same time, routine cleansing, and avoiding extremes in terms of lifestyle.
Q: Are there any foods that may have mood enhancing benefits? What about supplements?
A: Foods that are rich in essential fatty acids have shown benefit in people struggling with depressionfatty fish would be a good source of DHA and EPA. Also, many nuts and seeds that are beneficials in your diet are rich in essential fatty acids. Things like walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and almonds. Foods rich in Vitamin B12 and folic acid, in addition to supplementation (Methyl 12 Plus is great), are also beneficial. Brewer's yeast, brown rice, oats and animal proteins that are good for your GenoType would be recommended. Some studies have shown a benefit from regular dark chocolate consumption on mood. This is probably due to their flavonoid content. Green tea is also rich in beneficial flavonoids that have benefits for many reasons, but among them is mood as well. In addition, green tea is rich in a naturally occurring amino acid, L-Theanine, which has calming effects on the nervous system. So green tea is good for depression and anxiety, which often go hand in hand.
Supplements I often recommend are B-complex, especially ones that contain pantethine (B5), methylcobalamine (B12), pyridoxine (B6); and essential fatty acids. Cortiguard® (especially for Types A and B) and Catechol® (especially for Types O and AB) are helpful in managing everyday stress. There are also some wonderful herbs to manage mood, most famously St. John's Wort, Rhodiola, Bacopa and Holy Basil according to one's GenoType. Sometimes I will use amino acids that act as precursors to certain neurotransmitters but again, these are highly specific recommendations based on a number of individual parameters. Things like tyrosine, 5 hydroxytryptophan and the aforementioned L-theanine can be very helpful for many people.
Posted by Phillipa on December 1, 2010, at 13:42:40
In reply to **Depression, Stress and your BLOOD TYPE**, posted by FluffMama on December 1, 2010, at 13:00:45
FluffMama thanks this explains why I as a type A suffer from Gad. So my body hasn't been "lying" to respond to benzodiazapines? What else would you suggest? I respond to bike riding since can no longer run. Also eat dark chocolate, drink iced green tea. Reason for that is lost taste and smell 7 years ago. Also hypothyroid and Mother deceased from Addison's disease. Phillipa This is interesting how much fact is in this article or still just speculation?
Posted by Phillipa on December 1, 2010, at 13:44:09
In reply to Re: **Depression, Stress and your BLOOD TYPE** » FluffMama, posted by Phillipa on December 1, 2010, at 13:42:40
What about low dose lexapro and this dang 50mg of luvox been on for ll years can't get off and tried many times? Phillipa. You may babblemail me
Posted by bleauberry on December 1, 2010, at 19:08:12
In reply to **Depression, Stress and your BLOOD TYPE**, posted by FluffMama on December 1, 2010, at 13:00:45
I personally find this stuff amazing, promising, and way ahead of conventional white coat scientists.
It is already known that many disease symptoms can be minimized or eliminated by sticking to a blood type diet. Each blood type has certain foods to avoid.
I know a woman for example that has had moderate success with multiple sclerosis medications, along with dangerous side effects, but found much more significant improvement on her blood type diet. Unfortunately for her it means avoiding some of her all time favorite foods such as potatoes, corn, and tomatoes. Not a bad trade off though.
I need to learn more about this because I see a lot of untapped potential in it. It would probably benefit me greatly. I don't even know what my blood type is. I guess that is my first step.
While I already knew blood type and food were correlated with things like inflammation, immune function, allergies, and disease symptoms, I never considered the cortisol/neurotransmitter connection.
Fascinating. I think I have some homework to do.
Thank you very much for sharing this!
Posted by FluffMama on December 2, 2010, at 0:43:32
In reply to Re: **Depression, Stress and your BLOOD TYPE**, posted by bleauberry on December 1, 2010, at 19:08:12
Blueberry you can order a totally cheap blood-type testing kit from Amazon.com or Dr. D'adamo's website for around 9 bucks (free shipping) http://www.4yourtype.com/prodinfo.asp?number=YTE001
It's pretty easy and you find out the results instantly.
Posted by FluffMama on December 2, 2010, at 0:56:08
In reply to Re: **Depression, Stress and your BLOOD TYPE** » FluffMama, posted by Phillipa on December 1, 2010, at 13:42:40
> FluffMama thanks this explains why I as a type A suffer from Gad. So my body hasn't been "lying" to respond to benzodiazapines? What else would you suggest? I respond to bike riding since can no longer run. Also eat dark chocolate, drink iced green tea. Reason for that is lost taste and smell 7 years ago. Also hypothyroid and Mother deceased from Addison's disease. Phillipa This is interesting how much fact is in this article or still just speculation?
This research is very scientific and has been around for close to 10 years and the Doctor wrote a book called "Eat Right for your Blood Type" and another one called "Live Right for your Blood Type" and here is a link that tells more about your blood type - type A.
http://www.4yourtype.com/TypeA_basic.asp
Now I want to clarify, even though this helps us understand why we get symptoms, and how diet and supplements can help some of them, it doesn't mean we aren't going to be helped from Benzos and other standard medications. I made that mistake - I dumped my Lamictal and Seroquel down the toilet after reading these books and thought I could just survive by eating right, exercise and taking supplements. WRONG! Don't feel badly about being on medications! I personally need more than just a good diet and herbs. But what I'm doing is adding a supplement that Dr. D'Admao recommends for my Blood Type (O) to help me with stress. He recommends a different supplement for your Blood Type(A) called Cortiguard, which you will see at the bottom of the page about your blood type. Obviously it's a good idea to show the ingredients to your Psychiatrist first to see if there are potentially any interactions, although I didn't.
I hope nobody thinks I am saying this is a cure - it is just one insight into why some of us feel the way we do and respond the way we do. I am still on Lithium, Lamictal, Effexor XR and Seroquel. But I also take a couple of Dr. D'adamo's supplements for Type O blood and try to avoid the foods he recommends, and get the strenuous exercise Type O people need. I'm also in therapy and I still struggle. But at least this Blood Type stuff can give us pointers.
Posted by FluffMama on December 2, 2010, at 1:01:44
In reply to Re: **Depression, Stress and your BLOOD TYPE**, posted by Phillipa on December 1, 2010, at 13:44:09
> What about low dose lexapro and this dang 50mg of luvox been on for ll years can't get off and tried many times? Phillipa. You may babblemail me
Hi Phillipa - sorry, I still haven't figured out what Babblemail is. But if the Luvox and Lexapro are not helping you, has your Psychiatrist given you a way to taper off slowly? Have you heard of "The Road Back" which is a website that helps people get off meds without too many side effects? http://www.theroadback.org/ I think you have to buy some supplements with the program that the guy recommends though.
There is nothing wrong with Lexapro and Luvox. They can be really helpful - heck, I get tempted to "go natural" sometimes, and then I go a few days without my medications and feel so badly I am grateful to high heaven for my drugs!! I'm 42 and I'll stay on some of them for life. Who cares if my brain synapses get a little weird. At least I'll be alive and not desperately depressed. But the key is, are they helping you. If not, then yeah, I'd want off of them too.
Posted by linkadge on December 2, 2010, at 18:43:14
In reply to Re: **Depression, Stress and your BLOOD TYPE**, posted by FluffMama on December 2, 2010, at 1:01:44
I would consider this pure bunk IMHO, until several, larger, better designed studies come out to confirm any suck proposed association.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on December 2, 2010, at 18:43:25
In reply to Re: **Depression, Stress and your BLOOD TYPE**, posted by FluffMama on December 2, 2010, at 1:01:44
I would consider this pure bunk IMHO, until several, larger, better designed studies come out to confirm any such proposed association.
Linkadge
Posted by 10derheart on December 2, 2010, at 23:55:30
In reply to Re: Bunk, posted by linkadge on December 2, 2010, at 18:43:25
Aw, link, I liked the first version better...it made me smile it seemed so kinda Freudian....although I know a typo really is probably *just* a typo....
;-)
Posted by FluffMama on December 3, 2010, at 2:08:42
In reply to Re: Bunk, posted by linkadge on December 2, 2010, at 18:43:14
> I would consider this pure bunk IMHO, until several, larger, better designed studies come out to confirm any suck proposed association.
>
> Linkadge
>Oh, you mean like the ones found below? I can't guarantee they will confirm any "suck" proposed association, though. Follow the money - there is nothing for pharmaceutical companies to gain in determining that people with Type 0 blood might be more apt to develop Bipolar disorder. Or that they don't process adrenaline as aptly as other blood types and would benefit from more exercise. That cortisol levels differ between Type O and Type B individuals across the board. How can you make money off of that? Why would lots of studies be sponsored? The ones already done have made their point. Ta.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11508010
Posted by linkadge on December 4, 2010, at 12:08:55
In reply to Re: Bunk - Nope, just science. » linkadge, posted by FluffMama on December 3, 2010, at 2:08:42
First of all, the two of the studies were done in the 70's and early 80's. This is back when they thought that depression was caused by low serotonin levels (and evil spirits btw).
FYI, when a study finds an *association* this does not scientifically prove that there is any feasable causative connection between the two. And, there are literally dozens of studies on depression and the serotonin transporter gene (i.e. much more thant 3).
For instance, 5 years ago, there were tons of studies linking the SS varient of the serotonin transporter gene to depression. Now scientists generally agree that (when considering the proponderance of evidence) there really is no association at all.
If you *honestly* think 3 small studies which report an 'association' (with an unspecified statistical significance BTW) means anything, then I think you'd better look deeper.
Furthermore, this research has absolutely no bearing on the sucessful treatment of depression. I'm sure plenty of type blood O depressed patients have sucessfully recovered on every class of antidepressat imaginable, whether dopaminergic, serotoninergic, or otherwise.
Linkadge
Posted by FluffMama on December 5, 2010, at 8:37:22
In reply to Re: Science ?? Please! » FluffMama, posted by linkadge on December 4, 2010, at 12:08:55
Never said the research had anything to do with treatment. But there is a distinct difference in different blood types - read the books first and then comment, otherwise you really don't know what I'm talking about. Type O blood types have trouble processing adrenaline; other types have issues with cortisol - pretty basic stuff. Doesn't take rocket science.
In Japan they will often advertise for jobs according to blood type: Wanted, middle management, Blood Type O. They have booths where you can get your blood type done! I know they take it too far, and the "personality" going along with blood type is ridiculous as a horoscope to me.
Once you've read his books, come back and comment and we can have a real discussion of the matter.
Posted by linkadge on December 5, 2010, at 14:55:16
In reply to Re: Science ?? Please! » linkadge, posted by FluffMama on December 5, 2010, at 8:37:22
>Never said the research had anything to do with >treatment. But there is a distinct difference in >different blood types - read the books first and >then comment, otherwise you really don't know >what I'm talking about.
I really don't care. I don't need to read a book to know something is bunk. People write books on every topic. My uncle gave me a book on how the world was going to end in the year 2000.
>Type O blood types have trouble processing >adrenaline; other types have issues with >cortisol - pretty basic stuff. Doesn't take >rocket science.
Says who?? Show me *one single* medical abstract which shows that people with blood type O have trouble processing adrenaline, or cortisol.
>In Japan they will often advertise for jobs >according to blood type: Wanted, middle >management, Blood Type O. They have booths where >you can get your blood type done!
Yeah, and the Q-Wray bracelet is based on traditional chineese medicine.
>Once you've read his books, come back and >comment and we can have a real discussion of the >matter
I have not seen any substantial medical basis for your claims. An extensive search of google has essentially resulted in no more than the 3 studies you showed.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on December 5, 2010, at 14:59:21
In reply to Re: Science ?? Please!, posted by linkadge on December 5, 2010, at 14:55:16
And please don't reference a bunch of Peter D'Adamo crap.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on December 5, 2010, at 15:16:56
In reply to Re: Science ?? Please!, posted by linkadge on December 5, 2010, at 14:59:21
According to the wikipedia article on D'Adamo's "Blood Type Diet":
"Nevertheless, the consensus among dieticians, physicians, and scientists is that the theory is unsupported by scientific evidence"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_type_diet
Linkadge
Posted by FluffMama on December 8, 2010, at 1:44:13
In reply to Re: Science ?? Please!, posted by linkadge on December 5, 2010, at 14:59:21
> And please don't reference a bunch of Peter D'Adamo crap.
>
> LinkadgeThat's like saying, "I accept all evidence except the evidence from _________." - I can't argue with you when you set those kind of rules. Dr. D'Adamo is the pioneer of this and just like many, many other "natural" discoveries, his science will be promoted widely once there is a way to make massive money from it by a pharmaceutical company. HA!
Posted by FluffMama on December 8, 2010, at 2:03:00
In reply to Re: Science ?? Please!, posted by linkadge on December 5, 2010, at 14:55:16
> Says who?? Show me *one single* medical abstract which shows that people with blood type O have trouble processing adrenaline, or cortisol.
Goldin, LR, Gershon ES, Targum SD, Sparkes RS, McGinniss M. Segregation and linkage studies of plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylas (DBH), erythrocyte catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), and platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO): possible linkage between the *B* locus and a gene controlling DBH activity. Am J Hum Genet. 1982; 34:250-262
Locong, AH, Roberge AG. Cortisol and Catecolamines response to venisection by humans with different blood groups. Clin Biochem. 1985; 18:67-69
I won't argue with you anymore because you have come to this issue with a clear presupposition: i.e., "This is a bunch of crap" without having read the scientific work and studies of the man credited with discovering the link between blood type and a host of different things - diet, illness, etc. I cannot convince you otherwise.But likewise, you can't just tell me that it's all crap and have the slightest effect on what I've read, experienced, and believe to be true either!
HA! SO we must agree to disagree.
Posted by linkadge on December 11, 2010, at 16:04:41
In reply to Final Word from Me - Research Studies and HA!, posted by FluffMama on December 8, 2010, at 2:03:00
>I won't argue with you anymore because you have >come to this issue with a clear presupposition: >i.e., "This is a bunch of crap" without having >read the scientific work and studies of the man >credited with discovering the link between blood >type and a host of different things - diet, >illness, etc. I cannot convince you otherwise.
Thats because it is crap, and most of the medical community recognizes it as such.
>But likewise, you can't just tell me that it's >all crap and have the slightest effect on what >I've read, experienced, and believe to be true >either!
The research studies you posted don't mean anything. They basically suggest (weak) associations between two variables. What exactly does that prove? If you look at the studies D'Adamo references himself, they are contradictory! One says blood type O is associated with high cortisol response, and the other with low cortisol response. D'Adamo is just trying to sell books.
This is certainly not mainstream science.
Linkadge
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 12, 2010, at 2:25:33
In reply to Re: Final Word from Me - Research Studies and HA!, posted by linkadge on December 11, 2010, at 16:04:41
> it is crap
Please be sensitive to the feelings of others.
But please don't take this personally, this doesn't mean I don't like you or think you're a bad person, and I'm sorry if this hurts you.
More information about posting policies and tips on alternative ways to express yourself, including a link to a nice post by Dinah on I-statements, are in the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#enforceFluffMama, I'm also sorry if you felt hurt.
Follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above posts, should of course themselves be civil.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by FluffMama on December 14, 2010, at 22:28:47
In reply to Re: please be sensitive » linkadge, posted by Dr. Bob on December 12, 2010, at 2:25:33
Nah, no hard feelings - thanks Dr. Bob! I'm as guilty as anyone of being too opinionated and I will work on my "I" statements and not getting so riled up.
This is the end of the thread.
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