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There is a lot of concern at present about potential health risks of
radiation from the nuclear reactors in Japan reaching the West coast
of America. Whether it could eventually reach other countries is
not yet clear.
 We
do know people are very concerned, as we’ve had numerous
enquiries about
protection against radiation, and especially iodine supplements.
Some of our customers are required to travel to areas closer to
Japan, and others feel the need (very sensibly) to have a couple of
bottles of nascent iodine in the medicine cupboard.
It is important not to overstate this issue; many experts believe that is is such a small risk that it can be ignored, however, others who are concerned still want to take every possible precaution. It is in addressing that concern that we write this item.
Whether the radiation from the Japanese nuclear reactors will affect
this part of Europe is not clear and even if so the effect is likely to be minimal. However, if you are travelling to
areas closer to Japan, it would be sensible to take preventative
action now. Even if you are not, it’s advisable to ensure you are
not deficient in iodine, to consider taking some now, and to have a
couple of bottles in the medicine cupboard, because when you need
it, it may not be available, or be available quickly enough – we
understand that stocks in the USA and Asia have already run very low
indeed.
No one wants to think about a radioactive raincloud floating across
the globe,
but as
concern over total meltdown continues to grow, it’s important to
understand the health risk factors involved in nuclear accidents and
how to best look after your health.
All nuclear facilities release radioactive iodine into the
atmosphere, and when there is an explosion, such as the 1986
Chernobyl disaster in the Ukraine, an enormous amount of radioactive
iodine is released into the atmosphere.
How much
radiation is harmful depends on the dose, duration and method of
exposure. Some types of radioactive particles are more dangerous or
longer lasting than others.
The reason that Officials recommend taking iodine
when there’s a danger of nuclear radiation, is that if we are at all
deficient in iodine, the body quickly absorbs this radioactive
iodine. The best course of action is to ensure that you are not
iodine deficient before exposure to radioactive iodine, so that the
body isn’t able to absorb the radioactive iodine if you become
exposed to it. (Hence the suggestion to have some stock in the
medicine cupboard)
Nascent iodine can saturate the thyroid and protect it from the
uptake of radioactive iodine but it must be used quickly, ideally
before exposure or at the time of exposure.
After the Chernobyl disaster, incidence of thyroid cancers in the
Ukraine and neighbouring areas increased as much as 100-fold in the
areas closest to the radiation.
In Poland, however, over 18 million doses of iodine were
administered to 97% of the children, and there has been no similar
increase in thyroid cancer in that country. Part of this successful
result is due to Poland's radioiodine protective strategy, which
involved an aggressive ban of radioiodine contaminated food stuffs
and milk. Approximately 10.5 million children under age 16 and 7
million adults received at least one dose of iodine in Poland.
Sea Vegetables
People in the USA have apparently just about bought up all stocks of
iodine and most supplies have been exhausted. Fortunately sea
vegetables like Kelp, Nori, Kombu and Wakame are good sources of
natural iodine, although you may need to eat quite a lot of it.
Other algaes very helpful in protecting the body against radiation
include:
AquaSource Sea Power Algae
Blend of 3 different types of sea
algae: brown algae, red algae, and green algae (Dunaliella),
combined with Klamath Lake blue-green algae
AquaSource Green Energy
Blend of Klamath Lake Algae, Hawaiian
Spirulina and Alfalfa
Spirulina & Chlorella
After the Chernobyl disaster spirulina was used to help save many
children from radiation poisoning. By
taking 5 grams of spirulina a day for 45 days, the Institute of
Radiation Medicine in Minsk proved that children on this protocol
experienced enhanced immune systems, T-cell counts and reduced
radioactivity.
Israeli scientists have since treated Chernobyl children with doses
of natural beta carotene from Dunaliella algae and proved that it
helped normalise their blood chemistry.
Chlorella algae, a known immune system builder and heavy metal
detoxifier, has also shown radioprotective effects. Because they
bind heavy metals, algae should be consumed after exposure to any
type of radioactive contamination.
Solgar Chlorella
Solgar's
Chlorella is in the broken cell wall form for maximum utilisation
Anti-radiation diet
Basically, an anti-radiation diet should focus on the following
foods:
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Miso soup
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Spirulina,
chlorella and the algaes
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Brassica
vegetables and high beta carotene vegetables
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Beans and
lentils
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Potassium,
calcium and mineral rich foods
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High
nucleotide content foods to assist in cellular repair
including spirulina, chlorella, algae, brewer's yeast, sardines,
and anchovies, liver (only eat organic)
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cod liver
oil and olive oil
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Avoid
sugars and sweets and wheat
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A good
multivitamin/multimineral supplement
We can't
control these natural disasters but there is still a lot you can do
to protect yourself from the effects on your health.
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