ProActive Radiation Protection - A Nutritional Approach

As our hearts go out to the victims of the recent catastrophic events in Japan, back here at home we are experiencing the world is smaller than we realize.  With the Nuclear Power Plant reactors releasing controversial amounts of radioactive material, that could reach the Western US, we are discovering we are not so far from our neighbors thousand of miles across the pacific. 

Along with this concern, has also come an enormous amount of fear about how to protect ourselves from potential radiation exposure. People are calling me telling me to take potassium iodide, NOW.  Load up!  Load up!  However, this is where I must step in and say, "STOP and BREATHE". 

Potassium Iodide is NOT the answer NOW. So, let’s look at the big picture nutritionally and WHEN exactly IS the best time to take Potassium Iodide and how to nutritionally support our own detoxification system in the mean time to gently excrete the radiation if we do have an exposure.

It is important to know that In addition to radioactive iodine, toxic substances such as plutonium, cesium, and strontium are other forms of radio active substances that are at risk of being released. 

Also, it is not just about the thyroid. The thyroid is only one organ that is affected by radioactivity (and by only one isotope-Iodine 131 known as radioiodine). Many other organs such as your lungs, skin, sexual organs, bones, and even your DNA are also at risk.  So, it is important to take a whole body approach to increasing your resilience to toxic exposure. 

This document will guide you with ideas to prepare your body in the event of radiation exposure and to help you have the resilience to detoxify and eliminate toxic substances. 

Diet/Nutritional Recommendations

The following recommendations are for informational purposes only.  It is not recommended you take ALL of the items covered below, but to incorporate them the best you can. 

About Potassium Iodide
Now is NOT the time to be taking Potassium Iodide.  The 130 mg Potassium Iodide recommended dose for radiation exposures is dangerously high unless called for.  Potassium Iodide IS NOT your daily RDA of 150 mcg’s of Iodine.  Potassium Iodide is a very powerful substance (especially at the levels recommended for radiation exposure) and can cause more harm than good if taken outside of necessary circumstances such as a “Federal Notification” that radiation levels have reached a specific level. At that point Potassium Iodide is a supplement that is to be taken in a ONE TIME dose upon exposure or just before or during exposure to radiation that has been confirmed by public officials.  At that point Potassium Iodide is NOT an ongoing supplement to be taking. 

*Note – Iodine is not for everyone.  Some people are sensitive to it and some people have thyroid conditions that iodine will make worse (ie, Graves & Hashimoto’s).  LISTEN to your body.  If you take iodine in any form whether it be in a supplement or food and you feel worse then STOP.  Better yet, get your Thyroid tested.  90% of all hypothyroid cases in the US are Hashimoto’s so keep that in mind if you have hypothyroid.  Contact me here to learn more about getting a complete thyroid panel.

Supplemental Iodine
Daily average dose is around 150mcg.  This is usually found in a high quality multi-Vitamin.

About Diet

Keeping a glycemically balanced, alkalized, antioxidant, nutrient and mineral rich diet is essential.  It is just good dietary practice whether we are fearing a radiation exposure or not.  Remember, there is a significant amount of non-ionizing radiation in our environment everyday from cell phone use to the use of microwave at home, to wireless routers, cell towers, Smart Meters and much more.  So, even though we are potentially dealing with a unique radiation exposure, the recommendations below are good for everyday healthy living in today’s toxic world.  The content below will show you how to focus on a diet rich in:

• Antioxidants
• Minerals
• Fiber
• Sulfur
• Iodine
• Sodium Alginate
• High Nucleotides

Antioxidant Rich

As living cells get exposed to radiation it triggers the production of free radicals, which then leads to the breaking of chemical bonds and different forms of cellular damage. Antioxidants are substances that scavenge the free radicals before they can do much cellular or molecular damage, and allow repairs to take place to the original damaged molecules.

• Good Sources of Antioxidants: Colorful fruits and Veggies with rich dark pigmets (ie, green, red and orange).  Think leafy greens, carrots, tomatoes, artichoke, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, etc....
  

•  Herbs - ground cloves, cinnamon and oregano, cilantro, turmeric, ginger
  

Mineral Rich

Many minerals can help with radiation protection and help repair the body after radiation exposure. When your body is mineral deficient, the absorption of radioactive material is more likely.   Thus, it is best to have a high mineral diet upon radioactive exposure.

• Good sources of Minerals are: algae, sea vegetables, leafy greens and nutrients mentioned below. Selenium in particular, has been shown to protect human DNA from radiation damage and helps prevent skin damage, too. Selenium protects DNA from radiation damage.

• Good sources of selenium: shellfish, green and black teas, and garlic, brazil nuts, Swiss Chard as well as various mushrooms.   An example of a good daily dose is 2 cups/500 ml of nettle infusion, one-half ounce/15 g kelp, 2 ounces/60 g cooked burdock root, or 1 cup/250 ml organic yogurt daily.  The best sources however are nettles (2200 mcg per 100 grams), kelp (1700 mcg/100 g), burdock (1400 mcg/100 g), ginseng, Siberian ginseng, and astragalus.

Fiber Rich

To prevent absorption of radioactive particles and improve their excretion.  It is essential to stay well hydrated with a clean water source to benefit from a high fiber diet.  Fiber binds to toxins in the colon and helps excrete them out of the body.

• Leafy Greens
• Ground Flax Seed
• Chia Seed
• Psyllium
• Apple Pectin

Sulfur Rich

Sulfur helps the mitochondria in cells resists radiation, helps repair DNA molecules, and prevents the absorption of radioactive sulfur-35.  These foods help detoxification and to eliminate radioactive elements. 

• Brassica Veggies & Cabbage Family - Cabbage, watercress, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale, collards, arugula, turnips, spinach, kelp,  radishes, mustard greens, bok choy.
  

• Garlic, onions
• Ginger 
• Clean, lean protein - Chicken, Turkey  & eggs (duck, goose or chicken), Grass Fed Beef
• Whey Protein - Contains Cysteine which helps produce glutathione and boost immunity.  Helps counteract the effects of     several different types of radiation in animal studies.

Iodine Rich

Sea Veggies - Nori, Dulce, Kombhu, Arame, Hijiki, Kelp are rich in bio-available minerals and iodine.  Just a ¼ cup provides 415 mcg of iodine. 

Foods also high in iodine:

• organic yogurt
• organic eggs (with yolk)
• organic poultry
• organic cows milk

*Note – eggs, and dairy are common allergens.  So, again, if you feel worse eating these foods, stop!

Sodium Alginate Rich

Sodium alginate selectively binds radioactive strontium and eliminates it from the body.  Sodium alginate binds tightly to such substances as strontium, calcium, barium, cadmium and radium.  Must be in combination with a high fiber diet!  See below...

• Sea vegetables - Nori, Dulce, Kombhu, Arame, Hijiki, Kelp

• Miso - Miso contains “Zybicolin”, which acts as a binding agent to detoxify and eliminate radioactive elements (such as strontium) and other pollutants from the body.

To give a boost to the protective qualities of miso soup put 1/4-ounce (5 grams) of dried kelp seaweed into the soup.

High Nucleotide Rich

Nucleotides are the building blocks or sub-unit molecules that make up RNA and DNA, which carry your genetic code.  Helps to expedite healing from radiation exposure.

• Sources of High Nucleotide Foods: Cilantro, Spirulina, Chlorella, Algae, brewers yeast, anchovies, oysters, mackerel, lentils, beans, and animal liver, vegetable/leafy green juicing and SeaCure supplement. 

Other Supportive Food Nutrients

• Leafy Greens – provide minerals, fiber and hemoglobin like factors for the blood.  

• Kale, Collard Greens, Swiss Chard, Spinach, mustard greens, basil.  Basil helps to protect DNA from radiation

• Healthy Fats/Oils – help cell membrane integrity. 
  
• Olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, cod liver oil

• Nuts and seeds – high in minerals and fiber, healthy fats that promote healthy cell membranes.  Raw, soaked nuts such as: walnuts, pecans, almonds, Brazil nuts.  Nuts contain enzyme inhibitors that prevent the uptake of minerals into the body.  Soaking them overnight will remove the enzyme inhibitors and not impact mineral balance.  Remember optimal mineral levels in the body are essential to ward off absorbing radioactive material.
  

• Seeds
• Flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds. 

• Vegetables high in Beta Carotene-  Aid in boosting immunity and protecting mucus membranes.
  
• Kale and all greens, carrots, spinach, pumpkin and winter squash, beets, sweet potatos, yams, melons, apricots, and other yellow, and orange, and red fruits and vegetables.

• ECGC based herbal teas  - contain antioxidants to help counteract oxidative stress from radiation. 
  
• Green Tea, Black Tea
  

• Rooibis tea - Contains the flavonoid compound luteolin, also helps the body withstand radiation.  It protects DNA from radiation-induced free radicals.
  

Avoid

Sugars and sweets, white breads, wheat, white rice, white flour products, processed foods, fast foods, junk foods, sodas, alcohol and artificial sweeteners.  These all suppress the immune system and promote an acidic environment in your body.

Sugar depletes calcium from your body. Calcium has a similar atomic structure to Strontium-90 in particular , which means your body will pull Strontium-90 into your bones in place of calcium if there is any shortage of calcium. 

Additionally, sodas, soft drinks, which are both high in sugar and phosphoric acid, aggressively rob calcium from your body and make you more susceptible to Strontium toxicity.

Summary of Pro-Active Radiation Protection Diet

• Miso soup

• Spirulina, chlorella and the algaes (kelp, etc.)

• Brassica vegetables and high beta carotene vegetables

• Beans and lentils

• Potassium, calcium and mineral rich foods

• High Sulfur foods such as Cruciferous Veggies, poultry,  clean lean animal protein

• High nucleotide content foods to assist in cellular repair including spirulina, chlorella, algae, yeast, sardines, liver, anchovies and mackerel

• High fiber diet with lots of vegetables to assist elimination of toxins

• Healthy fats
  

• A good multivitamin/multimineral supplement

• Avoid sugars, sweets, refined grains, wheat, alcohol, artificial sweeteners

****Upon exposure, increase consumption of sulfur-containing vegetables, protein, kelp, and cysteine antioxidants (whey protein, alpha lipoic acid, NAC, Glutathione)

Supplementation

• Comprehensive Multivitamin – Contains foundational vitamins and minerals

• B-Complex - Many B-Vitamins (especially pantothenic acid) help to decrease the effects of radiation, support     detoxification and stress. The various B vitamins have different effects and should be taken together.     Take recommended dose on bottle
  

• Vitamin C+Bioflavonoids

Protects against intercellular damage from radiation. VERY IMPORTANT supplement for decreasing side     effects of radiation.  Normal dose: 2-5 grams...but can take up to bowel tolerance (i.e. when you start having diarrhea back off 500 mg.)

• Coenzyme Q10 & vitamins E in rice bran oil – helps protect your mitochondria from oxidative stress

• Full Spectrum Antioxidant – To help support body from oxidative stress.

• Alpha Lipoic Acid – Supports the recycling of antioxidants of Vitamin C and CoQ10.  In above supplement.

• Milk Thistle – Helps the liver deal with the effects of toxicity of radiation poisoning. Milk Thistle is a powerful herb for detoxifying the liver by promoting the flow of bile and protecting hepatocytes.  Take: 1-3 dropperfuls of tincture per day.

• Whey Protein – provides cysteine to help produce glutathione stores and increase immunity
  

• Holy Basil (also known as Tulsi) - Helps protect against the detrimental effects of low-level radiation. It also increases glutathione and superoxide dismutase (important mediators in the liver in helping the body deal with radiation.)
  

• Toxin Mobilizers - These help mobilize toxins in your body
  
• Cilantro, Spirulina, Chlorella, and Algae
  

• Toxin Binders - These help bind toxins and carry them out of your body. Can help remove any long term radioactive isotopes such as cesium and strontium that make their way into your food supply.
• Apple Pectin
• Montmorillonite Clay
  

Detox Baths

Sea Salt and Baking Soda Baths
Add 1 pound of sea salt and 1 pound of baking soda and soak in chlorine-free water for 20 minutes. Then rinse with cool water. You can also add 1 pound of betonite, or other clay, to the sea salt and baking soda when soaking which increases the removal of radiation.  For high levels of radiation you can use this method three times a week for one month.  However, remember, we are NOT experiencing HIGH levels of exposure.

Gentle Mineral Soak
1 Cup Mineral Sea Salts or Epsom Salt in hot bath water.  This can aid in detoxification and promote excretion of radiation from your body.  Soak in hot bath for 20 minutes with a hot wash cloth over your chest until water cools. 

Remember to sip on an alkalizing filtered water beverage while in the bath to rehydrate and assist flushing toxins from your body.  Example, Lemon water.

Note – to decrease chlorine in your bath use a ball ball like this one here.

To lessen your overall toxic burden:

• Focus on organic produce and animal proteins. 
• Use non-toxic body products – lotions, shampoos/conditioners, makeup
• Use non-toxic house cleaners and detergents
• Reduce your cell phone use and ONLY use it with a headset or on speaker. (Bluetooths don’t apply- they are a source of wireless radiation)
• Reduce/eliminate the use of microwave oven in home
• Use stress management tactics such as breathing exercises.  Stress is also a toxin that your body has to detoxify.  Breathing exercises will help induce an anti-stress affect on your body.

Remember, we are exposed to toxins and radiation everyday.  Our need for nutritional support does not just pertain to potential disasters.  We need effective nourishment DAILY that supports our natural ability to detoxify and be resilient in the face of countless toxins in our everyday environment AND to help protect us in the event of a disaster.

If you would like to learn more about a specific detox plan designed just for YOU to detoxify safely and effectively on a daily basis, I invite you to join me for a complimentary "Optimal Health Strategy Session" (Value 97$).  Just click here to schedule your session.

May you be well & thrive!

Sarah