There's a radioactive plume coming from the failed nuclear reactors in Japan. Some alarm is rising over the effect of the radiation. In part the alarm is due to the decades of fearism about all things nuclear, and partly due to the real danger. It would seem in this case the real danger is much less than the panic some have been feeling. In any case there is some useful information available about surviving some of the effects of radiation releases.
For example there's been a run on "emergency potassium iodide" supplies, but here in the U.S. radioactive iodine is not a danger. As Dr. James Blumenthal, DC explains in the first video below, the danger zone is within a few miles of the reactor.
By the time the radioactive plume reaches the U.S. the radioactive iodine will have dissipated. One reason is the short half-life of radioactive iodine and the other is simple physics, that the plume will be spread out by the wind.
There are other radioactive isotopes in the plume, and those have much longer term effects.
Do not take emergency potassium iodide unless instructed to do so because it is only to be taken if there is a nuclear event within miles - not thousands of miles - from you! However, there are many natural remedies you can take and foods you can eat that will help your body deal with low-level radiation exposure, should it occur. In this video Dr. James Blumenthal, DC shares some of the most important information you need to know regarding low-level radiation and what to do about it, should it come to America from Japan.
3/15/11 Los Angeles Times Story regarding potential for low level radiation exposure to crops and farm animals:
Main Talking Points:
- Do not take emergency potassium iodide - it will harm you
- There is more to radiation than the radioactive iodine 131
- Other radiation isotopes include uranium, plutonium and cesium
- Radioactive iodine 131 has a half life of about 8 days
- Radioactive iodine 131 is really only an issue for people next to a nuclear event
- Uranium, plutonium and cesium have half-lives of about 30 years, so we need to be somewhat concerned about this form of radiation.
- Radioactive iodine 131 could possibly affect people in America if they are iodine deficient, then supplementing with 100 to 150 micrograms (not milligrams) of iodine per day may be warranted
- The supplement dose is 1/1000 of a dose of emergency iodine
- We can get extra iodine by eating seaweed and seafood, or taking a health food store supplement, to increase our background levels of iodine, slowly, and naturally
- If you have an autoimmune problem, or any thyroid issues at all, you must contact your doctor before taking any iodine supplement
- For the other three radioactive elements, we can take glutathione supplementation and SOD.
- The kidneys are at risk from radioactive isotopes, and one way to help them is to take baking soda between meals, a couple times a day.
Naturopathic Doctor Jennifer Fisher gives an overview of how best to protect and nourish the thyroid gland, which is susceptible to radioactive iodine. High does emergency potassium iodide tablets should never be taken unless a nuclear event occurs within miles of someone because such extremely high doses of potassium iodide will cause health problems. Dr. Fisher addresses this topic, and gives an overview of what the thyroid gland is, what it does, ways we can nourish it, and if we want to take supplemental iodine, how to do so.
Main Talking Points:
- Do not take emergency potassium iodide - it will harm you
- The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones call T3 and T4
- The thyroid gland regulates the body's metabolic rate
- The thyroid gland affects every cell in the body
- Chemicals and pollution can adversely affect the thyroid gland, as can radiation
- The thyroid "soaks up" iodine and iodide like a sponge; unfortunately, it will do so with radioactive iodine as well.
- Cancer can be a result of radioactive iodine exposure
- Hypothyroidism: low function metabolism
- Hyperthyroidism: fast metabolism
- Thyroid requires many nutrients to function properly, not just iodine or iodide
- Best thing for the thyroid is to stop eating processed foods and to start eating whole, organic foods so that it can get all the nutrients it requires
- Seaweed is an excellent food source of iodine and iodide; often eaten in miso soup
- Never take emergency potassium iodide unless instructed to do so.
- Supplemental iodine and iodide can be found in health food stores; the suggested dose is around 150 to 250 micrograms
- If you have any concerns about your thyroid health, or any other health issues, consider a visit to a Naturopathic Doctor.
