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Natural protection strategies for radiation exposure whether from natural or man-made disasters, air travel, or medical procedures such as CT scans, MRIs, mammograms, or x-rays.
The Japanese Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011 was a brutal reminder that we live in a world where radiation exposure can occur in the blink of an eye.
Even the most earthquake-prepared nation on earth proved to be relatively helpless in the face of Mother Nature’s fury.
To be on the safe side, I no longer consume seafood from the Pacific ocean if I can avoid it. This is especially true for tuna, which commonly swim quite close to the Japanese coast.
I don’t believe I’m being overly cautious either. Last I checked, authorities were still dumping contaminated water from the damaged Fukushima reactors into the Pacific ocean over a decade later! (1)
The results of this nuclear accident were far-reaching beyond the Pacific, however. Fava beans imported to Taiwan years later tested for low levels of radioactivity. (2)
In addition, Japanese raw milk and spinach within Fukushima prefecture have also been tested for contamination, although officials have deemed the levels so small as to pose no threat to human health. (3)
The reasoning?
A person drinking the radioactive milk for one year would “only” be exposed to the equivalent of one CT scan.
What about CT scans anyway? How big of a radiation risk are they really? And, what about MRIs and mammograms?
CT Scans
One CT scan is a lot of radiation exposure, particularly if the radiation exposure does not abate due to contamination around Fukushima that poisons local food and water supplies for years to come.
What these officials seem to be purposely ignoring is that radiation exposure is cumulative. Reduction in exposure is not possible during a person’s lifetime.
In fact, an increasing number of doctors deem CT scans simply too dangerous for children’s long-term health and recommend using these high-powered x-rays only for a life-threatening emergency.
Even frequent dental x-rays are hazardous, especially for children.
Consequently, it seems prudent that those who may experience exposure from any source be prepared to take precautionary steps to protect themselves and their family.
MRIs
Magnetic Resonance Imaging, otherwise known as MRIs, is a different type of electromagnetic radiation than the ionizing radiation of x-rays and CT scans.
However, they pose unique risks of their own.
For example, the peer-reviewed journal Reviews of Environmental Health found that the intense magnetism from MRIs can actually increase the release of mercury from dental amalgams at levels that would be a potential hazard for pregnant women and sensitive individuals. (4)
Mammograms
Mammograms are a significant radiation risk to women given that beyond a certain age, they are performed regularly, rapidly increasing cumulative exposure.
Dr. Samuel Epstein MD, one of the world’s top cancer experts estimates that up to 20% of all breast cancers diagnosed in the United States annually are actually due to the cumulative radiation effects of mammograms!
It would behoove any woman to take steps to ensure breast health by opting for safe alternatives to mammograms.
Radiation Sickness Remedies
Sometimes, exposure to radiation is beyond our control.
In those situations, Dr. Tom Cowan MD, author of the Fourfold Path to Healing, describes the following as wise steps to take to counteract the effects.
- Make sure to include special foods in the diet that have been shown to counteract radiation sickness. These foods include naturally fermented miso, beets, kombucha, and sea vegetables such as kombu.
- Detoxifying Epsom salt baths using a cupful every couple of days is an inexpensive aid to boosting magnesium levels, relaxing muscles, and aiding the elimination channels.
Preventative Aids
With regard to supplements, Dr. Cowan recommends the vitamins and herbs below as the safest and most proven aids in radiation exposure:
- Vitamin C in the form of the highly absorbable liposomal C. Dr. Cowan suggests 1 tsp a day in any liquid, half that dose for children under 5. I personally do not use liposomal C as it gives me migraines. I use natural food-based Vitamin C instead (such as these brands or pure acerola cherry). Whatever you choose, be sure to not use synthetic ascorbic acid or worse, GMO Vitamin C.
- The herb Eleutherococcus, otherwise known as Siberian ginseng. Dosage is one tablet twice a day for adults, half that dose for children under 5. For those unable to swallow pills, dissolve the tablets in hot water and mix with any liquid. For tinctures use as directed on labels and half dose for children).
- Modifilan, a brown seaweed. This ocean plant is rich in a chemical called fucoidan, which studies have shown has great promise in combating radiation exposure. This seaweed has liberal amounts of iodine, so the more toxic potassium iodine need not be taken at this point (3 capsules twice a day for adults, one capsule twice a day for children younger than 5). It can be mixed with any soft food, like applesauce.
What About Potassium Iodide?
Dr. Cowan suggests these cautions with regard to potassium iodide:
- When it comes to potassium iodide (KI), this is a much more aggressive measure. This is because many people will have some trouble with the high doses that are typically suggested. But, if public health authorities say it’s time, then it should be used…but only then. This is a potassium iodide kit I keep in my cabinet for emergencies. I can mix it into regular potassium iodide or super saturated potassium iodide as a lung expectorant.
- If needed, the dose is 130 mg of KI for adults and women who are breastfeeding. For young people ages 3-18, the dose is 65 mg. Children who are adult-size should take the adult dose. Infants and children between 1 month and 2 years of age should take 32 mg. Newborns and infants 1-month-old should take 16 mg.
- The best source for potassium iodide is from your local pharmacy, this easy-to-use kit, or by ordering Iodoral online.
(1) Fukushima: Japan approves releasing wastewater into ocean
(2) Taiwan finds radiation in imported Japanese beans
(3) Radioactive Japanese Milk, Spinach
(4) Increased mercury release from dental amalgam restorations after exposure to electromagnetic fields as a potential hazard for hypersensitive people and pregnant women
Just had to mention this- it was not the earthquake, but the resulting tsunami that damaged the pumps to the reactors in Japan. Also, there have been no deaths/damages from radiation poisoning so far. The injuries were from the explosion itself. The media is really blowing this out-of-proportion, from what I have been able to gather.
Of course, radiation exposure is real and a dangerous thing, but the damages at the plant in Japan have so far not even been as serious as that at 3-mile-island.
My friend, David Williams, Prime Minister of DoM, and former Navy officer and nuclear submarine expert, told me this is an impossibility because of the way the reactors are constructed. It just doesn’t and cannot happen… not by tsunami.
I just thought I mentioned it.
It’s a good thing I’m already eating a lot of that stuff… kombu, beets, beet kvass, kombucha, all things that taste good anyway!
What are the dangers of potassium iodide intake?
The government always downplays the very real dangers of radiation. The fact is, no level of artificially created radiation has been shown to be safe. Thank you, Sarah, for giving us something we can do to protect ourselves. The government should be doing this, and more, but they are to busy claiming there is no risk.
Thank you for this post. We are in Northern California and have started our entire family on iodine rich foods, liguid kelp, home brewed Kombucha, and other things that are good for reducing the side effects of radiation exposure. We did get some potassium iodone pills just in case things get really ugly from a local compounding pharmacy, especially since our children are still young and would be most susceptible in the event of full exposure.
I have been following NaturalNews.com’s RSS feed and today there was a great article that talked about the protective benefits of Spirulina and Chlorella. I am going to be picking up some of these things too. http://www.naturalnews.com/031779_spirulina_radiation.html
I took an epsom salt bath last year, and was up all night afterward with diarrhea and vomiting. Any insight on that? A friend suggested I may have stayed in too long (probably 20 minutes or so) but I’ve been chicken to try again ever since.
Hi Jenny, I got really sick with the flu once a few years back after a full body deep tissue massage. It really knocked some toxins loose and I failed to drink enough water after the massage to flush them out which I think contributed to me getting sick. I’m wondering if you drank water after your soak and whether maybe you soaked a bit too long? Obviously, it did you some good though as you had a very strong detox reaction. Maybe try again with a very short one, like 5 minutes and make sure to drink water afterward and see if you do better this time.
Thanks for sharing information about CT scans. My son has hardly ever been covered on the family health insurance due to his facial tumor, which actually lead to better health in the long run using diet and nutritional supplements. That meant no radiations from scans..(Doctors say they can’t remove his tumor, so the lack of doctor’s treatment didn’t affect his health). I believe less tests and scans kept him healthier..
Using essential oils are something many don’t think about using. Melaleuca oils may protect cells from radiation damage, according to Dr. Daniel Penoel in l’aromathÄ-rapie Exactement.
Limu is another brown seaweed that may be beneficial..
Like my reply above, we do the detox bath a lot in my house. I add 1 cup aluminum free baking soda too. It helps you sweat. I also add whatever essential oils I want to the bath too. I try to do this bath weekly and it really helps me. I have family members who have reported getting a metal taste in there mouth during this detox. Always make sure to drink a full glass of water after and maybe add some lemon. Do this bath at night only as you will be tired afterward. If you ever feel naseuos or sick, rinse off and get out as you have had enough detoxing for the night and try again in a few days until symtoms cease. This bath makes your skin so soft and is a free pedicure as the dead skin just falls off after. For very specific instructions I have done a post on one of my blogs for benefits and specific instructions- http://phasestoforever.blogspot.com/2010/09/detox-bath.html. It also helps if you are sore from the gym! hahaha. Thanks for all the great info Sarah!
Hi Sarah-
Where would you purchase that form of vitamin C??
Also, I live in central Texas. I am wondering if the jet stream would make it down this far??
Thanks!
Hi Amanda, I would just call your healthfood store and see ifthey have it. Searching online you can find it as well from places like swanson etc.
If you do a search on jet stream you can find interactive maps that show you where it’s going from day to day along with predictions of where the radiation plumes are going.
Hope this isn’t a stupid question but can children ages 2 1/2 and 7 1/2 take Epsom salt baths?
Thank you, again!
Hi Dawn, you don’t actually take the salts internally .. you would put them in a warm bath and yes, it should be fine for a younger child.
Dawn,
I have 3 kids who do this detox bath about monthly or if they feel worn down or like they are getting sick. I use 1/2 cup epsom salt, 1/2 cup aluminum free baking soda in mine. 1 C each for adults. Soak 20-30 minutes inwarm/ hot water. Make sure they have a full glass of water after the bath, they may be really tired, for the first few times especially. And will sleep like a rock! Also- if your child gets a bad bruise (liking running into a deck post on a sled….ahem….) doing this will ease the bruised muscle and get them up and running quickly.
Tips I have learned along the way 🙂
~Natasha
Living on the Florida Gulf Coast, are these things we should be taking now? And if so, most doses suggestions are for adults and children under 5. I have a 7 1/2 year old. Should he be dosed as an adult? (am referring to Vitamin C, sea vegetables, etc).
Thank you, Sarah!
Hi Dawn, the current jet stream does not put any of the radioactive plumes down the FL Gulf Coast at the moment, but you never know .. sometimes this time of year we can get a late season cold front push through that would bring the jet stream down here too. Based on Dr. Cowan’s recommendations, it seems that a child older than 5 would have the same dosage as an adult.