How to Protect Yourself from Radiation Poisoning

Radiation Danger

How to protect yourself from radiation poisoning could save your life and/or prevent a radiation induced cancer.  In light of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant disaster in Japan as a result of the 9.0 earthquake and tsunami, you better have a plan for dealing with radiation exposure.  The partial meltdown, hydrogen explosions, pressure releases and steam and core breaches have released radiation into the atmosphere.  This will affect the entire planet.  Japan will suffer with the highest radiation exposures but the trade winds will carry the radiation around the globe.

Update 8-11-2013 – 2 and a half years later!

  From RT.com However, Japan’s Ministry of Industry has recently estimated that some 300 tons of contaminated groundwater have been flowing into the ocean daily ever since the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that triggered the disaster. TEPCO also promised it will urgently reinforce the protective shields to keep radioactive leaks at bay. The company has repeatedly complained it is running out of space and has had to resort to pumping water into hastily-built tanks of questionable reliability, as more than 20,000 tons of water with high levels of radioactive substances has accumulated in the plant’s drainage system. Water samples recently taken at an underground passage below the Fukushima nuclear plant showed extreme levels of radiation comparable to those taken immediately after the March 2011 catastrophe. The tested water, which had been mixing with ground water and flowing into the ocean, contained 2.35 billion Becquerels of cesium per liter – some 16 million times above the limit.

Funny the media hasn’t said squat about this MASSIVE RADIOACTIVE LEAK   At this point in time (March 19, 2011), we have been told radiation releases have been minimal.  First off, I don’t believe them.  Second, radiation at even low levels can cause cancer (especially thyroid cancer), damage DNA and unleash oxidants / free radicals within our bodies.  Children, pregnant mothers and their fetuses are the most vulnerable.  DNA damage to fetuses can cause birth defects and cancers. The most vulnerable point of the body to radiation poisoning is the thyroid gland.  Radioactive iodine collects in the thyroid (90% of people are iodine deficient so there are many iodine receptors open to the radioactive iodine).  The best protection is avoid radioactive iodine all together – unfortunately, this is not an option for all exposed. Radiation pills as they are called are generally potassium iodide (KI), sometimes an inferior potassium iodate (KIO3) is sold (stay away from potassium iodate unless that is all that is available).  Iodine pills help by filling up the thyroid iodine receptors with radiation free iodine so it can not uptake radioactive iodine (a preventative).  In order for this to work, potassium iodide must be taken before exposure to radiation.  If the thyroid is saturated with non-radioactive iodine, the radioactive iodine will not be absorbed by the thyroid and therefore protecting it.

When to Take Potassium Iodide

Upon government notification of dangerous radiation levels in your area: Daily dosage of Potassium Iodide for thyroid protection

• Adult is 130mg potassium iodide
• Age 3 to 18 – 65 mg
• One month to three years – 32 mg
• Birth to 1 month – 16 mg

Taken daily – until authorities announce that there is no more risk for exposure.  If you have a thyroid issue, consult a doctor before supplementing with potassium iodide. Only take potassium iodide at these dosages for short periods of time during imminent radiation exposure – government warning or other credible warning FOR YOUR AREA. Generally, no more than 2 weeks at a time. Potassium iodide only protects your thyroid against radioactive iodine (iodine 131) – the thyroid is the most vulnerable part of the body to this type of exposure, fortunately it is the most common type of radiation released.  The half life of radioactive iodine is 8 days.  Other types of radiation potentially released from nuclear reactors is cesium (cesium 137) and plutonium.  Potassium iodide will not protect you from these forms of radioactive materials. Some have been touting “don’t take potassium iodide ever” because of a few individuals have adverse reactions.  I have taken potassium iodide in the past and had zero side effects.  Your choice if you want to take a chance at radiation poisoning or cancer.  Of course, if you have been advised by a doctor to avoid iodine because of a thyroid condition or adverse reactions then don’t take it. A natural source of iodine which will do the same as supplementing with radiation pills is kelp or seaweed.  They naturally contain iodine and are considered health foods but you don’t know the amount of iodine you are consuming.  You can also buy kelp or seaweed supplements which state on the label the amounts of iodine they contain.  Remember, iodine is necessary for life, just don’t over do it.

Natural Supplements to Combat the Effects of Radiation Exposure:

• Kelp/Seaweed extract supplements – iodine source

• Ginseng – adaptogen
• Ashwagandha – adaptogen
• Chlorella – detox
• Zeolite – detox
• Fulvic Acid – detox
• Reishi Mushroom – healer
• Sea Salt – iodine source
• Miso – used after Hiroshima and Nagasaki with good results
• Vitamin C – antioxidant
• Magnesium – detox…
• Selenium – detox, cancer prevention/cancer killer
• Coconut
• Glutathione – antioxidant
• Melatonin
• Gingko biloba
• Garlic extract
• Curcumin – antioxidant
• Baking Soda
• Tulsi tea (Holy Basil)

Let’s hope this situation is under control and no more radiation will be released.  These tools will help. – Potassium Iodide sources –

Natural Salt for Health

Sounds strange doesn’t it?  One would swear that salt is a 4 letter word with all the “medical” recommendations for a low sodium diet.  Actually, what most people use for salt (table salt) is a highly refined sodium chloride.  It doesn’t even resemble natural salt which is sea salt or from ancient salt deposits (from former seas or oceans).

True salt contains every mineral the body needs.  Salt water minerals are even in the exact proportions the body requires – how perfect is that?  My revelation was being on a “healthy” low fat, low sodium, high fiber diet – I was constipated – it didn’t make sense!  I read an article from a natural health practitioner that said constipation can be from lack of salt in one’s diet.  I drank a glass of salt water and the next day I was fine.

Highly refined salt is stripped of all the other minerals and you are left with sodium chloride and some chemicals to keep it dry and from clumping – (love those non-natural chemicals in my foods).  This form of “salt” is toxic and out of balance (sodium / potassium balance is important – as is calcium / magnesium balance) with what our bodies require.  They add iodine to table salt because it is stripped out and it is very important to health – iodized salt.  The sodium chloride form of salt can raise blood pressure.  It is not natural, you don’t need it.

Real salt is good for you and there is no need to watch how much you consume.  Look for a good sea salt or crystal form like Himalayan sea salt (an ancient salt deposit).  Salt does not need to be white.  Often it is gray in color or even pink – that is from the minerals.  Sea salt can even be damp – that is natural.

As always, it is only when humans “refine and improve” something that it becomes unnatural and it’s benefits fade.  Natural salt is one of the things that should be left as is so you can reap it’s benefits and should be in your salt shaker.

You can actually die from lack of salt.  Think about it, when you sweat, you are losing salt – right?  Without replacing it, you are subjecting your body to functioning without electrolytes.  When athletes sweat a lot their muscles cramp up from lack of salt which are electrolytes.  Electrolytes conduct electricity.  Our nervous system and cells communicate via electricity and chemical reactions.  No essential bodily chemicals, no action or reactions. The body’s symphony of of cellular communication and coordinated processes cease.

So use common sense when “authorities” tell you to do something that just does not make sense.  Salt is necessary and vital to health.  Stop feeling guilty – just use healthy sea salt!

Best Sunscreen is an Organic Sunscreen

Best Sunscreen - Organic Sunscreen

There are thousands of sunscreens and sunblocks out there.  The vast majority of them are loaded with carcinogenic chemicals (cause cancer) – kind of defeats the purpose of protecting skin from skin cancer doesn’t it?  Aside from some of these chemicals causing cancer, some are hormonal disruptors, cause liver damage, kidney damage, skin damage, birth defects, dermatitis, breast cancer, clogs pores and genetic mutation – attacks your DNA!  Obviously the best sunscreen contains none of these chemicals.

Organic sunscreens / natural sunscreens (also known as biodegradable sunscreen).  Do not contain these nasty chemicals.  As in natural nutrition, the closer you stay to nature, the better.  So read the labels on any suntan lotion, sunscreen lotion or sunblock lotion and stay away from chemicals that are detrimental to your health.  Sun protection by using a sun screen or sun block is vital so if you are in the direct sun for an extended period of time, wear sunscreen.

Avoid These Ingredients in your Sunscreen:

• Parabens – Endocrine disruptors
• Octyl salicyclate
• Sodium laurel, lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate – becomes nitrosamine
• Avobenzone
• Mineral oil – clogs pores, disrupts hormonal function
• Oxybenzone
• Propylene glycol – Dermatitis, kidney and liver abnormalities
• Cinoxate
• Padimate O  (PABA) – attacks DNA, causes genetic mutation
• Octyl-dimethyl (PABA) – same as above, different name
• Octyl-methoxycinnamate (OMC) – kills skin cells
• Dioxybenzone
• Phenylbenzimidazole
• Homosalate
• Toluene – liver and kidney damage, birth defects
• Acrylamide – breast cancer
• Sulisobenzone
• Menthyl anthranilate
• Phenol carbolic acid – Circulatory collapse, paralysis, convulsions, coma, death from respiratory failure
• Trolamine salicyclate
• Octocrylene

The Sun is Good for You

If you listen to the TV, radio, print media, medical journals, you would swear sunlight is your worst enemy!  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Think about it.  The promotion and use of sunscreen over the last 30 years has been universal.  During this same time, the most common skin cancers, basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, and melanoma have also risen.  Why would they rise if more and more people are “protecting” their skin with sunscreen lotions and sunblock lotions?

Unless you have been living in a cave, you could not have avoided all the press about the health benefits of vitamin D.  D3, the natural form is best.  The best way to obtain vitamin D is to expose your skin to 10 to 20 minutes of direct sun, without suntan lotion or sun block.  THEN use an organic sunscreen (which is also a biodegradable sunscreen) to prevent sun burn and skin damage.  The sun is only strong enough during the summer to produce vitamin D through your skin (converts cholesterol to vitamin D).  Vitamin D is a powerful cancer fighter and preventer also.  So by blocking the sun, you are blocking the production of vitamin D.  During all other seasons, supplement with vitamin D3.

The sun’s rays are many but as far as sunburn goes, UVA and UVB (ultraviolet radiation A & B) are the culprits.  The sun protection factor – SPF is the rating of the blocking of UVA and UVB rays.  If you burn in 10 minutes without sun screen, an SPF 30 sunscreen will give you a sun protection of a factor of 30 or 30 times longer before you burn (instead of 10 minutes, you would not burn for 10 x 30 = 300 minutes or 5 hours).

We have established the benefits of tanning and vitamin D production.  One must be conscious of their exposure so not to burn their skin.  Go a short time working on your suntan without using sunblock, then apply an organic sunscreen with the appropriate SPF for:

• How sensitive to the sun your skin is
• The time of day (sun’s strength)
• Length of time in the sun

As important as sunscreens are to protect your skin from skin cancer, skin damage, wrinkles and aging – moisturizers, skin conditioners , nutrition and antioxidants will protect and rejuvenate your skin.  Certain nutrients like coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10 and resveratrol have a repairing effect and anti aging properties.  If you spend a lot of time in the sun or want radiant, glowing skin, consider adding these nutrients to your nutritional regimen.

Skin Care, Anti Aging and Anti-Wrinkle Creams