Two weeks after the Friday, March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsumani in Japan, nuclear power plants in Fukushima remain crippled and continue emitting high levels of radiation that are contaminating the Japanese air, water, and food, leading to worries of radiation poisoning.
These concerns have rushed with the jet stream across the Pacific Ocean to the west coast of North America. In this situation, the general population is rushing to find ways to protect themselves and their loved ones. With potassium iodide in short supply, eating a healthy diet and including a selection of herbs, natural foods and sea foods and sea vegetables may be the best ways to stay as healthy as possible .
Potassium Iodide Supply
Potassium iodide, or KI, is a well-known substance with abilities to protect the thyroid from 131-Iodine. Yet, the supplies of KI quickly ran out, and backorders are taking weeks or months. Some suppliers have raised prices, making KI too expensive for many people.
United States health officials are sending conflicting messages to Americans. The US Surgeon General advised Americans to get KI in the event of a radiation emergency. State public health officials and the Environmental Protection Agency warn against taking KI unless people are situated near the radiation source. Additionally, suppliers of KI inform purchasers to only take KI in severe nuclear radiation scenarios.
The conflicting advice and lack of availability and clear guidelines has created additional worry and confusion. Thus, besides KI information on the Internet, people are checking health food stores and online sources for other ways to protect themselves.
Inexpensive Ways to Stay Healthy
Many fruits, vegetables, and herbs have properties that can strengthen the human immune systems, and help people deal with radiation. Take a trip to the local grocery and health food store for inexpensive and easy ways to work some protections into your daily diet.
Herbs
Many herbs are said to help protect against radiation poisoning. These are readily available in fresh or dried forms for cooking or making teas or tinctures. Cilantro, dandelion, and rosemary, are sources that can help build up immune systems and keep people healthy.
Sea Food and Sea Vegetables
Most shellfish and sea vegetables contain iodine that can help protect the thyroid gland against radiation. Seafood such as shrimp contains natural iodine. Natural News and other sources list kelp and seaweeds such as kombu and nori.
Traditional Japanese Diet Given by Dr. Akizuki in Nagasaki
One of the most quoted sources of dietary protection from effects of radiation is the diet prescribed by Dr. Tatsuchiro Akizuki, Director of Internal Medicine, St. Francis Hospital at the time of the atomic blast in Nagasaki. Before the bombing, Dr. Akizuki had already been giving patients a traditional Japanese diet of brown rice, miso soup, seaweed, sea salt and kombu. He continued this diet after the bombing, with cups of miso soup in the morning, or three times a day. The survival rate of his patients was higher than for patients at hospitals that were not following the diet.
Dr. Akizuki advised "Don't eat sugar." He also advised avoiding animal meats and dairy products.
Seafood and sea vegetables, along with brown rice, and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, onions, garlic, and pumpkins seemed to create the best diet for surviving radiation sickness.
Dr. Akizuki continued his work through foundations such as the Nakgasaki Foundation for the Promotion of Peace and the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War.
Consult with Health Care Professionals
The information available is not meant to substitute for health and medical experts. Consult your health care provider for information about protections from radiation.
Resources
" Can Vitamins or Herbs Help Protect Us from Radiation?" Washington's Blog. Thursday, March 17, 2011.
"Dietary Practice of Hiroshima/Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Survivors." Dr. Hiroko Furo.
"Iodine Supplement Supplies Wiped Out by Nuclear Fallout Fear--Here Are the Foods that Contain High Levels of Natural Iodine." By Mike Adams. Editor. Natural News. March 16, 2011.
"Natural Remedies for Radiation Exposure." By Alexander Light. Healthy Terrans. March 17, 2011.
"Rosemary Found to Offer Best Protection against Radiation Poisoning." By Barbara L. Minton. Natural News. April 20, 2009.
"Simple Health Guide: Anti-Radiation Diet." Submitted by Admin. March 16, 2011.
Teresa Knudsen - Teresa's writing appears in the British Library, Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. Online she has written for USA Today and E How.
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