Robin E Moore ND 145 Lilly Rd NE, Suite 102 Olympia, WA 98506 03/12/11
Prevention Measures for Radiation Exposure
In response to the recent damage to the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan, I have written this hand-out to review methods to decrease health problems from radiation exposure. Thus far there has not been a large release of radiation because the radioactive fuel rods have not melted down enough to melt the containment housing of the reactor. There have been low levels of radioactive gas released, but these are not apt to have international effects. However, in case a meltdown disaster does occur, you will have information to help minimize the effects on your health. How long to take these supplements is discussed later, but do not take them for more than a month without reviewing with your physician if they are safe for you. Also, if you take any prescription medications, interactions with these supplements must be checked.
Iodine: Radioactive iodine is released from power plant meltdowns. It then lands in your thyroid gland because your thyroid uses iodine to function. The radiation increases your chances of developing thyroid cancer and growths years later. (Other glands also use iodine such as your adrenals, but to a much lesser degree.) To prevent this, take oral, over the counter iodine. This will fill most of the iodine receptor (landing sites) in your thyroid gland which will prevent the radioactive version of iodine from attaching to your thyroid gland. If there is nowhere to land, the radioactive iodine will move on and do minimal or no damage.
Dose: there is no precise way to know what dose will saturate the iodine receptor sites in your body. Please note that the RDA dose of 150mcg is not intended to saturate your thyroid so we will aim for 1,000mcg/day. You can buy this at most health food stores. Do not take iodine if you are allergic to itor have hyperthyroid. (not the more common hypothyroid, which is ok)
Anti-oxidants: Most of the damage from radiation is from oxidative damage which can lead to cancers, tumors, and dysfunction of the affected organ. Therefore, the best preventive measure is to increase anti-oxidants or “free radical scavengers”. Fortunately, there are many strong anti-oxidants available to you via both food and supplements. Those mentioned here are just a few examples of good anti-oxidants. Many of you will know of other examples. You do not need to take all of the following supplements. Pick half of them until the radiation exposure has cleared.
1. Beta carotene- 25,000 IU/day.
2. Vitamin C- 1,000mg 2 x day.(If diarrhea, decrease dose to 500 2xday)
3. Vitamin E-1,000 IU /day.
4. B-complex- such as is in a multiple. Aim for about 10mg 2 x day with food. (Brewer’s yeast ½ oz 2xday) B-vitamins are not anti-oxidants, but they help the other nutrients do their jobs.
5. Selenium- 400mcg per day.
6. Glutathione-1,000mg 2 x day preferably away from meals ie ½ hr before or 1 ½ hr after meals. (It’s ok, but less effective with meals.)
7. Cysteine- 500mg 2 x day.
8. Ginseng (either the Siberian or American type)-one capsule (1/4tsp)
2 x day. Higher doses may be too stimulating for some people.
9. Berries of dark color are also good anti-oxidants.
Doses for children: The doses given above are for adults. None of the items are contraindicated for children, especially when taken for a limited time. Decrease the dose according to their weight. Calculate what % of 120 lbs your child’s weight is and use that % of the above doses. For example, if your child weighs close to 60 lb, this is 50% of 120 so use 50% of the doses.
When to start and stop this treatment: Start as soon as we hear that the reactor has released a lot of radiation. If this happens, the radiation will not reach us for a day or two (watch the news) so you will have time to start. Continue taking the supplements until we hear that the radiation exposure has diminished to a safe level. I do not know who to trust for this information so use your own judgment.
Contraindications: Do not take any of the above supplements if you are allergic to them or anything related to them. Read the labels for any of your allergens, if you have any. In particular, iodine can be allergenic so do not take it if you have reacted to iodine dyes or other sources of iodine. You would usually already know if you have an iodine allergy. As already mentioned, if you have an overactive thyroid, do not take iodine.
