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What you need to know about nutrition and radiation by Raymond Francis. Raymond graciously granted permission for me to put the article below on my site.

Psychologist Parthenia Izzard

by Raymond Francis In This Issue Radiation - The Threat What To Do: Best Case Scenario In the Event of a Major Meltdown   Radiation - The Threat in the US    . . .  the threat is real!   We have watched our televisions in awe and in horror at recent catastrophic events in Japan. Our hopes and prayers go out to the Japanese people.    We have also wondered how this tragedy may affect us. As I'm writing, the US government continues to assure us that we have nothing to fear here in the States from Japan's nuclear disaster.  This advice is wrong on two counts.    First, even if the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi plant are prevented from further deterioration, radiation already emitted will elevate radiation levels throughout the world to some degree.  Our air, our food and our water are all potential sources of extra radiation.     Second, there is no way of knowing in advance how bad the situation in Japan will become. All we know at present is that the situation is far from under control. Right now this disaster is second only to Chernobyl as the worst nuclear disaster in history. The possibility still exists, however, of a major meltdown in one or more reactors that may far surpass Chernobyl in its destructive effects.     An air current called a jet stream, capable of transporting radioactive particles, blows east from Japan directly over North America, and then on across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe.  Although it is impossible to know exactly where the wind will blow, the entire coast from Alaska to Mexico is vulnerable, and, as the jet stream continues eastward, only Texas, Louisiana and Florida are outside its possible path. While it is true that the cloud of radiation carried by the jet stream will dissipate as it travels, if there is a major meltdown in Japan, almost all Americans could potentially experience very dangerous radioactive fallout.     If this worst case scenario doesn't occur, how worried do we need to be about elevated radiation levels? Scientists on TV dismiss any concerns. Like many other scientists, they believe low levels of extra radiation, such as we get from x-rays and airplane travel, are fine. These scientists point to the fact that in nature there is always some level of radiation.    However I'm inclined to agree with medical doctor and nuclear scientist Dr. John Gofman, who provided evidence to show that medical x-rays are responsible for about 60% of all cancers and 70% of deaths from ischemic heart disease.  (See my article "X-ray, Hazards" in the Article Archives.) I believe along with Dr. Gofman that there is no safe level of radiation.        What To Do: Best Case Scenario   . . .  raise iodine and anti-oxidant levels    Even if a major meltdown is prevented in Japan, we will be dealing with additional low levels of radiation. It would be wise to get your iodine and vitamin D levels tested if you haven't done this already to make sure you aren't deficient. You should take at least 6-10 grams of vitamin C daily, up your other antioxidants, and include special foods in your diet that are specific for radiation protection.   Iodine   One of the biggest hazards in this kind of situation is radioactive iodine. Since the thyroid is the primary site of iodine in the body, it is particularly vulnerable, but appreciable amounts of iodine are also found in other glands, including ovaries, uterus, breast and prostate tissue. If these tissues are starved for iodine, they will gobble up radioactive iodine given the opportunity; on the other hand if your tissues are saturated with iodine, radioactive iodine will pass easily out of your body.    But here's the problem. According to some estimates, 90% of Americans are deficient in iodine. Call our office to find out how you can test your iodine status. Then take supplemental iodine to replete any deficiency.   Vitamin D   Deficiency of vitamin D is also widespread. There are many reasons to keep D levels up, but protection from DNA damage by radiation is one of them.  Almost everyone should be supplementing with Beyond Health's Vitamin D3 Formula. Again, our office can tell you more about testing.   Vitamin C and Antioxidants   If you'd like more details on how radiation affects body chemistry, see my article on X-rays. Basically, it floods the body with free radicals necessitating much greater antioxidant support. At the very least 6-10 grams of vitamin C a day should be taken, if tolerated, in divided doses. Better yet would be taking vitamin C "to bowel tolerance." Call the office if you need instructions on taking vitamin C to bowel tolerance.    It's best to get a variety of antioxidants, and there are plenty of sources to choose from: for example, vitamins D and E, the carotenes, selenium, zinc, CoQ10, silymarin (see Liva Guard), N-acetyl-cysteine (see Thiodox), curcumin, and green and white tea.   Diet   As in the case with any stressor, those who are well-nourished will fare best. If you aren't already taking a high-quality multi and a good source of minerals, now may be the time to start. All the basic nutrients offer protective benefits. Calcium, for example, competitively reduces absorption of strontium-90, another type of radioactive particle, into the blood from food and water sources.    The cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts and many others, increase antioxidant and detoxification support and specifically help to prevent cancer.   A high-fiber diet (and/or a fiber supplement) will escort all kinds of toxins, including radioactive particles, from your body.    Miso paste and seaweed provide multiple benefits regarding excess radiation.  They are especially protective against plutonium.    The green superfoods, especially chlorella, have been used successfully to detoxify after radiation exposures.  Cilantro pulls toxins out of the cells.    Buckwheat is high in rutin, which helps protect against radiation.    Garlic, as a food or supplement, is also helpful.  Raw garlic is best. If you use garlic in cooking, press it first and allow it to stand 15 minutes before adding it to your pot or pan.    Cesium is another type of radioactive particle. To protect yourself from cesium poisoning, eat foods high in potassium, such as most fresh, raw fruits and vegetables. For a high-potassium tonic, juice 3 carrots, 1/2 bunch of spinach, 1/2 bunch of parsley and 3 stalks of celery.  Baked potatoes, yams, acorn squash, lima beans, avocados, bananas and swiss chard are also especially high in potassium.    Drinking water is a possible source of radioactive particles. Our reverse osmosis water purification system removes such particles from drinking water.   In the Event of a Major Meltdown    . . . hope for the best; plan for the worst    If you need to respond to a critical situation quickly, you won't have time to do an iodine or vitamin D sufficiency test.  Just try to make sure you have sufficient iodine on hand. Sources of iodine are already scarce, even on the internet.  However, look for iodine under various names. Potassium Iodide is the most common form; the iodine supplement I prefer is called Iodoral. Other iodine supplements include SSKI, Iosol, and Lugols.    Note that many iodine supplements come in microgram doses (mcg).  Yet it may be necessary for adults to take doses in the range of 100 milligrams (mg).  It takes 1,000 micrograms to make a milligram.  If the supplement is measured in mcg doses, this may mean you will be taking almost a whole bottle of iodine for a single dose.    Also make sure your iodine is meant for oral use rather than as a topical antiseptic.      It is important to take a large dose of iodine within 24 hours BEFORE exposure. It takes approximately 36 hours for a radiation cloud to reach the West Coast of the US from Japan, so we will have plenty of advance warning. Iodine will stay in your system and protect you from radioactive iodine for at least 24 hours.    For specific dosages, depending on age, follow the CDC directions for potassium iodide with whatever form of iodine you have been able to get.  You may also want to listen to an interview with iodine expert Dr. David Brownstein for his take on appropriate iodine dosages.    Note on the CDC guidelines that while most people can take very large amounts of iodine without any problem, those with certain medical conditions should consult their doctors for guidance.    If you have been taking iodine on an ongoing basis and reached iodine sufficiency, your tissues will already be saturated with iodine. Dr. Brownstein says that in the event of a severe radiation exposure, you need only double your daily dose to be protected.   Another supplement to stock in advance if possible is Tocotrienol.  In recent studies, the US Armed Forces found that one of the tocotrienols, gamma tocotrienol, can protect against whole body radiation exposure. Start taking 2-3 capsules a day as soon as you become aware that a crisis situation will be coming up and continue until the crisis has passed.    Nuclear radiation causes DNA damage; Vitamin B12 is a critical nutrient for DNA repair. This is especially important if you are over the age of fifty or pregnant.    If you haven't yet gotten your D levels tested, take 5,000 IU a day for the duration of the crisis.     Take maximum amounts of any antioxidants you have on hand, and vitamin C to bowel tolerance.  Include the foods listed above in your diet. Take Epsom Salts baths.  Pour 2 cups of Epsom Salts into hot bath water and swish the water around to mix.  Soak in the tub until the water cools; then shower and wash off your body with a pure, non-toxic soap.     For everyone's sake, we hope that a major meltdown will be prevented. But while we pray for the best, it's good to be prepared for the worst.    Kulkarni S. Gamma-tocotrienol protects hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in mice after total-body irradiation. Radiation Research. 2010 June;173(6):738-747.   Berbee M. Reduction of radiation-induced vascular nitrosative stress by the vitamin E analog y-tocotrienol: Evidence of a role for tetrahydrobiopterin. International Journal of Radiation Oncology. 2011 March;79(3):884-891.

We are always looking for your feedback on how we can help you improve your health or if you'd like to see something special in our newsclips.  If you would be so kind as to let us know how we can help you reach your Ultimate Health goals, send an email to us at mail@beyondhealth.com.   Sincerely, Raymond Francis Beyond Health