How to lower the risk of exposure to Fukushima radiation?
It’s been over a year since the Fukushima power plant disaster has happened and the recent report shows that 150-300 tons of radioactive materials are leaking into the Pacific Ocean on a daily basis.Find out how the rate of contaminated water leakage pouring into Pacific Ocean from Fukushima nuclear plant is at the state of emergency at the moment.
Although there are different scientific opinions on whether or not the radiation from Japan poses a serious threat to your health and the health of your family, you can minimize the radiation exposure by adding simple foods to your daily diet.
Here are the following recommendations, foods, herbs and natural supplements that can reduce the risk of radiation exposure:
1. Add lots of Fruits, and Green leafy vegetables like kale, Spirulina and Chlorella to your diet:
Studies show that if you eat a whole diet based on lots of raw organic fruits and vegetables you could significantly lower the risk of your exposure to toxins, chemicals, heavy metals and radiation. According to Perfect Formula Diet, “a study of 36,228 atomic bomb survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki demonstrates that plant power helps even in extreme circumstances. Survivors who ate fruits and vegetables daily had 13% less risk of dying from cancer over a twenty year period than those who consumed these foods less than once a week”.
Fruits and vegetables also have beneficial nutrients known as phytochemicals that are powerful source of antioxidants and can protect the body from oxidation, accumulation of free radicals and negative impacts of radiation including significant DNA damages in cellular level.
Also, many studies suggest that consuming vegetables like Spirulina and Chlorella has many benefits including reducing the level of bad cholesterol, improving the immune system, reducing nephrotoxicity by heavy metals and drugs, radiation protection and preventing cancer. In fact, the green blue - green alga known as Spirulina has 16% phycocyanin content that can cleanse heavy metals and radioactive materials from your body. Make sure Spirulina and Chlorella that you consume are heavy metals free.
2. Lower your intake of animal products such as fish, meat and dairy:
According to the Swedish government who carefully monitored radioactivity from plants and animals, most animal products including meat, dairy and fish (especially cod, tuna and halibut that contain large amount of mercury) have higher radioactive substances compared to fruits, grains and vegetables.
In fact, Tuna has the highest contamination since it travels across the entire Pacific Ocean, so it’s potentially more contaminated (with toxins, heavy metals and radiation) than wild salmon. On the other hand, wild salmon is very territorial and does not travel as much as tuna. But when it comes to wild salmon, it’s safer to eat wild salmon from rivers of Canada like Copper River salmon or Coho salmon.
In conclusion, consuming a plant-based diet can reduce exposure to heavy metals and radioactive substances and plants are a great source of antioxidants, phytochemicals and fiber and can reduce the risk of many chronic diseases including heart disease and cancer.
3. Vitamin D and high dosage of vitamin C can protect your body against low radiation damage:
Researchers in a report published in the International Journal of Low Radiation found out that the active substance in vitamin D-D3 known as calcitriol can protect body from radiation damages. High dosage of vitamin C can also fight against the accumulation of free radicals and toxins. Keep in mind that many supplements including vitamin D or vitamin C can lead to mineral imbalances and contain high levels of heavy metals and toxins in them. Click here to see the list of fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C.
The main substance in seaweed vegetable known as sodium alginate (especially in kelp) can cleanse the body by binding tightly to substances like calcium, barium, strontium, cadmium and radium. Keep in mind that some seaweed can be contaminated with heavy metals like lead and arsenic, so make sure the seaweed you consume is harvested deep in the ocean (like kelp from the west coast of South Africa).
But the question you might ask is that aren't the oceans polluted with radiation, sewage and other wastes?
Little bit of information can be dangerous and misleading. There is pollution and infestation in every part of the planet including ocean, soil, air, etc. One has to remain logical and rational and must consider that oceans and waters actually contain most of the planet and have much less susceptibility to pollution and contamination than soil. Also, due to ocean's ecosystem and filtration process, ocean can heal itself must faster than, let's say, soil.
Seaweeds are naturally full of vitamin K and are part of the ocean's ecosystem filtration process. For instance, if you look at any lakes that are damaged due to fungi or introduction of uninhabitable fish or parasites, the marine biologists clean the lake by introducing a filtration system to clean the water. This is a man-size project usually. Compare it to ocean-size nature filtration system, and soon rationale and logic prevails and you can see that oceans are not as damaged or polluted as you may think compared to, let's say, the French fries or hamburgers that you eat or the non-organic fruits that you eat which were picked from trees/bushes a week before they are ripe (hence nutrition deficient). However, human indifference is the biggest threat to the ocean: http://www.seattleorganicrestaurants.com/vegan-whole-food/nuclear-radiation-fukushima-dead-ocean-pollution.php
5. Herbs and spices such as ginseng and turmeric:
Researchers have discovered that the natural substance in turmeric known as Curcumin is a great source of antioxidant, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory. http://www.seattleorganicrestaurants.com/vegan-whole-food/turmeric-curcumin-as-effective-as-pharmaceutical-drugs.php
Taking ginseng can also be beneficial, however, consult with your family physician before adding ginseng to your regular diet and avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeine as much as possible while taking ginseng supplements. Other herbs or herbal extracts that have Burdock, nettle, dandelions, Milk thistle and chicory leaves can help with cleansing the body from toxins and heavy metals.
6. Reishi mushrooms
Reishi mushrooms have beta glucans that protect body against radiation exposure. Studies show that Reishi mushrooms are great source of antioxidants that can protect body against harmful radiation and free radicals. Polysaccharides and other compounds in Reishi mushrooms can also boost the immune system and fight against bacteria and viruses. Find more about the health benefits of Turkey Tail Mushroom: http://seattleorganicrestaurants.com/vegan-whole-food/Turkey-Tail-mushrooms-have-cancer-fighting-properties-pharmaceutical-drug-companies-selling-drugs.php
7. Magnesium and selenium
Studies show that 200 mcg selenium per day and 800-1000 IU vitamin E per day can protect the body from oxidation, free radicals and harmful radiation. Radiation studies show that the combination of vitamin E and Selenium can protect the body from oxidative damage.
Keep in mind that as good as magnesium is for keeping your body healthy, overdose of magnesium will have the opposite effect and can cause magnesium poisoning. So consult with your personal doctor to establish the right ratio of magnesium to calcium for our body. Find out how 80% of Americans have magnesium Deficiency and learn about foods and herbs high in magnesium.
8. Ashwagandha:
The researchers from Egypt’s National Center for Radiation Research and Technology discovered that medicinal herb known as Ashwagandha can protect the body against radiation exposure.
Resources:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/09/04/fukushima-radiation.aspx#_edn17