(There are some helpful nutrients for radiation exposure and damage.  We are awash in a sea of radiation since the beginning of time, so it is only natural that some things in our environment would protect against damage.  However, there is a difficulty in evaluating research material in seperating it between cancer therapy and environmental radiation exposure. 

   This is an overview on general discoveries concerning radiation.  Later, as time allows, I will separate radiation treatment related to killing cancer cells from environmental radiation protection.  This summary in response to general concern expressed related to the Japan nuclear situation.

   Especially important nutrients have an * in front.  Many of the nutrients are also in substantial amounts in our Ultimate Foundation multi.)

Powerful Nutrients

* Potassium Iodide & Sodium Alginate:  This is usually at the top of most lists (however, make sure you see the other article about it).  Iodine can protect the thyroid gland by saturating the thyroid with iodide so it cannot absorb radioactive iodine.  Sodium alginate is an effective preventive and therapeutic substance against radiation and heavy metals according to Tanaka.  In two experiments using rats, sodium alginate decreased by a factor of 12, the uptake of several radioactive isotopes—including strontium-90, strontium-85, barium, radium, and calcium.  Skoryna el al. concluded that ingestion of small but regular does of alginate is effective in preventing the daily absorption of small doses of radioactive strontium and other contaminants that are present in the environment.  Direct supplements or sea vegetables such as kelp are the most effective sources for both nutrients.

 Sea Vegetables & Kelp: Easily absorbable kelp (like Norwegian or fresh water kelp) will saturate the thyroid so radioactive iodine will   not be absorbed.  (It, like all sea vegetables, contains an amazing substance called sodium alginate above.)  Sodium alginate is one of     the more powerful protective substances in sea vegetables like kelp.  Sodium alginate reduces the amount of strontium-90 absorbed by bone tissue by 50 to 83 percent.  Red sea vegetables, such as dulse, are most effective at binding plutonium, and green algae binds cesium most effectively.

Another benefit of sea vegetables is the natural iodine. If there is insufficient iodine in the diet, radioactive iodine-131 will be absorbed and collected in the thyroid gland.  Even if radioactive iodine is absorbed by the thyroid, taking natural iodine helps offset the side effects of exposure.  According to Dr. Russell Morgan, it can reduce by about 80 percent the radioactive iodine accumulated in the thyroid.  Avoid iodized salt which contains excessive sodium and no potassium. Sea vegetables are rich in vitamins and contain most if not all of the essential minerals and trace elements.

Dose:  The Atomic Energy Commission recommends for maximum protection against radioactive poisoning for humans, taking a minimum of 2 – 3 ounces of sea vegetables a week – or 10 grams (two tablespoons) a day of sodium alginate supplements.  During or after exposure to radiation, the dosage should be increased to two full tablespoons of alginate four times daily to insure that there is a continual supply in the GI or gastrointestinal tract.  Look for a multiple blend of kelp and/or sea vegetables.

* Beta-1, 3 Glucan:  is extracted from the cell walls of baker’s or brewer’s yeast and is a potent immune enhancer.  It activates important macrophages and is also an anti oxidant.  Believe it or not, brewer’s yeast can help protect and repair damage from many types of radioactivity.  Studies by the Army showed that glucan was a powerful protector against a lethal dose of radiation.  Besides having Vitamin E, it also contains the nucleic acids RNAandDNA, both of which have been shown to have radio protective qualities.  It has been shown to help rebuild and regenerate cells damaged by radiation, and also to produce relief from radiation poisoning and it’s many horrible symptoms. Yeasts bonds with and absorb heavy metals such as uranium, lead and mercury!   (Ref 2 page 9)

* Vitamin C: This may be the most important thing of all to have on hand for many applications, e.g. poison, bites, viruses, etc.  The book “Vitamin C, Infectious Diseases, & Toxins” by Thomas Levy, MD, should be one of your most prized possessions – along with as much sodium ascorbate as you can store.  Vitamin C cannot only protect against radiation but also repair damage from previous exposure.  There is abundant scientific proof for this assertion.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School said, “Our experiment showed that vitamin C can prevent damage from radiation….it somehow keeps the radiation from killing the cells.”

Klenner asserted that vitamin C will “prevent radiation burns.

“Kennedy et al. recently found that vitamin C and E could successfully treat the symptoms of chronic radiation proctitis following courses of pelvic irradiation for cancer…”

“Koyama et al. were able to show in cultured irradiated cells that vitamin C could lessen the free radical load when given prior to irradiation…..Finally, these researchers showed that vitamin C given 20 hours after irradiation was still able to reduce the mutation frequency in human cell studies.”

“Sarma Kesavan et al. were able to show that vitamins C and E were able to reduce the amount of damage in bone marrow chromosomes from mice exposed to whole body gamma irradiation.  Multiple studies also indicate that vitamin C protects against radiation-induced DNA damage and increased chance of cancer.” Dose: Harvard experiments indicate that the dosage for humans exposed to intensive radiation would be approximately 10 grams per day – a mega dose.  If more than 750 mg. of vitamin C is taken daily, also take calcium, magnesium, B6 (within the whole B Complex), and sufficient water.  It is always good to take Vitamin C and bioflavonoids together since the latter multiplies the effect of the C.  See section below from Levy’s work.  (Ref. 3 and 6)

*  Olive Oil: Essential fatty acids (EFA) are present in all crude, cold-pressed vegetable oils.  Extra virgin olive oil but any cold pressed, extra virgin oil will do in an emergency.  If you are exposed or are going to be, you can drink a half cup and if will help supply protection for the cell membranes.  (I got this from the Atomic Energy Commission Report many years ago but it still is true.)  Dr. James Ashikava found that mice will survive normally lethal doses of x-rays if they are given common edible unprocessed vegetable oils—especially olive or peanut oils.  In one mice study, olive oil taken internally fully protected rats against progressive doses of x-rays ranging from 300 to 2,400 roentgens. The olive oil provided optimal protection when is comprised about 15 percent of the total calories of the diet.

*  Melatonin: Studies in Oncology and Mutation Research suggest melatonin helps protect from “lethal effects of acute whole-body irradiation”.  (Vijayalaxmi et al. 1999)  “As melatonin administration reversed oxidative organ injury, as assessed by biochemical and histopathological findings, it is suggested that supplementing cancer patients with adjuvant therapy of melatonin may have some benefit for successful radiotherapy.”  Melatonin protects against ionizing radiation-induced oxidative damage in corpus cavernosum and urinary bladder in rats.  These results allow us to draw the following conclusions: adaptive response (to radiation) can be prevented by a radioprotector such as melanin, and melanin is capable of completely removing low-dose radiation effects. Melanin decreases clastogenic effects of ionizing radiation in human and mouse somatic cells and modifies the radioadaptive response.

Foods for X-Ray Exposure   (Some of the following are specifically cited for X-ray exposure, but are effective in any form of ionizing radiation from the book “How To Bet Well” by Pavvo Ariola (a recommended book).   (Ref 4)

Rutin:  Strengthens the capillary walls and reduces hemorrhaging caused by x-rays. In animal studies reduced the death rate caused by excessive x-rays by 800 per cent.

Pantothenic Acid:  Prevents radiation injuries. In animal studies, the survival rate was increased by 200 per cent by giving pantothenic acid prior to exposure. Brewers yeast is by far the best source of this substance. Dose: Preventive—5 mg. to 15 mg. for children, 25 mg. to 50 mg. for adults. Use a double or triple dose as a therapeutic after exposure.

Inositol:  In Lecithin. Available in tablets, helps with all forms of radiation, or lecithin: 2-3 tbsp. a day, will help counteract the effects of radiation.

Bee Pollen & Propolis: Studies show that bee pollen can significantly reduce the usual side effects of both radium and cobalt-60 radiotherapy and also the sickness after massive abdominal x-rays.  One study showed that the proliferation of cancer cells stopped in cancerous tumors induced in mice.  (This is only indicative and does not purport to be medical advice.  One should go to the source and study the relevant information before drawing conclusions.  Try to get real bee pollen from an organic bee keeper, uncooked.)

Fermented Foods:  Due to their multiple beneficial effect on the intestines, fermented foods help to couteract the toxins from radioactive fallout that is ingested from foods, e.g. yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, etc.

Beets:  Beets have been shown to rebuild hemoglobin of the blood after exposure to radiation. Rats fed a diet of 20 percent beet pulp were able to prevent cesium-137 absorption and 97 to 100 percent more effectively than rats given no beets.

Garlic and Onions: Cysteine, also present in onions, binds with and deactivates both the radioactive isotopes and toxic metals such as cadmium, lead and mercury. The sulfur in cysteine helps the kidneys and liver detoxify the body. Garlic has many wonderful healing properties and should be researched.

Chlorophyll:  Lourau and Lartigue reported that green cabbage increased the resistance of guinea pigs to radiation. The US Army found that broccoli, green cabbage and alfalfa reduced the effects of radiation on guinea pigs by 50 percent!

Vitamin A:  In 1974, researchers from India found that vitamin A, when taken internally by humans, hastened recovery from radiation.  In 1984, Dr. Eli Seifter and a team of researchers fro the Albert Einstein College of Medicine….reported vitamin A and beta-carotene counteracted both partial and total body gamma radiation.  It also improved the healing of wounds; reduced weight loss, thymic and splenic atrophy, and adrenal enlargement; and prevented gastro-ulceration and an abnormal decrease in red and white blood cell formation.  (The therapeutic purposes, 25,000 to 35,000 IU are recommended for adults.  Infants should not consume high amounts. This info is only very partial and you should consult the book for specifics.)

Vitamin B Complex:  There are so many benefits to the B vitamins that there is no space to list them. One of the many is they normalize the red and white blood cell count, because the destruction of white blood cells by radiation can last for extended periods of time. The various B vitamins have different effects and should be taken together.

Vitamin E:  (In brewer’s yeast above), it can protect against the effects of x-rays and radioactive cobalt.  It improves anemia following exposure to radiation.  It can provide internal and external protection against cesium-137 which is a common component of fallout and nuclear power plant leaks and routine emissions.  For the form of E d-alpha-tocopherol, an adult weighting about 155 would need about 900 IU per day.  If large doses of C, B and E are taken before exposure, the terrible symptoms of radiation sickness can be reduced or eliminated to a large degree.  Caution: E should be used cautiously if you have high blood pressure or rheumatic heart disease.

Selenium:  Wonderful element. Does so many positive things impossible to list. It fortifies the immune system, reduces the rate of cancer in humans and helps to alleviate leukopenia, (abnormal decreases of white blood cells). The RDA is 50 to 200 micrograms per day. Some recommend as much as 100 to 300 micrograms per day, but more should be under medical supervision. It is most effective when taken with vitamins A and E.

Potassium:  If there is a deficiency, radionuclides like cesium-137, cesium-134, potassium-40 and potassium-42, are absorbed through selective uptake etc.  RDA is uncertain but health authorities suggest a minimum of 2,000 to 6,000 mg. in the diet.  Usually supplementation is not necessary and too much can be dangerous.

Zinc:  A diet that supplies sufficient zinc blocks the uptake of radioactive zinc-65.  Zinc DTPA has been used to chelate americium-241 from a nuclear accident victim.  Natural zinc also will help the body eliminate several toxic heavy metals including cadmium, aluminum, lead, and excess copper.

Siberian Ginseng:  Eleutherococcus senticosus is the best for medicinal purposes.  Soviet researchers reported that eleuthero extract has radio protective qualities, and can be used in conditions of acute or chronic radiation sicknesses such as hemorrhaging, severe anemia, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and headaches due to x-rays.  It can lengthen survival time after exposure.  It is almost miraculous protecting against infections, poisons, etc.  It increases human resistance to a remarkably wide variety of stressors.

Nucleic acids:  (In brewer’s yeast above), RNA and DNA increase the survival rate of mammals exposed to irradiation.  Bee pollen, nutritional yeast and certain sea algae such as chlorella contain relatively large percentages of nucleic acids.  Onions contain RNA.

Pectin:  Obtained from ripe fruit like apples. Like sodium alginate in agar and kelp, pectin bonds or chelates with radioisotopes, especially strontium-90, and reduces the absorption into the skeletal system.

Papain:  In one study, 50 percent of the rats given papain survived a normally lethal dose of radiation.

References:

1. Dare To Prepare by Holly Brennan Deyo

2. The Supplement Bible by Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D. (see also his “New Herb Bible”)

3. Vitamin C, Infectious Diseases, & Toxins by Thomas Levy, MD, JD (see also “Uninformed Consent”)

4. How To Bet Well by Pavvo Ariola (also see “Every Woman’s Guide” and every other book by this author!)

5. Fighting Radiation and Chemical Pollutants with Foods, Herbs and Vitamins by Steven R. Schechter, N.D

6. The Vitamin C Story by Gary Wade

7. Radiation Protection Basics by EPA

8. Brown Algae May Protect Against Skin Cancer

9. RESEARCH IN AGENTS TO PROTECT AGAINST IONIZING RADIATION and other articles

10. US Dept. Of Labor: Occupational Exposure to Ionizing Radiation – 70: 22828-22835

11. EPA Understanding Radiation Health Effects

12. UC Berkeley Office of Radiation Safety Manual

13. The Miracle of DMSO by Stanley W. Jacob, MD and Ronald Lawrence, MD, Ph.D

14. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)

15. Very Dirty Laundry–A new report on L.A.’s nuked Rocketdyne site

16. A radioactive dump sits just outside the city of Albuquerque

17. Grand Junction Disposal Site (Just by way of example; you may live near a dump site and not know it.)

18. The Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant (near Denver)—And—The Rocky Flats Horror Picture Show

19. Can Potassium Iodide Really Protect You In A Nuclear Attack? (Very Scary, but a must read if you want to have a chance near a nuclear attack!)

Note: There are many new discoveries since the publishing of the above sources.  Dr. Levy’s being the most recent.  Some of the newer supplements might very well be effective against radiation due to the fact that they are basically antioxidants and can clean up free radicals.  Some of these to research would be grape seed extract, pycongenol, resveratrol, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) alpha lipoic acid, Quercetin, etc.(most are in our Ultimate Foundation).