Japan, Radiation and iodine

While we do not think this will be an issue a number of our customers have been ring up and asking about Original Himalayan Crystal Salt's benefit in relation to minerals and iodine due to the threat of possible radiation.

A lot of interest has been focused on iodine and iodine supplementation to prevent harm to thyroid glands and other systemic problems.

To give you a bit more information: Iodine 131 is released with radiation. Where ever a receptor for iodine is needed, there is susceptibility for Iodine 131 to attach and prevent "regular" iodine from binding.

It is important to note that Iodine supplements do not stop other effects of radiation. It only keeps iodine 131 from binding and causing the loss of function (mostly at the thyroid). Also certain people cannot or should not take iodine supplements. The following is from the Food and Drug Administration.

According to the FDA:
Adults – including women who are breastfeeding – should take 130 milligrams of stable iodine. Children aged 3 to 18 should take 65 milligrams. Children who weigh more than 150 pounds should take the adult dose, regardless of age. Nursing and non-nursing infants between 1 month and 3 years of age should take 32 milligrams. Nursing and non-nursing newborns should take 16 milligrams.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU TAKE IODINE TABLETS?

Most often a single dose of iodine – which protects the thyroid gland for 24 hours – is all that is needed. Officials may request that the public take a dose of stable iodine every 24 hours for a few days if radioactive iodine will remain in the environment for a prolonged period of time. Pregnant and breastfeeding women and newborns should avoid taking multiple doses.

RISKS AND SIDE EFFECTS

When officials advise the public to take iodine pills following a nuclear event, the benefits outweigh the risks. Taking a higher dose than is recommended will not provide more protection and can cause severe illness or death. People with thyroid disease should take iodine pills only under a doctor’s supervision. General side effects include intestinal upset, rashes and inflammation of the salivary glands.

And that’s where the FDA stops.

Yes Original Himalayan Crystal Salt will be of benefit in relation to iodine but if it does become an issue you would want to look at an iodine supplement like Tri Iodine. Please note you only absorb about 10% of the iodine in iodized salt therefore do not look to that for your source.

But, iodine isn’t the whole story. Toxic metabolic products are generated under conditions of exposure to radiation (whole body reacting to radiation stress). PH Quintessence holds unique properties to purify blood from these unwanted toxins. With a blend of chlorophyll, beta carotene, and xanthophyll and 2.5% total potassium, pH Quintessence purifies the blood and aids in biotransformation or detoxification. http://www.naturalhi.com/Products/Quintessence.aspx

Hydration is also of paramount importance when it comes to radiation. Therefore, many customers have turned to Original Himalayan Crystal Salts for its ability to improve absorption of water into cells especially using Sole http://www.himalayancrystalsalt.com

One of the major side effects of therapeutic radiation is dehydration. Hydrating patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation has a lot of empirical evidence behind it. Patients, doctors and nurses all stress hydration and fluids during treatment. Patients ALWAYS know when they haven't had enough.

Radiation will cause free radical damage, some of which is dealt with at the cellular level, but the creation of toxic metabolites, involving the liver require hydration due to the detoxification pathways are mostly hydrolytic (use up water).

To further the detoxification concept, the kidneys, need adequate hydration to excrete toxic metabolites created by radiation or otherwise. N.B. Therapeutic radiation and nuclear radiation are very different, but beyond proximity to epicenter, hydration and general health status will be best predictors of an individual's outcome.

By Dr Corey Schuler DC, MS, LN