OUR HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT
THE ROUTE OF ALL PROBLEMS IS AN ENERGY PROBLEM. Albert Enstien
How prophetic is this statement in light of what we are going through as a global community this week and for years to come. If we ever had any doubts about whether or not we are our brother’s keeper, in our global village, they have been dashed this week. The suffering and grief is beyond comprehension. Material losses are bad enough, but the loss of life in these disasters effects generations.
Add to this the nuclear disaster which will effect all of us, from what we eat and how much we pay for our food and other products for years to come. Then there is our health, both collectively and singular. I received an email from Dr. Bateman today, which I feel explains how we can help ourselves and our families. It is so well written, that I am just going to ‘cut and paste’ it here on my blog for all of you to read.
RADIATION
Posted on March 17, 2011 by admin
I can not begin to express my sadness over the death and destruction that has occured in Japan since Friday. Now to make things worse, the people of Japan and the world are potentially facing the largest nuclear emergency ever. The amount of radiation that could end up being released into our environment is unprecedented. I am somewhat concerned that since we all share the same air and water…radiation may end up finding its way into Canada. I am especially concerned about all of my family and friends on the West Coast of Canada and the USA. Many of these people have asked me to write about what they can do to reduce the negative effects of radiation.
The first thing worth mentioning is the fact that we are always exposed to radiation…in fact the universe is full of radiation. The human body deals with radiation every day at relatively low levels. The concern about this particular nuclear emergency, is the massive amount of radiation people may be exposed to in a very short period of time. As I write this here in Burlington, Ontario, I realize that I am on the opposite side of the world from Japan. The likelihood of being exposed to lethal doses of radiation is zero. However, over the next few week and months, we will be exposed to higher levels of radiation than usual. Also keep in mind that in our global village, a lot of our food in Canada comes from Asia. In the coming months I suggest being ultra aware of where your food is coming from.
Potassium Iodide
There is a lot of talk online and in the media about supplementing with Potassium Iodide (KI) in order to protect the thyroid gland from radiation. This approach works by saturating the thyroid with stable (non-radioactive) Iodine, preventing radioactive Iodine from being taking up into the thyroid. While this approach is effective at protecting the thyroid, you should know that the dosage of Potassium Iodide that the CDC suggests for an effective dose is extremely high and does carry with it the potential for some unpleasant side effects. It is important to know that Potassium Iodide ONLY protects the thyroid from radioactive iodine, it IS NOT A GENERAL RADIATION ANTIDOTE. Therefore, whether or not you are taking Potassium Iodide, it is important to protect all of your cells, not just the thyroid.
Side Effects of Potassium Iodide
- rash
- joint pain
- diarrhea
- fever
- goiter (enlarged thyroid gland)
- headache
- hypothyroidism
- lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes)
- metallic taste in mouth
- nausea
- rhinitis
- serum sickness
- sneezing
- thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
- thyroid adenoma
- thyrotoxicosis
- vasculitis
- vomiting
Radiation and Free Radicals
The primary way that radiation exerts its negative effects on the body is by producing free radicals. Free radicals formation leads to cellular, tissue and genetic damage. The long-term result being a significantly increased risk of cancer. However, our bodies have built in systems for eliminating free radicals via the glutathione reduction pathway in the cells. There are many ways we can go about supporting the glutathione reduction pathway, primarily through supplementing and eating antioxidants. If you are not sure which antioxidants are best for you…ask your Naturopath.
Sponge
Many Naturopaths use the term sponge to refer to a supplement (or food) that acts like a sponge to soak up in wanted particles such as heavy metals. Chlorella and pectin act as a sponges, aiding in the removal of radioactive particles.
Lymphatic Drainage
Lymphatic drainage is another important component to reducing and potential negative effects of radiation. The lymphatic system is a series of vessels that drain fluid from the space between the blood and the cells. When there is potential cellular damage occuring, draining debris from the this fluid-filled space allows the filters of the body, such as the liver, spleen and kidneys to filter out the debris. This will prevent further cellular damage and speed up the healing process.
Trace Minerals
Trace mineral formulas often come in a liquid form in order to be added to your drinking water. Trace minerals act to buffer the acidity in the body, creating a more alkaline internal environment. Attempting to keep your body alkaline will speed up the healing process if any tissue damage occurs.
Foods
Foods that are great to protect the body from radiation include:
- miso soup
- sea vegetables
- foods containing antioxidants
- berries – especially goji berries
- brightly coloured fruits and veggies
- foods containing loads of trace minerals
- quinoa
- beans
- seeds
- grass fed beef
Stress
We also need to keep in mind that this is a very stressful time in the world. So it is more important than ever to take the time to de-stress through practicing yoga or meditation or whatever relaxes you. There are many supplements to help with reducing the effects of stress on our bodies.
Take a deep breath.
…grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference.
DID YOU KNOW?
Our bodies absorb 5 pounds of chemicals a year from our makeup. Please check the ingredients and consider using healthier products.