Radioactive Fallout and Our Misconceptions About Protection

I just wanted to comment quickly about all the recent concern over the radiation exposure from Japan these days. Our country has had quite a reaction to this news and Americans have been purchasing up all of the Potassium Iodide out there in attempts at protecting themselves from the potential increase in radioactive chemicals in the atmosphere. It is important to understand exactly what you are doing by taking the Potassium Iodide and just how misguided you are in these attempts if you are doing so.

First of all, the reason that people may want to take Potassium Iodide is because it will saturate the Thyroid Gland and prevent any radioactive iodine from lodging itself in that gland which can lead to Thyroid Cancer. That's it. It protects the Thyroid gland and nothing else. It is a little known fact that most all radioactive exposure ends up leading to Lymphoma which is a cancer of the lymphatic system. Taking the Potassium Iodide will do nothing to prevent Lymphoma. So why take it at all unless you are really close to the exposure? The fact is that people have become so scared that they are buying up all the Potassium Iodide in the world and people who really need it can't get it!

If you were to look into the peer reviewed literature on radiation exposure you will find that the most important component involved in a person's ability to survive radioactive exposure is a compound called Glutathione. The studies show that people with healthy levels of Glutathione do not suffer the same fate as those who are Glutathone depleted. The bummer here is that most people, particularly Americans, are low in Glutathione reserves. Aside from radiation protection Glutathione is a major antioxidant in the body and keeps our inflammation under control It is a key component to a well functioning immune system as well. People, you need Glutathione in your body in a big way!

Lastly, there are also some herbs that have shown remarkable protection from radiation exposure. They are in a class of herbs called Adaptogens and include things such as Ginseng, Holybasil, Rhodiolia, and others. This class of herbs also contributes to a well balanced blood sugar system and helps moderate the negative impacts of stress on our bodies.

So having said that, I personally take Adaptogenic herbs and a Glutathione containing product every day to protect myself from not just radiation, but the damaging effects of just being alive. And as a quick side note... You are exposed to more radiation when you fly across the country than you are by living on the West Coast of the US even with the extremely slight increase in radioactive material we are seeing recently. So if you fly, you might want to consider some of the above mentioned things. And if you are interested in optimal wellness you may want to consider them as well. I carry these products and can also drop ship them anywhere in the country. Please feel free to contact me and we can talk more about this or any other concern you may have.

Best of health,

Jim Chialtas, L.Ac.