- Articles
- Media
-
Recipes
- Introduction to Vegan Cooking
- How to stock your pantry
- Removing the Mystery Behind Disease - Recipes
- Healthy from Inside Out - Recipes
- 305C - Recipes
- Beans and Legumes
- Bread
- Breakfast
- Desserts
- Dips, Dressings, and Sauces
- Drinks, Shakes, and Juices
- Meat Substitutes and Tofu
- Spreads
- Soups and Stews
- Vegetable Dishes
- Natural Remedies
-
News
- 15.05.11 - In September, the UN Launches a Major Sustainable Development Agenda for the Entire Planet
- 08.04.03 - Identical Twins' Genes Are Not Identical
- 13.06.24 - Identical Twin Studies Prove Homosexuality is Not Genetic
- 14.12.09 - Are Weather Warfare Assaults Devastating Noncompliant Countries Around the Globe?
- 14.01.28 - USA Today Columnist: Jail "anti-vac" Parents
- 14.03.10 - The Many Concerns of Using Antibiotics in Meat
- 14.02.20 - Global Food Supply Deliberately Engineered to End Life, Not Nourish It
- 16.01.29 - North America Bathed in Radiation from Fukushima, Levels now 1000x Above Normal for Alpha Particles
- 13.08.10 - Scientists Discover That Plants Communicate via Symbiotic Root Fungi
- Health Seminar Coming to Langley, BC
- 17.07.19 - Canada may Eliminate the Milk Category from National Food Guide
- 16.11.15 - Share this Breaking Story about Monsanto
- 17.02.25 - Germany Bans Meat at all Official Functions
- 18.04.06 - US Government Partners With McDonald's In A Move Doctors Are Calling 'Irresponsible'
- 15.05.22 - France to Force Supermarkets to Give Unsold Food to Charities
- 15.07.14 - Planned Parenthood Uses Partial-Birth Abortions to Sell Baby Parts
- 15.06.15 - Using Hand Sanitizer Can Increase Skin's Absorption of Dangerous Chemicals
- 15.06.26 - GMOs Not Tolerated in Russia
- 15.05.15 - World Population-Food Supply Balance Becoming Increasingly Unstable
- Contact Us
11.04.01 - What is the risk of radiation exposure from Japan's leaking nuclear plants?
Summary:
Many people in the United States are concerned about the radiation from nuclear power plants in Japan. Should they be worried?
Share with others: |
|
Tweet |
Radiation exposure comes from various sources. Recently there has been a scare about such radiation coming from nuclear power plants in Japan.
Today's danger and risk
As of April, 2011, there is no reason to be concerned unless you live in Northern Japan close to the nuclear sites. There is no need for anyone in the United States to take iodine pills. If you live near a nuclear facility and concerned that in the future some earthquake or natural disaster could occur, you could keep a bottle of iodine or iodide in the house.
People do not realize that there is a significantly higher risk by getting in the car to go to a store to buy iodide, driving on the road, inhaling pollutants, possible car accident, etc., than the exposure risk of infinitesimally small amount of radioactive iodine in the air from the Japan fallout.
Japan has decided to raise its assessment of the accident at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant from 5 to the worst rating of 7 on an international scale, putting the disaster on par with Chernobyl.
March 31st, 2011
Trace amounts of radiation has been found in milk in California and Washington state, 1/5000 of the dose considered to be unsafe.
Radiation levels in a Japanese village six miles outside the evacuation zone exceed one of the criteria for evacuation.
Highly radioactive iodine seeping from Japan's damaged nuclear complex is making its way into seawater farther north of the plant than previously thought. The coastal Fukushima Dai-ichi power plant, located 140 miles (220 kilometers) northeast of Tokyo, has been leaking radiation since a magnitude-9.0 quake on March 11 triggered a tsunami that engulfed the complex.
Japan nuclear meltdown radiation concern
Despite the nuclear crisis in Japan, it is doubtful that enough harmful radiation would flow several thousand miles to the West Coast of the United States such as California, Oregon and Washington state and be concentrated enough to cause problems.
The United States is "not expected to experience any harmful levels of radioactivity," the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has stated. Even with the radiation levels around the plant being at Chernobyl-like levels, Japan's disaster will not pose a health hazard to the United States.
Radioactive iodine gets into the human body not necessarily by inhaling but by eating contaminated food. It falls to the ground, cows eat it and make milk with radioactive iodine.
Very little comes from inhalation (it has a half life of 8 days). The epidemic of thyroid cancer and other cancers around Chernobyl could have been mostly prevented if the Russian government had stopped children and adults from drinking locally produced milk. Radioactive iodine comes in the body mostly through food grown on contaminated land and from milk by cows who have grazed on such land.
Iodine and potassium iodide
Some experts claim taking potassium iodide or iodine supplements may reduce the risk for thyroid cancer from exposure. I still need to review this topic more to know if taking iodine pills, including in the form of potassium iodide, are of any benefit or perhaps could cause side effects that are worse than not taking them in the first place. Iodine is recommended only for children and pregnant women during acute radioactive iodine exposure in the setting of a nuclear disaster.
It is not recommended for people over the age of 40 since the risk of developing thyroid cancer takes several decades after radioactive iodine exposure. For persons older than 40 years of age, the risk for radiation-induced thyroid cancer is extremely low, while the potential side effects of supplementation are much higher. Adults over 40 therefore do not need to take potassium iodide as prophylaxis for exposure to I-131.
Potassium iodide is medicinally supplied in 130 mg tablets for emergency purposes. The nutritional requirement for iodine is only 150 micrograms or 0.15 mg of iodide per day.
Potassium iodide is a form of iodine used in tablet form. You can also get iodine from sea kelp. The International Atomic Energy Agency said that Japan had distributed millions of units of stable iodine to evacuation centers near the damaged nuclear plant.
Iodine pills are only effective at keeping the thyroid gland from absorbing radioactive iodine which can cause thyroid cancer. It does nothing to prevent other side effects of a nuclear fallout. They are not a radiation antidote and offer no protection against radioactive elements such as caesium.
Some radioactive materials are readily absorbed by the body and linger there. Radioactive iodine, for example, goes to the thyroid gland, and strontium to bone, and they emit radiation inside the body that over time can lead to cancer or leukemia. Other radioactive materials, like tritium, pass quickly through the body.
What to take if you suspect exposure to radiation
Few studies are available to determine what supplements alone or in combination and in what dosages are ideal to take when one suspects exposure to radiation. Until more definitive research is done, I think the following should be considered. There are countless other pollutants, pesticides, toxins, etc., in our environment that can cause health problems, and, as of now, radiation from Japan should be your least concern if you live in the United States or live several hundred miles away from northern Japan.
Antioxidants of all types could be of benefit. There are so many of them including the common vitamins C and E, alpha lipoic acid, acetyl l carnitine, carnosine, acetyl l cysteine, and others. It is difficult to predict which one or which combination and in what dosages would be most effective:
- Broccoli sprout extracts could be of benefit.
- Calcium D glucorate supplements should be considered.
- Carotenoids are substances found in plants that have antioxidant and anti-tumor benefits.
- Citrus bioflavanoids can be helpful.
- Curcumin (an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound found in the spice turmeric) may help protect against radiation-induced damage to the skin. Consider eating more curry.
- DIM or diindolylmethane is a substance naturally found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage.
- When an indole 3 carbinol supplement is ingested, it converts in the gut into diindolylmethane.
- Garlic, preferably raw, has potent anti-cancer and anti-infection substances.
- Ginger has been shown to protect rodents from radiation induced sickness and death.
- Flavonoids are substances found in plants that have antioxidant and anti-tumor benefits. Add different spices to your recipes.
Food, diet and lifestyle suggestions as treatment for radiation exposure or to minimize the harm:
- Try to get deep and good sleep.
- Follow a healthy diet rich in nutrients including plenty of fresh vegetables and juices, along with a number of culinary spices. I would also consider eating more berries, such as blueberry, blackberry, acai, and others. Mushrooms are known to have anti-cancer potential and adding these to your diet could be of benefit.
- Try not to panic and keep a low stress demeanor, high stress can make things worse.
Worst case scenario
A meltdown in Japan would be harmful to the local environment. Should there be a release of radiation, and should winds blow in the wrong direction, residents of Japan would be affected to some degree. But the effects almost certainly will not go far beyond the borders of Japan.
Sources of ionizing radiation
People may be exposed to ionizing radiation from several sources:
Natural background radiation comes from cosmic rays from our solar system and radioactive elements normally present in the soil. This is the major contributor to worldwide radiation exposure.
Medical radiation comes in the form of diagnostic x-rays and other tests, as well as from radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is currently used to treat some types of cancer and involves dosages many thousand times higher than those used in diagnostic x-rays.
The average radiation exposure a person gets from natural sources is about 3 millisieverts; in the United States, a person typically gets a total of 6 millisieverts because of medical diagnostic procedures and other man-made sources of radiation. The limit for occupational radiation exposure among workers who deal with radioactive material is 50 millisieverts.
A chest X-ray delivers a dose of about .02 millisieverts, and a CT to the abdomen carries 8 millisieverts. These procedures don't last very long; prolonged exposure would be more dangerous. High-dose exposure, above 500 millisieverts, has been associated with leukemia, breast, bladder, colon, liver, lung, esophagus, ovarian, multiple myeloma, and stomach cancers.
Radiation levels in Japan nuclear plant
March 17 - Radiation levels at the plant were between 100 and 400 millisieverts, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said. To put that in perspective, in the United States, a person typically gets a radiation dose of 6 millisieverts per year. That dose would quickly dissipate with distance from the plant, and radiation levels quickly fell back to levels where they would be no immediate public health threat.
United States radiation levels
March 18 - Tiny amounts of radioactive particles have reached California, about a billion times beneath levels that would be health threatening.
March 17 - Low concentrations of radioactive particles are heading eastwards from Japan's disaster-hit nuclear power plant and are expected to reach North America in days. Lars-Erik De Geer, research director at the Swedish Defence Research Institute, says that the levels were not dangerous, he predicted the particles would continue across the Atlantic and eventually also reach Europe.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) reported that monitors have not detected an increase in radiation along the Southern California coast.
Although we strive to provide you with relevant and reliable information on this news blog, the views and opinions expressed in the news stories posted on this blog do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Amazing Health or Amazing Discoveries. The AH News Blog is intended only as a service to provide you with interesting health-related news or to keep you abreast of events and attitudes of our current day. The postings are not intended to be an official statement or recommendation of Amazing Health or Amazing Discoveries. The reader should make his or her own judgment as to the usefulness of the information provided here.
Get Healthy!
Gardening
Core Research
Healthy Living Resources
Health Hazards
Spirituality and Health
What's the right kind of Water for my Health?
Health is delicately balanced on eight health principles. Unfortunately, we have lived for so many years under unnatural conditions; we have gone so far away from the path of these health principles, that the very last thing we think of when seeking health, is the natural way.
We have been so deeply impressed with the false idea that we must have artificial aids, that most people have lost faith and confidence in purely natural methods.
The times we live in are so artificially arranged that most of us lack confidence in the simple things and simple methods of healing.
Dr. Rainda gives good advice on balanced living.
Why is building your blood important? What does it mean to cleanse your blood? The answers to these questions could prove instrumental in guiding you to better health.
Read about four important parenting tips from Ellen White to help develop a healthy family unit.
Moderate, monitored fasting can be part of a healthy detox regime.
Starting the day right involves a hearty, healthy breakfast.
Learn what young coconut kefir is, in addition to all the wonderful benefits you will reap when consuming this ever so fabulous health tonic.
Everyone experiences stress. We cannot heal from stress without understanding it first, and learning to deal with it head on.
What is Candida?
Candida is the short name used to describe yeast overgrowth in the body. The technical term is Candidiasis. Like their &...
How to Achieve a Perfect Combination
Our bodies are in a state of constant motion. Even when we’re sleeping, the machinery of the body is at work.
Reprinted with permission from Lorna Vanderhaeghe Health Solutions, Inc. Visit www.hormonehelp.com for more information.
Every private home should have charcoal on hand as a ready antidote for poisoning, and as a cleansing agent in infectious and various metabolic disturbances.
A healthy heart is crucial for a healthy life. So why don't we take better care of our hearts?
We keep our muscles strong and effective in the same way that we exercise our spiritual gifts and "prayer muscles" to keep them free from atrophy.
From burns to weak bones, raw honey can help.
Written in 1936 and still used as an essential reference today.
Book Review.
Melons are more than just a sweet, juicy treat.
Learn the importance of iron in the diet and how to get enough iron the vegetarian way.
Learn why you should make chia seeds a part of your diet.
Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, has long been used as a home remedy for a variety of ailments. Added to bath water, it has been used to relieve colds, back pain, ease muscle tension and treat certain skin conditions.
Magnesium is a nutrient needed by plants for many growing processes.
A simple green algae food, chlorella, can help with dozens of health conditions.
Learn how to take care of your biggest organ: your skin.
Several charts show best time to plant vegetables in accordance with blooming time of perennials.
A helpful chart for those wanting to grow their own garden vegetables.
Chart showing how to space your vegetables in the garden and how to care for your plants.
Why is wood heating such a good idea?
Steve Day explains the importance of nutrient-rich soil for growing produce.
Mineral deficiencies in soil, using a refractometer, and making the most of your garden are all discussed.
Every 7 minutes, someone in Canada dies of a heart attack or stroke. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death and magnesium deficiency is a major contributing factor.
Some are suggesting that Americans must take immediate action to increase the magnesium in their diet. Is there really cause for alarm?
Is soy a smart food to include in a healthy diet?
Can plants really communicate? Ask Dr. Mercola.
Jean Handwerk explains the connection between modern wheat and many averse health effects.
Carrageenan, a food additive made from seaweed, could be harmful.
Is chocolate really that bad? If so, what are the alternatives?
Find practical ideas for dealing with depression in these articles about symptoms and treatments.
It has been shown that a vegan diet can provide all the body’s needs and can be followed without fear.
Mammogram screening is becoming increasingly popular in North America. But is it the safest way to screen for breast cancer?
Does Eat Right For Your Type by Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo align with Scripture and science?
Even if you don’t feel sick, your digestion may be poor enough to slowly poison your
system. No, this isn’t simply a theory, but the conclusion from years of laboratory testing
and clinical experience. Autointoxication is real.
The fever is perhaps the most overtreated health symptom of all.
Tony de Morais explains the wide spectrum of uses for clay.
In 1971 President Nixon and Congress declared war on cancer. So what's happened in the 40 years since? After weeding out the hype and filling in the actual statistics, it turns out, not much.
Can anything be done to prevent common illnesses?
Don't let dentists put this poison in your mouth!
A look at the health benefits of potatoes.
Dr. Hugo Rodier explains the danger behind prescription drugs and painkillers.
Dr. Roy Swank found that the diets of those with Multiple Sclerosis can make a difference in their prognosis.
Take a closer look at the safety of midwife-assisted home births versus hospital births.
When you open the fridge to grab a snack, consider simple, healthy alternatives to sugar-filled munchies and beverages.
A quick reference list of healthful, dairy-free ways to get your calcium.
Find information on the products that Jeanie Davis recommends in Healthy from Inside Out
Learn the best, natural mixture to use when cleaning fresh veggies and fruit.
When shopping for groceries, check the labels for carrageenan, a thickening agent scientists are blaming for various gastrointestinal illnesses.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released an air quality model to show that more than 9 in 10 people live in areas that have unsafe levels of air pollution.
What are the benefits of this so-called "weed"?
Food borne illness is on the increase worldwide. In most cases, animal products are implicated as the main source of infection.
Health is about more than just diet or exercise.
Inject some fun into your food routine with these healthy meal ideas.
12 Hormone-Altering Chemicals and How to Avoid Them. Copyright © Environmental Working Group, www.ewg.org. Reprinted with permission.
Pain pills aren't always the best way to deal with aches and soreness. Various therapies—including vibrational therapy—can have you on the road to recovery.
Some fruits and vegetables should not be eaten together, as they can react and cause digestive issues.
Have you considered carob as an alternative to chocolate? See for yourself the impact chocolate can have on your health.
Learn about the acidity or alkalinity of your favorite foods.
Excitotoxins cause physical and spiritual destruction.
Food additives have been used for centuries to enhance the appearance and flavor of food and prolong shelf life. But do these food additives really “add” any value to your food?
Is consuming alcohol ever a good idea?
Smoking leads to massive amounts of sickness and death every year.
Maybe vegetarianism is the best option after all...
Get the truth about lactose, calcium, and the need for caution around dairy products.
The agriculture industry is fast becoming reliant on genetically modified foods. Learn the facts about GMOs and the effects this trend is having on health worldwide.
Diabetes is spreading across North America. Is there anything we can do to stop this killer disease?
Refined sugar is addictive, destructive, and devoid of any nutritional value. Why does it continue to be a staple food across the world?
There are now over 3,000 additives in our foods. Incredibly, only 7% have any nutritional value.
Do the stimulating benefits of coffee really outweigh the costs?
Most of the bread products consumed today are made of refined grains. Are our breakfast cereals and "fortified" loaves as healthy as we like to think?
Vaccination began 200 years ago as an experimental life-saving medical tool. While it originally had some merit, today it has become perhaps the leading cause of death and disability among our children.
Music enters the brain through its emotional regions, which include the temporal lobe and the limbic system.
Plant medicine safety pale in comparison to the promotional and safety practices of the mainstream drug industry.
This article uses pieces of nature, such as the genome, the cell, and even the eye, as evidence that God is the Creator of all things.
If God made the world, and our bodies, then the Creation story can give us clues about how we should live for optimum health. But how did what God called "good" transform into a dog-eat-dog world of carnivores, thorns, parasites, and other ugly aspects of Creation?
Change over time seems to prove devolution rather than evolution. But what does rapid transformation show?
It seems clear that organisms change over time. But why? Is it evolution?
If God made everything so good, why are there so many problems? Are thorns and weeds evolved adaptations or changes in Creation?
Some call it cacophony and are driven to madness; others find it the most beautiful event in all of creation—the dawn chorus of the birds.
The cell is an intricate factory full of well-oiled machines. Is it possible that the cell came about by chance?
Human and animal organs sometimes seem to lend credence to the evolutionary theory. What's the truth?
The complexity of microscopic genetic material points to Intelligent Design.
There are many types of water available today. Some are better for your health than others.
Learn why drinking at least 2.5L of water per day is vital to your body's health at any age.
Day questions the benefits of drinking distilled water long-term.
Dr. Rona writes about how drinking distilled water on a regular, daily basis is potentially dangerous.
Fluoride in drinking water has been linked to decline in IQ and may cause health issues.
Dehydration is simply when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. Water makes up 60-80% of our entire body mass, so it makes sense that when we don’t consume enough, all kinds of issues start to occur! Consuming plenty of water each day is critical for your body to work at its best, so if you’re not getting enough, your body sends a whole range of signs that let you know you need to top up!
The following example of the kidneys explains one scenario of what could happen when your body goes into "crisis management mode" because it doesn’t have enough water.