The earthquake is estimated to have killed more than 15 thousand people.
The failure at Japan's nuclear power plant reactors has introduced talk of cesium, radioactive iodine and potassium iodide. People in North America are rushing out to take iodine pills, specifically in the form of potassium iodide, to combat the threat of radiation spreading from the nuclear concerns.
Radiation is energy that travels in waves. Some radiation is used for beneficial purposes, such as cancer treatment and nuclear energy.
However, too much exposure, or too little exposure, to nuclear radiation can cause a number of health problems, most commonly cancer. It can also create gene mutations that lead to neurological disorders such as Huntington's Disease.
Radiation exposure commonly leads to radiation sickness. Victims can take drugs that increase white cell production to help combat any infection and reduce damage to internal organs especially the thyroid. The thyroid is an endocrine gland in the neck that produces thyroid hormones. These hormones, principally Triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), regulate the body's metabolism. Patients with thyroid problems can be treated with iodine radiation, hence the demand following Japan's nuclear disaster. Potassium iodide works when the thyroid takes it up, instead of the potentially dangerous radioactive iodine that comes from a nuclear fallout. In theory, this can protect thyroid from potential cancer due to radiation exposure. But, according to numerous experts, the threat of radiation from the crippled Japanese nuclear reactors to North America is extraordinarily low.
Iodine tablets typically work when taken before radiation exposure, or immediately after. So, in the cases of panicked North American residents, it’s unlikely that taking potassium iodide will protect them. And there are side effects as well, including inflammation of the salivary gland, allergic reactions, and gastrointestinal side effects. Worse, according to USA Today”taking the pills too late — a week after exposure — can actually cause radioactive iodine to get locked in the thyroid”. So, Instead of spending time and money to find and purchase iodine, it’s much more useful to use those dollars and contribute to the Japan earthquake and tsunami relief efforts instead.
If you wish to build up your iodine, take the following elixir created by my friend, Arden.
It tastes great and will give you lots of energy and natural forms of iodine as well as many other valuable minerals and nutrients.
Arden’s Health Elixir -
1 cup of parsley, chopped coarse
2 green onions (optional)
1 clove garlic (or less)
1 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary (optional)
1 Tbsp. fresh ginger
1 tsp. miso paste or more to taste (or 2 tsp. sole)
1 tsp. kelp powder
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 tsp. cayenne powder
2 cups warm water (not more than 105 F)
Chop garlic, onions and ginger and put into blender along with miso, lemon juice, kelp and parsley. Blend to a smooth paste, adding a little water if needed. Add the remaining water and cayenne to taste. Blend just to mix and drink immediately.
I drink this anytime I feel a little sluggish and it perks me up right away. You can omit the garlic and onion if you'd like a milder tasting broth. This recipe is very flexible, feel free to add or remove the word "optional' wherever you wish. Folks who like spice and ginger can increase both of those to taste. It could even be made with orange juice and extra ginger but in that case, hold the garlic. Enjoy!
Sandra Butler Raw Food Chef 250-862-1158 http://raw-food-kelowna.blogspot.com/
