With some of the major nuclear disasters in recent history, the thought of radiation poisoning has been lingering on people’s minds. With all of the environmental toxicity out there, it can be scary to think about the dangers of radiation pollution, but luckily there are some delicious natural foods and simple strategies you can use to protect yourself.
Seaweeds and Chlorophyll-rich Foods
Chlorophyll-rich foods like seaweed (especially Irish Moss, kelp and dulse) can help protect and purify your body. The natural iodine in these seaweeds can form somewhat of a protective barrier around your thyroid gland so radiation buildup doesn’t happen. They also contain antioxidants and chelating agents that help eliminate heavy metals and toxins from your body. Two to three ounces of seaweed a week can help reduce potentially negative affects of radiation exposure.
Like seaweed, green leafy veggies like kale and spinach, and yellow, orange, and red fruits and veggies such as carrots, pumpkin, winter squash, beets, sweet potatoes, melons, and apricots contain beta-carotene. Beta-carotene boosts the immune system to help protect against the reddening of tissues and extreme drying of mucus membranes caused by radiation exposure.
Potassium and Calcium for Thyroid Health
Potassium and calcium-rich foods help support thyroid gland function as well, which is affected by any type of radiation exposure. Bananas, raisins, figs, potatoes, nuts, and seeds are powerful choices. Raw, organic coconut water is also an ideal source of drinkable natural potassium. Studies have also shown that physical and psychological stress led to the depletion of magnesium in the body, which is needed for iodine utilization by the thyroid gland. Magnesium rich foods include pumpkin seeds, almonds, black beans, swiss chard, spinach, avocados, bananas, dried fruit, and raw cacao.
Turnip the Beets on Blood Building
In terms of vegetables, beets, tomatoes, lima beans, squash and avocados are awesome. Beets rebuild hemoglobin in the blood after radiation exposure and avocados are great sources of glutathione, which provides the body with powerful antioxidants.
Nutrient-dense medicinal mushrooms, such as reishi and cordyceps, can protect cells from radiation-related oxygen deprivation and have chelating effects, helping to remove harmful toxins from your body. Beyond that, medicinal mushrooms are actually used during many types of holistic radiation therapy to prevent tissue damage that can occur in that process. Any amount of reishi is helpful, so eat it as often as you can. I like to use it in smoothies, tonics and hot chocolate.
Nascent Iodine for Detoxification
When it comes to supplements, nascent iodine is a potent, fast absorbing nutrient that acts as an antioxidant, thyroid supporter and detoxifier. With radiation poisoning, your body can absorb radioactive iodine extremely fast if there is not non-radioactive iodine to counteract it, therefore it is crucial to take 20 drops of nascent iodine a day if you’ve been exposed.
It’s a good idea to drink a lot of filtered water to flush out any toxins in your body. You can also load up on other natural chelating and detoxifying foods such as cilantro, garlic, parsley and fruit pectin.
So even though the thought of radiation poisoning can be terrifying, these are simple things you can add into your daily meals to lessen the effects of radiation and eliminate the damaging toxins that can build up over time.
