Iodine has been very much touted in last couple of weeks since the explosions of the ageing nuclear reactors in Japan. You must be wondering why iodine from all minerals? Strong scientific evidence points to and substantiates the detoxifying properties of potassium iodine on radioactive particles in the body.

Its most noted effect is on the thyroids, the two little butterfly-like glands at the base of the neck. When radioactive iodine is among the contaminants in disseminated dust, it attacks the thyroid glands, destroying them altogether. Concentrated potassium iodine intake of 130 mg is necessary to safeguard the little glands from damage. The mineral saturates the surrounding tissue of the thyroids to suppress the uptake of radioactive iodine, which enters the cells through the iodine receptors when they are iodine deficient. However in the absence of radioactive iodine, iodine has no effect on other airborne radioactive particles and has no potency over radioactivity affecting other organs or systems in the body.

In normal circumstances, the combined minerals produce antibacterial, antiviral, anti-parasitic and anticancer potency. Dietary iodine found in certain foods like seaweed, marine salt, asparagus, garlic, cabbage family, beans, mushrooms, sesame seeds, spinach, summer squash, Swiss chard and turnip greens acts as a radiation filter. It prevents the uptake of dangerous substances by the thyroid glands and shields the glandular system and organs from radioactive and electromagnetic damage.

Though rich in iodine, excess marine salt intake is threatening to health. We should consume seaweed and other greens or take their supplements instead.

The dietary form of iodine can be effective against most radioactive damage. The leading source of the mineral is seaweed or its supplement. The sea grass comes in different varieties that include kelp (kombu), nori, wakame and micro-algae like chorella and spiriluna. The last two have shown effectiveness during the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear fallout. Cells quenched with dietary iodine protect the body from radioactive damage. Fish and seafood also provide iodine, but not comparable to sea vegetables. Unfortunately, Japan is the world biggest seaweed supplier and with the recent nuclear contamination, there will be a global shortage in the supply of the detoxifying greens.

Polysaccharides in sea vegetables deter the assimilation of radioactive strontium 90. Seaweed acts as a metal chelator by binding with heavy metals (mercury, lead, cadmium), neutralizing and flushing them out of the body. It also offers the antioxidant lipoic acid (LA), which is a nerve protector. 

Since the kidneys are primary targets of radioactive particles, they require sodium bicarbonate oral intake to stop the destructive effects of radiation. By alkalinizing the urine, sodium bicarbonate reduces uranium toxicity on the kidneys. The salt also binds with radioactive uranium, flushing harmful particles out of the system. It acts as a chelator, clearing the system of toxic chemicals. It is an inexpensive method of detoxification.

For serious cases of uranium contamination, Dr. David Brownstein recommends an intravenous combination of high doses of vitamin C, sodium bicarbonate and magnesium chloride or sulfate with highly purified seawater, to counteract and flush out devastating toxins.

Because inhaled insoluble nuclear dust settles in the lungs, it is important to cleanse the organs by inhaling a solution made of glutathione and sodium bicarbonate through direct inhalation and spraying into the lungs, a method called nebulization. This technique helps remove the hazardous toxic residue from the vital organs. According to scientist and heavy-metal detoxification and chelation expert, Dr. Chris Shade, radioactive toxins can also be eliminated by glutathione oral intake. Supplying the body with glutathione is important since radiation destroys the antioxidant supply of the body, causing a surge in a free radical colony. Dietary sulfur enhances the action of the glutathione system by detoxifying heavy metals and oxidants. Glutathione and sulfur are found in abundance in garlic and cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli).

Dr. Shade also recommends for those who are directly exposed to radiation to take baths high in sodium bicarbonate, magnesium and sulfur, along with detoxifying clay like the one from the Dead Sea.

After the Nagasaki bombing, contaminated doctors and patients, who followed a macrobiotic diet consisting of miso soup, seaweed, brown rice and chlorophyll-rich foods (greens, wheat grasses) were spared the complications of nuclear radiation as well as developing leukemia. The diet has other good aspects. The cells become stronger; oxygen circulation improves; blood and liver get cleansed; and RNA production is stimulated.  Miso (found in health stores) is a Japanese specialty; the paste is made from fermented soy.   

Natural foods to include in your detoxifying diet are chlorophyll-rich leafy greens like dandelion, wheat and barley grasses, alfalfa and herbs (Echinacea. Ginko biloba).  They have purging agents that act on the liver; activate cell-building; enhance oxygen utilization and circulation; enrich the blood; and supply cleansing soluble fiber and phytochemicals. They also neutralize contaminants and encourage RNA and DNA production.

Studies show that victims of the Nagasaki bombing in World War II who ate a diet rich in fruits and vegetables lowered their risk of death by 13 percent. Pectin in fruits reduces the toxic effects of radioactivity. Fruits and vegetables are abundant in phytochemicals, which decrease the uptake of radioactive particles and counteract free radical damage, resulting from nuclear contamination.

Vegetables rich in sulfur such as the cabbage family, garlic and mustard greens enhance the glutathione supply in the body. This antioxidant is known for its purging properties on the cellular level by detoxifying from heavy metal and free radicals.

Whole grains in general provide vitamin E to improve the body’s oxygen uptake and the B vitamins, B6 in particular, to strengthen the thymus gland, which increases antibodies to protect the body. Buckwheat is rich in rutin to clear the system from the poisonous effects of radiation and to regenerate bone marrow cells to prevent leukemia. Whole rice (red and black) is also an effective body cleanser.

Curcumin in turmeric, cumin seeds, Boswellia gum (luban shihri) and olive leaves have anti-inflammatory and cleansing characteristics, detoxifying and repairing skin damaged by radiation. In studies, ginko has provided protection to organs from radiation therapy.  Aloe vera, a known skin healer, reduces radiation burn-like effects. Polyphenols in green tea, pine bark and grape seed extracts also have powerful cleansing properties on the body.

It is important to emphasize that in order to make this detoxifying diet fully effective, you should eliminate refined sugar and carbohydrates, gluten-containing grains (wheat, barley, rye), red sand processed meats, fried, fatty and fast foods, saturated and trans fats, processed and pre-prepared foods, sugar-substitutes (aspartame, saccharine), chemical additives (preservatives, artificial colorings and flavors), smoking, alcohol and allergy-causing foods or substances. These only exasperate the toxic condition.

I would like to sum up the above and add more information. The detoxification diet should include sea algae, miso soup, purified fish and virgin olive oils, fish (sardines, anchovies, mackerel), organic liver, yeast, chlorophyll rich dark leafy greens, herbal infusions, spices, beans and lentils, plenty of water intake and small amounts of organic, non-commercial, unpasteurized honey. An emphasis on whole organic foods is of paramount importance. Whole organic produce and foods assist in the cleansing process by providing maximum nutrient and phytochemical benefits. The multiple effects of herbal extracts nourish, detoxify and heal. Kelp, chorella, or spirulina supplements are found in most health stores; they replace the fresh seaweed. Nutrient supplements should contain most bioavailable minerals (iodine, magnesium, etc…) and vitamins. The oral intake of sodium bicarbonate and water relieves the kidneys of the harmful substances of radioactivity.

Such a diet is not meant only to cleanse from radioactivity, but also to strengthen health, energize vitality, bolster the immune system and remain disease-free. The way to appreciate health and life is to protect them.

To reduce airborne radioactive contaminants, I advise surrounding yourself at home, workplace and environment with indoor and outdoor plants, green parks and big trees. The flora in your ecosystem has an effective way of purifying the air from contaminants. 

We are all praying that the Japanese nuclear fallout gets contained in the shortest time possible, though it appears that it would take months and maybe years for that to happen. Radiation has already reached hazardous levels. The radioactive chemicals have infected drinking water, rainwater, the sea and atmosphere, affecting health, vegetation, marine life and the air we breathe, making efforts to contain them even more challenging. The massive degree of radioactivity has contaminated all “life” and matter within a twelve mile radius of the Japanese nuclear reactors, even the huge ocean. The emissions appear to exceed the Chernobyl nuclear fallout. In the U.S., traces of radioactive particles were detected in milk coming from Washington State and in rainwater in the East Coast. The very seaweed and miso, our best source of radioactive-detoxification coming from Japan the largest world exporter, are already contaminated and dangerous for consumption.

Such man-inflicted catastrophes will become more frequent and inevitable as long as we turn a blind eye towards ageing nuclear reactors, depleted uranium and nuclear weaponry. Insensitive governments and world leaders continue to bless peaceful and non-peaceful nuclear use.

To become proactive, we should speak out AGAINST nuclear utilizations, even for peaceful purposes. “Peaceful” does NOT mean harmless! Unless absolute restrictions on “peaceful” and warring nuclear uses from diligent civilized non-aligned nations are exercised globally and “without exceptions,” we should expect more ecological disasters, human tragedies, suffering and killing of innocents and cancer “plagues.” Nuclear breakouts are indiscriminate in their damage; no one and nothing (human species, fauna and flora) will be spared when they hit. God has warned in The Holy Quran in surat Ar-Roum (chapter of The Romans), “Corruption has appeared on land and in the sea as an outcome of what men’s hands have wrought: and so He will let them taste [the evil of] some of their doings, so that they might return [to the right path]” (ayah, verse: 41). “Corruption” here also means “destructive action.” The verse is quite self-explanatory!

We, as “supposedly” the intelligent species, are entrusted to protect and NOT to destroy “Life” on our once beautiful green Planet.