If you?ve been watching the news lately, then you know the threat of radiation poisoning isn?t restricted to the geographic area of Japan.? People from all over?our?country are calling in to television programs asking for updates and advice on what to do.

In the Northeast, we?re about as far away from this disaster as one could hope to be, and yet people are asking me what they can eat, drink, or if they can go out when it?s raining.? All of a sudden our world has gotten very small.? We share in the tragedy of the people of Japan not only because we care so much for our fellow man but because as a global community all of the resources we share like the need to breathe, eat and drink come from the same planet.

This is not Japan?s nuclear disaster ? it belongs to all of us.? ?As Americans, we have a long and proud history of lending a hand whenever it?s needed.? Whether it be on a local level or global we pull up our boot straps and do what has to be done.

So while you?re doing your part to help our Japanese neighbors, I thought I?d do mine by letting you know there?s a few things you can do for yourself to reduce your risk of exposure.

This information is gathered from a list of trusted, leading experts in the field of holistic therapies.

ABOUT RADIOACTIVE IODINE:?

(Radioactive) Iodine 131 is released during nuclear failures.? Iodine 131 is hazardous because our bodies will happily take it in if we have an iodine deficiency. Prior to the human atomic age there was no iodine 131, so we have no defense against it if we actually need iodine.? And we have no way to selectively excrete it.

If we have sufficient iodine in our bodies, Iodine 127, the only natural iodine isotope, our bodies will not take in the heavier iodine 131.? A steady supply of iodine 127 (from seaweed) is the best protection.

If our body has plenty of iodine 127 from seaweed or?potassium iodide?(a supplement that you could take if you don’t want to eat seaweed) the radioactive iodine cannot bind to the receptor sites in the thyroid and begin to damage the cells. Instead, it passes quickly through the kidneys without causing much damage.

The real damage is caused when radioactive iodine binds in the thyroid and starts to decay thereby impacting the cells and molecules within your body increasing the chances of major problems, like cancer and non-functioning of the gland. Thyroid damage is the most-caused damage from radiation exposure from nuclear plants. —Ryan Drum???To read more about Dr. Drum?s research, visit his website at?http://www.ryandrum.com/seaweeds.htm.

WHAT TO EAT: (compiled by?David Miller)

Kelp and Kombu – good sources of iodine.? Both help to protect the thyroid gland from?radioactive iodine 131.

Buckwheat – the glucoside rutin protects against the effects of radiation.

Apples and Raw Sunflower Seeds – contain pectin which binds radioactive residues and?removes them from the body.

Lecithin and Bentonite Clay -? also bind radioactive residues and removes them from the body.

Flax Seed Oil -? contains essential fatty acids that initiate cell renewal after a radiation?burn.

Miso? -?? Miso soups are good at leaching radiation from the body.

Panax Ginseng -? helps the body resist radioactive influences.

Blueberries/Rasperries -? anti-oxidants should be added to the diet to help deal with free?radical scavenging.

Nettles? -?? super-nutrient herb that helps to deal with anaemia that can result from radiation exposure.

For a radiation burn caused by external exposure, take a bath of sea salt and baking soda.? Add 1 pound of salt and 1 pound of baking soda to a warm bath and soak for 20 minutes.? Rinse with cool water.

Aloe vera juice is also good for skin burns.

As with all things, use in moderation.? Don’t over do it, especially with the seaweeds which can be extremely cooling for the body, and detrimental for those who have cold conditions.??An example of moderation is an apple a day, a handful of raw sunflower seeds, a tablespoon of flax seed oil, or in capsules (follow dosage suggestions on bottle).? Have a bowl of miso soup with kelp or kombu in it.

“Regarding the most reliable anti-radiation remedies, I feel chlorella ranks at the top. This is because it actively extracts radiolytic particles from the body. It does this as a result of several actions that all green foods possess, but does it especially well because it is the only food that features its special acid polysaccharides. These are not present in wheat grass or spirulina, for example. In addition to chlorella, I next recommend sea veggies, a moderate daily amount of miso soup (raw miso is superior).” –?Paul Pitchford

“For kelp powder 1-3 grams per day is a maintenance dose.? For the other seaweeds, I’ve read that 3-5 grams daily is a low maintenance dose.” —Summer Bock

As in everything, the best you thing you can do is educate yourself and then make an informed decision about what you feel is the best course of action for you.