Radiation Fallout and Iodine Recommendations in Light of the Japan Earthquake - Health - Medicine

With the tragedy in Japan and now the possible release of harmful radioactive materials into the atmosphere, many are searching for a way of protection. The good news is SSKI may be used to "block" the thyroid's uptake of radioiodine Potassium iodide was approved in 1982 by the United States FDA to protect the thyroid glands from radioactive iodine from accidents or fission emergencies that those in Japan and the world may be facing when the volatile fission product radionuclides are released, of which 131I is one of the most common by-products and a particularly dangerous one due to thyroid gland concentration of it, which may lead to thyroid cancer. By saturating the body with a source of stable iodide prior to exposure, inhaled or ingested 131I tends to be excreted. One should not use SSKI drops if: * you are allergic to any ingredient in SSKI Drops * you have iodine poisoning, Addison disease, kidney disease, lung disease, a skin disorder, stomach disorders, tuberculos is, or a history of preexisting thyroid disease * you are taking potassium sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone) or potassium supplementsSome medical conditions may interact with SSKI Drops. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you: * if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding * if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement * if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances * if you have an overactive thyroidSome MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with SSKI Drops. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following: * Lithium because side effects of SSKI Drops may be increased * Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, captopril), aldosterone blockers (eg, eplerenone), or potassium sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone) because serious side effects, in cluding high blood potassium and irregular heartbeat, may occurYou may be wondering if you are at risk in North America. If the Japanese nuclear reactors release radiation into the air, the jet streams will push this radiation to the Western U.S. and Canada. There are estimates that the radiation fallout will reach the Western side of N. America in six to ten days. Furthermore, experts estimate that it is expected that 750 RADS may contaminate these areas. How much is 750 RADS? One chest x-ray is approximately 3/100 RADS. One CT scan is 1 RAD.

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Vegetables near stricken plant test high for radiation - News - World News

Tokyo - Japan's Health Ministry reported Tuesday finding radioactive materials at levels "drastically exceeding legal limits" in 11 types of vegetable grown in Fukushima Prefecture, including broccoli and cabbage, according to Kyodo News Agency.None of the vegetables has been shipped since Monday, it said.The news agency, citing the ministry, said, "If a person eats 100 grams (3 1/2 ounces) of the vegetable with the largest detected amount of radioactive materials for about 10 days, it would be equal to ingesting half the amount of radiation a person typically receives from the natural environment in a year."If a person keeps eating the vegetable at the same pace, the amount of radiation intake could exceed the amount deemed safe."Prime Minister Naoto Kan asked Ibaraki Prefecture -- near the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant -- to suspend shipments of raw milk and parsley, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano told reporters Wednesday.And the government of Fukus hima Prefecture told residents not to eat leafy vegetables, he added. "Even if you do eat these food items now, it's not going to cause any human health problems right away, and these levels are not high, so it would not cause any health problems over the longer term," he said.But, as the radiation levels continue to rise, "we are looking at the possibility of levels reaching levels that may harm human health," he said.A spokeswoman for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday said it has issued an import alert covering milk, milk products, fresh vegetables and fruit from any of four prefectures near the Japanese reactors -- Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi and Gunma. Under the alert, those products will be prevented from entering the United States.Other food products from one of those prefectures will be diverted for testing, she said.But the Environmental Protection Agency said its air monitors -- three in California and one in Washington -- have detected levels of radi ation that were "millions of times below levels of concern."Meanwhile, the process of getting Americans out of the stricken region continued Tuesday. Seven charter flights left Japan Tuesday carrying about 1,800 military dependents voluntarily evacuating from Atsugi Naval Air Facility, Yokoda Air Base and Mesawa Air Base. Some of the flights were bound for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and the rest to Travis Air Force Base in California.As the Navy continues to distribute potassium iodide to personnel, the service is instructing sailors who have come within 100 miles of the damaged reactor to take the pills, said Cmdr. Danny Hernandez.That recommendation clashes with one issued Monday by the State Department, which said it was making available supplies of the pills to U.S. government-related personnel in Japan, but that the distribution was being carried out only as a precaution. "No one should take KI at this time," it said, referring to the salt by its chemical form ula.The State Department did not immediately return a call seeking an explanation for the divergent recommendations.The salt protects the thyroid gland from radioactive iodine but can result in side effects, especially among people with allergies to iodine and shellfish and those who have kidney disease, certain skin disorders and thyroid problems, according to the Johns Hopkins Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response.The National Police Agency reported Tuesday that the disaster has killed at least 9,301 people and left at least 13,786 missing, many of them killed when a wall of water swept over them after the quake. Another 2,722 were injured.Workers at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant have been checked for radiation levels. TV Asahi aired what it said were the first interviews with workers, which were conducted Tuesday from Iwaki City in Fukushima Prefecture, where they have been billeted."It has settled down quite a lot compared to the beginning and we could even begin to see a bright hope that maybe it would somehow work out in a little bit," said one man."We are constantly switching over all the time, since the work cannot be stopped," said another.Neither man was identified by name.As for the plant's six reactors, Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency official Hidehiko Nishiyama said Wednesday that power had been connected to reactor No. 1 and fire trucks were being used to inject seawater into the core to cool it.The International Atomic Energy Agency reported Tuesday that coolant in the unit was covering only about half of the fuel rods in reactor Nos., 1, 2 and 3 and that Japanese officials believe their cores have been damaged.In the No. 2 reactor, power had not been restored, but the core was stable and workers were continuing to inject seawater into the spent-fuel storage pool, he said.The IAEA said that, after an explosion March 15, officials expressed concern that the containment vessel may no longer be intact.I n the No. 3 reactor, electricity has been restored to the central control room and the Tokyo Fire Department was expected to start spraying water into the spent-fuel storage pool beginning at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nishiyama said.The No. 3 reactor has been a priority for authorities trying to contain damage to the plant and stave off a possible meltdown. Its fuel includes plutonium mixed with the uranium in its fuel rods, which experts say could cause more harm than regular uranium fuels in the event of a meltdown.In the No. 4 reactor, power was connected to the control board; because the reactor has no fuel rods, the focus was on continuing spraying rods in the spent-fuel pool, he said.Power has also been connected to the No. 5 and No. 6 reactors, he said.Officials say some radiation has been released from the crippled plant since the quake and tsunami. And with the nuclear plant's six reactors in various states of disrepair, concerns have mounted over a potentially larger relea se of radioactive material from the facility, located about 240 kilometers (150 miles) north of Tokyo.Restoration of power may not solve the cooling problems. TEPCO said Monday the quake and tsunami had damaged pumps and other gear at units No. 1 through No. 4. The company said spare parts were being brought in to make the repairs.The coolant pools contain used fuel rods that are radioactive and generate heat. Authorities have been working to keep the pools full to prevent the rods from being exposed and releasing radiation.About 660 workers were at the site Tuesday, TEPCO said. About 330 of those were employees of the power company.Several countries, including the United States, have urged citizens living within 80 kilometers (50 miles) of the plant to evacuate or stay indoors.

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Navy says radiation releases pose challenging environment - News - World News

Washington - The ongoing radioactivity releases from damaged nuclear reactors in Japan after last week's historic earthquake are creating "one of the most challenging humanitarian operations ever conducted," according to Cmdr. Jeff Davis, a spokesman for the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet in Japan.Davis said Tuesday that for the second time, U.S. helicopter crews have been exposed to elevated, albeit low, levels of radiation during flights near Japan's nuclear reactors. In addition, the Navy is moving three incoming ships to a new location because of "radiological and navigation hazards" at their intended destination on the eastern coast of Honshu, according to Davis.Just as in an incident on Sunday, the crew members were stripped of contaminated clothing, scrubbed down with soap and water and tested. In all cases, they no longer tested positive for radiation exposure.On Sunday, tests detected low levels of radioactivity on 17 U.S. Navy helicopter crew members when they returned to the USS Ronald Reagan after conducting disaster relief missions in Japan, the military said Monday.No further contamination was detected after the crew members washed with soap and water, the Navy said. Nevertheless, the U.S. 7th Fleet has temporarily repositioned its ships and planes away from the damaged multi-unit Fukushima nuclear plant. The Navy, however, noted that the most radiation that ship personnel could have received was less than they would receive in a month of exposure to natural radiation sources, such as the rocks, soil and sun."This will continue to happen," Davis said. He did not know how many personnel tested positive for radiological contamination in the second incident nor what ships they were on. Most of the nine U.S. Navy warships now operating off Japan are involved in helicopter operations.For example, the USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group flew 29 sorties on Tuesday and delivered 17 tons of supplies, including food, water and blankets. The USS Tortuga is transporting 300 Japan Ground Self Defense Force personnel and 90 vehicles.Officials expect that air crew members will continue to be exposed to increased low levels of radiation, so the Navy is telling helicopter crews to keep their sleeves rolled down and keep cabin windows closed when possible.And some air crew members, Davis said, have been given potassium iodide pills. The iodide protects a person's thyroid gland from the effects of radioactivity and can reduce the threat of thyroid cancer.U.S. Navy spokesman Capt. Danny Hernandez said the iodide pills were given as a "precautionary measure only."The U.S. Army's Camp Zama, about 25 miles outside Tokyo, is also taking steps in light of the potential radiation threat.According to messages posted on U.S. Army - Japan's official Facebook page, health officials have been taking "environmental radiation readings every 3 hrs" since Monday."All readings taken to date have indicated absolutely no health risk to our c ommunity," the message read.Nonetheless, the message noted that readings showed "negligible levels" that require the implementation of "mitigating measures," including limiting outdoor activities, leaving windows closed and keeping children inside for playtime and school recess.The radiation exposure appears limited to Navy personnel. Representatives for the Marines and Air Force said they have not seen reports of anyone in their services testing positive for exposure.The Navy has three ships with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit on their way to Japan. They are expected to arrive on March 17. Out of concern about radiation, those ships, the USS Essex, USS Harpers Ferry and USS Germantown, will now position in the Sea of Japan on the west coast of Honshu, rather than the east coast, to aid in disaster relief.

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Treatment For Radiation Exposure and Contamination - Health - Alternative Medicine

Treatment For Radiation Exposure and Contamination

According to Dr. William R. Jackson, fulvic acid annihilates radiation!

At last... from Mother Nature, her most precious and best kept secret! Fulvic acid (fulvates) - called the "missing link" to optimum health and nutrition by leading scientists throughout the world. A health miracle so wonderful that medical studies show that fulvic acid has the ability to significantly change your life for the better. So safe, powerful and effective that medical doctors around the world have used it for thousands of years with amazing results. Scientists have discovered a missing link in our food chain, and can see that rapidly increasing degenerative diseases worldwide may be directly related to absence of this substance in the human diet. Now experts know that more than vitamins and minerals are required for health, this third nutritional element is equally important. This breakthrough discovery is supported by little-known and even secret medical research coming from top institutions around the world; medical schools, hospitals, clinics, and pharmaceuti cal labs. Treatment For Radiation Exposure and Contamination: The power of Fulvates to protect every organ, tissue & cell from radioactive exposure.

Taking fulvic acid- preferably in liquid/organic form has 1,000's of health benefits:

Provides over 77 Trace Minerals, naturally occurring in their ionic form for ultimate absorption. Detoxifies the body by eliminating heavy metals, radiation and additional toxins. Allows other Super-Foods, Vitamins, and Herbs to be absorbed and effectively utilized by the body. Provides increased energy, mental clarity, and sense of well being. Fulvates are the electrolyte that enables our cells to absorb nutrients and is a multi-directional antioxidant that cleanses the entire surface of the Earth of pollution, pesticides, and toxins of all kinds.

Thousands of scientific studies exist to prove it. Russian scientists used it to clean up the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster, including the soil, animals, and people exposed to the radiation. According to Dr. William R. Jackson, organic fulvic acid annihilates radiation! It is the best treatment for radiation exposure; Truly amazing stuff! Treatment For Radiation Exposure with Potassium Iodide does not compare to the protection from Fulvates. KI (potassium iodide) works by flooding the thyroid with non-radioactive Iodine which thereby prevents the uptake of the radioactive Iodine molecules. Potassium Iodide is great for protecting the thyroid from radioactive exposure BUT we are 1 human with much more to worry about than just one organ. People over 40 need to be careful when taking KI. Potassium Iodine also known as KI is NOT recommended as treatment for radiation exposure at this distance from the source. In fact, self-treatment with KI can be hazardous especially to pregnant or lactating women or individuals with kidney disease. Fulvic acid protects your entire body from radiation exposure! Fulvic acid appears to be "alive" with nature's own energy, and is intimately tied to the very spark of life. Fulvic acid is the World's most complex enzyme, and enzymes are described by scientists to be like living entities, having functioned and life-like qualities. Yet fulvates are more than just an enzyme, it is in essence the "milk" from Mother Nature... meant for giving life, energy, health,immunity, and renewal to the entire Earth, humans, plants, animals, and living organisms. Fulvates are seriously depleted from agricultural soils, crops, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, meats, and foods of all kinds, COMPLETELY lacking in the modern human diet. In 1992 UNICEF announced that world soil samples were 75% depleted of vitamins and minerals. To properly treat radiation exposure with fulvates you need to have organic fulvic acid. Fulvates not only c ontain rare-earth mineral elements in organic form, fulvic acids are enzymes and have a life-like functional quality. Being "organic" means the minerals are not "dead" mineral elements, but actually powerful bio-active life-like enzymes made up from very complex combinations of powerful phytochemicals. Research shows that these complex substances have amazing fountain-of-youth-like health properties. Historical medical use is ongoing and dates back hundreds and even thousands of years in remote regions of the Himalayas, China, and Russia, where people today still have the longest recorded life-spans. Treat Radiation Exposure with Spectramaxx - Just 3/4 of an ounce of SpectraMaxx organic fulvic acid a day can protect your entire body from radiation exposure and provide all the benefits listed above plus many more. Spectramaxx supplies you with 74 essential minerals, 40 antioxidants, Organic Fulvic Acid, Vitamin D, Vitamin B Complex and more. All bio-avialable in liquid form f or maximum absorption.

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How to Prevent Thyroid Cancer From Radiation Exposure ? - Health - Cancer

Potassium Iodide (KI) is used by health officials worldwide to prevent thyroid cancer in people who are exposed to radioactive iodides caused by nuclear reactor accidents and nuclear bombs. It protects against radioactive iodine by preventing its absorption by the thyroid gland located in the neck. Thyroid cells are unique among all cells of the human body as they are the only cells which have the ability to absorb Iodine. The thyroid gland absorbs it from the bloodstream and concentrates it inside the cell to produce hormones. For radiation that is not immediately lethal, the thyroid is your body's most sensitive organ to the effects of radiation. The Radioactive Iodine is absorbed by the thyroid and can cause thyroid disease and cancer later on. Sometimes it only takes a short time if the victim is a child because a child's thyroid is very active in helping the child to grow. FDA Approved IOSAT and ThyroShield saturates the thyroid with stable iodine, shutting off its ab sorption mechanism, and it will remain off long enough for the radioactive iodine that you inhaled or ingested to to be safely disbursed through the kidneys. IOSAT KI is the only FDA-approved full strength thyroid blocking tablet available to the public. ThyroShield is the only liquid Potassium Iodide approved by the FDA.

As far as effectiveness and safety for adults or children, there is no difference between the liquid and the tablet. Both are FDA approved, have the same active ingredient (iodine), and can be effectively and safely administered to adults or children. The Iosat has a longer expiration date, is less expensive and is packaged for single-unit dosing. ThyroShield is flavored. An adult could take one Iosat tablet or two droppersful of ThyroShield. A child could take half an Iosat tablet or one dropperful of ThyroShield, etc. If you don't care to quickly crush and dissolve the tablet to administer to a small child then the liquid ThyroShield is your alternative.

IOSAT Potassium Iodide is the only full strength brand tested and approved by the FDA for radiation emergencies. ThyroShield is the only liquid Potassium Iodide approved by the FDA. Ask yourself - If you had cancer and could take a drug that would cure it, would you take an FDA regulated and approved drug, or a non-approved drug? Then ask - If you could take a pill to possibly prevent cancer would you take an FDA Approved drug or a non-approved drug? Rad Block, Life-Extension (LEF)and Potassium IodATE (different spelling, different drug) are not FDA Approved for radiation emergencies.

Doctors recommended one Iosat pack or one ThyroShield bottle per person for storing at home. Each Iosat pack has 14 130mg tablets. A two week supply for an adult and a 28+ day supply for a child. One ThyroShield bottle has 30ml, a 15 day supply for an adult or month+ supply for a child. However, you should consider stocking Potassium Iodide outside the home as well. You wouldn't want to get caught without Potassium Iodide if something should happen. Can you imagine the traffic jam as everyone leaves town at the same time?

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Potassium Iodide Helps Prevent The Bad Effects of Radiation - Health - Cancer

Potassium iodide pill takers are stated to become a smaller amount susceptible to radiation than non-pill takers. This has already been proven by some clinical studies. You see, it is extremely popular for many years now. Radiation rates in countries that eat a large quantity of potassium iodide are significantly lower and that is according to statistics. The polyphenol content of is said to efficiently fight radiation cells from developing.

Animal diagnostic tests have proven that potassium iodide can support in reducing the formation of specific tumors inside thyroid. The final results have been because of the properties of this product.

The growth of radiation cells inside the thyroid is also frequent but taking potassium iodide can suppress the growth of this sort of radiation cells. Studies with regards to thyroid radiation produced different results. Women tested had been protected from thyroid radiation but another group was susceptible to it. The find out concluded and recommended that extra studies ought to be conducted when it comes to thyroid radiation pills.

The thyroid can also benefit within the anti-radiation properties of potassium iodide. Both persons who took the pill were much less prone to thyroid radiation; however, further studies ought to be conducted by researchers ahead of they are able to recommend it for prevention of thyroid radiation. Then there is the ever increasing range of radiation patients. Conclusive studies among radiation patients proved very effective. With one pill everyday, the patients lived longer.

Test tube lab studies also proved that potassium iodide can prevent thyroid radiation among men. So far, the studies in numerous sorts of radiation gave sure outcomes after potassium iodide was introduced. By simply increasing the quantity, frequency, and also the duration of taking the pill, the development of radiation can also be prevented.

Radiation has often been a wellness difficulty in a variety of age groups. For many years, doctors and researchers have fought against radiation and finally, they came up with an excellent remedy that's not incredibly expensive. So even though you will be even now young and healthy, you need to consume it everyday. Make it a part of your diet, whether you will be trying to lose pounds or not. You will discover plenty of rewards of taking potassium iodide and should you need to achieve a a lot healthier body, start taking it now. Commercial pills are extensively available, as well as the supplement forms. If you need to take in the supplements, you can ask prescription in the doctor.

Although this may possibly mean a lot more cost on your part, the money you'll be spending is a lot lesser than owning to go via a radiation medication program. Assist fight radiation; take it everyday. Just in case you need to be extra sure, ask your doctor for the wellness rewards and you will be surprised.

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Popping potassium iodide already? Really bad idea - News - Business News

As demand spikes for potassium iodide in the wake of Japans nuclear crisis, U.S. poison control centers are starting to receive reports of illness in people whove ingested the drug aimed at protecting against radiation sickness.

At least seven people have reported reactions to the drug, often called by its chemical name, KI, including two who said they were suffering from serious symptoms including vomiting, racing heart and dizziness or vertigo.

Thats according to Jessica Wehrman, a spokeswoman for the American Association of Poison Control Centers, which tracks reports from 57 poison control centers nationwide.

Radiation has not been detected in the U.S., but some worried Americans are already hoarding the pills and apparently taking them already as a precaution. Wehrman said poison control centers have received nearly 130 queries about protection against radiation exposure and the crisis in Japan.

A text message poll of 98 physicians in California, Oregon and Washington, conducted by Truth On Call for msnbc dot com, found that 18 percent of doctors had fielded questions from patients this week about the health impacts of radiation exposure, and two were asked for potassium iodide.

Panic could spark a mini-epidemic of potassium iodide ingestion and overdoses, predicted Dr. Leonard Wartofsky, spokesman for the Endocrine Society and a thyroid expert.

He warned that the drug could cause serious reactions in some people and even backfire in the case of an actual emergency, putting people past a two-week window of safe dosage. After that period of time, the drug can induce severe hypothyroidism, a condition that essentially shuts down thyroid function.

It is inappropriate, foolhardy and dangerous to be taking iodine supplements at this time, Wartofsky said. Its very important to hold off until its absolutely necessary.

Medical and government officials have stressed that the risk of radiation reaching the U.S. is negligible, and that the risk of any health effects is less than that.

There has been no directive from either the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or from state health departments that anyone in the United States during the Japan earthquake or during its aftermath should take potassium iodide, said Dr. Al Bronstein, medical director at the Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center.Story: Panicked Chinese mistakenly hoarding iodized salt

But that hasnt stopped Americans from rushing to buy the non-prescription drug that protects the thyroid gland from exposure to radioactive iodine. All three manufacturers and suppliers of federally approved potassium iodide in the United States sold out of the drug earlier this week. New supplies wont be available until mid-April, said Alan Morris, president of Anbex, Inc., which makes IOSAT 130-milligram tablets.

The drug works by filling the thyroid gland with potassium iodide, which leaves no room for the radioactive iodine, which can cause cancer. It does not protect against other effects of radiation exposure.

But even if radiation were to reach the U.S., potassium iodide should only be taken in the event of actual exposure or the threat of immediate exposure, not as a preventive measure, Wartofsky said.

Troy Jones, who runs the site , says he sells about 250,000 doses of potassium iodide most months, both pills and liquid. Demand has spiked in the past during threatening events, but nothing like the response to Japans crisis, he said.

In the event of a nuclear emergency, potassium iodide is most useful in protecting infants and children younger than 18, whose bodies are most vulnerable to the effects of radioactive iodine, according to the CDC.

Adults older than 40 are warned not to take KI unless contamination with a very large doses of radioactive iodine is expected. Theyre at the lowest risk for developing thyroid cancer after radiation exposure and at highest risk for having allergic reactions to KI.

Taking potassium iodide can be harmful to people who are allergic to iodine, those who have certain skin disorders and people with thyroid diseases including goiter, Graves disease or autoimmune thyroid disorders.

Side effects from KI can include upset stomach, rashes and inflammation of the salivary glands.

Its always balancing the risk and the benefit, Wartofsky said. There is absolutely no risk at the present time.

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