There are numerous sources of background radiation in the world today, like the fallout from many years of weapons testing and a number of nuclear power accidents. As so many of these factors are beyond our control one of the most empowered ways to respond is to make sure you’re including nutrients in your diet that can mitigate the harmful effects of radiation and help accelerate the healing process.
These five foods contain nutrients that are known to be the most effective at fighting the effects of radioactive particles and other unwanted toxins:
1. Apple pectin – This form of fiber found in the humble apple acts as a binding agent for radioactive isotopes in the body, and is particularly helpful in binding with cesium-137 to prevent it from affecting important endocrine organs. Pectin was used to research the treatment of children exposed to fallout from the Chernobyl incident, with one study finding more than a 40% reduction of cesium-137 in patients given pectin versus the placebo (1).
Apples are such an accessible superfood that you can throw them into green smoothies, juices or fresh salads everyday to enjoy their amazing protective benefits.
2. Kelp – This variety of seaweed contains a particular type of polysaccharide called sodium alginate which forms a viscous gel-like substance when combined with water. The gel that’s formed has an amazing affinity for safely eliminating radiation from the body. Some even speculate that the high intake of sea vegetables in Japan may have been a factor in the long term recovery of populations who lived through the Nagasaki and Hiroshima disasters.
A surprisingly easy and delicious way to incorporate kelp into your diet is by simmering it to create a soup broth and then adding miso paste along with your choice of root vegetables.
3. Chlorella – This incredible green superfood contains Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF), which is part of what gives it the ability to grow four times its size in a single day. CGF is comprised of protein, polysaccharides and vitamins such as C and E, as well as being an excellent source of nucleic acids to aid DNA repair (2).
Chlorella has a much stronger cell wall than other forms of algae, so it’s important to always look for one that says cracked or broken cell wall as our bodies don’t produce the right enzyme to break down this rigid structure. It’s this same thick cellulose fiber that helps bind to radioactive compounds, heavy metals and other toxins in order to get them out of the body.
4. Ginseng – An ancient remedy long cultivated and used in China, Panax ginseng is excellent for exercise endurance, cognitive function, increased energy levels and as a tonic for the adrenal glands. The active ingredients in ginseng are noted for their ability to protect DNA from radiation induced damage as well as help the body increase red blood cell production following exposure. These effects have made it a popular natural complementary therapy for those undergoing cancer treatment (3). Ginseng is equally effective as a preventative strategy, or to offset the effects of much smaller doses of radiation.
This herb is widely available in many health food stores, just make sure you pick one that’s labelled Chinese, Korean or Panax. It can also be consumed as a tea, which makes it a great option in the morning as a stimulant free energizing drink!
5. Zeolites – Zeolites, a group of volcanic clays, are perhaps one of the most important natural remedies you can use to protect yourself from radiation risk. While their benefits are numerous, its exceptional ability to help with eliminating radioactive cesium from the body have made it famous since its use in the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster.
This amazing substance is formed when molten lava and water react, creating a unique structure that somewhat resembles a cage, called a cliniptolite. This structure carries a negative charge which means it can draw in compounds that carry a positive charge such as radioactive particles and safely remove them from the body via the bowels (4).
Sources:
1. Reducing the 137Cs-load in the organism of “Chernobyl” children with apple-pectin, Nesterenko. Swiss Medical Weekly (2004)
2. Article: Chlorella Facts. Website: http://www.nationalnutrition.ca/Greens_Articles_Chlorella.aspx
3. Modification of radiation response in mice by ginsenosides, active components of Panax ginseng. Kim et al. In Vivo (2003)
4. Article: Zeolites for Protection and Cellular Repair. Website: http://radiation-remedies.com/zeolite/
