Thyroid and Radiation Protection
Just after the Fukishima nuclear disaster, I had at least 40 emails about radiation protection and many queries. Research to separate the wheat from the chaff takes time. Here is my take, compiling recent information combined with thyroid information I have on files from more than 20 years. Hope it simplifies the information for you.
As links tend to change over the years, please Contact us, for personalized, expert assistance in obtaining any of herbs mentioned in this article. We have worked with one major quality professional herbal source since 1990 and can help you get the best for your health and your money. Are you worth the best?
The thyroid is an iodine hungry gland. It will absorb any type of halide with similar molecular structure to iodine including: iodine both natural and radioactive, chlorine, fluorine, bromine, perchlorate.
If your thyroid receptor sites are saturated with healthy organic iodine you will not absorb radioactive or other unhealthy sources. If you are the least bit deficient in iodine, the body readily accepts radioactive Iodine 131.
North Americans are generally deficient in all trace minerals including iodine, which has shown itself in many diverse symptoms besides hypothyroid challenges. Deficiency being the norm, whether there is a threat from fallout or not, I believe it cannot hurt to give your thyroid a little natural boost. Many people will feel better for it. Do not overdose and pay attention to your body. Check how to monitor thyroid with basal body temperature.
How to Saturate/Nourish Your Thyroid:
The 3 most common ways to get iodine are:
- increasing seaweed intake via diet and/or supplementation
- adding black walnut, or
- taking potassium iodine
Choose whatever method you are most comfortable or you can do a combination. There is no right or wrong, again pay attention to how you feel and monitor your temperature.
Seaweed, especially Kelp will help absorb both radioactive plutonium as well as radioactive uranium, plus has added advantage of helping to eliminate all heavy metals from your body. Some sources say that Lugol’s does not stop the plutonium absorption. Other seaweed sources are nori, dulse, kombi, all of which can be added into the diet.
Seaweed, plentiful in Iodine 127, protects the body from absorbing Iodine 131. Seaweed was studied and used extensively after the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. It has been recorded that 20 years after the Chernobyl disaster, the Polish people treated with Iodine 127 have almost 1000 times less thyroid disease than neighbouring countries further from the disaster site. After WW II nuclear bombs, people living in regions of Japan where miso soup with seaweed was part of daily diet, suffered less radiation damage. Other foods that help protect the body from radiation damage are the brassicas, nettles, Pau D’Arco, all dark orange and green foods.
Dosage: 6 – 10 Kelp capsules per day. Nature’s Sunshine capsules are 525 mg per capsule and according to Dr. Ryan Drum, a world renowned seaweed and thyroid expert, an average sized adult needs about 5 grams per day for optimum health. Be sure to use kelp that is tested to ensure it contains NO heavy metals. Nature’s Sunshine products DO test, more than 85% of providers do not.
Black Walnut is a natural organic iodine source that also helps kill parasites, yeast and fungus which most people harbour. This will be covered in Duncan Dinner Class (what a topic for dinner?!) Tues. April 19th. Black Walnut is available in capsules and liquid extracts. Contact our office for high quality sources.
Dosage: see Organic IODINE THYROID LOADING THERAPY with Black Walnut and herbal formulas article at end.
Lugol’s Iodine (named from Jean Lugol). One of the cheapest and oldest forms of iodine, declined in use when expensive synthetic thyroid supplementation took over. This is apparently what the Japan govt. is giving to its people, and what BC Health Minister has advised no one to use, and pharmacies not to sell ?!?
– 5% iodine + 10% potassium iodide in 85% distilled water
– 2 drops of Lugol’s solution (0.1ml) contains 5 mg of iodine and 7.5 mg of iodide = 12.5 mg of iodine
Be aware Iodine can cause adverse effects for individuals who are very sensitive, although there are usually no allergies to natural iodine. If you have high levels of Candida, you may experience die off and feel temporary weakness and possibly headache or nausea. If this happens, cut back temporarily on the amount and drink plenty of water and diluted teas or juices.
Dosage: for thyroid conditions 100 – 150 mg. max per day for adult of 150 lbs. 16 drops = 100 mg ; 24 drops = 150 mg.
Take less for smaller weight, children and seniors, or if you do not experience any symptoms of low thyroid.
Divide drops in 3-4 daily dosages in water, or with apple cider vinegar, 20 mins. before food.
Start with low dose and gradually increase per day over a 3 week period.
Lugol’s is oxidative, so avoid taking anti-oxidant supplements (Vitamin A, C, E, selenium, glutathione, etc.) for the duration of your “higher-than-normal” usage of Lugol’s. You should also follow high usage of iodine products with Bifidophilus Flora Force to replenish vital intestinal flora.
Some History of Lugol’s :
The following information in italics was taken from an old Lugol’s label. The new labels do not contain internal dosage, and since synthetic thyroid drugs entered the market, with huge profits, Lugol’s use has been discouraged.
Note these dosages were for viral and bacterial infection, not thyroid, which might explain lower dosages.
Dosage: One drop if body weight is 150 lbs. (68 kg.) or less; two drops for body weight of more than 150 lbs.
Directions: Take the suggested “Dosage” above two times per week – temporally equidistant (i.e. such as Wednesday and Saturday). In times of bacterial or viral infection, take Dosage three times per week (i.e Monday, Wednesday, Friday). Take Lugol’s on an empty stomach about 20 minutes before eating in an 8 oz. (236 ml.) glass of distilled or purified water with one teaspoonful of apple cider vinegar added for slight acidification.
Some benefits of increased iodine / symptoms of low thyroid are:
hypothyroid and autoimmune thyroid symptoms improve
cancer therapies are more effective, especially hormonal cancers
other autoimmune disorders improve
fibrocystic breast syndrome improves
Candida, stuffy nose, headache, vaginitis, severe depression
adrenal exhaustion, cold hands and feet, extreme fatigue, low libido
Note: weight gain or loss is NOT a good indicator of low thyroid
Monitor basal temperature:
The best way to monitor under active thyroid is the Barnes’ method. A regular Basal thermometer is preferred. Shake it down and put it on the bedside table at night. First thing in the morning, before getting out of bed, place the thermometer under your armpit. Leave it there at least 5 minutes for accurate reading. Record your temperature, for 3 weeks in a row, so the body goes through all of its cycles during this time. If 3 consecutive weeks is not possible, then do 5 days at a time, during different times of the month. Temperature average should be 97.8 – 98.2 F degrees or above.
If regular thermometer is difficult to find, you can use the digital kind.
Other health tips: Increase foods rich in iodine: ocean food, radishes, asparagus, carrots, tomatoes, spinach, rhubarb, potatoes, peas, strawberries, mushrooms, lettuce, bananas, cabbage, egg yolk, and onions; taking preparations known to be rich in iodine, including, kelp tablets, black walnut KC-X or TS II – herbal thyroid support combinations, cod liver oil.
Re Radiation risk: Do not rely on government reports. As with the Gulf oil disaster, the truth was hidden. Check www.radiationnetwork.com to monitor radiation levels. Take precautions recommended IF radiation does increase: staying inside, as Iodine 131 we breathe or get on our skin is likely to be absorbed if we are Iodine deficient. Have safe water and food supplies that will not be contaminated. If you are not supporting thyroid for any conditions listed above, I would still suggest starting iodine supplements within one to two days of any expected fallout.
Organic IODINE THYROID LOADING THERAPY
with Black Walnut and herbal formulas
This is a 3 week program adapted from article by Dr. K. Balas, ND
It has helped many people with hypothyroid “kick start” their thyroid so it starts producing adequate hormones and to avoid a life long dependence on synthetic medications.
Start: – For 3 days
1 tsp. (5 ml) Black Walnut extract in AM & 1 tsp. in PM
Noon: 5 caps TS II, KC-X, Kelp or Black Walnut Hulls
After 3 days increase to:
2 tsp.(10 ml) Black Walnut in AM & 2 tsp. in PM
Noon: 10 – 15 capsules of KC-X or others as mentioned above.
Do this for a total of two weeks. Gradually taper down to maintenance at the end. This would mean 8 bottles of 2 oz (59 ml) black walnut tincture – it may seem like a lot, but if it avoids you becoming a life long drug addict, or dealing with possible side effects of synthetic thyroid, it is worth it.
Should one need to go the prescription route, try to find a specialist who will work with desiccated thyroid versus synthroid.
For maintenance, take 2 -4 capsules a day of KC-X or TS II. Eat sea vegetables, naturally dried unprocessed sea salt, deep-sea fish and other suggestions above in your diet.
Basic Program for all Hormone Imbalances
- Super Oil or Super Omega 3
- Master G – herbal and vitamin glandular support
- Adrenal Support
- Chinese Mineral Chi Tonic
- Bifidophilus or Probiotic 11– probiotic/prebiotic blends
- Garden Essence– plant enzymes
Best to do the Thyroid Loading first for 3 weeks, then focus on the overall hormonal balance with the Basic Program. Contact our office for full fact sheets on any of these products.
Check with a qualified herbal nutritionist if you have questions. With kidney or other weakness, half dosage may be suggested. Contact us to help choose program for you and get your member order placed. No charge 10 mins.
© Lorene Benoit Health Education 250-748-6802, www.naturalpathremedies.com TakeTheNaturalPath@gmail.com
References:
Dr. Derry, deceased MD from Victoria: used Lugol’s with his patients for years for both thyroid and fibrocystic breast disease.
Dr. Hulda Clarke recommends Lugol’s and Black Walnut for cancer treatment
Dr. Kimberly Balas, PhD, ND
Dr Orian Truss
Dr. Jarvis
Dr. Ryan Drum
Dr. David Brownstein, MD has an excellent book explaining iodine, thyroid and health issues: Iodine: Why you Need It Why You Can’t Live without It