I have had inquiries about the use of iodine to prevent problems secondary to the nuclear fallout that will occur. As 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. American in six to ten days. Furthermore, I have seen estimates 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.
Folks, potentially this is a lot of radiation. Fortunately, we have an item that can prevent this fallout from damaging us: iodine. If there is enough inorganic, non-radioactive iodine in our bodies, the radioactive fallout has nowhere to bind in our bodies. IT will pass through, unharmed.
It is important to ensure that we have adequate iodine levels BEFORE this fallout hits. How much iodine is recommended?
The CDC recommends using iodine to prevent injury form radioactive iodine fallout. Adults and women who are breastfeeding should take 130mg of potassium iodide. Children who are between 3 and 18 years of age should take 65mg of potassium iodide. Children who are adult size should take the adult dose. Infants and children between 1 month and 3 years of age should take 32mg of potassium iodide. Newborns from birth to one month of age should be given 16mg of potassium iodide.
interesting.
my doc has me on iodine.
When should you take iodine? For an acute exposure, you want to take
iodine just before the exposure hits. Iodine is cleared out of the body within
24 to 72 hours after taking it. However, If you have been using ortho-
iodosupplementation as I describe in my books and lectures (taking from 6-
50mg/day of iodine and iodide), you should be covered. Remember, the
goal is to not let the radioactive iodine bind in the body.
Potassium iodide can be found in many health food stores. Combinations of
iodide/iodine can be obtained from holistic physicians. Iodoral, Iodozyme
HP, and Lugol’s solution are examples of this form of iodine. For long-term
treatment, combinations are much more effective. More information about
this can be found in my book, Iodine Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live
Without It, 4th Edition (available at www.drbrownstein.com).
I do not recommend starting the first dose of iodine right now. It is important
to follow the news reports and supplement accordingly. I would suggest
starting iodine supplements within one to two days of the expected fallout. If
the fallout is expected to continue, you may need to take more than one
dose of iodine. I will keep you updated as I find out more information.
Where can you buy KI pills? Do local retailers carry them?
Better put your flame suit on.
There’s a wagonload of jerks out there who will be coming by to tell you how big a fool you are for even thinking that this could cause a problem.
Fortunately, it’s easy to ignore the ignorant.
My recommendation is don’t do anything UNLESS you hear about elevated radiation levels where you are (or approaching where you are).
Is that scenario for 1 reactor meltdown or does it include others that may melt down as well?
750 RADS is way beyond a lethal human dose.
Taking iodine won’t help you if that is the actual radiation dose.
Where's that "Ah Geez" graphic?
I take a 150microgram iodine kelp supplement. Low level like that should be good for you anyway.
And btw, if it’s 750rads/hour nothing’s going to help. After about 20 minutes you’ve had a lethal dose and will linger and die.
At 750 you probably would be luckier if it was 75000 cause at least then you’ll go quick.
Then KI ain’t gonna help anyone on the west coast...
They all die.
Get a grip.
And to clarify, the adult dose per day, 130 milligrams, is generally one tablet. Split the tablet and you have 2 65 mg doses, quarter it for small child doses, and cut the quarter dosess in half for babies.
I use 5% Lugols to go along with my Armour. My entire family gets a dose of Iodine first thing in the morning. Most Americans do not get enough iodine.
Wouldn’t adding a little dry seaweed to our diets give us plenty of iodine?
There’s a Korean grocery store chain called H-Mart and they always have cheap seaweed sheets, the stuff people use to wrap sushi.
How much is 750 RADS? One chest x-ray is approximately 3/100 RADS. One CT scan is 1 RAD. >>>>>>>>>>
750 RADS are not heading our way. 750 might be what you get right next to a damaged Japanese nuclear plant. Dr Brownstein is way off on this one
“Furthermore, I have seen estimates that it is expected that 750 RADS may contaminate these areas.”
Would you please give us your sources of these estimates - is this just blog chatter? Some of us have radiation physics backgrounds - mine is from 30 years ago.
Since we are within the 10 mile radius of a nuclear power plant, I keep a betadine scrub on hand instead of KI tablets. If needed I would coat the left arm of everyone in the family with it from wrist to above elbow. if there is any allergic response it will be easier to manage this way- especially considering we would be travelling about 500 miles if there was a melt down.
I carry Potassium Iodide as opposed to potassium iodate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_iodate
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_iodide
There is a difference - especially as to the taste and ease of giving to children.
Cost varies substantially, be prepared as trade is a factor in times of stress.