Nutritional Protection Against Radiation
High levels of ionizing radiation, such as those released from nuclear reactors in Japan, can lead to cancer and immune suppression. This article will discuss nutritional strategies to prevent or mitigate the DNA damage, cancer development, and decreases in immunity that radiation can cause.
The recent release of radiation from nuclear reactors in Japan has prompted many to purchase iodine supplements to try to prevent thyroid cancer. But that isn’t the only cancer that can be caused by radiation. Iodine supplements, as potassium iodide, can only prevent thyroid cancers, as it blocks specific receptors on this gland. The radioactive iodine isotopes released from the nuclear reactors are thus prevented from binding to the thyroid gland’s iodine receptors because they are filled with iodine obtained from the supplements. You should only use these iodine supplements if medical authorities direct you to do so. To protect the rest of the body, other supplements, nutrients and compounds are required to stop the oxidative damage caused by radiation that leads to DNA damage and eventually to cancer.
MELATONIN
Melatonin has recently been described as a strong radioprotective agent by researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in the journal TAF Preventive Medicine Bulletin. The authors describe this inexpensive neuroendocrine hormone’s protective effects on DNA against ionizing radiation.
Melatonin is also more efficient at protecting DNA than amifostine, an anti-radiation drug used in a clinical setting. Long term low-dose supplementation is effective but the authors of the paper also cite research that showed that a one-time dose of 300 mg of melatonin before radiation is effective, although the optimum dosage hasn't been definitely determined. It quickly passes into the blood after ingestion, as well as to other bodily fluids. The supplement is also reported as being safe during pregnancy and also protects against preeclampsia, a condition that is partially cause by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although it shows beneficial effects on pregnancy, please consult your doctor if you intend to use it when pregnant. Radiation also induces ROS and melatonin is an effective antioxidant against this toxic effect.
Melatonin also protects human lymphocytes, important immune system cells, from genetic damage caused by radiation. Don’t use it before tasks requiring concentration, as it’s usually used to induce sleep, and will cause drowsiness.
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