The inconceivable tragedy in Japan has left the world in shock; and coupled with it is the fear of what will result in the face of a nuclear event.
The buzz word right now is potassium iodide, a stable salt of iodine that blocks radioactive iodine (released in the air following a nuclear disaster). The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recommend potassium iodide in their emergency preparedness material (www.bt.cdc.gov) because it blocks radioactive iodine from being taken into the thyroid gland, thus preventing possible injury to this gland.
Potassium iodide does not require a prescription from your doctor. The pharmacy can compound this for you. The health food store also sells liquid drops of potassium iodide.
According to the Centre for Disease Control when a state of emergency is announced adults (including breastfeeding women & youth who are 150 lbs or more) are recommended to take 130mg in one 24 hour period.
Children between the ages of 3-18 years old should take 65mg. Infants and children up to the age of 3 years old should take 32mg.
Newborns from birth to 1 month should be given 16 mg of potassium iodide.
There are some considerations with this recommendation:
- Potassium Iodide should not be taken at these doses on an on-going basis. These are toxic doses and are only supposed to be taken for 1, 2 or 3 days only at the recommendation of emergency management teams (public health).
- Adults over 40 years of age are most at risk of having an allergic reaction to potassium iodide
- 130mg is one hundred times stronger than the average recommended dose that is necessary to maintain health. Again high-lighting how toxic this dose is when taken beyond the emergency protocol. That said, in the face of a nuclear event the benefits (protecting the thyroid from radioactive iodine) outweighs the risks.
- It is important to consider that potassium iodide does not prevent radioactive iodine from entering the body, nor does it protect the entire body. It is specific for protecting the thyroid. It does not reverse damage caused by radioactive iodine.
Past research in Japan has shown that populations surrounding Hiroshima that consumed fish, shellfish, miso and seaweed regularly had the lowest amounts of radioactive iodine in their bodies. Incidentally these foods are natural sources rich in potassium iodide. While the amounts of naturally occurring potassium iodide in these foods are low compared to the CDC recommendations, they are still protective.
Seaweed, nettle, cilantro (fresh), chaparrel and yellowdock root are all powerful natural sources that are known to remove toxic elements from the body. Having your body already in a healthy state allows one to weather challenges more successfully. Having a thyroid consistently being nourished by natural foods rich in iodine leaves less room for radioactive iodine to take hold should the event occur.
In times like these it’s important to find your grounding and protect yourself from the “fear virus”. While it is important to be informed, beware of becoming infected with panic and frenzy, rarely can we make sound decisions from this place. Sometimes we can exhaust our energy resources by planning for an impending doom and then not have the energy stores to respond wisely should we need to take quick action.
If you find yourself in a state of shock, panic, or experiencing anxiety attacks you can take one dose of Aconite at most two times a day, a maximum of three days.
To counter the effects of global panic, shock and over-excitement, find time in your day to experience deep quiet through meditation where you can send Japan – and other places and people in the world – love, peace, and healing. We are all connected, and the Earth and her beings are really one organism; these little acts can have significant impact.
Blessings to each of you,
Warmly,
Jamie Capranos
Jamie Capranos
