What You Need to Know About Radiation & Food

Increased radiation in the food near the Fukushima nuclear plant was announced on March 19th. This renews the discussion about food and radiation. There are two similar issues here—one of which can potentially cause harm to humans while the other cannot.

Food that is radioactive can be harmful, although the amounts found so far are relatively small. Food that is irradiated is not harmful to people – as the source of radiation is no longer present or a threat to people.

In the food near the Fukushima nuclear plant, they found radioactive iodine and cesium in milk and spinach. If one were to eat the food daily from that area – it would result in about 1 mSv over the course of a year. To put it in perspective, the amount of background radiation a person receives from the sun every year is 1-3 mSv. The amount of radiation from a CT scan is about 9.9 mSv.

In food sources, it is important to distinguish between irradiated food and food that is radioactive. Irradiated food is food that is subject to radiation- the food itself has no residual radiation in it and does not pose a threat to people. Irradiation is used as a method of pasteurization of food.

Think of it this way – when you pasteurize milk- traditionally it is heated to 161 degrees F (71.7 degrees C) for 15-20 seconds. This kills many (but not all) of the bacteria in the milk and allows milk to have a longer shelf life. However, pasteurization with heat does not mean that milk has residual heat in it.

In foods, radiation is used to destroy or inactivate bugs that can cause spoilage or decomposition – allowing the food to have a longer shelf life. However, the source of radiation is removed and the foods have no residual radioactivity.

In contrast with food near Fukushima plant number one – the particles of radioactive iodine and cesium were absorbed into the food—those substances are still radioactive until they "burn out." For iodine- every week its radioactivity decreases by half. However, if that food is eaten – then the radiation is inside the person, and they will be subject to it.

The food that is exported to the United States by Japan, will be inspected by the FDA for radiation. It takes 8 days for food to reach the West Coast, so levels of iodine will be half of what they were upon leaving port.

Less than 4 percent of all US food imports come from Japan- while in Canada and Mexico it makes up 29% of their imports. Most food products from Japan are seafood, snack foods, and processed fruits and vegetables.

While the accident at the Fukushima nuclear plant is tragic – it is a local problem in terms of food, and not one that will be an issue in North America.

The recent scare with nuclear fall out has many pharmacies out of iodine tablets. Given the thousands of miles between the US and Japan, there is no need to take supplemental iodine.  In fact, excess iodine can have deleterious effects on a person.

If there were a nuclear disaster with radiation in your area the officials would typically recommend taking one tablet – a single dose.  At the most it may be one tablet for a few days- but on the basis of what the public health officials say. Repeat dosing, especially to pregnant or breastfeeding individuals can be harmful.

Iodine - way to protect us from radioactive

Iodine and Thyroid

Iodine is most concentrated in thyroid gland as it is used for the production of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones are required for growth and development. Being in continuous usage, a small quantity of thyroid is required on a daily basis. If proper amount is not given, this could lead to deficiency leading to a disease commonly known as Goiter. However taking more than the required amount of iodine may cause HYPERTHROIDISM, which occurs due to excess amount of iodine leading to excessive production of thyroid hormones.

Potassium Iodide Pills for Protection from Radiation

Iodine pills, which are available in the form of its salt, Potassium iodide or iodine potassium, are used mostly to overcome the threat caused by radiations. Potassium iodide or iodine potassium is the combination of positively charged potassium ion (K+) and negatively charged iodine ion (I-) and it has a chemical formula KI. Its solid and liquid forms are available for radiation protection.

Potassium Iodide is highly recommended by health professionals for the prevention of thyroid cancer caused by intake of radioactive iodine. It is also beneficial in protection against other cancers caused by radioactive iodine. It is most effective when taken up in thyroid or thyroid gland instead of radioactive iodine that comes out from nuclear explosions. It is beneficial if it is taken immediately after exposure to radioactive explosion or before exposure. Thus, potassium iodide is used as an anti radiant. This radioactive iodine gets in the body through our respiratory and digestive system after the explosion. It is mostly air borne and reaches the blood stream immediately, if precautions are not taken. Even the food which is being contaminated with radioactive iodine can cause adverse effect on thyroid.

How the iodine potassium protects from radiation is a big question. Here is the simple answer to the question. The people who are under radioactive treatment like chemotherapy or who are exposed to radiations by nuclear explosion are usually given iodine potassium as therapy against exposure to radioactive iodine. Once this radioactive iodine is taken up by thyroid gland it can have disastrous effects. But if iodine potassium is given before or after the radioactive iodine reaches the thyroid gland then it will replace the radioactive iodine in thyroid gland and does not allow it to get absorbed. The greatest risk from explosion of nuclear plant is from iodine isotope; one of the products of rain fusion. Iodine is mostly concentrated in thyroid or thyroid gland, its main place of action is in the thyroid increasing the chances of thyroid cancer. Potassium iodine can therefore be a protection from such hazardous effects.

How to Take Potassium Iodide

In order to prevent you from consequences of radiation, potassium iodide must be taken daily until the chances of explosion of nuclear bombs etc. have been eradicated. It is a simple and less expensive method. Thyroid is the only organ on which radioactive iodine has such hazardous effect. Iodine potassium is excreted as such, without any harmful effect to the body. Potassium iodide is also used in human diet as supplement and most commonly in table salt to prevent iodine deficiency. It is also an important component of some hair treatments, hair chemicals and other disinfectants. It is advised to always check with your physician before taking potassium iodide, and especially if the patient is on low potassium diet.

Side Effects

Side effects are always associated with every drug, potassium iodide not being an exception. Some side effect of the iodine potassium includes: gastrointestinal disturbances, allergic reactions, acne, loss of appetite and inflammation of salivary gland and particular parotid gland, and this is because it has stimulatory effect on saliva production. Other side effects that might occur includes fever, weakness, unusual tiredness, skin rash, nausea, vomiting, swelling in the neck or throat, mouth sores, stomach pains, irregular heartbeat, numbness or tingling of the hands or feet, or a metallic taste in the mouth. If any of these side effects should occur, immediate medical consultation is required from healthcare providers. Some side effects that may occur if the drug is used for long term includes, Burning of mouth or throat, Increased watering of mouth, Irregular heartbeat, Metallic taste, Confusion, Headache (severe), Stomach upset, Symptoms of head cold, Unusual tiredness, Numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in hands or feet and Soreness of teeth and gums.

Dosage

The required dose vary for different patients depending on medical condition: body weight, age, sex, time between doses and number of doses to be taken every day. Thus before taking consult your health care provider or read the label of medicine.

Storage

The medicine should be kept away from children. For best condition to preserve potency keep medicine at room temperature away from heat and moisture.

Contraindications

Iodine potassium has teratogenicity effect (the drug that cause any type of abnormality to fetus), thus should be avoided in pregnancy.

Iodine antiradiation effect

Iodine - one of the most important components in combating radiation. Nuclear accident in Japan has created panic among the people all of planet Earth. Now it is very aktually monitor radiation levels in their community. And also very important to protect the body from exposure to radiation.

In this very well to iodine, which accumulates in the thyroid gland of man. Buy iodine in pharmacies stock up for the whole family - you have to be protected from radiation!