Update: 7 Reports of KI (potassium iodide) overdoses causing negative health effects.
As conditions in Japan unfold, many U.S. Citizens on the West Coast have been terrorized with Worst Case scenarios regarding the potential for Nuclear Radiation reaching the West Coast. For those new to this website, we are based out of Northern California, with myself living in San Francisco and others living shortly north in Sonoma. While we are very much open minded people, we approach every “theory” as scientifically as possible. We don’t over-react, but we don’t ignore, and the disaster in Japan showed us how unprepared we were, personally, for a catastrophic disaster of any kind.
Please scroll to the bottom for nutritional products that may not be sold out.
Let me first say that in cases such as this, it is critical to be mindful of the source of your information, and to be clear about the facts. Look for numbers, then find out what those numbers mean. Search for multiple sources. Don’t panic, but form a plan.
I’ve been very hesitant to post on this current situation. Even well intentioned information may cause harmful consequences. I for one felt a sense of dread when looking at images attempting to illustrate the potential reach of winds, even when I instantly suspected the image, found out the facts and even was told that it was a “fake” image, the power of the image still had a lasting emotional effect. The concept alone, that the Worst Case scenario could cause a major negative effect on the region I live in, and potentially cause me and my friends/family to leave our home, is terrorizing.
This terror has led many people to the stores to find nutritional protection against Radiation, namely radioactive iodine. We must stress that WE ARE NOT DOCTORS, please consult your doctor and a qualified health practitioner before making changes to your diet or taking any sort of supplement or health product. Iodine can cause serious damage if you do not need it.
I personally was unable to find any Potassium Iodide in any store I looked at this weekend. However, I was able to find some in a (hopefully still) available product: GNC Men’s Multivitamin.
http://www.gnc.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4033432
It contains:
 |
Iodine (as Potassium Iodide) | 150.00 mcg | 100% |
I bought a 2-week supply for $8. I’d suspect that there may be many multivitamins with Iodine from Potassium Iodide. Again, do not take this unless you have to. The amount in this daily supplement is probably low enough to not cause harm if not needed, but we still recommend consulting a doctor or qualified source (not us) before taking it.
The following pdf also has some information on natural and available foods and supplements that you can take to protect against radiation exposure.
Click to Download pdf: RadiationThreat
Bridget Mars (http://brigittemars.com) has also provide some specific foods that can be eaten to help protect against radiation:
Buckwheat and brown rice
Seaweeds rich in iodine and microminerals, such as Hiziki, found in macrobiotic or Asian food sections
Wheatgrass and barley grass
Sulfur rich vegetables including broccoli, cabbage and mustard greens
High-pectin foods including carrots, sunflower seeds and apples
Liver-cleansing foods such as artichokes, beets and radishes
Fermented foods such as miso and unpasteurized sauerkraut
As well she has an article published on her website with information on general environment radiation protection: http://brigittemars.com/radiation-and-environmental-pollution/
Lastly, our John Easterling sent out an email with 5 herbal formulas that can be taken to protect against environmental radiation:
From John Easterling (disclaimer: the links direct to our affiliate page):
Given this current environment and its potentialities, many have asked me for a specific recommendation from our Rainforest Phyto-Pharmacy. I can confidently suggest the following: IlluminationTM (3 Liquizon capsules – 2x day)
Fucus (seaweed) is the third ingredient by volume and is a natural source of iodine and thyroid support.
AquazonTM (6 Liquizon capsules – 2x day)
100% Aqua nutrients Blue Green Algae and Fucus.
EnvirozonTM (6 Liquizon capsules – 2x day)
Detoxifier, liver and kidney support.
GravizonTM (3 Liquizon capsules – 2x day)
Immune support and lymphatic drainage.
Una de Gato (6 Liquizon capsules – 2x day)
Always recommended as nutritional support after radiation or chemotherapy.
I hope this information is helpful. Please follow up and research anything I talked about in this article, and anything your read in the news/media. Look for core data, facts and what those facts mean. Always Hope for the Best, but also Prepare for the Worst. When you are prepared and ready (calm, collected) for the Worst case scenario, reality will usually ease your worry. The situation does not appear to be extremely dangerous for the West Coast of the U.S., and we should all be directing our concern for those experiencing the very worst of the current situation in Japan. However, there is a chance that we may be exposed to some low-levels of radiation (potentially no worse than going through a TSA scanner, or being X-Rayed), but just in case, a $10-$20 bottle of nutrients, some foods from the store and some herbal supplements are not a bad idea to have on hand. Find out as much as you can about the actual health threats. Consult multiple sources, and follow up. I will not attempt to explain levels of radiation, wind currents, or treatments. I did my personal inquiry and felt assured that the most I will need is some supplements to protect against minor radiation. However, this story is still unfolding, and we should always be prepared for natural (and unnatural) disasters.
Make plans with family and loved ones. Choose a meeting place and even a destination to go to after grouping together (this is solid advice in case of Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Tsunamis, etc.) Keep ready standard emergency supplies. Be prepared to leave big cities (as last minute Panic caused by unprepared people may cause Chaos) and to potentially deal with check-points, traffic, and lines.
This is a Brave New World we live in, the imperative to change our direction is even more glaring now, can we learn from this accident? Can we join together to protect not just our families and friends, but our fellow Brothers and Sisters around the world?
From now on, let’s work diligently to make a safer and more peaceful world. Let’s work at solving the problems that get in our way of smart and safe planning. Let’s break down the rhetoric and hyperbole that corrupts our political process. Let’s be conscious of our consumerism. Let’s talk to each other. Let’s make a better world.
Thank you, and Peace be with us All!
For Information on the Crisis, Please use the following (and other) Links:
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/spotlight/japan/
http://rt.com/trends/japan-earthquake-disaster/
Jack Wagner is the Editor of The Free Independent-Sun. Born in Sonoma, California and currently residing in San Francisco, Jack set up The Free Independent-Sun on July 4th, 2009, after sleeping in and not making his usual trip up north for his hometown festivities. He figured he'd do something revolutionary to make up for it. In the Summer of 2010 Jack registered Seraf Media with the City and County of San Francisco as a Sole-Proprietorship. He is dedicated to articulating the finer points of the Revolution in order to bring about a Global Renaissance and Abundant World Economy. He also isn't afraid to get his hands dirty transplanting succulents. 
Thank you for the tips. I will pass this on.