There are certain foods that can help the body to cope with this onslaught that you might want to consider increasing intake of to help prevent exposure damage. There isn’t any miracle food that can block radiation or make you immune to the effects, but nutrients have been shown repeatedly to help the body adapt to radiation exposure and to help speed cellular repair.
Spirulina is a radioprotective food that gets colour from phycocyanins which bind to radioisotopes and heavy metal to help flush them from the body, it has been shown to promote new blood cell formation and boost immunity in mice with gamma radiation damage, and generally helps to decrease radiation.
Fermented soybean paste in miso soup has been demonstrated to protect mice from sustaining damage from radiation in a single dose, along with containing genistein isoflavones that promote blood cell production after radiation exposure which are being investigated for potential to protect people from nuclear threats. A radioprotective enzyme that activates genes used to repair DNA are also found in this delicate tasting soup.
High levels of antioxidants such as resveratrol and quercetin found in cherries and berries offer some protection from free radical damage caused by radiation: Quercetin protects proteins and lipids from dosages of gamma radiation and shield mitochondrial DNA from oxidant damage; while resveratrol has been shown to protect chromosomes from being damaged by radiation.
Ginkgo biloba was used to treat workers present in the Chernobyl nuclear reactor meltdown in 1986. Extracts protect organs from incurring radiation induced oxidative damage and reduces effects of substances such as plutonium that cause damage to chromosomes and DNA. Ginkgo biloba was also used to protect those with Graves’ disease from cell damage after radioactive iodine treatments.
Green tea is one of the most powerful radioprotectant among antioxidants due to high levels of EGCG polyphenols. Catechins within green tea absorb radioactive isotopes and help to eliminate them from the body. Green tea also protects cells from being damaged during radiation therapy; black tea has been observed to have similar effects to that of green tea.
Curcumin/turmeric is one of those items that seems to appear on just about every healthy food list boasting an impressive list of benefits such as being an anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidant; it should come as no surprise that this overachiever can also help protect from radiation damage. This spice helped to stop tumor formation and DNA damage in rats exposed to high doses of radiation, improved survival rates, and reduced the dangerous peroxidation of fats. However curcumin has poor bioavailability taking it with black pepper can help.
Radiation exposure is unfortunately likely to continue to grow in the years to come, making it important to know steps to take to help protect yourself of which there are many different delicious options helping to ease the body and give it an edge in the face of all this exposure.
