(NaturalNews) Superfoods have been a very popular topic among natural health enthusiasts in the past few years. There are many different superfood products on the health food market today. A superfood, as defined by the Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English (2009), is "a natural food regarded as especially beneficial because of its nutrient profile or its health-protecting qualities." One of the health-protecting qualities of certain superfoods is the ability to protect the human body from radiation exposure.
The Radiation-Fighting Benefits of Sea Vegetables
Sea vegetables, commonly known as sea weeds, such as kelp, purple dulse, wakame, and sea lettuce are high in iodine. Sea spaghetti, nori, and kombu are other sea vegetables to consider. One quarter teaspoon of kelp provides 3 mg of iodine. Consuming one-half teaspoon, or two grams, of purple dulse on a daily basis is enough to meet the recommended 150 mcg dosage of iodine, according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.
Sea vegetables contain sodium alginate, a natural chelator. Chelation is the process of drawing toxins to a certain food and then releasing it from the body through the colon or kidneys. According to Gabriel Cousens, M.D., M.H., J.F. Sara and A. Huag of the Environmental Toxicology Laboratory of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showed that the alginates in sea vegetables not only reduce the amount of strontium-90 absorbed by the bones by over 50%, but they also bind other heavy metals, such as lead, plutonium, and cesium. Purple dulse, in particular, effectively chelates plutonium. Green algae, such as
chlorella and spirulina, bind cesium-137Cs. Spirulina is also effective in binding plutonium.
Bee Pollen and Bee Propolis: Two More Anti- Radiation Superfoods
Bee pollen and bee propolis are two other
superfoods to consider for protection against radiation. Dr. Joseph Mercola states that bee pollen is a 40% highly assimilable protein and is "one of Nature's most completely nourishing foods." Bee pollen has a surprising number of positive benefits and applications. It provides a high content of the nucleic acids RNA and DNA.
In 1992, Steven Schecter, N.D., senior professor at the Alternative Medicines Research Institute and director of the Natural Healing Institute, published a compelling book entitled Fighting Radiation and Chemical Pollutants With Foods, Herbs and Vitamins: Documented Natural Remedies That Boost Your Immunity and Detoxify. There, Dr. Schecter states that bee pollen could be used to significantly reduce the usual side effects of radium and cobalt-60. He also reported that bee propolis had been documented to be effective in clinical stages of radioepithelitis, the inflammation of epithelial tissues due to
radiation.
Citrus Fruits May Also Protect Against Radiation
The July 2003 issue of Mutagenesis reports that citrus fruit, and especially grapefruits, are high in a bioflavonoid called naringin. Naringin is a free radical scavenger. Naringin was found to prevent chromosomal damage from radiation in mouse bone marrow. Therefore, it may reduce cellular damage in humans caused by radiation. Citrus fruits are also high in rutin, a flavonoid glycoside which, according to Dr. Paavo Ariola, Ph.D, N.D., strengthens capillary walls and reduces hemorrhaging after X-ray exposure.
[Editor`s Note: NaturalNews is strongly against the use of all forms of animal testing. We fully support implementation of humane medical experimentation that promotes the health and wellbeing of all living creatures.]
Sources:
The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia com. 31 March 2011
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-superfood.htmlLinus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University.edu, "Iodine"
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/iodine/Herbdocblog.com, "Alert: Radiation Exposure," by Dr. Richard Schulze https://herbdocblog.com/#home_container
Electromagnetic Health.org, "Expert Radiation Advice From Gabriel Cousens, M.D. -Including Six Principles of Radiation Protection"
http://electromagnetichealth.org/electromagnetic-health-blog/radiatio...Mercola.com, "The Use of Bee Pollen as a Superfood"
http://www.mercola.com/article/Diet/bee_pollen.htmAlternative Medicines Research Institute.org, "AMRI Faculty"
http://www.altmedresearch.org/AMRI/faculty.htmSchecter, Steven, N.D. Fighting Radiation and Chemical Pollutants With Foods, Herbs and Vitamins: Documented Natural Remedies That Boost Your Immunity and Detoxify. Encitas, California: Vitality Ink Publishing, 1988, 1997.
National Healing Institute.com, "About National Healing Institute"
http://www.naturalhealinginst.com/about/index.htmlMutagenesis vol. 18 no. 4, pp. 337- 343. July 2003
http://mutage.oxfordjournals.org/content/18/4/337.abstractAbout the author
Donna Rae is a freelance writer, blogger, and herbalist. She owns Donna Rae Online Writing Services (
ANCHOR TEXT) , niche writing regularly in the alternative health care and education industries. Donna also owns Donna Rae At Home.com, a college prep home education website, and Bluebonnet Natural Healing Therapies.com
ANCHOR TEXT, a blog site dedicated to educating people new to using herbs and natural methods to improve health.
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