How To Detox From Radiation Exposure Naturally
You will learn how to detox from radiation exposure naturally in this article.
What is nuclear radiation?
Some unstable (radioactive) atoms spontaneously disintegrate to transform into more stable ones (radioactive or non-radioactive).
Radioactive atoms are unstable due to an excess of neutrons or protons.
As they transform into a more stable state, they emit nuclear radiation.
That is, they eject particles and release energy:
Type | Constituant | Particles/Rays |
---|---|---|
Particles (Particle radiation) | Electrons | β-particles |
Positrons | β+particles | |
Helium nucleus | α particles | |
Neutrons | ||
Energy (Electro- magnetic radiation) | Photons | Gamma-rays |
X-rays |
What is ionizing radiation?
Ionizing radiation is the process where particles or electromagnetic waves have sufficient energy to detach electrons from other atoms or molecules1.
Alpha particles, beta particles, and neutrons are ionizing particles. Also, gamma rays and X-rays are ionizing radiation1.
What are sources of ionizing radiation?
Radioactive elements present in the soil, water, and air are natural sources of radiation.
As such, the human body is exposed to ionizing radiation by inhaling or ingesting radionuclides from air, food, and water.
Another natural source of radiation is cosmic rays.
Human-made radiation sources include nuclear power plants (Chernobyl or Fukushima) and medical devices.
What are sources of ionizing radiation in a healthcare facility?
Ionizing radiation in healthcare can be summarized as follows:
- Diagnostic radiology uses x-ray instruments for body imaging (e.g., CT scan, dental radiography, mammography).
- Nuclear medicine uses radioactive substances ingested by the patient for diagnosis or treatment (e.g., PET scan).
- Radiotherapy uses ionizing radiation to reduce cancer symptoms (e.g., Gamma knife).
Consequences of exposure to ionizing radiation
Overexposure to ionizing radiation damages cells in your tissues and organs1.
As a result, it can generate skin redness, hair loss, radiation burns, or cancer2.
The underlying mechanism of cell damage
Ionizing radiation generates reactive oxygen species that interact with different molecules in your cells3,4.
Moreover, reactive oxygen species brake your DNA, which can critically reduce the functions of your cells5.
How to detox from nuclear radiation exposure naturally
One way to detox from nuclear radiation exposure is to remove inhaled or ingested radioactive elements from your body.
Another way to cleanse ionizing radiation is to neutralize reactive oxgen species with antioxidants6,7.
10 Best supplements to detox from nuclear radiation exposure naturally
Here are the 10 best supplements to detox from ionizing radiation exposure naturally:
1. Iodine
Iodine is a chemical element belonging to the halogen family.
Also, it is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones.
Besides, iodine deficiency is the leading cause of preventable intellectual disabilities8.
It may cause learning dysfunctions and poor motivation9.
Blockage of radioactive iodine
Potassium iodide is a stable form of iodine that can help radioactive iodine from being absorbed by your thyroid gland.
When you take potassium iodide, your thyroid gland becomes “full” and cannot absorb any more radioactive iodine10.
Iodine is an antioxidant
In addition to being a component of thyroid hormones, iodine also acts as an antioxidant in the whole organism11.
Studies have shown that iodine supplementation reduces tumors and cancers, including fibrocystic breast disease and prostatic hyperplasia11.
Since iodine and selenium are dependent on each other, take both supplements during the radiation exposure detox process12,13,14.
2. Vitamin C
Vitamin C (ascorbate) is an essential nutrient in humans.
We obtain it through the diet, primarily from fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin C acts as a cofactor for numerous enzymatic reactions15.
It is involved in gene expression and the production of essential compounds (neurotransmitters, hormones, and collagen)15,16,17.
Vitamin C has radioprotective effects
Studies have shown that vitamin C is a radioprotective agent thanks to its antioxidant properties.
It scavenges reactive oxygen species produced in your body after radiation exposure18,19.
Besides, vitamin C protects against cesium-induced chromosome damage20 and removes strontium from the body21.
Vitamin C has anti-cancer properties
The famous chemist and Nobel prize winner Linus Pauling showed that supplementation of vitamin C could prolong the survival times of terminal cancer patients22.
Synthetic versus food-derived vitamin C
Synthetic and food-derived vitamin C are chemically identical15.
Nevertheless, fruits and vegetables are high in vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and bioflavonoids15.
They act synergistically and, therefore, may enhance vitamin C’s bioavailability15.
As such, we recommend taking a food-derived form of vitamin C, such as camu camu, acerola, or rosehip powder.
3. Baking soda
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a white, crystalline, and alkaline salt.
It is present dissolved in many mineral springs.
A study demonstrated that baking soda removes uranium from the body23.
Furthermore, baking soda has shown to be more effective in eliminating uranium than EHBP, a chelator listed for uranium decontamination therapy23.
Related: 3 Reasons To Use Baking Soda For Constipation
Baking soda has anti-cancer properties
Sodium bicarbonate reduces cancer formation thanks to its uranium removal and alkalizing attributes23,24.
Besides, studies have shown that baking soda mouthwash alleviates oral mucositis, a complication of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment for various types of cancers25,26,27.
Related: How To Alkalize Your Body Fast
4. Activated charcoal
Activated charcoal, also known as activated carbon, is a type of carbon with a porous structure.
It consists of carbonized coal, wood, or coconut shell28.
Activated carbon removes toxins
Ionizing radiation produces several toxic compounds in the body that participate in cell damage, including29
- Reactive oxygen species
- Inflammatory cell-signaling proteins (cytokines)
- Metabolites
Activated charcoal removes these indirect effects from your biological fluids, restoring your natural defense29.
It has a high adsorption capacity towards toxic substances owing to its antioxidant activity29.
Activated charcoal removes radioactive elements
Activated carbon has the capacity to remove numerous radioactive elements by sorption (absorption and/or adsorption), including30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37:
- Radon
- Iodine
- Cobalt
- Cesium
- Uranium
- Thorium
- Lead
Activated carbon absorbs electromagnetic waves
Research has reported that activated charcoal absorbs gamma rays produced by radon and microwaves emitted by electronic equipment and digital systems38,39.
Moreover, activated charcoal increased 21 times the survival rate after X-ray irradiation40.
Related: 10 Best Heavy Metal Detox Supplements
5. Bentonite clay
Bentonite clay is a fine-grained natural soil material that forms from weathering of volcanic ash in seawater.
It helps the body detox from radiation exposure naturally.
Bentonite clay removes, namely, cesium by adsorption41,42,43 and strontium by sorption44,45.
Related: 13 Health Benefits Of A Bentonite Clay Detox Drink
6. Diatomaceous earth (food grade)
Diatomaceous earth is a naturally occurring siliceous sedimentary rock.
It consists of silica remains (fossilized skeletons) of phytoplankton.
Research revealed that diatomaceous earth removed 85% of the radiation induced by cesium and cobalt from a waste liquid by adsorption and filtration47.
Another study reported that diatomaceous earth removed uranium from aqueous solutions by adsorption48.
Related: 13 Health Benefits Of Diatomaceous Earth (Food Grade)
7. Club moss
Club moss (Lycopodium clavatum) is an evergreen herb growing along the ground with needle-like leaves.
It is native to dry woods and mountains in the Northern Hemisphere.
Lycopodium clavatum binds to uranium. The mining industry uses it as a uranium tracer49.
In addition, club moss contains apigenin, a flavonoid with antioxidative activity50.
Apigenin reduces cancer
Multiple studies have shown the anti-cancer effects of apigenin51,52.
A study revealed that apigenin isolated from Lycopodium clavatum reduced UVB radiation-induced skin cancer by 52%53,50.
Apigenin also prevents X-ray irradiated human lung cancer cells from proliferating54.
Furthermore, apigenin reduces chromosome damage caused by radioactive cobalt and cesium55,56.
Related: How To Remove MRI Contrast Dye (Gadolinium) From The Body Naturally
8. Turmeric
Turmeric is a flowering plant of the Zingiberaceae family.
Its rhizome is widely used as a spice, especially for preparing curry.
The main active components of turmeric are curcumin and turmerone, two antioxidants57,58.
Turmeric has radioprotective and radiosensitizing properties
Curcumin has radioprotective effects in normal cells and radiosensitizing effects in cancer cells59,60,61.
That is, it makes tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy62.
Furthermore, curcumin may remove uranium and cobalt from the body63.
Turmeric has anti-cancer effects
Curcumin has scavenging activity against numerous reactive oxygen species.
Moreover, studies have shown that curcumin and turmerone reduce multiple types of cancers.
Related: 17 Health Benefits Of Turmeric Root Powder
9. Apples
Eating apples is a great way to detox from radiation exposure naturally.
Apples contain pectin
Apples are a rich source of pectin, a soluble fiber.
A study revealed that apple-pectin reduced radiocesium load in Chernobyl children64,65.
(It is noteworthy that clear apple juice is free of pectin that segregates during the juice-extracting process66.)
Apples are rich in vitamin C and organic acids
- Malic acid
- Tartaric acid
- Citric acid
- Succinic acid
- Vitamin C
Tartaric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, and vitamin C remove strontium from the body69.
Citric acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, and vitamin C are cesium chelators70.
Related: How To Detox Aluminum From The Body
Apples contain apigenin
Just like club moss, apples contain the antioxidant apigenin51,71.
Apples show a protective role against lung cancer51 and other types of cancers72,73.
10. Niacin
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin and an essential human nutrient.
Vitamin B3 protects the immune system and prevents skin cancer following UV radiation74.
Besides, a study involving 82 male airline pilots demonstrated that a high intake of niacin protects against ionizing radiation-induced DNA damage75,76.
Niacin and its precursor tryptophan play, to wit, a role in DNA repair76.
How to detox from radiation exposure after a nuclear accident
An accident at a nuclear power plant, such as Chernobyl or Fukushima, may result in the leakage of radioactive iodine.
In this case, take potassium iodide and eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially organic apples.
Also, you can supplement with activated charcoal or bentonite clay.
How to detox from X-ray radiation exposure after a CT scan, dental radiography, or a mammogram
Ct scan (computed tomography scan) is a medical imaging technique that emits and absorbs X-rays.
Besides, dental radiography and mammograms are techniques that also use X-rays.
To detox your body from X-ray radiation exposure, you can take activated charcoal and eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially organic apples.
Radiation detox dosage
- Choose one of the supplements mentioned above.
- Take the lowest possible dosage.
- Wait 3-4 days to see how your body reacts.
- Gradually increase the amount and frequency.
- Later, switch to another supplement.
- Regularly, take a break from the supplements to allow your body to eliminate the toxins.
What are the side effects of detoxifying radiation?
Radiation detox supplements may cause die-off symptoms, also known as a Herxheimer detox reaction.
Here Is How To Avoid A Herxheimer Reaction
Summary: How to detox from radiation exposure naturally
Radioactive atoms spontaneously disintegrate to transform into more stable ones.
As they transform into a more stable state, they emit nuclear radiation.
If you wonder how to detox from ionizing radiation naturally, the following 10 best supplements will help you:
- Iodine
- Vitamin C
- Baking soda
- Activated charcoal
- Bentonite clay
- Diatomaceous earth
- Club moss
- Turmeric
- Apples
- Niacin