So What exactly is Radiation?
First of all, we need to understand that there are many forms of radiation, the term is meant to be an all-encompassing word and what is exactly meant by it can differ. In the case of Nuclear Reactors, such as what is occurring in Japan, the radiation that we are referring to is Neutron Radiation. This is an especially dangerous form of radiation, because it is the only form of radiation that can make other materials radioactive. The high energy neutrons that are created during nuclear processes can create a deep instability in materials, thus causing previously non-radioactive materials to become radioactive.
This greatly differs from other forms of radiation such as what we might get from an x-ray. When we go to the doctor for an x-ray the only radiation that we are concerned about is the radiation that we receive at the moment the image is taken, we are not concerned that when we leave the clinic we will somehow be emitting radioactivity. That is because this is a form of radiation known as Electromagnetic Radiation. Although this radiation can cause tissue damage, and potentially place us at a higher risk for diseases like Cancer, it’s effect is limited to the few seconds of exposure and our body often has time to repair the effects of this damage.
Unfortunately, the Nuclear Reactor particles have such a high energy they are able to activate materials to become radioactive. These radioactive materials can then emit a variety of different forms of damaging radiation. That is why some countries have stopped receiving goods from Japan. Something as harmless as a box of cereal can now cause free radical damage to us, and potentially perpetuate the radioactivity in other materials and food that it has come into contact with.
Why is radiation an issue?
The biggest problem with radiation is that it creates ionization. In other words, previously stable atoms and molecules are energized in such a way that they begin to steal and pass energy to their surrounding atoms and molecules. Why is this a problem? This is an issue because the bonds and structures of the various proteins, nucleic acids, and molecules of our body depend on the energy and charges of their atoms. A single atom of oxygen that changes its electric charge from neutral to positive or negative can cause an entire protein to change its shape. If that protein is part of an enzyme or some other important aspect of a biochemical process then the function of that protein has been altered. All of a sudden that enzyme is unable to perform its purpose such as allowing us to utilize glucose, with no food for energy this may then cause an entire cell to die, as that cell dies the cell next to it may die, and pretty soon we have tissue damage, then organ failure. This process is known as free radical damage.
If that free radical damage occurs in the DNA of a cell, it may alter that cell in such a way that the control mechanisms of that cell falter. A cell that may be programmed to die within a certain matter of time does not, or it may also divide and grow uncontrollably, this process is known as Cancer.
That being said it is important to understand that free radicals do both good and harm. In the case of fighting an infection or other disease process, we want free radical damage to occur, but that damage needs to be controlled and should only occur under specific circumstances. This is not unlike a forest fire that burns with no restraint, and a fire that is utilized by a farmer to clean land. In one instance the fire is erratic and may do as much damage as good, in the other the circumstances are controlled and the end result is mostly beneficial. Thus free radical damage cannot be categorized as good or bad; however, it must be controllable and balanced within our body.
How can you help stop the damage from free radicals?
One major way to stop the damage from free radicals is by incorporating substances into our diet that can “absorb” that free and erratic energy. That is to say substances that we know can easily lose or gain electrons and not become dangerous during that process. These substances are called Antioxidants.
I’m sure that you have heard the buzz about Super-Saturated Potassium Iodide (SSKI) or Lugol’s Solution. These can be great if taken within 24 hours of a major nuclear event, but all they are doing is crowding out the radioactive Iodine from entering your thyroid. The iodine itself does not do anything to actively repair free radical damage.
Antioxidants can stop the cascade of events from snowballing early on and prevent any major damage from occurring. Your body’s natural processes can then have sufficient time to assess the damage and repair tissue or create new substances that have been rendered ineffective.
Vitamin C and Glutathione
Vitamin C is an antioxidant and free radical scavenger. It plays major roles in the formation of collagen, hormones, amino acid metabolism, and cholesterol metabolism. It is so important to regular function that the body maintains Vitamin C concentrations in the brain that are 10 times higher the levels found in the blood serum. Today the US Government recommends daily intake of 60-90 mg; however in times of stress utilization of Vitamin C increases 10-15 fold suggesting that the daily recommendations may be overly simplistic.
Linus Pauling was born in Lake Oswego, Oregon and is one of only four people to receive multiple Nobel Prizes (One for Chemistry, One for Peace), he is one of only two people to receive Nobel Prizes in two different fields (Interestingly, the other is Marie Curie who is famous for her work with radioactivity), and the only person to receive two unshared Nobel Prizes. I mention Linus Pauling, not because of his work on Vitamin C as an anti-oxidant, but because he was one of the first major proponents of Orthomolecular Medicine (or using the right vitamins and nutrients in the right amount, which is typically at higher doses than what is normally prescribed). He took daily doses of 3 grams of Vitamin C, and found numerous health benefits to his therapy. Though his work with Vitamin C was somewhat controversial, his genius was not. Someone as passionate and smart as he was might be worth listening to…
Recent studies have found that supplementation with Vitamin C has a multitude of positive effects including reducing male infertility, reducing healing time in viral illnesses, and reducing cholesterol. Due to it’s antioxidant capabilities it is a major factor in enhancing detoxification, specifically aiding reverse the effects of radiation. By taking Vitamin C, either orally or intravenously we are actively aiding repair the damage done by free radicals.
Another important supplement is Glutathione. This substance is synthesized in the liver and is a key element in the proper metabolism of toxins and prevention of oxidative cell damage. The problem with Glutathione is that it can be easily oxidized, and this is of course why it is such a good protector against oxidative damage. It is important to take reduced glutathione to get the greatest protective benefits.
The Moral of the Story
There are a variety of ways to protect your self from free radical effects and oxidative damage. The most important thing to remember is that the body has an innate wisdom to it, we must support the mechanisms that exist by supplementing substances that are normally present within the human body. At the same time, prevention is key and we should definitely avoid putting ourselves in harm’s way or exposing ourselves to substances which may have been contaminated or become radioactive during the Japanese Nuclear crisis.
