Is Japan's Radiation a Threat to the West Coast?

There are many people who are watching the news right now, who don't realize that as we speak, radiation is traveling here to the west coast via the jet stream. We don't know how much radiation is being carried here but any amount is too much. It is known that the jet stream brings us air contaminants from these countries already on a daily basis. This contamination is affecting birds, fish, and wildlife now. If our air is now polluted from these countries, how can it be true that we don't have to worry about radiation in that same jet stream flow. I question the logic that radiation is gone by the time it gets to the United States. If that is so, then we should not be affected by their pollution either but that is fact. Much of the pollution in Los Angeles comes from China and other countries.

Uncontrolled Crisis: At any time, Japan's reactors could completely melt down and huge amounts of radiation would pour into the atmosphere. That radiation carried by the jet stream, could arrive here in the United States in three days. This could become a life threatening event. You need to be aware of this possible crisis. Being prepared is the theme of earthquake and emergency preparation manuals. A stock of food, water, and flashlights are some of the items all of us should have at home for emergencies of any kind. Radiation poisoning should be considered in these emergency kits.

Why Would The West Coast Would Be Affected? There is a site listed at the bottom of this article that demonstrates how the jet stream flows from Japan to the US. This jet stream is now carrying the radiation from Japan to the United States, as I write this article. The West Coast states including Oregon and California are the first ones to be affected. By the end of this week, low amounts of radiation will be in the air we breathe. Scientists cannot say how much radiation for sure will be blown here. At this point, experts are downplaying the problem saying it is not a health issue to be worried about. No radiation from Japan is good for your health. So what can you do, you still have to breathe and go to work. One answer is the intake of Iodine. This article will give you information on the effects of low doses of radiation and how to protect yourself with an iodine supplement.

General Radiation Effects: Radiation exposure affects the whole body including cell function. The tissues most sensitive to radiation damage is the thyroid, lining of the stomach, intestine, and the cells produced in the bone marrow.

Effects of Low Doses of Radiation: The long term effects of low doses of radiation may lead to a higher risk for cancer including leukemia, cancer of the lungs, skin cancer, thyroid cancer, breast cancer, and stomach cancer. Radiation disrupts the proper function of body cells causing them to multiply abnormally causing cancer.

Birth Defects: Radiation, even low dosages may cause genetic mutations responsible for birth defects. These birth defects may include a baby born with a small head or brain, eye deformities, learning disabilities, and slower mental and physical growth. Leukemia survivors and their children have a much greater risk for the development of leukemia than other people.

No Radiation is Good: Top experts admit that even 100 millisieverts of ionizing radiation increases the risk of cancer by a small amount. One sievert of radiation raises your risk for cancer by 5 percent. This exposure may not show up as cancer for years. It is not always an immediate cause and effect. Your immune system health is one of the factors that play into the radiation to cancer risk questions. If you have family risk for cancer, then low doses of radiation will increase those risks.

The Effects of High Doses of Radiation: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever. You begin to bleed through the nose and mouth, your white blood cells are destroyed, and death may be the ultimate result. Death depends on the amount of radiation received, your age, health, and if you receive medical help.

The News Says, "Don't Worry, No Problem." What is happening in Japan has been getting worse not better with each headline. Authorities do not have the reactors under control. The danger of a blow out is still possible. If they are wrong about a blow up, would you be prepared? If there is a blowup, you would have three days here in America to prepare. You would probably find that one step you can take to prevent radiation sickness is sold out. One of the most important items for every family to have at home is Iodine. I am going to tell you why right now.

How does Iodine prevent radiation sickness? By ingesting iodine such as potassium iodine, the radioactive iodine from the atomic blast is blocked from being absorbed by the thyroid gland. There is dispute between experts on whether iodine can protect other organs and tissues, other than the thyroid gland. Even if iodine's only value is protecting the thyroid from radiation, that is pretty impressive. The thyroid gland and its hormones affect every cellular function in the body including immune function, hormone function, metabolism rate, heart function, skin function, and mental function. By protecting the thyroid from damage, that protects the major functions in your body.

Iodine is Amazing: Iodine is pretty impressive stuff. In less than a minute it will kill 90 percent of bacteria on the skin. It is effective on bacteria, molds, yeasts, protozoa, viruses, and all pathogens. It is an effective natural antibiotic, whose benefits are not well known in the general population. It is proven to be effective against Staphylococcus with few side effects and no problems with the pathogen becoming resistant. It works by destroying the tyrosine on their outer cell membrane of the pathogen. It is a simple chemical reaction with iodine and the pathogen's cell wall.

Immune System Function: Your immune system needs many nutrients to work properly. Iodine is one of them.

Cancer: Iodine is used in some alternative medicine treatments to treat many cancers including skin cancer and breast cancer. The breast is actually painted with iodine.

Cardiovascular Function: Iodine improves thyroid function which has a direct impact on your heart, and blood pressure. It also helps lower cholesterol and thins the blood.

Americans and Deficiency Symptoms: Many experts feel that a great many people are deficient in iodine. Some research studies have shown that over 90 percent of individuals are deficient in inorganic iodine. Only half of the multivitamin formulations contain Iodine.

Symptoms of Iodine Deficiency: include cold hands and feet, muscle cramping, weight gain, memory problems, constipation, depression, headaches, water retention, weakness, dry skin, and brittle nails. These are also the symptoms of thyroid disease. Thyroid disease is greatly under diagnosed in the United States.

Foods Containing Iodine: Ocean fish contains iodine but you would have to eat from 10 to 20 pounds of fish to get the 13.8 mg of iodine that your body needs. Iodine is also found in sea weed, kelp, shellfish, sea salt, dark green veggies, and eggs. Most Americans do not eat enough of the right foods in the quantity necessary to get adequate iodine. This is especially true when needing it for radiation sickness.

Warning: You can overdose on Iodine. In some health conditions, it might be unwise to use Iodine. You need to ask your holistic doctor if taking iodine in your health condition is advised. You need to first investigate the proper dosage before you just take it. Iodine is taken in drops. A treatment for a child might be only one drop. It is important to buy the right kind of iodine for internal use and to take it properly. Investigate the subject first.

References:

http: www.library.thinkquest.org/3471/radiation_effects_body.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12722435

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=898gfo9VLVA

http://iodine.imva.info/