Dr. Brownstein: More Iodine Would Counter Radiation Threat

Americans need more iodine in their systems to fight off the radiation that might spread here from Japan�s nuclear plant accidents, says Dr. David Brownstein, a family physician and Newsmax Health contributor.

�The risk to Americans from Japan is minimal now, but we don�t know what will happen,� he tells Newsmax.TV. �There is a risk that there will be fallout over the United States.� Hawaii and the West Coast should be especially concerned, he says.

Story continues below.

The U.S. government isn�t ready to deal with mass radiation exposure, Brownstein says. �I don�t think we can depend on the government. We have to depend on our own intelligence and take precautions.�

So what preparations should we make?

�The proper precaution for this is to ensure you�re taking adequate amounts of iodine,� Brownstein says. �Over 95 percent of my patient population is deficient in iodine.�

Iodine is crucial for proper thyroid functioning and formation of all glandular tissue, including the breasts, ovaries, prostate, and uterus, he explains. �It�s important for all of us to ensure we have adequate iodine intake, regardless of what�s happening in Japan. But now it�s magnified.�

If people have adequate iodine levels, �this radioactive iodine will have nowhere to bind in their bodies and will pass right through them,� he says.

And how can Americans make sure they�re getting enough iodine?

�It�s important to see a healthcare provider knowledgeable about iodine, to have your iodine levels checked, and then supplement them with 6 to 50 milligrams of iodine per day,� Brownstein says.

Antioxidants also are helpful in a disaster like this, and vitamin C is the most important one, he says. Brownstein recommends 3,000 to 5,000 milligrams daily. �If this cloud does really fall over us, then the dosage should be increased for a short period of time.�

If someone�s iodine levels are insufficient, the first gland to be affected will be the thyroid, Brownstein says. �Next would be the ovaries and breasts. These are all the tissues of the body that are undergoing epidemic rates of illness now.�

Radioactivity from Japan could end up in our food supply, he says. �But if people have adequate amounts of iodine in their bodies, they won�t absorb this radioactive iodine.�

While it�s always important to have some canned food and bottled water in your house, Brownstein doesn�t think you�ll need it in this case.

�I don�t think it will be a deadly scenario for us; it�s too far away,� he says. �But there could be some impact.�

Special Links