Radiation Poisoning and Alternative Medicine

In light of the devastating nuclear instability in Japan, I thought it might be worthwhile to add on to our “Green Leaks” with a quick blog on radiation poisoning treatment in complementary medicine. There is a lot of random information surfacing with very little scientific evidence to back up the claims. Here is my summary of the alternative treatments about which you may be hearing:

Using iodine to treat radioactive iodine poisoning:This is probably the most common treatment you will see popping up in internet forums. Basically, there is unstable, radioactive iodine, and relatively stable potassium iodine or KI (I-127). The radioactive iodine hypothesized to be released from nuclear fission is I-131, with a half life of about 8 days. The idea is to saturate your thyroid glands with the stable form of iodine so that your body does not absorb the highly radioactive iodine. For guidelines on this treatment, checkout the FDA’s FAQ section on KI as well as the downloadable pdf, Guidance on Potassium Iodide as a Thyroid Blocking Agent in Radiation Emergencies.

Iodine supplementation is a tricky thing—if you overdose, it can mimic hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Also, if you have had any history of hypo/hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer and/or cysts, you should really talk to a healthcare professional before you begin taking massive doses of KI. Additionally, I have found that people who have seafood, especially shell fish allergies are very sensitive to iodine. If you have any sort of allergy or sensitivity to iodine, be very careful.


Daily intake of strong miso soup to prevent heavy metal and radioactive build up:Miso soup as a preventative measure for heavy metal and radioactive toxicity is based on the story of a Japanese doctor, Dr. Shinichoro Akizuki, who treated patients in Nagasaki after the explosion of the atomic bomb. According to reports, this doctor and his staff did not suffer any of the symptoms from radiation poisoning because the doctor specifically ordered his staff to consume concentrated unsweetened miso while treating their patients.

There are some articles suggesting that fermented foods may help with radiation sickness. Definitely, if you enjoy a good cup of miso for lunch or dinner, keep going. This is a relatively low risk alternative treatment. For more scientific information, go to PubMed.gov and try the following keywords: Fermentation Radiation Dosage, Radiation-Protective Agents/pharmacology, Soybeans, Radiation-Protective Agents

Bentonite and Zeolite Clay:Clay baths are a common alternative treatment for assumed radiation and heavy metal contamination. Fans of the clay maintain that the clay is magnetically charged and attracts contamination out of your body.

There are different classes of bentonite (montmorillonite) clay, depending on the dominant mineral in the clay. If you go to a local health store, you are most likely to find sodium bentonite clay. This is the type of clay usually used as a base in clay cat litter. It expands when wet, so avoid internal use, but it is also cheaper and more accessible than calcium bentonite.

There is not a lot of scholarly material that proves this clay is effective in the treatment of radiation poisoning, but I have found bentonite to provide a very cleansing bath, personally. Basically, draw a hot bath and dissolve ½- 2 cups of bentonite in the water. Soak for not longer than 20 minutes once per week. Now for the downside—you’ve got to clean the bathtub out by hand so as little of the mud goes down your drain and clogs your plumbing. A useful, though non-scientific, home remedy website to visit for information on bentonite clay is Earth Clinic.