Kelp! It Is The End Of The World…
Radioactive waste was not something we had to think about a hundred or so years ago. The nuclear spill at the Fukushima nuclear plant continues to leak cesium-137 into our precious Pacific Ocean. This event was a turning point globally. We can no longer pretend that we are not connected by our waters.
While this disaster occurred as a result of natural events that we as humans have no way of controlling or predicting— an earthquake, and a tsunami; it was a lack of balance, the ignorance of the ramifications of using nuclear energy that created a bigger mess. Seeing the footage, we imagine our own life being taken away by such a force. We feel for the families that were separated from their children and the sheer helplessness that those images evoke.
Meanwhile, the Japanese government refuses to make any statements about the continued devastation. There is warranted speculation that the cesium-137 leaking into the ocean is a bigger problem than we know. On both sides of the issue nothing has been solidified or substantiated. Along the west-coast there have been reports of dead fish, and other marine life washing up on the shore. Is this directly related? Are the cases of children developing thyroid cancer in the Fukushima vicinity connected? Is it too early to tell? Unfortunately, we are facing a lot of unknowns.
What we do know is that cesium-137 and iodine-131 the substances that continue to leak out of the reactors at Fukishima both effect thyroid function. They have been shown to interfere with usable iodine in the body. Iodine is necessary for optimal thyroid function. The thyroid regulates many hormonal processes. It doesn’t take a science degree to deduce that these substances are costly to the life of an organism.
What effects us environmentally directly effects our health and wellbeing, we require balance to thrive. Nature seeks balance. What is a person to do in the meantime with all of these unknowns? To start, keep an eye out and take care of your body. While wide-spread panic does not serve anyone, doing what we can to nourish and detoxify our system will help us maintain optimal health.
Mercola has published findings that 40% of the population worldwide is at risk for iodine deficiency. Does that mean going to the store uniformed and beginning to self-treat is recommended by double-dosing with iodine is the answer? No, Iodine is a tricky balance. While most people are deficient, too much too soon will create adverse reactions. What Mercola’s findings suggest is that it may be beneficial to add more iodine-rich foods and supplements to our diet, and if we suspect low-iodine to have an iodine-deficiency test. This test will help to determine what our current levels are to see if we need to increase supplementation.
To determine levels ask your primary care physician (PCP) for a super-saturated potassium iodine test (SSK). This can help you decide how much iodine supplementation is needed. It is important that when adding higher doses of iodine to your diet you have a PCP, wellness/detox specialist, or naturopath monitoring your health, to see if there are any adverse reactions.
According to Dr. Flechas, a specialist who has been looking at the global iodine deficiency, the recommended dosage of iodine per day is 12 1/2 mg. A high quality kelp product has been shown to adequately restore iodine-levels to their functional range. It is the #1 food for nuclear fall-out because its high mineral content is both nourishing and detoxing. Kelp’s iodine is bio-available so it is gentle on the body.
Sea vegetables have been used for centuries as food and provide glyconutrients, alginates, fucoidan, laminariah, and trace minerals all of which are scientifically proven to detox radioactive elements, heavy metals, support gastro-intestinal health, boost immune system, while protecting the thyroid.
There is evidence that alginates and other compounds in sea vegetables bind to mercury and toxic metals, such as chlorine, bromine and fluorine helping to remove these substances in a safe and gentle way. Kelp is a good sources of copper, zinc, manganese, and chromium. It has ultra-trace minerals such as germanium, iridium, and rubidium. The Kelp nutritional profile is nutrient dense; it is also rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc and selenium.
Kelp is safe to use and as a low or non-mercury profile as compared to other sea vegetable products. The best kelp is raw, and utilizes a no-heat extraction to separate the fiber for optimal absorption and nutrient density. Unfortunately some products on the market sell bladderwrack or other sea vegetables under the guise of kelp. These seaweeds are more likely to be contaminated with mercury. It is important to make sure you have a high quality product with 100% kelp.
While it is impossible to guard ourselves against all of the toxins we are exposed to—we can be proactive with our health by supplementing with high quality products like kelp. Adding Kelp to your diet can be beneficial for overall health maintenance and will help regulate thyroid function. Cultures that utilize sea vegetables as a staple tend to have lower cancer profiles.
As a whole food kelp can be utilized in a number of recipes. It is great for soup stocks, and will add more vitamins and minerals to bone broths. It can also be added to the bath and/or used as body wraps for added detoxification and nutrient absorption through the skin. Taken both internally and used externally kelp is a great detoxification for radiation exposure.
For reasons mentioned earlier, kelp is a superior sea vegetable to add to one’s wellness regimen.
To learn more or get the best kelp ever, use the link below:
http://www.hyperionherbs.com/shop/401-kelp-extract/
Important Note:
We source our kelp from pure waters off the coast of Patagonia, one of the only clean pure sources left. The kelp is testing at every step of the process to ensure purity and that it is free from radiation and other pollutants.
References:
Mercola, Iodine Supplement Why You Need Just Enough of It http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/06/29/iodine-deficiency-risk.aspx, Mercola.com (2013) Accessed on March 8, 2014,
Wilson M.D., Lawrence, The Benefits of Kelp, http://www.drlwilson.com/articles/KELP.HTM, DrWilson.com (2013) Accessed on March 8,2014,