Though they’re 5,000 miles across the ocean, Californians are stocking up on potassium iodide tablets. There are reports of NYC pharmacies selling out.

Residents within a 10 mile radius of a (perfectly fine) Delaware nuclear plant are being urged to stock up on potassium iodide pills. Rep Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts) is calling for the federal government to distribute the pills to everyone living within a 20 mile radius of a US nuclear plant. Yet, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Director Dr. Thomas Frieden explains, “I understand that there are a lot of people who want to have [the pills], but I want to say unequivocally that there is no reason for anyone in the U.S. to take potassium iodide pills at this time.”

What Do Potassium Iodide Pills Do?

Potassium iodide blocks the absorption of radioactive iodine by filling the thyroid with a benign iodide compound, leaving no room to absorb the toxin. Research conducted since the 1940s confirms that this proactive measure reduces one’s risk of developing thyroid cancer from exposure to radioactive particles. In the event of a nuclear meltdown, pregnant women, children and infants living closest to the meltdown site are advised to seek treatment.

Beware of Potassium Iodide Shortcomings

Potassium iodide may protect you from higher risk of thyroid cancer, but it’s no guarantee against radiation from other elements like cesium, strontium or plutonium, nor does it protect any of the other organs like the liver or the bones. In fact, California’s Emergency Management Agency stated that “It can present a danger to people with allergies to iodine, shellfish or who have thyroid problems, and taken inappropriately, it can have serious side effects.”

Side effects may include:

• Inflammation of salivary glands
• Gastrointestinal ailments
• Allergic reactions and rashes
• Taking the pills too late may actually trap existing iodine in the thyroid
• Men and people over the age of 20 may find the pills have no effect on them whatsoever

There is nuclear radiation around us every day, so perhaps these fears of trace amounts of radioactive particles coming over IS a bit overblown. Even so, if you’re a proactive type of person who likes to take every precaution, you might want to…

• Look into Vitamin D and Vitamin K supplements, which support DNA repair.
• Eat antioxidant-rich foods like strawberries, oranges, pomegranates and blueberries.
• Protect yourself from Cerium 137 by eating high-Potassium foods like avocados, leafy greens and bananas.
• Protect yourself from Plutonium poisoning by consuming Iron-rich plant source foods like sea algaes, spirulina, chlorella and Miso Soup.
• Most importantly, DO NOT PANIC!

Article: Jennn FusionTwitter: @jennnfusion