Potassium Iodide Only Necessary During a Nuclear Crisis

A few days ago I wrote a blog article about various ways to protect and detox from radiation and nuclear fallout. Although potassium iodide (KI) does not detox the body from radiation, it can protect the thyroid from being damaged by radioactive iodine (iodine-131). Iodine-131 is rapidly absorbed by the thyroid gland and, especially in children, increases the risk of thyroid cancer.

News sources including National Geographic report that radioactive iodine was one radioactive chemical released into the atmosphere in Fukushima. Radioactive iodine (iodine-131) vaporizes easily and can disperse over long distances. There is a possibility, though I’m not sure how probable it is, that the West Coast of North America could be negatively affected by the radioactive plume coming from Japan.

There is a very small possibility that people on the North American West Coast will need to take potassium iodide tablets when the plume does reach us. Numerous news sources are telling us not to stock up on potassium iodide because the nuclear accident at Fukushima does not pose a health threat to us. Indeed, today the radioactive plume was reported to have reached Northern California, but officials say that the amount of radiation is so tiny that it poses no health risk.

Potassium Iodide Should Only be Taken during an Emergency Nuclear Crisis

You will be given ample warning and will notified by the press and/or the government whether it is necessary or not to take potassium iodide. In those situations, the government will distribute potassium iodide to its citizens. However, it is best to keep a couple bottles on your shelves in case there is a real emergency where you would need to act quickly. (This is not the case with the Japan situation because we are actively monitoring the radiation levels in Western North America).

Potassium iodide is a synthetic drug. It should not be taken unless there is an actual threat of exposure to radioactive iodine.

Keep Potassium Iodide on your Shelves in Case of Emergency

KI pills are now sold out in the US. Instead of panicking and buying them during a crisis, stock up on some in advance and store them on your shelves. It is a good idea for everyone to keep a bottle or two of potassium iodide on their shelves at all times in the case of a nuclear emergency. It should be added to your emergency first aid kit.

Potassium Iodide Poisoning

Yesterday there were reports from US poison control centres of potassium iodide poisoning. Fearful of radiation poisoning, people were taking potassium iodide pills without any real threat of harm from radiation.

Panic could spark a “mini-epidemic” of potassium iodide ingestion and overdoses, predicted Dr. Leonard Wartofsky, spokesman for the Endocrine Society and a thyroid expert.

There are also very serious consequences from taking potassium iodide for more than 10 days. After that period of time, the drug can induce severe hypothyroidism, a condition that essentially shuts down thyroid function.

Potassium Iodide Alternatives

There really are no other alternatives to potassium iodide. However, KI should only be taken during a real emergency. Kelp, spirulina and chlorella have been proven to detox and protect the body from other forms of radiation. These green food supplements should certainly be taken along with potassium iodide after dangerous exposure to radiation. Kelp, spirulina and chlorella are completely non-toxic and can be taken as part of a daily regimen to protect and detox from all types of radiation. Homeopathic remedies should also be taken for optimal health and detox, as prescribed by a classical homeopath.

Fitness Goop Publishing Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed practitioner or health care provider. The opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Fitness Goop Inc. or its affiliates. Different views may appear in future articles or publications. Information on fitnessgoop.com is copyrighted and must not be reprinted, duplicated, or transmitted without permission.

About Sonya McLeod

Sonya was born and raised in Vancouver, BC, Canada. She graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts degree. After giving birth to her second child, Sonya came down with allergies and fatigue so severe that she was no longer able to care for her young children properly. As a last resort, Sonya tried homeopathy, and was finally able to recover from her illness and live a normal life again. After experiencing the effectiveness of homeopathy first-hand, she then decided to pursue it as a career. Sonya earned a practitioner diploma in classical homeopathy after 4 years of study at the Vancouver of Homeopathic Academy. Currently, Sonya practices classical homeopathy in her own private clinic, Little Mountain Homeopathy.
Sonya is currently a regular contributor for the popular online alternative health publication Natural News. She has also published two articles in local alternative weekly The Georgia Straight. She was a guest on JoyTV’s “P3: People, Places, Perspectives.” Sonya is also a contributor for the local online magazine Babyvibe. She is a proud member of the Birth Lounge, a local professional women's health collective offering products and services supporting families through pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Sonya has her certification in Reiki Level 1, as well as Gemmotherapy. Other alternative modalities that she has studied include yoga, fasting, herbalism, Bach Flower remedies and Schussler Cell Salts. She is an avid supporter of the Weston A. Price Foundation, an advocacy group that promotes the consumption of whole foods and raw milk.
She and her husband Usman are parents to two lovely girls aged 5 and 6. Both of her children were born at home under the care of a midwife. One of the births was a water birth.

  • HPguy

    Eating kelp will saturate your thyroid with iodine. That is the only purpose of taking Potassium Iodide. So your thyroid will have all the Iodine it needs and not take up radioactive Iodine 131. Potassium Iodine is itself radioactive due to containing some Potassium 40. If you eat a good diet rich in seafood you have no reason to ever take KI.

  • http://renewingthecommons.wordpress.com/2011/04/01/fukushima/ Fukushima | Renewing the Commons

    [...] misinformation) for a clear understanding of what’s actually going on.  People in the US are overdosing on potassium iodide pills, when radiation levels across North America are unchanged from background levels, and the [...]

  • webmaster solutions

    Supplements are really very beneficial for our body.We should have to take it as our daily diet.

  • JST Books

    This is really very nice post. Thanks for sharing awesome post. I appreciate with you. 
    Potassium supplement
    may be detected by taste because it triggers three of the five types of tastebuds, according to concentration.