Why Potassium Iodine?

Due to the recent tragedy in Japan we have seen people searching for iodine tablets everyhwere- iodine is essential for proper thyroid function- here is a little more info...

The Centers for Disease Control explains on their website that after a radiological or nuclear event, radioactive iodine can drift in the air and, if inhaled, can damage people’s thyroids. When people take potassium iodine, they can fill their thyroids full of iodine and thus prevent their thyroids from absorbing the radioactive iodine ( which will destroy the thyroid).

Many people here in Utah have been worried about the radiation plume and the quality of our air.

Donna Spangler, public information officer for the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, UDEQ website, which assures residents there is “no need to take potassium iodide tablets.”

At this point the levels of radiation prospected to be in the plume that would actually fall on estimated California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Alaska, etc. is very minimal and is not to pose a serious risk to health. However, "if" the situation in Japan worsens (ie. the Fukushima reactors have a rod "meltdown" - creating a massive release of radiation into the atmosphere) make sure you and tour family are prepared.. here are a few suggestions I received from the herbal legacy newsletter-

1) Take the time to reevaluate your emergency plan and supplies as a family. Make sure your vehicles are not empty of fuel in case you need to evacuate and do not count on phones working in case of actual emergency.

2) If suggestion is and you plan to, stay put and to stay within your home for an allotment of time make sure you have plastic and duct tape to seal your windows and doors as well as the supplies needed in the case of a usual emergency: water, food, etc.

3) If you plan to evacuate, have at least a 72-hour kit ready to go at a moment's notice. This is good to have no matter what your plans are.

4) Staring now, increase your intake of naturally sourced iodine-containing foods and superfoods: (*estimated amounts of naturally occurring iodine)

Icelandic Kelp - *8000ppm

Kelp, Dulse, etc. (Seaweeds) - *5400ppm

Chlorella - *100ppm

Spirulina - *70ppm

Pistacios - *51ppm

Dark Greens in all there variety

Colorful vegetables & fresh fruits

Onions & Garlic

Iodine tablets

5) The purpose of increasing your intake of iodine-containing foods is to raise the amount of stable iodine in the blood. This will increase the likelihood that the thyroid will absorb the stable iodine instead of the radioactive iodine (iodine-129 and iodine-131) released during a nuclear accident.

I was curious if Utah had any nuclear reactors and it turns out we have ONE- ( at the Uof U) check out this Article for more info..

My thoughts and prayers going out to the people in Japan and all those working to control this devastating disaster.