Radiation pills are essential when it comes to nuclear attacks. That’s because the biggest health concern is from the release of Radioactive Iodine 131. Realistically, fallout can be carried downwind for hundreds of miles. This can affect large numbers of people.
Once exposed to the radiation, it seeps into the body through skin. Also, it’s breathed into the lungs. From there, it travels to the thyroid. And once exposed, the thyroid gland would be damaged and could even develop thyroid cancer.
But there’s good news. This comes in the form of a tablet that can block the radiation to your thyroid.
Radiation Pills
By taking a special kind of pill, you can gain some protection. It comes in the form of Potassium. Potassium is a salt in the form of Potassium Iodide (KI). There’s a better form of the same stuff called Potassium Iodate or KI03. Both of these block the thyroid from absorbing radioactive iodine. KI doesn’t prevent radioactive iodine from entering your body. All it does is protect your thyroid from radioactive iodine.
KIO3 pills exist throughout the world for nuclear emergencies and saving lives. The cost is reasonable. And it is something to consider adding to your survival kit. There are also some variants. One is called Ex-Rad from Onconova Therapeutics. What Ex-Rad does is alter how cells deal with DNA damage by suppressing the protein p53 that triggers cell death. Ex-Rad isn’t quite as easy to find as KI or KIO3, but over time, it may become more available.
Also with potassium iodide, there is a warning. It comes from Dr. Dino Rumoro, the head of Rush University Medical Center’s emergency department. He says that people shouldn’t take potassium iodide unless exposed or potentially exposed to radiation.
Where Can You Get Radiation Pills?
As a precaution, many states have programs underway to distribute radiation pills. U.S. Rules On Radiation Pills Vary Widely From State To State.
Of course, you can buy Potassium Iodide radiation protection tablets online. The Vitamin Shoppe has them as well.
Alternatives And Natural Remedies
What’s interesting is Why You Don’t Need Potassium Iodide for Radiation Poisoning.
For a while I thought KI was the only thing out there that would deal with the issue of radiation exposure and the thyroid gland. Here are 12 Natural Remedies For Radiation Exposure. The first three are Nascent Iodine, Potassium Orotate, Calcium and Magnesium. Next are Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO GEL), Zeolites, Activated Charcoal, Papain, Bee Pollen and Beets. Finally there is Cold-pressed Organic Vegetable Oils and Organic Brewers Yeast.
Downside Of Radiation Pills
Please note this though. Radiation pills don’t protect you from the radiation directly. These tablets provide NO PROTECTION WHATSOEVER from gamma or beta radiation.
Radiation pills only keep your thyroid gland from absorbing radioactive iodine particles. These radioactive particles might be present in food or water from a post nuclear event.
Additionally, radioactive iodine is never present by itself. Things like cesium, strontium, and other radioactive by-products exist in the form of fallout. This is why atomic dust clouds and radioactive clouds from emergency venting of reactors are so deadly. The fallout dust contaminates food and groundwater in surrounding areas.
Of course, with every scare, there are scammers hawking pills to capitalize on radiation fears. Another concern is for people who are allergic to shell fish or iodine. They could have a reaction to the Potassium Iodide.
The Bottom Line
Originally, I thought radiation pills were a cure all for radiation exposure. Now I know that KI only deals with one part of exposure. In a nuclear event, your organs would be exposed to many other attacks from the radiation cloud and the radiation directly. Staying as far away from the “zone” would be your best protection by far.
