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MrsDufresne's avatar

What foods or vitamins are protect the body against radiation exposure?

Asked by MrsDufresne (3554points) March 2nd, 2010

I have had several medical procedures that have exposed me to radiation, and I am scheduled to have some more tests that will expose me to more. (Bone density and chest Xrays). What foods or vitamins would be best to take before having these tests, to provide at least some protection from more radiation exposure?

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7 Answers

Bellumbri's avatar

Calcium. I’ve heard that radiation causes bone loss.

wtfrickinfrack's avatar

hmmm seems like I remember hearing something about rosemary? I’m not 100% on that though

edit: yup – here it is: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/24363632/Radiation-and-Rosemary

syzygy2600's avatar

There was an experimental drug designed to prevent radiation sickness, but last I heard it was discontinued.

There is also a type of chinese mushroom called caterpillar fungus, extracts of which have been proven to protect mice from the effects of whole body irradiation.

FireMadeFlesh's avatar

I am not aware of any, although @wtfrickinfrack‘s link is interesting (but focusses on communications, which is at the opposite end of the spectrum).

Don’t worry too much about BD scans and chest x-rays though, the radiation dose from those is minimal. Radiographers operating BD machines don’t even use shielding, because the dose is so low. Chest x-rays have a dose equivalent to a few weeks of background radiation, and it is one of the lowest dose examinations available (only higher than a region like a hand or a foot). We use shielding for those because we do dozens of x-rays every day for the length of our career. You only really need to start worrying about the effects of radiation if you have multiple CT scans or Radiotherapy for cancer treatment.

skfinkel's avatar

Seaweed has lots of iodine—and it is something I eat—although to be honest, I have no idea if it works.

skfinkel's avatar

I like @FireMadeFlesh‘s answer, even though I believe we all get far more radiation that we need—just from flying, going through metal detectors, and the zillions of “harmless” radiation that just must add up even though they are all small in and of themselves.

mrrich724's avatar

Radiation creates free radicals in your body. Free radicals can be fought by antioxidants which are found in many fruits and veggies. Just eat more of what the earth put here for us to eat naturally!

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