As one of the greatest environmental disasters that has ever occurred, the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster has rightfully stricken many people with terror at the prospect of suffering from radiation damage. While most of us are far away from Fukushima geographically, that does not mean that we are immune to the possible nuclear fallout. In fact, food that has been contaminated was recently shown to have made its way to store shelves throughout the world, prompting many people to wonder just what can be done to protect themselves. Here are ten steps you can take to help prevent radiation damage from nuclear fallout.

Consume more iodine

Most people probably won’t be too surprised to see iodine taking the top spot in our list, but this remedy is so useful that it deserves to be placed front and center. As many as 97 percent of us are actually deficient in iodine, and this can be particularly problematic when radiation hits. That’s because when you do have enough iodine in your body, the radiation doesn’t have anywhere to bind itself to, so it will simply pass through your body without harming it. This is why it is crucial to have enough iodine in your system before the fallout even hits.

You can find iodine in a number of food sources, including cod, seaweed, shrimp, eggs and tuna. Because the body cannot store it, these iodine-rich foods need to be consumed regularly in order to remain protected. Potassium iodide supplements can also be used, and it’s highly recommended to keep them on hand if you happen to live near a nuclear zone.⁽¹⁾

Employ meditation and breathing techniques

Being exposed to radiation can be extremely stressful, so you might want to stop and take a deep breath – literally. If you focus on your breathing and make a point of inhaling all the way to the base of the abdomen, you can help your body remove carbon dioxide and breathe out toxins while breathing in more life-giving oxygen. Meditating or carrying out breathing exercises can help increase the levels of anti-stress hormones in your body, such as melatonin, GABA, and serotonin, while reducing the levels of stress hormones such as norepinephrine and cortisol.^(1,2)

Eat miso soup

Believe it or not, eating miso soup is actually a remarkably good way to help mitigate the effects of radiation. This traditional Japanese soup is made using a stock that contains miso paste, which is a seasoning composed of fermented rice, barley and soybeans along with the fungus kojikin. Miso is believed to help treat radiation sickness by discharging radiation from the body. It is widely available in grocery stores and natural food stores. It is important to keep in mind, however, that miso should not be boiled or it might be rendered ineffective.⁽³⁾

Avoid contaminated foods

While no one would entertain the thought of eating food out of the breakroom fridge at the Fukushima plant, the effects of nuclear fallout on the food supply are actually much farther reaching than most of us would like to think. Following a nuclear accident or nuclear war, it is best to avoid eating fresh vegetables that were grown during the time of the fallout. It is also wise to avoid drinking fresh milk that comes from cows who consumed water or food that could have been contaminated with radioactive material, as this could easily enter your system and cause harm. Following the Fukushima disaster, some experts recommend avoiding consuming seafood from the Pacific.⁽⁴⁾

Take some Bentonite clay

Bentonite clay is actually a type of volcanic ash that can remove 25 times its weight in the body. It has high levels of magnesium, silicon and iron and is known for absorbing toxins and cleansing impurities. You should seek out the highest quality clay possible for internal use, and start by mixing no more than a tablespoon of it with a small amount of juice before eventually increasing the amount you take to as many as 4 tablespoons per day in divided doses. Be sure to drink plenty of water to keep things balanced when you take Bentonite clay.^(1,3)

Munch on some Brazil nuts

Did you know that Brazil nuts are one of the best sources of selenium out there? Selenium is very rich in antioxidants and can help detoxify the body. It’s known for removing heavy metals such as mercury, and it even has some anti-cancer effects. Snacking on these tasty nuts can actually help prevent radiation positioning while benefiting your body in many other ways as well. The nuts are also easy to find and highly portable, making them a convenient way to help detoxify your body.⁽¹⁾

Turn to zeolites

Zeolites are found naturally in volcanic rocks, and they were used successfully during Chernobyl thanks to their ability to mitigate radioactive fallout and spur heavy metal detoxification. They act like a magnet that draws these dangerous substances out of the body while leaving other crucial minerals in place. They’ve even been shown to help reverse the growth of cancer cells and improve overall nutrition in animals, and much of their potential remains unexplored.^(1,2)

Take some activated charcoal

Not to be confused with common charcoal, activated charcoal is specifically made with medicinal purposes in mind. This porous substance is sometimes used to treat poisoning, and it’s easy to see how it can have a similar effect on radiation exposure, which is actually a type of poisoning when you think about it. Activated charcoal can neutralize and absorb toxic substances and radioactive substances in the body. It is estimated that around 1 tablespoon of activated charcoal can absorb anywhere between 3 and 7 grams of radioactive materials.⁽²⁾

Eat some greens

We’ve all heard that greens are a highly nutritious superfood, but never is it more important to consume them than after you’ve been exposed to potential radiation damage. Eating greens is one of the best ways to cleanse your body thanks to their high content of calcium, antioxidants, magnesium and B vitamins. They work by chelating the toxins from heavy metals and removing them from your body. Leafy greens are also rich in chlorophyll, which has been shown to help increase resistance to X-rays and decrease radiation toxicity. Chlorophyll can also be found in parsley, celery, sunflower greens and organic alfalfa.^(1,3)

Take some vitamin E

Most vitamins are pretty helpful when the body is stressed, but it turns out that Vitamin E in particular really shines in radioactive situations. Studies have indicated that vitamin E can help protect the body from oxidative damage. It protects you internally as well as externally from Cesium-137, a common component of nuclear fallout that has been found in the aftermath of Fukushima. Moreover, it can help prevent the damage caused to fatty acids and Vitamin A by massive radiation. It can be used as a preventative measure as well as upon radiation exposure.^(2,3)

When a devastating man-made catastrophes such as the Fukushima disaster strikes, the nuclear fallout can be so far-reaching that it is easy to feel like everything is out of your control. However, these steps can help to minimize your chances of suffering from radiation sickness.

(1) TrueActivist.com
(2) Sott.net
(3) CollapseNet.com
(4) BusinessInsider.com