By Sarah LoBisco, NDIt’s a challenge to “stay positive” in this day and age. With more news stories highlighting fear and tragedies, combined with a societal addiction to drama, we’re literally frying out our nervous systems! Due to the fact that our poor brains can’t differentiate between real and perceived threats, we have become a nation of wired and tired little bodies, too busy to rest and too exhausted to fall asleep.
We all cope with stress differently. Still, this constant bombardment of stress neurotransmitters on our bodies and brains is creating many downstream effects that aren’t good for anyone. In fact, one research article explored these complex, individualized reactions of stress on our body systems:
Common behavioral and/or somatic complex disorders, such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic pain and fatigue syndromes, obesity, the metabolic syndrome, essential hypertension, diabetes type 2, atherosclerosis with its cardiovascular sequelae, and osteoporosis, as well as autoimmune inflammatory and allergic disorders, all appear to have a glucocorticoid regulated component. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2009 October ; 1179: 153–166. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04988.x.
This stress response isn’t good for our relationships either. As these catecholamines hit our emotional brains, we react much faster in negative ways as the rational portion of the brain is hijacked in order to survive these perceived stressors. Due to the fact that we never outrun these chronic triggers, a simple question of “what’s for dinner,” can turn into a screaming match of feeling underappreciated. (Shiver
On March 18th, I wrote a blog relating to the tragedy of Japan and its effects from radiation on our bodies. I have noticed recently that many questions and fears still exist around this topic. As I was gently reminded by my colleague, Dr. Moss, sometimes doctors can forget that most people don’t have the science or research background that makes decisions on what to do next medically easy and rational. It’s not that patients aren’t capable of understanding these facts; it’s that the reactionary brain makes it hard to focus on finding research oriented and scientifically sound facts if they aren’t surrounded with data 24-7.
In this blog, I hope to remind everyone that the most potent and protective thing we can do for ourselves is to keep ourselves healthy from the inside out. If the main focus is all about killing the bugs, eradicating the tumors, beating the diseases, and isolating ourselves from harm, we create a feed forward cycle of stress with its detrimental bodily effects.
In all this drama and hype, the internal healing power of nature is often overlooked. I do believe that when you give the body what it needs balance and healing result. Therefore the answers lie in educating ourselves on simple, safe, generalized, and individualized solutions. Panicking and isolating ourselves into little bubbles doesn’t empower us or put much faith in the universal design. We need to focus on building up from the inside, not on becoming weaker with fear and creating larger barriers.
The following is a repeat of my 8 point summary on the radiation effects:
From my understanding:
1. At this point, it appears that the United States is not in danger of severe radiation effects. Distance is a major factor in disintegrating the radiation.
2. The amount of radiation that the people in Japan are being exposed to is accumulating daily; it is not at a rate near Chernobyl, though the cumulative effects are reaching detrimental levels.
3. The units of measurement of radiation are confusing!
It appears that we are minimally exposed to radiation every day. (Remember the concept of hormesis?)
Here are some interesting facts:
• The earth emits its own radiation every day.
• The radiation received from airport security is a lot less than most other forms of radiation; this is an example of misinformation creating fear.
• Smoking causes radiation effects that are cumulative and higher than chest x-rays and CT scans.
4. We don’t appear to be near the levels needed to cause massive deaths or cancer.
It takes approximately 25 Rd to kill about ½ the population exposed. Japan is at a mSV level right now. (100 Rem= 1000mSV, 1rad=10mGy, 0.01 Gy = 0.01 Sv, 0.1 rad = 100 mrad = 1 mGy = 0.001 Gy )
5. Potassium iodide only helps the effect of one isotope, 131-I, released with radiation exposure. It does seem to protect those who are deficient in iodine and children. Those who are already well nourished may not benefit. The thyroid cancer outbreak of Chernobyl may have been more of a result of passing the isotope through the food supply, particularly milk, and air.
6. Potassium iodide should not be taken at large doses unsupervised and is not without toxic effects. Children and those with thyroid issues may want to consider taking it. Proactive small doses may be wise.
7. We should continue to take good care of bodies and supply them with a healthy diet full of antioxidants. Antioxidants seem to protect the body from the radioactive isotopes that cause DNA damage to the cells, creating all the damaging effects to the body.
8. I do recommend talking with a practitioner about protective measures and individualized support when using more than general methods of safe nutrients. (Self-prescribing potent nutraceuticals can create imbalances and side effects down the line.)
Antioxidants & Radiation
Highlighting point number seven, I came across some journal links on the benefits of using antioxidants for radiation protection. The first journal abstract from Radiation Research was specific on the use of antioxidants with radiation exposure. Mice were fed an antioxidant diet of l-selenomethionine, sodium ascorbate, N-acetyl cysteine, alpha-lipoic acid, alpha-tocopherol succinate, and co-enzyme Q10 immediately or 24 hours after exposure to 8 Gy (please don’t make me do the math! J) total body irradiation.
Without supplementation, the irradiation dose was lethal to mice. However, survival improved with implementing an antioxidant diet. Surprisingly, the highest rate of survival was in those given the supplemental diet 24 hours after exposure, not with those given support immediately.
Total-body irradiation with 8 Gy in the absence of antioxidant supplementation was lethal by day 16. When antioxidant supplementation was started soon after irradiation, four of 14 mice survived. In contrast, 14 of 18 mice receiving antioxidant supplementation starting 24 h after irradiation were alive and well 30 days later. The numbers of spleen colonies and blood cells were higher in mice receiving antioxidant supplementation starting 24 h after irradiation than in mice receiving radiation alone. A diet supplemented with antioxidants administered starting 24 h after total-body irradiation improved bone marrow cell survival and mitigated lethality, with a radiation protection factor of approximately 1.18. PMID: 20334518
Due to the fact that some of these antioxidants (selenium, alpha-tocopherol, and selenium) were isolated nutrients the difference could be explained by their role in the acute phase of inflammation. If given immediately after exposure, these nutrients may have driven higher inflammatory responses, making benefit less ideal; whereas, if supplemented after inflammation had cooled down, they may have affected oxidative response favorably. (It is also important to note that mice, unlike humans, make their own vitamin C).
What was interesting in this next journal abstract is that the antioxidant potent polyphenols in blueberries and strawberries provided protection to different areas of the brain based on different berry makeup.
Irradiation impaired performance in the Morris water maze and measures of dopamine release 1 month following radiation; these deficits were protected by the antioxidant diets. The strawberry diet offered better protection against spatial deficits in the maze because strawberry-fed animals were better able to retain place information (a hippocampally mediated behavior) compared to controls. The blueberry diet, on the other hand, seemed to improve reversal learning, a behavior more dependent on intact striatal function. These data suggest that (56)Fe particle irradiation causes deficits in behavior and signaling in rats which were ameliorated by an antioxidant diet and that the polyphenols in these fruits might be acting in different brain regions. PMID: 16837106
Take home message 1: Supplement with a healthy balance of nutrients and eat a whole, organic, unprocessed diet to keep inflammation down to begin with. Eat a variety of antioxidant containing foods and consider a broad spectrum antioxidant form a high quality source as well as diffusing therapeutic essential oils to protect your DNA. J
(Some of my favorite antioxidants are coQ10 and Ningxia Red available to the general public. I have some more power-punch antioxidants available via professionals as well).
That brings me to take home message 2: Doing something that is preventative and healthy in one area of the body positively affects another.
The Heart Effects of Antioxidants
A Dietary Mixture Containing Fish Oil, Resveratrol, Lycopene, Catechins, and Vitamins E and C Reduces Atherosclerosis in Transgenic Mice.
Dietary supplementation of AIDM improves lipid and inflammatory risk factors of CVD and strongly reduces atherosclerotic lesion development in female transgenic mice. Journal of Clinical Nutrition. J. Nutr. May 1, 2011 vol. 141 no. 5 863-869.
Cocoa and cardiovascular health
Epidemiological data demonstrate that regular dietary intake of plant-derived foods and beverages reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Among many ingredients, cocoa might be an important mediator. Indeed, recent research demonstrates a beneficial effect of cocoa on blood pressure, insulin resistance, and vascular and platelet function. Although still debated, a range of potential mechanisms through which cocoa might exert its benefits on cardiovascular health have been proposed, including activation of nitric oxide and antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects. This review summarizes the available data on the cardiovascular effects of cocoa, outlines potential mechanisms involved in the response to cocoa, and highlights the potential clinical implications associated with its consumption. Circulation. 2009 Mar 17;119(10):1433-41.PMID: 19289648
Stress and fear impairs our judgment and affects our body, including our heart. Unfortunately, there is no one-sized fits all panacea pill. It is in using a combination of individualized antioxidants and supplements for you and healthy everyday habits. I also encourage the use of mind-body techniques and therapeutic essential oils to re-program the reactionary fear based response. When we are frightened, we tend to make more rash decisions and get ourselves into more problems. (Should’ve had a (organic, fiber-rich) V8?)
References:
Brown SL, Kolozsvary A, Liu J, Jenrow KA, Ryu S, Kim JH. Antioxidant diet supplementation starting 24 hours after exposure reduces radiation lethality. Radiat Res. 2010 Apr;173(4):462-8.
Shukitt-Hale B, Carey AN, Jenkins D, Rabin BM, Joseph JA. Beneficial effects of fruit extracts on neuronal function and behavior in a rodent model of accelerated aging. Neurobiol Aging. 2007 Aug;28(8):1187-94. Epub 2006 Jul 11.
Corti R, Flammer AJ, Hollenberg NK, Lüscher TF. Cocoa and cardiovascular health. Circulation. 2009 Mar 17;119(10):1433-41.
Lars Verschuren4,5Peter Y. Wielinga6, Wim van Duyvenvoorde6, Samira Tijani6, Karin Toet6, Ben van Ommen4, et al. A Dietary Mixture Containing Fish Oil, Resveratrol, Lycopene, Catechins, and Vitamins E and C Reduces Atherosclerosis in Transgenic Mice. Journal of Clinical Nutrition. J. Nutr. May 1, 2011 vol. 141 no. 5 863-869.
Glucocorticoid Signaling in the Cell: Expanding Clinical Implications to Complex Human Behavioral and SomaticDisorders. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2009 October ; 1179: 153–166. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04988.x.
Dr. Amen. Change Your Brain, Change Your Body. NY. Three Rivers Press. 2010.
DFH Friday Fun Facts
Dr. Jeff Moss (phone conversation 5/13/2011).
