What is Potassium Iodide (KI)?

Potassium Iodide (KI)

Possible Health Effects Of Radiation Exposure And Contamination Medical Countermeasures (Treatments) For Radiation Exposure And Contamination Health Information For Specific Groups

• What is Potassium Iodide (KI)?
• How does KI (potassium iodide) work?
• Who can take KI (potassium iodide)?
• How is KI (potassium iodide) given?
• How often should I take KI (potassium iodide)?
• What are the side effects of KI (potassium iodide)?
• Where can I get KI (potassium iodide)?

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What is Potassium Iodide (KI)?

KI (potassium iodide) is a salt of stable (not radioactive) iodine that can help block radioactive iodine from being absorbed by the thyroid gland, thus protecting this gland from radiation injury.

The thyroid gland is the part of the body that is most sensitive to radioactive iodine.

People should take KI (potassium iodide) only on the advice of public health or emergency management officials. There are health risks associated with taking KI.

KI (potassium iodide) does not keep radioactive iodine from entering the body and cannot reverse the health effects caused by radioactive iodine once the thyroid is damaged.

• KI (potassium iodide) only protects the thyroid, not other parts of the body, from radioactive iodine.

KI (potassium iodide) cannot protect the body from radioactive elements other than radioactive iodine—if radioactive iodine is not present, taking KI is not protective and could cause harm.

Table salt and foods rich in iodine do not contain enough iodine to block radioactive iodine from getting into your thyroid gland. Do not use table salt or food as a substitute for KI.

Do not use dietary supplements that contain iodine in the place of KI (potassium iodide). They can be harmful and non-efficacious. Only use products that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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How does KI (potassium iodide) work?

The thyroid gland cannot tell the difference between stable and radioactive iodine. It will absorb both.

KI (potassium iodide) blocks radioactive iodine from entering the thyroid. When a person takes KI, the stable iodine in the medicine gets absorbed by the thyroid. Because KI contains so much stable iodine, the thyroid gland becomes “full” and cannot absorb any more iodine—either stable or radioactive—for the next 24 hours.

KI (potassium iodide) may not give a person 100% protection against radioactive iodine. Protection will increase depending on three factors.

• Time after contamination: The sooner a person takes KI, the more time the thyroid will have to “fill up” with stable iodine.
• Absorption: The amount of stable iodine that gets to the thyroid depends on how fast KI is absorbed into the blood.
• Dose of radioactive iodine: Minimizing the total amount of radioactive iodine a person is exposed to will lower the amount of harmful radioactive iodine the thyroid can absorb.

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Who can take KI (potassium iodide)?

The thyroid glands of a fetus and of an infant are most at risk of injury from radioactive iodine. Young children and people with low amounts of iodine in their thyroid are also at risk of thyroid injury.

Infants (including breast-fed infants)

Infants have the highest risk of getting thyroid cancer after being exposed to radioactive iodine. All infants, including breast-fed infants need to be given the dosage of KI (potassium iodide) recommended for infants.

• Infants (particularly newborns) should receive a single dose of KI. More than a single dose may lead to later problems with normal development. Other protective measures should be used.
• In cases where more than one dose is necessary, medical follow up may be necessary.

Children

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that all children internally contaminated with (or likely to be internally contaminated with) radioactive iodine take KI (potassium iodide), unless they have known allergies to iodine (contraindications).

Young Adults

The FDA recommends that young adults (between the ages of 18 and 40 years) internally contaminated with (or likely to be internally contaminated with) radioactive iodine take the recommended dose of KI (potassium iodide). Young adults are less sensitive to the effects of radioactive iodine than are children.

Pregnant Women

Because all forms of iodine cross the placenta, pregnant women should take KI (potassium iodide) to protect the growing fetus. Pregnant women should take only one dose of KI following internal contamination with (or likely internal contamination with) radioactive iodine.

Breastfeeding Women:

Women who are breastfeeding should take only one dose of KI (potassium iodide) if they have been internally contaminated with (or are likely to be internally contaminated with) radioactive iodine. They should be prioritized to receive other protective action measures.

Adults:

Adults older than 40 years should not take KI (potassium iodide) unless public health or emergency management officials say that contamination with a very large dose of radioactive iodine is expected.

• Adults older than 40 years have the lowest chance of developing thyroid cancer or thyroid injury after contamination with radioactive iodine.
• Adults older than 40 are more likely to have allergic reactions to or adverse effects from KI.

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How is KI (potassium iodide) given?

The FDA has approved two different forms of KI (potassium iodide), tablets and liquid, that people can take by mouth after a radiation emergency involving radioactive iodine.

Tablets come in two strengths, 130 milligram (mg) and 65 mg. The tablets have lines on them so that they may be cut into smaller pieces for lower doses.

For the oral liquid solution, each milliliter (mL) contains 65 mg of KI (potassium iodide).

According to the FDA, the following doses are appropriate to take after internal contamination with (or likely internal contamination with) radioactive iodine:

• Newborns from birth to 1 month of age should be given 16 mg (¼ of a 65 mg tablet or ¼ mL of solution). This dose is for both nursing and non-nursing newborn infants.
• Infants and children between 1 month and 3 years of age should take 32 mg (½ of a 65 mg tablet OR ½ mL of solution). This dose is for both nursing and non-nursing infants and children.
• Children between 3 and 18 years of age should take 65 mg (one 65 mg tablet OR 1 mL of solution). Children who are adult size (greater than or equal to 150 pounds) should take the full adult dose, regardless of their age.
• Adults should take 130 mg (one 130 mg tablet OR two 65 mg tablets OR two mL of solution).
• Women who are breastfeeding should take the adult dose of 130 mg.

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How often should KI (potassium iodide) be taken?

Taking a stronger dose of KI (potassium iodide), or taking KI more often than recommended, does not offer more protection and can cause severe illness or death.

A single dose of KI (potassium iodide) protects the thyroid gland for 24 hours. A one-time dose at recommended levels is usually all that is needed to protect the thyroid gland.

In some cases, people can be exposed to radioactive iodine for more than 24 hours. If that happens, public health or emergency management officials may tell you to take one dose of KI (potassium iodide) every 24 hours for a few days.

Avoid repeat dosing with KI (potassium iodide) for pregnant and breastfeeding women and newborn infants.

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What are the side effects of KI (potassium iodide)?

Side effects of KI (potassium iodide) may include stomach or gastro-intestinal upset, allergic reactions, rashes, and inflammation of the salivary glands.

When taken as recommended, KI (potassium iodide) can cause rare adverse health effects related to the thyroid gland.

These rare adverse effects are more likely if a person:

• Takes a higher than recommended dose of KI
• Takes the drug for several days
• Has a pre-existing thyroid disease.

Newborn infants (less than 1 month old) who receive more than one dose of KI (potassium iodide) are at risk for developing a condition known as hypothyroidism (thyroid hormone levels that are too low). If not treated, hypothyroidism can cause brain damage.

• Infants who receive more than a single dose of KI should have their thyroid hormone levels checked and monitored by a doctor.
• Avoid repeat dosing of KI to newborns.

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Where can I get KI (potassium iodide)?

KI (potassium iodide) is available without a prescription. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)  has approved some brands of KI.

People should only take KI (potassium iodide) on the advice of public health or emergency management officials. There are health risks associated with taking KI.

More detailed information on KI (potassium iodide) can be found at theFDA Website 

Natural Treatment for Radiation Side Effects

To date, the use of alternative medicine in treatment of radiation side effects has not been extensively studied. Furthermore, since certain natural therapies may interfere with the effects of radiation treatment, it's extremely important to talk with your doctor before using any type of alternative medicine while undergoing radiation (and to let him or her know about any natural remedies or alternative therapies you're already using).

Here's a look at several types of natural treatments studied for their effects on people receiving radiation therapy:

1) Acupuncture

In a pilot study published in 2009, researchers assigned 19 cancer patients to four weeks of twice-weekly acupuncture sessions and found that the needle-based Chinese therapy helped relieve radiation-induced xerostomia (severe dry mouth that occurs when the salivary glands can't produce enough saliva).

Other preliminary research suggests that acupuncture may also reduce radiation side effects like insomnia and fatigue.

2) Herbs

Research on animals indicates that curcumin (an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound found in the curry spice turmeric) may help protect against radiation-induced damage to the skin. Other research in animals shows that the herb ginkgo biloba may help shield against organ damage resulting from radiation therapy. And although aloe vera is often touted as a natural remedy for radiation-induced skin changes, a 2005 research review concluded that there is not enough evidence to suggest that topical aloe vera is effective in preventing or minimizing radiation-induced skin reactions.

3) Probiotics

In a 2007 study of 490 patients receiving radiation for various types of cancer, researchers found that those taking probiotics throughout their treatment were less likely to experience radiation-induced diarrhea.

Avoiding Alternative Medicine During Radiation Therapy

Although some types of alternative medicine show promise in the treatment of radiation side effects, other therapies (such as antioxidant supplements and massage therapy) have been found to produce harmful effects when used in combination with radiation.

Sources:

American Cancer Society. "What Can I Do to Take Care of Myself during Therapy?". December 2008.

Delia P, Sansotta G, Donato V, Frosina P, Messina G, De Renzis C, Famularo G. "Use of probiotics for prevention of radiation-induced diarrhea." World J Gastroenterol. 2007 14;13(6):912-5.

Garcia MK, Chiang JS, Cohen L, Liu M, Palmer JL, Rosenthal DI, Wei Q, Tung S, Wang C, Rahlfs T, Chambers MS. "Acupuncture for radiation-induced xerostomia in patients with cancer: a pilot study." Head Neck. 2009 31(10):1360-8.

Lawenda BD, Kelly KM, Ladas EJ, Sagar SM, Vickers A, Blumberg JB. "Should supplemental antioxidant administration be avoided during chemotherapy and radiation therapy?" J Natl Cancer Inst. 2008 4;100(11):773-83.

Lu W. "Acupuncture for side effects of chemoradiation therapy in cancer patients." Semin Oncol Nurs. 2005 21(3):190-5.

Mao JJ, Styles T, Cheville A, Wolf J, Fernandes S, Farrar JT. "Acupuncture for nonpalliative radiation therapy-related fatigue: feasibility study." J Soc Integr Oncol. 2009 (2):52-8.

National Cancer Institute. "Radiation Therapy and You". April 2007.

Okunieff P, Xu J, Hu D, Liu W, Zhang L, Morrow G, Pentland A, Ryan JL, Ding I. "Curcumin protects against radiation-induced acute and chronic cutaneous toxicity in mice and decreases mRNA expression of inflammatory and fibrogenic cytokines." Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2006 1;65(3):890-8.

Richardson J, Smith JE, McIntyre M, Thomas R, Pilkington K. "Aloe vera for preventing radiation-induced skin reactions: a systematic literature review." Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol). 2005 17(6):478-84.

Sener G, Kabasakal L, Atasoy BM, Erzik C, Velioğlu-Oğünç A, Cetinel S, Gedik N, Yeğen BC. "Ginkgo biloba extract protects against ionizing radiation-induced oxidative organ damage in rats." Pharmacol Res. 2006 53(3):241-52. Epub 2006 Jan 10.

Natural Products and Foods That Help Protect Against Radiation

Modern medicine has nothing to help protect from radiation poisoning, but alternative approaches offer a range of preventives and treatments. A quick reference is included.

by Heidi Stevenson

16 March 2011

Kombucha tea and apples can help mitigate the effects of radiation.

Modern medicine can offer nothing to protect against or prevent the effects of radiation poisoning. The best they have to offer is high doses of iodine, which helps to protect only the thyroid, and the worst of antiobiotics to help check rampant infections in advanced stages of poisoning. In contrast, there are several natural treatments to both limit radiation damage and remove the toxins. Some have been well documented to be effective.

The time to treat radiation poisoning is before it has done any damage. Therefore, two approaches can—and should—be taken. The first is to try to prevent radiation from getting into the body. The second is to try to eliminate it once it has entered. Natural methods can help in both arenas.

Quick Reference for Radiation Prevention and Treatment

Wash the Skin

We tend to have an image of radiation has something that simply pierces the skin—as if nothing can interfere with its entry into the body. This is not always true. In fact, the worst kind of radiation, alpha, is completely unable to pierce the skin.

Our skin is our first line of defense against radiation. Therefore, at the first indication that there might be radioactivity in your area, the first thing you should do is take off whatever clothing you're wearing and dispose of it, and then wash yourself well by soaking and using soap.

Protect the Thyroid

You're probably aware of modern medicine's, and the government's, advice to get iodine—generally in the form of potassium iodide—to take shortly before exposure to radiation. That is helpful for the thyroid, but nothing else. However, we should not take the thyroid's health lightly. Damage to it means that the body's entire energy-generating system is harmed, which will rapidly lead to severe ill health, exhaustion, and death.

The thyroid cannot tell the difference between radioactive and nonradioactive iodine. Therefore, if the thyroid is effectively filled with nonradioactive iodine, then the radioactive variety cannot be absorbed by it. It's simply excreted and does little or no harm.

Therefore, iodine supplementation is a valuable method for limiting the effects of radioactive iodine. Of course, you may also have noted that there's been a run on it in the US, and in the UK it isn't legally available to the general public. (This, of course, is another example of big brotherism that needs to be stopped!)

There are, however, ways to obtain the needed iodine. You could follow the government's advice by eating Agribusiness food stuff "fortified" with iodine, such as condensed milk, commercial mayonnaise, or a few others. Perhaps someone has tested these so-called foods to see if the "fortified" iodine is actually taken up by the thyroid, but I've yet to see any supporting documentation. It should also be pointed out that milk "fortified" with Vitamin D does not provide much Vitamin D to the body.

Unless an exceptionally large dose of radiation is expected, people over the age of 40 probably shouldn't dose themselves with potassium iodide. They are significantly more likely to have adverse reactions to high doses, and are better served by taking a natural source of iodine. The heartening news, though, is that people over 40 are much less likely to get thyroid cancer, so their risk isn't as great.

Natural Sources of Iodine

The most obvious iodine source in nature is seaweed, especially that of the Laminaria family. The term Kelp generally refers to any member of that family. You can purchase Kelp and other seaweeds from Asian and Chinese groceries, and from many supermarkets. It would be wise to start including it in large quantities in your diet immediately.

Another good source of iodine is sea fish, especially Scotland's favorite, haddock, which is the single most iodine-rich food known.

However, a more direct and quick method of supplementing iodine in quantities sufficient to sate the thyroid, thus preventing radioactive iodine from obtaining a purchase, is Kelp supplements, which are available in most healthfood and herb shops throughout the US and the EU.

How Much Iodine?

The generally recommended level of iodine is 125 µg (micrograms) a day. That, though, is nowhere near adequate for normal good health, and certainly isn't good enough to protect your thyroid from radiation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends potassium iodide supplementation at the rate of 130 mg (milligrams) per day to prevent the thyroid's uptake of radioactive iodine. About one-third of potassium iodide is iodine. Therefore, an appropriate single day iodine dosage for prevention is about 43 mg.—a significant amount, which leaves seaweed as a poor source for quickly loading iodine into the thyroid.

Therefore, the only realistic source for iodine to protect against radiation is supplemental Kelp in pills and tablets, such as found in a health food shop. Read the label to determine how much will add up to about 43 milligrams.

Keep in mind that supplementation at this high a level should be done only in radiation emergencies, and only for as long as needed about a day before the radiation arrives. It may help for about a day afterwards, but that's all.

After Exposure: Chelation/Detoxing

After radiation exposure, you do not have to sit back and wait to get sick, worrying about how severe the damage is. This is where natural medicine is light years ahead of allopathy. We don't wait for symptoms. Instead, we learn from prior experience and use that knowledge. Following are methods for detoxing.

One point should be made clear. The term chelation is usually used in reference to removing toxic heavy metals. That is not the case in terms of nuclear radioactivity. While it's certainly true that the radiating materials are heavy metals, the radiation itself never includes the whole atom. It consists of atomic particles and waves. In this context, chelation refers to elimination of excess radioactivity in the body.

Spirulina and Chlorella

Spirulina and Chlorella are useful for both reducing radiation levels and for improving general health. They are both types of alga highly rich in nutrients.

Spirulina

Spirulina has been studied in Russia, China, and Belarus. The studies showed different, but related, effects of Spirulina. They include reduction of radioactivity in urine by 50% in children after 20 days, and reduction of Immunogobulin E in children living in radioaactive areas (usually cited as near Chernobyl, but I couldn't document that). They claimed that the blood of all children who received 5 grams of Spirulina per day for 6 weeks was normalized, while that of children who didn't receive Spirulina was unchanged.

Spirulina is a blue-green alga. It thrives in eutrophic, that is, extremely nutrient dense, bodies of water, so it is exceptionally high in many nutrients. Appropriate dosage has not been established. The experience of researchers seems to indicate that 5 mg. per day is safe. However, there have been some indications that its ability to eliminate toxins may put stress on the liver. Therefore, it's important to take a liver detox, such as Milk Thistle, with it. (See Milk Thistle below.)

Chlorella

Chlorella is often listed along with Spirulina as a radiation chelator or equivalent. While it most assuredly is a superbly nutrient-dense food and is known to ease the effects of chemotherapy, it seems that it's often confused with Spirulina. It is noted for its ability to counter the effects of ultraviolet radiation, the type that causes sunburns, and that is certainly beneficial. However, claims that it's been shown to counter the effects of nuclear-type radiation seem to be based on confusing the studies of Spirulina (documented in the previous section) with Chlorella.

By all means, take Chlorella to improve your health, including after radiation exposure. It is a good general detoxer, noted for its ability to pull pesticides and heavy metals from the body. However, you would be wise to ignore anyone trying to sell it to you as a protector against nuclear radiation. It may be, but there is no evidence to that effect.

However, if you're looking for a superb nutrient that can help support your body as it battles radiation poisoning, Chlorella has been shown to provide superb support for people being given radiation treatment for cancer.

Kombuchka Tea

Kombucha Tea is made by fermenting sweet black tea with a pancake-like culture of yeasts and bacteria, which is often called a mushroom, though that's obviously a misnomer. It's an ancient herbal treatment for a wide range of ailments, including cancer, arthritis, digestive disorders, heart disease, asthma, blood pressure drops, and other diseases. It has more recently been documented for its ability to increase vitality, increase T cell counts, and regrow hair. It's believed to stimulate the immune system.

In September 2010, the Journal of Environmental Biology published "Protective effect of kombucha mushroom (KM) tea on chromosomal aberrations induced by gamma radiation in human peripheral lymphocytes in-vitro" documented that Kombuchka Tea protects against the toxicity of gamma radiation by combatting free radicals. The study was performed on human peripheral lymphocytes exposed to 5 Gy gamma radiation.

This is very strong evidence documenting the ability of Kombuchka Tea to detox gamma radiation, a type that is produced by both uranium and plutonium, both of which are used in nuclear power generating stations.

Bentonite Clay and Zeolite

Both Bentonite Clay and Zeolite have strong and well deserved reputations for detoxing. Both are well noted for their ability to detox heavy metals. Unfortunately, that fact seems to have been used to assume that they can detox radiation. As explained earlier, although radiation comes from heavy metals, the radiation itself is not a metal. It can be either a subatomic particle or a wave, but it is not a complete atom, like metals.

While it may be true that Bentonite Clay and Zeolite can detox radiation from the body, there is nothing to support the claim.

Milk Thistle

In any situation in which the liver is asked to do extra duty, providing extra support is advisable. In the case of radiation poisoning, it's even more important. Radiation itself is particularly hard on the liver, and the extra stress placed on it by excessive free radicals makes it even more important.

Fortunately, there is a tried and true herb for liver support. Milk Thistle, also called Silymarin, is commonly available. Its stimulative effect can cause mild adverse effects, including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, rash, and upset stomach.

Even people who take nothing else to combat radiation poisoning should consider taking Milk Thistle. It can be the difference between health and sickness. Radiation will certainly put stress on your liver, so protecting it is of paramount concern.

Various Nutrients

A large number of nutrients and foods are suggested as being helpful in preventing or limiting the effects of nuclear radiation. There is truth in many of those suggestions, but most come with significant problems. First, in acute situations, we aren't looking for slow-acting remedies. Because most of these methods tend to be slower, their symbiotic effects with other nutrients can have confounding results. Nonetheless, here is a list of nutrients noted for their beneficial effect on radiation illness:

• Pectin (from any fruit, but most readily separated from apples). There are indications that pectin may reduce radioactivity in the body, but it does not appear to be definitive.
• Calcium is believed to bind radioactivity, but whether it's effective as a radioactivity chelator is unclear.
• Vegetable oils (However, it should also be considered that any vegetable oil purchased from a supermarket is hydrogenated, and therefore has an overall negative effect in the body.)
• Buckwheat and millet seeds.
• Chlorophyll-rich foods, such as broccoli, green cabbage, and alfalfa, have been documented to counter the effects of radiation, though it seems to be unknown whether it chelates the radiation or simply counters the ill effects.
• Brewers' yeast is noted for countering the effects of radiation, though like chlorophyll-rich foods, it's not known where it counters the ill effects or chelates the radiation.
• Miso soup. It may be that it's beneficial because of high levels of iodine, but miso is well documented to benefit circulation and remove blood clots.
• Nettles, usually made into tea.
• Burdock root (Arctium lappa): This item is questionable, as it's known for its ability to eliminate radioactive isotopes from the body, which is not the salient issue in radiation poisoning.
• Foods noted for fighting or preventing cancer, such as dried beans (especially lentils and mung beans), cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cabbage, veggies with high levels of beta carotene, black and green teas.
• Vitamins and supplements:
  • Vitamin E (large doses)
  • Vitamin C (large doses)
  • Calcium (large doses)
  • B complex (Excessive doses should be avoided. The symptoms of overdosing Vitamin B are similar to those for underdosing and can be quite severe.)
  • Magnesium (A large percentage of people may be deficient in this important mineral.)

Diet in General

Do you notice anything about the list of beneficial nutrients for radiation poisoning? They're the same things that you'll find on nearly all lists of particularly healthy foods. That should make the next point quite obvious: The very best way to deal with radiation poisoning is by being healthy in the first place. That means routinely eating health foods and avoiding bad ones, especially processed foods. Sugar, in particular, needs to be avoided when exposed to radiation.

As can be seen from all the natural products that can be used to improve one's ability to prevent, detox, and overcome the effects of radiation, natural healing methods clearly offer far more than modern medicine's approach of trying to protect a single organ, the thyroid, and then, when the body has lost its ability to care for itself, throwing highly toxic antibiotics at a weakened system.

Click here for the accompanying quick reference.

If you're aware of any significant natural radiation detox or treatment methods and can provide supporting evidence, please send me an e-mail.