Nourish and Protect with Macrobiotic Philosophy

During my stay and employment at the Kushi Institute in Becket, Massachusetts, I had the Pleasure and Blessing of studying and working with some of the most inspiring Macrobiotic Teachers. Michio and Aveline Kushi  were the Blessing,  This was such an amazing and magical time in my life that I have decided that for the month of May I will bring you some of the  information and ideas shared with me by my Teachers both then and now. I hope you will find this information as inspiring as do.

Let's begin with a topic that we have been hearing a lot about lately and coincidentally shared with us by one of my favorite Teachers.

Concerned About Nuclear Radiation Fallout?

Kushi Institute senior teacher and macrobiotic counselor John Kozinski shares timely information on this important issue.

Ideas to Protect Yourself from Harmful Radiation

As the crisis in Japan unfolds, there is uncertainty about possible radiation that may affect Japan and the world.

Potassium iodide pills have been sold out at many of the American distributors. Potassium iodide helps protect a person from the harmful effects of radioactive iodine by blocking it's uptake into the thyroid. One possible serious effect of exposure to large doses of radioactive iodine is thyroid cancer.

There are some natural foods that will help if you have radiation exposure. Here is a list with some explanations.

1. Leafy greens: stimulate the colon and help the liver discharge radiation from the body.
2. Fermented foods: have the same effect as leafy greens. These include miso, natural cucumber 
   pickles, and fermented sauerkraut. The best quality pickles are homemade or found in the refrigerated section of the store. They do not have vinegar as an ingredient.
3. Avoid or limit sugars. These will ferment in the gut and interfere with elimination
4. Avoid excessive amounts of whole wheat flour products. The excess fiber will interfere with gut bacteria, hampering elimination.
5. Avoid hard and dry grains such as granola, and dried cereal. This kind of fiber creates bad bacteria hampering the gut.
6. Eat moderate amounts of grains and cooked vegetables, small amounts of beans regularly and fish along with some cooked fruit, healthy fats and natural seasonings. If you eat other forms of animal foods, be moderate. Excessive amounts will interfere with digestion
7. Limit raw foods. Raw fiber is harder to digest and will hamper elimination.
8. Good quality saturated fats block the toxicity of radioactive ions such as avocado and coconut oil. Increase these in times of a nuclear disaster.
9. Fatty fish: fat soluble vitamins in fatty fish like wild salmon or sardines aid elimination. Eat more often in a disaster.
10. Kelp tablets from clean waters or kombu powder made from kombu from clean waters. The natural iodine can replace the potassium iodine pills. Take a pill every 1-2 hours if exposed to radiation. North American Herb and Spice Company has good quality kelp under the name, PureKelp. If using kombu powder take a half teaspoon 3 times a day.
11. Miso has a substance that will remove radiation from the body. Prepare soups and season with a strong taste of miso if there is nuclear disaster. Drink 3 cups per day.
12. Umeboshi Plums: Take 1-2 daily. This will stimulate the liver and colon to eliminate radiation.
13. Supplements for Radiation disasters: organic selenium, 200 micrograms every hour for one week then 600 micrograms daily. Vitamin E: 400 IU every hour for 1-2 days, then 2400 IU daily. Buy Vitamin E as mixed tocopherols and/or tocotrienols.
14. North American Herb and Spice Company has a product that combines herbs, supplements and potassium iodine. It is called NukeProtect.
15. Chlorella: 2 - 500 mg. capsules 3 times per day or follow directions on the bottle

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The programs and services as well as all information in this Blog are educational in nature, not medical advice, and not intended to take the place of personalized medical counseling, diagnosis and treatment.

NEXT TIME: Recipes from Mayumi's Kitchen, a must have Macrobiotic Cookbook. Mayumi Nishimura has been Madonna's Personal Chef for close to a decade, nourishing the Material Girl with her amazing energy and cooking. OMG! Did I mention how beautiful Mayumi's food is!