Quote:
Originally Posted by tk471138
iodine has something to do with thyroid function...when their is alot of radiation in the environment a certain radioactive particle (forget which one specifically, i think its a type of iodine 131) will be absorbed by the body (in place of iodine)
thats why they sell alot of KI or potassium iodide during the fallout events, most recently the thing in japan....
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Quite correct TK!
Iodine is one of those things that our bodies stores in the Thyroid. Even though the isotope Iodine 131 is not very radioactive the body concentrated this in the Thyroid gland and it can be there for very long periods of time giving a very high risk of cancer.
The idea of the Iodine supplements is that if you saturate the Thyroid with non-radioactive Iodine when you ingest the radioactive isotope your body will just expel any surplus.
Potassium Iodine and iodine based water purifying systems are all good sources of the element. Iodized salt is readily available as well but if your like me on a low sodium diet I probably don't eat enough of the stuff to get the benefit from it.
But I guess when those bombs start a-droping it means screw the size limit and that salts back on the table!
