Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Seaweed has been used traditionally, especially in Japan and other East Asian cultures, to support overall health and as a dietary staple rather than specifically for radiation sickness. However, after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, anecdotal reports suggested that people who consumed diets rich in seaweed (particularly kelp and kombu) appeared to fare better in terms of radiation sickness symptoms. This tradition was later reinforced during the Chernobyl disaster, where seaweed supplements were distributed to help reduce radiation absorption. The rationale behind this practice lies in the high content of certain minerals in seaweed, especially iodine. Stable (non-radioactive) iodine, found in abundance in seaweed, can saturate the thyroid gland and prevent the uptake of radioactive iodine-131, thereby reducing the risk of thyroid cancer after radiation exposure. While this mechanism is scientifically valid for iodine, the broader use of seaweed for treating general radiation sickness is not well-substantiated by clinical trials. Some laboratory studies indicate that compounds in seaweed may have antioxidant or detoxifying effects, but these findings are preliminary. Therefore, the practice is primarily justified by tradition and limited scientific rationale related to iodine content, not by robust clinical evidence for comprehensive radiation sickness treatment.

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