A CT scan creates a detailed 3D image of the inside of a body part or even the entire body of a person. It can reveal abnormalities such as abscesses, aneurysms, cancer tumors, fractures, and other health risks.
However, each session exposes the patient to as much radiation as multiple conventional X-ray scans. This heavy dose of ionizing radiation increase the chances of an otherwise preventable cancer.
The National Cancer Institute suspects that CT scans cause 29,000 new cancer cases in the U.S. every year. Yet every year, 72 million such scans will be performed on Americans.
However, there are natural nutrients that can protect against the cellular and genetic damage caused by X-ray radiation. It is highly recommended to eat large amounts of foods containing these nutrients before undergoing a CT scan. (Related: PROVEN: Eating organic food lowers cancer risk.)
Lemon balm contains plenty of antioxidants that prevent ionizing radiation from creating toxic chemicals in the body. It also increases the activity of superoxide dismutase, a natural enzyme that similarly scavenges free radicals before they cause harmful oxidation. Both DNA and lipid cell membranes benefit from the protection of lemon balm's many active compounds.
Drink lemon balm tea for at least a month before the CT scan. A daily dose of 1.5 g of lemon balm in 100 mL of water was shown to protect radiologists from the low-level radiation in their workplace.
Your next option is ginkgo, a popular health supplement. It can protect fragile DNA strands from breaking apart due to heavy doses of radiation, thereby preventing the development of cancers linked to severe genetic damage.
Ginkgo can protect up to 60 percent of your chromosomes from getting altered. It will also help repair the damaged DNA.
Take at least 40 mg of ginkgo thrice a day for at least one month before the scan. Continue the treatment for at least two months afterwards. This will return your genetic health back to the levels it enjoyed before you were irradiated with all of those X-rays.
To help your immune system recover faster from the debilitating effects of the CT scan, take spirulina extract. The health supplement stimulates the creation of more antibodies and white blood cells. The former locates potentially harmful microbes and marks them for the latter to engulf and destroy.
Spirulina also supports the increased growth of bone marrow. This tissue is extremely vulnerable to the toxic effects of radiation, but it can regenerate faster once spirulina starts spurring its growth factors into actions.
Last but not least is ascorbic acid – good old vitamin C – the bar by which all antioxidants are measured. It is administered to victims and survivors of nuclear disasters as an effective means of treating the harmful effects of radiation exposure.
When taken in moderate doses, vitamin C can shield cells and tissues from radiation, be it from accidents like the Fukushima disaster or the lower levels during radiation therapy. It can even undo some of the damage. You can never get enough vitamin C, so always take it even when you are not expecting to undergo a CT scan.
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