Recently, the incident of Japan’s nuclear wastewater discharge into the sea has garnered significant attention. The heat around topics related to nuclear radiation and radiation protection continues to rise. A Ph.D. in Biology from the Chinese Academy of Sciences stated that nuclear radiation is a type of ionizing radiation, which severely affects individual development.
Source: CCTV.com
In daily life, in addition to ionizing radiation, there is also ubiquitous non-ionizing radiation. What are the differences between these types of radiation? And how can we mitigate the damage caused by radiation? Let’s delve into this together.
Dr. Yu Shun, a radiologist at the Fujian Provincial Hospital, once explained in the live broadcast room of “Shared Doctors” that we usually divide radiation into “ionizing radiation” and “non-ionizing radiation.”
| Ionizing Radiation | Non-ionizing Radiation | |
| Features | High energyCan ionize matterCan cause damage to cells and even DNADangerous | Exposure to less energy in daily lifeLacks the ability to ionize substancesDifficult to cause direct harm to humansRelatively safe |
| Applications | Nuclear fuel cycleResearch on radioactive nuclidesX-ray detectorTumor radiotherapy | Induction cookerMicrowave ovenWIFIMobile phoneComputer screen |
Depending on the frequency band and power, especially the length of exposure time, radiation can cause varying degrees of damage to the human body. Severe cases not only affect the body’s nervous, circulatory, and other systems, but also impact the reproductive system.
How to alleviate radiation damage? The following 6 aspects are often overlooked.
1.Stay away when you see this radiation warning symbol.
When you find a ‘trefoil’ symbol as shown in the picture nearby, please keep your distance.
Large equipment such as radars, TV towers, communication signal towers, and high-voltage substations generate high-intensity electromagnetic waves when in operation. It is advisable to stay as far away from them as possible.
2. Wait a moment after the phone is connected before bringing it close to your ear.
The research indicates that the radiation is at its peak when the phone call is just connected, and it rapidly decreases after the call is connected. Therefore, after dialing and connecting a call, you can wait for a moment before bringing the mobile phone close to your ear.
3. Do not place home appliances too concentratedly.
In some people’s bedrooms, televisions, computers, game consoles, air conditioners, air purifiers, and other appliances occupy most of the space. These appliances generate a certain amount of radiation when operating. Living in such an environment for a long time can pose a threat to health.
4.A healthy diet ensures adequate nutritional intake.
If the human body lacks essential fatty acids and various vitamins, it may lead to a decrease in the body’s tolerance to radiation. Vitamins A, C, and E form an excellent antioxidant combination. It is recommended to consume more cruciferous vegetables such as rapeseed, mustard, cabbage, and radish.
5.Do not extend your hand into the lead curtain during security checks.
When undergoing security checks for transportation methods such as subways and trains, do not extend your hand into the lead curtain. Wait for your baggage to slide out before retrieving it.
6. Be cautious when choosing stone materials for home decoration, and ensure proper ventilation after renovation.
Some natural stones contain the radioactive nuclide radium, which can release the radioactive gas radon. Long-term exposure can harm human health, so it is advisable to avoid using large amounts of such materials.
Ganoderma has anti-radiation effects.
Today, the anti-radiation effects of Ganoderma are widely applied in clinical practice, primarily to alleviate the damage caused by radiation therapy for tumors.
As early as the late 1970s, Professor Lin Zhibin and his team from Peking University Health Science Center observed the survival of mice after being irradiated with 60Coγ. They discovered that Ganoderma has anti-radiation effects.
Subsequently, they conducted more research around the anti-radiation effects of Ganodermaand achieved gratifying results.
A study published in the “China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica” in 1997, titled “The Effect of Ganoderma Lucidum Spore Powder on the Immune Function of Mice and its Anti-60Co Radiation Effect”, indicated that the spore powder significantly enhances the immune function of mice. Moreover, it has the effect of inhibiting the reduction of white blood cells and improving the survival rate in mice exposed to a dose of 60Co 870γ radiation.
In 2007, a study published in “Central South Pharmacy” titled “Study on the Radioprotective Effect of Compound Ganoderma Powder on Mice” demonstrated that the combination of “Ganoderma extract + sporoderm-broken spore powder’ can alleviate the damage to bone marrow cells, leukopenia and low immunity caused by radiation therapy.
In 2014, a study published in the Journal of Medical Postgraduates titled “Protective Effect of Ganoderma Lucidum Polysaccharides on Radiation-Damaged Mice” confirmed that Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides have a strong anti-radiation effect and can significantly improve the survival rate of mice exposed to lethal doses of 60 Coγ radiation.
In 2014, the Qianfoshan Campus Hospital of Shandong University released a study titled “Protective Effect of Ganoderma Lucidum Spore Oil on Radiation-Damaged Aging Mice’, which experimentally confirmed that Ganoderma lucidum spore oil has an antagonistic effect on radiation-induced damage in aging mice.
These studies all demonstrate that Ganoderma lucidumhas a radioprotective effect.
The increasingly severe external environment poses more and more challenges to our health. In our daily lives, where we can’t avoid radiation, we might as well take more Ganoderma to seek good fortune and avoid disaster.
References:
[1] Health Times. Don’t misuse these “radiationprotective” products! Remember these 6 tips to stay away from radiation in daily life! 2023.8.29
[2] Yu Suqing et al. The effect of Ganoderma lucidum spore powder on the immune function of mice and its anti-60Co radiation effect. China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica.1997.22 (10); 625
[3] Xiao Zhiyong, Li Ye et al. Study on the radioprotective effect of compound Ganoderma powder on mice. Central South Pharmacy. 2007.5(1).26
[4] Jiang Hongmei et al. Protective effect of Ganoderma lucidum spore oil on radiation-damaged aging mice. Qianfoshan Campus Hospital, Shandong University
[5] Ding Yan et al. Protective effect of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on radiation-damaged mice. Journal of Medical Postgraduates. 2014.27(11).1152
