Superfoods to Protect Against EMFs
June 1st, 2012 | Food Facts, Our Food, antioxidants, calcium, electromagnetic, EMF, enzymes, foods, fruit, health, minerals, ORAC, probiotics, radiation, smartmeters, spices, superfood, vitamins, wireless, Zapped
With the levels of low-level electromagnetic pollution on the rise I thought I should share some of my favorite superfoods that help to protect against toxic wireless radiation. They include a list of foods high in antioxidants including melatonin, vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione and superoxide dismutase, foods high in probiotics that help to buffer our sensitive intestinal lining from the damaging electromagnetic frequencies and foods high in calcium that is readily absorbed by our bodies. Calcium is important as the wireless radiation from cellphones, wi-fi, smartmeters etc causes calcium drift in our cell membranes. Lack of calcium also causes damage to your ileocecal valve and your blood vessels (not to mention your teeth, bones and muscles). Recent studies have revealed just how damaging calcium supplement are. It is clearly best to get your vitamins, enzymes, minerals and probiotics from your food as much as possible. My list is pretty long, but it is not all-inclusive, there are plenty other fantastic foods I have missed these are just some of my favorites. Oh also be sure to avoid processed foods like the plague and absolutely no sugar–use honey or dates instead, as recommended in the SCD, GAPS or Paleo diets.
Low-level EMFs reduce major sources of antioxidant fire-power in our bodies–melatonin, vitamin C, vitamin E, probiotics, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione–which in turn promotes free radical DNA damage in our cells. In addition, this causes changes in calcium flow in the cells, which can suppress the immune system and keep our bodies in stress mode, triggering runaway inflammation.
The numbers following the food items are the ORAC numbers which aren’t exact, it will depend on how the food is grown etc but gives you a general idea for how powerful their antioxidant abilities are. ORAC is an acronym for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity and is a method developed by the National Institute on Aging for measuring the ability of a particular food to fight free radicals. If not otherwise stated ORAC numbers are for around 100g. Aim for 5000 ORAC points a day.
Antioxidant Rich Foods and Spices:
- Artichokes – 6552. Also contains cynarin and silymarin which are great for the liver. Silymarin is 10x more potent than vitamin E and increases body’s production of glutathione and SOD — also found in milk thistle.
- Asparagus– 2150. Also contains glutathione, rutin, selenium and zinc.
- Blueberries – 6552 per cup
- Cranberries – 9584. Can protect brain cells from free radical damage. Pair with apples even better.
- Cruciferous Vegetables (Broccoli, cabbage, diakon, cauliflower etc) – 2386. Also contain vitamin C, zinc, selenium, caffeic acid (reduces damaging effects of cell phone use, helps to buffer the blood brain barrier), sulforaphane. Don’t eat raw.
- Pomegranate Juice – 2341
- Prunes – 6552
- Red Beans – 8459
- Walnuts – 13,541. Also very high in vitamin E. Great for the brain.
- Pecans – 17,940
- Tart Cherries – Raw cherries 3,797. High in melatonin (dried cherries ORAC and melatonin is much more concentrated).
- Cinnamon – < 2675 ORAC per teaspoon stablize blood sugar since EMF exposure may raise blood sugar
- Turmeric – < 1593 ORAC per teaspoon reduces inflammation and many other things
- Cumin – < 768 ORAC per teaspoon free radical scavenger, enhances liver's detox antioxidant including glutatione. When exposed to microwave and gamma radiation they have more antioxidant power.
- Garlic raw – 5,708. Helps control blood sugar, high in sulfur containing compounds
- Dates – 3,895
- Broccoli – 2,160
- Portabella mushrooms – 969 per 100g
- Parsley raw – 1,301 per 100g. Also high in calcium and great for protecting the kidneys.
- Cilantro (leaves) – 5,141 per 100g. Cilantro is also a great heavy metal detoxer.
- Rosemary, dried – 16528 per 10 g.
Other Important Superfoods
- Grass-Fed Beef- excellent source of glutathione, zinc and selenium.
- Bone broth from free range and grass fed animals – broths are high in easily absorbed minerals including calcium.
- Okra – high in vitamins A, B and K, calcium, manganese and magnesium. High in antioxidants and soothing for the digestion. Increases bile production and removes toxins as well as helps to stabilize blood sugar levels.
- Eggs from free run chickens (be sure they are from a farmer you know not just from a company saying they are free range). Also contain high levels of sulphur.
- Raw milk, butter and cheeses- excellent sources of vitamin D (which helps the body absorb calcium) as well as calcium, enzymes and probiotics
- Homemade Yogurt / Kefir – high in calcium and has lots of probiotics which produce vitamin B, K for digestive health.
- Sauerkraut – High in vitamin C, cruciferous vegetables and probiotics. Add herbs and spices to increase antioxidant power
- Kombucha – high in probiotics also great for detoxing liver and a good source of glutathione.
- Tulsi tea (Holy Basil) – great for protecting against radiation
Delicious Superfood and High Anti-Oxidant Recipes:
- Tarragon Saurkraut
- Dried Cherry and Cardamom Compote
- Chocolate Walnut Torte
- Pomegranate and Kombucha Punch
- Cherry Ice Cream
- Blueberry Pie
- Burmese Egg Curry
- Miso Soup
- Bone Broth
- Kimchi and Broccoli Salad
- Pecan Pie
I have many more recipes posted on my site and many more coming, this is just a taste of all the good food you can eat to heal and protect yourself against EMFs.
More on Calcium:
One theory explaining the symptoms of electrosensitivity and radio wave sickness is that they are caused by the loss of calcium ions due to EMF exposure. Since these ions hold the membranes together, the cell is more vulnerable to damage. Dr. Andrew Goldsworthy was the first to notice the similarity between electrosensitivity symptoms and those of hypocalcemia, a deficit of calcium in the blood. He theorized that if someone already had low blood calcium, EMF exposure, which leaches calcium from the cells, might “push them over the edge.” The treatment: calcium. However, calcium must be in balance with magnesium for proper absorption. The ideal ratio should be at least 1:1 or even 2:1 in favor of magnesium.
When it comes to calcium, food is your best source. I like yogurt because it’s easily digestible, less likely to cause allergic reactions, can be safely eaten by those who are lactose intolerant, and contains probiotics that are vital to a healthy digestive and immune systems. Yogurt is also an unexpected source of iodine, which can help promote better thyroid function. -p184-185 Zapped by Ann Louise Gittleman
Minerals:
Minerals are the spark of life and even more important than vitamins when it comes to cellular health. They are really the front line of defense in protecting the body against increasingly pervasive EMFs.
Think of it this way: Every cell relies upon minerals for numerous bodily functions. And there are over seventy trillion cells in the human body, each one acting like a biological battery–a kind of mini-dynamo that generates life. Minerals are the catalysts to keep the battery going, help it hold a charge. Without minerals in the proper ratio, cellular membranes can’t maintain the proper liquid pressure between the inside and outside cell walls. It’s called osmotic pressure, and it’s what keeps viruses and bacteria from invading and cells from rupturing. Those same minerals, usually called electrolytes, help maintain the right pH in intracellular fluid so alien organisms that do slip by won’t survive. Any imbalance in this pressure causes cells to weaken and eventually die. Even the immune system depends upon this mineral balancing act, right down to the cellular level. The minerals of life recharge us on a minute-by-minute basis, empowering every cell, organ and tissue of the body. -p199-200 Zapped by Ann Louise Gittleman
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Thank you for this article. I have posted previously on some of the conditions I suffer with including Fibromyalgia and EHS, along with Hashimotos (which I have reversed). My symptoms of EHS have been really severe, sometimes putting me into complete paralysis due to the thickening of my blood. I have done all the superfoods with minimal improvement. I know I’ve had heavy metal poisoning along with mould toxicity too but my detox pathways were compromised quite badly so many of the superfoods that eliminate these things had to be avoided. I have literally spent thousands of dollars on supplements and powders to try alternative pathways of detoxification. I had been so desperate as the problem with EHS for me has been so severe I’ve had to avoid public places altogether. This has had a terrible impact on my relationship and my family as I can’t attend restaurants, family gatherings, shopping centres, and going to the beach or pool where you think there wouldn’t be phones, has become increasingly difficult. I’m an avid researcher of natural health and very confident that I always get my cure. I came across Dr Amy Yasko’s publications on Helicobacter Pylori and how it shuts down the detoxification pathways, causes Hashimotos and Fibromyalgia amongst many other unknown links. So I went to my Doctor and asked for the simple breath test for H.Pylori as I’d begun reacting to Cayenne after years of use. She argued that she didn’t think I had it due to lack of common symptoms. I persisted and she finally agreed to do the test to rule it out. Two days later, she rang me and asked me to come in. She couldn’t look at me and was so apologetic because the test was no only positive, my levels were extremely high. You have to have levels or Urease at 200 to be diagnosed and mine were 3197 so it had been there since I was a kid. When left and out of control, this little bug causes stomach ulceration and Gastric Cancer too. So I treated myself naturally and have another test next week to confirm its gone. Until I did the detox, I had no pain in my stomach but I know I have bad ulceration there now. I’m taking natural supplements and using superfoods to heal my gut now and I am detoxing the Mercury at the same time, slowly and carefully but for the first time, I can do it. Things are changing, I’m not as sensitive to the EMF’s and find I get headaches more than having the Fibromyalgia set off now. This is amazing and I’m telling everyone I know who is EHS to get tested for this bug as 75% of the population has it and its contagious through saliva. If you don’t have symptoms, demand it anyway. I totally believe this bug is so responsible for so many things now. Science is discovering the importance of the gut and the Microbiome and when you have holes in your lining, foods and allergens leak into your body causing so many other symptoms. For me, I believe the Fibromyalgia is clearing up because I’ve eliminated the H.Pylori. Yes it will still take up to 2 years to heal my stomach lining completely but I’m getting better and I’m doing so much better. I’m exercising and actually recovering daily, I have no lumps throughout my lymphatic system, and when exposed to EMF, the effects are gone the next day instead of taking months to eliminate while my partner had to massage them out with me screaming into a pillow. I hope my story helps some of you who have been suffering from these debilitating conditions.
Thank you so much Debra for sharing your experience with us. I am so glad to hear you have found out about the H. pylori and have found some relief from your symptoms. That is really powerful to hear that even your EMF reaction has shifted so dramatically. We would love to know how it goes for you. I am just curious if you are also on a diet like the Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet or the Specific Carbohydrate Diet?
No hellaD, I don’t follow any diets because of the food intolerances I’ve had. I’ve found it easier to work with my body although I do include fermented foods and beverages, a milder form of meat broth than the chicken one and a fair bit of raw food. I eat a lot of high fibre foods and include smoothies some days, being careful not to consume too many high oxylates. I make my own milk Kefir for probiotics and also supplement with a very high probiotic too. Would you recommend anything from those diets that might also help?
Thanks for your response Debra. You may want to at least read the book the Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet and look into the high fiber aspect of your diet as that can be quite challenging on a leaky gut.
It is freaking me out, because cell towers are everywhere you look! Now, T Mobile has put up a tower right next to our neighborhood! I am EMF sensitive and I am worried about cancer. I hope all the foods on this page help fight against cancer, and help fight the effects of EMF’s.
Yes you are right. It is very freaky and every month there are more. I am EMF sensitive too and we live in an area where there are cell towers on either side of us.
I have found the GAPS diet to be very helpful in helping to boost my defenses against EMFs. I also have found that the earthing mats are very helpful, but the most helpful thing I have found is the products sold by this dowser, who made them to help heal himself from cancer in the 80s. Check it out. http://www.emfblues.com I use the clearfield plate at home and when I am out and about I have a personal resonator so I can function in public places that have a ton of wi-fi.
Thanks for the link!
I hope someone reads this especially the person who said they’ve been EMF for 10 years. I’ve been EMF for about 12 to 13 years. My main symptom is the skin burning when exposed to UV or any strong electircal light source – phones, tvs, computers, even headlights from other cars. It has been a nightmare. And docs are clueless.
BUT I never gave up finding a way to manage it. I have tried with limited success ALOT of things that seemed to work at first to cool my skin down but then would just stop or only last an hour. These were (internally) vit e, fish oil, peppermint tea, coconut oil, spinach, soy milk, cayenne pepper -this last one worked fast and best of all. I was curious why these random items would almost immediately cool me down – at least within 10 minutes.
In my research, I discovered that all of these items had one thing in common – anti-inflammatory properties and some immuno-modulation. So I set off to find the best anti-inflammatory item out there.
Enter: Turmeric. Bought it, tried it, didn’t notice anything special beyond other things tried. So bank in my cupboard. Then as I was searching for something unrelated to my skin burning, I read that in order for Turmeric to really work you need to add bioperine (black pepper) for absorption. So I made a spice mix of 70% turmeric, 40% cayenne, and 10% black pepper – put in water and started drinking it. OK, so it seemed to do the trick but wasn’t magic. I figured it was the cayenned doing all the work but whatever turmeric is great for the liver so I kept drinking it daily. And lo and behold several months later, I have the realization that I could not remember the last time my skin really burned. I thought maybe I’m cured now.
At the time that I was drinking the spice mix, I also began making green smoothies. So I actually attributed my recovery to that. UNTIL i ran out of the turmeric for 2 wks. One night I did a little extra exfoliation on my face thinking that I didn’t really have the disorder anymore and the next day it was like the sun was shining 2 inches away from me in any type of light.
So I turned to my tried and trues list of above – the peppermint tea, coconut oil, fish pills, etc even the cayenne with limited relief. And then I remembered the turmeric. I immediately went out and purchased and while i am not fully burn sensation free. After 1 day of drinking about 3 glasses of this stuff, I can sit and type this without feeling like the sun is shining on me from 2 inces away. I will give it some time to see if it improves over the days and will report back. To know and to share If indeed the turmeric was the real powerhouse here. I hope this helps someone.
Wow thanks so much for sharing your experiences with turmeric with us. This is really valuable information to share. Good idea to add the cayenne to the turmeric and pepper.
I just wanted to add to this information on turmeric, that it is best to use it as it was used traditionally, as a spice not raw as E Sensitive is using it here. I have heard of some people now using raw turmeric in their smoothies or juices. Raw turmeric is hard for the liver to process. In India and other places where turmeric is used traditionally they go to great lengths to process the root properly so the spice is of maximum benefit to our bodies.
I have been EMF hypersensitive for 10 years. This began when a dentist allowed a piece of amalgam to go down my throat during a fillling replacement. The mercury set of a reaction that has now left me gluten intolerant, casein intolerant and hypersensitive to EMF’s. This is common with vaccine damaged children too! I’m wondering now if the mercury exposure destroyed the enzyme activity necc. to digest proteins, and if a consistantly low iron level is relative to less protection against the EMF’s.
Rachel detox your body with bentonite clay and take organic spirulina/organic chlorella. Take lots of organic vitamin c. Eat cilantro, garlic, drink white/green tea all organic of course. Above all love God with all your heart and soul and be as happy as possible. God bless and I pray you get/feel better.
I almost forgot also take a reishi, shiitake, maitake organic mushroom complex capsule.
Thanks for this timely information regarding EMFs