If you are like me, you may not have previously known that there are foods we can eat to protect our DNA from radiation damage. This post will highlight the best foods to eat before getting an x-ray or scan and even some foods that you can eat after the fact to boost and speed up DNA repair.
As someone who is hesitant when faced with x-rays, especially for my children, I am glad to know that there are some common foods that we can utilize to protect and repair your DNA. These are not rare, hard-to-find foods, but foods that can be found in most grocery stores.
Since we don’t always know when we’ll need to have an x-ray, CT or Pet Scan, it’s good to know that some of these powerful foods work after the fact to boost and speed up DNA repair.
What Is DNA and What Does it Do?
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a molecule that contains biological instructions, which we need to develop, survive and reproduce. DNA sequences convert into instructions for making proteins in the process of gene expression.
The field of epigenetics suggests that our behavior can influence which of our genes are expressed. Experts like Dr. Mark Hyman empower us with the knowledge that genetics are not fixed while encouraging us to make choices that turn on healthy genes and suppress the genetic expression of disease.
Many years ago, scientists believed we simply got what we got when it came to genetics, but thankfully this is not the case. Our lifestyle habits like food, exercise, toxin exposures and stress play can determine how our genes are expressed.
How do X-rays and Scans Affect My DNA?
Radiation from x-rays and CT and Pet scans use ionizing radiation, which damages our DNA and can lead to cancer down the road, according to Harvard Health. The amount of radiation exposure varies greatly by specific x-ray or scan.
For example, dental x-rays are on the lower end while PET/CT scans are on the higher end. For example, a PET/CT scan exposes you to about 25 mSv of radiation, which is equal to about 8 years of average background radiation exposure.
It’s important to note that these scans are often lifesaving and often the only way to view a health issue, which is why it’s key to have protective tools like nutrition in our back pocket!
Just because some x-rays use less radiation, does not mean they are completely harmless. We don’t fully understand the cumulative effects of radiation exposure over time. When someone in my family is offered an x-ray, I ask several questions.
For example, will the x-ray change our course of action or is it more curiosity? Is this something we can ultrasound instead? When it comes to x-rays and scans, sometimes there are alternatives or combinations of alternatives that can achieve the same result.
The alternative option may not be the “standard” due to insurance coverage, cost or time but still a solid option, so it never hurts to ask IMHO. While the holistic view of health is rapidly growing, thanks to fields of study like functional medicine, there is still sometimes a compartmentalization when it comes to our healthcare system.
Recent Rise in CT Scans
“Over 80 million CT scans are performed in the United States each year, compared with just three million in 1980.”
Radiation risk from medical imaging – Harvard Health
The use of CT scans has increased substantially in recent years. This isn’t necessarily all bad news as these scans are used to find and monitor serious health conditions. However, it does mean that, as a society, our exposure to radiation via medical imaging is greater than ever, and we don’t yet have a full picture of how this influences health over a lifetime.
What About the Sun, Flying and Radiation Therapy?
All of these things also have the ability to damage our DNA. The sun is a less potent form of radiation, but our exposure is more frequent. Radiation from the sun can damage your DNA in a similar way as x-rays and scans can.
While a little sun helps us produce vitamin D and the right foods can build our resistance, too much sun can still put our DNA at risk.
This is why dermatologists recommend shade, avoiding the sun during peak hours, hats and sunscreen. Don’t reach for just any sunscreen though, look for simple, mineral sunscreens that are EWG-approved.
Frequent flying exposes you to increased amounts of radiation. Pilots and flight crews may be at risk for DNA damage, but so far there have not been any studies on frequent flyers beyond members of flight crews.
Radiation therapy, which is often a component of cancer treatments, damages DNA by design. Damaging DNA is actually the goal. The hope is that they kill the cancerous cells faster than the healthy cells.
Some experts discourage antioxidant supplements during radiation therapy due to the idea that they may protect cancer cells while others encourage it and believe that antioxidants enhance radiation therapy and lessens side effects. Talk to your doctor about what is safe to eat (or take) during and after radiation therapy, since it is a controversial topic.
Now, on to the good stuff …
Best Foods to Eat Before Getting an X-ray or CT Scan
Many studies suggest that high lycopene foods prevent DNA damage. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant and carotenoid, which is a colorful lipid-soluble pigment.
High consumption of carotenoids are shown to reduce the risk of breast, cervical, vaginal, colorectal cancers and cardiovascular and eye diseases, so eat them daily not just before x-rays and scans!
Lycopene is found in some red and pink fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, red bell peppers, watermelons, papayas, mangos and grapefruits but, ironically, not in not in strawberries or cherries. Let’s take a look at some of the most studied foods for DNA protection.
Tomatoes
A 2006 review shows that tomatoes are one of the most powerful DNA protectors out there. I must say I have always discounted the benefits of tomatoes maybe because they are such a common food.
Tomatoes are cheap, easy to find and come in many forms. Benefits of tomatoes are not just for raw tomatoes but also to canned tomatoes and tomato sauces (just don’t choose one full of added sugar or other junk).
Tomato consumption, particularly cooked tomatoes, may reduce a man’s risk of prostate cancer. Since prostate cancer is the 2nd most common type of cancer for men in the U.S., this information could be lifechanging.
Lemon Balm
A clinical trial performed on radiology staff showed that lemon balm has protective benefits when taken prior to radiation exposure. The lemon balm was given in tea form twice daily and DNA health was examined before and after.
Additionally, a 2010 study shows the promising results using lemon and ginger to inhibit tumor growth in mice.
Kiwi
This mighty green fruit has the ability to protect and boost DNA repair. Kiwifruit contains high levels of antioxidants and proteinase K, which is a proteolytic enzyme that helps break down food, specifically protein.
I’ve been eating kiwifruit almost daily since I learned this. Dr. William Li, author of Eat to Beat Disease, names kiwifruit as one of the few foods that activates all five health defenses within the body.
Blueberries
Blueberries are rich in anthocyanins, which are members of the flavonoid group of phytochemicals. Their intake can improve cell protection against oxidative stress like that from radiation. Just one cup of blueberries can provide DNA protection.
Best Foods to Eat After Getting an X-ray or Scan
Since we don’t always know when we may need an x-ray or scan, it’s exciting that there are foods that are exceptional at repairing DNA damage. Kiwifruit and blueberries, which we discussed above, are double whammy foods that offer protection as well as repair benefits.
Let’s check out some additional foods that work hard to boost and repair DNA.
Carrots
Studies suggest that carotenoids and carotenoid-rich foods can influence DNA damage in a positive way. A Korean study showed positive results giving carrot juice to smokers. The smokers who consumed carrot juice had enhanced DNA repair compared to the placebo group.
Fatty Fish
Fatty fish contain omega-3s, which aid in DNA repair. Just be sure to choose wild-caught, low mercury seafood like salmon and cod most of the time. Not a fan of fish? Some people choose to take an omega-3 supplement instead.
Green Tea
Green tea makes all the lists, right? That’s partly why I saved it for last ;). An antioxidant found in green tea may increase levels of a natural anti-cancer protein, p53, known for its ability to repair DNA damage or destroy cancerous cells.
Green tea is another one of the few foods that Dr. William Li believes activates all of the body’s health defenses, so its superpowers do not begin and end at DNA repair.
Conclusion
I hope you feel empowered after reading about the best foods to eat before getting an x-ray or scan. I absolutely love knowing exactly what foods can protect and help repair our DNA.
While we can’t always control what we are exposed to in life, we can do our part to create a body that is resilient to these frequent threats. If you are someone who undergoes routine scans to monitor a condition, I hope you will add some of the protective foods to your meal plan.
Very, very informative!