University of Pennsylvania researchers gave flaxseed to mice then exposed them to radiation. Some of the mice got the flaxseed before radiation exposure and some after exposure. Twice as many of the flaxseed fed mice survived compared to healthy mice that didn’t get flaxseed.
Flaxseed-fed mice had higher body weight, reduced lung inflammation (common in lung cancer patients treated with radiation) and lung fibrosis was significantly limited. (In lung fibrosis, lung tissue becomes stiff from collagen deposits — an irreversible condition.)
Most importantly, all these benefits occurred even in mice that were given flaxseed AFTER radiation exposure.
Flaxseed has no adverse side effects and is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidant- rich lignans.
This is very latest research so I can’t claim to have known of it’s radiation protecting properties in mice (let’s hope it also extends to humans on future trials) when I put flaxseed in my food bars but I’m happy it’s in there.
From an HSI newsletter.