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Den (EU) on 02/28/2025

I am going to get 2 MRIs and 1 CT scan with contrast. Up until now I managed to get all MRIs without contrast and refused CT scans. This time I need good scans to see what is going for I might have a silent sinus syndrome* which is corrected by a surgery only. My asymptomatic moderate chronic sphenoid sinusitis is also needs be investigated. Is there a way to minimize harmful effects of the contrasts? I usually get adverse reactions and side effects on pretty much every medication. Prednisone for example, nearly killed me.

I am going to take homeopathic remedies before and after the MRIs to restore polarity in the cells of my body, but don't know how to protect my body and brain from the contrast toxicity.

*A rare otorhinolaryngologic disease characterized by adult-onset progressive enophthalmos due to collapse of some or all of the maxillary sinus walls and remodeling of the orbital floor.

REPLY   3      

Replied By Les (Michigan) on 03/03/2025

Read these articles:

Sodium Bicarbonate Prevents Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Addition to Theophylline
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4902357/
https://examine.com/supplements/sodium-bicarbonate/?srsltid=AfmBOora7gIdOuk2Y4EO6eCFCjHk5MVFXtlFtibrVNMSVGYnLfXJmWx1&show_conditions=true

N-acetylcysteine, theophylline, sodium bicarbonate and statins show some promise as potentially efficacious agents for preventing CIN**, but more high-quality studies are needed before they can be recommended for use in routine practice

REPLY   2      

Replied By Art (California) on 03/03/2025

Hi Den,

Melatonin has shown itself to help prevent DNA damage related to CT scans as discussed in this randomized controlled trial (RCT) using 100 mg of melatonin:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32208125/

Here is a relevant quote from the RCT :

' Compared to the control group, the use of melatonin 1h before the CT examination caused a significant reduction in γH2AX-foci, indicating a reduction in DSBs. In addition, no side effect was observed in patients following 100mg melatonin administration. '

This next human study suggests that melatonin is an effective protective agent against damage caused by contrast media :

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3998990/#:~:text=Conclusion: Melatonin is an effective, to use contrast media agents.

Here are two relevant quotes from the human study :

' Contrast media significantly increased the creatinine and BUN and renal injury (p<0.05). Melatonin prevented and reversed the injury induced by contrast media (P<0.05). Pretreatment with melatonin reduced the renal injury induced by contrast media (P<0.05). '

' Melatonin is an effective drug to prevent contrast–induced renal injury. Therefore its usage (especially pretreatment) might be beneficial in patients who are planning to use contrast media agents. '

The following literature review suggests that melatonin also has protective effects against radiation :

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4037598/#:~:text=Since 1993, when melatonin (a, damage [5, 10].

Here is a relevant quote from the review :

' Since 1993, when melatonin (a pineal gland hormone) was first identified as a free radical scavenger [13], a large number of papers have been published confirming the ability of this radioprotective agent to shield against radiation-induced damage [5, 10]. '

Art

REPLY   7      

Replied By Marsh (Colo) on 05/19/2025

Hi Art, Directions prior to the CT scan direct patients not to eat anything 4 hours prior to the scan. Melatonin isn't food, but...... it would be digested. Thoughts?

Replied By GertJr (Madison) on 05/20/2025

They ask you to not eat prior to a CT so that you don't throw up. Sometimes the dye causes nausea, some people get nauseous regardless. If you throw up, the machine is down for sanitation. That's the only reason to not eat.

Replied By Art (California) on 05/20/2025

Hi Marsh,

It is a good idea to use melatonin as a protectant against radiation prior to and after the CT scan, you can use dissolve in the mouth tablets or melatonin lotion applied to the abdomen. The CT scan delivers more radiation than a standard x-ray as discussed here :

https://www.cdc.gov/radiation-health/data-research/facts-stats/ct-scans.html#:~:text=CT scans usually require more, and long-term health effects.

Here is a relevant quote from the link :

' CT scans usually require more exposure to radiation than common x-rays because they use a series of x-ray images. Increased exposure means a slightly higher risk of possible short-term and long-term health effects. '

Art

Replied By Ruralady (Illinois) on 05/21/2025

It will be completely absorbed by then.

Replied By john` (texas) on 05/30/2025

Hi Art,

How much time before a scan should one ingest the melatonin?

Can one ingest it RIGHT before, like right before laying down into the scan machine or it should be ingested like 30 or 60 minutes before the scanning process?

What would be the best timing?

What if melatonin is not available?

Are there other things one could ingest before and right after a scan?

Replied By Art (California) on 05/30/2025

Hi John,

Ideally you would be taking melatonin for a few days before the CT and at least a week after the CT to help ameliorate the negative effects on the body. The effects of oral melatonin last approximately five hours, so taking melatonin two hours before the CT would be good. Two hours gives the melatonin time to get into the circulation. Although melatonin itself is done in about 5 hours in the body, its indirect effects are still active such as its upregulation of some of the bodies own potent antioxidants such as SOD, GPX, glutathione and catalase. This is the reason for taking melatonin days ahead of the CT, to help boosts the bodies antioxidant system which also offer protective effects.

If melatonin is unavailable where you are, another consideration for protective effects would be N Acetyl Cysteine (NAC).

NAC can offer some protective effects in regards to a CT scan as discussed here :

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1769030/#:~:text=The use of NAC for, NAC administration compared to placebo.

Here is a relevant quote from the link :

' The use of NAC for the prevention of RCIN (radio contrast induced nephropathy) gained widespread interest after a study by Tepel and colleagues demonstrated that the incidence of RCIN after radiocontrast enhanced computed tomographic (CT) scanning was significantly reduced by oral NAC administration compared to placebo.3 '

Another consideration is R-Alpha Lipoic Acid (R-ALA) which can also offer some protection against the radiotherapy.

Art

 

Replied By john (texas) on 05/31/2025

What would be the dosage and timing and length of time taking of NAC?

Replied By Art (California) on 05/31/2025

Hi John,

What I have found for myself is that I can tolerate up to 1800 mg per day, but above that I get digestive upset. For me 1200 mg/day in two divided doses of 600 with breakfast and 600 mg with dinner. is what I find useful and tolerable. NAC is generally available in 600 mg capsules.

Art