Exposure to radioactive substances can cause radiation sickness. When radioactive elements decay, they throw off the unstable atoms that release energy strong enough to alter or kill other living cells in their path. This type of radiation is called ionizing radiation. When radioactive particles alter the cell's structure, it can lead to cancer. The extent of damage depends on the amount and length of time of exposure, as well as the size and location in the body exposed.
Some tissues are more susceptible than others to radiation damage.
Generally, cells that are replaced more rapidly are more sensitive than those that reproduce over long periods of time. Structurally, radioactive elements are similar to their non-radioactive counterparts. Nutrition, therefore, is important in preventing exposure and damage. If you do not receive sufficient amounts of nutritive calcium, potassium, iodine, or other minerals, your body may absorb radioactive elements that are similar in molecular structure. When your body is able to receive all the nutrients it needs from your diet, it will be less likely to absorb radioactive substitutes.