6 Dietary supplements RFK Jr. Loves, However Science Says Are Largely Ineffective

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has vastly reshaped the nation’s public well being infrastructure since taking up as U.S. Well being and Human Providers Secretary throughout the renewed Trump administration—and never for the higher.

Nonetheless, from RFK Jr.’s pledge to tackle fictional chemtrails to his current fearmongering about circumcisions and autism, it may be onerous for the common particular person to maintain observe of Kennedy’s many inane beliefs associated to well being and wellness. So right here’s a useful information to the dietary supplements and various therapies that RFK Jr. has both advocated for or might personally be taking proper this second, and why they’re in all probability not definitely worth the hype.

1. Methylene blue

Earlier this February, a viral video showed RFK Jr. dropping doses of a blue liquid right into a glass of water throughout a flight. Although the precise nature of this concoction stays unconfirmed, web sleuths concluded that he was probably taking methylene blue, an artificial dye that’s develop into a well-liked treatment among the many various drugs group.

Methylene blue is often used as a diagnostic dye for some medical exams. It’s additionally the first remedy for methemoglobinemia, a uncommon blood dysfunction brought on by the overproduction of methemoglobin, a type of hemoglobin. On-line, nevertheless, the dye has taken on a second life as an marketed cure-all for all the pieces beneath the Solar, from most cancers to Alzheimer’s illness.

Methylene blue has a protracted historical past in drugs, and it’s definitely potential that scientists will discover new makes use of for the versatile substance. However essentially the most boisterous claims made by its adherents are sometimes primarily based on preliminary research that also want extra follow-up. The most cancers research on methylene blue, as an example, have largely involved animal or lab experiments. Some analysis has additionally suggested that methylene blue’s anti-cancer results would probably work finest together with mild remedy, not taken alone. And a few research have did not support the supposed brain-boosting skills of the dye.

All of which is to say: it’s in all probability not time but for all of us to start out dosing our morning espresso with methylene blue.

2. Testosterone

The well-built Kennedy has admitted quite a few instances to taking testosterone alternative remedy (TRT) as part of an anti-aging routine prescribed by his docs. He’s additionally taken pains to disclaim that he makes use of steroids—a distinction with out a lot distinction (testosterone is a steroid, and many individuals use artificial variations of it to construct up muscle).

Males usually expertise a gradual decline of testosterone as they age. And docs generally do prescribe TRT to males with decrease than standard ranges of testosterone, a situation that may be brought on by varied components however is extra widespread in males over 60. For these sufferers, TRT is usually protected and may present numerous health benefits, together with restored intercourse drive and improved psychological well being and vitality. However many males proceed to have regular testosterone ranges lengthy into their later years, and it’s under no circumstances clear whether or not TRT ought to be used to extend wholesome getting older for the common man.

Up to now, the Meals and Drug Administration has warned the general public about taking TRT solely to handle “low testosterone ranges as a consequence of getting older,” noting that the advantages and security of this use usually are not firmly established. Although analysis has instructed that typical TRT doesn’t increase the chance of circumstances like prostate most cancers or coronary heart assaults, it could be extra harmful for individuals who have regular ranges of testosterone to start with.

3. Nutritional vitamins galore

Throughout a 2023 interview with podcaster Lex Fridman, RFK Jr. said that he was on an intensive routine of vitamin dietary supplements—including that he couldn’t even bear in mind your complete listing of them as a result of he took so many.

Vitamin and mineral dietary supplements can completely profit people who find themselves poor in particular vitamins. Sure dietary supplements are additionally an necessary preventative remedy at instances, such because the beneficial use of prenatal folic acid amongst pregnant ladies to forestall start defects.

Immediately, individuals usually get these wanted vitamins from meals. By and huge, research haven’t backed the concept dietary supplements are a cure-all for a variety of well being issues, as many in Kennedy’s nook tend to profess. A 2018 evaluate failed to search out proof that dietary dietary supplements typically enhance coronary heart well being, as an example, as did a 2019 review the next 12 months. One other evaluate in 2021 found that dietary supplements present little assist for reducing weight.

These merchandise aren’t simply nugatory for many—they carry their very own distinctive well being dangers. In comparison with FDA-approved medicine, the complement business is way much less regulated. These merchandise can typically include toxic contaminants like fungi and micro organism, and even actual hidden drugs. And the dietary supplements themselves may cause serious harm if taken in massive or power sufficient doses.

4. Chelation remedy

In an interview on Gary Brecka’s Final Human Podcast earlier this June, RFK Jr. made clear his intentions to open up the floodgates of alternative medicine. He introduced that he would broaden individuals’s entry to experimental and off-label therapies, particularly referencing two therapies particularly: stem cell remedy and chelation.

Chelation medicine bind to heavy metals within the physique, which then permits them to be excreted out via urine. Medical doctors routinely use chelation to deal with sure sorts of acute poisoning or different poisonous exposures. However within the alt med/MAHA world, chelation is as an alternative used to “cleanse” individuals of supposed toxins blamed for a bevy of power diseases, together with autism. Folks have gotten significantly damage and even died after taking improper chelation, and the FDA has warned the general public to keep away from chelation therapy for autism.

These risks may be a suitable danger for RFK Jr. Throughout the identical interview, Kennedy admitted that expanded entry to those therapies would probably include a price. “And naturally you’re going to get loads of charlatans, and also you’re going to get individuals who have dangerous outcomes,” he mentioned. “And finally, you possibly can’t stop that both method. Leaving the entire thing within the palms of pharma will not be working for us.”

5. Cod liver oil for measles

Kennedy is probably most well-known for his fervent opposition to vaccination, full with a protracted observe report of misrepresenting the protection and effectiveness of many vaccines, together with the mixed measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.

Throughout the peak of a large-scale measles outbreak in Texas earlier this 12 months—the most important seen within the state in three many years—RFK Jr. begrudgingly endorsed using the MMR vaccine. However he additionally tried to prop up a number of various therapies, particularly cod liver oil, a complement recognized for having excessive ranges of vitamin A.

Folks poor in vitamin A are at larger danger for a extreme measles an infection, and the World Well being Group does recommend that docs present vitamin A to measles-infected youngsters residing in areas the place deficiency is widespread. However that doesn’t describe the U.S. in any respect, since solely around 0.3% of the final inhabitants might have a vitamin A deficiency. What’s extra, Kennedy’s recommendation probably truly endangered youngsters. At the very least one hospital within the state reported treating a number of youngsters who had each measles and vitamin A toxicity.

6. Uncooked milk

RFK Jr. is an avid fan of unpasteurized, uncooked milk. He’s said that he drinks it frequently, and earlier this Could, he celebrated the discharge of his “Make America Wholesome Once more” report by doing raw milk shooters as a part of a podcast interview with wellness influencer Paul Saladino.

Advocates generally declare that uncooked milk tastes higher than milk that’s gone via pasteurization. Some will take it a step additional and argue that uncooked milk has quite a few added well being advantages, from higher vitamin to even serving to stop lactose intolerance.

The style distinction may come from uncooked milk having barely extra fats than your typical store-brand carton, specialists have said. However the strategy of pasteurization, which merely heats after which cools milk to kill off harmful germs and prolong shelf life, doesn’t dramatically change milk in any respect. You get the identical necessary vitamins from pasteurized milk as you do from uncooked milk, and uncooked milk incorporates the identical type of lactose, so your tummy will damage simply the identical in the event you’re already illiberal to lactose generally.

Uncooked milk is significantly more likely to hold harmful, or no less than misery-inducing, foodborne germs like Salmonella, Listeria, and Campylobacter. The continuing risk of hen flu and its current unfold to dairy cows has additionally made uncooked milk a potential vector for these infections as properly. Sadly, many right-wingers and RFK Jr. supporters seem to have solely develop into more enamored with uncooked milk as of late.