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 on as U.S. Well being and Human Providers Secretary in the course of 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 is likely to be laborious for the typical individual to maintain monitor of Kennedy’s many inane beliefs associated to well being and wellness. So right here’s a helpful information to the dietary supplements and various therapies that RFK Jr. has both advocated for or could personally be taking proper this second, and why they’re most likely 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 turn into a well-liked treatment among the many various drugs group.

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

Methylene blue has an extended historical past in drugs, and it’s definitely doable that scientists will discover new makes use of for the versatile substance. However essentially the most boisterous claims made by its adherents are sometimes based mostly 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 gentle remedy, not taken alone. And a few research have didn’t support the supposed brain-boosting skills of the dye.

All of which is to say: it’s most likely 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 occasions to taking testosterone substitute 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 sometimes expertise a gradual decline of testosterone as they age. And docs generally do prescribe TRT to males with decrease than traditional ranges of testosterone, a situation that may be brought on by numerous components however is extra frequent in males over 60. For these sufferers, TRT is mostly secure and might 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 must be used to extend wholesome ageing for the typical man.

Previously, the Meals and Drug Administration has warned the general public about taking TRT solely to deal with “low testosterone ranges because of ageing,” noting that the advantages and security of this use should not firmly established. Although analysis has urged that typical TRT doesn’t elevate the danger of circumstances like prostate most cancers or coronary heart assaults, it might 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 in depth routine of vitamin dietary supplements—including that he couldn’t even keep in mind the whole 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 therapy at occasions, such because the advisable use of prenatal folic acid amongst pregnant girls to stop beginning defects.

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

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 trade is far much less regulated. These merchandise can typically comprise toxic contaminants like fungi and micro organism, and even actual hidden drugs. And the dietary supplements themselves may cause serious harm if taken in giant or continual 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 specifically: stem cell remedy and chelation.

Chelation medicine bind to heavy metals within the physique, which then permits them to be excreted out by means of urine. Docs 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 continual sicknesses, together with autism. Individuals have gotten critically harm and even died after taking improper chelation, and the FDA has warned the general public to avoid chelation therapy for autism.

These risks is likely to be an appropriate threat 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 quite a lot of charlatans, and also you’re going to get individuals who have unhealthy outcomes,” he mentioned. “And in the end, you’ll be able to’t forestall that both means. Leaving the entire thing within the fingers of pharma shouldn’t be working for us.”

5. Cod liver oil for measles

Kennedy is probably most well-known for his fervent opposition to vaccination, full with an extended monitor file of misrepresenting the security and effectiveness of many vaccines, together with the mixed measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.

In the course of the peak of a large-scale measles outbreak in Texas earlier this yr—the biggest 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 identified for having excessive ranges of vitamin A.

Individuals poor in vitamin A are at larger threat for a extreme measles an infection, and the World Well being Group does recommend that docs present vitamin A to measles-infected youngsters dwelling in areas the place deficiency is frequent. However that doesn’t describe the U.S. in any respect, since solely around 0.3% of the overall inhabitants could have a vitamin A deficiency. What’s extra, Kennedy’s recommendation probably truly endangered youngsters. Not less than 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 commonly, 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 by means of 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 forestall lactose intolerance.

The style distinction would possibly 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 comprises the identical type of lactose, so your tummy will harm simply the identical if you happen to’re already illiberal to lactose on the whole.

Uncooked milk is significantly more likely to hold harmful, or no less than misery-inducing, foodborne germs like Salmonella, Listeria, and Campylobacter. The continued risk of chicken 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 turn into more enamored with uncooked milk as of late.