6 Dietary supplements RFK Jr. Loves, However Science Says Are Principally 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 Companies Secretary throughout the renewed Trump administration—and never for the higher.

Nonetheless, from RFK Jr.’s pledge to tackle fictional chemtrails to his latest fearmongering about circumcisions and autism, it is likely to 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 helpful information to the dietary supplements and different remedies that RFK Jr. has both advocated for or could 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 seemingly taking methylene blue, an artificial dye that’s change into a preferred treatment among the many different medication group.

Methylene blue is usually 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, nonetheless, the dye has taken on a second life as an marketed cure-all for the whole lot below the Solar, from most cancers to Alzheimer’s illness.

Methylene blue has a protracted historical past in medication, and it’s actually doable that scientists will discover new makes use of for the versatile substance. However probably 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 seemingly work greatest together with gentle 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 occasions to taking testosterone substitute remedy (TRT) as part of an anti-aging routine prescribed by his medical doctors. 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 medical doctors generally do prescribe TRT to males with decrease than typical ranges of testosterone, a situation that may be brought on by numerous components however is extra widespread in males over 60. For these sufferers, TRT is mostly protected and may present numerous health benefits, together with restored intercourse drive and improved psychological well being and power. However many males proceed to have regular testosterone ranges lengthy into their later years, and it’s by no means clear whether or not TRT must be used to lengthen wholesome getting older for the common man.

Previously, the Meals and Drug Administration has warned the general public about taking TRT solely to deal with “low testosterone ranges resulting from getting older,” noting that the advantages and security of this use aren’t firmly established. Although analysis has recommended that typical TRT doesn’t increase the danger 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 in depth routine of vitamin dietary supplements—including that he couldn’t even bear in mind the whole checklist 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 occasions, such because the really helpful use of prenatal folic acid amongst pregnant girls to stop delivery defects.

As we speak, folks 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 seek 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 trade is way 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 could cause serious harm if taken in massive or persistent 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 develop folks’s entry to experimental and off-label remedies, particularly referencing two remedies particularly: 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 a substitute used to “cleanse” folks of supposed toxins blamed for a bevy of persistent sicknesses, together with autism. Folks have gotten severely harm 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 is likely to be an appropriate threat for RFK Jr. Throughout the identical interview, Kennedy admitted that expanded entry to those remedies would seemingly include a value. “And naturally you’re going to get a number of charlatans, and also you’re going to get individuals who have unhealthy outcomes,” he stated. “And in the end, you’ll be able to’t forestall that both manner. Leaving the entire thing within the palms of pharma isn’t 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 file of misrepresenting the protection and effectiveness of many vaccines, together with the mixed measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine.

In the course of the top of a large-scale measles outbreak in Texas earlier this 12 months—the most important seen within the state in three a long time—RFK Jr. begrudgingly endorsed the usage of the MMR vaccine. However he additionally tried to prop up a number of different remedies, specifically cod liver oil, a complement identified for having excessive ranges of vitamin A.

Folks poor in vitamin A are at better threat for a extreme measles an infection, and the World Well being Group does recommend that medical doctors present vitamin A to measles-infected kids 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 overall inhabitants could have a vitamin A deficiency. What’s extra, Kennedy’s recommendation seemingly really endangered kids. Not less than one hospital within the state reported treating a number of kids 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 Might, 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 diet to even serving to forestall lactose intolerance.

The style distinction may come from uncooked milk having barely extra fats than your typical store-brand carton, consultants have said. However the strategy of pasteurization, which merely heats after which cools milk to kill off harmful germs and lengthen 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 accommodates the identical type of lactose, so your tummy will harm simply the identical when you’re already illiberal to lactose typically.

Uncooked milk is significantly more likely to hold harmful, or a minimum of misery-inducing, foodborne germs like Salmonella, Listeria, and Campylobacter. The continuing menace of fowl flu and its latest unfold to dairy cows has additionally made uncooked milk a potential vector for these infections as effectively. Sadly, many right-wingers and RFK Jr. supporters seem to have solely change into more enamored with uncooked milk as of late.