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

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has drastically 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 could be arduous 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 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 possible taking methylene blue, an artificial dye that’s turn out to be a well-liked treatment among the many different medication neighborhood.

Methylene blue is often used as a diagnostic dye for some medical checks. 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 medication, and it’s actually 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 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 possible 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 in all probability not time but for all of us to begin dosing our morning espresso with methylene blue.

2. Testosterone

The well-built Kennedy has admitted quite a few occasions to taking testosterone alternative 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 sometimes expertise a gradual decline of testosterone as they age. And medical doctors generally do prescribe TRT to males with decrease than traditional ranges of testosterone, a situation that may be brought on by numerous elements however is extra frequent in males over 60. For these sufferers, TRT is mostly secure 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 in no way clear whether or not TRT ought to be used to delay 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 because of getting older,” noting that the advantages and security of this use aren’t firmly established. Although analysis has prompt that typical TRT doesn’t increase the danger of situations 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. acknowledged that he was on an intensive routine of vitamin dietary supplements—including that he couldn’t even bear in mind all the record 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 essential preventative remedy at occasions, such because the advisable use of prenatal folic acid amongst pregnant ladies to forestall beginning defects.

In the present day, folks sometimes 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 overview 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 overview 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 way much less regulated. These merchandise can usually 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 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 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 way 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 continual 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 steer clear of chelation therapy for autism.

These risks could be a suitable danger for RFK Jr. Throughout the identical interview, Kennedy admitted that expanded entry to those remedies would possible include a value. “And naturally you’re going to get loads of charlatans, and also you’re going to get individuals who have unhealthy outcomes,” he mentioned. “And in the end, you possibly can’t forestall that both approach. Leaving the entire thing within the fingers of pharma just isn’t working for us.”

5. Cod liver oil for measles

Kennedy is maybe most well-known for his fervent opposition to vaccination, full with a protracted observe 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 12 months—the biggest seen within the state in three many years—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 danger 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 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 possible 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 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 way 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 may come from uncooked milk having barely extra fats than your typical store-brand carton, specialists have said. However the means 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 essential vitamins from pasteurized milk as you do from uncooked milk, and uncooked milk incorporates the identical form of lactose, so your tummy will damage simply the identical should you’re already illiberal to lactose normally.

Uncooked milk is significantly more likely to hold harmful, or a minimum of misery-inducing, foodborne germs like Salmonella, Listeria, and Campylobacter. The continuing risk of chicken 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 turn out to be more enamored with uncooked milk as of late.