US health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s response to the recent measles outbreak has drawn sharp criticism from health experts. During a cabinet meeting, Kennedy incorrectly mentioned that the outbreak had already killed two people in Texas, adding that such outbreaks were “not unusual.” The fact is that the Texas outbreak alone accounts for nearly half of 2024’s total measles cases, which makes it a significant health concern. He, however, soon shifted his stance and called the outbreak “serious”.
Taking to X, he wrote: “I recognize the serious impact of this outbreak on families, children, and healthcare workers. The measles outbreak in Texas is a call to action for all of us to reaffirm our commitment to public health.” Further, in an essay penned for Fox News on Sunday, he completely changed his tone and called the outbreak a “top priority”.
Now, in a recent piece for Fox News, Kennedy said vaccination was a “personal choice.” Instead of explicitly urging parents to vaccinate their children against measles, Kennedy argued that good nutrition could help defend against infectious diseases. “Good nutrition remains a best defense against most chronic and infectious illnesses,” Kennedy wrote. “Vitamins A, C, and D, and foods rich in vitamins B12, C, and E should be part of a balanced diet.” In particular, Kennedy highlighted vitamin A’s potential to “dramatically reduce measles mortality.”
Can Vitamin A treat measles?
There hasn’t been enough evidence around Vitamin A being a legit treatment for preventing or treating measles. Some studies have shown that vitamin A could be an effective supportive therapy for children already infected with measles. Most research has been carried out in low and middle-income countries, specifically Africa, where measles death rates and malnutrition are more common.
Vitamin A is useful in case of measles patients who are deficient in the important nutrient. Vitamin A deficiency is a known risk factor for severe measles. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends administration of an oral dose of 200,000 IU (or 100,000 IU in infants) of vitamin A per day for two days to children with measles in areas where vitamin A deficiency may be present.
What experts are saying about this
“It could lead to the impression of a false equivalency,” Dr Peter Hotez, the dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and the co-director of Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, told the New York Post. “To make the best decision for your children, you can either vaccinate or give vitamin A … That would be highly misleading.”
“Vitamin A is not a substitute for vaccination,” said Dr. Megan Ranney, dean of the Yale School of Public Health.
Health conditions Vitamin A can help treat
Night blindness
Taking Vitamin A supplements and a diet rich in the important vitamin can help cure vision conditions like Night Blindness. Essential for healthy vision, Vitamin A helps make specific pigments for your retinas to work efficiently.
Dry eyes
There is a reason why your mom asks you to eat carrot and other Vitamin A rich foods to improve your eye health. It can help lubricate your corneas and prevent them from getting too dry, which could make them susceptible to damage. Vitamin A can help treat Xerophthalmia, a condition characterized by dryness of the conjunctiva and cornea, potentially leading to blindness if untreated.
Acne and Psoriasis
It’s also a beauty vitamin as it helps keep your skin shining and smooth by preventing acne. Topical and oralretinoids, derivatives of vitamin A, are commonly prescribed to treat severe acne and psoriasis.
Recent studies show that topical forms along with antioxidants may help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Vitamin A also plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of skin and mucosal cells, which act as the body’s first line of defense against pathogens. It also supports proper functioning of immune cells. Adequate intake of vitamin A, along with other antioxidants, may help lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss in older adults.
Watch out for Vitamin A toxicity
Although vitamin A is essential, excessive supplementation can lead to toxicity, causing symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, headaches, and even more serious issues like liver damage. This is why vitamin A intake, particularly from supplements, should always be monitored by a healthcare provider.