The US measles outbreak has raised concerns about vitamin A being touted as a possible treatment. The new secretary of health, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., recently suggested using vitamin A and cod liver oil to treat the disease. However, experts say this is not an effective way to prevent the disease.
Vitamin A can be beneficial in treating patients with measles who have a deficiency from malnutrition, according to the World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Measles can deplete the body’s supply of vitamin A, leading to complications such as high fever, blindness, and even death. However, dosing up on vitamin A supplements will not protect against a measles infection.
Immunologists and experts say that vaccinations are the most effective way to prevent measles. The MMR vaccine is safe and effective for preventing the disease. While research supports using vitamin A to reduce the risk of complications from measles, supplementing it won’t protect against infection.
Dr. Andrea Love, an immunologist, expressed concern that Kennedy’s message may perpetuate a misconception about supplements being able to prevent the disease. “Good nutrition and vitamin A are not going to stop a measles outbreak,” she said. Vitamin A can be toxic if taken in high doses, and experts warn of the risk of overdose.
“The most effective preventive measure is vaccination, which cannot be overemphasized,” Dr. Eduardo Villamor, a professor of epidemiology, added. With an infected person able to be contagious for days before symptoms appear, vaccinations are crucial in curtailling the spread of the highly infectious virus.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/rfk-jr-recommends-vitamin-a-to-fight-measles-amid-outbreaks-2025-3