Spotlight: Measles on the Rise in U.S., but is Vitamin A the Solution?
Measles prevention not guaranteed by Vitamin A; experts clarify the role of this vitamin in the body.
Lately, measles cases in the United States have skyrocketed, with over 1,000 reports across several states. As a result, individuals are questioning alternative treatments like vitamin A supplements. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, has hinted at promising results with vitamin A, cod liver oil, steroid budesonide, and the antibiotic clarithromycin. However, it's essential to separate facts from speculation.
Can Vitamin A Help?
Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, explains that although vitamin A, found in common foods like eggs, milk, cheese, fish, orange and green vegetables, and even cod liver oil, boosts the immune system, it cannot protect against measles or prevent the disease.
However, "when someone has the measles virus, their body can have a vitamin A deficiency. In that condition, treatment with two oral doses of Vitamin A can be helpful," says Daniel Ganjian, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA.
What about Budesonide and Clarithromycin?
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s praise for budesonide and clarithromycin has raised concerns among many experts who question the promotion of experimental treatments for a viral infection. Daniel Ganjian highlights that there's no evidence to support the use of budesonide as a standard treatment for measles, and the use of steroids like budesonide should not be considered routine or a common practice.
Regarding clarithromycin, antibiotics are only used to treat confirmed bacterial infections like pneumonia or otitis media, not viral infections like measles.
Protect Yourself Against Measles
The best defense against measles is getting vaccinated, especially if you live in areas where outbreaks occur, like western Texas and New Mexico. If you haven't been vaccinated before, it's critical to get your children vaccinated as well, as they are more susceptible to severe cases of measles.
Vitamin A and Cod Liver Oil: Understanding the Facts
Danelle Fisher, MD, another pediatrician at Providence Saint John's Health Center, warns that overconsumption of vitamin A, especially from supplements, can lead to toxicity, causing skin, bone, and liver damage, headaches, and other health issues. It's crucial to follow recommended dosages.
Overall, in resource-rich countries like the United States, most people consume the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A through their diets. Only certain populations, such as premature infants or those with conditions like celiac disease or Crohn's disease, may need supplements.
- The rise in measles cases in the US has led to questions about alternative treatments like vitamin A supplements.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, hints at promising results with vitamin A, cod liver oil, steroid budesonide, and the antibiotic clarithromycin.
- Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease specialist, states that vitamin A cannot protect against measles or prevent the disease.
- However, Daniel Ganjian, a pediatrician, suggests that vitamin A treatment can be helpful for individuals with a deficiency when they have the measles virus.
- Budesonide, praised by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., lacks evidence as a standard treatment for measles, and its use should not be considered routine.
- Clarithromycin, an antibiotic, is not used for viral infections like measles.
- Vaccination is the best defense against measles, especially in areas where outbreaks occur.
- Children are more susceptible to severe cases of measles and should be vaccinated.
- Overconsumption of vitamin A, especially from supplements, can lead to toxicity and health issues like skin, bone, and liver damage.
- In resource-rich countries like the US, most people consume the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A through their diets.
- Premature infants and those with certain medical conditions like celiac disease or Crohn's disease may need vitamin A supplements.
- Retinol, a form of vitamin A, is found in food like fish, orange and green vegetables, and cod liver oil.
- The science behind the use of cod liver oil in preventing or treating measles is still unclear.
- Meanwhile, fish oil, another oil derived from fish, has been linked to benefits in eye-health and skin-care.
- Health-and-wellness experts often recommend a balanced diet rich in fish and other foods for overall health and fitness-and-exercise.
- Mental-health is also an integral part of health-and-wellness, and therapy, medication, and self-care practices can provide support.
- Skin-care routines involving nutrient-rich creams and lotions can help maintain healthy skin and manage skin-conditions like psoriasis.
- Scientists and researchers continue to study the effects of chronic-diseases like chronic-kidney-disease and respiratory-conditions on the body.
- Outside of health-and-wellness, policy-and-legislation plays a crucial role in addressing issues like war-and-conflicts and general-news events.
- Car-accidents, a common occurrence in politics, often lead to discussions on safety measures and regulations.
- Sports, including football (NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, golf, basketball, NCAAB, MLB, NHL, racing, American football, tennis, and mixed-martial-arts), can be a source of entertainment, excitement, and social-justice discussions.
- Sports-betting is a growing industry, with various online platforms offering wagers on everything from baseball games to horse-racing events.
- Sports-analysis programs provide in-depth coverage of games, highlighting key player performances and critical moments.
- Auto-racing events like the Masters, Grand Prix, and horse-racing events like the Kentucky Derby draw huge crowds and generate significant media coverage.
