Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the Health and Human Services Secretary, recently openly advocated for non-pharmaceutical health treatments in his appearance on the Ultimate Human podcast. Kennedy reinforced his stance by stating, “We’re going to end the war at the FDA against alternative medicine.”
On the podcast, Kennedy emphasized his commitment to rectifying the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s bias against stem cell treatments, chelating drugs, vitamins and minerals, amino acids, peptides, and hyperbaric chambers. He stated, “Our position is that the FDA has a job: Just do the science on these kinds of issues and then tell the public what they’ve learned from the science … but don’t tell physicians what they can and cannot prescribe.”
He further added, “We don’t want to have the Wild West. We want to make sure that information is out there. But we also want to respect the intelligence of the American people” to decide what treatments will benefit them the most.
Alternative Therapies RFK Jr. Advocates For
Stem Cell Therapy: Primarily used to repair diseased or injured tissue in the body using self-renewing cells. Although considered experimental, the FDA permits stem cell therapies for blood and immune disorders. Kennedy revealed that he received the treatment for his voice disorder, spasmodic dysphonia, and it helped him “enormously.”
Chelating Drugs: These are chemicals used to remove toxic heavy metals, such as mercury and lead, from the body. Some alternative medicine practitioners offer chelation therapy for treating Alzheimer’s, autism, diabetes, high blood pressure, or Parkinson’s disease, all of which are unapproved and risky.
Vitamins and Minerals: Over-the-counter dietary supplements that contain nutritional boosts of vitamins and minerals. They aim to provide necessary nutrients that a person is not getting through food. The FDA regulates supplements, but doesn’t approve them for safety or effectiveness before they are sold to the public.
Amino Acids and Peptides: Amino acids, often referred to as the “building blocks of proteins,” are needed for building proteins, hormones, and neurotransmitters. Peptides are short proteins that come in the form of hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and creatine and collagen.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT): HBOT allows you to breathe pure oxygen in an FDA-approved medical-grade chamber. It is officially cleared for 13 medical conditions including decompression sickness, burns, radiation injury, and certain wounds.
While Kennedy acknowledged the presence of “charlatans” and the potential for “bad results” from various alternative treatments, he made it clear that he believes leaving the entire matter in the hands of pharma is not working for us.
In Suwannee County, where the local population is often interested in alternative treatment options, Kennedy’s stance could have far-reaching implications. It is yet to be seen how his advocacy will influence the FDA’s policies and the public’s perception of alternative therapies.
However, it’s important for locals to remember that all treatments come with their own set of risks and advantages. Before opting for any alternative therapy, it’s advisable to thoroughly research the treatment and consult with a healthcare professional.
This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
