Can Vitamin A Prevent Measles? Experts Weigh In

Vitamin A and Measles: What You Need to Know

In recent months, measles cases have surged across the United States, with over 200 confirmed cases reported across more than a dozen states. While this disease was once considered nearly eradicated in the U.S., it has reemerged as a public health concern. The outbreaks have raised alarm bells, especially in areas like western Texas and New Mexico, where the incidence is particularly high. With this increase in measles cases, many people have turned to vitamin A supplements as a potential preventive or treatment option, spurred by comments from public figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. However, health experts are quick to clarify that while vitamin A plays an important role in overall immune function, it is not a magic bullet for preventing or curing measles.

The Role of Vitamin A in the Body

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is crucial for various bodily functions, including maintaining healthy vision, promoting cell growth, and supporting the immune system. It is found in many everyday foods such as eggs, cheese, fish, milk, and a variety of fruits and vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach. It is well-established that vitamin A deficiency can lead to impaired immune function and increased vulnerability to infections. However, despite its importance, vitamin A cannot directly prevent infectious diseases like measles.

Monica Gandhi, MD, MPH, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, and Danelle Fisher, MD, FAAP, a board-certified pediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, both emphasize that vitamin A does not provide preventive protection against measles.

Can Vitamin A Prevent or Treat Measles?

While vitamin A cannot prevent measles, it can be useful in treating individuals who already have the disease, particularly in those who suffer from severe measles complications. According to Dr. Fisher, “Vitamin A helps with immune system function and vision, but it does not protect against infections like measles.” However, it’s important to note that vitamin A deficiency is a common complication of measles, especially in children under 5 years of age. In these cases, supplementing with vitamin A can help reduce the severity of symptoms and prevent long-term complications.

As Dr. Gandhi explains, “When someone has measles, their body may develop a vitamin A deficiency, which can worsen the course of the illness. In this context, administering two oral doses of vitamin A can be helpful.” This recommendation is supported by organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), which recommends vitamin A supplementation in children and adults who have severe measles to improve outcomes.

The Evidence Behind Vitamin A and Measles

A comprehensive Cochrane review examined the evidence on the role of vitamin A in measles and concluded that vitamin A supplementation is beneficial for those already infected. Specifically, the review found that giving two doses of vitamin A (one dose initially and a second dose 24 hours later) helps reduce the risk of severe complications such as blindness and death, particularly in children under 2 years old. This treatment is especially effective in areas where vitamin A deficiency is prevalent.

However, it’s crucial to understand that this is not a preventive measure—meaning that vitamin A supplementation cannot stop the onset of measles if a person is exposed to the virus.

The Best Way to Protect Against Measles

The key takeaway from medical experts is that vaccination is the most effective method of preventing measles. As Dr. Gandhi points out, “In modern times, where most people consume adequate amounts of vitamin A through their diet, there is no need to take additional vitamin A supplements to prevent measles.”

The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is the cornerstone of measles prevention. Health authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommend that children receive their first dose of the MMR vaccine between the ages of 12 and 15 months and a second dose between 4 and 6 years old. For older children, teenagers, and adults who have never been vaccinated, or who are unsure of their vaccination status, the CDC recommends one to two doses of the MMR vaccine, each spaced at least 28 days apart.

Cod Liver Oil and Vitamin A

Cod liver oil, a supplement rich in both vitamin A and vitamin D, has also been mentioned in discussions about vitamin A and measles. Cod liver oil contains high amounts of fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamin A, which can accumulate in the body if taken in excess. While cod liver oil can help provide essential nutrients, it is not recommended for the prevention of measles, as its high vitamin A content can lead to toxicity if consumed in excessive amounts.

“Cod liver oil contains a mix of vitamins and fatty acids,” says Dr. Fisher. “But it’s important to understand that taking large amounts of vitamin A can be harmful. Excessive vitamin A can lead to toxicity, which can cause symptoms like nausea, dizziness, headaches, and even more serious issues like liver damage.”

The recommended daily intake of vitamin A varies by age and gender, with adults generally needing 700-900 mcg per day. However, most people in developed countries can obtain enough vitamin A from a balanced diet and do not need supplements. Certain populations, such as premature infants or individuals with malabsorption conditions like Crohn’s disease or celiac disease, may require supplementation.

Risks of Excessive Vitamin A

As Dr. Gandhi cautions, consuming excessive amounts of vitamin A can be harmful due to its fat-soluble nature. Unlike water-soluble vitamins, which are excreted in urine, fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K can accumulate in the body and lead to toxicity.

Excessive vitamin A intake can lead to a condition called hypervitaminosis A, which can cause a range of symptoms, including:

• Skin and bone fragility
• Nausea and vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Headaches
• Liver damage

In severe cases, vitamin A toxicity can result in life-threatening complications. Therefore, it’s important to stick to recommended daily intake levels and avoid over-supplementation.

Current Measles Vaccination Recommendations

In light of the growing measles outbreaks in the U.S., it’s crucial for everyone to be up to date on their vaccinations. The CDC's vaccination guidelines are clear:

• Children should receive their first dose of the MMR vaccine at 12-15 months and their second dose at 4-6 years.
• Unvaccinated teens and adults should receive one or two doses of the MMR vaccine.

If you are unsure about your vaccination status, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider to ensure you and your children are adequately protected against measles.

Conclusion

While vitamin A has its benefits, it is not a preventive or primary treatment for measles. The best way to protect yourself and others from measles is through vaccination, not supplementation. In cases where a person contracts measles, vitamin A supplementation may help mitigate complications, particularly in those with severe deficiency. However, this is a treatment for the disease, not a method to prevent it. Vaccination remains the gold standard in preventing measles and ensuring public health safety.

Learn more: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001479.pub3/full