Vitamin A poisonings rose almost 40% as measles misinformation spread in 2025

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https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-vitamin-poisonings-rose-measles-misinformation.html

There can be too much of a good thing, and that has been the case with Vitamin A in the U.S.. A recent study in JAMA Network Open has found that between January and March 2025, America's Poison Centers reported a 38.7% increase in vitamin A exposures during the measles outbreak across many states.
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The researchers found that the surges coincided with two key events: the first of several media statements promoting vitamin A as a measles treatment on February 19, 2025, and comments by Dr. Suzanne Humphries on the hugely popular The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, where she promoted vitamin A and cod liver oil as treatments for measles. Misinformation, especially in a world that is chronically online, often spreads like wildfire.
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Measles was once a common childhood illness, but thanks to vaccination, an estimated 59 million deaths from measles between 2000 and 2024 were prevented. The U.S. successfully eradicated the disease in 2000, and the 2025 measles outbreak has been the largest since then. The reluctance to vaccinate children against the disease is a major reason for the resurgence.

Along with hesitancy, interest also grew in alternative methods to prevent the disease, such as vitamin A and cod liver oil. Vitamin A is essential for good vision, skin, hair, and immunity, and can support recovery from measles when used under medical supervision. However, it does not prevent infection, and—when taken in excessive amounts—can lead to nausea, headaches, dizziness, and liver damage.