Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent presidential candidate, has faced a series of health issues in recent years. In 2010, he suffered from severe memory loss and mental fog, which he attributed to a worm that had entered his brain and died. He also experienced mercury poisoning around the same time, which led to neurological issues. Kennedy consulted with top neurologists familiar with his uncle Ted Kennedy’s medical history, who had died of brain cancer in 2009. Kennedy’s earning power was affected by these cognitive issues, as reported by The New York Times.
Kennedy has also dealt with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat, for over a decade. Despite these health challenges, he claims to have recovered from memory loss and brain fog. Kennedy’s campaign declined to provide his medical records but mentioned that he contracted a parasite while traveling extensively in Africa, South America, and Asia as part of his environmental advocacy work. According to his spokesperson, Stefanie Spear, Kennedy’s health issues were resolved over a decade ago, and he is in robust physical and mental health, questioning the need to scrutinize his health compared to his older political competitors.
Doctors speculated that Kennedy’s condition, known as neurocysticercosis, could have been caused by a pork tapeworm larva. This condition can cause seizures, headaches, and dizziness, although memory loss is more commonly associated with mercury poisoning. Kennedy had been consuming high quantities of tuna and perch when he was diagnosed with mercury poisoning. Following these health episodes, Kennedy made lifestyle changes including getting more sleep, reducing his fish intake, and undergoing chelation therapy to expel metals from his body.
On the campaign trail, Kennedy has portrayed himself as vibrant and youthful compared to his political competitors, engaging in strenuous activities like skiing and weightlifting. His views on personal health, including his skepticism of certain vaccines, have been a distinctive feature of his public image. While he disputes being labeled as “anti-vaccine,” Kennedy is the founder of the Children’s Health Defense, a group accused of spreading misinformation about vaccines. Despite his health challenges, Kennedy continues to emphasize his physical vitality and commitment to environmental advocacy in his presidential campaign.
