WASHINGTON — Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has faced a series of health challenges in recent years, including an abnormality caused by a worm that entered his brain and died, according to the New York Times. Kennedy, now 70 years old, experienced severe memory loss and mental fog in 2010, leading him to consult with neurologists familiar with his late uncle Senator Ted Kennedy’s medical history.
A New York doctor who reviewed a brain scan told Kennedy that his health issues could be attributed to a worm that had entered his brain and consumed a portion before perishing. Kennedy stated in a 2012 deposition related to his divorce that his cognitive problems had negatively impacted his earning potential.
During the same period, Kennedy also suffered from mercury poisoning, which can result in neurological problems such as peripheral vision loss, muscle weakness, movement issues, hearing and speech impairment, and memory loss. Kennedy claims to have recovered from the memory loss and cognitive fog and did not require treatment for the parasite. He has also battled atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat, over the course of several decades, but believes he no longer experiences the condition.
The Kennedy campaign declined to release his medical records to the Times, only stating that he had contracted a parasite during his extensive travels in Africa, South America, and Asia as an environmental advocate. They insisted that the issue had been resolved more than a decade ago and that Kennedy was in good physical and mental health. Dr. Peter Hotez, an infectious disease expert, cautioned that without reviewing the scans, it is challenging to assess Kennedy’s claims fully.
Kennedy altered his lifestyle following these health issues, prioritizing more sleep, reducing travel, limiting fish intake, and undergoing chelation therapy to eliminate metals from his body. Despite his health challenges, Kennedy has projected an image of vitality and youthfulness on the campaign trail, engaging in strenuous activities such as skiing and weightlifting.
Both President Joe Biden’s physician and former President Donald Trump’s campaign have addressed their respective leaders’ health. While Biden’s physician found “no new concerns” during his physical examination, no cognitive test was administered. Trump’s campaign released a letter late last year asserting that he was in “excellent” health, but it did not provide details about specific tests or results.
Kennedy’s stance on personal health, including his skepticism about certain vaccines, has become a prominent aspect of his public image. Although he denies being “anti-vaccine,” his organization, the Children’s Health Defense, has faced accusations of spreading misinformation about vaccines.