The Real Story of Orthomolecular Medicine in the White House

(OMNS Sept 19 2018) In the fall of 1960, shortly before the first debate with Vice President Richard M. Nixon, Senator John F. Kennedy grew so exhausted from campaigning that he was slurring his speech. Life magazine photographer Mark Shaw suggested an appointment with Max Jacobson, MD. At the appointed time, Kennedy slipped away from the Secret Service at the Carlyle Hotel and took a cab to Jacobson's office.

Upon hearing his medical history and what medications he was taking, Dr. Jacobson gave Kennedy his first treatment, an intramuscular injection of vitamin B-complex, A, E, D, B-12, plus 10 mg. of amphetamine to counter the fatigue brought on by his hectic campaign schedule and adrenal condition, as well as an intravenous injection of calcium and vitamin C. Kennedy responded that his muscle weakness had disappeared and he felt calm, cool and very alert.

Had never looked so healthy
After the first debate with Kennedy, Nixon commented that he had never seen Kennedy looking so healthy. The same could not be said for Mr. Nixon. Nixon's mother called to ask if he was feeling all right. On the other hand, JFK responded so well to Jacobson's treatments that he asked the doctor to move to Washington. Max turned him down. The Kennedys wanted Max exclusively to themselves but Max was unwilling to abandon his busy private practice, especially his two hundred multiple sclerosis patients with nowhere else to turn.

Instead, they worked out a deal. Mark Shaw, who piloted his own Cessna, offered to fly Dr. Jacobson to the Kennedys whenever needed. Over the next few years, Shaw would fly Dr. Jacobson to Washington DC, Palm Beach, Hyannis Port, and Glenora (the Kennedy's farm in Virginia). Shaw became part of the Kennedy inner circle, those very few cognizant of the President's serious infirmities who helped keep his need for treatment a secret from the public. For his trips to the Kennedys, Dr. Jacobson had a medical bag disguised as a briefcase.

When Mark Shaw was assigned to photograph the Kennedys for Life magazine, his black and white photographs of Jack and Jackie Kennedy playing with their young children on the windswept lawns and beaches in Hyannis brought a level of intimacy not before seen of a world leader. Shaw dedicated his book, The John F. Kennedys: A Family Album, to his friend, Dr. Max Jacobson. In the copy he personally gave to the doctor, Shaw penned below the inscription: "To Max, who alone understands and time will give perspective."

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