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Dr. Joseph Mercola

Founder and Owner of Mercola.com
Board Certified Family Medicine Osteopathic Physician (DO)
New York Times Bestselling Author
Fellow of the American College of Nutrition
Ultimate Wellness Game Changer Awardee
Philanthropist & Natural Health Advocate

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Dr. Mercola has always been passionate about helping preserve and enhance the health of the global community. As a doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO), he takes a “whole-person” approach to wellness, helping you develop attitudes and lifestyles that can help you Take Control of Your Health.

By sharing valuable knowledge about holistic medicine, regenerative practices and informed consent principles, he has become the most trusted source for natural health information, with a legacy of promoting sustainability and transparency.

Credentials

Dr. Mercola is an osteopathic physician who, similar to MDs, finished four years of basic clinical sciences and successfully completed licensing exams. Hence, he is fully licensed to prescribe medication and perform surgery in all 50 states. Also a board-certified family physician, he served as the chairman of the family medicine department at St. Alexius Medical Center for five years.

Moreover, he has written over 30 scientific studies and reports published in medical journals and publications. With his written contributions and extensive experience in patient care, he was granted fellowship status by the American College of Nutrition (ACN) in October 2012.

Education

1972 - 1976

University of Illinois at Chicago

1978 - 1982

Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University

1982 - 1985

Chicago Osteopathic Hospital Family Practice Residency

1984 - 1985

Chicago Osteopathic Hospital Chief Resident

July 1985

Board Certified American College Osteopathic General Practitioners

Published Books & Written Contributions

Dr. Mercola is a best-selling author, with a total of 15 books written so far. His most recent book, “The Truth About COVID-19,” is a national bestseller on Amazon, Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Publishers Weekly. Three of his books have also been included in The New York Times Best Sellers list, namely "Effortless Healing," "The No-Grain Diet" and "The Great Bird Flu Hoax."

The Truth About COVID-19

Bestseller

Exposing the Great Reset, Lockdowns, Vaccine Passports, and the New Normal (2021, with Ronnie Cummins)

Fat for Fuel

Bestseller

A Revolutionary Diet to Combat Cancer, Boost Brain Power, and Increase Your Energy (2017)

Effortless Healing

Bestseller

9 Simple Ways to Sidestep Illness, Shed Excess Weight, and Help Your Body Fix Itself (2015)

The No Grain Diet

Bestseller

Conquer Carbohydrate Addiction and Stay Slim for Life" (2003, with Alison Rose Levy)

The Great Bird Flu Hoax

Bestseller

The Truth They Don’t Want You to Know About the ‘Next Big Pandemic’ (2006, with Pam Killeen)

EMF*D

5G, Wi-Fi and Cell Phones: Hidden Harms and How to Protect Yourself (2020)

KetoFast

Rejuvenate Your Health With a Step-by-Step Guide to Timing Your Ketogenic Meals (2019)

Generation XL

Raising Healthy, Intelligent Kids in a High-Tech, Junk-Food World" (2007, with Ben Lerner)

KetoFast Cookbook

Recipes for Intermittent Fasting and Timed Ketogenic Meals From a World-Class Doctor and an Internationally Renowned Chef (2019, with Pete Evans)

Superfuel

Ketogenic Keys to Unlock the Secrets of Good Fats, Bad Fats, and Great Health (2018, with Dr. James DiNicolantonio)

Healthy Recipes for Your Nutritional Type

Take Control of Your Health

(2007, with Kendra Degen Pearsall)

The Fat for Fuel Cookbook

Recipes and Ketogenic Keys to Health from a World-Class Doctor and Chef (2017, with Pete Evans)

Sweet Deception

Why Splenda®, NutraSweet®, and the FDA May Be Hazardous to Your Health (2006, with Kendra Degen Pearsall)

Dark Deception

Discover the Truth About the Benefits of Sunlight Exposure" (2008, with Jeffry Herman)

Upgrade Your Immunity with Herbs

Herbal Tonics, Broths, Brews, and Elixirs to Supercharge Your Immune System (2021)

Dr. Mercola’s Total Health Program

The Proven Plan to Prevent Disease and Premature Aging, Optimize Weight and Live Longer!" (2004, with Brian Vaszily, Kendra Degen Pearsall, Nancy Lee Bentley)

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Medical Publications

"Evidence Regarding Vitamin D and Risk of COVID-19 and Its Severity"

Nutrients, October 31, 2020

"Aspartame Can Harm Your Health"

British Medical Journal, October 3, 2004

"Fish Oil Far More Effective Than Aspirin For Pre-eclampsia"

British Medical Journal, September 12, 2003

"Managing Hypertriglyceridemia"

Canadian Medical Journal, April 1, 2003

"Nutritional Ignorance Will Sabotage Treatment"

British Medical Journal, September 13, 2002

"Dietary Manipulations That Resolve Atopic Dermatitis"

British Medical Journal, June 7, 2002

"Myopia Possible Link to Increased Refined Carbohydrate Intake and Hyperinsulinemia"

British Medical Journal, May 17, 2002

"Recent Advances in Nutritional Alternative to Parathyroid Hormone for Osteoporosis"

British Medical Journal, February 26, 2002

"Omega-3s and Childhood Asthma"

Thorax, March 2002:57(3)281

"More on Terrorism"

Journal of the American Osteopathic Association (JAOA), January 2002

"Many People are Taking Insulin Like Growth Factor Without Even Knowing It"

Western Journal of Medicine Vol 175 (6):378, December 2001

"Fluoride and Apoptosis: Trading Dental Caries for Cellular Death?"

British Medical Journal, July 20, 2001

"Accuracy of Hair Analysis"

Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) 285:1576-77, March 28, 2001

"Mercury Toxicity and Systemic Elimination Agents"

Journal of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine 11:53-62, March 2001

Columnist for The Townsend Letter

a nationally prominent alternative medicine periodical, from October 1997 to June 2001

"Recurrent Otitis? Think Allergy"

Family Practice News page 12-13; October 1, 1996

"Natural Progesterone for PMS"

Patient Care 30:27-28, September 15, 1996

"The Basis For Microcurrent Electrical Therapy in Conventional Medical Practice"

Journal of Advancement in Medicine 8:107-120, 1995

"Cracking Down on 'Neck Cracking'”

American Family Physician 45:452-459, February 1992 (article to discourage patient's self-manipulation which leads to ligamentous laxity)

"Minocycline Trials in Rheumatoid Arthritis"

Patient Care January 20, 1992 p.20-21

"Calcium Channel Blockers and Dysmenorrhea"

Journal of Adolescent Health 1:1-2, January 1992

"Better Sleep For Less Pain in Hand Rheumatoid Arthritis"

Patient Care December 15, 1991 p. 15

"Nutrition Software Helps Monitor Patients' Diets"

Computer News For Physicians, p. 29-30, June 15, 1990

"Premarital HIV Testing"

Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) 261:2198, April 21, 1989

Served as editor for HIV Monograph

by Abbott Laboratories published in 1989 and distributed to physicians nationally

"Private Resources Should Share AIDS Funding Responsibility"

Journal of the American Osteopathic Association (JAOA) 88:313, March 1988

"What Physicians Should Know About AIDS Antibody Testing"

Osteo Med News December 1988

"Premarital HIV Is Worth the Money"

Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) 261:2198, April 21, 1989

"Pediatrics and AIDS"

Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) 258:3119-3120, December 4, 1987

"Recent Developments In Smoking Cessation"

Osteo Annals 14:31-32, 1987

"The New American Diet (Book Review)"

Journal of the American Osteopathic Association (JAOA) 153:107-108, 1987

"Update On Rubella, Hepatitis, and H. flu Vaccines"

Osteo Med News 3:31-32, 1986

"Calcium Supplementation in the Treatment of Hypertension"

Journal of the American Osteopathic Association (JAOA) 85:104-107, 1985

"NMR Analysis of Human and Rabbit Lens"

Experimental Eye Research 34:545-552, 1982

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A Pioneer in Natural Health

Dr. Mercola’s Early Days

Born and raised in the inner city of Chicago, Dr. Mercola was a very active child whose fascination with health, wellness and technology led him to pursue medical school. He studied osteopathic medicine at Midwestern University, where he also learned how to truly learn and never stopped since. All the while, he was able to maintain an active lifestyle, seeing its positive impact on his overall health. He even competed in the Chicago Marathon and finished in just over three hours.

With a thirst for knowledge and experience, he worked at a physician’s office as a pharmacy technician, and later at the Illinois Eye Bank. He also worked at the Kidney Bank, after being inspired to help people with, or at risk of, kidney disease through preventative methods. In 1985, he performed routine checkups, school physical exams and saw chronically ill patients as the sole practitioner at a private wellness clinic in Schaumburg, Illinois.

I was prescribing medications but realized that they were not working in many cases. – Dr. Mercola

Determined to find better answers, he began exploring the world of natural medicine in the early 1990s, and slowly started to integrate healthy diet and exercise into his patients’ lives. After observing that these methods were working, he completely switched his focus to a preventative, holistic approach, and that was the start of it all.

Founding Mercola.com

Dr. Mercola founded Mercola.com in 1997 as a portal for up-to-date natural health information and resources that can help readers and subscribers adopt better lifestyles and achieve optimal health. It’s one of the first health websites that focuses on holistic medicine and is now routinely among the top 10 natural health websites.

Mercola.com also strives to expose corporate, government and mass media hype that diverts people from what is truly best for their health. It serves as a harmonious community for educated and open-minded individuals who belong to a variety of populations — from homemakers to health care experts — all seeking to improve and maintain their state of health and determined to change the modern health paradigm.

Originally based in Hoffman Estates near Chicago, Illinois, Mercola.com now operates in Cape Coral, Florida, and has a remote office in Manila, Philippines.

Mercola Headquarters

125 SW 3rd Place Suite 250 Cape Coral, FL 3399

Ahead Of The Curve

Dr. Mercola is always ahead of the curve when it comes to innovative health information and breaking beyond the confines of conventional medicine to bring trustworthy health advice. Listed below are some examples of Dr. Mercola paving the way for revolutionary changes.

1999

Reported about the dangers of the NSAID Vioxx. In 2004, Merck withdrew the drug from the market due to its potential to cause adverse cardiovascular effects.

2000

Advised against the cultivation and consumption of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In 2015, the National Geographic published an article calling GMOs "the biggest fraud in the history of science."

Promoted lack of vitamin D as "far more important to health" than concerns over calcium. In 2015, Science Daily promoted sunlight and vitamin D to be necessary for public health.

2001

Warned against the use of mercury in dentistry due to its link to Alzheimer’s disease. In 2017, the Minamata Convention on Mercury became effective, banning the manufacture, import and export of products that contain mercury, including dental amalgam.

2002

Advised against water fluoridation due to the negative health effects of fluoride, an endocrine disruptor. In 2015, the U.S. lowered its fluoride levels in water, finding that it damages the teeth.

2006

Advised against aspartame due to its connection to leukemia and 90 other different related adverse reactions. In 2015, The Washington Post published an article about the real dangers of fake sweeteners.

2012

Supported the California Ballot Proposition 37 (Yes on 37) which would require GMO foods to be labeled. This paved the way for other state initiatives, such as in Oregon, where a bill was passed in 2014 officially banning genetically engineered crops from being grown in Jackson County.

2014

Supported the regenerative agriculture movement, which aims to promote biodynamic farming to rebuild topsoil, protect biodiversity and prevent global disaster.

Visited Mexico and partnered with Caminos de Agua to support rural communities by helping develop low-tech fluoride removal and rain water catchment mechanism for non-contaminated water.

Achievements & Recognition

Dr. Mercola’s tireless efforts to disseminate important health information has earned him numerous awards and honors. In 2009, he was named the top Ultimate Wellness Game Changer, which awards "100 innovators, visionaries and leaders in 10 categories who are harnessing the power of new media to reshape their fields and change the world."

He also has received prestigious awards from Emord and Associates P.C. for his contributions to holistic medicine, including the Sacred Fire of Liberty Award, Excellence in Health Journalism Award and the Freedom of Informed Choice Award.

Awards

Distinguished Entrepreneur Award Finalist 2021

Florida SBDC
NVIC Lifetime Achievement Award 2020

Fifth International Public Conference on Vaccination Mindshare Summit
Pinnacle Award Lifetime Achievement Award 2019

Mindshare Summit
Future of Medicine Award 2017

Weston Price Foundation
Philanthropist for Justice 2011

Consumers for Dental Choice
Vision and Charity Award 2009

National Vaccine Information Center
Wellness Revolution Hall of Fame Parker Chiropractic 2007

Connect with Dr. Mercola

Follow Dr. Mercola on Social Media

Media Appearances

Dr. Mercola’s Effortless Healing program was also featured on PBS. He has been interviewed as a guest on various health and current events podcast channels as well, such as Ben Greenfield Fitness, Siim Land Podcast and The Mikhaila Peterson Podcast.

Organizations & Partnerships

A percentage of the proceeds from the Mercola site directly goes to the funding of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Foundation (AHVMF), the Consumers for Dental Choice, the Organic Consumers Association and other like-minded organizations that Dr. Mercola partnered with to promote the freedom of choice in health and wellness.

He also is a member of professional organizations, serving on the advisory boards of the following associations and institutions: Functional Medicine University, American Nutrition Association, Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation and Bio-Solar Proto.

Wellness Revolution Hall of Fame Parker Chiropractic 2007
Chiropractic 2007 Vision and Charity Award 2009 National Vaccine Information Center
Philanthropist for Justice 2011 Consumers for Dental Choice
Activist Award 2011 Weston Price Foundation Future of Medicine Award 2017 American
Comprehensive Integrative Medicine

Pinnacle Award Lifetime Achievement Award 2019 Mindshare Summit
NVIC Lifetime Achievement Award, Fifth International Public Conference on Vaccination 2020 Mindshare Summit
Distinguished Entrepreneur Award Finalist | Florida SBDC 2021

Caminos de Agua
Organic and Natural
American Botanical Council
IFOAM - Organics International
Companion Animal Nutrition and Wellness Institute
MRSA Survivors Network
Fluoride Action Network
Institute for Responsible Technology
Organic Consumers Association

Rabies Challenge Fund
American Holistic Veterinary Medical Foundation
Cornucopia Institute
Grassroots Health Nutrient Research Institute
Alliance for Natural Health USA
Mercury-Free Dentistry
Regeneration International
Center for Nutrition Advocacy
American Botanical Council

Mercola Editorial Team

Dr. Mercola, Writer, Researcher, Editor, 1997
Ann-Mari Ahlstedt, Researcher, Writing Assistant, Editor, 2007
Ann Margarette Talon, 2017

Elaine Catherine Ferrer, 2010
Rachael Bieschke, Researcher, Writing Assistant, Editor, 2002
Thomas Nico Sagun, 2016