Sources in the Conspiracy-Pseudoscience category may publish unverifiable information that is not always supported by evidence. These sources may be untrustworthy for credible/verifiable information, therefore fact checking and further investigation is recommended on a per article basis when obtaining information from these sources. See all Conspiracy-Pseudoscience sources.
- Overall, we rate Mercola.com a Quackery level pseudoscience website that advocates for sometimes dangerous, inaction or action, to serious health issues.
Detailed Report
Factual Reporting: LOW
County: USA
World Press Freedom Rank: USA 45/180
History
Mercola.com is an alternative medicine website, Founded in 1998, by Joseph Michael Mercola, who is an osteopathic physician, and web entrepreneur, who markets a variety of controversial dietary supplements and medical devices through this website.
Funded by / Ownership
The website is owned by Dr. Joseph Mercola and funded through advertising and questionable supplements/products on an online store.
Analysis / Bias
In review, Mercola and colleagues advocate a number of unproven alternative health notions including homeopathy, while promoting anti-vaccine positions. Further, in 2011, Joseph Mercola donated 1 million dollars to an organization that opposes vaccinations. They also claim increased cancer risks from mobile devices, which has been labeled pseudoscience by the consensus of scientists. In general, they frequently promote pseudoscience and make false claims.
Failed Fact Checks (a small sampling of dozens)
- The effectiveness of homeopathy is confirmed daily – Unsupported
- Vitamin D is more effective than [the] flu vaccine – Inaccurate
- Studies have repeatedly linked fluoride to reduced IQ and brain damage – Misleading
- The CDC issued a warning to all Americans urging them not to get the flu shot this year. – False
- Medical research has established a causative link between root canals and cancer mortality. – False
- The U.S. government plans to make vaccinations mandatory for all adults. – False
- Financier George Soros owns the lab in Wuhan, China, where the COVID-19 coronavirus disease was “developed.” – False
- The FDA has ruled that homeopathic drugs are now illegal. – False
Overall, we rate Mercola.com a Quackery level pseudoscience website that advocates for sometimes dangerous, inaction or action, to serious health issues. (8/22/2016) Updated (D. Van Zandt 06/14/2020)
Source: https://www.mercola.com/
