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 sometimes advocates for dangerous, inaction or action, to serious health issues.

Detailed Report

Bias Rating: PSEUDOSCIENCE
Factual Reporting: LOW
Country: USA (44/180 Press Freedom)
Media Type: Website
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: LOW CREDIBILITY

History

Mercola.com is an alternative medicine website, Founded in 1998 by Joseph Michael Mercola, an osteopathic physician and web entrepreneur who markets various controversial dietary supplements and medical devices through this website.

Funded by / Ownership

Dr. Joseph Mercola owns the website, and it is funded through advertising and questionable supplements/products on an online store.

Analysis / Bias

In review, Mercola and colleagues advocate many 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, labeled pseudoscience by scientists’ consensus. In general, they frequently promote pseudoscience and make false claims.

Failed Fact Checks (a small sampling of dozens)

• The effectiveness of homeopathy 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 urged Americans 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” – False
• The FDA has ruled that homeopathic drugs are now illegal. – False
• The government is about to approve an Emeryville, California company’s implantable “chip” that will create “transhumans” and allow government to spy on our health and other data? – False

Overall, we rate Mercola.com a Quackery-level pseudoscience website that sometimes advocates for dangerous, inaction or action, to serious health issues. (8/22/2016) Updated (D. Van Zandt 08/22/2021)

Source: https://www.mercola.com/