Julian Whitaker

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Julian Whitaker

Julian M. Whitaker (born August 7, 1944) is a practitioner of alternative medicine who promotes vitamin cures and other alternative therapies through the Internet, self-published newsletters, and books. He operates the Whitaker Wellness Institute in Newport Beach, California. He has a California Physician and Surgeon license, #C34663, which was originally issued on November 17, 1972.[1] He is a member of the American College for Advancement in Medicine.[2] He is past president of the American Preventive Medical Association, now called The Alliance for Natural Health USA, which "is part of an international organization dedicated to promoting sustainable health and freedom of choice in healthcare through good science and good law".[3]

Education and certification

Whitaker graduated from Dartmouth College in 1966 and earned his M.D. from Emory University School of Medicine in 1970, completing a surgical internship at Atlanta's Grady Memorial Hospital in 1971. He did postgraduate training at Emory University and began but did not complete a residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of California San Francisco.

He is board certified in anti-aging medicine by the American Board of Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine,[4] an educational and certification program of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, a certification and academy not recognized by established medical organizations.[5]

Activities and medical philosophy

Whitaker suggests, in his subscription-based newsletter called Health and Healing and in numerous books, that a combination of vitamin therapy and exercise can prevent or cure many ailments. As the director and founder of the Whitaker Wellness Institute in Newport Beach, California, Whitaker states that since 1991, his subscription-based newsletter has achieved a circulation of more than 2.5 million readers. He is a co-founder of the California Orthomolecular Medical Society.

Whitaker opposes the use of pharmaceuticals in the treatment of mental illness and believes that psychiatry is fraudulent. In a CNN interview with Anderson Cooper, Whitaker states that psychiatric diagnoses have "no basis" and are fabricated or voted into existence by powerful groups of doctors with financial interests. The combination of medication and talk therapy endorsed by psychiatry is a "script", says Whitaker, who claims in the interview that his golden retriever can provide talk therapy just as well as a psychiatrist. According to Whitaker, vitamins, such as those promoted on his website, can cure psychiatric disorders by improving general health.[6]

Criticism

Whitaker has been a controversial figure, and has been criticized for his self-promotional approach to medicine, potential conflicts of interest, and his embrace of scientifically unsound practices.

The National Council Against Health Fraud (NCAHF) criticizes Whitaker for promoting himself as "America's #1 health advocate," "America's #1 health champion," and "the physician America trusts." According to the NCAHF, Whitaker advocates therapies involving growth hormones, chelation and megavitamins, and intervenes on behalf of other "maverick" doctors in legal trouble.[7][8]

The Los Angeles Times notes that Whitaker serves as a consultant to vitamin companies advertised on his website, a practice criticized by doctors. In the article, Whitaker is classified as a doctor "mixing celebrity and cyberspace".[9]

Whitaker claims to be a leading expert in "anti-aging medicine".[10] CNN reports that anti-aging medicine is not a specialty recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties and doctors cannot be officially certified in it.[11]

References

  1. ↑ California Medical License Number C 34663.
  2. ↑ About Dr. Whitaker.
  3. ↑ The Alliance for Natural Health USA.
  4. ↑ American Board of Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine.
  5. ↑ Certification Programs of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
  6. ↑ CNN interview of Julian Whitaker by Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees, June 30, 2005
  7. ↑ NCAHF entry on Whitaker
  8. ↑ NCAHF Newsletter 1 November 1997. "Julian Whitaker's smear campaign and the alleged 'NCAHF Quack List'".
  9. ↑ Roan, Shari (24 January 2000). "Changing Their Role; By mixing celebrity and cyberspace, some high- profile doctors are redefining the way medicine is practiced and promoted.". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 23 February 2009.
  10. ↑ Antiaging Medicine, Scientific American, 13 May 2002. Antiaging Medicine, May 13, 2002
  11. ↑ 30 March 2012. "The Risks of Anti-Aging Medicine".

External links

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