Joel D. Wallach

Biographical Information
Dr. Joel D. Wallach, DVM, ND, Co-founder of Youngevity. criticism

"A biomedical research pioneer, Dr. Joel D. Wallach, DVM, ND spent more than 40 years in the field of Veterinary Medicine, observing and researching the effects of individual nutrients on animal health, before becoming a Naturopathic Physician in 1982. Today, Dr. Wallach is renowned for his groundbreaking research on the health benefits of selenium and other minerals. He currently dedicates his time to lecturing throughout the world on the therapeutic benefits of vitamins and minerals, and on lobbying the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on behalf of the dietary supplement industry.

"Dr. Wallach has held key positions with leading zoos and universities in the United States and Africa, including Director of the Jacksonville Zoological Park in Jacksonville, Florida; Research Veterinarian for the South Africa National Parks Department (where he was a member of the famous “Operation Rhino” team); and Director of Research at the St. Louis Zoological Park in St. Louis, Missouri. At the request of Africa’s National Parks and Wildlife Management Department, Dr. Wallach led an expedition to capture and mark elephants in the Wankie Game Preserve in Rhodesia as part of a migration study. He is one of the founders and a former editor of the Journal of Zoo Animal Medicine. A prolific author, he has published more than 70 scientific papers and six books including the famous textbook, Diseases of Exotic Animals, still used today by leading veterinary schools, and on the Smithsonian Institute’s recommended reading list for Zoological Garden and Aquarium libraries.

"As a researcher at the Emory University Yerkes National Primate Center in Atlanta, Georgia in 1977, Dr. Wallach discovered the world’s first known case of non-human cystic fibrosis in a selenium-deficient Rhesus monkey. At the time, cystic fibrosis was believed to the result of a human genetic disorder. Dr. Wallach’s monumental discovery set him on a 20-year path of research on the health benefits of selenium and other minerals. As a result of this work, he became known as The Mineral Doctor and the Father of Liquid Mineral Supplementation.

"In 1997, Dr. Wallach and Dr. Ma Lan, MD, MS, founded American Longevity, the network marketing company known today as Youngevity® . Within five years the company had an international network of distributors and preferred customers plus offices in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, and Japan. Today, Youngevity® is a global nutritional and coffee direct marketing company dedicated to improving lifestyles through vibrant health and flourishing economics.

"Dr. Wallach currently dedicates his time to lecturing throughout the world on the therapeutic benefits of vitamins and minerals, and on lobbying the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on behalf of the dietary supplement industry. His tireless efforts and dedication to the public’s First Amendment rights to complete information on the therapeutic benefits of nutrition prompted the FDA to establish Qualified Health Claims for Selenium (“may reduce the risk of certain cancers”) and Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids (“may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease”). Only a few Qualified Health Claims exist, placing Youngevity® in a unique position among Dietary Supplement and Direct Marketing companies."

Related Sourcewatch

 * "In the early 1980's, Wallach practiced as a "Manner Metabolic Physician''[10] a term given to those who treat cancer patients by administering 'laetrile', also known as vitamin b17; a cyanide containing substance which is derived from apricot pits, clinically proven to be ineffective against cancer[11] (many criminal charges have been brought against people selling laetrile as a cancer treatment, ripping off thousands of desperate patients. Moreover, laetrile is one of the more popular choices of cancer therapy among infamous Tijuana cancer clinics operating outside of U.S. legal jurisdiction.[12])

"Several years later, Wallach worked at Tijuana's infamous 'Hospital Santa Monica' (the 'alternative medicine' clinic which recently gained notoriety when Coretta Scott King died there) operated by the infamous Kurt Donsbach,[10]...

"Wallachs company has attracted a lot of followers over the years, including people such as Gerhard Scharuazer (selenium researcher) as well as others including Paula Bickle, (dental hygienist) Edmond Devroey (gynecologist) and some retard called Bernie Owens who presents a radio show called 'the wellness hour' on KSCO AM 1080 which he uses to promote Wallachs propaganda and provide inaccurate heath information to listeners and callers.


 * Author of Passport to Aromatherapy Dr. Joel Wallach and Dr. Ma Lan with Alexandria Brighton & Dr Judy Wright