Newsmax’s new list of “Newsmax Health’s Top 100 Health Blogs” includes most of the usual suspect. Plus, as you’d surmise with the task of coming up with enough entries to fill the list and Newsmax’s own dubious health advice, a couple of quacks.
Located prominently at No. 6 is “Mercola.com — Alternative medicine news from Joseph Mercola, D.O.” If that name sounds familiar, it should — WorldNetDaily promoted Mercola’s fearmongering about the HPV vaccine. According to Quackwatch, Mercola is a seller of health supplements who opposes immunization, fluoridation of water, and mammography; claims that amalgam fillings are toxic; and makes many unsubstantiated claims in recommending dietary supplements.
Coming in at No. 34 is Newsmax’s own favorite doctor, Russell Blaylock. We’ve documented how Blaylock — who has partnered with Newsmax on a health newsletter — fearmongers against vaccines and claims NutraSweet and MSG cause brain damage.
Newsmax’s mixing of quacks into its list casts a dubious shadow over the rest of the list, even if most of them are offering sound medical advice (which they appear to be doing).