Joel D. Wallach

Joel D. Wallach (born in St. Louis County, Missouri on June 4 1940) is an American veterinarian and naturopath known for promoting colloidal minerals as a treatment for many conditions. Wallach obtained a B.S. degree in Agriculture from the University of Missouri in 1962, with a major in Animal Husbandry (Nutrition) and a minor in Field Crops and Soils. In 1964 he was awarded a D.V.M. degree, also from the University of Missouri. Thereafter, Wallach completed a three year (1965-68) post-doctoral fellowship at The Center for the Biology of Natural Systems at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1982 he obtained a N.D. degree from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. His major sales pitch is made through his Multi Level Marketing outfit who promote audiotapes entitled "Dead Doctors Don't Lie" in which he makes many claims which include:

* Mineral deficiencies are responsible for most chronic diseases
* Only "colloidal" minerals can be adequately absorbed [in adults] and contain all the essential minerals.

Critics like James Pontolillo James Pontolillo. " [http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/DSH/colloidalminerals.html Colloidal Mineral Supplements: Unnecessary and Potentially Hazardous] "] are skeptical of his claims and research. His article debunks many claims made by Dr. Wallach, such as a calcium deficiency causing Bell's Palsy -- known to be a from a cranial nerve paralysis. It also highlights other claims not supported by any clinical research, and highlights the potential harm from vitamin overdosing.

A response by G. N. Schrauser Ph.D. published on the website of Majestic Earth Minerals, Wallach's company, states: "The present account shows that Dr. Wallach's academic record is unassailable, and that his opinions and views are generally well substantiated. If he startles some of his critics this may be because developments in his area of expertise are not generally known or ignored by the largely drug oriented conventional medicine." Schrauser GN. [http://www.majesticearth-minerals.com/quackwatch.php "QuackWatch Rebuttal"] ]

A comprehensive explanation of why colloidal minerals are nutritionally useless (and may in fact cause bodily harm) is given by a recent article from Cecil Adams of Straight Dope fame [http://www.straightdope.com/columns/080314.html What’s the deal with colloidal silver? ] . For those unfamiliar with them, The Straight Dope [ http://www.straightdope.com/ The Straight Dope: Fighting Ignorance since 1973 (it's taking longer than we thought) ] is known for researching and debunking popular myths.

Recent studies in rodents have shown a link between mineral deficiencies and developmental problems. [ http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/133/5/1477SDevelopmental consequences of trace mineral deficiencies in rodents: acute and long-term effects.] No peer-reviewed scientific work, however, has shown that "colloidal" minerals are absorbed any better or worse than normal minerals are, in humans or animals. Any evidence in favour of "colloidal" minerals is therefore anecdotal and scientifically unproven.

Some of his peer-reviewed publications

*D. Wallach, Ma Lan, Wei Han Yu, Bo-Qi Gu, Feng Teng Yu and Roy F. Goddard (1990). Common denominators in the etiology and pathology of visceral lesions of cystic fibrosis and Keshan Disease. Biol. Trace El. Res. 24: 189 — 205. [ [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=search&DB=pubmed PMID: 1702672 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE ] ]
*Charney AN, Wallach JD, Donowitz M, Johnstone N. Effect of cycloheximide on corticosteroid-induced changes in colonic function. Am J Physiol. 1982 Aug;243(2):G112-6. [ [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=6287851&query_hl=3&itool=pubmed_docsum PMID: 6287851 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE ] ]
*Wallach JD. A connection between bulimia and depression? Am J Psychiatry. 1986 Mar;143(3):390-1. [ [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=3456726&query_hl=3&itool=pubmed_docsum PMID: 3456726 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE ] ]
*Lowenkopf EL, Wallach JD. Bulimia: theoretical conceptualizations and therapies. J Am Acad Psychoanal. 1985 Oct;13(4):489-503. [ [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=3865921&query_hl=3&itool=pubmed_docsum PMID: 3865921 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE ] ]
*Boever WJ, Thoen CO, Wallach JD. Mycobacterium chelonei infection in a natterer manatee.J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1976 Nov 1;169(9):927-9. [ [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=988008&query_hl=3&itool=pubmed_docsum PMID: 988008 PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE ] ]

List of published books

* Joel D. Wallach, BS, DVM, ND, and Ma Lan, MD, MS. "Let's play herbal doctor". Wellness Publication LLC, Bonita CA, 2001. ISBN 0970149077.
* Joel D. Wallach, BS, DVM, ND, and Ma Lan, MD, MS. "Dead doctors don't lie". Legacy Communication Group Incorporated, 1999.
* Joel D. Wallach, BS, DVM, ND, and Ma Lan, MD, MS. "Rare Earths, Forbidden cures". Double Happiness Publishing Company, 1997. ISBN 0970149085.
* J. D. Wallach, DVM, ND and Ma Lan, MD, MS. "Let's play doctor!" Double Happiness Publishing Company, 1998. ISBN 0970149093.
* Joel D. Wallach, DVM and William J. Boever, DVM. "Diseases of exotic animals: medical and surgical management". W. B. Saunders Company, 1983.
* Joel D. Wallach, DVM and Josephine Wallach. "Rhino express". Vantage Press, 1978.

References

External links

ites run by Wallach

* [http://www.wallachonline.com/wallach-pubs.html Wallach On Line]
* [http://www.thewallachfiles.com/drwallachgallery.htm Wallach Files]
* [http://www.deaddoctors.com/index.html Deaddoctors.com]

Critics

* [http://skepdic.com/wallach.html The Skeptic's Dictionary] - Skeptic.com
* [http://nutra-smart.net/al.htm Dr. Wallach Exposed] - Stuart Adams
* [http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/DSH/colloidalminerals.html Colloidal Mineral Supplements] - Quackwatch.org
* [http://www.straightdope.com/columns/080314.html What’s the deal with colloidal silver?] - Cecil Adams, The Straight Dope