Functional ‘medicine’ guru Mark Hyman inspired by RFK, Jr. in developing his kooky ‘wellness’ empire

[Dr. Mark Hyman], 65, has amassed millions of followers interested in his booming wellness empire, which includes a supplement company, a hit podcast, 15 best-selling books and a start-up health testing company with celebrity backing. And the doctor’s adventure partner, Mr. Kennedy, ascended to become an independent presidential candidate and, now, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for the next secretary of Health and Human Services, vowing to “Make America Healthy Again.”

Both men have promoted unfounded ideas, including the notion that certain vaccines may be linked to autism [and a] growing number of doctors agree that American medicine has for too long snubbed preventative care, to the detriment of patients. But critics are skeptical of Dr. Hyman’s solutions, which include unproven approaches like ozone therapy and heavy metal detoxification.

His ideas could soon be peppered into federal health policy. Mr. Kennedy has said that he would like to see an end to what he sees as the government’s “suppression” of supplements and exercise, and he supports greater insurance coverage for diagnostic tests. Dr. Mehmet Oz, who was chosen by Mr. Trump to oversee Medicare and Medicaid, once hosted Mr. Kennedy and Dr. Hyman on his popular television show, discussing the potential dangers of mercury in certain vaccines.

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