Dan Dale Alexander
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Dan Dale Alexander | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | July 18, 1919 |
| Died | June 15, 1990 (aged 70) |
| Occupation | Alternative health writer |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Ida Fischer |
| Children | 3 |
Dan Dale Alexander (July 18, 1919 – June 15, 1990) was an American nutrition influencer, famous for his eccentric beliefs about cod liver oil curing arthritis. He became known as the "Codfather".[1]
Alexander was born in Norwich, Connecticut. He was educated at Norwich Free Academy, Trinity College and Columbia University but failed to obtain any degree as he dropped out.[2] Alexander had no medical credentials.[3][4] He obtained a Ph.D. from an obscure diploma-mill which he received in the mail from St. Andrew's Ecumenical College, London. He sent a check for $100 to the college as appreciation for receiving it.[3]
Alexander is best known for Arthritis and Common Sense, which sold more than one million copies.[2] He was president of Witkower Press of Hartford, Connecticut, who published the book. He believed that drinking cod liver oil mixed with orange juice could cure arthritis.[4] He appeared on The Johnny Carson Show and The Merv Griffin Show to promote his ideas. His ideas were uncritically accepted in the Los Angeles Times and on radio stations.[4]
