You’ve probably seen the ads. Maybe you were scrolling through your feed and saw a guy in a lab coat talking about joint pain, "leaky gut," or some miracle turmeric blend. He’s articulate, he looks the part, and he’s everywhere in the wellness space. But in an era where anyone can buy a stethoscope on Amazon and call themselves an expert, it’s natural to wonder: is Joshua Levitt a real doctor, or is he just another internet personality with a clever marketing team?
The short answer? Yes, he is. But the "how" and the "what" of his credentials are where people usually get tripped up. He isn't your neighborhood MD who spends his day writing prescriptions for Lipitor.
The Credentials Behind the Name
If you are looking for a medical degree (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), you won't find one attached to the Joshua Levitt associated with UpWellness. He is a Naturopathic Doctor (ND).
Wait. Before you roll your eyes and think "herbalist," let's look at the actual paperwork.
Dr. Levitt earned his doctorate from Bastyr University in 2001. If you aren't familiar with the world of natural medicine, Bastyr is basically the Harvard of naturopathy. It’s a four-year, accredited medical school where students study anatomy, biochemistry, and pathology—the same stuff MDs study—but with a heavy pivot toward nutrition, botanical medicine, and lifestyle intervention.
He didn't just stop at the degree. He also completed a formal residency in integrative medicine in Seattle. That's a crucial detail. Many people calling themselves "health coaches" or "nutritionists" have zero clinical training. Levitt has spent over 20 years in the trenches, seeing thousands of patients in a clinical setting.
Why the MD vs. ND Debate Matters
The confusion usually starts because Levitt often works alongside MDs. Honestly, he’s one of the few guys in the natural space who actually has a foot in both worlds. For over a decade, he has served as a clinical preceptor for the Yale School of Medicine.
Basically, he teaches Yale medical students about integrative care.
When you have one of the most prestigious medical schools in the country inviting you to supervise their residents, you aren't a "fake" doctor. You’re a specialist in a specific, albeit alternative, field. However, it is important to understand the legal limits. In many states, NDs cannot perform surgery or prescribe certain high-level pharmaceuticals. They are primary care providers in some states (like Connecticut, where he practices) but have a different scope of practice than an MD.
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What Does He Actually Do?
Levitt is the co-founder of UpWellness, a supplement company that has grown into a massive operation. This is where most people encounter him. He’s the formulator behind products like Golden Revive + and Immune 11X.
His whole vibe is "The Best of Both Worlds."
He focuses heavily on what he calls the I-M-F protocol:
- Inflammation: Not just "it hurts," but the chemical markers behind it.
- Muscle Tension: How the physical body reacts to that stress.
- Fibrosis: The scar tissue and "internal rust" that limits mobility.
He isn't just selling pills; he's obsessed with the physiology of why we hurt. He grew up around medicine—his father was a physician—so he has a weirdly deep respect for conventional science while simultaneously thinking it ignores the root causes of chronic illness.
The "Red Flags" People Point Out
Whenever a doctor starts selling supplements, the "scam" alarms go off. It’s a fair instinct. You should be skeptical.
The internet is full of "doctors" who are really just actors in white coats. But Joshua Levitt’s practice, Whole Health in Hamden, Connecticut, is a physical, brick-and-mortar clinic. You can literally walk into the building. He is a licensed naturopathic physician in the state of Connecticut, which has some of the strictest regulations for naturopaths in the country.
One thing to watch out for? There is another "Dr. Josh Leavitt" (notice the 'a' in the name) who is a Board-Certified Family Physician (DO) in Idaho. They are two different people. If you are Googling credentials and see a guy in Boise, you’ve got the wrong Josh.
Is He Right for You?
Whether or not he’s a "real" doctor depends on your definition. If your definition is "a person with a Doctorate who is licensed by a state board to diagnose and treat patients," then yes, he is.
If your definition is strictly "a medical doctor who graduated from a traditional allopathic medical school," then no.
His approach is best for people who:
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- Are tired of being told their labs are "normal" even though they feel like garbage.
- Want to use supplements that are actually formulated by someone who understands biochemistry.
- Are looking for an alternative to long-term NSAID (Advil/Tylenol) use for joint issues.
However, if you have an acute medical emergency—like a broken leg or a suspected heart attack—you don't go to a naturopath. You go to the ER. Even Levitt would tell you that. He advocates for integrative medicine, which means using the best of modern tech and the best of natural wisdom.
Actionable Steps for Evaluating Health Experts
Don't just take an ad's word for it. When you see a "doctor" online, do this:
- Check the Degree: Look for where they graduated. Accredited schools like Bastyr, NUNM, or SCNM mean the person actually went through a four-year medical program.
- Verify the License: Most states have a "Verify a License" portal on their Department of Public Health website. Search their name there.
- Distinguish Between ND and MD: Know what you are getting. An ND is great for chronic lifestyle issues; an MD is the gold standard for acute care and complex pathology.
- Look for a Clinic: Does the person actually see patients, or are they just a "content creator"? Real clinical experience is worth more than a million followers.
At the end of the day, Joshua Levitt is a legitimate, licensed naturopathic physician with deep ties to traditional medical education. He’s a real doctor within his specific branch of medicine, and his background suggests he knows his stuff when it comes to the intersection of plants and human physiology.