Our Story
About Dr. Lon Jones & Common Sense Medicine
Four decades of rural family medicine, a master's in history, and a lifelong commitment to defense medicine — supporting the body's natural ability to protect itself.
Biography
Dr. Lon Jones, DO
Dr. Lon Jones is a board-certified osteopathic family physician who practiced for more than 40 years in rural New Mexico, serving generations of families in communities where access to specialty care was limited and practical, preventive medicine mattered most.
Before entering medicine, Dr. Jones earned a master's degree in history. That training shaped his approach to clinical practice: he looks for patterns across time, asks why treatments succeed or fail, and favors explanations grounded in physiology and evidence rather than convention alone.
Over his career, Dr. Jones developed the framework of defense medicine — the idea that many chronic and recurrent illnesses reflect a breakdown in the body's natural protective systems, and that the most effective interventions often support those defenses rather than suppress symptoms.
He is the author of multiple books on respiratory health, ear infections, and preventive care, and has published peer-reviewed research on intranasal xylitol, biofilm resistance, and the connection between upper airway health and systemic wellness.
In Partnership
A Tribute to Jerry Bozeman
Jerry Bozeman — Dr. Jones's wife, colleague, and closest collaborator — brought a distinctive perspective rooted in special education and decades of work with children who learn differently. Her expertise in play therapy opened a window into how chronic illness and developmental challenges intersect in ways that standard medical models often miss.
Jerry's observations helped connect recurrent ear infections to broader patterns of learning disabilities and cognitive fatigue. Children who struggled to hear clearly in classroom settings were often mislabeled as inattentive or slow — when the underlying problem was treatable upper-airway inflammation and fluid buildup.
Together, Lon and Jerry bridged clinical medicine and educational psychology, advocating for interventions that address root causes — clean nasal passages, restored mucosal defense, and environments that support rather than strain a child's developing nervous system. Her legacy continues through the foundation's research and educational mission.
Clinical Innovation
The Xlear & Xylitol Nasal Spray Story
The path to xylitol nasal spray began when Dr. Jones read Finnish research showing that xylitol chewing gum could prevent a significant share of recurrent acute otitis media. He wondered whether delivering xylitol directly to the nasopharynx — where most ear and sinus infections begin — might be even more effective.
He formulated a simple xylitol-saline spray for his granddaughter, who suffered from repeated ear infections. The results were dramatic: infection rates dropped by more than 95% in his rural practice, and the approach spread to families across New Mexico and beyond.
That clinical experiment grew into Xlear, a xylitol-based nasal spray designed to restore the nasal airway's natural cleansing and antimicrobial defenses. Dr. Jones's peer-reviewed case reports documented the mechanism: xylitol acts as a glycan decoy, blocking pathogen adhesion while drawing moisture into dry, inflamed mucosa.
Why Nasal Defense Matters
- 1 Most respiratory infections enter through the nose and colonize the nasopharynx before spreading to ears, sinuses, or lungs.
- 2 Xylitol mimics host glycans, preventing bacteria and viruses from binding to mucosal surfaces.
- 3 Supporting mucosal hydration and ciliary clearance restores the airway's first line of immune defense.
501(c)(3) Nonprofit
The Common Sense Medicine Foundation
Common Sense Medicine is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit foundation dedicated to funding and disseminating research on defense medicine, foods with drug-like effects, and preventive approaches that support the body's natural protective systems.
The foundation sponsors clinical studies, publishes educational materials for patients and physicians, and advocates for healthcare policies that prioritize prevention over perpetual treatment of symptoms. Donations to Common Sense Medicine are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Partnership with Xylitol.org
Common Sense Medicine collaborates with Xylitol.org, the global hub for xylitol research, education, and applications in dental, nasal, and systemic health. Together, we work to advance the scientific understanding of xylitol as a safe, accessible tool for supporting mucosal immunity.
Continue Exploring
Read Dr. Jones's published works, browse peer-reviewed research, or reach out to the foundation team.