EP 1338
1338. Why Women’s Joints Are Failing 10x Faster
In this episode of The Human Upgrade, host Dave Asprey uncovers the real root cause of joint pain—and how to reverse it at the cellular level. Kiran Krishnan, a n expert microbiologist and advisor to Calroy Health Sciences, reveals groundbreaking clinical data showing how inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cytokine imbalances destroy cartilage years before symptoms appear. You’ll learn about a brilliant new supplement called Cartigenix HP and how targeting IL-6, TNF-alpha, and other inflammatory markers can flip the body from joint breakdown to regeneration in just days. Kiran shares results from large-scale trials showing 75% pain reduction and 60% improvement in mobility through a patented Boswellia and celery seed blend that outperforms standard drugs without side effects. Dave and Kiran also dive into how mitochondrial repair, nitric oxide optimization, and fasting accelerate recovery, why most painkillers and glucosamine fail, and how joint health connects directly to cardiovascular longevity, gut health, and biological age reversal.
Subscribe To The Human Upgrade
In this Episode of The Human Upgrade™...
Modern joint pain isn’t just wear and tear—it’s a systemic, metabolic disease that starts years before symptoms show. In this episode, you’ll learn how inflammation, mitochondria dysfunction, and immune imbalance trigger cartilage loss… and how to reverse it using targeted cytokine modulation, cellular regeneration, and smarter supplements for longevity and human performance.
Host Dave Asprey sits down with Kiran Krishnan, an expert microbiologist and advisor to Calroy Health Sciences. He’s the founder of Microbiome Labs—one of the most trusted microbiome-focused brands in functional medicine—and a formulator behind cutting-edge supplements like Arterosil and Vascanox. With over two decades of experience, Kiran has launched multiple health ventures, authored scientific textbook chapters, published clinical trials, and holds global patents in human health. He’s a leading authority on systemic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and gut-driven disease—and one of the few voices making complex biology accessible for real-world results.
He breaks down their new supplement Cartigenix HP, and how cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-alpha flip your cartilage cells from anabolic repair to catabolic destruction, how mitochondrial decline speeds up joint damage, and why most modern painkillers make your joints worse. You’ll learn how a specialized blend of boswellia and celery seed reprograms inflammation, why walking beats medication in clinical trials, and how fasting, nitric oxide, and gut health work together to optimize joint regeneration.
You’ll learn:
- How cartilage cells (chondrocytes) rely on mitochondria for tissue repair
- Why global cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-alpha drive joint degradation and brain fog
- How cartilage begins to break down in your teens—and what to do about it now
- The surprising clinical data on walking distance, inflammation markers, and recovery
- Why most supplements and NSAIDs fail—and what actually rebuilds joints
- How diet and leaky gut create 5-day inflammation spikes from a single fast-food meal
- The mitochondrial link between joint pain, cardiovascular risk, and depression
- Why perimenopausal women are at 10x higher risk for arthritis—and how to prevent it
- How to track your biological joint age using imaging and systemic inflammation labs
This is essential listening for anyone serious about biohacking, functional medicine, pain-free aging, and human performance. Whether you’re lifting heavy, walking daily, or just trying to stay mobile into old age, this episode gives you the science and tools to reverse joint degeneration and extend your healthspan.
Dave Asprey is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade brings you the knowledge to take control of your biology, extend your longevity, and optimize every system in your body and mind. Each episode delivers cutting-edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, biohacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living.
New episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (BONUS). Dave asks the questions no one else will and gives you real tools to become stronger, smarter, and more resilient.
Keywords: Joint cartilage regeneration, IL-6 inflammation suppression, TNF-alpha cytokine modulation, Chondrocyte mitochondrial repair, Catabolic to anabolic tissue shift, Osteoarthritis reversal, Rheumatoid arthritis inflammation, Mitochondria and collagen synthesis, Boswellia seratol extract, Celery seed COX inhibition, Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibition, Synovial fluid inflammation, Leaky gut and joint pain, Six-minute walk test improvement, Global cytokine markers, High sensitivity CRP reduction, ESR sedimentation rate, Uric acid crystal formation, Post-prandial glucose walking, Cartilage MRI biomarkers, Functional medicine joint support, Fasted repair stacking, Vasodilation and nitric oxide, Anti-inflammatory supplement stacking, NF-kB pathway reduction, Joint space biological age, Microvascular circulation and cartilage, Caloric load and cytokine spike, Perimenopause and arthritis risk, Joint tissue anabolic activation
**Get an exclusive discount for podcast listeners at calroy.com/dave : https://calroy.com/product/cartigenix-hp/?lp=dave **
Thank you to our sponsors!
-BodyGuardz | Visit https://www.bodyguardz.com/ and use code DAVE for 25% off.
-BiOptimizers | Go to http://bioptimizers.com/dave and use code DAVE15 to get 15% off your order.
-Quantum Upgrade | Go to https://quantumupgrade.io/Dave for a free trial.
-Caldera + Lab | Go to https://calderalab.com/DAVE and use code DAVE at checkout for 20% off your first order.
“We’ve been told forever that cartilage can’t regrow—but that’s completely false. We now have MRI evidence showing that within six months, cartilage starts to rebuild when you turn off the catabolic cytokines and feed the mitochondria.”
Kiran Krishnan
0:00 — Trailer
A rapid-fire overview of how joint pain actually starts, what modern medicine gets wrong, and how real regeneration happens.
1:25 — Introduction
Dave introduces Kiran Krishnan and tees up the radical rethink of arthritis, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction.
2:01 — Why Modern Medicine Fails at Joint Pain
Kiran explains how the “wear and tear” model is outdated—and why drugs like NSAIDs don’t stop degeneration.
3:07 — Painkillers That Accelerate Joint Damage
Common treatments like NSAIDs and steroids often make cartilage loss worse by blocking healing pathways.
7:35 — Rheumatoid vs. Osteoarthritis Explained
The real difference between autoimmune and degenerative joint pain—and how inflammation is central to both.
8:54 — Cytokines That Destroy Cartilage
IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IL-1 turn off repair and drive catabolic breakdown deep in the joint tissue.
12:10 — Arthritis Begins in Your Teens
Joint degeneration starts early—long before pain appears—and inflammation is the first trigger.
15:35 — 75% Pain Reduction in 7 Days
Clinical data reveals how a supplement blend using Boswellia and celery seed slashed joint pain in under a week.
18:35 — The Science Behind Boswellia & Celery Seed
Kiran breaks down why this formulation outperforms standard extracts like AKBA in real-world studies.
24:10 — Six-Minute Walk Test Results
Patients improved mobility and endurance by 60%—a key reversal in daily functional decline.
25:45 — The $200/Month Painkiller Trap
How Americans spend more to feel worse—and why painkiller economics favor short-term relief over long-term health.
28:53 — Proof Cartilage Can Regrow
Advanced imaging shows joint space and function actually improving—challenging decades of dogma.
31:01 — Mitochondria and Joint Repair
Why joints are energy-intensive tissues—and how fixing mitochondrial dysfunction restarts the repair cycle.
32:29 — Inflammation Links to Heart Disease
High IL-6 levels in joints also predict cardiovascular risk, making joint pain a full-body threat.
35:52 — Why Glucosamine Doesn’t Work
Large meta-analyses show no benefit from glucosamine or chondroitin—despite being widely recommended.
37:07 — Silent Arthritis in 90% of Adults
Most people over 40 already have joint damage they can’t feel—until it’s too late.
40:44 — Why Women Face Higher Joint Risk After 40
Hormonal shifts during perimenopause trigger inflammation and cartilage breakdown, especially in women.
45:52 — Food as the #1 Inflammation Trigger
A single fast food meal spikes IL-6 for up to two weeks—diet is the hidden fuel for joint damage.
47:23 — Fasting & Cartogenics Stack for Repair
Stacking mitochondria repair, nitric oxide, and fasting accelerates joint recovery and systemic healing.
50:27 — Movement Snacks and Efficient Training
Low-impact, short-duration movement is the best way to preserve joint integrity without overload.
55:54 — Why Joints Heal Slower Than Muscles
Joint tissue has fewer mitochondria and slower blood flow—explaining long healing timelines and re-injury risk.
57:48 — Dave’s Stack and Final Takeaways
Dave shares his joint repair stack and how to rethink longevity from the ground up—literally.
Resources:
- Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15
- Dave Asprey’s BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com
- Dave Asprey’s New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated
- Upgrade Collective: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com
- Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com
- 40 Years of Zen: https://40yearsofzen.com
Enjoy the show!
LISTEN:
“Follow” or “subscribe” to The Human Upgrade™ with Dave Asprey on your favorite podcast platform.
REVIEW:
Go to Apple Podcasts at daveasprey.com/apple and leave a (hopefully) 5-star rating and a creative review.
FEEDBACK:
Got a comment, idea or question for the podcast? Submit via this form!
SOCIAL:
Follow @thehumanupgradepodcast on Instagram and Facebook.
JOIN:
Learn directly from Dave Asprey alongside others in a membership group: ourupgradecollective.com.
Subscribe To The Human Upgrade
Similar Episodes
Subscribe To The Human Upgrade
BOOKS
4X NEW YORK TIMES
BEST-SELLING SCIENCE AUTHOR
Smarter
Not Harder
Smarter Not Harder: The Biohacker’s Guide to Getting the Body and Mind You Want is about helping you to become the best version of yourself by embracing laziness while increasing your energy and optimizing your biology.
Also Available
