Page 4

By Dave Asprey

Detoxing Fluoride the Right Way

Fluoridated drinking water, once considered as a public health triumph, is currently under scrutiny. Government health agencies now acknowledge its harmful effects on thyroid and pineal gland function. This shift sparked interest in the best ways to detox fluoride, especially since studies show fluoride can accumulate in your tissues [1]. There are two main tools that are gaining attention for their ability to help your body remove fluoride – tamarind and cream of tartar. Both offer potential, but one outshines the other in cost, practicality, and alignment with a biohacker’s lifestyle. Let’s explore why.

Why Fluoride Detox Matters

Fluoride accumulates in your body and can negatively impact your organs. Your thyroid, a key regulator of your metabolism, and your pineal gland, vital for sleep and circadian rhythm, are particularly vulnerable. It’s essential to avoid fluoride in water, toothpaste, and processed foods. But what about the fluoride already stored in your body?

Studies show that tamarind, a tropical fruit used in traditional medicine, increases fluoride excretion [2]. But does tamarind deserve its spot as the best fluoride detox method or is there a better option?

How Tamarind Reduces Fluoride Levels

Tamarind’s fluoride-detoxifying powers come from its ability to change the pH (acidity/basicity) of your urine. Tamarind increases urinary pH and increased urinary pH facilitates increased fluoride excretion [3]. It does this because it contains a compound called tartaric acid [4].

A Moldy Situation

Mold and mycotoxins commonly grow on certain crops, including tamarind. Studies show that tamarind is susceptible to Aspergillus niger, a type of mold [5]. You don’t want mold in your body. You can read about my personal mold story here.

Animal and human trials validate tamarind’s role in fluoride detoxification. However, as biohackers we’re always looking for the most efficient (and non-moldy) solution.

Cream of Tartar: A Cost-Effective and Accessible Alternative

Cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate) contains tartaric acid, the primary active component in tamarind responsible for fluoride chelation. Here’s why it’s a game-changer:

Concentrated Tartaric Acid

Cream of tartar provides a direct source of tartaric acid. Also, unlike tamarind, you can find it in most grocery stores (check the spices section).

Affordable:

At just around $1.80 for three months of use, cream of tartar is cost effective.

Simple Delivery:

A daily dose of 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon mixed with water is all you need. Most people tolerate it well, especially when taken with meals.

The Biohacker’s Protocol for Fluoride Removal

Removing fluoride effectively requires consistency, simplicity, and minimal risk. Here’s a practical, cost-effective approach:

Avoid Fluoride Exposure:

Use fluoride-free toothpaste, drink non-fluoridated water (reverse osmosis with minerals added is best), and use filtered water for cooking.

Daily Fluoride Detox:

Mix 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar with water. Take this with a meal to minimize potential gastrointestinal discomfort and enhance potassium absorption.

Support your detox with Antioxidants:

Consume polyphenol-rich foods and supplements like grape seed extract, mold-free coffee, and berries to amplify fluoride detoxification and protect against oxidative stress.

Monitor Progress:

Track changes in energy, sleep quality, and overall performance levels. Consider periodic testing for fluoride levels if accessible.

Why Cream of Tartar Wins

Tamarind’s role in fluoride removal is scientifically validated, but it’s not the best option. Cream of tartar delivers the same fluoride-binding tartaric acid in a much more convenient way and without any mold concerns. Pair this with a polyphenol-rich diet or supplements, and you’ll exceed tamarind’s detox potential while supporting overall longevity.

Fluoride removal isn’t just about chelation; it’s about doing so in a way that aligns with a biohacker’s goals of efficiency, simplicity, and sustainability. Cream of tartar delivers on all fronts, making it the smart choice for anyone serious about detoxing fluoride from their body.

If you want to hack your fluoride levels and boost your body’s natural detox pathways, start with the biohacker-approved protocol: avoid fluoride, add a pinch of cream of tartar to your routine, and keep your antioxidant game strong. Small, strategic steps create exponential upgrades.

References:

By Dave Asprey

A friend in the field of aging recently floated the idea that permanently reducing your body temperature might extend lifespan. I’m not calling him out personally here because playing the takedown game is for angry people…if he wants a polite and curious discussion, I’m game.

Permanently reducing your body temperature is entirely different from cryotherapy, which I have been doing as a part of my advanced longevity practice for the last 15 years (And I offer it at UpgradeLabs.com).

This article is based on the last 25 years I’ve worked in the field of longevity. I dropped my body temperature to 96.8 when I was younger, fatter, and had chronic fatigue. Once I brought it back up to 98.6, my health improved a lot.

True, there are studies showing that a lower metabolic rate could slow cellular aging, mimicking calorie restriction. While this might sound appealing in theory, there is a clear case that maintaining an optimal body temperature is essential for longevity. Why?

Because your body is a finely tuned biochemical system, and key enzymes that control energy, repair, and metabolism function poorly at lower temperatures. You need those to work properly so your body will repair itself. Short bursts of intense cold make you stronger. Chronic cold is a stressor. Here’s why reducing your body temperature—even to 97°F (36.1°C)—could do more harm than good. Some proponents even target 95°F!

The Temperature-Sensitive Enzymes That Keep You Alive and Thriving

Your body relies on enzymes for every biological process. These enzymes work best at a core body temperature of 98.6°F (37°C) [1], and even small temperature reductions can significantly impact their efficiency. Here are the most critical enzymes for longevity and why they need you to stay warm.

1. Deiodinases: The Key to Thyroid Hormone Activation

Role: Convert the inactive thyroid hormone (T4) into active T3, which regulates your metabolism
Optimal Temperature: 98.6°F (37°C)
Efficiency Drop at 97°F: 20–50%
Why This Matters for Longevity: Without sufficient T3, your metabolic rate slows, leading to fatigue, weight gain, and impaired cellular repair. At just 97°F, your deiodinases can lose half their efficiency, meaning your cells won’t get the energy signals they need to repair damage and maintain youthfulness. Reduced thyroid function also increases oxidative stress, a major contributor to aging [2].

2. Cytochrome c Oxidase: Your Energy Factory

Role: Powers the final step of mitochondrial energy production (ATP synthesis). You probably read about this in my NYT bestseller longevity book Super Human.
Optimal Temperature: 98.6–99°F (37–37.2°C)
Efficiency Drop at 97°F: 15–20%
Why This Matters for Longevity: Mitochondria are the engines of your cells, and cytochrome c oxidase drives energy production. Lowering your body temperature reduces mitochondrial output, leaving cells energy-starved and less capable of maintaining peak function. Energy deficits in mitochondria are strongly linked to aging and neurodegenerative diseases [3].

3. Sirtuins: The Longevity Guardians

Role: Regulate DNA repair, mitochondrial function, and inflammation [4]. If you read Super Human, I went deep in activating these for longevity. One of the reasons you take NAD is to activate sirtuins!

SIRT3, a mitochondrial sirtuin, regulates enzymes involved in energy production and protects mitochondria from oxidative stress [5].
SIRT1 and SIRT6 help repair DNA damage and maintain genomic stability [6].
SIRT1 suppresses pro-inflammatory pathways by deacetylating NF-?B (a key inflammatory regulator) [7].
SIRT1 and SIRT2 influence insulin sensitivity, fat metabolism, and glucose homeostasis [8][9].

Optimal Temperature: 98.6°F (37°C)
Efficiency Drop at 97°F: 15–20%
Why This Matters for Longevity: Sirtuins rely on NAD?, which is already limited with age [10]. Lower temperatures can further slow their activity, reducing DNA repair and mitochondrial output. Sirtuins are a cornerstone of longevity science, and impairing their function with chronic cold may accelerate cellular aging.

4. Proteasomal Enzymes: Cellular Trash Collectors

Role: Break down damaged proteins to maintain cellular health [11]. In the Super Human aging framework, I wrote about extracellular junk. These enzymes fix that.
Optimal Temperature: 99°F (37.2°C)
Efficiency Drop at 97°F: 10–15%
Why This Matters for Longevity: At lower temperatures, proteasomal activity declines, allowing toxic protein aggregates to accumulate. This is a hallmark of aging and diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s [12]. (See my NYT bestseller on cognitive function, Head Strong, for more on Alzheimer’s)

5. DNA Repair Enzymes (e.g., PARP)

Role: Repair DNA damage from oxidative stress [13].
Optimal Temperature: 98.6°F (37°C)
Efficiency Drop at 97°F: 10–20%
Why This Matters for Longevity: DNA damage is inevitable, but enzymes like PARP repair it to maintain genomic stability. At 97°F, repair rates drop, leading to mutations and accelerated aging. If you plan to extend your life beyond the normal limits, you are going to have to be able to repair your DNA. Decades of being too cold is going to lead to excessive DNA damage.

6. Lipases: The Fat Burners

Role: Break down stored fat into usable energy [14].
Optimal Temperature: 98.6°F (37°C)
Efficiency Drop at 97°F: 10–15%
Why This Matters for Longevity: Efficient fat metabolism is essential for sustained energy and reducing inflammation. Cold body temperatures impair lipase function, leading to fat storage and metabolic sluggishness. As a part of my long-term longevity plan, I reduced my body fat down to 5% and clinical scans show my liver is as healthy as a 10-year-old’s. Carrying extra fat, especially visceral fat (the kind around your organs), decreases your chances of living a long time [15]. Brief exposure to cold burns fat. Chronic exposure to cold causes your body to store more.

What About Being “Cold Most of the Time”? Eastern Perspectives on Warmth and Health:

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurvedic medicine play a major role in biohacking and longevity. After all, these practices are some of the oldest longevity practices on the planet. Biohacking proves that they work because it provides so much data. It also shows when ancient practices don’t work. In this case, it’s worth looking at those perspectives to see if there is a historical practice for being cold often.

TCM and Ayurveda have long recognized the importance of maintaining warmth in the body. TCM associates constant coldness with weakened “yang energy,” which is responsible for vitality, digestion, and immune strength. Similarly, Ayurveda warns that excess “cold” disrupts the digestive fire (Agni), leading to sluggish metabolism and toxin buildup.

It’s almost like you could predict those observations by knowing enzyme temperature ranges!

In both systems, chronic coldness is seen as a root cause of low energy and accelerated aging—a perspective now supported by this new research identifying how suboptimal body temperature impairs enzyme function.

The Takeaway

Reducing your body temperature may seem like a shortcut to longevity, but the science says otherwise. Enzymes critical to your energy, metabolism, and cellular repair simply don’t work as well at lower temperatures. Even a drop to 97°F can reduce their efficiency by 20–50%, leaving your cells less equipped to repair damage, produce energy, and fight aging.

Instead of cooling your body, focus on strategies that support enzyme activity:

Keep your thyroid healthy with adequate iodine and selenium.
Consider microdose (7.5-15mg) thyroid glandular supplementation if your TSH is above one and does not respond to minerals and tyrosine supplements
Support mitochondrial function with nutrients like CoQ10 and PQQ.
Maintain optimal NAD? levels to fuel sirtuins. I use Qualia NAD+.

Staying warm is a proven way to ensure your body operates at its best—for energy today and longevity tomorrow.

Get on
“The Inside Track”
with Dave

See What Trouble Dave’s Getting Into on Social

Start hacking your way to better than standard performance and results.

1260. MDMA Therapy Without the Drugs? How Vibration Hacks Your Brain for Neuroplasticity | Dave Rabin