Could it be we’ve been measuring our temperature wrong all this time? According to Dr. Wade Webster, Jason Hartman’s guest on episode #52 of The Longevity Show, traditional mercury-based thermometers would have to be held in place orally or rectally for about ten minutes in order to provide an accurate core temperature reading. Have you ever sucked on a thermometer for ten minutes? Not many of us have.

Have We Been Wrongly Measuring Core Temperature All This Time?

Most hospitals and mothers nursing sick children rely on mercury thermometers that beep after a few seconds or minutes, which is not enough time to establish a legitimate core body temperature reading. What you’re left with is an extrapolation and estimation. So does it even make any difference? Why is it so critical that we are able to take an accurate core temperature? Dr. Webster thought you’d never ask.

Enter the Internal Thermometer

Webster’s company, Prima-Temp, is in the business of creating internal thermometers which might eventually be fueled by the human body itself. Current thinking has the patient swallow the thermometer, which resides in the body for a while before eventually being absorbed. The technology sends a notification to a cell phone or other mobile device. Nifty but is it really necessary? Dr. Webster intends to make the case that it is a necessity for optimal health over the course of the following interview.

Why Does Core Temperature Matter?

We already know that our brain synchronizes the cells in the body based on the temperature of our surroundings. Our exposure to light (heat) also benefits us by assisting with fighting infections, dealing with infertility issues, and helping take medications at optimum times.

Our core temperature is controlled by a small area of the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus, a tiny region housed in the hypothalamus. It is responsible for controlling circadian rhythms. The neuronal and hormonal activities it generates regulate many different body functions over a 24-hour cycle.

Human Life is Defined by Circadian Rhythms

Circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a roughly 24-hour cycle, responding primarily to light and darkness in an organism’s environment. They are found in most living things, including animals, plants, and many tiny microbes.

Some people aren’t aware that the human body core temperature fluctuates as much as two degrees each day. The brain imposes its will on the 3.5 million cells to work together through the changes that mark the day and night earth cycles. As day and night (in turn) approach, the cells are regulated up or down by the brain to prepare the body for whichever environmental phase is coming next. Circadian rhythms are powerful stuff. When they get out of sync with the body, bad things happen. For example, breast rates are higher in women who work the night shift. In basic terms, getting crossways with your circadian rhythms puts an inordinate stress on the immune system.

And the Circle is Now Complete

Having established how important circadian rhythms are to human life itself, Webster circles back to pick up how the concept of core temperature applies to the discussion. Core temperature allows us to calculate with precision where we are in the circadian rhythm cycle and whether or not your body is keeping up. Dr. Webster points out that certain biological feats are accomplished at specific times. For example, hair grows only in the late evening hours. At first glance it might not seem to make much difference when hair grows, but if you throw into the mix a person undergoing chemotherapy treatment who wants to minimize hair loss, the information could be crucial.

Ovulation by the Numbers

Core temperature as applied to circadian rhythms should be of great interest to women who are trying to get pregnant but having difficulty. The core temperature reading technology discussed by Webster allows greater accuracy in predicting exactly when ovulation begins, allowing for better timing when it comes to choosing the best time to attempt procreation.

For women, the technology already exists to introduce an internal thermometer vaginally that relays a core temperature reading to her cell phone at five-minute intervals. The initial cost of the device is about $200.

For men, the core temperature technology lags. Webster’s company is working on a pill that is digested and passes out in the stool. Eventually, the plan calls for a unit that is entirely digestible but we’re not quite there yet. The problem has been in designing an appropriate battery. The focus right now is be able to run the thermometer off existing electrical impulses already in the body. The male internal thermometer costs about $40. As might be expected, it’s difficult to get devices for either gender covered by health insurance.

Final Thoughts

We live in exciting times, with the field of biotechnology just starting to scratch the surface of its eventual potential. Webster sees the understanding and interpretation of circadian rhythms as a soon-to-be important battlefront to control obesity, cancer, and many other chronic health challenges.

It might be of some interest to readers to know that the internal core temperature technology began with experiments in cattle herds, and the desire for farmers to be able to learn in advance when an animal was getting sick. For more information, check out www.Prima-Temp.com(Image: Flickr | Emilio_13)

More from Jason Hartman:

The Path to Longevity, Fernando’s Journey

The Most Connected Man in the World

The Longevity Show Team

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