One of the UK’s leading biohackers claims supermarket toothpaste could be causing you to have ulcers and canker sores, and could be damaging children’s brain development.
Tim Gray is a follower of the DIY approach to achieving peak health, regularly testing and tracking his body’s metrics and adapting his behaviours to improve physical and mental health. Biohacking is also used when referring to fitness regimes designed to slow the ageing process.
Infamous biohacker and millionaire Bryan Johnson is most notably associated with the latter thanks to his ‘Don’t Die’ mission to avoid death through a multi-million dollar programme which sees him inject himself with his teenage son’s blood plasma.
Tim isn’t quite as extreme with his methods, though. He founded the Health Optimisation Summit, a conference features speakers, workshops and exhibitors who claim to be able to take your health to the next level. Tim regularly posts tips to his half-a-million-strong Instagram following and in one of his latest videos takes aim at mainstream toothpaste brands.
“Here’s the truth they don’t tell you (about mainstream toothpaste),” Gray says in a 90-second video. “Many of these toothpastes are loaded with chemicals linked to serious health risks like lowering IQ in children and even causing brain inflammation, canker sores and ulcers.
“Firstly, let’s talk about fluoride – it’s marketed as the holy grail for strong teeth but over 27 scientific studies now show that fluoride can harm brain development. Does that sound like something you’d want in your daily routine?”
Gray also questions the inclusion of Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) in toothpaste. Sodium lauryl sulfate is a foaming agent used in cleaning products, including shampoo, to create a lather that removes dirt and cleans.
“In your mouth (SLS), it can cause ulcers, canker sores and irritation of the oral mucosa (the soft, wet tissue that lines the inside of the mouth). Oh, and it’s a toxic chemical that builds up in your body – no thanks.”
SLS has been used safely and successfully since the 1930s, though the chemical’s reputation has been questioned several times. Experts typically agree it is safe to use though some brands, notably cosmetic brand Lush, have moved away from it due to environmental factors.
Lush’s website states: “We’re particularly keen to reduce our use of safe synthetic ingredients like SLS because palm oil is used in their production. Since 2008, we’ve been trying to remove palm oil from our supply chain due to the devastating impact its cultivation has on the environment.”
According to the NHS, reviews of the risks of flouride have so far found no convincing evidence to support concerns. However, a condition called dental fluorosis can sometimes occur if a child’s teeth are exposed to too much fluoride when they’re developing. To reduce the risk of mild fluorosis, the amount of toothpaste used by children should be supervised. Children under 3 years of age should use no more than a smear of toothpaste.