Microplastics and Your Health - Part 2 of 3

Common Methods of Exposure to Microplastics

1.     Ingestion - Microplastics can be in the food we eat and the liquids we drink. It can get into food and drinks from the plastic packaging. Microplastics can also be absorbed by crops that are grown using soil or fertilizers that have microplastics in them. Cooking with plastic utensils and non-stick cookware can also contaminate food.

2.     Inhalation - Because microplastics can break down to such small sizes, they are able to be transported by the air. Sources of microplastics can come from dust especially in urban areas, solid waste application to agricultural fields, emissions from vehicles and braking, landfill erosion, and spray from the ocean.

3.     Skin Contact - While the skin protects the body from foreign objects entering the body, there is developing research that is investigating how microplastics can enter the body through hair follicles, sweat glands, and small cuts. There is also concern over chemicals in microplastics leaching into the body, such as Bisphenol A (BPA), and flame retardants, such as PFAS.

Effects Of Microplastics on Human Health

• Fatigue & diminished cellular energy - Microplastics can disrupt mitochondria membrane potential impacting energy production in the body. This can impact all systems in the body and contribute to fatigue.

• Brain fog & cognition issues - Microplastics can contribute to neuroinflammation which may impact memory, focus, contribute to Alzheimer's disease, impact dopamine levels, and nano-plastics (which are microscopic) can cross the blood brain barrier potentially leading to neurological diseases.

• Cardiovascular issues - Microplastics can damage blood vessel epithelium & contribute to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

• Digestive issues - Microplastics disrupt the gut microbiome, increasing the risk of digestive issues and systemic inflammation and can create inflammation in various parts of the digestive track, and damage the liver.

• Hormonal issues - Microplastics carry endocrine disrupting chemicals, which can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body & disrupt various glands in the body. Many plastics contain BPA and phthalates, which mimic estrogen and can interfere with fertility, thyroid function, and metabolism. This can lead to weight gain, emotional issues, low testosterone, and more.

• Increases Inflammation - Studies suggest microplastics trigger chronic inflammation, which is linked to autoimmune diseases and even cancer.

• Strains/Overloads the Liver & Kidneys - These organs work hard to detox the body, but plastic-related toxins add an additional burden to the body. Microplastics can clog the detoxification pathways leading to toxic metal buildup.

How to Reduce Your Microplastic Exposure

If you're leading a healthy lifestyle but dealing with high blood pressure, blood sugar problems or early signs of cardiovascular stress, it's time to look beyond diet and exercise. Plastics are showing up in arteries, and no one really knows how to get them out, but I will address this in Part 3 of this series. However, the most effective way to protect yourself is to cut your exposure at the source. You cannot eliminate every particle, but you can drastically lower how much enters your body each day. Here’s where to start:

1. Upgrade your water filtration and ditch plastic bottles — Drinking contaminated tap water or buying plastic bottled water exposes you to microplastics every single day. I recommend Boroux water filters which are proven to reduce microplastics by up to 98.9%. Filter your shower water as well.

2. Plastic Food Storage bags— If you do need to store food in a plastic bag, wrap it in parchment paper before placing in plastic and make sure the food is not in contact with the plastic.  Store leftovers in glass, stainless steel or ceramic rather than plastic food containers – even those that are free of BPA’s etc. can shed microplastics into food. When you're shopping, choose products in glass jars over plastic packages whenever possible. Stop drinking water from plastic bottles especially single use plastic bottles and never leave these in hot places as this causes even more shedding of microplastics. Choose glass bottles when you need to buy bottled water. These changes are powerful and can reduce direct ingestion of plastic particles.

3. Re-evaluate your kitchen essentials — Plastic cutting boards shed tiny fragments into your food every time you chop. Switch to wood and/or glass boards instead. Swap out plastic utensils for stainless steel.

4. Choose clothing made of natural fibers — If you're wearing polyester, acrylic or nylon, you're wearing plastic. Choose cotton, wool or linen from companies such as Quince. Pact has great prices on undergarments which are especially important to replace with natural fabrics. While you don’t have to throw out all your old synthetic fabrics, consider replacing clothing with natural fabrics as needed. Older synthetic clothing that has been washed a lot is safer as it has already shed lots of microplastics. Avoid buying clothing made from “recycled plastic” and celebrated as being good for the planet. These fabrics are full of microplastics.

5. Washing synthetic clothing - Do not wash clothes on the delicate setting as this uses more water which creates more shedding of microplastics. Wash your clothes in cold water as hot/warm water causes more shedding. Avoid dryer sheets and fabric softeners which often contain plastics and use wool dryer balls in place of fabric softeners. Microplastic laundry bags can be used to wash synthetic clothing as it catches microplastics and keeps them from being recycled back in the water supply where they end up in the food chain.  

6. To-go coffee/beverage cups – It you drink take out beverages, take your own container, especially when buying a hot drink. Stainless steel travel cups are easy to take on-the-go and can be filled with hot or cold drinks.

7. Tea bags – Conventional tea bags contain plastic which is dissolved directly into your tea. Use loose leaf tea and a natural tea bag or stainless-steel tea ball. If you buy premium teas, check with the manufacturer to make sure that the bags are made from natural products like wood pulp.

8. Dust regularly - Dust your home and vacuum weekly. Keep windows open whenever possible. Invest in an air purifier such as one from Pyure to clean your air and remove dust and microplastics. Plus Pyure air filters also remove black mold so investing in this filter is a great option.

9. Avoid seafood and shellfish – Both are not recommended on my Mineral Balancing Program due to high levels of toxic metals, but fish also contain loads of microplastics.

10. Personal Care Products - Another source of microplastics comes from manufactured microbeads. Microbeads are commonly used in personal care products due to their abrasive and exfoliating properties. Such examples of products where microbeads are used include scrubbing agents, shower gels, and creams, which can be up to 10% plastic. Use natural exfoliating gloves or loofas made from hemp or other organic materials rather than nylon and other synthetic exfoliating products.

The entire contents of this website/article are based upon the opinions of Doreen McCafferty NLC, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Doreen McCafferty, NLC and her community. Doreen McCafferty encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content. All information in this article is for educational purposes only and not designed to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.