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How to detox microplastics from your body and vital organs through two research-backed removal methods.
When I first wrote about how to reduce exposure to microplastics in 2019, there wasn't much research into microplastics or how they could affect our bodies.
All we really knew at the time was that microplastics were everywhere (including in some of the pristine places on Earth like the Arctic) and that we desperately needed to reduce our exposure to microplastics.
To give a very specific example, the average person ingests as much microplastics as a credit card each week. (One)
Considering that the planet is currently swimming in it, eliminating exposure is nearly impossible.
“It's in all of us, and we can't avoid consuming plastic,” says Marco Lambertini, Executive Director of the Worldwide Fund for Nature. (2)
Recent research on microplastics
So where do microplastics in our bodies go?
Some of them will pass right through you, but others may end up anywhere.
This includes the brain.
Microplastic particles of micro and nano size appear to be able to easily cross the blood-brain barrier and reach brain tissue. within a few hours of intake. (three)
The method of entry is through the cholesterol molecule.
Cholesterol located in the meninges absorbs the particles.
Microplastics then enter the brain along with cholesterol, which acts as a kind of “Trojan horse.”
The most recent research shows that microplastics also affect human sperm.
In a small study involving 40 men, all samples contained microplastics! (4)
A total of eight different plastics were found in the semen samples.
The most widespread was polystyrene, most commonly used in packaging like Styrofoam (skip it takeaway people!)
Polyethylene in plastic bags was the second most detected microparticle (bring reusable bags when shopping and never eat food cooked sous vide!).
The third is plastic made from PVC, indicating that water from PVC pipes is likely to be a stealthy contributor to microplastic toxicity in humans (filter your drinking and shower water, or at least buy an old one with copper pipes!).
Please note that exposure to microplastics through breathing polluted indoor air is also a major factor in exposure.
Therefore, installing a high-quality HEPA filter for approximately every 500 square feet of living space (at least the bedroom area) is a smart preventive strategy.
The best way to remove microplastics from your body
Sadly, no matter where you live on Earth, it seems inevitable that you will be exposed to almost constant toxicity from microplastics.
Therefore, it is very important to know how to decode these particles!
Moreover, since microplastics are ingested and/or inhaled on a daily basis in most cases, the removal process must become a regular part of our daily lives.
Physical removal of plastic particles
Currently, there is no way to physically remove plastic particles from the body like removing heavy metals through chelation.
Therefore, actively avoiding microplastics remains the most important strategy to protect yourself.
Despite the lack of physical means to force their removal, there are two main ways to expel microplastics out of the body!
excessive sweating
The most promising research to date shows that excessive sweating may be the most effective route to eliminating microplastics.
Studies have shown that levels of harmful plastic chemicals in sweat are higher than in urine. This includes situations where plastic is not detectable in urine. (5, 6)
Most encouragingly, sweat removal of plastic compounds includes not only particles floating freely in the blood, but also substances from stored body tissue and fat.
This is very good news!
Therefore, sauna therapy (near-infrared models are best to avoid blinking eye strain and high EMFs from LED lights) and/or vigorous sweating exercise appear to be our best defense against the continued onslaught of microplastics.
calorie restriction
In addition to sweating more, studies have shown that restricting calories removes plastic compounds from body tissues through the excretory route.
Calorie restriction can be achieved through fasting or a low-calorie (aka “calorie deficit”) diet.
Intermittent fasting, or restricting calories for long periods of time, mobilizes plastic chemicals from adipose (adipose) tissue stores and moves them into the bloodstream. (7, 8)
Compounds that separate from the tissues travel to the skin and are eliminated through sweat.
combination approach
Therefore, the most effective microplastic detoxification therapy supported by research is one that uses a combination approach.
This involves a type of fasting protocol combined with heavy sweating (not necessarily at the same time).
Since it's summer, it's a great time to use the hot temperatures that Mother Nature provides to your advantage!
Intermittent fasting is the most practical approach to consider along with sweating. Studies show that starting “meal time” early is much better for your health.
This means eating breakfast and lunch and skipping dinner (or eating dinner early). This is better than skipping breakfast, which typically involves going to bed with a full stomach, and eating lunch with a late dinner.
References
(1, 2) Revealed: People consume as much plastic as they use their credit cards per week
(3) Microplastics and nanoplastics violate the blood brain barrier (BBB): the role of the biomolecular corona has been revealed
(4) Prevalence and impact of microplastic contaminants in general human semen
(5) Elimination of phthalate compounds in humans: blood, urine, sweat (BUS) study
(6) Human excretion of bisphenol A: blood, urine, sweat (BUS) study
(7) Factors affecting the storage and excretion of toxic lipophilic xenobiotics
(8) Pharmacokinetics of 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (6-CB) in rats with reduced adipose tissue mass. I. Effect of food intake restriction 2 weeks after administration
