Microplastics: The Hidden Burden Modern Bodies Now Carry
What Science Reveals—and the Natural Ways to Lighten the Load
What Are Microplastics?
Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters, formed either intentionally or as a result of the gradual breakdown of larger plastic materials. Unlike organic matter, which decomposes through microbial activity and returns to the natural cycle, plastic does not simply rot away and disappear.
Instead, it undergoes photodegradation when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, along with mechanical and chemical degradation from wind, waves, friction, and temperature changes. These forces cause plastic to fragment into progressively smaller particles—microplastics and eventually nanoplastics—rather than truly biodegrade.
Every plastic item ever produced since mass production began in the 1950s still exists in some altered form today. Whether in landfills, floating in the ocean, or embedded in soil, plastic continuously sheds micro- and nanoplastics, which infiltrate ecosystems, food chains, and ultimately human bodies. The problem isn’t that each piece of plastic remains intact for a thousand years—it’s that it breaks into dust-like particles that spread everywhere and are almost impossible to avoid.
As a result, microplastics have become inescapable, infiltrating nearly every aspect of our environment and making their way into our bodies through countless routes. They are present in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the oceans and waterways that sustain marine life. They contaminate the soil that grows our food and the proteins we consume—beef, chicken, turkey, pork, and fish.
Even the fabrics we wear, the carpets beneath our feet, and the bedding we sleep on shed microplastic fibers, ensuring constant low-level exposure. In short, microplastics are everywhere, silently embedding themselves into our daily lives and adding one more burden to bodies that are already overtaxed.
Where Do Microplastics Come From?
Microplastics enter the environment through multiple pathways:
Industrial Pollution – Factories release plastic debris and byproducts into the air, water, and soil.
Tire Wear – Each time a vehicle drives, microplastics shed from tire rubber, dispersing into the environment.
Textile Shedding – Washing synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon releases billions of plastic microfibers into wastewater.
Plastic Packaging – Food and drink packaging degrades over time, leaching microplastics directly into what we consume.
Cosmetics & Personal Care Products – Many scrubs, toothpastes, and makeup products contain microplastic beads that wash directly into waterways.
Agricultural Practices – Plastics used in farming, including mulch films and pesticides, contribute to microplastic contamination in soil and crops.
Two Main Types of Microplastics:
Primary Microplastics – These are manufactured to be small, such as microbeads in cosmetics, synthetic fibers in textiles, and plastic pellets used in industrial processes.
Secondary Microplastics – These result from the degradation of larger plastic objects like bottles, bags, and synthetic rubber tires. Exposure to sunlight, wind, and mechanical stress breaks plastics into microscopic fragments, which then infiltrate air, water, soil, and food supplies.
Microplastics are now found everywhere: from the deep ocean trenches to Arctic ice, from tap water to human breast milk and placentas. Recent research even confirms their presence in the brain, in alarming rates that far exceed scientific predictions, raising urgent health concerns.
How Prolific Are Microplastics?
Microplastics have become an inescapable part of modern life, infiltrating various aspects of our environment and daily consumption. Recent studies have provided alarming statistics regarding human exposure to these tiny particles:
Annual Ingestion Estimates: Research indicates that the average human ingests between 74,000 to 121,000 microplastic particles per year. Individuals who consume bottled water exclusively may ingest an additional 90,000 particles annually, compared to 4,000 particles for those who drink only tap water.
Presence in Human Tissues:
Placenta: Microplastics have been detected in 100% of human placentas, raising concerns about potential impacts on fetal development. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Lungs: Studies have found microplastics in 80% of human lung tissue samples, indicating inhalation as a significant exposure route. sciencenews.org
Brain: Recent research has identified microplastics in human brain tissues, suggesting these particles can cross the blood-brain barrier. nationalgeographic.com
Environmental Ubiquity:
Bottled Water: A study found that 93% of bottled water samples from 11 different brands showed microplastic contamination, with an average of 325 particles per liter. en.wikipedia.org
Seafood: Microplastics have been detected in 100% of ocean fish tested for plastic contamination, indicating a pathway for human exposure through diet. medicaltoxic.com
These findings underscore the pervasive nature of microplastics and highlight the importance of understanding their potential health impacts. Their omnipresence means that no one is exempt from exposure, making it crucial to understand the potential dangers they pose.
The Chemical Composition of Microplastics: A Toxic Cocktail
Plastics are composed of synthetic polymers, but they do not exist in their pure form—they contain a variety of toxic additives that enhance durability, flexibility, and appearance. These chemicals leach into human tissues, wreaking havoc at a cellular level.
Key Plastic Polymers and Their Associated Toxins:
Polyethylene (PE) – Found in plastic bags, food wraps, and bottles. Contains phthalates, which disrupt hormone function.
Polypropylene (PP) – Used in yogurt containers and bottle caps. Releases antioxidants and stabilizers that have unknown long-term effects.
Polystyrene (PS) – Common in foam cups and food containers. Leaches styrene, a potential carcinogen.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) – Used in plumbing pipes and packaging. Contains bisphenols, lead, and cadmium, known endocrine disruptors and neurotoxins.
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) – Found in most plastic water bottles. Leaches antimony, linked to heart and lung disease.
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) – Used in electronics and toys. Contains flame retardants and heavy metals, which accumulate in organs.
Plastic Additives That Increase Toxicity:
Plastics are engineered to be durable, but the chemicals added to enhance performance also make them hazardous to health:
Phthalates & BPA (Bisphenol A) – Disrupt the endocrine system, affecting fertility and hormone regulation.
Flame Retardants – Used in plastics for electronics and upholstery, linked to cognitive decline and developmental disorders.
Heavy Metals (Lead, Cadmium, Mercury) – Common in colored plastics and coatings, damaging the nervous system and kidneys.
UV Stabilizers & Plasticizers – Cause oxidative stress in cells, leading to chronic inflammation and potential cancer risks.
Why Microplastics Are So Dangerous
Beyond their chemical toxicity, microplastics pose a physical and biological threat:
They Penetrate Tissues and Organs
Microplastics have been detected in the brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, placenta, and bloodstream.
They can cross the blood-brain barrier, exposing neurons to plastic toxins.
They Induce Chronic Inflammation
Microplastics cause persistent immune activation, leading to autoimmune disorders and systemic inflammation.
They Act as Trojan Horses for Other Toxins
Due to their porous nature, microplastics absorb pesticides, heavy metals, and other environmental pollutants, transporting them deep into tissues.
Diseases Linked to Microplastic Exposure
Recent studies suggest microplastics may contribute to:
Neurodegenerative Disorders – Microplastics in the brain have been linked to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease due to oxidative stress and inflammation.
Hormonal Imbalances – Plastics interfere with estrogen, testosterone, and thyroid hormones, leading to infertility, PCOS, and metabolic disorders.
Cardiovascular Disease – Plastic exposure is correlated with increased risk of hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.
Gut Dysbiosis & Autoimmune Diseases – Microplastics disrupt gut microbiota, triggering IBS, Crohn’s, and leaky gut syndrome.
Cancer – Chemicals in plastics, such as BPA and phthalates, are known carcinogens linked to breast, prostate, and liver cancers.
How to Reduce Exposure to Microplastics
Reducing microplastic ingestion is essential for maintaining health. Here are strategies to minimize exposure, along with companies actively addressing this issue:
1. Choose Filtered Tap Water Over Bottled Water
Switching from bottled water to filtered tap water can significantly decrease microplastic consumption. A study highlighted that this change can reduce annual microplastic intake from approximately 90,000 to 4,000 particles.
2. Avoid Heating Food in Plastic Containers
Heating food in plastic can release microplastics into your meals. It's advisable to use glass, ceramic, or stainless-steel containers for microwaving or storing hot foods.
3. Limit Consumption of Processed Foods
Highly processed foods often contain higher levels of microplastics due to extensive contact with plastic during manufacturing. Choosing fresh, whole foods can reduce this exposure.
4. Use Alternative Food Storage Solutions
Beeswax wraps are a sustainable alternative to plastic wraps for food storage. They are reusable, biodegradable, and help keep food fresh without the risk of leaching microplastics.
5. Support Companies Committed to Reducing Microplastics
Seatopia: The world’s first regenerative aquaculture company, this is company delivers certified-clean seafood that is lab-tested to ensure it is mercury-safe and free from detectable microplastics. They partner with regenerative aquaculture farms to provide sushi-grade, ocean-friendly products. Seatopia.fish
This is where I purchase ALL my fish every month as a subscription, delivered straight to my front door, and I have written an entire article on Regenerative Aquaculture and the benefits of eating this kind of fish. A Sustainable Path to Optimal Health - Regenerative AquacultureFinless Foods: Specializing in cell-cultured seafood, Finless Foods aims to provide sustainable fish options without the environmental contaminants found in traditional seafood, including microplastics. en.wikipedia.org
Polymateria: This British company has developed a technology called Biotransformation, which enables plastics to biodegrade without leaving microplastic residues.
VerTerra: Specializing in sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics, VerTerra offers products like palm leaf plates and bowls, which are compostable and reduce reliance on plastic disposables.
Frosta: A German-based frozen food company, Frosta has transitioned to 100% plastic-free packaging made from paper sourced from FSC-certified forestry, aiming to minimize plastic pollution.
Implementing these measures and supporting companies dedicated to reducing microplastics can collectively decrease your microplastic intake and contribute to a healthier lifestyle.
Can We Remove Microplastics from the Body?
While there’s no silver-bullet method to dissolve or metabolize plastic particles, the body does possess natural pathways that can help reduce their residence time and mitigate their toxic impact. By enhancing detoxification, repairing tissue integrity, and supporting the organs responsible for elimination, we can assist the body in excreting what it can — and protect vital systems from the rest.
1. Optimize Hydration, Fiber, and Bile Flow
Hydration ensures that the kidneys, liver, and lymphatic system can mobilize and flush out soluble toxins, including microplastic-associated chemicals. Adequate fiber intake (especially soluble fibers like psyllium husk, chia, and flax) helps bind microplastics and their adsorbed toxins within the digestive tract, escorting them out through the stool. Supporting bile flow through bitter herbs such as dandelion root, gentian, and artichoke can further assist in excreting lipid-soluble contaminants that otherwise recirculate through the enterohepatic pathway.
2. Support Microplastic Breakdown With Fermented Foods — Especially Kimchi
Emerging research has revealed a remarkable discovery: traditional Korean kimchi may help break down and eliminate microplastics during the digestive process. In laboratory studies, kimchi’s naturally occurring probiotic bacteria — particularly strains of Lactobacillus — were shown to degrade certain microplastic polymers and reduce their particle size, making them easier for the body to excrete rather than absorb.
Kimchi’s benefits in this context come from three synergistic mechanisms:
• Enzymatic Degradation
Beneficial microbes produce enzymes that interact with microplastic surfaces, softening or fragmenting particles into forms more easily shuttled out of the GI tract.
• Increased Gut Motility & Transit Time
Fermented vegetables stimulate peristalsis, reducing the amount of time microplastics remain in the intestine—lowering the chance they penetrate the gut lining.
• Reinforcement of the Gut Barrier
Kimchi strengthens mucosal integrity and supports a diverse microbiome, helping prevent microplastics and their associated toxins from entering systemic circulation.
Traditional fermented foods—kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, and fermented ginger or garlic—may therefore play a meaningful role in natural microplastic detoxification. Among them, kimchi shows the strongest documented effect to date.
3. Use Natural Binders to Trap Particles in the Gut
Although no binder directly dissolves synthetic polymers, several natural compounds can adsorb microplastic fragments and prevent their reabsorption:
Activated Charcoal – Possesses an enormous surface area that captures hydrophobic compounds and chemical residues bound to plastic particles.
Zeolite and Bentonite Clay – Negatively charged mineral silicates that attract and bind positively charged toxins, heavy metals, and pesticide residues often clinging to plastics.
Chlorella and Spirulina – Green superfoods shown to sequester heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs); they may also help trap smaller microplastic fragments in the GI tract.
Binders should be used intermittently, ideally away from food, supplements, or medications, and always paired with sufficient hydration and electrolytes to prevent constipation or nutrient depletion.
4. Heal and Fortify the Intestinal Barrier
Because microplastics physically abrade the gut lining and provoke inflammation, repairing the mucosal barrier is essential to reduce systemic absorption.
L-Glutamine provides fuel for enterocytes and accelerates epithelial repair.
Bovine Colostrum contains immunoglobulins and growth factors that restore tight junction integrity.
Polyphenols from turmeric, green tea, and pomegranate reduce oxidative stress and inhibit the inflammatory cascade triggered by plastic exposure.
A stronger intestinal barrier acts as the body’s first line of defense, limiting the migration of micro- and nanoplastics into the bloodstream.
5. Counteract Oxidative and Inflammatory Damage
Plastic-derived compounds such as BPA, phthalates, and styrene generate free radicals and interfere with hormone regulation. Supporting the body’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory systems is critical:
Sulforaphane (from broccoli sprouts) activates the Nrf2 pathway, boosting glutathione and phase II detox enzymes.
N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) replenishes glutathione, the master antioxidant responsible for neutralizing reactive toxins.
Omega-3 fatty acids (from algae oil, sardines, or anchovies) reduce systemic inflammation and protect cell membranes from oxidative injury.
Together, these nutrients help buffer the cellular damage caused by ongoing exposure.
6. Encourage Cellular and Sweat-Based Clearance
While microplastics themselves are not water-soluble, their associated toxins can be mobilized through metabolic and thermal pathways.
Infrared saunas, traditional steam baths, or intense exercise stimulate sweating, which has been shown to excrete trace amounts of phthalates, BPA, and heavy metals.
Intermittent fasting and autophagy activation (supported by compounds like spermidine or through time-restricted eating) help cells recycle damaged components, potentially aiding in the clearance of nanoparticulate debris.
7. EDTA Chelation: Binding the Heavy Metals Carried by Microplastics
Microplastics don’t just enter the body as inert fragments — they act as Trojan horses.
Their surfaces attract and concentrate heavy metals such as:
Lead
Cadmium
Mercury
Arsenic
Nickel
Aluminum
When these particles travel through the gut or bloodstream, the metals detach and enter tissues, contributing to oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, neurological symptoms, and chronic inflammation.
This is where EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) becomes a powerful ally.
EDTA is a synthetic amino acid that binds to positively charged metals, forming a stable complex that the body can safely excrete. In essence, it pulls the “metal payload” off the microplastics and ushers it out of the body.
Benefits of EDTA in microplastic-associated detox:
Binds and removes heavy metals microplastics carry
Reduces oxidative stress and cellular inflammation
Supports mitochondrial function and energy production
Frees up detox pathways like glutathione and the liver’s Phase II enzymes
Helps restore neurological and immune balance
EDTA is available in oral, IV, and suppository forms. For most people, oral or suppository EDTA — taken intermittently and paired with trace mineral replenishment — provides a safe and effective way to reduce heavy metal burden.
In Summary
None of these strategies “erase” plastic from the body.
What they do is stack the deck in your favor:
Less absorption
More efficient excretion
Stronger barriers
Lower oxidative and inflammatory damage
By supporting the organs of elimination—liver, kidneys, colon, skin, lungs, and lymph—you help your body shift from a passive reservoir of pollutants to an active, intelligent system of purification and resilience.
Conclusion: The Urgency to Act
Microplastics are no longer an environmental afterthought—they are an immediate health crisis. Their ability to persist indefinitely in our bodies and the planet means that the damage will compound across generations unless we take decisive action.
The question is no longer “Are we exposed?” but “How much damage is being done?” The fight against microplastics requires collective effort, but small daily changes can help protect you from their toxic reach.
The sooner we act, the better chance we have at reclaiming a world where plastic isn’t poisoning our bodies and future generations.
An Invitation to Holistic Transformation
True wellness thrives at the intersection of MIND, BODY, and our PLANET / ENVIRONMENT. The SHIFT ETHOS WELLNESS PATHWAYS PROCESS is a comprehensive, structured journey that guides you through every dimension of health:
Mind: Cultivate mindfulness, discover emotional / stress resilience techniques, and enhance mental fitness with meditation, breathwork, and brain-rewiring techniques.
Body: Optimize physical health - and prevent chronic disease with dietary & nutritional meal plans, build strength with a scalable fitness regimen, unlock consistent deep restorative sleep, and learn how to effectively manage stress.
Planet: Acknowledge that your outer environment shapes your inner health—detox your home of toxic cleaners, petroleum-based detergents, cosmetics, and other biotoxins to create a chemical-free sanctuary that supports both body and mind.
Imagine waking each day with a clear mind, energized body, and the confidence that your environment supports—not sabotages—your health.
I’d love to invite you to explore the SHIFT ETHOS WELLNESS PATHWAYS PROCESS. Discover a truly integrated approach to vibrant living.
When you’re ready to see how this all-in-one program can support your unique goals, schedule a free consult by pressing the blue button at the bottom of the WELLNESS PATHWAYS page.
Let’s embark on this journey together.
Love & Light to You in your continued Journey of Self-Discovery!
David
References
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Leslie, H. A., van Velzen, M. J. M., Brandsma, S. H., Vethaak, A. D., Garcia-Vallejo, J. J., & Lamoree, M. H. (2022). Discovery and quantification of plastic particle pollution in human blood. Environment International, 163, 107199.
Ragusa, A., Svelato, A., Santacroce, C., Catalano, P., Notarstefano, V., Carnevali, O., ... & Giorgini, E. (2021). Plasticenta: First evidence of microplastics in human placenta. Environment International, 146, 106274.
Campen, M. J., Garcia, M. A., & Olewine, M. (2025). Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains. Nature Medicine, 31(2), 123–129.
Schwabl, P., Köppel, S., Königshofer, P., Bucsics, T., Trauner, M., & Liebmann, B. (2019). Detection of various microplastics in human stool: a prospective case series. Annals of Internal Medicine, 171(7), 453–457.
Mason, S. A., Welch, V. G., & Neratko, J. (2018). Synthetic polymer contamination in bottled water. Frontiers in Chemistry, 6, 407.
Barboza, L. G. A., Vethaak, A. D., Lavorante, B. R. B. O., Lundebye, A. K., & Guilhermino, L. (2018). Marine microplastic debris: An emerging issue for food security, food safety and human health. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 133, 336–348.
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