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Microplastics and the Body: Limiting Exposure

3 min read


Apeiron Life is now testing for petroleum-based byproducts, which include microplastics and their chemical compounds (e.g. Phthalates, Styrene) and industrial solvents (e.g. Benzene) through Tox Detect Profile. Let your Client Advocate know if you'd like to learn more about testing yourself or loved ones.


Plastic breaks down into small pieces that can become micro- or nano-plastics (MNFs). MNFs and their chemicals enter the body primarily through ingestion, inhalation, or absorption via the skin. While our bodies can handle a certain level of environmental stressors, excessive exposure to microplastic compounds may lead to bioaccumulation, increasing the overall toxic burden on our system.


Many everyday items such as personal care products, plastic household objects, pesticides, and even household cleaners contain toxic endocrine disruptors that interfere with key hormones like estrogen, cortisol, insulin, and thyroid hormones. These environmental pollutants and chemicals are hidden disruptors of hormonal health, metabolism, and weight regulation, leading to weight gain, fatigue, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction.


Understanding that plastic debris and chemicals can cross the gut barrier, enter the bloodstream, and infiltrate different parts of the body, leading to chronic inflammation and other health issues is crucial. Plastic chemicals impact our cognitive health (neurodegenerative diseases), hormone-disrupting (fertility, testosterone, metabolism), immune response, and more.


An independent research group tested 300 Bay Area food products to determine the pervasive presence of plastic chemicals. They created this process in order to begin to understand the breadth and depth of the plastic issue. Although a commonly quoted idea that we consume a credit card’s worth of plastic every week has been called into question, it doesn’t negate the fact that we are constantly exposed to plastic particles and their chemicals.


You can take steps to limit your exposure and support your body’s detoxification processes. The first step is not to panic. Our team of experts can guide you through the process of lifestyle changes to limit your exposure going forward and reduce your current body burden.


Although there is a lot of new information detailing the amount of plastic within our environment, focus on the controllables. Don’t aim to be perfect, but implement small, lasting changes.



How You Can Implement Lifestyle Changes


  • Avoid Plastic Food Items (Especially putting hot items in them)

    • Regularly used kitchen items should be cast-iron, stainless steel, or ceramic.

      • Throw away your Teflon pots and pans.

    • Only microwave in ceramic or glass

    • Replace plastic sponges with natural fibers

    • Replace plastic cutting boards with wood.

    • Avoid dishwasher pods.

    • Choose sea salt from ancient sea beds, not from the ocean.

    • Avoid coffee filters reinforced with synthetic fibers (microplastics)

    • Limit canned goods - cans are lined with thin layer of plastic


  • Limit Certain Seafoods

    • Limit shellfish intake, that is the full animal due to their digestive tract, (such as shrimp, muscles, clams, etc) to weekly or monthly rather than daily.

    • Replace with fillet fish (e.g. salmon or anchovy).



  • Ensure 30g of Fiber Intake: The binding properties of fiber (found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes) may reduce microplastic absorption by moving any consumed plastic through the intestines and preventing absorption. One study showed fiber appears to act as a natural barrier by removing microplastics before they can enter circulation.

    • Especially focus on:

      • Inulin - Garlic, onions, banana, asparagus

      • Beta-glucans - Oats, barley, mushrooms

      • Pectin - Apples, berries

      • Resistant starch - Cooked and cooled potatoes, legumes, oats, and whole grains

  • Consume Sulforaphane-rich foods

    • Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprout, cabbage. onions, garlic

  • Avoid daily tea-bag use

    • Use loose-leaf tea in a stainless-steel scoop


Exercise: Exercise increases blood flow through the brain assisting in the detox of chemical build up. Intense activities such as running, cycling, or hot yoga that induce sweating may assist in expelling toxins as they boost circulation, lymphatic flow and overall detoxification processes.

  • Sweating may assist in eliminating some toxins

    • Intense exercise

    • Sauna


High-Quality Deep Sleep: Sleep assists in clearing these microplastics and other waste products by enhancing the flow of cerebrospinal fluid through the glymphatic system, which helps flush out toxins and maintain brain health.



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