Over the years, scientists and doctors are gaining a better understanding of the multitude of toxins that we encounter in our environment, as well as their potential health consequences. Unfortunately, toxins are everywhere – they’re in the water we drink, the foods we eat, products we put on our skin, and in the air we breathe! One type of toxin that is gaining more attention is ‘microplastics’.
If you take a minute, you will quickly notice how ubiquitous plastics are in our environment as well. Plastics have become quite useful; however, plastics do not breakdown or decompose the same way other materials do. Instead, plastics just break down into smaller and smaller pieces, eventually becoming microplastics. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that are smaller than 5 mm in size.
Microplastics are found in our oceans, lakes, soil, air, and even our food! In fact, there is no place on Earth that does not have microplastics. We can have exposure to microplastics from just about anywhere. Listed below are some of the most common sources of microplastics:
- Dust
- Cosmetics
- Rain
- Seafood
- Produce
- Table salt
- Fabrics
- Cleaning products
What percentage of the population has some level of microplastics?
Answer: 100 %
How many microplastic particles do humans consume per year?
Answer: Over 100,000 microplastic particles
Microplastics have been found throughout the human body – in blood, saliva, the liver, and kidneys.
New insights into microplastic exposure have been worrisome because of the likelihood of negative health consequences. Studies are finding that microplastics can cause oxidative stress, DNA damage, and genetic alterations – all of which point to the possibility of causing cancer, hormone disruption, weight gain, and reproductive issues. The other issue is that there are also chemicals found in microplastics (most notably Bisphenol-A, phthalates, and heavy metals) that are already known to have negative health consequences.
At our naturopathic clinic, we use specialized lab testing that are able to detect a wide range of toxins, including those mentioned above (Bisphenol-A, phthalates, heavy metals such as lead and mercury, and more). If elevated toxin levels are detected, we will then develop tailored protocols to address liver detox, kidney detox, and toxin-specific treatments.
Even though it may be unrealistic to achieve total avoidance of microplastics, there are steps you can take right now to significantly minimize your exposure:
- Avoid single-use plastics – especially food and beverage packaging
- Use a glass or stainless steel water bottle – avoid plastic water bottles
- Avoid highly processed foods
- Change plastic cutting boards to wooden or non-plastic options
- Change plastic storage containers to glass or non-plastic options
- Vacuum more often
- Use non-toxic cleaning products, cosmetics, and beauty products
- Wash clothes less often (less release of microplastics from clothes)
- Avoid coffeemakers that have plastic components
- Reduce your intake of red meat
- Choose organic produce as much as you can
At our naturopathic clinic, we put an emphasis on detoxification for specific health conditions, or to simply improve overall health. Although the measures listed above are helpful for lowering exposure, we can also use whole body detoxification to remove as much microplastic toxins that may already be in our system. Our naturopathic doctors can incorporate microplastic detoxification protocols into your treatment plan to help eliminate microplastic toxins and minimize their potential health consequences.
It’s very important to start taking some or all of these steps to lower microplastic exposure, and if you would like to have additional detoxification support with our naturopathic doctors, don’t hesitate to call or email our naturopathic clinic.
Yours In Health,
Dr. Michael Morsillo, H.B.Sc., N.D.
Newmarket Naturopathic Doctor
16655 Yonge Street, Newmarket, ON
905-898-1844 ext. 135
dr.morsillo@gmail.com
www.drmorsillo.com