How to Reduce Microplastics In Body- 12 Effective Solution:

An average person consumes 5 grams of microplastic every week, about the weight of your credit card.

There is no surprise that microplastics are everywhere. From the food you eat to the air you breathe. We are responsible for creating these microplastics, and now they are secretly invading, sneaking into the environment and body, and becoming a threat to our health. Unfortunately, it becomes challenging to avoid it, but there are some steps to reduce microplastics in body.

Let me be honest: we can’t avoid microplastics, but we can reduce their use. It’s high time to think that we really need fresh fruits and vegetables wrapped in plastics. Processed food or plastic food storage containers?

What Is Microplastic, and How Do They Affect Human Health:

Microplastics are tiny particles measuring under less than 5mm and are not filterable. So they accumulate in our body and cause harm including oxidative stress, inflammation, endocrine disruption and so on. The impact of microplastic in our body is not something that we can ignore but avoiding microplastic is important for any health problem in the long run.

Learn More About Pathways Of Microplastics.

Sources of microplastic ingestion:

Believe it or not, we are ingesting microplastics every single day. Sources of micro plastics are unlimited. The food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe is polluted by plastic waste. Food, specifically seafood, ingested the microplastic from the water. Not only this but processed food that is loved by both young and elderly people is also contaminated during food packaging.

The most common source that you might think of is inhaling air. When we breathe, we inhale microplastics from home by dust and synthetic fiber clothing.

Learn More About Shocking Sources Of Microplastics.

How to Reduce Microplastics in Body – 12 Effective Solution:

Microplastics are a real challenge because they are everywhere. They are such tiny invisible particles that are unfilterable and make their own way into our food, water, and even the air. We are the real culprit of this plastic pollution because we are just running in the race and do not bother to understand how these microplastics will affect our health and ecosystem in the long run. We did not adopt a safety measure from the beginning, and now it has become challenging to control.

To be honest, we can not completely get rid of microplastics, but the secret lies in making smarter choices in our daily routine lives. If you want to know how to remove microplastics from your body, the only answer is to minimize plastic use and support your body’s natural detoxification system. Unfortunately, we can not completely stop these silent invaders from sneaking into our environment.

Studies reveal the traces of microplastics in testicles, human lungs, kidney, placenta even in breast milk.

1- Drink Filtered Water

Drinking filtered water is one of the primary sources of microplastics entering our bodies. Studies prove that bottled water is more contaminated with microplastics than regular tap water.

93% of bottled water contains microplastics; on average, in one liter of water, we consume 10 microplastic particles.

Switching to filter water is a safer alternative to microplastic; you can install water filters to clean it. The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of easy to use and most common water filters to remove microplastics from drinking water. The results were quite impressive. It shows that these devices help to remove 99.9% of plastic fragments such as PVC, PET, and nylon.

Reverse osmosis works best for removing microplastics as they have the smallest pore size and remove as small as 0.001 microns, but the devices that used only carbon and ion exchange did not work well. POU filters with membrane (as a physical filter) are most effective in removing microplastics only if used and replaced according to the manufacturer’s guideline.

Installing a filter system might be expensive but a worthy investment and also reduce the plastic waste generated by bottled water usage.

2- Reduce Plastic Packaging Consumption:

Everyone on the earth contributes to microplastic pollution everyday. Surprise? When we buy anything wrapped in plastic or containers we are contributing and exposing ourselves to these harmful particles and unfortunately these packings are often disposable. They undergo a degradation process that releases chemicals and affects human health and ecosystem.

But it can easily be avoided. Everyone should use reusable bags, try to purchase products in bulk, and boycott all these products that do not come in glass, metal, or paper packaging. Avoid large stores where even fruits and vegetables come in plastic packaging. Farmers or local markets are suitable for this purpose. If we stop using plastic packaging, the demand and supply will diminish, leading to a more sustainable environment.

3- Avoid Plastic Food Containers:

Food that comes in a plastic container to store or microwave may seem convenient, but not healthy at all. When these food containers are exposed to heat, such as microwaves or dishwashers, or with greasy food the plastic degrades even faster, and particles release more.

Styrofoam or other cheap materials break down faster when exposed to heat or fat, releasing harmful microplastics and chemicals into your meal.

So, it is time to switch from plastic food containers to glass, ceramic, or metal ones that were common before. Believe me, it’s pretty simple and effective. Containers that are made from ceramic or metal are more durable; foods remain fresh for quite a long time, do not absorb any smell, and are safer to use and portable.

You often see that plastic containers or bottles change their color, it happens the other way round. Your food also absorbs toxins from these containers.

4- Avoid Processed / Canned Food:

Eating fresh and living healthy is one of the most straightforward formulas to say hello to plastic-free living.

A major step that you need to adopt as a solution to microplastics is to avoid canned and processed food which actually come in plastic packaging or cans lined with plastics. These plastics contain bisphenol A (BPA), which breaks down into microplastics.

Food, when entered into machinery to be processed, becomes contaminated and increases the risk.

Eating fresh whole food is not only healthy but also limits your microplastic exposure. Whole foods like vegetables, grains, and nuts are always bought from bulk stores that often come with minimal packaging, or you can use your reusable bags to carry them.

By opting for whole foods, you take a proactive step toward both better nutrition and reduced microplastic exposure.

5- Transform Your Cooking Ware:

After knowing the shocking sources you might think of ways to reduce microplastics in the body and it all begins with conscious choice about the products you use daily. The most impactful way to avoid this is to replace your kitchen cooking utensils, straws, serving dishes and plates, cooking spatulas from plastic to wooden or metal.

6- Choose Natural Fabrics

Now, come on, another large contributor of microplastic is synthetic fiber. Every time you wash your clothes, these tiny fibers shed and enter the water because they aren’t filterable due to their small size.

However, the solution is very simple: opt for natural fabrics like cotton, linen, wool, and hemp.. By using natural fabrics, you can significantly reduce microfiber pollution because these natural fibers are biodegradable and do not break down into harmful microplastics.

You can also install microfiber filters in your washing machine to capture these particles before they reach the waterways.

Brands are running without understanding the effect of their outcome on the ecosystem. It is we, as a consumer, that can make a huge difference. Simply avoid those brands that do not prioritize organic material and environmentally friendly practices.

TIP: Wash clothes in cold water and let them dry in the air naturally without a dryer to avoid wear and tear of fabrics.

7- Avoid Dust Inhalation

One of the prevalent reasons for microplastic in the body is through inhalation because it can be present in household dust. Make sure there is a vacuum or dusting in your home. Vacuum cleaners that are equipped with HEPA filters significantly reduce the amount of microplastics in the home. Frequent mopping and air purifiers should be used to clean the air. Avoid bringing shoes inside your house so that outdoor pollutants stay outside the house.

FACT: Vacuum that are equipped with HEPA filters can filter 99% or particles from air and keep your environment clean.

8- Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

The cleaning products are often non-degradable, non-recyclable, and non-renewable and contain microplastics in the form of microbeads, or synthetic chemicals. They contribute to water pollution once you use it for washing purposes. They just do not drain down but also linger on surfaces in the air and become a severe concern to our health.

When cleaning your kitchen or washing dishes, plastic sponges and brushes may seem like a simple tool, but they are a hidden source of microplastic contamination. Every time you scrub, these sponges release microplastic fibers that can stick to your dishes and later be ingested. Switching to natural alternatives like loofah sponges and natural fiber brushes is an easy and eco-friendly solution. These sustainable options don’t shed harmful particles, helping you keep your kitchen clean without adding microplastics to your meals.

9- Choose Natural Personal Care Products

Skincare or personal care products are contaminated with microbeads. They come in contact with your body when you apply these products to your skin or teeth. To reduce this exposure, always consider plastic-free alternatives, such as toothpaste tablets and solid body wash that are free from chemical additives.

Read the label and pick products carefully that label with “Zero Plastic Inside” and use natural exfoliants like oatmeal, sugar, or baking soda, cinnamon etc.

10- Stay Hydrated

We cannot wholly avoid microplastics, but we can adopt some alternative to reduce their exposure. Drinking a lot of liquid, definitely not wine, is the most effective way to support your body’s detox processes. Water helps toxins to flush out from our body and promotes healthy kidney function. Drinking the recommended amount of clean water, I must say filtered water, not bottled, ensures that you efficiently flush out toxins through urine or sweat. For this, you can also try different detoxifying drinks that will not only flush out microplastics but also support your energy levels, improve digestion, and keep your skin healthy.

Also, add green tea to your routine to avoid the harmful effects of microplastics.

11- Incorporate Antioxidant-Rich Foods

Microplastics impact our body through various ways it can trigger oxidative stress. By incorporating antioxidant-rich food you can combat the harmful effect by neutralizing harmful free radicals and inflammation in the body. Food like berries, leafy green vegetables, nuts, and spices like turmeric are packed with antioxidants and protect from harmful effects of microplastics.

12- Focus on Fiber

Fiber plays a crucial role in digestion and detoxification. It helps bind toxins in the digestive system, including microplastics and promotes their elimination from the body through regular bowel movements.

Eating a high-fiber diet is not only good for digestion but also supports the removal of harmful substances that may accumulate in the gut. Foods high in fiber include whole grains (brown rice, oats, quinoa), legumes (beans, lentils), fruits (apples, pears), and vegetables (broccoli, carrots). Aim for a balance of both soluble and insoluble fiber in your diet to ensure optimal gut health and efficient detoxification.

To be honest we can not completely eliminate the microplastics from the body but we can adopt some effective alternatives to micro plastics to minimize their harmful effect such as avoiding canned and processed food, plastic containers, packages, single-line plastic products, instead focus on organic fresh food, and healthy lifestyle.

FAQS

Are Microplastics Harmful?

Microplastics are harmful to the body and act as a medium that can transfer the environmental harmful substances into your body. It affects the endocrine and reproductive system. One of the studies shows the presence of microplastics in testicles, human lungs, kidney, and placenta.

Can Microplastics be Removed From the body?

How Much Microplastic Is In the Human Body?

A study was conducted by the worldwide life fund and it stated that every human consumes 5 gms of plastic every week.