Microplastic Detox Strategies: Addressing One Of The Most Pervasive Environmental Toxins

kylepeche
4 hours ago
6 min read

When plastics were first introduced, they were considered harmless. We now know that's not the case, with research demonstrating a wide range of detrimental effects on human health from cognitive impairment to fertility issues. [3]

Microplastics (MPs) have exponentially increased in our environment over the past few years. It is now estimated that people consume about a credit card's worth of plastic per week.

People diagnosed with dementia have over 10x the amount of plastic in their brain. The average person now carries about a spoon's worth of plastic in their brain (not a spoonful, but the entire spoon!) [1] This is the wrong kind of neuroplasticity! (I had to, I'm sorry.)

Another study examining male testes postmortem found every man in the sample group had plastics in their testicles. [2] It is generally understood that microplastics can accumulate in pretty much all tissues in the body. [3]

In my practice, I now consider it a priority to detoxify microplastics from my clients, similar in importance to heavy metals, pesticides, and parasites. Fortunately, eliminating them is not that difficult if you know what you're doing. Microplastic detox can help heal the brain, balance hormones, improve energy levels, reduce cancer risk, and much more.

Microplastic Detox - Plastic Production — Since 1950, global plastic production has skyrocketed—growing nearly 230-fold to hit 460 million metric tons by 2019. In just the last 20 years, it has doubled. As this upward trend continues, so does the generation of plastic waste, fueling the pervasive spread of microplastics across oceans, freshwater sources, soil, and even the air we inhale.

What Are Microplastics and Why Are They Dangerous?

Microplastics are small plastic particles which are often invisible to the naked eye. Everything from our clothes to coffee cups to daily hygiene products contain plastic.

Those plastic items either leech plastic particles or slowly decompose in landfills — leaving an environmental hazard behind. Since we are always in an osmotic gradient with our environment, anything we do to pollute our world eventually circles back and pollutes our bodies.

Microplastics are typically the focus in the current body of research while Nanoplastics are less understood, but might be even more dangerous since they are small enough to enter the cell. [5]

Most Common Sources of Microplastic Exposure

Single-use plastic water bottles (especially if left in a hot area like a car.) [5]
Polyester Clothing (especially underwear or anything you wear when hot/sweating.)
- Try to use natural materials like 100% cotton or linen. (I like the brand pact for underwear.)
- One study found that all men wearing a polyester sling became infertile during the duration of the study. [4]
To-go coffee cups
Take-out boxes & plastic Tupperware (especially do not microwave it!)
Clear plastic retainers (like Invisalign.) I know quite a few people who's health significantly worsened after getting them.
Plastic cutting boards (use wood instead)
Tea bags (use a natural tea bag like from wood pulp instead)
Household dust (open a window and vacuum weekly, it's that easy)
Tap water (drink distilled, spring, or RO & filter your shower water)
Large seafood and shellfish

Health Effects Of Microplastics

Fatigue & diminished cellular energy - MPs can disrupt mitochondria membrane potential impacting energy production in the body. [6] This can impact all systems in the body, and contribute to fatigue.
Brain fog & cognition issues - MPs can contribute to neuroinflammation. Studies show it can impact memory, focus, contribute to Alzheimer's disease, impact dopamine levels, and damage the blood brain barrier. [6]
Cardiovascular issues - MPs can damage blood vessel epithelium & contribute to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. [6]
Digestive issues - MPs can create inflammation in various parts of the digestive track, disrupt our gut microbiome, & damage the liver. [6]
Hormonal issues - MPs carry endocrine disrupting chemicals, which can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body & disrupt various glands in the body. This can lead to weight gain, emotional issues, low testosterone, and more. [7]

Microplastic Detox Strategies

What follows are the most effective methods I've found with my clients to lower their microplastic burden. Please contact me with any questions you may have.

(1) Increase Vegetable Fiber

Dietary fibers have been shown to help protect against some of the health effects of microplastics. They act as a sort of microplastic binder, absorbing them to facilitate their excretion. [8] I often recommend pressure-cooked vegetables till soft at around 3-9 cups per day. Don't underestimate the basics!

(2) Use Sauna Therapy

Regular use of a dry or infrared sauna is one of the most powerful habits you can have to help increase your lifespan & overall health. Sweating has been shown to be an effective route of elimination for various plastic chemicals. [9]

(3) Support Liver Health (click here for an in-depth article on the liver)

Our liver is our primary detoxification organ, and supporting it helps elimination of all environmental toxins, including microplastics. Some of my favorite liver healing tools include:

Liver Drainage Herbs - these include milk thistle, dandelion, gentian, artichoke, burdock, and more. I like Quicksilver Bitters No.9 & Ki Science Amaro Cynara.
TUDCA - this naturally occurring bile acid has a long list of benefits for the liver, brain, mitochondria, heart, and more. My favorite is Advanced TUDCA by CellCore (use patient direct code tsXvEkKF to order.)
Coffee Enemas - one of the most important at-home detox procedures one can do to heal their gut & liver. Check out this article here to learn more.
Liver Flushes - this relatively simple process can do wonders for clearing the gallblader of stones & bile sludge, which can dramatically improve liver function. I like the Global Healing Center Liver Flush program (this is a discounted link through my Fullscript) as a simple way to approach this procedure.

(4) Chlorella (or another binder)

Chlorella is one of the few toxin binders which has been shown to bind to microplastics. [10] The only brand I currently trust for chlorella is Ki Science, available here. It is more of an advanced binder and not always tolerated at first, so you may want to consider starting with a more gentle binder such as Ki Science Zeolite (this is a non-micronized form of zeolite that stays in the gut.)

(5) Broccoli Sprouts

Broccoli Sprouts are high in sulforaphane, a compound that has been getting a lot of attention for having immense benefits for the brain, cellular health, & the immune system. [11] It is great for upregulating various detoxification pathways such NRF2. Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt has found it to be particularly effective for increasing the excretion of MPs. This is my preferred source of Broccoli Sprouts.

(6) Melatonin

Melatonin is a true swiss army knife for one's health. People often don't realize that this compound can support mitochondria function, brain health, liver health, immunity, inflammation, detoxification of pretty much all toxins, and much more. [13]

Higher doses (20mg+) are often used therapeutically for a variety of conditions. It has been shown to protect against the effects of microplastics & nanoplastics as well as reduce their uptake into the body. [12]

I typically put some of my clients on doses of 50-200mg. I've found it to be an unbelievably powerful healing tool for the brain. I recommend checking out this podcast to learn more. Bulk supplements has extremely cheap powdered melatonin, and Mitolife has a convenient 50mg capsule.

(7) Calcium-D-glucarate

Calcium-D-glucarate supports the glucuronidation process, an underrated detox pathway that mainly takes place in the liver and is responsible for disposal of many different endocrine disrupting chemicals including MPs [14].

(8) Liposomal DIM

Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a compound found in cruciferous vegetables. It helps upregulate various detox pathways in the liver, being particularly useful for xenoestrogens (estrogen mimicking compounds) including microplastics. It also happens to be one of my favorite tools for balancing hormones in both men and women, especially in the case of estrogen dominance. [15] It has other benefits as well such as being a mild mast cell stabilizer and helping the liver eliminate mycotoxins.

Liposomal DIM has significantly better absorption than regular DIM making it much more effective. [16] Quicksilver scientific is my preferred brand for this one, available on my fullscript. It is a strong detox tool, so be cautious and make sure to check out my free guide on drainage pathways first if you haven't already.

Going Deeper With Detoxification

Detoxification is no longer a luxury, but a necessity to stay healthy and high-functioning in our immensely polluted world.

After I went through a thorough, systemic, step-by-step detox process, I healed from some incredibly difficult health challenges with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and dozens of symptoms (read my story here.)

If you'd like support with your own healing journey, set up a call with me here to learn about my coaching programs.

Disclaimer: This information is educational only and not intended to diagnose or treat a specific individual or patient. Nothing presented here is medical advice.