Plastic is everywhere. It's more than just an answer to your inquisitive grocery store bagger, “paper or plastic?”
Enter Microplastics.
Anything measured in millimeters is small, but these particles measured with a “nano” prefix are so small, we can't even see them.
Their indistinguishable size accentuates the potential harm as microplastics infiltrate critical systems in our bodies and create or aggravate existing health problems.
Recent research has found microplastics inside our bodies, even crossing the once presumed impenetrable blood-brain barrier. Equally alarming, plaques found in heart disease have been discovered to contain microplastics.
Microplastics are seemingly anywhere and everywhere.
While the gloomy headlines channel their inner Hitchcock, substituting swarming birds with an impending plastic apocalypse, it’s crucial to approach the issue with a balanced perspective. Yes, the concerns are real, but when has hysteria ever solved a problem?
And while it’s essential to acknowledge the seriousness of microplastics, practical steps can be taken to reduce exposure and lessen the impact.
Maybe it simply starts by drinking from a glass or stainless-steel water bottle instead of a behemoth 40-pack of 16.9-ounce plastic water bottles.
I'm talking to myself there.
Yep, I’ll do better at making mindful choices to temper my plastic game.
Starting tomorrow.
But in this space, we’re all about gut health. So how else can we start combating the effects of the invisible plastic apocalypse?
How about with another “invisible to the naked eye” fighting force- microbes.
Specifically, gut bacteria.
Interestingly, research has begun exploring the role of gut bacteria in combating microplastic exposure. Certain strains of probiotics, like Lacticaseibacillus paracasei DT66 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DT88 have shown potential in adsorbing and excreting microplastics.
(Editorial note- being non-medical, I tried to find a synonym for adsorption, but it gave me “surface assimilation”. So after popping a motrin for my thesaurus-induced headache, adsorption stays. Think of adsorption this way- bubbling something to the surface so we can wipe it away.)
In other words, these findings suggest that enhancing gut health might offer additional benefits in dealing with microplastic contamination.
This emerging research is promising. It's also important to note that maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is beneficial for other health reasons like improved digestion and enhanced immune function.
Taking care of your gut is key to overall health. And if along the way gut bacteria can help tackle microplastics, that’s quite the added bonus.
So, let’s keep our collective shirts on and stiff arm microplastic hysteria.
Supporting your gut bacteria is a great first step.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
