{"id":136712,"date":"2023-10-30T20:31:27","date_gmt":"2023-10-30T20:31:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/?p=136712"},"modified":"2023-10-30T20:31:27","modified_gmt":"2023-10-30T20:31:27","slug":"the-potential-impact-of-microplastics-on-organs-including-the-brain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yogaesoteric.net\/en\/the-potential-impact-of-microplastics-on-organs-including-the-brain\/","title":{"rendered":"The Potential Impact Of Microplastics On Organs, Including The Brain"},"content":{"rendered":"

Early research shows reason for concern, finding microplastics can cause inflammation and oxidative stress in mice and accumulate in animal organs<\/em><\/p>\n

That delicious slice of pizza that you\u2019re eating may come with an invisible side of plastic.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Every day, microplastics\u2014tiny plastic fragments smaller than a grain of rice\u2014are making their way into our food supply, our water, and, subsequently, our bodies.<\/p>\n

Early research shows reason for concern, finding microplastics can cause inflammation and oxidative stress in mice and accumulate in animal organs.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re Likely Ingesting Microplastics Every Day, Studies Warn<\/strong><\/p>\n

Larger plastics such as shopping bags and water bottles degrade into microplastics over time. Elements such as sunlight and water break down plastics that evade waste management, reducing them to microscopic size.<\/p>\n

Everyday products such as cosmetics, synthetic fabrics, and single-use plastic bags also shed plastic particles. These tiny plastic fragments travel through water, air, and the food chain until they ultimately enter our bodies.<\/p>\n

Plastic production has climbed exponentially to more than 460 million metric tons in 2019. It\u2019s estimated that people ingest approximately 5 grams of plastic per week, an amount equal to the weight of a credit card, according to a 2019 analysis<\/a> published by the World Wildlife Federation<\/em>, an independent conservation organization.<\/p>\n

Researchers worldwide are investigating microplastics\u2019 health impacts. Studies show that microplastics are pervasive\u2014in 2018, 93 percent of tested bottled waters contained microplastics, according to research published in Frontiers in Chemistry<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Because many people consume bottled water daily, microplastic exposure is far-reaching.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately, microplastics are largely unavoidable in today\u2019s world<\/em>,\u201d Dr. Christopher Palmer, a Harvard professor, told The Epoch Times<\/em>. \u201cThey are everywhere, including in the snow at the top of Mount Everest. In fact, children born today are exposed to microplastics in utero. A <\/em>mall study<\/em><\/a> of six human placentas found microplastics in all the tissues studied<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the past year, researchers tested 22 people<\/a> and found that most had detectable microplastics in their blood, according to a 2022 study published in Environment International<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Research links plastic chemicals, such as phthalates and bisphenols, to conditions such as obesity and diabetes, potentially caused by inflammation and hormone disruption.<\/p>\n

Surgery may also introduce microplastics into the bloodstream and organs.<\/p>\n

A 2023 Chinese pilot study<\/a> published in Environmental Science and Technology<\/em> uncovered the presence of microplastics in heart tissue.<\/p>\n

Researchers collected and analyzed blood samples from 15 patients before and after cardiovascular surgery. Nine types of microplastics were found across five tissue types.<\/p>\n

After surgery, the plastic particles were smaller and more varied in composition. The invasive procedures appeared to introduce additional microplastics into the bloodstream. From there, the particles made their way into the innermost tissues of the heart.<\/p>\n

How Do Microplastics Affect Health?<\/strong><\/p>\n

These tiny particles contain harmful chemicals such as flame retardants, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and plasticizers such as BPA, which can disrupt hormones and cause chronic inflammation.<\/p>\n

Scientists are finding that over time, microplastics accumulate in vital organs. This buildup of plastic fragments in the body may lead to potentially long-term health consequences.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Microplastics Can Quickly Infiltrate Cells And Tissues<\/strong><\/p>\n

Microplastics can infiltrate cells within 24 hours of exposure and accumulate near the cell\u2019s nucleus in mice, according to a 2023 International Journal of Molecular Sciences<\/em><\/a> study. The authors discovered that the longer the cells were exposed to microplastics, the more the cells\u2019 viability was reduced.<\/p>\n

The researchers examined major tissues including the brain, liver, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, heart, spleen, and lungs to see where microplastics accumulate. \u201cSurprisingly<\/em>,\u201d they wrote, they detected microplastics \u201cin every tissue examined<\/em>,\u201d as well as in urine and feces.<\/p>\n

The study also showed increased inflammatory immune markers such as cytokines and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) in mice exposed to microplastics.<\/p>\n

When these tiny particles enter the body, immune cells recognize them as foreign invaders and initiate an inflammatory reaction to remove them. Prolonged exposure to microplastics can lead to chronic inflammation.<\/p>\n

The Brain\u2019s Battle Against Microplastics<\/strong><\/p>\n

Microplastics can rapidly infiltrate even the most protected organ\u2014the brain\u2014according to a 2023 Austrian study<\/a> published in Nanomaterials<\/em>. Researchers gave mice drinking water containing microplastics.<\/p>\n

The plastic particles migrated into the mice\u2019s brains within just two hours.<\/p>\n

The microplastics then became enveloped in cholesterol molecules on the brain\u2019s surface. This enabled them to cross the blood-brain barrier, which normally protects the brain from toxins and chemicals.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe studies in mice are alarming<\/em>,\u201d Dr. Palmer said. \u201cThey have demonstrated widespread distribution of microplastics throughout the body, including the brain, within two hours of consumption.<\/em><\/p>\n

This new research suggests what researchers have feared: Microplastics can cause brain inflammation quickly and produce behavior changes within three weeks in mice. However, we need more research to evaluate their impact in humans<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Microplastics Fuel Dementia In Mice<\/strong><\/p>\n

The International Journal of Molecular Sciences<\/em> study also demonstrated microplastics\u2019 potential neurotoxicity. After just three weeks of exposure, mice developed dementia-like behavioral changes.<\/p>\n

Older mice exhibited more impaired behaviors than younger ones.<\/p>\n

The authors also noted that microplastics decreased levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), which supports brain cell processes. A reduction in GFAP is associated with some neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n

GFAP serves as a biomarker indicating Alzheimer\u2019s disease-related issues before the onset of dementia.<\/p>\n

Reducing Microplastics In Our Lives<\/strong><\/p>\n

Even though microplastics surround us every day, we can take essential steps to reduce these pervasive plastics in our lives.<\/p>\n

These include:<\/p>\n