How to Detox Microplastics from Your Body

1. Plasma and Blood Donations: A Promising Strategy

One of the most effective ways to reduce harmful substances in the body, particularly perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), is through plasma and blood donations. A clinical trial conducted in Australia involving firefighters, who are regularly exposed to PFAS through firefighting foams, demonstrated a significant reduction in PFAS levels after regular plasma or blood donations.

In this trial, firefighters with elevated PFAS levels (specifically perfluorooctane sulfonate, PFOS) were divided into three groups: one group donated plasma every six weeks, another donated blood every 12 weeks, and the third group was simply observed without intervention. After 12 months, plasma donations were found to reduce PFOS levels by an average of 2.9 ng/mL, while blood donations led to a reduction of 1.1 ng/mL. The study also observed a similar pattern with another PFAS, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), which was reduced by 1.1 ng/mL in the plasma donation group. Notably, the group that did not donate either blood or plasma saw no significant changes in PFAS levels.

These findings suggest that donating plasma or blood could be a viable method for reducing certain persistent chemicals in the body. Although the focus was on PFASs, it stands to reason that regular donations might also help in reducing other contaminants, including microplastics, that bind to blood proteins.

2. The Role of Glutathione in Microplastic Detoxification

Plants have long served as models for understanding detoxification, and recent research on rice plants exposed to microplastics offers intriguing insights. In a study involving rice seedlings exposed to PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and HDPE (high-density polyethylene) microplastics, researchers discovered that these plastics significantly stunted the plants' growth. However, when the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) was applied, the adverse effects of the microplastics were mitigated. GSH-treated rice plants showed improved growth metrics, with increases in root and shoot biomass of up to 19.22% and 8.80%, respectively. Additionally, GSH treatment improved physiological processes such as photosynthesis, gas exchange, and overall metabolic stability.

For humans, GSH is known to play a crucial role in detoxification processes, particularly by neutralizing free radicals and enhancing liver function. As microplastics generate oxidative stress, increasing GSH levels in the body—whether through supplementation or supporting the body’s own production—may help to reduce the oxidative damage caused by microplastics. While human studies are still lacking, the plant-based research offers a foundation for future exploration.

3. Supporting Liver Function: The Key to Excretion

Microplastics that enter the body are subject to the same pharmacokinetics as many other foreign substances: absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. According to a 2023 review on the pharmacokinetics of microplastics, most of these particles are absorbed through the digestive system, distributed by the circulatory system, and then accumulate in organs like the liver, spleen, lungs, and even the brain. Metabolism of microplastics is still not fully understood, but the liver is believed to play a critical role in breaking down and eliminating these particles, primarily through feces.

Keeping your liver healthy

Supporting liver health through a nutrient-rich diet, hydration, and specific detoxifying agents like GSH may enhance the body's ability to excrete microplastics over time. Additionally, avoiding processed foods, especially those containing harmful seed oils, can reduce the liver's overall detoxification burden, allowing it to focus on eliminating environmental toxins such as microplastics.

4. Infrared Saunas: Eliminating Toxins Through Sweat

Another promising method for microplastic detoxification is through induced sweating. A study on the excretion of bisphenol A (BPA), a widely used plastic additive, found that sweating could be a valuable pathway for eliminating this compound from the body. In the study, 16 out of 20 participants excreted BPA in their sweat, even when it was undetectable in their blood and urine.

The study suggests that BPA, and potentially other plastic-related chemicals, can accumulate in tissues and may not always be measurable through traditional blood or urine testing. However, sweating, particularly through methods like infrared saunas, may help mobilize and excrete these stored compounds. Given that microplastics can have similar chemical compositions and bioaccumulative properties as BPA, infrared saunas could offer a complementary approach to reducing the body's microplastic load.

5. Hydration and Fiber: Natural Detoxification Enhancers

In addition to more active methods like blood donation and sauna use, maintaining proper hydration and a fiber-rich diet can support the body’s natural detoxification processes. Drinking adequate amounts of water, especially mineral-rich water, helps keep the kidneys functioning optimally, ensuring that toxins, including those that may be generated from plastic exposure, are excreted efficiently. Fiber, meanwhile, binds to toxins in the digestive tract, facilitating their removal through feces.

6. Reduce Microplastic Intake from Water

The first step in reducing microplastic exposure is to choose water that has been tested for minimal or no plastic contamination.

A study from Columbia University revealed that bottled water contains significant levels of microplastics, with an average of 240,000 plastic particles per liter of bottled water. Even more concerning, about 90% of these particles were nanoplastics, which are even smaller and potentially more harmful. Common types of plastic found include polyamide (nylon), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) (used in plastic bottles), and other plastic types often used in filtration systems and packaging.

Many bottled water brands have been found to contain high levels of microplastics, so it’s essential to look for brands that prioritize filtering out these contaminants or, alternatively, to drink water from sources that have been verified to contain fewer plastic particles, such as spring water sourced directly from cleaner environments.

Another more cost-effective option is to use a high-quality water filter capable of removing both microplastics and nanoplastics. Not all filters are equal, and many conventional systems may not be able to filter particles as small as nanoplastics.

When selecting a water filtration system, look for filters that are NSF certified for removing microplastics or those that specifically advertise their ability to filter out plastic contaminants down to the nanoplastic level. These filtration systems often include multiple stages of filtration, such as:

Carbon block filters, which are known for removing larger particles and some chemicals.
Reverse osmosis (RO) systems, which can filter out particles as small as nanoplastics due to their fine filtration membranes. However make sure the membrane doesn't leak additional plastics.
UV or advanced oxidation technologies, which can help break down contaminants further.