Story at-a-glance
- Nanoplastics, particles less than 1 micrometer in size, are a significant environmental and health concern due to their prevalence and potential hazards. Americans could consume up to 3.8 million pieces of micro- and nanoplastics per year from protein sources alone. Infant formula has also been confirmed to contain microplastics
- Recent research found individuals with microplastics or nanoplastics in their carotid artery tissues have a 353% higher risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks or strokes than those without microplastics in their arteries
- Microplastics and nanoplastics in the body can cause oxidative stress, tissue damage, and inflammation, leading to chronic diseases beyond cardiovascular issues
- To counteract the estrogenic exposure from plastics, progesterone, a natural estrogen antagonist, can be beneficial, with suggestions for its use and administration provided
- Prevention strategies include minimizing plastic use, opting for alternatives to plastic packaging, using reusable containers, and detoxing through methods like sweating in a sauna to excrete microplastics
Nanoplastics — particles less than 1 micrometer in size, or 1,000th the average width of a human hair — have emerged as a significant environmental concern due to their widespread prevalence and potential health hazards to humans and wildlife alike. These microscopic fragments result from the degradation of larger plastic debris and can also be manufactured directly for various applications.
Continue reading “Nanoplastics Linked to Heart Attacks and Stroke”
