Hi Friends,
If you’ve been following us for a while, you know we are keeping a close eye on the rising health threat of microplastics.
There’s been more microplastics research published in the last 6 months than in the previous decade combined...
And nearly all of it points to negative health outcomes.
We now know that plastic isn't just floating harmlessly through us.
It’s settling in our arterial plaque, crossing into our brains, depositing into our GI tract, and even rewriting the biological code in - yes - sperm.
So from my perspective as a physician, we must understand the biological impact on our bodies.
Based on the latest clinical data, here are 10 things you need to know about microplastics to start 2026.
Today’s Opponent:
Microplastics
Your Gut is the First Line of Defense
Groundbreaking research presented at UEG Week international conference confirmed that microplastics significantly alter the human gut microbiome, favoring acid-producing bacteria and disrupting the mucosal barrier.
Microplastics Have Breached the Blood-Brain Barrier
Recent studies published in Nature Medicine found that microplastic concentrations in human brain tissue have risen by 50% over the last 8 years.
Alarmingly, the brains of patients with dementia contained significantly higher concentrations of microplastic than healthy controls.
It’s a Heart Health Issue Now
A landmark New England Journal of Medicine study found microplastics embedded directly within arterial plaque.
Patients with these plastics were significantly more likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke, or death than those without.
Fathers are Passing it Down
A UC Riverside study shattered the idea that only maternal exposure matters. It indicated that fathers exposed to microplastics passed metabolic dysfunction (diabetes, fatty liver) to their daughters via altered sperm RNA.
Some Probiotic Bacteria Can "Trap" Plastic Particles
Rare good news here, and this is the most exciting development so far. A 2025 study in Nature Scientific Reports identified specific probiotic strains (like Lactobacillus plantarum) that can physically bind to polystyrene particles in the gut.
These bacteria act as a magnet, trapping microplastics for excretion.
Bottled Water is a Primary Source of Exposure
We now know via advanced laser imaging that bottled water contains hundreds of thousands of microplastic (in fact “nanoplastic”, i.e. even smaller) particles per liter - exponentially more than tap water.
Heat + Plastic = Poison
Research confirms that heating food in plastic (even "microwave safe" containers) releases millions of microplastics and nanoplastics into your food.
This includes the lid on your hot coffee.
You Are Inhaling Your Wardrobe
Studies suggest we inhale substantial amounts of microplastics weekly, largely from microfibers shedding off synthetic clothing (fleece, polyester).
Bioaccumulation is Accelerating
Brain tissue data shows that older organ samples contain less plastic than newer ones, regardless of the age of the person.
This proves that the accumulation is accelerating due to our current environment.
“Detox” Means “Excretion”
Science is moving past generic cleanses and toward targeted binding activity.
Evidence supports the biological necessity of using binders (like specific fibers and probiotics) to catch plastic particles in the gut and rid them before they re-circulate or deposit into our tissues.
"The discoveries in 2025 have been significant. We went from finding microplastics in water samples to finding them in nearly every human tissue. This suggests bioaccumulation is happening more diffusely than we thought."
"I tell my patients: You are going to be exposed. That is the reality of modern life. The variable we can control is how your body handles that exposure. A healthy microbiome is the difference between a particle passing through you and a particle settling in you."
So, What Can You Do To Protect Yourself?
We can't stop breathing or eating, but we can significantly reduce our plastic exposure.
Here’s our practical strategy you can start implementing today:
👉 Filter Your Water: If you haven't bought a high-quality water filter yet (Reverse Osmosis is the gold standard), make that your late New Year's resolution. Stop drinking from single-use plastic bottles.
👉 No Hot Plastic: Switch to glass or ceramic for all heating. Never put plastic in the dishwasher or microwave (the heat degrades it, causing it to shed more particles later).
👉 Eat Fermented Foods: Increase your intake of fermented foods or targeted probiotics (specifically L. plantarum and L. paracasei) to help physically bind these particles in the gut.
👉 Fortify Your Gut: A strong gut barrier is your best defense against systemic absorption. A high-fiber diet and nutrients like L-glutamine and zinc carnosine can help maintain tight junctions.
👉 Eliminate Regularly: Constipation allows toxins to sit in your colon longer, increasing the chance of microplastic deposition and/or absorption.
What’s On Your Mind?
Respond to this email and let us know!
As gastroenterologists, we definitely have a lot to talk about when it comes to your gut health and well-being. But we can’t always get to everything (you know… like coffee enemas)! So reply directly to this email or DM us on TikTok below and maybe YOUR topic will be featured soon!
