February 17, 2025 Puzzle Piece
Airborne Microplastics Linked to Multiple Health Problems
Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola 2-8-25
This
week I am sending an email on microplastics unaltered from Dr
Mercola. It substantiates what we have been telling you for over 6
months. Please follow the solutions we have from OHS - John W Brimhall,
DC
Story at-a-glance
- Microplastics,
particles smaller than 5 millimeters, have become a global
environmental concern, with 460 million tons produced in 2019 and
production expected to triple by 2060
- A
recent study suggests microplastic exposure negatively impacts sperm
quality, immune function, and causes chronic inflammation, with
researchers believing actual health impacts are likely underestimated.
- Airborne
microplastics bypass lung defenses, causing inflammation and
respiratory issues, while acting as carriers for other pollutants like
persistent organic compounds and heavy metals.
- Microplastics
disrupt gut microbiota and cause leaky gut syndrome, leading to
systemic inflammation and mental health issues through the gut-brain
axis connection.
- Studies
have found microplastics in human placenta and newborn meconium, with
animal studies showing exposure leads to long-term metabolic issues and
liver problems in offspring.
Microplastics
— miniscule particles measuring less than 5 millimeters that form when
larger pieces of plastics break down — are now a significant concern in
our environment. Because of their size, they easily penetrate and
accumulate in the body. In 2019, 460 million tons of plastics were
produced, and estimates say that production will triple by 2060.
Hence, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that microplastics are
ubiquitous, showing up not just in our oceans and food chains, but also
in the very air we breathe.
While the long-term health effects of airborne microplastics are still
being researched, studies are increasingly connecting them to various
health problems, including respiratory, digestive and reproductive
health.
From Trash to Air — The Journey of Microplastics
Where do microplastics come from? The primary culprit is the breakdown
of larger plastics. Microplastics are categorized into two main types —
primary and secondary. Primary microplastics are intentionally
manufactured to be small, like the microbeads once used in facial
scrubs. Meanwhile, secondary microplastics are formed from the
breakdown of larger plastic items due to weathering, sunlight and
physical abrasion. Think of a plastic bottle left in the sun; over time,
it will become brittle and break down into smaller and smaller pieces,
eventually becoming microplastics. These microscopic plastic fragments
are carried by wind and air currents for vast distances, making
microplastic pollution a global problem.
Microplastics also become airborne through our everyday activities. Did
you know that washing clothes with synthetic fabrics releases tiny
plastic fibers? Even the dust inside your house might contain
microplastics from various sources.
And although regulators are now evaluating the possibilities, there are
currently no governmental standards restricting plastic particles in
food or water in the U.S. This invisible invasion raises a red flag for
our health.
Study Links Microplastics to Digestive, Reproductive and Respiratory Disorders
A recent review published in Environmental Science and Technology
journal sheds more light on how microplastics affects various areas of
human health. Conducted by researchers at the University of California,
San Francisco (UCSF), the study analyzed findings from previous studies
to get a broader understanding on the effects of microplastic exposure
on specific areas of health.
“Research on microplastics and their health effects on humans is
still in its infancy. A growing body of evidence exists, however,
indicating the adverse health effects of microplastic exposure on living
organisms.
The primary objectives of this rapid systematic review were to
evaluate the human and animal evidence assessing microplastic exposure
to any adverse human health outcome, rate the quality and strength of
the human and animal evidence, integrate the human and animal evidence
streams and develop a final bottom line statement regarding the health
effects of microplastics,” the researchers said.
According to the researchers, microplastic exposure harms the digestive,
reproductive and respiratory system in humans, and rate the overall
body of evidence as “‘high’ quality in concluding that microplastic
exposure is ‘suspected’ to adversely impact sperm quality,
immunosuppression, and chronic inflammation.”
They also found evidence linking microplastics to problems in the colon
and small intestine, lungs and more, stating that their conclusions
“underestimate the ‘true health impacts’ of microplastic exposure.”
“Given the ubiquity of microplastics and the consistent, growing
recognition of their existence in the human body, it is likely that
microplastics will impact other body systems, which is a potential area
for future research,” the study authors said.
The study's conclusions raise significant concerns. The fact that
microplastics were found in the digestive and reproductive systems of
newborns is a worrying development. This suggests that microplastics can
travel throughout our bodies and even get passed on to future
generations.
Microplastics Wreak Havoc on Your Lungs
Your lungs are designed to filter out harmful particles from the air you
breathe. Unfortunately, microplastics are small enough to slip past
these defenses and irritate the delicate lining of the respiratory
tract. This irritation triggers inflammation, leading to conditions like
asthma and bronchitis.
What's even more concerning is the ability of microplastics to act as
tiny Trojan horses, carrying other pollutants deeper into the lungs,
causing more severe health problems. According to one study:
“Microplastics can adsorb and accumulate various chemical pollutants
from the environment, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
and heavy metals. If microplastics release these adsorbed chemicals in
the lung tissue, it could lead to additional toxicological effects.”
Studies have shown that exposure to air pollution, including
microplastics, increases our susceptibility to respiratory infections.
Inhaled microplastics act like tiny, sharp pieces of dust that irritate
your lungs. Similar to the way asbestos fibers cause long-term lung
damage, the potential health risks of inhaling microplastics warrant
further investigation.
How Microplastics Mess with Your Digestion
Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, fungi and other
microorganisms, collectively known as the gut microbiota. These
microorganisms play a crucial role in digestion, immunity and overall
health. They help break down food, produce vitamins and support your
immune function, protecting you from harmful pathogens.
However, when you ingest microplastics, they ruin this delicate balance,
triggering inflammation in your gut lining. This inflammation leads to a
condition called leaky gut syndrome, where your gut lining becomes more
permeable, allowing toxins and other harmful substances to leak into
your bloodstream. This triggers a cascade of health problems throughout
your body.
Microplastics also disrupt the balance of your gut bacteria, a condition
known as dysbiosis. This imbalance increases your risk of developing
various digestive disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),
which causes abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits, and
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes conditions like Crohn's
disease and ulcerative colitis that cause chronic inflammation in the
digestive tract.
The presence of microplastics in the gut also interferes with how our
bodies absorb nutrients from food. Additionally, the gut lining acts as a
barrier, preventing harmful substances from entering the bloodstream.
Microplastics compromise the integrity of this barrier, making it easier
for toxins to enter the body.
Think of the gut barrier like a fence around a garden. If the fence is
damaged, weeds and pests easily get in. Similarly, a damaged gut barrier
allows unwanted substances to enter the bloodstream. One study notes:
“The altered microbiome compromises the gut’s critical role as a
barrier and regulatory organ, setting the stage for systemic
inflammation and chronic diseases that affect the entire body.”
There is also a complex communication network between the gut and the
brain, known as the gut-brain axis. Research suggests that gut
inflammation and microbiota disruption caused by microplastics affect
brain function and contribute to mental health issues and neurological
conditions. A 2024 study reports:
“Alarmingly, microplastics cause changes in brain tissues that are
reflective of chronic degenerative brain pathologies, such as chronic
traumatic encephalitis, PD [Parkinson’s disease], and AD [Alzheimer’s
disease].”
Microplastics Are an Invisible yet Growing Threat to Reproduction
Microplastics also have the ability to interfere with hormone production
and function, affecting reproductive health in both men and women. In
fact, I believe it’s one of the biggest contributors to the declining
fertility rates today. According to recent studies, microplastics
accumulate in the testes, contributing to lower sperm quantity and
quality and reduced testosterone levels.
Women are affected, too. A Frontiers in Endocrinology study collated
research from animal test models and found that microplastics accumulate
in the ovaries, leading to pregnancy-related issues.
Perhaps even more alarming is the possibility of microplastics crossing
the placenta and affecting fetal development. Studies have actually
found microplastics in human placenta and even the meconium, the first
stool passed by a newborn baby. Animal studies have also demonstrated
disturbing effects among fetuses from microplastic exposure. The
researchers reported:
“Studies observed maternal exposure to PS-MPs (0.5– 5μm) resulted in
long term metabolic adverse outcomes in fetus, including dyslipidemia,
changes in liver physiology and female offspring fatty liver. The
evidence suggest exposure to MNPs in utero cause long term metabolic
outcome in later life of exposed pups with some sex specific effects.”
Strategies to Reduce Your Exposure to Microplastics
Mounting evidence shows microplastics pose a significant threat to human
health. Even though this is a relatively new area of research, the
existing findings are concerning and warrant attention. Reducing your
exposure to microplastics requires a multifaceted approach, but
basically, it entails minimizing plastic use in your daily life. Here
are some effective strategies I recommend:
1.Opt for reusable shopping bags — Switch to reusable
bags made from materials like canvas or other sustainable fabrics when
you go grocery shopping. This simple change will significantly reduce
the number of single-use plastic bags you bring into your home,
diminishing the accumulation of plastics in the environment and lowering
your personal plastic exposure.
2.Choose alternatives to plastic containers — Use
glass, stainless steel or BPA-free containers for storing food and
beverages. Avoid plastic wraps and opt for beeswax wraps or silicone
lids instead. This not only reduces the leaching of harmful chemicals
like BPA and phthalates but also minimizes the ingestion of
microplastics from food packaging.
3.Avoid single-use plastics — Reduce your reliance on
single-use plastics such as straws, cutlery and water bottles. Carry
your own reusable utensils and invest in a durable, refillable water
bottle. These will help decrease the overall production and disposal of
plastic waste, addressing the root cause of microplastic pollution.
4.Limit use of plastic in your home — Minimize the use
of plastic products in your household by replacing them with natural or
eco-friendly alternatives. For instance, use bamboo or metal
toothbrushes instead of plastic ones, choose wooden or glass dishes, and
opt for natural cleaning products that come in non-plastic packaging.
5.Opt for natural fibers — Whenever possible, choose clothing and other textile products made from natural fibers like cotton, wool and linen.
6.Improve your indoor air quality — Regular cleaning,
proper ventilation and using air purifiers that help reduce the
concentration of microplastics and other airborne particles are some
helpful strategies.
Another point I would like to emphasize is that many plastic chemicals
are xenoestrogens that mimic the effects of estrogen in your body. In
fact, most of the hazards associated with these chemicals stem from the
stimulation of your estrogen receptors.
WE WANT THANK DR MERCOLA FOR HIS YEARS OF RESEARCH AND MAKING THE PUBLIC
AWARE OF THE HEALTH ROBBING PRACTICES THAT ABOUND IN THE US AND OTHER
COUNTRIES.
Contact Jason at Brimhall Seminars to get aligned with Optimal Health
Systems at 480-964-5198 if you are not currently utilizing, in my
observation, the best nutrition in the World.
If already in the know, call your Rep at OHS and start using Chemzyme to assist the body in eliminating microplastics.
Also start utilizing Optimal Fiber GLP-1 and the new Essential Fulvic Minerals formulated by Dr Marc Harris.
Balancing the endocrine system can be assisted by Opti-Thyroid, Opti-Glandular, Opti-Female and Opti-Lung, etc.
All OHS products are derived from whole foods and then pre-digested with enzymes. Many of the formulas are fermented as well.
Come
and see us at a Brimhall Certification and Super Seminar yet this year.
This would be a great time to train that associate you always wanted!
Action Step: Call Jason now at
(480-964-5198) or click below to Register for
Dr. John & Brett Brimhall's Six Steps To Wellness Certification™ Starting This Month!
February 27, 28-March 1, 2025
Dr. Brimhall's Six Steps to Wellness Protocol™ Will Include hands on for each of the six steps.
STRUCTURE
Step 1: Re-establish Structural Integrity, The Foundation of Health.
ELECTRICAL POLLUTION
Step 2: Rebalance Electromagnetics
NUTRITION
Step 3: Rebalance Nutrition
ALLERGIES AND SENSITIVITIES
Step 4: Reprogram the body for any Allergy or Sensitivity
EMOTIONS AND STRESS
Step 5: Re-evaluate Emotional Patterns & Remove Limiting Belief Systems
TOXICITY
Step 6: Remove Heavy Metals and Other Toxins from the Body
Price: $2,000.00 per person (only 20 seats available)
Seminar Location:
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Gilbert, AZ 85234
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Hotel Phone: 480-218-8000
Yours in Health and Wellness,
John W Brimhall, DC, BA, BS, FIAMA, DIBAK