“Environmental problems are really social problems. They begin with people as the cause and end with people as the victims.” – Sir Edmund Hillary
It’s a challenging world when we seek to cover all the options and “what ifs” in our lives trying to stay as healthy as possible. We, thankfully, enjoy many advancements in medical technology while we are still left to encounter and reduce as much as possible those known factors which can greatly compromise our health. In this column, we will discuss one of those known factors: microplastics.
Most of us have at least heard the word used, particularly in the media, so let’s define:
Microplastics are extremely small pieces of plastic debris in the environment resulting from the disposal and breakdown of consumer products and industrial waste. Sound problematic?
Although microplastics are active in many areas of our existence, my intention with this column is to focus on the effect of microplastics through our food systems and recommend some ways to alleviate or reduce the effects. The following recommendations are courtesy of consumerreports.org:
- Avoid plastic food storage containers. Do not heat plastic containers in the microwave and do not store hot food in said containers.
- Steer clear of fast foods. Fatty foods have a higher level of plasticizers. (Not to mention the high calorie count and lack of nutrients. -SM)
- Eat fresh, minimally processed food. A study based on 2013-14 data found that people who ate more ultra-processed foods such as French fries and ice cream pops had higher levels of certain phthalate by-product in their urine.1
- Choose wood, stainless steel, or silicone for kitchen tools instead of plastic.
- Water bottles should be made of glass or steel.
These microplastics are everywhere, from plastic containers to fatty foods, cosmetics, trash, fabrics, and more. The effects range from environmental harm to the potential for cancer and reproductive issues, as well as changes in gene activity. Nanoplastics, which are smaller than one micrometer, worry researchers the most because they can infiltrate cells.2
Can we alleviate these plasticizers from our world completely? That is highly unlikely although we can diminish some of the effects through our food ways by following some of the steps noted above. So, dear readers, I encourage you to do your own research as there is much information regarding this topic available to you should you wish to learn more.
1NIH National Library of Medicine
Sharon McMahon, CNWC
The opinions expressed in this article are not intended to replace advice of your personal physician or licensed health professional. Please consult your physician for any issues you may have related to nutrition or fitness activity.
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