“Globally, we are ingesting an average of 5 grams of plastic every week, the equivalent of a credit card, a new study suggests…This plastic contamination comes from “microplastics” – particles smaller than five millimeters – which are making their way into our food, drinking water and even the air…:CNN
Nanoplastics are tiny pieces of plastic debris measuring less than 100 nanometers in size, and they have been found to have a detrimental impact on human health. “They have been found in fresh snowfall in Antarctica and at the depths of the Marianas Trench, as well as in human blood; breast milk; urine; and placental, lung and liver tissue.” NBC News
Recent studies have shown that nanoplastics can enter the bloodstream and accumulate in the arteries, leading to a higher risk of heart disease. One study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology found that nanoplastics can cause inflammation and oxidative stress in the arteries, which can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the buildup of plaque in the arteries. This plaque can restrict blood flow and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
“Electron microscopy revealed visible, jagged-edged foreign particles among plaque macrophages and scattered in the external debris. Radiographic examination showed that some of these particles included chlorine…In this study, patients with carotid artery plaque in which MNPs were detected had a higher risk of a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from any cause at 34 months of follow-up than those in whom MNPs were not detected”. The New England Journal of Medicine
Another study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that nanoplastics can disrupt the function of endothelial cells, which line the interior surface of blood vessels. This disruption can impair the ability of the arteries to dilate and regulate blood flow, leading to hypertension and other cardiovascular issues.
In addition to affecting the arteries directly, nanoplastics can also act as carriers for harmful chemicals and pathogens. These contaminants can further exacerbate the damage to the cardiovascular system and increase the risk of heart disease.
To reduce exposure to nanoplastics and protect cardiovascular health, individuals can take several precautionary measures. First and foremost, it is essential to minimize the use of single-use plastics and opt for reusable alternatives whenever possible. This includes using stainless steel or glass water bottles, avoiding plastic food containers, and choosing products with minimal packaging.
In addition from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology;
"Our experiments show that ordinary plastic products contain a mix of substances that can be a relevant and underestimated factor behind overweight and obesity," says Martin Wagner, an associate professor at NTNU's Department of Biology.
A research group looked at 34 different plastic products in the laboratory to see which chemicals they contained. These were everyday products that many people use, like yogurt containers, drink bottles and kitchen sponges.
The researchers found over 55,000 chemical components in these products and identified 629 of the substances. Eleven of them are known to interfere with our metabolism, called metabolism-disrupting chemicals.”
“Previous research also suggests that some plastics contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals that may affect our development and fertility. Now it appears that they may contribute to weight gain as well”. Norwegian University of Science and Technology
To reduce our exposure to nanoparticles, individuals can filter their drinking water using a high-quality water filtration system to remove nanoplastics and other contaminants. It is almost impossible to find filtration systems that are affordable and remove all contaminants. Consuming a balanced diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains prevents the use of packaging. Organic foods may have less exposure to plastic. We encourage this because it is not only nanoplastics that are in our food, but additives for other purposes.
We also have to worry about substances added to our food on purpose. In an article by David Julian McClements 1, Hang Xiao 1 posted on https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31304248/ ;
“ In particular, there is concern about the direct incorporation of engineered nanoparticles into foods, such as those used as delivery systems for colors, flavors, preservatives, nutrients, and nutraceuticals, or those used to modify the optical, rheological, or flow properties of foods or food packaging … the application of both inorganic (silver, iron oxide, titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, and zinc oxide) and organic (lipid, protein, and carbohydrate) nanoparticles in foods, highlights the most important nanoparticle characteristics that influence their bds, and that new kinds of nanoparticles may be utilized as functional ingredients by the food industry in the future. Many of these nanoparticles are unlikely to have adverse affects on human health, but there is evidence that some of them could have harmful effects and that future studies are required.”
All the more reason to eat unprocessed organic food and pasture raised meat, eggs and milk. I am the author of “How the Food Industry is Killing Us” available in libraries, on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other sources worldwide.