In this episode of the Listen To Your Gut podcast, I spoke with probiotic pioneer Natasha Trenev about a deeply concerning topic: microplastic particles in the human body and their impact on our health.
We've talked about many topics over the years, but this one shocked us! The presence of microplastics in food, water and the human bloodstream is not just a trend or a headline. It is a crisis that affects the digestive system, immune system and every part of the body.
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Microplastics in food, water and salt? This way you stay on the safe side
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Chapters (main topics)
- Microplastics in the blood, brain, placenta and breast milk
- How microplastics enter the human body through food and water
- Sea Salt vs. Mined Salt: Choose the Safer Option
- Dangers of bottled water and plastic packaging
- Why it's harmful to microwave food in plastic
- The connection between microplastics and damage to the intestinal microbiome
- How precise probiotics can help protect the digestive system
- The growing influence of environmental toxins on chronic diseases
- Simple lifestyle changes to reduce exposure to microplastics
- The importance of packaging, filtering and mindful consumption
Microplastics found in organs, blood and brain
Recent studies have found microplastic particles in almost every part of the human body. These include the brain, liver, kidneys and even the placenta and breast milk.
In one study, 23 men and 47 dogs were tested. There were microplastic particles in every testicle examined. This level of contamination shocked me.
Another recent study found that 4 out of 45 people had toxic levels of microplastics in their blood.
Researchers at Harvard University have found that the risk of a heart attack or stroke increases by 450% when microplastics are present in the blood. These tiny particles can even cross the blood-brain barrier.
Natasha added that this is a serious problem. The body's biological systems work constantly, every second. Anything that the body cannot digest, utilize or excrete will irritate or disrupt these processes.
Microplastics are foreign to the human body. They're not supposed to be there.
Where does this microplastic come from?
Natasha reminded me that this problem is not new. She spoke out against the use of plastic in health food stores over 50 years ago. Nobody was listening back then. The plastic waste floating in the Pacific Ocean is now said to be the size of the state of Texas.
This plastic waste breaks down into microplastic particles. These particles are then found in water bottles, plastic packaging and even our food supply.
Microplastics also enter the food chain via marine life. Fish like catfish and shellfish are filter feeders. They consume what is on the seabed, where microplastics are deposited.
When we eat these animals, we also ingest these plastic particles. This affects our digestive system and immune system in ways we are only beginning to understand.
Even salt is affected. Sea salt, such as sea salt or Celtic sea salt, is made from evaporated seawater. This water may contain nanoscale plastic particles. So these particles remain in the salt crystals.
That's why I now only use salt that comes from ancient underground deposits that have not been exposed to microplastic pollution.
Plastic packaging and bottled water: hidden dangers
We also talked about bottled water. Natasha and I both avoid drinking from plastic bottles. Even if the water is cold, the chemicals from plastic can leach into the water. And our bodies absorb liquids more quickly than solids, increasing the risk. I buy water in glass bottles, both for home and on the go. Natasha does the same.
Plastic packaging is another major source of exposure. Natasha made the decision years ago to package her Natren probiotics in dark amber glass bottles with tin lids. She refuses to use plastic containers or plastic lids.
She explained that can lids provide the best protection for probiotics and prevent any interactions with the product. This level of commitment is rare.
Most companies choose plastic packaging because it is cheaper and lighter. But this choice comes with a health cost. And many people are unaware of the impact plastic packaging has on the contents inside.
We need to pay more attention to what we buy and how it is packaged.
The microwave problem: heat and plastic
Microwaving food in plastic containers is a dangerous practice. Natasha and I discussed how heat causes the plastic to release toxic chemicals. Microwaves heat food from the inside out. This heating method is not natural and has never been tested for long periods of time.
When microwaves were first installed at UCLA in 1968, many students refused to use them. They didn't trust them. And now we know why. Heating plastic containers in the microwave breaks chemical bonds.
This releases toxic chemicals like bisphenol A and other endocrine disrupting chemicals.
I encourage people to use a toaster instead. Get one with a stainless steel or ceramic coating. Do not use non-stick coatings such as Teflon.
And always use glass or ceramic containers to heat food. This little switch can significantly reduce your microplastic exposure.
Related: Alternatives to Teflon Frying Pans
Microbiome and probiotic protection
Our intestinal microbiome is under attack. Microplastic particles can damage the gastrointestinal tract. They disrupt communication between neurotransmitters and can even block or irritate cell walls.
Natasha emphasized that we now live in an environment where probiotics are not optional. They are necessary.
Probiotics help maintain balance in the digestive system. But not all probiotics are created equal. Natasha warns that many companies sell generic strains without knowing the exact type or how they behave in the human gut. These are living organisms. They need the right environment to thrive.
Natren remains the only vertically integrated probiotics manufacturer in North America and the EU. This means that they control the entire production process from variety to shelf. Natasha insists on only using what is scientifically proven.
This level of detail is important. Especially now when the food system, water sources and environment are all contaminated.
The bigger problem: environmental health crisis
Natasha pointed out that our health crisis goes far beyond microplastic particles. The air we breathe is also polluted. Here in British Columbia we have seen the effects of wildfires.
The smoke fills our lungs, our eyes burn, and we run expensive air filters just to breathe indoors. This pollution affects our immune system and microbiome.
In the United States, 80% of people are chronically ill. Yet Americans make up only 4% of the world's population and consume 75% of the world's pharmaceuticals. This is a staggering statistic. It shows that the health problems are not isolated. They are systemic.
Much of the problem is caused by short-sighted solutions. A new product comes onto the market with fancy marketing and promises to boost digestion or detoxify the body. But people don't realize that some of these colon cleanses and parasite cleanses destroy the intestinal wall. And nothing is put back.
Simple measures to reduce exposure
So what can we do? Here are the changes I made that Natasha recommends:
- Avoid bottled water – Use glass bottles and stainless steel water filters like Berkey.
- Stop using plastic containers – Especially for heating or storing food.
- Never microwave in plastic – Use ceramic or glass. Better yet, stop using the microwave altogether.
- Do not eat shellfish or bottom feeders – These animals ingest large amounts of microplastic particles.
- Use old, mined salt – Avoid sea salt, which may contain microplastics.
- Choose packaging made of glass and metal – Especially for nutritional supplements and probiotics.
- Support companies that go the extra mile – Even if the product costs more.
Final Thoughts: Awareness is the first step
I wish we didn't have to think about microplastic pollution in such detail. But we do it. This is the world we live in. Natasha said it best: “If we want to talk about loving the environment, we must first start by reducing our own plastic consumption.”
That's why I invite everyone to make informed decisions. First, avoid plastic where possible. Look at your water sources, your food packaging, and even your cookware. Every little change makes a difference.
This is not scaremongering. It's simply the reality of the modern world. The health effects of microplastics are serious. They affect the digestive system, immune system, heart, brain and even the blood.
We can't control everything. But we can control what we bring into our homes and bodies. Let's start there.
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Jini Patel Thompson is an internationally recognized expert in natural healing for digestive diseases. She healed herself from widespread Crohn's disease and has been medication and surgery free for over 25 years. Jini has appeared on numerous podcasts, TV and radio shows in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, giving people hope and vision on how to heal their colitis, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) using all-natural methods. Her books on natural healing of digestive diseases have been sold in over 80 countries worldwide. Jini is married and has three children, nine sheep, 11 horses, a cat and three dogs.
