What’s at the End of Your Fork? What’s in It?

Wooden cutlery

May 25th was International Plastic-Free Day.  But plastics are an ongoing concern.

Plastic items are convenient. They can throw their little weight around, shaming the better options of glass and ceramic, which are heavier and brittle. You don't have to be as careful with them—they are durable. This is because they also contain a compound, whose full name is chemically characteristic as too-long-to-pronounce—PFAS. PFAS resist degradation.   

Plastic can break down, though. Microplastics are less than five micrometers in size. This is thousands of times smaller than a grain of rice. And then there are nanoplastics—below one micrometer. Together with the lurking PFAS, they are the troublemakers, responsible for the hefty cost to our health.  

What common household and food items contain micro- and nano-plastics and PFAS and what can you use instead of them?  

1. Plastic items such as water bottles and food containers.   Healthy swap: Glass and ceramic containers   
   

2. Clothes made from synthetic material: Plastic fibers are labeled as Polyester, Elastane (LYCRA®), Nylon, Viscose, Rayon, Fleece, or Spandex. Some brands use recycled polyester (ECONYL®) with other sustainable fibers. But it’s still plastic!   Healthy swap: Cotton (organic preferably), linen, silk, wool
   

3. Plastic cutting boards   Healthy swap: Wooden or silicone cutting boards  
   

4. Nonstick cookware  Healthy swap: Ceramic cookware Be careful of some ceramic cookware, though. They have aluminum and can also release titanium dioxide and nanoparticles of plastic. I have researched and found Xtrema to be extremely safe. Use that link to qualify for a discount as well. (It makes for a nice gift for someone you truly care about.)
   

5. Plastic kitchen utensils or cutlery, especially those that have been scratched. And avoid black plastic utensils. They are even more nefarious—they spice up your food with flame retardants!  Healthy swap: Wooden or BPA-free silicone utensils and cutlery
   

6. Food packaging

   Healthy swap: Fresh, whole foods—no processed foods (as much as possible)
   

7. Tea bags: Yes, many tea bags, even paper ones, use plastic.   Healthy swap: Check the labels of the tea you buy and opt for those that specify polylactic acid (PLA) based material.   

Below is a graphic from Statista that depicts various food sources and their relative contributions to our consumption of microplastics unintentionally.

The Health Consequences of Microplastics in Our System

Harvard Health has reported that researchers have connected microplastics in arteries with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.   

The many chemicals used in the manufacture of plastics are known endocrine disruptors, which means that they wreak havoc on our hormones. This puts our delicate systems out of balance. Off-kilter, we fall; in balance, we stand tall. Essential oils to the rescue! Many essential oils and blends made of a combination of them work wonders for our hormones and our delicate endocrine organs that undergo so much distress due to microplastics, nanoplastics, and other chemical toxins. Here are some very effective combinations that I love:

• Adrenal It helps to stabilize and nourish the adrenal glands. This blend empowers you with balanced energy, stress resilience, healthy weight, and balanced hormones (so key to undo some of the damage of microplastics).
  

• Parasympathetic When we're under stress (emotional, mental, physical, or from toxins), we're in the sympathetic “fight or flight” state. This suppresses immune function, leaving the door open to pathogens and chronic infections. The parasympathetic state, on the other hand, activates your immune processes, empowering your body to fight off pathogens, bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses, and infections. Especially as we enter winter that brings with it more likelihood of infections due to being indoors, etc., having the Parasympathetic Blend on hand is crucial.
  

• Circadian Rhythm It encourages the release of melatonin and the taming of nighttime cortisol (the stress hormone) so that you can gently ease into sleep.
  

  This relaxing blend is best used in the evening (unless you work the night shifts) to help regulate biological sleep timing and support consistent rest cycles. Please refer to this article on the importance of sleep. And why not knowing these facts about sleep can hurt you.
  

• Gall Bladder The liver is the seat of detoxification. And, it can do it efficiently with the help of the gall bladder, which provides bile to bind toxins. If you struggle with bloating or discomfort after fatty meals or feel that your digestion is compromised, or you experience constipation, these are signs that your detoxification and elimination processes are not up to par. Diffuse or inhale this blend to facilitate one of your most important bodily functions.

Nutrition plays a key role in detoxification

Various natural foods are our best allies in getting these pesky pollutants out of our systems. For example, fiber intake, especially from fruits and vegetables, significantly aids the body’s ability to get rid of microplastics. And the advantage that fiber has is that it can help eliminate particles that have been in our systems for hours or longer, not just newly ingested microplastics. So, increase your intake of a variety of fruits and vegetables (especially cruciferous vegetables, which help to get rid of BPAs, which are most commonly found in plastics).

Let’s do some serious swapping, round out our choices, and keep our health in check. Spare a minute for prevention and save a lifetime to recover!

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References

Micro- and Nanoplastics as Disruptors of the Endocrine System—A Review of the Threats and Consequences Associated with Plastic Exposure Dr. Rhonda Patrick: How to Detox From Microplastics – Read Chris Williamson DISCLAIMER: The content I share is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. If you purchase products linked from these blog posts, I may receive a percentage of the proceeds. These affiliations help to support my work. 

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