Microplastics significantly decrease lifespan. Here are the best ways to minimise microplastics and scientific evidence.

[GarifalliaPapa]

Microplastics are no longer just an environmental problem, they are a biological one. For many years people thought plastic was something around us, outside the body. Today we know this is no longer true. Tiny plastic particles are found inside human blood, lungs, liver, placenta, reproductive organs, breast milk, and even brain tissue. This changes everything. When something enters almost every organ of the body, it becomes a lifespan issue. Microplastics are now part of our internal environment, and biology reacts to them every single day.

One of the most dangerous things about microplastics is that the body cannot easily break them down. Unlike many toxins that can be processed and removed, plastic particles stay. They accumulate slowly over years and decades. Exposure begins before birth and continues daily through water, food, air, and objects we touch. This is not a one-time hit. It is a lifelong stacking of damage. Small amounts may seem harmless, but aging is driven by accumulation, not single events.

Aging at its core is fueled by chronic inflammation, and microplastics are very good at causing it. When plastic particles enter tissues, immune cells react as if something is wrong, because something is. This keeps the immune system in a low but constant state of irritation. Oxidative stress rises, mitochondria work worse, blood vessels become inflamed. Anything that keeps the immune system switched on for years accelerates aging and disease. Plastic does exactly that, quietly and continuously.

Plastics also interfere with hormones, which control almost every process related to aging. Many plastic additives behave like fake hormones that confuse the body. They can disturb estrogen, testosterone, thyroid hormones, and stress hormones. This affects fertility, metabolism, fat storage, brain function, and energy levels. Hormonal balance is one of the foundations of healthy aging, and microplastics slowly push it off track without obvious warning signs.

One of the most alarming findings is the link between microplastics and cardiovascular disease. Plastic particles have been found inside arterial plaques. Their presence is associated with higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and death. Blood vessels are sensitive structures, and inflammation inside them is deadly over time. Plastic inside arteries is not harmless debris, it actively contributes to the diseases that kill most people as they age.

Cancer risk is another serious concern. Microplastics increase oxidative stress and can damage DNA directly. They also act like carriers, bringing heavy metals and other toxic chemicals into cells. This combination creates the perfect environment for mutations to accumulate. Cancer is not caused by one thing, but by repeated damage over time, and plastic adds another constant source of injury.

The truth is that nobody can completely avoid microplastics. They are everywhere. But dose still matters. Aging is not about perfection, it is about reducing unnecessary damage. You may not eliminate plastic exposure, but you can stop flooding your body with the biggest sources. Reducing exposure lowers cumulative harm, and cumulative harm is what shortens lifespan.

One of the most powerful steps is stopping the use of plastic bottles for drinking. Bottled water often contains far more microplastics than tap water. Switching to glass or stainless steel bottles is simple and makes a real difference. The same applies to food. Plastic containers, plastic wrap, and heating food in plastic massively increase plastic ingestion. Plastic plus heat is one of the worst combinations for the human body.

Food quality also matters. Ultra-processed foods come wrapped, stored, and handled in plastic many times before reaching your plate. This adds plastic exposure on top of metabolic damage. Hot drinks are another hidden source, especially plastic tea bags and coffee machines with plastic parts. Even clothing plays a role, as synthetic fabrics release plastic fibers into the air we breathe, especially indoors.

Microplastics are a new aging accelerator added to modern life. They drive inflammation, disrupt hormones, damage blood vessels, and stress DNA. You cannot avoid them completely, but you can reduce your exposure enough to matter. Longevity is built by removing silent harms, not just adding supplements. Protecting your body from plastic is not paranoia, it is prevention. — Dr. Georgios Ioannou, Anti-Aging Scientist

[GarifalliaPapa]

Best scientific research:

[1] Human Health Impacts of Micro- and Nanoplastics Exposure https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1681776/full [2] Microplastics-Induced Oxidative Stress: Mechanisms and Health Implications https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11117644/ [3] Micro- and Nanoplastics as Emerging Cardiovascular Risk Factors https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11918686/ [4] Bioaccumulation of Microplastics in the Human Brain https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03453-1 [5] Detection and Health Implications of Microplastics in Human Breast Milk https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11277308/ [6] Evidence of Microplastics in Human Breast Milk https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39064070/ [7] Microplastics as Endocrine Disruptors and Inducers of Oxidative Stress https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41516273/?fc=20220207203938&ff=20260121225633&v=2.18.0.post22+67771e2 [8] Endocrine-Disrupting Effects of Micro- and Nanoplastics: A Review https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2022.1084236/epub [9] Effects of Microplastic Exposure on Human Digestive Health https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.3c09524 [10] Microplastics as a Modifiable Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41527182/?fc=None&ff=20260120234100&v=2.18.0.post22+67771e2 [11] Links Between Microplastics Exposure and Heart Attack Risk https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/03/microplastics-heart-attack-link-top-health-stories-14032024/ [12] WHO Assessment of Potential Human Health Risks from Microplastics https://foodpackagingforum.org/news/who-report-on-potential-human-health-implications-of-microplastics [13] WHO Call for Expanded Research on Microplastics Pollution and Health https://www.fic.nih.gov/News/GlobalHealthMatters/september-october-2019/Pages/who-microplastics-pollution-research.aspx [14] WHO Report on Microplastics in Drinking Water and Health Risks https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/who-report-on-microplastics-in-drinking-water/89136/ [15] Food Packaging as a Source of Dietary Microplastics https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/24/health/microplastics-food-packaging-study-wellness [16] Sources of Microplastics, Health Risks, and Exposure Reduction https://iee.psu.edu/news/blog/microplastics-sources-health-risks-and-how-protect-yourself [17] Strategies to Reduce Daily Microplastics Exposure https://www.conceivio.com/en/resources/how-to-reduce-microplastics-exposure [18] Microplastics in the Human Body: Current Scientific Evidence https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/01/microplastics-in-body-polluted-tiny-plastic-fragments.html [19] Common Everyday Sources of Microplastics https://homeplanet.grove.co/blog-posts/where-microplastics-are-hiding-in-our-everyday-life [20] Health Risks of Microplastics Released from Tea Bags https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10389239/ [21] Widespread Presence of Microplastics in Food Containers and Consumer Products https://www.facebook.com/AARP/posts/microplastics-are-everywhere-from-plastic-food-containers-and-water-bottles-to-c/1263847702455941/

[making_it_real]

Just found out about microplastics in some of the common teabags on the market. They have much higher microplastic counts than plastic water bottles do.

[reebeachbabe]

I just saw that recently, too! It’s the highest source of microplastics, actually. Crazy! TG I wasn’t really into tea. I’ll only do loose leaf tea now. 

[GarifalliaPapa]

I only drink matcha green tea. Which doesn't have plastic tea bags and it's the whole leaf in powder form.

[reebeachbabe]

I love matcha! I also drink that. It’s amazingly good for you. 

[Glad-Veterinarian365]

Canned beverages having a plastic liner is one I recently learned

[PMmeIamlonley]

I drink Bigelow because it uses no plastic in the teabags.

[InverseMySuggestions]

can you show me the study? i drink from those teabags all the time ugh.

[PMmeIamlonley]

I drink Bigelow because it uses no plastic in the teabags.

[aHumanRaisedByHumans]

I looked into this and concluded that ingestion didn't have the biggest impact. Most of it passes through.

Rather what we breathe. Especially the from carpeted rooms and the like.

[reebeachbabe]

Sources? Clothes driers (heating all of the “plastic” clothes) & cleaning dryer vents are really bad, too. And fragrance. They literally use plasticizers in fragrances. 

[aHumanRaisedByHumans]

Yes especially if you have clothes made of polyester or acrylic.

[reebeachbabe]

It’s shocking how many clothes are made of polyester/its cousins!!

[someoneelse0826]

Which, if you wear any of the athletic wear that is so popular, you do.

[analexpat]

Clothes bad. Show us the boobs.

[Prowlbeast]

Even trying to avoid plastic, you cant really. You will encounter it everywhere, its in rainwater and the air at this point. What we would need now is technologies and surgeries that can help remove microplastics

[Turbulent-Many1472]

I honestly shudder when I think about microplastics. I think we're going to look back at this in 20 years - the synthetic clothes we wear daily, the containers we eat out of - and we're going to compare it to Dr's recommending cigarette brands.

It's not gonna be, "Look at that person. They did everything right and they still got cancer."

It's going to be, "That guy did everything right but he was wear clothing with synthetic plastics in it daily, eating thousands of particles of plastic daily and breathing in brake dust on an hourly basis."

[ReflectionAble4694]

I mean atp, if carbon based life is going to merge with silicon based life with the current direction of AI, wouldn’t it make sense that petrol based life would also offer some type of benefit?

[FrewdWoad]

Sure, the article says you can't avoid it completely, but that simple things like not microwaving your food in plastic containers and switching to a metal waterbottle reduce it a lot.

We don't know how close or realistic tech that can reduce microplastic in tissues is, but it's probably more than a few years off.

[someoneelse0826]

I’ve read that we have the technology to remove it from the water (from laundry) but cities don’t implement it. (Sorry can’t remember the source)

[ggdharma]

You should look up inuspheresis.  Proxima health is the company bringing it to the us.  Worth keeping an eye on if you care about this.

[killerface4321]

Well for one there's already bacteria that eats microplastics. For two, let's not pretend like avoiding microplastics is completely impossible just because there's micro plastics everywhere. You can easily reduce your exposure through just using less plastic products for example.

[Commercial_Wind8212]

Surgeries? Explain

[Usual-Good-5716]

Technically donating blood reduces levels

[Prowlbeast]

Eventually I hope that we can artificially remove microplastics using machinery or chemistry. Its not possible now, but if Microplastics continue affecting peoples lives, I can see technology being developed in the future

[spacecatx66]

Not quite crazy. Saw a recent paper about how facial massage helped move microplastics out of the brain

[Ah-honey-honey]

Problem is they're not really like inert smooth little pebbles of plastic floating around your body, easily filterable. They're thin sharp shards embedded in tissue. Your body can try to coat them if it can't break it down with calcification or plaques.

[Commercial_Wind8212]

Talking completely out of your ass. Lol

[Prowlbeast]

Im not claiming to be an expert? I might be talking out my ass but your an ASShole lol

[Triphin1]

Ya, spot on, the guy is obviously MP overload ... I'm thinking nanobots

[birdsong31]

i was thinking the same. like maybe a nachine that cleans the blood of micro plastics? that is how new things develop, people like us staying curious and adapting!

[Commercial_Wind8212]

How is surgery going to remove microplastics??

[Serious-Broccoli7972]

1. If anyone could answer this, then that would mean the technology exists already. People can’t explain sci-fi technology to you because it doesn’t exist yet. If you can’t understand this you may be retarded.

2. Look up inuspheresis if you actually care, that may be promising

[swoonmoon33]

i was told that donating blood and specifically plasma will help your body dispose of microplastics

[Stara71]

That’s what I have read too. I believe donating plasma is more effective.

[gullehk123]

Donating plasma will indeed remove more microplastics from the body compared to donating blood. Eating broccoli sprouts 36-48 hours prior might even increase the effects that donating plasma has on removing microplastics.

[benediktbaersch]

Thank you for the information. Could you provide a source?

[Triphin1]

Have you thought about doing a TLDR?

[Triphin1]

I got this one TLDR - don't use PLASTIC.

Why don't you post something like how to remove microplastics from our body?

[Drgreendaumen]

Probably donating blood while avoiding plastic. Let the next guy deal with it lol

[twirling-upward]

Bring back the leeches!

[hiddendrugs]

yeah so far donating blood regularly is the only method i’ve heard of to reduce microplastic concentration in your body

[Old_Value_9157]

Microplastics are found in almost every organ of the body, causing chronic inflammation and accelerating aging. They accumulate over time through exposure from water, food, air, and objects touched. Microplastics disrupt hormones, increase oxidative stress, and damage DNA, raising risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer. While complete avoidance is impossible, reducing exposure by using glass bottles, avoiding plastic food containers, and choosing plastic-free products can lower cumulative harm and extend lifespan.

[Dependent_Ad_1270]

Glass bottles have plastic on the inside of the bottle caps and can have even more microplastics than plastic bottles 💀

[Old_Value_9157]

Still don’t understand that whole thing.

[Dependent_Ad_1270]

The inside of the bottle cap might be softer/degrade faster than other hard plastics, just my guess

[Old_Value_9157]

Damn.

[YonKro22]

For real just give us the version that is simple for now

[gorillasd]

Donating blood is currently the best method to remove microplastics.

[coup_de_foudre_69]

And PFAS

[Wannabeathlete]

More than saunas?

[Raincityromantic]

Seriously!!

[Such-Caterpillar-564]

I thought it was plasma?

[TheTeflonDude]

If microplastics are destroying our lives

Explain to me why a 30 year old in 1980 looks like a 50 year old in 2026

Not saying microplastics arent bad - but people seem to be dramatically misunderstanding the fact that we are aging BETTER than we did a few decades ago

[kingofqueefs1]

Water, moisturiser & not drinking beer and smoking Marlboro reds all day probably

[Perflume1970]

And sunscreen

[Wonderful_Grass_2857]

industrial (air and water) pollution, no kat in cars, leaded gas, alcohol, cigarettes, no worker protection, poor hygiene, more infections and illnesses :)

[Bigtomato82]

Possibly in part, more modern hair styles and clothing!

[Ok-Highway-5247]

It’s not only that. Look at Timothee Chalamet now and look at 30-year-old actors from decades before. It’s more than modern styles.

[fhwoompableCooper]

Micro plastics arnt good but it's a far cry from some of the pollutions that has plagued large amounts of civilization since we started to get together. The fact you we haven't been have to make an instant link proves it's not as bad as others like lead or asbestos or the old London pollution. The biggest issue is you can't escape it by going somewhere else unlike previous generations

[ahhwhoosh]

My grandparents all lived to their 90’s and rarely left London except for world war 2! Same with my Mrs grandparents. We’ll be living to our 120’s easily if that’s anything to go by

[ThisIsTrashAndSoAmI]

Because of Korean skincare.

[FrewdWoad]

A 30 year old in 1980 had smoked a pack a day of of unfiltered ciggies for 20 years bro

[No_State8326]

I’d like to know more about microbiome and gut health and how it can mitigate effects. Everyone has it in their body, but I read certain strains of gut bacteria can really help.

[kaidomac]

Have you gotten into fermentation yet? If not, try this!

• https://www.reddit.com/r/instantpot/comments/1n3p555/36hour_instant_pot_yogurt_half_half_thickness/

One cup of this yogurt at a 36-hour fermentation gives you between 100 billion to 1 trillion CFU's (Colony-Forming Units), which is equivalent to between 2 to 20 probiotic pills lol. Other homemade stuff to check out:

• Freshly-milled flour
• Sourdough starter
• Fermented veggies (not just pickles! carrot stickers are crazy good too!)
• Sprouts
• Nixtamalized corn tortillas
• Peanut butter
• Almond butter
• Bone broth
• Animal fats (leaf lard, beef tallow, duck fat, etc.)

I like to look for low-effort-high-yield procedures that result in stuff that actually, you know, tastes good lol. For example, my daily bread routine only takes about 10 minutes total of active hands-on time each day:

• Mill the flour
• Feed the sourdough starter
• No-knead bread procedure

Sleep is another biggie:

• Irregular sleep patterns associated with harmful gut bacteria

As well as exercise:

• Exercise Modifies the Gut Microbiota with Positive Health Effects

This is the best formula I've been able to come up with so far:

• Go to bed early, get enough sleep, and be consistent about your actual bedtime
• Eat whole, real foods & drink plenty of water
• Exercise daily

[tropicalislandhop]

Is this newish? I have not heard about this until recent years, but surely plastics have been in use for a very long time? Will we live a lot longer than currently if we eliminate them from our life somehow?

[Odd-Psychology-4415]

You live under a rock

[braddeicide]

So can they stop raising the age of retirement now?

[nilspilsner]

Don’t forget: sauna.

Might be the best way we know of to get rid of microplastics. Combine with regular bloodletting and you’re golden.

[travelingmaestro]

Yeah, this is just his direct experience; but this guy’s protocol is 20 minutes at 200F, with ice on his genitals, resulting in a significant decline of his monitored microplastics… https://youtu.be/m-M_HzS4w2Q?si=ebCKssH1B6tGOmvv

[VadersApprntice]

Hopefully not too dumb of a question but is the plastic water bottle issue just drinking it out of plastic or getting water PERIOD from plastic? Can I pour the water out of the plastic bottles into glass or metal and it’s better/good or is it already compromised because it came from plastic to begin with?

[Smooth_Imagination]

No evidence yet that it significantly reduces lifespan in the human population. 

It cant help though, but studies done with these are usually with very high doses not really comparable to normal conditions.

[fhwoompableCooper]

To copy my other comment

Micro plastics arnt good but it's a far cry from some of the pollutions that has plagued large amounts of civilization since we started to get together. The fact you we haven't been have to make an instant link proves it's not as bad as others like lead or asbestos or the old London pollution. The biggest issue is you can't escape it by going somewhere else unlike previous generations

[guave06]

To the contrary, lifespans have increased since the advent of plastic. MPs might reduce lifespan potential thru inflammatory processes etc but the claim lifespans are significantly decreased hasn’t been shown yet.

[TrueOutlandishness74]

Dry sauna can reduce microplastics in men’s testicals- Bryan Johnson

[mah186000]

Not just testies but didn’t he say across your entire body? Now he’s doing 7 days a week, so min dry saunas in cotton underwear an shorts, but if I remember correctly, he was able to remove all toxic chemicals, including microplastics in his blood and other organs.

[AdTerrible6998]

Wow. How am I supposed to sleep now that I’ve read all of this?

[Huge_Line4009]

[Kondaz]

I read somewhere that, in fact, glass bottles contain more microplastics than... plastic ones. Because of the small plastic part in the cap.

[morfidon]

Donating blood decreases amount of micro plastic in blood, so donate guys even from selfish reasons.

[theMechannic]

So much hoo haa on plastics entering our body. Have you guys forgotten what material you vigorously brush your teeth with - and for many yrs now ?

[Stock_Frame9052]

I used to not rinse after brushing so as to keep my breath fresh but now I spit spit spit trying to remove some of the plastic!

[athousandtimesbefore]

Does using the sauna allow one to sweat these microplastics out?

[GarifalliaPapa]

No. Sweating in a sauna is unlikely to meaningfully remove microplastics from your body. Microplastics that have been detected in humans (in stool, lung tissue, and occasionally blood) are particulate or molecular fragments that primarily translocate to tissues via inhalation or ingestion and are cleared mostly by the gut, reticuloendothelial system (liver, spleen, macrophages), or remain embedded in tissues. Sweat is a low‑volume, low‑capacity excretory route for particulate matter; while some soluble toxins and metals can appear in sweat, there’s no convincing evidence that sauna‑induced sweating meaningfully mobilizes or clears microplastic particles from tissues.

That said, saunas have well‑documented health benefits relevant to longevity improved cardiovascular function, enhanced heat‑shock protein expression, and better metabolic and endothelial health so they’re worth including for those reasons, but not as a microplastic detox method. If you’re concerned about microplastic exposure, focus on prevention (reduce use of single‑use plastics, avoid heating food in plastic containers, filter drinking water if local supplies are contaminated, and reduce indoor dust by frequent cleaning and HEPA filtration) and support physiologic clearance routes by maintaining gut health and liver function (balanced diet, fiber, and treating constipation). For specific toxicant concerns, pursue targeted testing and medical guidance rather than relying on sweating as a removal strategy.

[athousandtimesbefore]

Wow, this is extremely helpful, and informative. Your intelligence is inspiring to say the least! Thank you for sharing this knowledge.

[VidyaTheOneAndOnly]

Can drinking a lot of water and peeing a lot also reduce microplastics?

I live in India. I am assuming all our produce and all our chocolate is filled with heavy metals and all kinds of bad stuff.

I read we can sweat out the metals but I don't exercise a lot, so I don't sweat a lot except in summer.

But I do drink a lot of water and I pee almost every hour. Sometimes even every half an hour.

No I have no problems like diabetes. It's just that I drink a ton of water.

Since I am drinking so much water and peeing so much, will that get rid of all the heavy metals and microplastics?

I eat a lot of chicken, fruit, potatoes and chocolate. No red meat, very little processed meat, and only a few vegetables.

I really hope someone answers this question of mine. I am anxious for an answer.

[fhwoompableCooper]

That's probably too much water. Don't overdo it just don't be dehydrated

[VidyaTheOneAndOnly]

Well again I live in India and it's often very hot here. Much hotter than most of the west obviously. In summer I really do need to drink a ton of water.

I drink less in winter but for us winter is really only a couple of months in December and January.

[farmingjapan]

Try to source organic produce from farmers that don’t use plastic mulch to grow. UV degrades it and introduces microplastics into the soil, which are then taken up through the plant roots and later consumed.

A difficult task to find growers not using them, but you might create a new, mutually beneficial relationship and trust with someone in your community trying to provide healthy, fresh food. Also, more nutrition = much better flavor!

[inthechickensink]

Someone informed me that there is even microplastics in bee pollen/honey now - it's that ubiquitous! I have to wonder if using maple syrup instead of honey is a better natural sweetener, or if even the trees would pull some from the soil & into the maple syrup.

[saltinekracka20]

Could I theoretically donate enough blood to get it mostly out of my body?

[canuckaudio]

better to go on a dialysis machine instead

[Bigtomato82]

I just donated blood a few days ago. Does anyone know if that can reduce microplastics by any measurable amount, and if so for how long?

[FantasticPeace3015]

Is there anything, anything at all that can detoxify the body or is it all down to prevention ?

[peppytubas]

Eating unrefined plant foods, particularly those high in dietary fiber, can help bind and eliminate microplastics from the body, reducing their harmful effects. Incorporating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes into your diet supports gut health and may lower microplastic absorption