Hey Friends,
We’ve all heard of villains sneaking into our lives—too much sugar, ultra-processed foods, saturated fats. But there’s a sneaky new bad guy crashing the wellness party: microplastics. And this one isn’t just lurking in junk food—it’s in your water, your food containers, your tea bags (!), and yes, even in the fish that’s supposed to be healthy.
I used to brush off the microplastic chatter. I figured there wasn’t enough research, and honestly, I didn’t want to distract from my main message: Eat more plants and ditch the processed junk. But recent science has tapped me on the shoulder (repeatedly), and now I can’t ignore it like a pebble in my shoe. Microplastics are everywhere—and they’re not just harmless little specks.
Researchers have now found microplastics in our blood vessels, brains, and atherosclerotic plaques (those clogs in your arteries that can lead to strokes and heart attacks). Yikes. Autopsies have revealed tiny plastic deposits in the brains of people with dementia—and get this: the more plastic deposits found, the higher the risk of cognitive decline. White blood cells even surround these particles, screaming “inflammation!” like it’s a five-alarm fire.
How did we get here? One word: convenience. Over the past few decades, the food industry has wrapped nearly everything in plastic. We microwave in plastic. We store leftovers in plastic. We drink from plastic water bottles. Plastic forks, knives, plates, cups, cooking utensils, canned food linings, coated paper cups—it’s a plastic jungle out there. Even those innocent-looking tea bags? Many are sealed with plastic to keep them from falling apart. And when you pour boiling water over them, they can release billions of microplastic particles into your tea. That’s not the cozy cup of tea you were looking for.
Let’s not forget the seafood angle. Our oceans are plastic soup, and marine life is soaking it all up. Fish now come with a side of microplastics, sealed in (you guessed it) more plastic. If the mercury and heavy metals weren’t enough to make you think twice, here’s one more reason.
Now before you throw your hands up and scream “we’re doomed!”—breathe. Don’t cancel Christmas (or your sanity) just yet. We may not be able to eliminate all microplastic exposure, but we can lower our intake. According to Dr. William Li, some Americans are unknowingly ingesting the equivalent of a credit card’s worth of plastic every week. One study even found the amount in the brain at autopsy was comparable to a plastic spoon.
Here’s how you can start to fight back:
Eight Ways to Cut Down Your Plastic Intake (Without Losing Your Mind):
1. Never microwave food in plastic—that includes takeout containers and “microwave-safe” plastic (they’re not safe).
2. Avoid putting hot foods or beverages in plastic—heat + plastic = plastic soup.
3. Remove plastic packaging from food before reheating or eating.
4. Switch to loose-leaf tea brewed in a stainless-steel infuser. Skip the bagged stuff.
5. Bring your own mug or stainless-steel thermos for coffee—those “paper” cups are often plastic-lined.
6. Limit seafood—especially fish from polluted waters. It’s often the highest source of microplastic exposure.
7. Dig deeper at FearlessMD21.com, where I break down more ways to live clean, plant-strong, and plastic-smart
8. Eat more minimally processed plants. There’s emerging evidence that some plants can neutralize the impact of microplastics (such as complex carbohydrates, okra, and fenugreek, for example). The more whole food plant-based food you consume, the less room for plasticized seafood and other infiltrated products.
Our modern world may be wrapped in plastic, but we don’t have to eat it. Let’s be mindful, stay curious, and keep moving toward healthier habits—one stainless steel thermos at a time.
To your (plastic-free) health,
Dr. James Thompson
FearlessMD21.com