By now, you’ve probably heard the unsettling truth: microplastics are in our water, our food, our air—and yeah, even in our bodies. These tiny fragments of plastic are a byproduct of our modern lives. While it’s nearly impossible to avoid them entirely, there are practical steps you can take to reduce your exposure and protect your health.
What Are Microplastics, Really?
Microplastics are plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size. They come from the breakdown of larger plastic items, synthetic clothing fibers, and even from personal care products. They’re found in bottled water, seafood, salt, and even fruits and vegetables due to contaminated soil and water sources.
But the concern is no longer just about where they’re found—it’s about what they’re doing once they’re inside us.
Recent research has linked microplastics to inflammation, hormone disruption, gut issues—and now, even neurological damage. Scientists have discovered microplastics in human brain tissue, raising alarming questions about their role in brain health. Even more concerning, new studies are beginning to draw connections between microplastic exposure and a higher risk of strokes. The idea that plastic particles could cross the blood-brain barrier is both groundbreaking and deeply troubling.
You Can’t Eliminate Microplastics—But You Can Limit Them
We can’t live in a bubble (or at least not one that’s microplastic-free), but we can reduce our daily exposure. Here are a few ways to do just that:
1. Ditch the Plastic Water Bottles
Single-use plastic bottles are one of the biggest contributors to microplastic exposure. Studies show bottled water contains significantly more microplastic particles than tap water.
Switch to: stainless steel or glass bottles and filter your tap water with a high-quality system.
2. Avoid Soft Plastics
Soft plastics like vinyl and PVC are especially prone to shedding microplastics. These are often found in items we don’t even think twice about—like shower curtains, placemats, and even kids’ toys.
Switch to: cloth shower curtains, wooden toys, and look for BPA- and phthalate-free labels wherever possible.
3. Be Smart About Food Storage
Heating food in plastic containers or using plastic wrap can cause microplastics to leach into your meals.
Switch to: glass or silicone containers, especially for reheating or storing hot food.
4. Choose Natural Fabrics
Synthetic clothes (like polyester, nylon, and acrylic) shed microfibers every time you wash them. These fibers often end up in waterways and the food chain.
Switch to: natural materials like cotton, wool, and linen. Consider using a microfiber-catching laundry bag or washing machine filter.
5. Filter Your Air and Water
Microplastics can become airborne, especially indoors. Air purifiers with HEPA filters can reduce airborne particles, while a reverse osmosis water filter helps remove plastic particles from drinking water.
Bonus: These filters also help with allergens, heavy metals, and other contaminants.
6. Watch Your Cosmetics
Some exfoliating products and toothpaste may still contain microbeads, even though many have been banned.
Switch to: brands that use natural exfoliants like ground seeds, sugar, or salt.
7. Eat Less Processed Food
Plastic packaging, processing equipment, and food additives all increase the likelihood of plastic contamination.
Switch to: fresh, whole foods prepared at home whenever possible—something our wellness clients are already great at!
The Bigger Picture: Wellness Is More Than Exercise
At Elect Wellness, we believe true health is holistic. It’s not just about workouts or meal plans—it’s also about what you don’t put into your body. Microplastics are one of those sneaky toxins that remind us how crucial it is to live intentionally.
While we may not be able to escape microplastics entirely, we can lower the load. Each step you take—whether it’s replacing your child’s plastic toys or choosing a cloth shower curtain—adds up. And when combined with a personalized wellness plan that supports detoxification, brain health, and hormone balance, you’ll be giving your body its best shot at thriving in a less-than-pure world.
Thomas C. Jensen is an exercise physiologist, nutritionist, and a nationally certified personal trainer through both the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the National Academy of Sports Medicine. He is a summa cum laude graduate of Harding University and a member of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society. As a wellness speaker and franchisor, he has shared his expertise in health and fitness with diverse audiences. He has been professionally training and consulting clients of all ages and backgrounds, for both health and human performance, for over 20 years. In March of 2004, he launched Elect Wellness, a thriving home-delivered personal training and nutrition coaching company, which has since expanded into an effective franchise system.
