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 effect on our health.

We’ve talked about many issues over the years, but this one has shocked us! The presence of microplastics in food, water, and the human bloodstream is not just a trend or headline. It is a crisis that affects the digestive system, the immune system, and every part of the body.

You can watch the video of our discussion:

Or listen to the podcast:

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.

One study tested 23 men and 47 dogs. Every testicle examined had microplastic particles inside. That level of contamination shocked me.

Another recent study reported that 4 out of 45 people had toxic levels of microplastics in their blood.

Researchers at Harvard found that if microplastics are in your blood, your risk of heart attack or stroke increases by 450%. These tiny particles can even cross the blood-brain barrier.

Natasha added that this is a serious concern. The biological systems of the body are constantly working, every second. Anything the body cannot digest, utilize, or eliminate will irritate or disrupt those processes.

Microplastics are foreign to the human body. They are not meant to be there.

Natasha reminded me that this problem is not new. She spoke out over 50 years ago against the use of plastic in health food stores. No one listened then. Now, the plastic waste floating in the Pacific Ocean is said to be the size of the state of Texas.

That plastic waste breaks down into microplastic particles. These particles are then found in bottled water, plastic packaging, and even our food supply.

Microplastics are also entering the food chain through marine life. Fish like catfish and shellfish are filter feeders. They consume what’s at the bottom of the ocean, where microplastics settle.

When we eat those animals, we take in those plastic particles too. This affects our digestive system and our immune system in ways we are just beginning to understand.

Even salt is affected. Ocean salt, such as sea salt or Celtic sea salt, comes from evaporated seawater. That water may contain nanosized plastic particles. So those particles are left behind in the salt crystals.

That’s why I now use only salt that comes from underground, ancient deposits that have not been exposed to microplastic pollution.

We also talked about bottled water. Natasha and I both avoid drinking from plastic bottles. Even when water is cold, the chemicals from plastic can leach into the water. And our bodies absorb liquids faster than solids, which increases the risk. I buy water that comes 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 tin lids offer the best protection for probiotics and prevent any interaction with the product. This level of commitment is rare.

Most companies choose plastic packaging because it is cheaper and lighter. But that choice comes at a cost to health. And many people don’t realize the impact plastic packaging has on the contents inside.

We have to be more mindful of what we buy and how it’s packaged.

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 method of heating is not natural and was never tested over long periods.

Back in 1968, when microwaves were first installed at UCLA, many students refused to use them. They didn’t trust them. And now we know why. Heating plastic containers in the microwave causes chemical bonds to break.

That releases toxic chemicals like bisphenol A and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

I encourage people to use a toaster oven instead. Get one that is stainless steel or ceramic-coated. Do not use anything with nonstick coatings like Teflon.

And always use glass or ceramic containers for heating food. That small switch can reduce your microplastic exposure significantly.

Related: Alternatives To Teflon Frying Pans

Our gut microbiome is under attack. Microplastic particles can damage the gastrointestinal tract. They interfere with communication between neurotransmitters and may 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 equal. Natasha warns that many companies sell generic strains without understanding the precise species 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 probiotic manufacturer in North America and the EU. That means they control the entire production process from strain to shelf. Natasha insists on using only what is scientifically supported.

This level of detail matters. Especially now, when the food system, water sources, and environment are all contaminated.

Natasha pointed out that our health crisis goes far beyond just microplastic particles. The air we breathe is also polluted. Here in British Columbia, we’ve 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 impacts our immune system and our microbiome.

In the U.S., 80% of people are chronically ill. Yet Americans make up only 4% of the world population, while consuming 75% of the world’s pharmaceuticals. That’s 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 out with fancy marketing, promising to fix digestion or detox the body. But people don’t realize that some of these colon cleanses and parasite cleanses strip the intestinal wall. And nothing is put back.

So what can we do? Here are the changes I’ve made, and that Natasha recommends:

I wish we did not have to think about microplastic exposure in this much detail. But we do. This is the world we live in. Natasha said it best: “If we want to talk about loving the environment, the first place we need to start is by reducing our own plastic use.”

That is why I invite everyone to make informed choices. Start by avoiding plastic where you can. Look at your water sources, your food packaging, and even your cookware. Every small change makes a difference.

This isn’t fear-mongering. It’s just the reality of the modern world. The health effects of microplastics are serious. They affect the digestive system, the immune system, the heart, the brain, and even the blood.

We cannot control everything. But we can control what we bring into our homes and into our bodies. Let’s start there.