By Sheila Yonemoto, PT
I have been reading many articles about microplastics in our food supplies, in the air, in the ocean and in our bodies. It is estimated that we have about a credit card size amount of microplastics in our bodies.
An article by Wendy Meyers, ND, stated that the brain tissue has 10-20 times more microplastics than any other organ in the body. One study has found that in Alzheimer’s brains there are 10 times more microplastics than in normal brains.
I am always more interested in how we can remedy the situation. A recent talk by Dr. Dale Bredesen from UCLA I listened to states that cognitive decline can be reduced; a very different story from a few years ago, when he said that dementia rates were increasing so fast that it would bankrupt our economy. Very good news!
Here are some tips to decrease those microplastics in our bodies and brains:
- Avoid plastic water bottles and food containers. Use stainless steel or glass containers. I put in a whole-house water filter in my house years ago to avoid buying water in plastic bottles. At that time, I wanted to reduce the amount of plastic in landfills.
Now that I know that the plastic leaches into the water, I’m glad I did that years ago. I also have thrown out all my plastic food storage containers and have switched to glass containers. - Get a high-quality water filter or drink spring water. My whole-house water filter does this, but you can get counter-top water filters or under-the-sink water filters.
- Invest in non-toxic clothing. I use organic cotton sheets and sleepwear now since cotton is one of those crops that uses about 16% of all agricultural chemicals to grow.
- Never heat plastic. It does break down the plastic, which can get into food and liquids.
- Use an air filter. There are some theories that we breathe in the microplastics from the air.
- Reduce consumption of processed foods.
- Encourage sweating through exercise, activity or sauna, as the skin is one pathway for detoxification.
- Eat foods or supplements that support detoxification. Fibrous foods encourage elimination of toxins through normal bowel movements, which we should have 2-3 times per day. Cilantro helps to detox heavy metals, which are very toxic.
Unfortunately, we live in a very polluted world and have to do our best to keep our environment as clean and healthy as we can. We can start by using less chemicals, planting more trees and plants to help detoxify the air and create more oxygen.
We can do our best to reduce the trash and waste in our homes and work. We can teach others to take care of our environment and our own bodies.
Take the time to learn more of how we can be more responsible in making this the best planet to live on and to be the best versions of ourselves.
Sheila Yonemoto, P.T., has been a physical therapist for more than 40 years, specializing in integrative manual therapy, utilizing a holistic approach. She can be reached at Yonemoto Physical Therapy, 55 S. Raymond Ave., Suite 100, Alhambra, CA 91801. She also offers a qigong “Chinese energy” exercise class. Your first class is free. Call (626) 576-0591 for more information or visit www.yonemoto.com. Opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of The Rafu Shimpo.