How Are Microplastics Stored In The Body?

How Are Microplastics Stored in The Body?

⚕️ MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen, diet, or supplement use, especially if you have existing medical conditions or take medications. The information presented here should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

While most microplastics seem to pass through the digestive system, some of them can either remain in the gut or pass through the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream. These microplastics in the body , alongside the chemical byproducts they release, can be absorbed, circulated, and ultimately stored in our organs. Depending on many factors, including your overall health, your microplastic intake, and the individual properties of each microplastic particle, the extent of their storage and harm can vary. Nevertheless, the simple fact of the matter is that numerous scientific studies show that microplastics can remain in our body for prolonged periods of time. 

Where Microplastics Go After They Enter Our Bodies

Microplastics have been detected in the human and animal intestines, liver, kidneys, lungs, brain, cardiovascular system, spleen, reproductive organs, and even the placenta. Understandably, the digestive system is often their first stop after they are consumed via food or drinks. Studies have shown that larger microplastic particles may stick to the intestinal mucus layer and pass out of the body. But, smaller microplastic particles can easily cross into the bloodstream through processes like endocytosis or transcytosis, thereby bypassing your gut barrier altogether [4,5]. Studies suggest that this can lead to chronic inflammation, gut irritation, and microbiome disruption [3,6,7].

Once in circulation, microplastics can go directly to the liver. The liver acts as a natural detoxification organ, and filters microplastic particles. However, instead of removing them from the body, the liver has been shown to store them in some instances. Once the liver stores microplastics, studies have shown that they trigger oxidative stress, disrupt lipid processing, and over time, may contribute to liver fibrosis and fatty liver disease [8–14]. The kidneys, which also act as a filter, but for the blood, are the next step in the pathway. Studies have shown that nanoplastics can pass through the kidney’s glomerular filtration and lodge in the tissue. While microplastic penetration may be limited, they still provoke inflammation and damage [8,14–16].

Additionally, inhaled or blood-borne microplastics can make their way to the lungs. Less dense particles can travel into respiratory pathways and release chemotactic signals that promote long-term inflammation. Studies have linked this buildup to pulmonary fibrosis and chronic lung irritation, although more research is certainly needed [9,17,18]. Additionally, microplastics have been found in our brains. Microplastic particles of certain sizes can cross the blood-brain barrier and trigger oxidative stress and neurotoxic reactions [8,14,19–22].

Microplastics In The Body – Where Else Are They Stored?

Along with the liver, kidney, brain, and lungs, microplastics have been detected in the heart, spleen, reproductive organs, and even fat and muscle tissue. Because they circulate in the blood, microplastics can impact the cardiovascular system. In studies looking at the cardiovascular system, microplastics have been associated with atherosclerosis and increased vascular complexity. Additionally, as they pass through the blood, they can lead to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, which may lead to long-term cardiovascular disease [1,23–27].

Moreover, the spleen, responsible for filtering blood and supporting immune function, also collects microplastics. Here, their presence may provoke immune dysregulation and chronic inflammation [1,6,20,28]. Microplastics have also been detected in the placenta, amniotic fluid, and male reproductive tissues. As a result of their aggregation in reproductive organs, they might interfere with hormone regulation and contribute to declining fertility [1,7,16,20,23,27,29].

Lastly, plastic particles have been found in less obvious tissues: joints, muscles, and fat. The systemic nature of this accumulation means microplastics aren’t just a gut problem. Unfortunately, microplastics can affect our entire body. 

What Factors Determine Where Microplastics In The Body Are Stored?

How microplastics distribute throughout the body depends on a few key characteristics. One of these factors is particle size. Smaller plastic particles, especially nanoplastics, can easily cross biological barriers like the intestinal wall and blood-brain barrier due to their size alone. On the other hand, studies have shown that larger plastic particles are more likely to stay in the intestines or be captured in the liver [3,4,5,8,31].

Another factor influencing where microplastics are stored is their shape. Irregularly shaped or fibrous particles have been found to do more damage, measured by oxidative stress and inflammation, and tend to accumulate in higher concentrations than smooth or spherical ones. Certain shapes also determine how far microplastic particles travel into the lungs or soft tissues [1,17,30,37,38].

Another characteristic of microplastic particles that determines where they travel in the body is their chemical composition. Some plastics, like polyethylene and polypropylene, are more commonly detected in human tissue because they’re used in so many household items. These materials behave differently inside the body based on how they break down and interact with cell membranes [1,3,6].

Surface chemistry also plays a role in determining where microplastics are stored. Microplastics with specific surface charges or hydrophobic coatings are more likely to bind to proteins or enzymes, which can help them bypass cellular defenses and cause more pronounced effects. Once inside cells, they may form a “protein corona”, a coating of biological material that makes them harder for your immune system to detect or remove [1,9,31]. 

Lastly, and potentially most importantly, your own health is a major variable in determining if and where microplastics are stored in the body. Individuals with compromised gut barriers, like leaky gut, or with pre-existing conditions like liver disease or inflammatory bowel disease, may absorb more microplastics and retain them longer in tissues [1,30]. However, more research is needed to support these claims. 

What Happens When Microplastics Stay in Our Bodies?

Stored microplastics don’t just “sit” in the body, they can have biological effects. One of the first things they trigger is oxidative stress by generating a reactive oxygen species. Reactive oxygen species are a natural bodily process, and help us fight bacteria and viruses. However, they do so by damaging DNA, proteins, and lipids. Because of this, they can impact our own DNA, proteins, and lipids. This can result in cellular toxicity, long-term inflammation, and tissue degradation [6–8,13,14,34].

Sustained oxidative stress causes inflammation, the immune system’s response, but it can quickly become a problem of its own. In response to microplastic-induced inflammation, white blood cells engulf the microplastics and release pro-inflammatory cytokines, potentially leading to chronic, system-wide immune activation. Microplastic-induced inflammation has been observed in multiple tissues including the gut, liver, and cardiovascular system [7,14,25,30,35,36].

Sustained systemic inflammation can impact metabolic pathways. Microplastics have been shown to interfere with how our body processes fats, sugars, and amino acids. This is especially harmful in the liver and kidneys, where key nutrient regulation happens. Over time, this can lead to insulin resistance, fatty liver disease, and exacerbates pre-existing metabolic issues [10,11,14,30]. However, more human studies are needed to further support this. 

Lastly, microplastics cause physical irritation. Their sharp edges and fibrous textures can inflame delicate tissue linings, particularly in the digestive tract, the circulatory system, and the lungs. This chronic mechanical damage adds another layer of stress to already inflamed organs [7,36].

What Can I Do About Microplastics Being Stored In My Body?

Unfortunately, there is very little research showing how to remove stored microplastics from the body. 

That is why we developed the Deplasto platform.

Our platform, consisting of a science-backed supplement, a microplastic intake app, and lifestyle recommendations is intended to help you avoid microplastics. Our supplement is formulated to support your body’s natural detoxification defenses, including oxidative stress management, cellular repair, and antioxidant support. Our microplastic intake calculator is designed to show you an estimate of your daily exposure, with every datapoint backed by scientific studies, to help you understand how you can best avoid microplastics. Lastly, given that it’s nearly impossible to completely avoid microplastic exposure, we have a plethora of lifestyle recommendations designed to help you make small changes for big impacts.

Overall, we believe that the best way to eliminate microplastics begins with you and the changes you make to your daily life. Over time, collectively, we can make a significant difference. 

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