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Microplastics have become inescapable. We're ingesting them through food and water, and even inhaling them daily. These tiny fossil-fuel-based particles, smaller than 5 mm, have now been detected deep inside human bones, cartilage, and spinal discs. A recent study reveals that microplastics can penetrate bone tissue, including the marrow, where they may disrupt metabolic processes and harm skeletal health.
Microplastics can build up in human bones, potentially accelerating aging and reducing strength. They disrupt cell function, trigger inflammation, heighten oxidative stress, and impair bone renewal and raise the risk of fragility, fractures, and conditions resembling or exacerbating osteoporosis. These particles may represent a factor that could help explain the rising projections for bone fractures.
While diseases like osteoporosis are well understood, current healthcare strategies aim to prevent bone problems through exercise, nutrition, and medications. The impact of microplastics on bone health remains largely unexplored.
These tiny plastic particles disrupt the activity of cells that build bone and cells that break down bone. This creates an imbalance where old bone is resorbed faster than new bone is formed, ultimately weakening the skeleton and compromising its strength.
Studies have found microplastics slip into the bloodstream, circulate throughout the body, and embed themselves in various tissues. Thanks to the skeleton's extensive blood vessel network, these particles can easily reach the exact locations where cells responsible for forming and resorbing bone do their work.
Small everyday changes can significantly reduce our exposure to microplastics. The most effective step is to eliminate single-use plastics from our daily lives. Ultimately, the best way to tackle microplastic pollution is at its source: by replacing plastics with safer, more sustainable alternatives.
To view the original scientific study click below:
Effects of microplastics on the bones: a comprehensive review
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