Remember those scrubby microbead body washes that were everywhere a few years ago?
We were told to stop using them because they were bad for the environment. The oceans. The fish.
Well, guess what.
Microplastics are no longer just an environmental issue.
They’re in us now.
Literally in our blood, our lungs, our liver, our brain—even our reproductive organs.
Given how dependent we’ve become on plastic in every aspect of modern life, this was completely inevitable. And now we’re paying the price.
And it’s not just adults dealing with this.
Our children’s bodies now come out of the womb already exposed to microplastics.
I’m not being dramatic. In 2021, scientists found microplastic particles in the umbilical cords of newborn babies. That means babies are exposed before they even take their first breath.
Let that sink in for a moment.
How Microplastics Are Getting Into Your Body
So how are these plastics infiltrating our bodies? Here are the biggest routes of exposure:
We Inhale Them
Synthetic fibers from carpets, clothes, and household dust break off and linger in the air. We breathe in tiny particles constantly, often without even knowing it. Every time you walk across your carpet or fold laundry, microscopic plastic fibers become airborne.
We Drink Them
Bottled water, tap water, and even sea salt have all tested positive for microplastics. Research shows that a single liter of bottled water can contain hundreds of plastic particles. That “pure mountain spring water” you’ve been drinking? It’s likely delivering a steady stream of plastic particles straight into your system.
We Eat Them
This one might surprise you. Produce can absorb nanoplastics through the roots—meaning even your organic vegetables might be contaminated. Fish and shellfish often contain microplastics because those plastic bags and scrubby microbeads we threw away end up right in the ocean, where marine life mistakes them for food.
Packaged, processed, and reheated foods can become plasticized depending on how they’re stored or heated. That “microwave-safe” container? We need to talk about that.
We Absorb Them
Cosmetics, lotions, and toothpastes sometimes contain plastic microspheres. These can enter through your skin or mucosal membranes, adding to your overall toxic load every single day.
What Microplastics Do Once They’re Inside You
Here’s where this gets really concerning: once inside your body, microplastics don’t just float around harmlessly.
Research has shown they can trigger:
- Immune dysfunction
- Hormone disruption
- Oxidative stress
- Mitochondrial damage
- DNA alterations
Translation? These microscopic particles are actively interfering with your body’s ability to function optimally at the cellular level.
The Ziploc Lawsuit That Changes Everything
And now you can add Ziploc bags to the list of concerning plastics.
I know that’s hard to hear, especially if you’ve been using them for years thinking they were safe.
But Ziploc is currently facing a class-action lawsuit. A consumer is suing the company for false safety claims, alleging that the bags release microplastics when used as directed—exactly the way most of us use them every single day.
This lawsuit is blowing the lid off a conversation we desperately need to be having:
Just because a company makes a claim doesn’t mean it’s true.
Just because something is legal or “FDA-approved” doesn’t mean it’s safe.
Did you know that plastics labeled “microwave-safe” can still leach microplastics and chemicals into your food? A 2024 study published in EatingWell found that microwaving food in plastic containers triples microplastic transfer compared to room-temperature use.
Let me say that again: microwaving in plastic—even “microwave-safe” plastic—triples your exposure.
The Hormonal Connection You Need to Know About
Here’s what I see constantly in my practice: clients struggling with hormonal symptoms who have no idea that microplastic exposure is contributing to their struggles.
The biggest red flag for microplastic exposure? Hormonal dysfunction.
If you’re experiencing any of these, microplastics could be a hidden root cause clue:
- Estrogen dominance
- PMS symptoms that are getting worse
- Infertility or difficulty conceiving
- Irregular cycles
- Low libido
- Breast tenderness or fibrocystic breasts
- Exacerbated perimenopause or menopause symptoms
Microplastics act as endocrine disruptors—meaning they interfere with your hormone production, metabolism, and signaling. Your body mistakes these plastic particles for hormones, creating chaos in your delicate hormonal balance.
Other Common Signs of High Microplastic Exposure
Beyond hormonal symptoms, here are other patterns I commonly see in clients with high microplastic exposure:
- Mood swings, anxiety, or depression
- Weight gain (especially stubborn abdominal fat)
- Crushing fatigue or adrenal dysfunction
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Blood sugar dysregulation or insulin resistance
- Migraines or frequent headaches
- Skin issues like rashes, breakouts, or persistent dryness
If you’re nodding your head reading this list, it’s time to look at your plastic exposure as a potential contributor to your symptoms.
Simple Swaps You Can Make Right Now
I’m not here to overwhelm you or make you feel like you need to throw out everything in your kitchen tomorrow.
But I am here to help you make informed choices that reduce your toxic load over time.
Remember: it’s not about one exposure—it’s about the compound effect. Swap where you can, when you can.
Storage Swaps
Instead of: Plastic Tupperware and containers
Try: Glass storage containers with silicone or stainless steel lids
Instead of: Plastic Ziploc bags
Try: Food-grade silicone storage bags, compostable baggies, parchment paper bags, beeswax wraps, or paper bags
Instead of: Plastic wrap (Saran wrap)
Try: Beeswax wraps, silicone covers, or glass containers with lids
Kitchen Tool Swaps
Instead of: Plastic cooking utensils
Try: Stainless steel or wooden cooking utensils
Instead of: Plastic cutting boards
Try: Wood or bamboo cutting boards
Beverage Swaps
Instead of: Plastic water bottles
Try: Stainless steel or glass water bottles
Instead of: Drinking hot beverages from BPA-lined cups with plastic lids
Try: Bringing your own reusable mug or drinking from ceramic/glass when possible
Heating Food
Never: Microwave food in plastic containers (even “microwave-safe” ones)
Always: Transfer food to glass or ceramic before reheating
Never: Store hot food in plastic containers
Always: Let food cool first, or store in glass from the start
Other Considerations
- Decline receipts when possible (they’re coated in BPA)
- Choose loose produce over plastic-wrapped whenever you can
- Filter your water (a quality filter can remove many microplastics)
- Check your personal care products for plastic microbeads
- Consider a HEPA air filter to reduce airborne microplastics in your home
The Bigger Picture: Your Toxic Load Matters
Here’s the thing: microplastics are just one piece of the toxic load puzzle.
We’re also dealing with heavy metals, mold mycotoxins, pesticides, forever chemicals (PFAS), and countless other environmental toxicants that our grandparents never had to worry about.
Your body has an incredible capacity to detoxify—but only when your drainage pathways are open and functioning optimally.
This is why I always say: drainage before detox.
If your lymphatic system is sluggish, your liver is overburdened, or your gut isn’t eliminating properly, you can’t effectively remove the toxins you’re exposed to. They just recirculate and accumulate, contributing to the symptoms you’re experiencing.
Want to Know Your Toxic Load Score?
Curious what toxicities and stressors are contributing to YOUR symptoms specifically?
I created a Free Toxic Load Assessment that gives you your exact Toxin Load Score across major categories and reveals many of the potential root cause clues at the core of your symptoms.
It takes less than 10 minutes and provides immediate insights into where you should focus your efforts for maximum impact on your healing journey.
Take the Free Toxic Load Assessment Here
You’re Not Powerless
I know this information can feel overwhelming. We’re surrounded by plastic. It’s in our homes, our cars, our workplaces. It feels impossible to avoid.
But here’s what I want you to remember: you’re not powerless.
Every swap you make matters. Every conscious choice to reduce your plastic exposure reduces your overall toxic load. And when you reduce your toxic load, you give your body the breathing room it needs to heal.
You don’t have to do everything at once. Start with one or two swaps. Maybe this week, you replace your plastic water bottle with a stainless steel one. Next month, you switch to glass food storage.
Progress over perfection, always.
Your body is resilient. When you remove the obstacles—when you stop the constant influx of toxins and support your natural detoxification pathways—your body knows how to heal.
Let’s Link Arms
If you’re realizing that microplastics (and other toxins) might be contributing to your stubborn symptoms, you’re not alone.
This is exactly the kind of root cause work I do with my clients every day. We don’t just identify the toxic load—we create bioindividualized protocols that address the contributors to your symptoms while supporting your body’s natural drainage and detoxification pathways.
No fluff. No whack-a-mole healthcare. Just real answers and actionable protocols that help you cover all your bases.
Ready to take your next best step? Start with the Toxic Load Assessment and let’s figure out where to delegate dollars wisely for maximum impact on your healing journey.
To your health,
Allyssa LaScala, IHP
Biohacking Bombshell