History Of Plastic

There are synthetic and natural plastics in existence. Thousands of years ago, the Olmecs have utilized sap from gum trees to make rubber balls. About a century ago is when synthetic plastics were created. Fossil fuels in the form of crude oil and natural gas were really the dominate form. We have produced about 10 billion tons of plastic sense that time. Our society is heavily dependent on plastic. Many products and services use plastic.

Negative Impact Of Micro Plastics On Health

We often talk about the environment when it comes to plastic, but we often don’t realize that humans are part of the environment. What impact does it have on our own health? Plastic contains xenoestrogens, or compounds that mimic estrogen in the body, causing estrogen dominance. They bind to estrogen receptor cites in our body, and disrupt our endocrine system. BPA is one of those compounds, which is designed to make plastic harder. An interesting study shows how neurotoxicity of BPA and its analogues, on neuronal differentiation, synaptic plasticity, neuro inflammation, neuro-degeneration, and impairment of cognitive abilities, and negatively impacts sex hormone production. Even if something says it’s BPA free, companies often substitute it for BPS, BNS, and BPF, which almost have identical function as BPA. Also, plastic contains other compounds such as phthalates and other petroleum byproducts that have a harmful effect on health.

Plastic Alternatives

Storage containers-

Instead of plastic go for higher quality options such as stainless steel, glass, ceramic, mason jars, and silicon. It’s not about being perfect, or doing this over night, this can be a gradual process.

Water-

plastic doesn’t just biodegrade, it photo degrades, or is broken down by light. This is why drinking out of plastic water bottles, is a sure way to get in a lot of endocrine disrupters. When ever possible, we should go for higher quality options such as the ones listed above. You also can also get spring water or use a reverse osmosis system.

How to detoxify from plastic-

Sweating-

Exercising, saunas, and getting out in the sun are all great ways to do this. This study shows how sweating an release different types of toxins, such as heavy metals.