Do You Need Microplastics Detox? Experts Weigh In

Concerns over microplastics and their potential impact on health are growing, and so are the number of businesses offering ways to 'detox' from them. However, scientists say that currently, no procedures are proven to be effective in removing microplastics from the body.

A London company offering to clean microplastics from the blood, first covered by the Wire, made headlines globally. An online search reveals a broader range of microplastic 'detoxes' — from a clinic in New York promising to remove microplastics via lymphatic drainage massage to wellness influencers claiming that the detox can be achieved through fasting.

Microplastics (MPs) are tiny plastic particles less than 5 mm in diameter that result from plastics breaking down. They are now detected anywhere in the environment – from soil and oceans to food and our bodies.

Despite the lack of evidence that MPs cause diseases, as many as 84% of Americans are concerned about microplastics and their impact on human health, according to a 2024 survey.

Where there is a worried consumer, there is a business ready to address these concerns. However, scientists interviewed by WellnessPulse say that there is no need to detox from microplastics, especially because their risks are still largely unknown.

"People worry about a tiny and unproven risk from microplastics while at the same time ignoring the known and proven risks of drinking excess alcohol, smoking (or vaping), poor diet, and not getting enough exercise," Oliver Jones, a chemistry professor at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, tells WellnessPulse.

Is microplastics detox possible?

One proposed way to clean microplastics from the blood is to conduct a blood plasma exchange. During the procedure, plasma, which comprises most of the blood, is separated from other components such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

Plasma exchange is normally used to treat conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Guillain-Barré syndrome, which are caused by the presence of harmful immunoglobulins (antibodies) in plasma that can be filtered out. Abnormally high levels of immunoglobulins can lead to allergies and autoimmune conditions.

Meanwhile, lymphatic drainage therapy is a massage that targets the lymphatic system, which is a group of organs, vessels, and tissues that protect the body from infection and sustain a balance of fluids.

The massage aims to move excess fluid buildup (lymphedema) away from the tissues toward working lymph vessels and lymph nodes so they can get rid of toxins in the body, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The therapy can be used as an adjunct therapy to the treatment of lymphedema-related health conditions like fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.

Jones says he is unaware of any procedures that effectively remove microplastics from the body and calls advertised procedures 'wellness guesswork.'

It might make people feel better in their minds, but I suspect the only thing it is detoxing is people's wallets.

Dr. Oliver Jones

He points out that it is still not clearly understood if most people have accumulated microplastics in their bodies, and if they do, the amounts are likely to be small. Moreover, even if it was possible to detox from MPs, there is no guarantee the body would not pick up more from the environment.

"There is no need to detox from microplastics or anything else. Your liver and kidneys do a perfectly good job of filtering your blood," Jones explains.

The risks of 'detox' procedures

While it is hard to evaluate the benefits and risks of these procedures in removing microplastics from the body, they carry risks when used for the treatment of certain conditions.

For example, plasma exchange may result in lower-than-normal calcium levels in the blood, low body temperature, and low blood pressure. Some rare complications include cardiovascular and respiratory events, hemorrhage (bleeding), and infection.

Lymphatic drainage is a generally safe procedure, but people with certain conditions, such as blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, and heart disease, should avoid it.

An 18-hour long fasting is another suggested solution for microplastic detox, but its effects on health aren't well understood either. For example, a 2024 study found that people who follow 8-hour time-restricted eating may be at 91% higher risk of cardiovascular health. Fasting may also raise the risk of gallstones.

Are microplastics really harmful to humans?

Discovered about two decades ago, microplastics are increasingly seen as a major environmental and public health issue.

But evidence of their potential harm to human health is limited. One study found that people who had microplastic in the plaques in artery plaques were 4.5 times more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or die. However, the study showed an association rather than proved that microplastics cause these health issues.

Another study suggests that people diagnosed with dementia may have up to 10 times more microplastics in the brain than those without the diagnosis, but again, it doesn't prove the causation.

According to a systematic review of laboratory studies in human cells, microplastics may damage health through mechanisms like oxidative stress and cell damage. However, controlled studies on humans are needed to draw definitive conclusions.

Thus far, most evidence comes from animals. Studies have shown exposure to microplastics is linked to a reduction in sperm count, inflammatory conditions, liver damage, and metabolic disorders. Animals are great models in the early stages of research, but the findings in them don't always apply to humans.

However, the lack of evidence doesn't mean that microplastics won't be proven harmful in the future.

Bernardo Lemos, a professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the University of Arizona, says that because tracing human exposure to harmful consequences remains uncertain, prevention of microplastic exposure is likely the safest route. However, the guidelines on how to do it remain unclear.

It is also unclear how much exposure can be prevented given the ubiquity of microplastics in certain environments.

Dr. Bernardo Lemos

According to Jones, the main way to mitigate microplastic exposure is to reduce exposure to all plastic in general. For example, people can do this by avoiding using plastic bottles and bags, not storing food in plastic, and not wearing clothes made of plastic, such as polyester.

The verdict

There is limited evidence that microplastics harm our health and even less data on the potential benefits of 'detoxing' them from the body. Nevertheless, individuals can reduce their exposure to microplastics by minimizing the use of plastics in general.