Latest news with #BrainMedicine
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The ‘plastic spoon' of microplastics in your brain could stem from these foods that are wrecking your health, researchers say
Earlier this year, scientists discovered that there is about as much microplastics in the brain as a whole plastic spoon. The paper, published in Nature Medicine in February, revealed that the amount of microplastics—tiny plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters—in the human brain appears to be increasing: Concentrations rose by about 50% between 2016 and 2024. Not only were there more microplastics in the brain than in liver or kidney tissue, but microplastic concentrations were higher in the brains of dementia patients than in those without it. Now, scientists are examining the effect on brain health of microplastics and one of the largest sources of microplastics: ultra-processed foods (UPFs). In a series of four papers published in the journal Brain Medicine, researchers synthesize mounting evidence that microplastics accumulating in the brain—especially those from UPFs—could be contributing to rising global rates of dementia, depression, and other mental health disorders. 'We're seeing converging evidence that should concern us all,' said co-author of one of the papers, Dr. Nicholas Fabiano from the University of Ottawa, in the press release. 'Ultra-processed foods now comprise more than 50% of energy intake in countries like the United States, and these foods contain significantly higher concentrations of microplastics than whole foods,' Fabiano said. 'Recent findings show these particles can cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in alarming quantities.' The researchers consolidate the science linking UPF consumption with adverse mental health, and how that overlaps with microplastic accumulation in the brain. For instance, they cite a 2024 umbrella review published in the British Medical Journal which found that people who consumed ultra-processed foods had a 22% higher risk of depression, 48% higher risk of anxiety, and 41% higher risk of poor sleep. In the papers, the researchers hypothesize that microplastics could be the missing link in UPFs' impact on brain health, by connecting it to data such as UPFs like chicken nuggets contain 30 times more microplastics per gram than chicken breasts—highlighting how processing could increase microplastic content. 'Ultra-processed foods have been linked to adverse mental health through inflammation, oxidative stress, epigenetics, mitochondrial dysfunction, and disruptions to neurotransmitter systems. Microplastics appear to operate through remarkably similar pathways,' said Wolfgang Marx from Deakin University's Food & Mood Center in Australia. Microplastics can increase inflammation in the brain as they cross the blood-brain barrier, as a 2023 study on mice found, which can put people at risk of neurological disease and degeneration, including Alzheimer's. 'What emerges from this work is not a warning. It is a reckoning,' wrote Dr. Ma-Li Wong, professor of neuroscience at Upstate Medical University in New York. 'The boundary between internal and external has failed. If microplastics cross the blood-brain barrier, what else do we think remains sacred?' Researchers are now looking to understand to what extent ultra-processed foods are responsible for adverse brain health outcomes, and what to do about it. The authors propose the development of a Dietary Microplastic Index, which would quantify people's exposure through food consumption. 'While we need to reduce our exposure to microplastics through better food choices and packaging alternatives, we also need research into how to remove these particles from the human body,' noted Dr. Stefan Bornstein in his paper. One of those potential methods, Bornstein proposes, is apheresis, a process of removing blood from the body and filtering out the microplastics—but he points out that more research is still needed. 'As the levels of ultra-processed foods, microplastics, and adverse mental health outcomes simultaneously rise, it is imperative that we further investigate this potential association,' said Fabiano. 'After all, you are what you eat.' For more on microplastics: Microplastics are everywhere. Here are 5 ways to reduce your exposure Chewing gum is shedding harmful microplastics into your saliva, study finds Tea bags and these 11 foods are likely exposing you to billions of microplastics This story was originally featured on
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Bombshell study reveals how common foods 'are driving epidemic of AUTISM'
A common food in 70 percent of American diets may be fueling mental illness, dementia and autism. A major new review has linked ultra-processed foods (UPFs) - which includes everything from chips to protein bars - to rising rates of neurological disorders. Researchers believe the hidden culprit could be microplastics, tiny plastic particles now found in soaring levels inside UPFs — and increasingly, in the human brain. Studies have shown UPFs are more susceptible to microplastics as contamination can occur during processing and packaging of the foods - which are often in plastic wrappers and containers. Co-lead author of the new paper Dr Nicholas Fabiano, from the University of Ottawa, said: 'We're seeing converging evidence that should concern us all. 'Ultra-processed foods... contain significantly higher concentrations of microplastics than whole foods. 'Recent findings show these particles can cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in alarming quantities.' Another author of the article, Dr Wolfgang Marx from Deakin University's Food & Mood Center, said there is 'remarkable overlap' in the way UPFs and microplastics harm mental health. He explained: 'This hypothesis is particularly compelling because we see remarkable overlap in biological mechanisms. 'Ultra-processed foods have been linked to adverse mental health through inflammation, oxidative stress, epigenetics, mitochondrial dysfunction, and disruptions to neurotransmitter systems. 'Microplastics appear to operate through remarkably similar pathways.' In the new article, published in Brain Medicine, the authors reviewed studies that looked at the relationship between ultra-processed foods, microplastics and mental health. One of the studies included in the article was a recent one published in The British Medical Journal. It found people who consumed UPFs had a 22 percent higher risk of depression, a 48 percent higher risk of anxiety and a 41 percent higher risk of poor sleep - which can cause a cascade of poor health outcomes itself. And another study included found microplastics and nanoplastics induce oxidative stress on the central nervous system, which may cause cellular damage and increase the vulnerability to neurological disorders. Based on the authors' review of the current data, they concluded the high levels of microplastic contamination in ultra-processed foods could be why they have such detrimental impacts on health. Scientists think ultra-processed foods damage your gut, and that can in turn damage with your brain. This connection — called the gut-brain axis — means when your gut's out of whack, your mood and mental health can take a hit too. Research has also shown that these junk foods are full of artificial sweeteners, which may throw off the way your brain cells talk to each other and disrupt hormones. On top of that, microplastics in the foods could be linked to depression and anxiety, with researchers warning they might harm brain development, trigger inflammation, and disrupt sleep and mood. The microplastics in UPFs could also be fueling a rise in dementia, researchers of a separate study believe. A study from earlier this year - that was not included in this week's article review - analyzed brain tissue from 54 autopsies and discovered every brain had microplastics in it - equivalent in mass to a plastic spoon. The researchers found individuals diagnosed with dementia exhibited up to 10 times more microplastics in their brain tissue compared to those without this condition. Although the study does not directly connect them, it does show a relationship between the accumulation of microplastics and neurological disorders. SAYS WHO An author of that study said microplastic levels in the human brain have increased by 50 percent over the past eight years - and rates of dementia have also increased, with cases expected to nearly double by 2030. Microplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier, a protective shield that typically prevents harmful substances from entering the brain. Once inside, these tiny particles may trigger inflammation, disrupt neurological signaling, and potentially contribute to the development of neurological disorders. While scientists are still investigating the direct impact of microplastics on human health, animal studies have shown that exposure can lead to behavioral changes, memory impairment, and reduced motor coordination. Another separate 2022 study found people who ate the most UPFs had a 25 percent faster rate of executive function decline and a 28 percent faster rate of overall cognitive impairment compared to people who are the least amount of processed food. Researchers believe the high content of sugar, salt and fat in UPFs promotes harmful inflammation throughout the body, including the brain, which could harm cognition and memory. Another neurological condition on the rise that could be tied to microplastics in UPFs is autism, which affects one in 31 kids in the US. This is a dramatic increase from one in 150 children two decades ago. Researchers have posited UPFs can negatively impact the gut microbiome, and an off-balance microbiome has often been often in children with autism. There is also some evidence UPFs can alter gene expression that leads to changes in brain development and function. Processed foods can also be high in levels of heavy metals, including mercury and lead, which may contribute to or exacerbate symptoms of autism. There is no known cause of autism. While preliminary research has been conducted on the association of microplastics and autism, scientists say there is not enough information to draw conclusions and more research needs to be done. To address the issue of microplastics, the authors of the most recent article proposed the Dietary microplastic Index (DMI). A system that would quantify exposure to microplastics through food consumption and assess the microplastic content and risk of accumulation based on the foods people eat. Dr Stefan Bornstein, who authored a peer-reviewed research paper on removing microplastics from the body, said: 'While we need to reduce our exposure to microplastics through better food choices and packaging alternatives, we also need research into how to remove these particles from the human body.' In his paper, he posits that a process called apheresis could remove microplastics from the body. This is a medical procedure that removes specific components of blood from the body - like plastics - and returns the remaining components - such as the building blocks that make up blood.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Human brains contain spoonful of microplastics, dementia risk skyrockets: Study
A disturbing new finding shows microplastics have infiltrated human brain tissue, raising serious questions about our health. It's been discovered that human brains accumulate a surprisingly large amount of microplastics and nanoplastics – equal to a spoonful. Even more concerning, these levels are 3 to 5 times higher in individuals with dementia. Building on findings from Nature Medicine, a detailed commentary was recently released in Brain Medicine on this invisible health threat. "The dramatic increase in brain microplastic concentrations over just eight years, from 2016 to 2024, is particularly alarming," notes Dr. Nicholas Fabiano from the University of Ottawa's Department of Psychiatry, lead author of the Commentary. "This rise mirrors the exponential increase we're seeing in environmental microplastic levels," added Fabiano. These tiny plastic fragments, resulting from the breakdown of larger plastics, have infiltrated virtually every corner of the globe. They are found in the deepest ocean trenches, within the tissues of marine organisms ranging from plankton to whales, and have even been detected in the air and snow of remote mountain peaks. This widespread distribution highlights the alarming ability of microplastics to travel through air, water, and food chains. The study revealed that brain tissue contains much higher concentrations of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) – 7 to 30 times more – compared to other vital organs, such as the liver and kidneys. The main concern lies with nanoplastics – particles smaller than 200 nanometers. The small size raises the possibility that they can cross the blood-brain barrier, which could have implications for neurological health. Researchers analyzed brain tissue from autopsies, comparing samples from 2016 to 2024. They specifically analyzed the frontal cortex, an area of the brain directly behind the forehead. The study identified 12 different types of plastic polymers, with polyethylene being the most prevalent in the brain tissue samples. Polyethylene is widely used in packaging and containers like bottles and cups. The commentary suggests a simple yet effective way to reduce microplastic intake: switching bottled water to filtered tap water. This change alone could decrease annual microplastic consumption from 90,000 particles to just 4,000. "Bottled water alone can expose people to nearly as many microplastic particles annually as all ingested and inhaled sources combined. Switching to tap water could reduce this exposure by almost 90%, making it one of the simplest ways to cut down on microplastic intake," said Dr. Brandon Luu, an Internal Medicine Resident at the University of Toronto. Other key sources of microplastic intake include plastic tea bags and improper food storage/heating. Plastic tea bags release millions of tiny particles during brewing, and heating food in plastic containers. "Heating food in plastic containers—especially in the microwave—can release substantial amounts of microplastics and nanoplastics," the author explained. "While these changes make sense, we still need research to confirm whether lowering intake leads to reduced accumulation in human tissues," Luu added. Researchers have also been investigating how the body might eliminate microplastic compounds, with initial findings suggesting sweating could play a role. If left unchecked, this issue could represent a major, unforeseen environmental health crisis. "The commentary calls for urgent research priorities, including establishing clear exposure limits and assessing long-term health consequences of microplastic accumulation,' the press release noted. The peer-reviewed Commentary has been published in Brain Medicine.
Gulf News
04-03-2025
- Health
- Gulf News
A plastic spoon's worth of plastic is inside your brain, warns study
Ontario: A plastic spoon's worth of plastic is inside your brain, researchers warned on Tuesday, showing alarming new evidence about microplastic accumulation in human brain tissue. Published in the journal Brain Medicine, the research revealed that human brains contain approximately a spoon's worth of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs), with levels 3-5 times higher in individuals with documented dementia diagnoses. More concerning still, brain tissues showed 7-30 times higher concentrations of MNPs compared to other organs like the liver or kidney. "The dramatic increase in brain microplastic concentrations over just eight years, from 2016 to 2024, is particularly alarming," said Dr Nicholas Fabiano from the University of Ottawa's Department of Psychiatry and lead author of the commentary. "This rise mirrors the exponential increase we're seeing in environmental microplastic levels,' he mentioned. Of particular concern are particles smaller than 200 nanometers, predominantly composed of polyethylene, which show notable deposition in cerebrovascular walls and immune cells. This size allows them to potentially cross the blood-brain barrier, raising questions about their role in neurological conditions. The commentary said that switching from bottled to filtered tap water alone could reduce microplastic intake from 90,000 to 4,000 particles per year. "Bottled water alone can expose people to nearly as many microplastic particles annually as all ingested and inhaled sources combined," said Dr Brandon Luu, an Internal Medicine Resident at the University of Toronto. Switching to tap water could reduce this exposure by almost 90 per cent, making it one of the simplest ways to cut down on microplastic intake. Other significant sources include plastic tea bags, which can release millions of micro and nano-sized particles per brewing session. Heating food in plastic containers — especially in the microwave — can release substantial amounts of microplastics and nanoplastics, said researchers. "Avoiding plastic food storage and using glass or stainless-steel alternatives is a small but meaningful step in limiting exposure. While these changes make sense, we still need research to confirm whether lowering intake leads to reduced accumulation in human tissues,' said Dr Luu. Sign up for the Daily Briefing Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Most human brains now contain a spoonful of dementia-linked plastics
Scientists have found "alarming" evidence that microplastics not only get into the human brain but could be contributing to the onset of dementia and other neurological diseases. "Human brains contain approximately a spoon's worth of microplastics and nanoplastics, with levels 3-5 times higher in individuals with documented dementia diagnoses," University of Ottawa researchers said in the science journal Brain Medicine. The Canada-based researchers' warning followed "groundbreaking" work by a University of New Mexico-led team which found microplastics and nanoplastics [MNP] to be making a beeline for the brain ahead of other organs. Concentrations in normal brain samples from deceased people are 7–30 times greater than the concentrations seen in livers or kidneys, while brain samples from dementia cases show even greater presence of plastic particles, the team said in a paper published by Nature Medicine in February. Other recently-published research has warned of microplastics and nanoplastics getting into the human body through sweat and of the particles being found in male genitalia as well as being passed from pregnant woman to unborn child. "The dramatic increase in brain microplastic concentrations over just eight years, from 2016 to 2024, is particularly alarming," said Nicholas Fabiano of the University of Ottawa's Department of Psychiatry. The surge in warnings about the health threats posed by microplastics and nanoplastics have tracked the rising anger over plastic pollution, vast quantities of which has ended up in lakes, rivers, seas and oceans. Despite efforts to restrict the use of plastics through measures such as requiring paper straws, European countries and Japan have been accused in turn of shipping plastic waste to South-east Asia following the imposition of curbs and strict recycling rules at home. "This rise [of microplastics in the human body] mirrors the exponential increase we're seeing in environmental microplastic levels," said Fabiano.
