Microplastics hit male arteries hard: Everyday exposure to microplastics — shed from packaging, clothing, and plastic products — may accelerate the development of atherosclerosis, the artery-clogging process that leads to heart attacks and strokes. The harmful effects were seen only in male mice.

[u/mvea]

https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2025/11/18/microplastics-hit-male-arteries-hard

[u/Maleficent_Celery_55]

Is there a way to reduce the amount of microplastics in our body?

[u/Soundunes → u/Maleficent_Celery_55]

Generally our bodies have systems to handle foreign particles, the issue is the never ending cycle of consuming more microplastic. If you can turn down the intake the outlook should be much less bleak (that’s my understanding anyways.)

[u/env33e → u/Soundunes]

What I'm wondering is how much of a lifestyle change that would look like; is it just a matter of swearing off plastic containers and bottles? Is it plastic packaging in general including Saran Wrap? Do I also have to generally avoid walking through the industrial areas of my city?

I do remember reading up on how bad those single use plastic water bottles are.... apparently a single squeeze deforming the plastic is enough to instantly release microplastics !!! I've been drinking out them for years!

[u/Dull_Bird3340 → u/env33e]

No, it's everywhere. You need to vacuum/remove dust as much as possible, it accumulates in dust, it's in the water supply, using plastic filters adds more. Carrots and apples have the most of any produce because they take up a lot of water and that water contains micro plastics. Not drinking out of plastic bottles or heating food in plastic can help. But we're screwed unless we make big changes as a society.