Microplastics Affect Athletic Training

After posting my article on microplastics yesterday, I received a number of questions on whether or not microplastics can affect athletic performance. The answer is ABSOLUTELY.

Among other things, microplastics kick-start the inflammatory process in our bodies. As you all know, inflammation significantly impairs athletic performance by increasing muscle soreness, slowing recovery, reducing endurance, and decreasing overall physical efficiency.

Microplastics kick start several processes in our bodies: immune cell activation, oxidative stress, and toxic chemical exposure, all of which contribute to an overall inflammatory response.

Microplastics trigger an inflammatory response primarily through their interaction with the immune system. When microplastics enter the body via ingestion (bottled water and food packaging), inhalation, or even through the skin (showering), our bodies recognize them as foreign particles. The immune system kicks into gear by activating macrophages and neutrophils, key immune cells, to engulf and try to break down the microplastics. This process leads to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, signaling molecules that promote even more inflammation.

Microplastics also generate oxidative stress by inducing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS damages cells and tissues, which leads to even more inflammation. The release of danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), cellular stress signals, triggers the immune system’s response by activating pathways like toll-like receptors (TLRs), which are involved in recognizing harmful substances.

Finally, these studies also show that the surface of microplastics carries toxic chemicals and pollutants that cause even more inflammatory responses. The persistent presence of microplastics in tissues leads to chronic inflammation, which is linked to longer-term health issues, including cardiovascular diseases and even cancer.