‘Fat Flush’ to excrete toxic plastic particles

Highlights: Fat induced mild diarrhea is a common complication of (high fat) ketogenic diet. One of the expected consequences of such a high fat diet is ‘Fat Flush“ which not only helps to improve constipation, but also to excrete fat soluble toxins including plastic particles.  

Microplastic contamination is increasingly recognized as a significant health concern due to its widespread presence in the environment and its potential to accumulate in the human body. These tiny particles, ingested primarily through contaminated food and water, can lead to metabolic disturbances and inflammation (1).

A promising approach to mitigating the harmful effects of microplastics is enhancing their excretion through dietary fat modifications. Specifically, increasing fecal fat excretion with non-absorbable dietary fats has been shown to enhance the removal of lipophilic pollutants, including microplastics, by disrupting their enterohepatic circulation (2, 3). This “fat-flush” mechanism facilitates the absorption of microplastics and their subsequent excretion, reducing their retention in the body (4).

Studies have detected microplastics in human stool samples, further highlighting their widespread presence in the food chain and their potential health implications (5). Additionally, research indicates that dietary fat can interact with environmental pollutants, potentially altering lipid metabolism gene expression (6).

Non-absorbable fats and fat absorption inhibitors are emerging as potential dietary interventions to lower the body burden of lipophilic contaminants, including microplastics. These interventions offer a promising, practical strategy to combat environmental pollutant exposure and its associated health risks (7).

Summary

Microplastic contamination poses significant health risks due to its ability to accumulate in the body, leading to metabolic disturbances and inflammation. Recent research suggests that dietary modifications, particularly the use of non-absorbable dietary fats, may enhance the excretion of microplastics and other lipophilic contaminants by disrupting their enterohepatic circulation. This “fat-flush” mechanism offers a potential strategy to mitigate the harmful effects of microplastic exposure. Further research into the role of dietary fat in reducing the body burden of environmental pollutants could pave the way for innovative and effective interventions.

Ref:

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2. Meijer L, Hafkamp AM, Bosman WE, Havinga R, Bergman A, Sauer PJ, Verkade HJ. Nonabsorbable dietary fat enhances disposal of 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether in rats through interruption of enterohepatic circulation. J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Aug 23;54(17):6440-4. doi: 10.1021/jf0608827. PMID: 16910742.
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