From Microplastic to Prevention: Detox with Nature’s Tools

Microplastics - Meet Your Match!

A Deep Dive into Fiber, Beta-Glucans, Herbs, Binders, and Probiotics That Help Remove Microplastics from the Body

Researched and written by Keith Bishop, Clinical Nutritionist, Cancer Coach, Retired Pharmacist, and Founder of Prevail Over Cancer.

Microplastics: The Invisible Threat Inside Us

Microplastics—tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size—are no longer just an environmental concern. They’ve infiltrated our food, water, air, and even our bodies. Recent studies estimate that the average person consumes tens of thousands of microplastic particles annually, with some estimates reaching over 100,000 particles per year through food and beverages alone.

These particles don’t just pass through harmlessly. Research shows they can:[i]

• Cross the intestinal barrier into the body
• Trigger chronic inflammation
• Disrupt hormonal signaling
• Generate oxidative stress
• Potentially contribute to carcinogenesis through DNA damage and immune dysregulation

Fiber: The First Line of Defense Against Microplastics

While the body lacks a built-in mechanism to selectively eliminate microplastics, dietary fiber may offer a robust, natural defense. Fiber—especially insoluble types like cellulose and lignin—acts like a broom in the digestive tract, binding to foreign particles and promoting their excretion.

Fibers Mechanisms of Action Against Microplastics[ii]

• Physical binding: Insoluble fiber can trap microplastics and reduce mucosal contact.
• Accelerated transit: Fiber speeds up gut motility, shortening the time microplastics remain in the GI tract.
• Barrier protection: Soluble fiber supports microbial fermentation and strengthens the gut lining, reducing permeability.
• Microbiome modulation: A diverse microbiota may help metabolize or sequester environmental toxins.

Fiber and Cancer Risk Reduction

Microplastics have been implicated in gut dysbiosis, immune activation, and epithelial damage—all of which are known contributors to cancer development. Fiber, on the other hand, has long been associated with reduced risk of colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers.[iii]

Key Benefits:

• Binds carcinogens (e.g., bile acids, xenobiotics, and potentially microplastics)
• Feeds beneficial bacteria that produce anti-inflammatory short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)
• Reduces systemic inflammation, a known driver of tumorigenesis

Best Anti-cancer Fiber Sources for Microplastic Defense

Learn How to Select a Quality Dietary Supplement

Herbs That Mobilize and Bind Microplastics

Websites and people often claim that nature offers potent plant allies that support detoxification and reduce microplastic toxicity. At the time of publication, there are no published human clinical trials or mechanistic studies that directly demonstrate Chlorella, Spirulina, Cilantro, Milk Thistle, or Dandelion Root removing microplastics or BPA from the human body. I will update this blog when research becomes available. 

1. Chlorella (Chlorella vulgaris)

• No research at the time of publication of this blog
• Reduces dioxin and PCB’s in human breast milk[iv]
• Supports liver detox and immune defense

• Rich in chlorophyll and antioxidants
  
  

2. Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis)

• No research at the time of publication of this blog
• Protects mitochondria and gut lining
• Reduces oxidative stress from microplastic exposure
• High in phycocyanin and beta-carotene
  
  

3. Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)

• No research at time of publication of this blog
• Mobilizes heavy metals and plastic residues
• Enhances bile flow and liver detox enzymes
  
  

4. Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)

• No research at time of publication of this blog
• Does help repair liver damage after BPA exposure[v]
• Reduces kidney damage from BPA exposure[vi]
• Contains silymarin, a potent liver protectant
• Supports glutathione production and phase II detox
  
  

5. Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale)

• No research at time of publication of this blog
• Diuretic and liver-supportive
• Enhances elimination through kidneys and bile
  
  

Beta-Glucans: Immune-Modulating Binders

Beta-glucans are polysaccharides found in mushrooms, oats, and yeast that:

• No research at the time of publication of this blog.
• Enhance macrophage activity and immune surveillance
• Bind to toxins and plastic residues
• Support gut barrier integrity and reduce inflammation

Intestinal Binders and Microplastics

❌ No Direct Evidence for Zeolite and Bentonite Clay Microplastic Detox

Zeolite and bentonite clay can bind microplastics in water filtering and manufacturing processes. At the time of publication of this blog, neither zeolite nor bentonite clay has been shown in human or animal studies to:

• Bind or reduce absorption of microplastics or nanoplastics
• Remove plastic particles from tissues or circulation

❌ No Direct Evidence for Activated Charcoal in removing microplastics or nanoplastics.

•  No studies show activated charcoal binding microplastics or nanoplastics in vivo
• No evidence it reduces BPA levels in blood, tissues, or stool
• No clinical trials have measured plastic load reduction following charcoal supplementation

Tudca for Microplastics

While no studies show TUDCA directly removing microplastics or BPA from the body, its cellular protective effects may support detox pathways and gut integrity in toxin-exposed individuals.

🧠 TUDCA and Environmental Toxin Resilience: What the Science Shows

• TUDCA is a bile acid derivative known for reducing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, protecting mitochondria, and modulating inflammation.
• Though no studies confirm TUDCA removes microplastics, nanoplastics, or BPA, it may help mitigate cellular damage caused by these exposures.

✅ Key Mechanisms Supported by Research

• Reduces ER stress and improves insulin clearance[vii]
• TUDCA enhances insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) expression, which may support metabolic resilience in toxin-exposed tissues.
• Protects against age-related metabolic dysfunction[viii]
• In aged mice, TUDCA reduced hyperinsulinemia and improved glucose homeostasis—suggesting systemic anti-inflammatory and detox-supportive effects.
• Supports liver and gut barrier function[ix]
• TUDCA has been shown to reduce intestinal permeability in models of toxin-induced injury, which may help limit the absorption of harmful compounds like microplastics into the body.

❌ What TUDCA Has Not Been Shown to Do

• It does not bind or eliminate microplastics, BPA, or phthalates from the body.
• No clinical trials have measured plastic load reduction following TUDCA supplementation.

Tudca and Microplastics Clinical Implication

TUDCA may serve as a supportive agent in environmental health protocols by:

• Enhancing cellular resilience to oxidative and inflammatory stress
• Supporting gut and liver integrity in toxin-exposed individuals
• Acting as an adjunct to fiber, probiotics, and antioxidant compounds in broader detox strategies

Fermented Foods and Microplastics

Fermented foods may offer a promising, though indirect, defense against the absorption and retention of microplastics in the human body. Rich in probiotics and bioactive compounds, fermented foods like kimchi, kefir, sauerkraut, and miso help strengthen the gut barrier and enhance microbial diversity—two key factors in limiting the translocation of microplastics across the intestinal wall.

A 2021 dietary intervention study published in Nature Medicine found that a high-fermented-food diet significantly increased microbial diversity and reduced markers of inflammation, suggesting improved gut resilience and immune modulation that could help mitigate the effects of environmental toxins like microplastics.[x]

While no current studies directly show fermented foods eliminating microplastics, their role in fortifying gut integrity and supporting detoxification pathways positions them as valuable allies in environmental health protocols.

Probiotics That Support Gut Health and May Mitigate Microplastic Absorption

• No probiotic strain has been clinically proven to remove microplastics from the body, but several show promise in protecting gut integrity and reducing inflammation caused by environmental toxins.

✅ Key Probiotic Strains

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus[xi]
• Strengthens gut barrier function and reduces intestinal permeability
• May help prevent microplastic translocation into circulation
• Bifidobacterium longum[xii]
• Enhances epithelial resilience and short-chain fatty acid production
• Supports microbial diversity disrupted by toxin exposure
• Limosilactobacillus reuteri (formerly Lactobacillus reuteri)[xiii]
• Reduces inflammation and restores microbiome balance
• Shown to improve epithelial resilience in toxin-exposed models 

Why Probiotics Matter

• These strains may help:
• Reinforce gut barrier integrity, limiting microplastic absorption
• Modulate immune responses triggered by plastic exposure
• Support detox pathways through microbial resilience and SCFA production

Clinical Implications for Microplastics Detoxification       

For clinicians, educators, and the public, this emerging science offers a new lens on fiber—not just as a digestive aid, but as a frontline defense against environmental toxicity. Consider integrating the following into protocols:

• Daily fiber goal: 25–35g/day from whole foods
• Seed blends: Chia + pumpkin + flax + psyllium for optimal binding and motility
• Microbiome support: Prebiotic-rich foods and fermented vegetables
• Avoid plastic containers and bottles
• Avoid ultra-processed foods and takeout or delivered foods: These often come in plastic and contain microplastic residues and lack fiber

Final Microplastic Detoxification Takeaway

Fiber isn’t just about “regularity.” It’s a biological shield—protecting the gut, supporting detoxification, and potentially reducing cancer risk in a world increasingly contaminated by microplastics.

As research evolves, one thing is clear: nutrition is environmental medicine, and fiber is one of its most powerful tools.

Reference Sources

[i] Shukla, S., Khan, R., Saxena, A., & Sekar, S. (2022). Microplastics from face masks: A potential hazard post Covid-19 pandemic. Chemosphere, 302, 134805. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134805  

[ii] Ortiz, P., Cerk, K., Ampatzoglou, A., & Aguilera, M. (2022). Impact of Cumulative Environmental and Dietary Xenobiotics on Human Microbiota: Risk Assessment for One Health. Journal of Xenobiotics, 12(1), 56-63. https://doi.org/10.3390/jox12010006

[iii] Makki K, Deehan EC, Walter J, Bäckhed F. The Impact of Dietary Fiber on Gut Microbiota in Host Health and Disease. Cell Host & Microbe. 2018;23(6):705-715. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2018.05.012 

[iv] Sathyanarayana, S., Alcedo, G., Saelens, B. E., Zhou, C., Dills, R. L., Yu, J., & Lanphear, B. (2013). Unexpected results in a randomized dietary trial to reduce phthalate and bisphenol A exposures. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, 23(4), 378-384. https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2013.9

[v] Zaulet, M., Maria Kevorkian, S. E., Dinescu, S., Cotoraci, C., Suciu, M., Herman, H., Buburuzan, L., Badulescu, L., Ardelean, A., & Hermenean, A. (2017). Protective effects of silymarin against bisphenol A-induced hepatotoxicity in mouse liver. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 13(3), 821. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2017.4066  

[vi] Akhigbe, R. E., Adekunle, A. O., Ajao, M. D., Sunmola, T. A., Aboyeji, D. O., Adegbola, C. A., Oladipo, A. A., & Akhigbe, T. M. (2025). Silymarin attenuates post-weaning bisphenol A-induced renal injury by suppressing ferroptosis and amyloidosis through Kim-1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling modulation in male Wistar rats. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 758, 151668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2025.151668

[vii] Bile acid TUDCA improves insulin clearance by increasing the expression of insulin-degrading enzyme in the liver of obese mice. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-13974-0.pdf

[viii] The bile acid TUDCA reduces age‑related hyperinsulinemia in mice https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-26915-3.pdf

[ix] Tauroursodeoxycholic acid inhibits experimental colitis by preventing early intestinal epithelial cell death https://www.nature.com/articles/labinvest2014117.pdf

[x] (2021). Health benefits of fermented foods. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41591-021-00053-1

[xi] Sanders, M.E., Merenstein, D.J., Reid, G. et al. Probiotics and prebiotics in intestinal health and disease: from biology to the clinic. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 16, 605–616 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41575-019-0173-3

[xii] Exploring links between probiotics and reducing obesity. Nature.com. Published 2023. Accessed August 25, 2025. https://www.nature.com/articles/d42473-023-00169-7

[xiii] Harnessing dual-channel probiotics to synergistically correct intestinal and vaginal dysbiosis after antibiotic disruption. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41522-025-00813-8.pdf