microplastics: A Hidden Threat to Bone Health, New research Suggests
By Dr. Michael Lee, World-Today-News.com – November 2,2023
Our reliance on plastic – a staggering 400 million tons produced and used globally each year - is well-known for its devastating impact on the habitat. From choking our oceans to contributing significantly to climate change (estimated at 1.8 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually), the consequences are visible and far-reaching. But a growing body of scientific evidence now points to a more insidious threat: the impact of microplastics on human health,specifically,our bone health.
These microscopic particles aren’t just polluting our ecosystems; they’re infiltrating our bodies. Released from everyday items like clothing, furniture, and even curtains, microplastics are becoming ubiquitous - suspended in the air we breathe, dissolving into our drinking water, and adhering to the food we eat. Alarmingly, they’ve already been detected in human blood, brains, placentas, breast milk, and, most recently, within our bones themselves.
A thorough review of 62 scientific articles, published in the journal Osteoporosis International and supported by research from the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), reveals a concerning link between microplastic exposure and compromised bone health. The study highlights the ability of these particles to disrupt the function of bone marrow stem cells, triggering the formation of osteoclasts – cells responsible for breaking down bone tissue.
“The potential impact of microplastics on bones is not negligible and is the subject of ongoing scientific investigation,” explains Rodrigo Bueno de Oliveira, coordinator of the Laboratory for Mineral and Bone Studies in Nephrology (LEMON) at the Faculty of Medical sciences of the State University of Campinas (FCM-UNICAMP) in Brazil. “In vitro studies demonstrate that microplastics impair cell viability, accelerate aging, promote inflammation, and alter cell differentiation within bone tissue.”
Animal studies further corroborate these findings, showing that accelerated osteoclast activity can lead to bone weakening, deformities, and an increased risk of pathological fractures. Researchers observed a concerning disruption of skeletal growth in animal models exposed to microplastics.While the precise mechanisms are still being investigated, the data strongly suggest that the presence of microplastics in the bloodstream can negatively affect bone health, potentially reaching and disrupting metabolism within the bone marrow itself.
looking Ahead: Connecting Microplastics to Osteoporosis
Driven by these findings, Oliveira’s team is launching a new research project to directly investigate the relationship between microplastic exposure and the advancement of metabolic bone diseases. Using animal models, they will assess the impact of microplastics on the strength of rodent femurs, aiming to establish a concrete link between exposure and bone fragility.
This research is particularly timely given the global rise in osteoporosis-related fractures, a trend projected to increase by 32% by 2050 due to an aging population, according to the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF).
“Improving quality of life and reducing the risk of bone complications like fractures is a healthcare priority,” says Oliveira. “While we understand the role of exercise, diet, and medication in bone health, there’s a critical gap in our knowledge regarding the influence of microplastics. Our goal is to generate evidence suggesting that microplastics could be a controllable environmental factor contributing to the projected increase in bone fractures.”
This emerging research underscores the urgent need to