Microplastics Are Linked to Heart Disease - Here’s How to Lower Your Risk

by Dr. Nick Zyrowski September 29, 2025

Tiny yet treacherous, microplastics have infiltrated nearly every corner of our environment and, increasingly, our bodies. These microscopic fragments come from plastics used in packaging, clothing, cosmetics, and more. We now know they’re not just floating in oceans or polluting the soil—they’re showing up in human blood, tissues, and even vital organs like the brain and kidneys. In fact, one study published in 2019 found that the average person may ingest roughly the equivalent of one credit card's worth of microplastics per week, approximately 5 grams, primarily through contaminated water and food.

Emerging research reveals that these invisible invaders are more than a nuisance; they may be quietly fueling some of today’s most dangerous health challenges, including heart disease, stroke, and even premature death.

How Microplastics Harm the Body

Microplastics enter the body through food, water, air, and skin contact. A 2024 study published in The Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed that microplastics can damage blood vessels, trigger clotting, and promote chronic inflammation—three major risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Another study in The New EnglandJournal of Medicine found that patients with microplastics lodged in their carotid artery plaques had a significantly higher risk of stroke, heart attack, and death compared to those without detectable microplastics.

Why are these fragments so harmful?

  • They accumulate in tissues. Autopsy studies show microplastics in the thyroid, kidneys, and brain. Unlike many toxins, they’re not easily eliminated.
  • They disrupt hormones. Many plastics contain chemicals like BPA and phthalates, known endocrine disruptors that interfere with hormonal balance.
  • They fuel inflammation. When microplastics build up between cells, they can block communication, confuse immune defenses, and set off chronic inflammation—key drivers of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular decline.

Put simply: microplastics don’t just pass through us—they can lodge deep within, creating ongoing cellular stress.

Why Cellular Detox May Be the Key

If microplastics and their toxic additives can persist in tissues, the solution must go deeper than a juice cleanse or liver flush. That’s where cellular detoxification comes in.

Cellular detox focuses on cleansing and repairing the body at the cellular level, where toxins accumulate and interfere with energy production, signaling, and healing. Unlike surface-level cleanses, cellular detox aims to:

  • Open detox pathways in the liver, kidneys, and gut for safe elimination.
  • Support mitochondria (your cells’ energy engines) so they can repair damage.
  • Use targeted binders capable of crossing biological barriers, pulling out stubborn toxins from tissues and even the brain.

Programs like the True Cellular Detox: 90 Day Detox Kitmove in phases: preparing detox pathways, deeply cleansing the body, and finally targeting the brain and nervous system where many of these toxins hide. By reducing systemic inflammation and clearing pollutants at their root, cellular detox helps restore the body’s natural defenses against cardiovascular stress.

Practical Steps to Protect Your Heart

While you can’t completely avoid microplastics, you can lower your exposure and support your body’s ability to heal:

Choose clean personal care products. Many cosmetics and lotions contain plastics and endocrine disruptors. Switch to natural alternatives. EWG has a databasewhich makes a great tool to help find pure products.

Eat an anti-inflammatory diet. Focus on whole, organic foods that fight inflammation while limiting processed oils and packaged goods. We recommend the Heal Yourself Diet.

Filter your water. Tap and bottled water can both contain microplastics. Use high-quality filters or distilled water stored in glass or stainless steel.

Support gut health. A strong gut barrier helps defend against toxins and inflammation. Probiotics and fiber-rich foods are key.

Work with a practitioner. A guided cellular detox program ensures safe, effective removal of deep-seated toxins like microplastics, heavy metals, and pesticides.

The Bottom Line

Microplastics may be small, but their impact on human health—especially cardiovascular health—is anything but. The science is clear: they can lodge in tissues, disrupt immunity, and significantly increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

The hopeful news is that cellular detox offers a path forward. By targeting toxins at the cellular level and restoring natural detox pathways, you can reduce your toxic burden, lower inflammation, and protect your heart for the long run.

If you’ve been worried about microplastics, now is the time to take action. Supporting your body with a true cellular detox program may be one of the most powerful ways to reverse the damage and reclaim vibrant health.

Dr. Nick Zyrowski
Dr. Nick Zyrowski