This New Invention Blocks Microplastics
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Microplastics bind to the gut in a tug-of-war; filling the microbe wins to get pooped out. Tens of trillions of particles float through a liter. What the parent does affects grandchildren almost directly. Everyone has plastic exposure at baseline. Immune cells step on a Lego piece, screaming inflammation into blood vessels. How to dissolve plastics within the human body?
Host excited but scared about microplastics everywhere in environment and bodies, damaging health. Impossible to avoid. Discovered Dr. Matthew Dunn's work at Winnow Labs; now involved in the company for its innovative solution.
Dr. Matthew Dunn: PhD in molecular biology and biochemistry from Arizona State University. Worked in biotechnology and health: precision fermentation, modifying ruminant microbiomes. Now focuses on microplastics in food, water, bodies.
Paper in New England Journal of Medicine: microplastics associated with 350% increase in cardiovascular events (hazard ratio 4.53). Studied patients undergoing artery procedures; 58% had microplastics. Followed for increased risk.
Additional findings: increased inflammatory markers/cytokines; electron microscopy showed microplastics jammed in immune cells irritating them.
Echoes signals in reproductive health, liver, kidney, gastrointestinal health, clotting time. Feedback: correlative, not causal. Takes years for striking correlative data; even smoking remains correlative.
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