Those increases in M/F infertility and young adult cancers?
The answer may be lurking in your kitchen and closet. Here are some tips.
One of the many conflicting defaults between Boomers and Millennials is Boomers’ post-WWII cry of “better living through chemistry” versus Millennials going whole foods, wood, and natural. Those same Millennials are experiencing record infertility—both male and female—that could well be rooted in their childhood growing up with Boomer parents. And some cancers—like colon—are notoriously showing up in much younger adults than we’ve seen before.
Millennials are winning the contest on this one. New research is increasingly pinpointing the role of microplastics in diseases ranging from infertility to cancer to cardiovascular disease. We’re well past the “maybe” stage. If you aren’t getting wary of plastic, you probably should be. There are seven types of plastics. (I know, I’m groaning, too. I hated chemistry.) Here’s a primer on which are less dangerous than others.
Ways to cut back on omnipresent microplastics:
Rethink that container cupboard: don’t just sort it—get rid of as much as you can. Glass or steel anywhere possible
Avoid microwaving in plastic, and definitely don’t reuse plastic take-out containers. Heat releases microplastics, so the dishwasher is a bad idea, too. Use plastic for non-food storage.
Look around the car: think water bottles.
Natural fabrics—silk, cotton, wool—don’t shed microfibers when washed. Polyester and nylon do.
Fresh, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dried legumes, fresh fish, poultry, meat, nuts, and seeds are generally lower in microplastics.