Did you know that chronic symptoms may be linked to exposure to tiny plastics in our environment? Microplastics can potentially impair  optimal health outcomes – but our Toronto area functional medicine clinic can help explore this for your wellness needs. 

Microplastics are less than 5mm in size and tend to ‘chip off’ plastic items. Though lab technology has dramatically advanced through the years, “The study of whether and how microplastics … pose threats to human health is still in its infancy.” However, what scientists have exposed over the last 10 years is alarming. 

Some of these plastics are not biodegradable, which means digestive enzymes cannot break these down in the human body. Over time, microplastics can accumulate in human tissues and organs, possibly forming or worsening gut dysbiosis, chronic conditions, whole-body inflammation and sleep issues. 

Our functional medicine in Toronto lists key points about these miniscule materials, ways to reduce your exposures to them, and how personalized integrative medicine services may be beneficial for your needs. 

What exactly are microplastics?

• • Microplastics are derived from various manufactured products, such as clothing, personal care products, paint, soil, food and beverage packages, and more. There are several types, and some include: 
    • Foam pieces from materials used for making food containers and cups. 
    • Microbeads, which are degraded materials from the packages of toiletries. 
    • Microfibres from fleece products. 
  • Along with being inhaled and ingested, studies have shown that these toxins can be absorbed through the skin. This may be due to the use of certain cosmetics, skin care and fabrics. 
  • Labs have shown that the toxic load of microplastics can cause DNA damage, excessive inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. They may contribute to infertility, heart disease and cancers, too. 
  • These unwanted materials can also cause oxidative stress, which may trigger premature aging of the mind and body. 
  • Microplastics may lead to leaky gut syndrome and dysbiosis, thereby hindering digestion, immune health, and metabolic processes. 
  • They may cause hormonal imbalances. According to a discussion from Yonsei Medical Journal, microplastics can rouse the release of endocrine disrupting chemicals when they enter the body.
  • Furthermore, these materials are detrimental to our planet! “Recent studies suggest that polar sea ice could be a sink for microplastics. As the planet warms and the sea ice melts, these microplastics could be released into the environment,” explains Parks Canada. 

Tips for lessening exposures

So, can we completely avoid microplastics? The answer is complicated – after all, these can be easily inhaled, absorbed, or consumed through food and water, and they’re also lurking in soils, sewage, and industrial settings. However, you can make lifestyle modifications to reduce your personal exposures. Here are some tips: 

• • Use stainless steel water bottles instead of drinking from plastic bottles. If you’re heating up lunches at work, refrain from heating them in plastic containers, as microplastics can leach into your food when heated. 
  • Some processed foods are packaged in plastics. Instead of choosing these, try preparing your own dishes. (Don’t have time to cook? Try to devote a non-work day to ‘batch cooking’.)
  • Use an air purifier inside your home.
  • Opt into natural fibres for clothing and blankets (i.e. hemp and cotton). Forgo polyester items because they can contain traces of microplastics. 
  • Do your part to save our planet! Recycle and properly toss out waste. “Worldwide, roughly 90 per cent of new plastic products are made from fossil fuels. Recycling 1 tonne of plastic prevents up to 2 tonnes of carbon pollution,” says Parks Canada. 

If you’re struggling with chronic fatigue, low mood (i.e. persistent sadness), or cognitive decline concerns, have you considered a customized treatment plan? The Toronto Functional Medicine Centre offers personalized integrative medicine services that may address underlying health concerns, such as overexposures to heavy metals and microplastics. Read about our clinical care below.

Suggested reading: Alleviating Insomnia with Functional Medicine and IV Therapy Toronto Strategies

How we apply the functional medicine approach to your health

The functional medicine model is a formal health paradigm that recognizes individuality. This is what our clinicians adhere to and how we modify strategies for your needs! 

All of our treatment modalities, including herbal medicine and nutrient infusions, are adapted using functional medicine. Your treatment plan may contain a plethora of strategies, such as integrating Western medicine with natural therapies (i.e. botanical supplementation, holistic nutrition, naturopathic medicine and homeopathic medicine), nutrient injections, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and more. As our naturopathic doctor is proficient in pharmacognosy, we can carefully combine natural and conventional medicine without causing medication interactions. 

Your first appointment with us involves getting a detailed understanding of your biology, entailing a thorough discussion on medical history, genetics, lifestyle and environmental factors, daily diet, etc. We may also run functional medicine laboratory testing; if your concerns include microplastics, we can suggest key tests to help detect your exposures. The results from these lab tests help us tailor your treatment plan, especially for prescribing doses of herbal supplementation and IV nutrient dosages. 

If you’ve been prescribed intravenous therapy from our clinicians, these drips can be administered in our IV Lounge. When these treatments are combined with additional functional medicine therapies and healthy lifestyle habits, they may contribute to health promotion. IV sessions are vigilantly supervised by our team of naturopathic doctors, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses. 

If you suspect that unhealthy lifestyle choices have affected your wellness, we’re here to help! We’re welcoming new patients who are committed to making lifestyle modifications. Request your Toronto functional medicine consultation by clicking here. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

 

References

Bhuyan, M. S. (2022). Effects of Microplastics on Fish and in Human Health. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10, 827289. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.827289

Bora SS, Gogoi R, Sharma MR, Anshu, Borah MP, Deka P, Bora J, Naorem RS, Das J, Teli AB. Microplastics and human health: unveiling the gut microbiome disruption and chronic disease risks. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2024 Nov 25;14:1492759. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1492759. PMID: 39669275; PMCID: PMC11635378.

Emenike EC, Okorie CJ, Ojeyemi T, Egbemhenghe A, Iwuozor KO, Saliu OD, Okoro HK, Adeniyi AG. From oceans to dinner plates: The impact of microplastics on human health. Heliyon. 2023 Sep 26;9(10):e20440. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20440. PMID: 37790970; PMCID: PMC10543225.

Ghosh, S., Sinha, J. K., Ghosh, S., Vashisth, K., Han, S., & Bhaskar, R. (2023). Microplastics as an Emerging Threat to the Global Environment and Human Health. Sustainability, 15(14), 10821. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151410821

Jayavel, S., Govindaraju, B., Michael, J. R., & Viswanathan, B. (2024). Impacts of micro and nanoplastics on human health. Bulletin of the National Research Centre, 48(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-024-01268-1

Kadac-Czapska, K., Ośko, J., Knez, E., & Grembecka, M. (2024). Microplastics and Oxidative Stress—Current Problems and Prospects. Antioxidants, 13(5), 579. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13050579

Kannan, K., & Vimalkumar, K. (2021). A Review of Human Exposure to Microplastics and Insights Into Microplastics as Obesogens. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 12, 724989. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.724989

Lee Y, Cho J, Sohn J, Kim C. Health Effects of Microplastic Exposures: Current Issues and Perspectives in South Korea. Yonsei Med J. 2023 May;64(5):301-308. doi: 10.3349/ymj.2023.0048. PMID: 37114632; PMCID: PMC10151227.

Li, Y., Chen, L., Zhou, N., Chen, Y., Ling, Z., & Xiang, P. (2024). Microplastics in the human body: A comprehensive review of exposure, distribution, migration mechanisms, and toxicity. Science of The Total Environment, 946, 174215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174215

Li Y, Tao L, Wang Q, Wang F, Li G, Song M. Potential Health Impact of Microplastics: A Review of Environmental Distribution, Human Exposure, and Toxic Effects. Environ Health (Wash). 2023 Aug 10;1(4):249-257. doi: 10.1021/envhealth.3c00052. PMID: 39474495; PMCID: PMC11504192.

“Microplastics: more than a drop in the ocean” from Parks Canada, Government of Canada, published May 23, 2024, viewed on April 28, 2025.  

Winiarska, E., Jutel, M., & Zemelka-Wiacek, M. (2024). The potential impact of nano- and microplastics on human health: Understanding human health risks. Environmental Research, 251, 118535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2024.118535

Yang B, Han Y, Hu S, Xie X, Zhu X, Yuan L. Polystyrene microplastics induce depression-like behavior in zebrafish via neuroinflammation and circadian rhythm disruption. Sci Total Environ. 2025 Jan 10;959:178085. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.178085. Epub 2024 Dec 20. PMID: 39708463.