Microplastics Shorten Lifespan — These Probiotics Help Remove them From the Body
by Nils Osmar
- © Nils Osmar 2025. September 10, 2025
- Portions of this article researched and/or co-written by: Claude.ai
- This post is not intended as, and should not be taken as, medical advice.
- See full Medical Disclaimer
A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine delivered some disturbing news about microplastics. Researchers analyzed patients undergoing surgery to remove plaque from their carotid arteries and discovered something alarming: those with microplastics in their plaque had a 4.5 times higher risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or dying from any cause over the next 34 months, compared to those with lower levels of microplastics.
But here’s some encouraging news: while it’s crucial to avoid microplastic exposure as much as possible, a January 2025 study found that there may actually be ways to help remove at least some of these contaminants from our bodies. The study screened 784 different bacterial strains to find which ones could best tackle microplastic particles.
The Study:
- “Novel probiotics adsorbing and excreting microplastics in vivo show potential gut health benefits“
- Authors: Teng, Zhang, and Rao
- Publication: Frontiers in Microbiology, Volume 15 – 2024 (published January 10, 2025)
- DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1522794
This comprehensive study screened 784 bacterial strains using a high-throughput screening method to assess their ability to adsorb 0.1 μm polystyrene particles. Among all the tested strains, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei DT66 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DT88 exhibited optimal adsorption in vitro and were effective across various microplastic types FrontiersPubMed Central.
The research was found that 87 strains had an adsorption ratio greater than 60%, with Lacticaseibacillus paracasei DT66 achieving 71.4% and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DT88 achieving 79.8% adsorption rates Frontiers | Novel probiotics adsorbing and excreting microplastics in vivo show potential gut health benefits.
The Winners…
… were two specific probiotic strains that showed remarkable effectiveness::
- Lacticaseibacillus paracasei DT66 – achieved a 71.4% microplastic adsorption rate
- Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DT88 – achieved an even higher 79.8% adsorption rate
When tested in mice, these probiotics delivered impressive results: a 34% increase in microplastic excretion rates and up to a 67% reduction in residual microplastic particles remaining in the intestine. Even more encouraging, the L. plantarum DT88 strain specifically helped reduce the intestinal inflammation caused by microplastic exposure.
How These Probiotics Work
One way I like to think of them is as tiny cleanup crews working inside our guts. Here’s what they do:
- Physical Binding: These probiotic strains literally attach themselves to microplastic particles floating around in your digestive system. Under the microscope, researchers observed the bacteria becoming completely covered with plastic particles, forming clumps that can be more easily eliminated.
- Enhanced Elimination: By binding to the microplastics, the probiotics help escort them out of your body through natural elimination processes, significantly increasing excretion rates.
- Inflammation Reduction: Beyond just removing the particles, these probiotics help calm the inflammatory response that microplastics trigger in your gut, supporting overall intestinal health.
- Gut Barrier Support: They strengthen your intestinal lining, making it more resistant to the damage that microplastics can cause.
Can We Buy Them?
The exact strains tested in this breakthrough study (DT66 and DT88) aren’t yet commercially available. However, the broader bacterial species they belong to are widely available and have their own impressive health benefits.
Kefir, Yogurt and Fermented Vegetables
Kefir: This fermented milk drink is one promising source. Many commercial brands, including Whole Foods’ 365 brand, contain multiple beneficial strains including:
- Lactobacillus plantarum
- Lactobacillus reuteri
- Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (listed as L. paracasei on older labels)
Yogurt: Look for brands that specifically list these strains on their labels. Many artisanal and specialty yogurts contain various Lactobacillus plantarum and paracasei strains.
Fermented Vegetables: Traditional fermented foods often contain naturally occurring L. plantarum strains.
In Supplement Form
- L. reuteri: This is perhaps the most extensively researched, with companies like BioGaia offering products backed by over 250 clinical studies involving 22,000 people. While not specifically tested for microplastic removal, L. reuteri has a unique ability to temporarily colonize key parts of your digestive system and has been shown to break down plastic-related chemicals like BPA.
- L. plantarum: Widely available in supplements, typically in doses ranging from 500 million to 20 billion CFUs daily. This species has a long history of use in food fermentation and has been shown in various studies to bind to microplastics and reduce their toxicity.
- L. paracasei: Available in many probiotic supplements, usually in doses up to 2 billion CFUs daily. Some strains are extensively studied for gut health, immune support, and stress reduction.
Setting Realistic Expectations
We’re still in the early days of understanding how to combat microplastics in our bodies. Most of the research has been done in laboratory settings or with animal models. The specific strains that showed the most promise for microplastic removal aren’t yet readily available to purchase.
However, the broader species these strains belong to are well-established, safe, and offer numerous other health benefits. Think of it as a two-for-one deal: you’re supporting your overall gut health while potentially getting some microplastic protection as a bonus.
The effects are also strain-specific, meaning that just because one strain of L. plantarum removes microplastics doesn’t guarantee that all L. plantarum strains will do the same. But given what we know about how these bacteria work, it’s reasonable to think that related strains might offer similar benefits.
My Personal Approach
I take a couple of probiotics, including L. Reuteri 6471. I also include yogurt and kefir and raw fermented kimchi in my diet. Beyond that, I try to minimize microplastic exposure by:
- Buying products in glass containers whenever possible
- Making my own fermented foods
- Avoiding heating food in plastic containers
- Choosing loose-leaf tea over tea bags (which can release billions of microplastic particles into a single cup of tea)
- Using a water filter that can remove microplastics
- Using air filters in my home (most microplastics are inhaled, coming from the air we breathe, not food)
The Bigger Picture
Could other probiotics help with microplastic removal? The honest answer is we don’t know yet, because only a handful of strains have been tested. But this research opens up an exciting new frontier in both microplastic mitigation and probiotic therapy.
What we do know is that maintaining a healthy, diverse gut microbiome supports your body’s natural detoxification processes. And given that microplastics are now found everywhere – from our bloodstreams to our brains – having multiple strategies to deal with them seems like a smart approach.
The research is still evolving, but for the first time, we have evidence that our gut bacteria might be powerful allies in the fight against microplastic contamination. That’s pretty remarkable when you think about it.
Supporting Your Probiotic Strategy
If you decide to incorporate these probiotics into your routine, remember that they work best when supported by:
- Adequate hydration
- Limiting processed foods
- Managing stress (which can disrupt gut bacteria)
- Avoiding unnecessary antibiotics
Not Medical Advice
This article is not intended as, and should not be taken as, medical advice. I’m not advising that people eat any particular diet or take any particular supplement(s), just reporting on what I’m doing and what the research shows. Supplements, like medications and other interventions, can have side effects; I would encourage people to research both possible benefits and side effects before starting on any supplementation regimen, and consult with a medical professional about any issues which might have a medical component. See full Medical Disclaimer
Other resources
- My Facebook group: Anti-Aging and Life Extension
- My Youtube channel Pathways to Longevity
Not medical advice
This article is not intended as, and should not be taken as, medical advice. I’m not advising that people eat any particular diet or take any particular supplement(s), just reporting on what I’m doing. Supplements, like medications and other interventions, can have side effects; I would encourage people to research both possible benefits and side effects before starting on any supplementation regimen, and consult with a medical professional about any issues which might have a medical component. See full Medical Disclaimer
Other resources
- My Youtube channel Pathways to Longevity
- My Facebook group: Anti-Aging and Life Extension,
