Scientists talked about the effect of microplastics on bone health

Microplastics, which end up in the environment due to the production of more than 400 million tons of plastic per year, have not only visible environmental consequences, but also affect human health. In addition to the fact that microplastics pollute water, air, and food, studies have shown that they can enter the blood, brain, placenta, breast milk, and even human bone tissue. This was reported in the journal Medical Xpress.

A recent study reviewed more than 60 scientific articles and revealed that microplastics affect bone health in various ways. One of the notable factors is the ability of microplastics to disrupt the function of bone marrow stem cells, contributing to the formation of osteoclasts, cells that destroy bone tissue through the process of resorption.

"The effect of microplastics on bones is the subject of scientific research and is not insignificant. For example, experiments with bone cells have shown that microplastics impair cell viability, accelerate cell aging, alter their differentiation, and cause inflammation," said Rodrigo Bueno de Oliveira, coordinator of the Laboratory of Mineralogy and Bone Research at the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Campinas (FCM—UNICAMP) in Brazil.

Oliveira said that although the effect of microplastics on the mechanical properties of bones has not yet been fully studied, the data show that the presence of these particles in the blood can negatively affect bone health.

In their next research paper, Oliveira's team plans to test in practice the hypothesis of a link between microplastic exposure and worsening metabolic bone diseases. According to the International Osteoporosis Association (IOF), the incidence of osteoporosis-related fractures increases with age. The number of such fractures is expected to increase by 32% by 2050.

"Improving the quality of life and reducing the risk of bone complications such as fractures is a priority in healthcare. We already know that practices such as physical activity, balanced nutrition, and pharmacological medications contribute significantly to this," Oliveira said.

On August 19, Oles Tikhonov, an orthopedic traumatologist and head of the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics at the MedSwiss network of medical centers, said that for joint health, foods such as mackerel, almonds, strawberries, olive oil and broccoli should be in the diet. According to him, salmon, sardines, and herring are among the main sources of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory effects.

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