The Growing Health Problem of Microplastics

Plastics have become an integral part of our modern lives, but they come with a hidden cost. Every year, hundreds of millions of tons of plastic waste are discarded, and over time, these plastics break down into tiny fragments known as microplastics.

What Are Microplastics?

Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters—ranging in size from a pencil eraser to microscopic fragments. The smallest particles pose the greatest risk to human health because they are pervasive and nearly impossible to avoid.

Microplastics are in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. Alarming research shows they are now found in virtually every organ in our bodies—and their effects on our health are concerning.

The Extent of the Problem

Recycling has not been the solution we hoped for. Only about 9% of plastics are recycled. The rest continues to exist indefinitely in our environment, breaking down into microplastics that enter ecosystems—and eventually, our bodies.

Here are some shocking statistics:

• Washing a synthetic shirt releases 700,000 microplastic fibers into wastewater per cycle.

• When cigarettes burn, they release microplastics into the air, adding to the health hazards of smoking.

• Studies estimate that we ingest the equivalent of a credit card’s worth of plastic each week.

• Microplastics have even been found in the placentas of pregnant women, including every Hawaiian mother tested in a recent study.

And the risks don’t stop there.

The Health Impacts of Microplastics

Microplastics have been linked to serious health concerns:

• Heart Disease and Stroke: A March 2024 study in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that heart patients with microplastics in their arterial plaque were 4.5 times more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke than those without microplastics.

• Immune System Damage: Microplastics are toxic to macrophages—immune cells responsible for destroying harmful substances. The more microplastics present, the higher the rate of macrophage death, weakening the immune system.

What Can You Do to Lower Your Risk?

While eliminating microplastics entirely is not yet feasible, there are steps you can take to minimize your exposure:

1. Ditch Bottled Water: Bottled water is the leading source of dietary microplastics. Opt for filtered tap water instead.

2. Choose Glass Over Plastic: Microwave food in glass containers, and store leftovers in glass rather than plastic.

3. Upgrade Your Cutting Boards: Switch from plastic cutting boards to wood. Studies suggest plastic cutting boards expose users to up to 80 million microplastics annually.

4. Opt for Natural Fibers: Reduce your use of synthetic clothing. When you must wash synthetics, use the gentle cycle to minimize fiber shedding.

5. Avoid Single-Use Plastics: Say no to disposable plastics whenever possible. Small changes can add up.

A Call to Action

Until effective solutions for recycling or eliminating microplastics are developed, the best thing you can do is protect yourself and your loved ones. Every step you take toward reducing exposure makes a difference.

Let’s prioritize our health and the health of our planet. Together, we can take meaningful action against the microplastic crisis.
(Reported by Bottom Line Health, 2024)

 

Why Student Health Issues on College Campuses Matter More Than Ever

We might expect that student health wouldn’t be a major issue on college campuses, but that assumption couldn’t be more off. Health and well-being challenges now significantly impact both students’ college retention rates and their chances of successfully graduating. This concern has led many campus leaders to double down on resources for student health and wellness—yet are these efforts making a difference?

This topic hits home for me. Years ago, my journey as a speaker began on college and university campuses, where I created a successful program that I called "How to Relax and Enjoy Being a Student and Passing Your Exams." At the time, stress management wasn’t a well-known term. I later adapted the seminar title to "Managing Exam Time Stress" and "Managing First-Year Stress" to address the specific pressures students faced. Now, decades later, we see these issues continue to gain more attention (just look at the stress from the election). So, the question is, are colleges truly meeting the needs of their students?

Let’s take a closer look at the state of wellness programs on college campuses today:

Wellness Investments and Mixed Student Satisfaction

A 2024 survey by Inside Higher Ed revealed that a striking 70% of colleges have made significant investments in wellness facilities or services aimed at improving student well-being. From expanded counseling services to stress management programs and mindfulness spaces, colleges are responding to what they recognize as a critical student need.

But here’s the kicker: students aren’t necessarily thrilled with these new offerings. According to a May 2024 Student Voice survey by Inside Higher Ed and Generation Lab, fewer than half (46%) of students rated their campus health and wellness services as either good or excellent. The largest portion (36%) found the services merely average, and a concerning 17% rated them as fair or poor. Essentially, over half of students feel their wellness needs aren’t being adequately met—a disappointing return on the colleges’ investments.

What Students Say Could Improve Their Well-Being

Despite their lukewarm reception to current services, students do value health and wellness programs. Nearly one in five (19%) students reported that if their colleges made more efforts to promote overall well-being, it would positively have an impact on their own mental health. 

There’s also a notable difference in how students at two-year community colleges view these services compared to their four-year college peers: 52% of community college students rated their wellness services as good or better, versus only 45% of students at four-year public institutions and just 39% at private colleges selected good or better.

Interestingly, more private college students (23%) expressed a desire for additional wellness offerings compared to their public school peers (19%), suggesting that private institutions may need to go a little further to enhance their wellness initiatives to meet these expectations.

Reflections and Looking Forward

Years ago, I thought my stress management workshops would be a temporary need because stress management would became standard practice. And today, I’m still helping people manage their stress through my seminars and several of my books, Managing Your Stress in Difficult Times and Switched-On Living.

For colleges and universities, the message is clear: wellness programs can’t just be a checked box; their services need to be adaptable, proactive, and closely aligned with students' needs. This shift not only supports individual student success but fosters a healthier, more engaged campus community. As wellness services continue to evolve, we’ll see which campuses lead the way in addressing the complex needs of modern students.

For resources on managing stress in college and beyond, you can find the e-book versions of my books at www.Teplitz.com under the Products link.

(Reported Better Health, October 2024)

A Better Choice Than Mammograms for Women

Mammograms came into use for detecting cancers in women’s breasts in the 1970s. Women starting at around age 40 to 45 have been urged to get screened every year or two.

There have almost always been problems with mammograms. The first one is that the procedure can be painful and even traumatic. It can lead to skin tears and deep tissue damage. If the woman has breast implants, they could rupture.

Mammograms are also not good at detecting cancers in dense breast tissue. They can miss almost half of these types of cancer.

Another major problem is having false positive reading. Over a 10-year period of getting mammograms, almost 50% of the women will have a false positive reading. This can then lead to biopsies and surgeries that were unnecessary and could be very costly.

The final negative is that the woman is exposed to small doses of radiation which has a cumulative effect on the body and can lead to cancer.

So, what to do about this?

Well, there are now four options available to women that seem to be a great alternative to having a mammogram.

The first one is called Infrared Thermography imaging which allows the Doc to see the vascular patterns in the breast along with temperature readings in the breast which may signify cancer. It will help the practitioner find abnormalities in the breast tissue.

While it’s FDA approved, it’s not meant to be the only method used to determine if there is breast cancer.

The second method, which is also FDA approved, is called Quantitative Transmission (QT) and it uses sound waves to take 3-D images of the breast. It has no pain or radiation involved. QTs resolutions are 40 times greater than getting an MRI.

The third method is using regular Ultrasound as it can detect lumps and bumps in the breast.

Finaly, the fourth one depends on the woman to do self-exams, which can be highly effective if done regularly and thoroughly.

So…all this means that a woman needs to ask her Doc about these options to mammograms. Won’t having no pain, no radiation and better detection be a great plus to having a checkup for breast cancer!
(Reported WDDTY.com, October 2024)

Unlocking the Secrets of Superagers: What We Can Learn About Longevity and Brain Health

You may have heard of the Blue Zones—regions where people live significantly longer and maintain better health well into their later years. There are five such zones globally, with Loma Linda, California, being the Blue Zone in the United States. By studying these areas, researchers have gained valuable insights into how to live longer and healthier lives.

Building on this research, a groundbreaking study at Northwestern University has been running for 25 years, taking a deeper look at not just physical longevity but also cognitive resilience. The focus is on a group they call Superagers—people who are over 80 years old yet possess the memory skills of someone decades younger, in their 50s or 60s. This study aims to unlock the mysteries of memory, aging, and even the human spirit.

The participants in this study have remarkable memories. While they live diverse lives, they all share an extraordinary ability to retain information. The definition of a Superager is quite specific: someone over 80 with the memory performance of a person 30 years their junior.

What’s particularly fascinating is that many of the participants have agreed to donate their brains for research after they pass away. Currently, the study follows about 110 active Superagers. Each year, researchers assess them for memory, language, problem-solving abilities, and much more. Brain scans (MRIs) and blood samples are also taken in an effort to find biomarkers that may explain their cognitive longevity.

One of the tests used to evaluate memory is simple but revealing. Participants are read a list of 15 words multiple times. After a 30-minute delay, they are asked to recall the words. A typical 50-year-old might remember 8 or 9 of them, but a Superager will recall 14 or 15—and they continue to do so year after year. It’s important to note that these participants aren’t even enrolled in the study until they reach 80 years old!

In addition to memory tests, the researchers have been studying the Superagers’ personalities and lifestyles. Interestingly, Superagers tend to be more extroverted. Their diets are also being closely examined, as diet and exercise play key roles in successful aging.

Perhaps most intriguing are the physical differences found in the Superagers’ brains posthumously. Their neurons, particularly in the hippocampus (the area associated with memory), are larger and healthier. Moreover, they have lower levels of tau protein, which is commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

While this research is still ongoing, one thing is clear: adopting lifestyle habits from Superagers, especially those in the Blue Zones, could be your best bet for maintaining a sharp mind and a healthy body as you age. Your brain will thank you!
(Source: Reporter Northwestern, Fall 2024)

Big Oil Has Been Lying To Us For DECADES

Why would I, in my blog which is focused on natural health alternatives, be talking about the lies of Big Oil? 

Well, part of it is because I began my career as an attorney with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Division of Air Pollution Control, back in the early days of the EPA’s formation. But the bigger reason is the devastating impact these lies have had on our environment, and in turn, our health.

A recent two-year Senate investigation uncovered decades of deception. The report details how Big Oil used "denial, disinformation, and doublespeak" to protect their profits, all while knowing full well the environmental damage their products were causing.

The story goes back to 1959, when nuclear scientist Edward Teller warned the American Petroleum Institute that CO2 emissions from burning oil would melt ice caps and raise sea levels. Sounds eerily familiar, right? 

By 1979, Exxon’s own scientists confirmed that continued fossil fuel consumption would trigger climate change by 2029. And here we are—Hurricane Helene and countless other climate disasters are just the tip of the melting iceberg.

Instead of taking steps to mitigate this looming crisis, Big Oil doubled down by lobbying lawmakers and spreading doubt about the science of climate change. 

And if that wasn’t enough, they even lied about plastics, claiming they were recyclable when they knew most of them weren’t. California is now suing ExxonMobil for deceiving the public about plastic recycling. 

Hopefully, this lawsuit will open the floodgates for more actions against Big Oil—our planet’s health and our own depends on it.
(Reported NRDC newsletter, October 2024)

Fighting Cancer With A Drug and Exercise

You probably won’t think that moderate to vigorous exercise would be a tool in the fight against cancer. Well, it turns out you’d be wrong. There’s a new way of looking at exercise combined with drug therapy and how combining the two can fight cancer.

There’s an antibody therapy using a drug called rituximab The drug is used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The researchers decided to combine this with exercise and got some amazing results.

The way rituximab works is it attaches itself to a specific protein on the surface of a cancer cell. Natural killer cells in the body are then able to recognize the drug attached to the cancer cell so that the body’s killer cells can attack and destroy the cancer cell.

So…what if I told you this increased the number of natural killer cells by an amazing 254 percent. You read that right – 254% and it occurs right after the patient has simply finished doing 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise!

There is a secondary benefit that occurs from doing this kind of exercising. It turns out that the number of cancer cells present in blood samples increased immediately after exercising. Since cancer cells attempt to hide in the body so drugs can’t get them, this resulted in the natural killer cells being able to find and destroy more of the cancer cells.

The bottom-line result is that the rituximab was twice as effective at killing cancer cells. A great Win/Win for fighting cancer.

While I tend to attempt to keep drug use to a minimum, if you are diagnosed with this disease, lace up you running shoes and run, run, run!
(Reported Bottom Line Health, September 2024)

Free Breakfasts and Lunches for School Kids Has a Negative Side

Having free breakfasts and lunches for school kids sounds like a great idea. Its aim is to make sure that the kids can have the ability to study and learn in school by not being hungry. I’m all for this and it sounds like a great idea.

However, there’s a negative underside to this worthwhile program and that’s what’s in the foods.

By that I mean that these foods are loaded with toxins such as glyphosate, heavy metals and PFAS (these are the forever chemicals). 

These toxins have been linked to cancer, neurological damage, and liver disease just to give you a sample of what can go wrong from consuming these foods.

Recently a number of environmental and health groups met with the Environmental Protection Agency to urge the regulators to take immediate action to protect our children from these toxins in their food. 

The groups presented scientific evidence on how the amount of glyphosate and other toxins are damaging the bones, metabolism and immune systems of children while these toxins are also poisoning the soil that they are grown on.

While glyphosate is the most widely used weed killer (think Round-Up), there is another use very few people are aware of that puts this toxin right into our food supply. 

What I’m referring to is that this toxin is actually sprayed on crops just before they are harvested to make them dry out more evenly. This means when the plants are harvested, they have a high concentration of glyphosates that goes right into a child’s breakfast or lunch meal. 

So, how bad is it?

Recent tests of these foods found that adding up all the contaminants in the food resulted in a toxicity level that was 6,203 times higher than the EPAs own limits for drinking water. Read that again – over 6,000 times higher!

So…your kids may be better off drinking water than eating foods. Unfortunately, they can’t do that and stay healthy, so this is where organic foods come into play. If the EPA doesn’t regulate and eliminate this level of toxicity, having your school go organic will provide more protection to the health of your kids.
(Reported anh-usa.org)