A Common Plastic May Be Hurting Your Liver
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Plastic, Not So Fantastic: Rates of fatty liver disease, which happens when excess fat accumulates in liver cells, have climbed sharply over the past three decades, a trend often attributed to rising obesity and diabetes. According to new research, however, everyday plastic exposure may also be adding to the trend.
The Study: Researchers at Texas A&M studied how polyethylene (a specific type of plastic) affects liver tissue. On its own, polyethylene increased signs of fatty liver disease, and the effect intensified when paired with a diet high in fat, fructose, and cholesterol. The damage appeared to involve PPAR-alpha, a protein that regulates fat production in the liver.
The Takeaway: Polyethylene was long considered one of the more harmless plastics, but now it appears that diet and plastic exposure may compound each other’s effects on liver health. Curious about how exposed you are to microplastics? Take our two-minute assessment.
Keep in Mind: This research is early, and scientists don’t yet know how it translates to long-term liver disease in humans.
