The Natural Enemy of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals

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Protective Agent
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Your body is full of plastic, and it's very likely disrupting your hormones, reproductive health, and pants size. Here's a natural protector.

By now, you know all about microplastics and nanoplastics. We eat them, drink them, breathe them in, and absorb them through our skin. They accumulate in our bodies and act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals that interfere with testosterone and estrogen signaling, metabolism, fat storage, and overall reproductive health.

At the very least, you've probably gotten rid of all your plastic food storage containers, utensils, and drinking glasses, but avoiding micro- and nanoplastics is virtually impossible. But now, a new scientific review shows how we can fight back.

The Review

This review found that anthocyanins, natural plant pigments, act as protective agents against plastics. Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) was the standout.

C3G and other anthocyanins accomplish this protective effect via their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hormone-modulating actions, particularly by interacting with steroid receptors like androgen and estrogen receptors.

In males, nanoplastics reduce sperm count, motility, and testosterone levels via oxidative stress and pathways like TLR4/NOX2. In females, they cause follicle loss, decreased estradiol, and higher embryo absorption rates, with gut microbiota disruption playing a role.

C3G and other anthocyanins improve sperm quality and hormone production in males by reducing ROS and inflammation. In females, they preserve ovarian function.

C3G
C3G1920Ă—785 337 KB

How to Use This Info

The review's authors suggest eating more anthocyanin-rich foods like berries and black rice. But it's difficult to get a protective amount from food alone. However, C3G is available as a supplement.

Bodybuilders already use C3G for its body composition effects. It feeds muscle and starves fat via several mechanisms of action, like the browning of white fat cells. But this review tells us that C3G's effects go far beyond leanness and muscle mass.

To get all of C3G's benefits, use a supplement formulated with glycerol monostearate (GMS) to enhance the absorption and bioavailability of the anthocyanin. Biotest Indigo-3G (Buy at Amazon) uses this formulation and delivers 300 mg per serving.

Indigo-3G

If we extrapolate all the data in the review and related studies, we could safely say that just two softgels per day (150 mg) would offer the protective benefits against microplastics and nanoplastics. The average American only gets about 12 mg daily from foods. For the full body-composition benefits, take four softgels (one serving).

Reference
  1. Zhang, Jiaojiao, et al. "Exploring the Potential Protective Role of Anthocyanins in Mitigating Micro/Nanoplastic-Induced Reproductive Toxicity: A Steroid Receptor Perspective." Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, vol. 283, 2024, article 11803829
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Several factors likely contribute to the rumor that “Tamarindo help gather plastic”. One is that extracts from tamarind seeds have been scientifically shown to remove microplastics from water, and another is that the tourist town of Tamarindo, Costa Rica, has organized robust local efforts to collect and recycle plastic waste.

Tamarind fruit extracts and microplastics

  • A natural coagulant: Scientists have discovered that extracts from the seeds of the tamarind fruit contain polysaccharides, which are natural polymers. In a process called “flocculation,” these polymers act as a non-toxic coagulant, causing tiny plastic particles to stick together.

  • Effective water purification: Once clumped together, the microplastics are easier to separate from water, allowing for their removal.

  • Potential for bioplastics: In a separate development, researchers are also exploring the potential of tamarind seed gum as an ingredient for making biodegradable plastics.