Microplastic detox is quickly becoming part of everyday wellness conversations. These tiny plastic particles are showing up in places we never expected—our water, food, skincare, and even the air around us. They’re practically unavoidable.

What’s more concerning is that studies suggest microplastics can build up in the gut, lungs, and bloodstream, where they may quietly interfere with everything from digestion to hormones. The body does have built-in detox systems, but with this kind of constant exposure, it helps to give those systems a little extra love. Let’s walk through what that support can look like—gently, naturally, and in a way that feels doable.

Microplastics 101: The Invisible Additive in Your Environment

They’re smaller than a sesame seed and practically invisible to the naked eye, but microplastics are turning up in places they don’t belong—including inside the human body. From our favorite face scrubs to the water we drink, these tiny fragments are everywhere.

What Exactly Are Microplastics?

Microplastics are plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size. They come from the breakdown of larger plastics or are manufactured intentionally for use in things like exfoliating skincare products or synthetic clothing.

You’ll find them in:

  • Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon
  • Food packaging and plastic bottles
  • Personal care products including scrubs and toothpaste
  • Tire dust, building materials, and even household dust

How Do Microplastics Get Into the Body?

We interact with microplastics more often than we realize—and they have several ways of getting in:

  • Ingestion: Through food and drinks, especially bottled water, sea salt, and seafood.
  • Inhalation: Through indoor and outdoor air, especially in areas with lots of synthetic textiles or pollution.
  • Skin exposure: Via personal care products and cosmetics that contain microbeads or plastic compounds.

Once inside, these particles don’t just sit quietly. They can carry with them toxic chemicals like endocrine disruptors, heavy metals, and inflammatory compounds that may interact with your gut, immune system, and hormonal balance over time.

What Happens After You Inhale or Ingest Microplastics?

When microplastics get inside your body—which, let’s be real, most of us are exposed to daily—they don’t just slide through unnoticed. These particles are too tiny for your digestive system to fully eliminate, and too foreign for your body to safely break down. Instead, they settle into tissues, build up over time, and quietly start to stir things up.

Scientists are still learning exactly what this means for long-term health, but what we do know already points to some pretty important systems being affected.

Where They Accumulate

Microplastics aren’t filtered out as waste right away. Instead, they tend to linger.

  • Gut and GI tract: Microplastics often land here first, disrupting digestion and potentially irritating the gut lining.
  • Lymphatic system: Think of this as your body’s internal cleanup crew. When microplastics sneak in, they can overwhelm this system and clog up natural detox flow.
  • Organs and bloodstream: Some particles are small enough to cross cellular barriers. Early studies suggest they might show up in places like the liver, kidneys, or even placenta.

Why It Matters

It’s not just that they’re present. It’s what they bring and how they behave.

  • They carry chemical baggage: Microplastics often act like little magnets, pulling in pesticides, heavy metals, and endocrine-disrupting compounds from the environment.
  • They create inflammation: Once inside, they can trigger immune responses that result in low-grade inflammation—the kind that doesn’t cause symptoms right away, but wears the body down over time.
  • They disrupt balance: From gut bacteria shifts to hormone confusion, these tiny invaders may quietly throw off systems that keep you energized, clear-headed, and resilient.

And while we all encounter these particles through food, water, and air, people with sensitive guts, immune conditions, or hormone imbalances may feel the impact more acutely.

If you’ve ever wondered why you’re reacting to things more than usual, feeling more fatigued, or struggling with digestion even on a “clean” diet, it might be time to consider whether microplastic accumulation is part of your story.

The Subtle Art of Detoxification

Our bodies are wise—they’re always working behind the scenes to keep us balanced and well. When it comes to something as sneaky as microplastics, that inner wisdom doesn’t stop trying. A microplastic detox is really about tuning into the natural systems already built into your biology. These detox pathways—your liver, gut, kidneys, and lymph—are always processing the world we live in. Sometimes they just need a little extra support.

Let’s walk through how your body tries to manage microplastic exposure, and how you can gently support the process without overwhelming your system.

Where the Detox Happens

Here’s how your internal cleanup crew works when it comes to microplastics and the toxins they may carry:

  • Liver (Phase I & II detox): Your liver processes incoming chemicals—turning them into less harmful compounds and tagging them for removal. It plays a big role in filtering out endocrine disruptors and plastics that sneak in through food and water.
  • GI Tract: This is where elimination happens. If your digestion is sluggish or your gut lining is inflamed, microplastics can hang around longer than they should. Bile, fiber, and a diverse microbiome all help move things out.
  • Kidneys & Lymphatic System: These help carry waste out through urine and lymphatic fluid. Movement, hydration, and deep breathing keep these systems flowing.

When these systems are under pressure—from stress, processed food, or chronic inflammation—your detox capacity can slow down. That’s where a little extra care can go a long way.

Supporting Microplastic Detox, Gently

1. Binders & GI Detox Support

Some natural substances can help “grab” microplastics and toxins before they’re reabsorbed in the gut. Activated charcoal and zeolite clay are both known for binding to unwanted compounds, while chlorella offers gentle detox support with added nourishment. Aloe vera, when taken internally, soothes inflammation that can arise during detoxification. A formula like Bio Botanical G.I Detox+ thoughtfully combines these ingredients to support your gut in a calm, balanced way.

2. Liver & Cellular Support

Your liver is your detox hero, and it thrives when supported with the right nutrients. Glutathione—often called the body’s master antioxidant—helps neutralize free radicals and process environmental toxins. Milk thistle has long been loved for its liver-protective properties, and plant-based antioxidants work at the cellular level to defend and repair. Our hol+ Detox Bundle, which includes Liposomal Glutathione, Metagenics Clear Change, and ION*Gut Health is crafted to nourish each phase of detox while strengthening your gut lining and cellular resilience.

3. Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition

Eating to detox doesn’t have to feel restrictive. By filling your plate with fiber-rich veggies, bitter greens, and fermented foods, you give your body the tools it needs to eliminate more efficiently. Avoiding inflammatory oils and ultra-processed foods also reduces the burden on your system and supports microbiome balance, which is essential for long-term resilience.

4. Hydration & Movement

Water is one of your best detox allies, helping to flush out water-soluble toxins through the kidneys and colon. Lymphatic flow, which plays a huge role in immune health and waste removal, relies on physical movement. Dry brushing, gentle yoga, walking, or even dancing can all help. Add in regular sweating—whether through a warm bath, sauna session, or a good workout—and you’re giving your body an extra way to let go of what it doesn’t need.

Detox Backed by Science, Grounded in Self-Care: The hol+ Way

At hol+, we believe a detox works best when it’s woven into your life gently, consistently, and with real support. Whether you’re feeling weighed down by fatigue, skin flares, bloating, or mystery symptoms that don’t quite make sense—this is where we start looking deeper. From environmental exposure to inflammation and hormone imbalance, we help you connect the dots.

We personalize your detox plan by looking at the full picture. That means identifying where your system is overwhelmed and where it needs more support. 

Functional Testing & Personalized Insights

We run advanced labs to assess for things like toxin load, oxidative stress, sluggish liver detox pathways, and gut inflammation. These markers help us tailor a detox plan that’s based on your actual physiology, not just guesswork.

Nutrition & Supplement Support

Food is a major detox partner. We guide you toward an anti-inflammatory way of eating that supports your body’s natural elimination routes. Where needed, we use physician-grade supplements—like glutathione, binders, and herbal support—to assist with cellular detox and nutrient replenishment.

Spa & Wellness Therapies

Our in-house services include infrared sauna sessions, lymphatic massage, and acupuncture. These help open up your detox pathways and make the process gentler, more effective, and deeply relaxing.

Whether you’re managing hormonal swings, gut challenges, skin issues, or fatigue, our goal is to help you clear what’s in the way—so your body can thrive again, from the inside out.

Your Detox Journey Starts Here

Microplastic detox is quickly becoming part of a larger conversation about how our bodies are managing the everyday environmental load. From gut inflammation to low energy and immune overwhelm, even small exposures can have big ripple effects when our detox systems fall behind. Understanding the science behind microplastics is just the first step.

At hol+, we’re here to help you turn that awareness into action—with testing, support, and care that actually fits your life. Whether you’re starting slow or diving deep, we’re ready when you are. Book your consultation today and let’s create a detox plan that meets your body where it’s at and helps it move forward with clarity.

FAQs

What is a microplastic detox, and do I need to do one?

Microplastic detox refers to supporting the body’s natural processes for eliminating plastic particles and related toxins. If you have chronic inflammation, gut issues, or fatigue, it’s worth exploring with a practitioner.

How do microplastics even get into the body?

Mostly through food, water, air, and skincare. Things like plastic packaging, synthetic clothing, and even sea salt can carry microplastic particles that we end up ingesting or inhaling.

Does the liver remove microplastics on its own?

The liver helps neutralize and break down some toxins, but it may need extra support with persistent exposure. Fiber, hydration, antioxidants, and healthy bile flow all matter here.

Can microplastics affect hormone balance?

Yes—many microplastics carry endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which can mimic or block hormones in the body. This is especially relevant for fertility, thyroid health, and metabolic balance.

What if I’m already eating clean—do I still need this?

Even with a great diet, exposures still happen through air, water, and personal care products. Our programs are designed to meet you wherever you are and fine-tune from there.