Gut & MicrobiomeHow Microplastics Accelerate Aging Through the Gut Microbiome
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are now detected throughout the human body, entering via food, air, and skin contact. This review examines how MNPs interact with the gut microbiome to accelerate biological aging. The authors detail how this MNPs-gut microbiome axis triggers oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and cellular senescence, while also impairing mitochondrial function and altering epigenetic regulation. Key molecular pathways, particularly TLR4/NF-κB signaling, are identified as central drivers of the resulting systemic inflammation and organ damage. The review links these mechanisms to age-related conditions including cardiovascular disease and neurodegeneration, and proposes multi-pronged intervention strategies. For health-conscious individuals and clinicians, this research highlights microplastic exposure as a potentially significant but underappreciated contributor to accelerated aging.
