Allwear Apparel
Onno t-shirt co
Lukachari
Nads
definitearticles.com
bambooave
Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses the risks of wearing synthetic clothing that sheds microplastics, along with actions to mitigate exposure, in Episode #095 of the FoundMyFitness podcast, titled “What Microplastics Are Doing to the Brain, Body, and Reproductive Systems”. This episode was originally released on September 19, 2024, and focuses broadly on the health impacts of microplastics and practical steps to reduce exposure.
Specific Discussion on Synthetic Clothing
In this episode, Rhonda highlights synthetic fabrics—like polyester, nylon, and spandex—as significant sources of microplastic pollution. She explains that these materials shed microfibers during wear and washing, contributing to both airborne and waterborne microplastic exposure. Specifically:
- Timestamp ~1:00:52 – “Choose your clothing wisely”: She advises opting for natural fibers (e.g., cotton, bamboo, hemp, wool, silk or linen) over synthetics, especially for workout clothes, where sweat and friction can increase the release of microplastics and associated chemicals like PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) into the skin or environment.
- Timestamp ~1:01:47 – “How to prevent release of microplastics (from laundry)”: She suggests using microfiber filters on washing machines to trap synthetic fibers and reduce their release into waterways, an actionable step tied directly to clothing-related exposure.
Context and Broader Discussion
This episode is a solo deep dive where Rhonda explores microplastics’ pervasive presence (e.g., in water, food, air) and their accumulation in organs like the brain, heart, and reproductive system. The clothing discussion fits into her broader narrative about everyday exposure sources and mitigation strategies. She also ties synthetic fabrics to endocrine disruption (via chemicals like BPA and phthalates) and emphasizes personal choices—like switching to cotton activewear—as a way to lower risk.
Verification
This information aligns with content summaries from the FoundMyFitness website and podcast notes (e.g., PodcastNotes.org, PodPulse.ai), which pinpoint Episode #095 as the key discussion on microplastics, including clothing-specific risks. She revisited the topic briefly in later Q&A episodes (e.g., #63 on October 12, 2024, at ~00:10:14), but Episode #095 is the primary source for the detailed exploration you’re asking about.
If you’re looking for the exact episode to listen to, #095 is the one! Let me know if you’d like more details or help finding it.
MGD’s 