If you've been hearing more about microplastics lately and wondering what it actually means for your health, you're not alone. Scientists are now finding microplastics in the brain, blood, placenta, and beyond, and the research on what that means for our bodies is still unfolding.
In this episode of the Be Well by Kelly podcast, I sit down with Dr. Leonardo Trasande, one of the leading researchers in environmental health and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, to break down what the science actually says — and what you can do about it without feeling overwhelmed.
Dr. Leonardo Trasande is a pediatrician, professor, and author whose work sits at the intersection of environmental exposures and human health. He has spent decades studying how chemicals in our everyday environment, from plastics to PFAS to pesticides, affect metabolism, hormones, and long-term disease risk. His research has helped shape public health policy and has been featured in major scientific journals and media outlets worldwide. In this conversation, Dr. Trasande brings his deep expertise to a topic that affects every single one of us, and he does it in a way that is accessible, actionable, and grounded in real science rather than fear.
In this episode, we dig into some of the most pressing questions around plastic exposure and health. We talk about whether microplastics are actually harmful to humans, how plastics and PFAS disrupt the endocrine system and affect hormones, and whether there is a connection between plastic exposure and weight gain or metabolic dysfunction. Dr. Trasande also walks us through the most significant sources of exposure in your daily life — from your kitchen and food storage to personal care products and cookware — and what the research says about PFAS health effects and long-term disease risk. Most importantly, we cut through the noise and get practical about what actually works when it comes to reducing your toxic load without overhauling your entire life overnight.
Whether you are thinking about your own health, your hormones, your weight, or the health of your children, this conversation will give you the clarity and the tools you need to make informed, confident choices. The goal is never fear, it is knowledge. And the more you understand about what is in your environment and how it interacts with your body, the better equipped you are to protect yourself and your family. This is one of those episodes you will want to save, share, and come back to.
