Researchers from The University of Texas at El Paso have discovered that nano-plastics and forever chemicals found in many U.S. products could be interfering with some of the health benefits of breast milk by breaking down a protein called an alpha helix.
One of the researchers, Dr. Mahesh Narayan, said “By understanding the molecular mechanisms of how nanoplastics and forever chemicals disrupt cellular functions, scientists can develop safer alternatives to these materials… “We weren’t expecting them all to have this similar impact on the alpha helix, It was a complete coincidence.”
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Excerpt from scitechdaily.com
UTEP researchers found that nanoplastics and PFAS chemicals significantly alter proteins essential for human development, like those in breast milk and myoglobin, potentially leading to developmental defects and other health issues. These findings underscore the urgent need for safer material alternatives and inform future environmental policies.
UTEP study reveals that both nanoplastics and forever chemicals modify crucial proteins in breast milk and infant formulas.
Researchers at The University of Texas at El Paso have achieved important advancements in the study of nanoplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also referred to as forever chemicals. Their research demonstrates how these compounds can modify the structure and function of biomolecules. Specifically, the team found that these substances can change proteins present in human breast milk and infant formulas, which could potentially lead to developmental problems later on.
Nanoplastics and forever chemicals are manmade compounds present throughout the environment; a series of recent studies have linked them to numerous negative health outcomes. While nanoplastics originate primarily as a result of the degradation of larger plastic materials, like water bottles and food packaging, forever chemicals are found in various products like cookware and clothing.
