Whole Foods Isn't Enough: How Microplastics Infected Our Lives (What to Do About It) | Daniel Powers

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Do you ever feel like you’re doing all the right things and still not feeling as healthy as you should? I hear this all the time. And a big part of the answer is that we’re living in a modern world our biology didn’t exactly train for, especially when it comes to microplastics and everyday chemical exposure.

In this episode of Everyday Ancestral, I’m joined by Daniel Powers, founder of Utzy Naturals, husband, father of five, and someone who’s been deep in the research on microplastics for the past 14 months. Daniel started out believing what a lot of us believe: eat whole foods, sleep well, move your body, and you’ll be covered. Then he saw the science pointing to microplastics showing up in the body and affecting health, and he went all in to understand what’s happening and what we can actually do about it.

In our conversation, we get practical. We talk about the real sources of exposure, the “hidden” ones most people never think about, and the lifestyle moves that help you reduce the load without spiraling into fear or perfectionism.

Why This Matters to You

Feeling run down, inflamed, or foggy even though you’re eating clean? You’re not crazy. If microplastics are showing up in the water, packaging, and even household products, your “healthy lifestyle” may still be fighting an uphill battle.

Trying to protect your kids and your family from what you can’t always see? This topic matters even more then. Daniel and I talk about how exposure can come from places you’d never expect, like dishwasher pods, tea bags, and even tire dust in the air you breathe.

Been relying on “Whole Foods and willpower” as the entire plan? This episode gives you a more complete picture. You’ll hear why whole foods are foundational, but sometimes not sufficient in a world where plastics are everywhere.

Feel overwhelmed by the idea of toxins and wonder if you have to be perfect? You don’t need perfection. You need smart priorities. We walk through the highest-leverage changes you can make, starting with what goes into your body every day.

Actionable Advice

Filter your drinking water. Using a reverse osmosis system or a Berkey-style system to reduce microplastic exposure.

Stop heating food in plastic containers. Switch to glass storage, especially for leftovers.

Avoid takeout containers when you can. Minimize hot food sitting in plastic on the way home.

Replace plastic cutting boards at home. Cutting on plastic can shave particles into food and create grooves where bacteria can grow.

Support your natural detox pathways by exercising and sweating regularly. Use heat exposure like sauna, a hot bath, or a hot shower to encourage sweating.

Daniel started as a “whole foods fixes everything” guy, then read research that pushed him to take microplastics seriously. He spent the last 14 months studying the problem, speaking with experts, and building a practical approach to reduce exposure and support the body’s detox pathways.

Links and Resources to Explore

Utzy Naturals’ Website

Utzy Naturals on Instagram

Listen to the Full Episode – Available now on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube.

You don’t have to overhaul your entire life to make meaningful progress. Start with one change you can implement this week, filter your water, swap out a plastic container, or prioritize sweating a few times a week. Small, consistent actions add up. If you want the full breakdown of where microplastics are sneaking into daily life and how to respond with clarity instead of fear.