A London clinic's controversial blood cleansing treatment raises questions about the health impacts of microplastics and medical innovation. (Shutterstock AI)
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A London-based startup, Clarify Clinics, is offering a service designed to cleanse blood of microplastics and other toxins, according to an article in Wired.
The treatment, which starts at £9,750 ($12,636), involves drawing blood, separating the plasma, filtering it through a specialized column intended to trap microplastics and undesirable chemicals, and then returning it to the body.
Yael Cohen, CEO of Clarify Clinic, reports that 10 to 15 people visit their basement clinic near Harley Street each week for the procedure, which takes up to two hours. “Once it’s running, you feel nothing. It’s very comfortable,” Cohen says. “Patients take calls, do Zooms, watch movies, sleep.”
The clinic markets its services to individuals with various concerns, including chronic fatigue, brain fog, and long Covid, as well as those using weight-loss drugs, seeking to conceive, or hoping to ward off dementia. However, the scientific community has not reached a consensus on the health impacts of microplastics in the human body.
A 2022 World Health Organization report concluded that there isn’t enough evidence yet to determine whether microplastics pose a risk to human health. Frederic Béen, an environmental contaminants researcher, highlights the need for accurate measurement, stating, “The dose makes the poison.”
Lack of Conclusive Scientific Evidence
While some studies have associated microplastics with potential health risks, such as harm to human cells or correlation with heart attack risk in observational studies, causal links have not been established. Accurately measuring microplastics in human samples without contamination remains a significant challenge for researchers.
Despite the lack of conclusive scientific evidence on health impacts or treatment efficacy, Cohen claims that patients report improvements in energy levels and sleep quality after the procedure. The clinic gains clients primarily through word-of-mouth and social media, with Cohen suggesting some patients view undergoing the treatment as a “badge of honor.”
Read more at Wired
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