The first human clinical trial has revealed promising results for a dietary supplement known as 'Qi601', designed to reduce the absorption of microplastic particles, showing that it helps prevent these particles from penetrating the body's cells, as reported by New Scientist magazine.

The supplement relies on the rough surface of dead bacteria that acts like a magnet, attracting and trapping microplastic particles, thereby reducing their absorption in the body. Specifically, 'Qi601' is made from a heat-killed bacterial strain, producing what researchers call a 'post-biotic biomaterial', whose rough surface appears to trap plastic particles so they pass through the digestive tract instead of being absorbed.

Microplastic particles, which are less than 5 millimeters in size, are widespread in the environment and have been detected by research in various parts of the human body. Studies indicate that people with accumulated microplastic particles in their arteries are more than four times as likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke compared to those without. High concentrations of these particles have also been found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.

In the study, researchers first tested the supplement's effectiveness in laboratory models simulating the lining of the human intestine, before conducting a study on volunteers who chewed gum, which is one source of exposure to microplastic particles. The results showed the supplement's ability to bind to plastic particles in the mouth, suggesting it could be used as an effective means to reduce the entry of these particles into the body.

It is worth noting that these results are still preliminary and require larger-scale studies to verify the supplement's safety and long-term efficacy.