Low-Plastic Diet Improves Health: New Trial Results
Summary of the PERTH Trial Protocol
This article details the protocol for the PERTH (plastic Exposure Reduction Transforms Health) trial, a randomized controlled study investigating the impact of a low-plastic lifestyle on adults with cardiometabolic risk factors.
Key Points:
Problem: Plastics contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (like bisphenols and phthalates) linked to obesity, insulin resistance, inflammation, and cardiometabolic disease.
Study Design: A 4-week randomized controlled trial with 60 participants in Perth, Australia.
Participants: Adults (18-60 years) with a BMI ≥30 kg/m² and high waist circumference (≥102 cm for men, ≥88 cm for women).
Intervention: 30 participants will receive a complete “low-plastic” package including:
All food & beverages in plastic-free packaging
plastic-free kitchenware (stainless steel, glass)
Plastic-free personal care & cleaning products
instructions on minimizing plastic exposure
Control Group: 30 participants will maintain their usual lifestyle.
Primary Outcome: Change in urinary bisphenol concentrations (BPA and BPS) between groups.
Secondary Outcomes: Exploratory changes in cardiometabolic biomarkers.
Goal: to determine if reducing exposure to plastic-associated chemicals can improve health outcomes in individuals with cardiometabolic risk factors.
In essence, the study aims to see if a drastic reduction in plastic exposure can reverse some of the negative health effects associated with these chemicals.