🧴 Plastic, Plastic Everywhere...  😱

So, Drew kicks things off with the unfortunate news: we are literally full of plastic. Not like, “I eat too many Cheetos” full; we’re talking microplastics in our brain, lungs, heart, even the placenta. 💔 

It’s not just about turtles and oceans anymore. 🐢🌊

We’re eating, breathing, and absorbing plastic through food wrappers, shampoo, detergents, even that “eco-friendly” coffee cup you thought was safe. ☕😬

Some of these chemicals, like phthalates, are hormone disruptors and immune wreckers. 🤒 

🛡️ Enter: Your Gut. The Unsung Superhero. 🦸‍♂️

Dr. O’Mara says: don’t freak out. The battlefield is your gut microbiome, aka your inner bulletproof vest 🦠

“Your microbiome is like your sump pump,” Dr. O'Mara says, “and mine failed last week; it was $40,000 in water damage. Don’t let that be your body.” 💧

🔥 What helps your gut armor up?

Fermented foods! 🥬🥕🧀 Think: sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, blue cheese, kombucha.

Clean up your diet: Ditch the donuts, muffins, processed junk. 

🪵 Cutting Boards & Coffee Cups: The Everyday Plastic Swap ☕🍽️

Dr. O’Mara says:

✅ Yes to wood & bamboo cutting boards! They’re safer than plastic ones that shed micro-junk onto your veggies.

🚫 Be wary of paper coffee cups; they’re lined with plastic and heat pulls that gunk straight into your drink.

💡 Dr. O’Mara's pro tip: Carry your own ceramic coffee mug.

👶 “What About the Pool?! And Shampoo?!” 🏊‍♀️

Yep, even kiddie pools and shampoo bottles can release nasty VOCs (volatile organic compounds) into the air. 😬 

So again, it’s about limiting exposure:

🧼 Switch to natural personal care products.

🍽️ Go for glass, ceramic, and stainless steel in the kitchen.

💧 Refill a good water bottle.

🙏 So What Do We Do?

This is a call to stewardship. 💚🌍

We’re temples of the Holy Spirit, remember? (1 Cor. 6:19 👈) So taking care of our bodies means:

-Eating more like our great-grandparents did.

-Being mindful of what we use, touch, and breathe.

-Keeping our "sump pump" (gut) healthy. 

You can listen to Part 2 of the conversation here!

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

🧴 Plastic, Plastic Everywhere...&nbsp;&nbsp;😱
So, Drew kicks things off with the unfortunate news: we are literally full of plastic. Not like, &ldquo;I eat too many Cheetos&rdquo; full; we&rsquo;re talking microplastics in our brain, lungs, heart, even the placenta. 💔&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s not just about turtles and oceans anymore. 🐢🌊
We&rsquo;re eating, breathing, and absorbing plastic through food wrappers, shampoo, detergents, even that &ldquo;eco-friendly&rdquo; coffee cup you thought was safe. ☕😬
Some of these chemicals, like phthalates, are hormone disruptors and immune wreckers. 🤒&nbsp;
<hr data-start="1051" data-end="1054">
🛡️ Enter: Your Gut. The Unsung Superhero. 🦸&zwj;♂️
Dr. O&rsquo;Mara says: don&rsquo;t freak out. The battlefield is your gut microbiome, aka your inner bulletproof vest 🦠
<blockquote data-start="1250" data-end="1397">
&ldquo;Your microbiome is like your sump pump,&rdquo; Dr. O'Mara says, &ldquo;and mine failed last week; it was $40,000 in water damage. Don&rsquo;t let that be your body.&rdquo; 💧
<hr></blockquote>
🔥 What helps your gut armor up?
Fermented foods! 🥬🥕🧀 Think:&nbsp;sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, blue cheese, kombucha.
Clean up your diet: Ditch the donuts, muffins, processed junk.&nbsp;
<hr data-start="1628" data-end="1631">
🪵 Cutting Boards &amp; Coffee Cups: The Everyday Plastic Swap ☕🍽️
Dr. O&rsquo;Mara says:
✅&nbsp;Yes to wood &amp; bamboo cutting boards! They&rsquo;re safer than plastic ones that shed micro-junk onto your veggies.
🚫 Be&nbsp;wary of paper coffee cups; they&rsquo;re lined with plastic and heat pulls that gunk straight into your drink.
💡 Dr. O&rsquo;Mara's pro tip:&nbsp;Carry your own ceramic coffee mug.
<hr data-start="2098" data-end="2101">
👶 &ldquo;What About the Pool?! And Shampoo?!&rdquo; 🏊&zwj;♀️
Yep, even kiddie pools and shampoo bottles can release nasty VOCs (volatile organic compounds) into the air. 😬&nbsp;
So again, it&rsquo;s about&nbsp;limiting exposure:
🧼 Switch to natural personal care products.
🍽️ Go for glass, ceramic, and stainless steel in the kitchen.
💧 Refill a good water bottle.
<hr data-start="2592" data-end="2595">
🙏 So What Do We Do?
This is a call to&nbsp;stewardship. 💚🌍
We&rsquo;re temples of the Holy Spirit, remember? (1 Cor. 6:19 👈) So taking care of our bodies means:
-Eating more like our great-grandparents did.
-Being mindful of what we use, touch, and breathe.
-Keeping our "sump pump" (gut) healthy.&nbsp;
<hr>
You can listen to Part 2 of the conversation <a href="https://relevantradio.com/2025/07/dr-sean-omara-part-ii-and-gettysburg-address/">here</a>!
<hr>
The&nbsp;best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Advertisement