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Can the body break down cellulose though? It can't digest it at least. And do reactions that could use naturally occurring iron compounds work with steel alloys

by rendaw 2y ago

Can the body break down cellulose though? It can't digest it at least. And do reactions that could use naturally occurring iron compounds work with steel alloys designed to be non-reactive? I think something else that doesn't get mentioned is it's not just the risk of microplastics reacting, the physical non-reactive presence of particles can clog and get in the way of natural processes mechanically. So nonreactive shouldn't be taken to imply harmless.

Suppafly 2y ago
>the physical non-reactive presence of particles can clog and get in the way of natural processes mechanically Source?
- rendaw 2y ago
  TBH I can't remember what I was looking up when I first read about that (I feel like it was metals, glass, or cellulose again), but https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2104610118 https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2104610118 seems pertinent: > In general, mechanical interactions of microparticles and nanoparticles on biological membranes are vaguely studied, despite their importance for biological systems (29, 41). Hereby, we will demonstrate that these microplastics induce a mechanical stress of model cell membrane without the need of indirect assumptions about biological pathways (26, 27).
skirmish 2y ago
> physical non-reactive presence of particles can clog and get in the way of natural processes mechanically That would mean fiber in food is harmful since it is not digested. Cellulose is just a common type of natural fiber. Meanwhile: USDA recommends that people consume the following amounts of fiber per day: -- Women ages 31–50: 25 grams -- Men ages 31–50: 38 grams
atombender 2y ago
No, it can't. Cellulose is the main type of insoluble dietary fiber, and is in leafy vegetables, beans, peas, and many other foods. It's widely accepted as being good for digestion. Too much fiber can cause constipation and gas, but most people probably don't get enough fiber, so that's rarely a problem.

by rendaw 2y ago

Suppafly 2y ago

>the physical non-reactive presence of particles can clog and get in the way of natural processes mechanically Source?

rendaw 2y ago
TBH I can't remember what I was looking up when I first read about that (I feel like it was metals, glass, or cellulose again), but https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2104610118 https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2104610118 seems pertinent: > In general, mechanical interactions of microparticles and nanoparticles on biological membranes are vaguely studied, despite their importance for biological systems (29, 41). Hereby, we will demonstrate that these microplastics induce a mechanical stress of model cell membrane without the need of indirect assumptions about biological pathways (26, 27).

skirmish 2y ago

> physical non-reactive presence of particles can clog and get in the way of natural processes mechanically That would mean fiber in food is harmful since it is not digested. Cellulose is just a common type of natural fiber. Meanwhile: USDA recommends that people consume the following amounts of fiber per day: -- Women ages 31–50: 25 grams -- Men ages 31–50: 38 grams

atombender 2y ago

No, it can't. Cellulose is the main type of insoluble dietary fiber, and is in leafy vegetables, beans, peas, and many other foods. It's widely accepted as being good for digestion. Too much fiber can cause constipation and gas, but most people probably don't get enough fiber, so that's rarely a problem.