A neurologist has issued a stark warning that a popular kitchen staple could be linked to dementia.
Dr Clint Steele claims resealable plastic food bags may be connected to the condition, which causes a severe decline in memory, thinking and daily functioning.
The 56-year-old, who specialises in the brain and nervous system, says he helps people improve their quality of life by boosting brain function and preventing, or even reversing, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
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Dr Steele, who practises in Maine and Florida in the US, has spent 34 years focusing on brain health and dementia prevention.
In a TikTok video that has gone viral with more than six million views, he points to long-term research suggesting regular use of resealable plastic food bags could pose serious health risks.
His advice is blunt: stop using them or switch to a plant-based alternative.
“SC Johnson claims that Ziploc bags are safe to use in extreme conditions, meaning for freezing and also for heating in the microwave,” Dr Steele told What’s The Jam.
“It doesn’t make sense to me to put this in the microwave, it’s gonna melt, it’s plastic.
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“It’s gonna get into my food, that’s not good for me.
“So if you’re doing this, you gotta stop. Here’s what happens: there are two ingredients in this plastic bag, called polyethene and polypropylene, that break down and turn into microplastics.
“These microplastics are so small that they can actually cross the blood-brain barrier, and this is how we’re finding plastics in the brain.”
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The doctor says switching to plant-based resealable bags could be a safer alternative for anyone who regularly uses the plastic versions.
He shared the warning in a TikTok clip which has now racked up more than 6.2 million views, 328,000 likes and over 11,000 comments.
The video was captioned: “What is the deal with Ziploc bags and dementia? If you use Ziploc bags, please watch and share.”
Many viewers were left stunned by the claim.
One person said: “Damn!!! I used the hell out of Ziploc bags.”
Another wrote: “Nothing is safe anymore.”
A third added: “Wow this is crazy work!!!! I’m throwing away all my Ziploc bags. I only use them to freeze meats. That’s changing today. Thank you for this information Dr.”
But not everyone was convinced.
One viewer wrote: “My grandmother lived to be 102.
“She used Ziploc bags from the time they were invented!
“Even washed and reused. She had no dementia and was cooking Sunday dinner at 101!!!!”
Another commented: “At some point in life every single person in the world has used these!
“Wouldn’t dementia be the number one disease in the world?
“My grandparents never used these plastics or owned a microwave.
“They were old school traditional people and my grandfather had dementia.”
Jam Press has contacted Ziploc for comment.
READ MORE: Neurologist warns that popular drink will increase risk of developing dementia by HUGE amount
