Hollywood's latest detox trend: Orlando Bloom's luxury apheresis treatment

HOLLYWOOD actor Orlando Bloom recently made waves in the wellness world by undergoing a £ 10 000 apheresis “detox” in London.

- VUYILE MADWANTSI

He posted an intimate photo of himself hooked up to a machine claiming to remove microplastics and toxins from his bloodstream. But is this luxury procedure scientifically sound or a self-indulgent health trend?

Bloom recently took his health regimen to the next level by undergoing a controversial detoxification procedure which costs approximately R190 000.

According to the University of Southern California, microplastics are tiny plastic particles, less than 5 millimetres in size, that come from the breakdown of larger plastic debris or are intentionally manufactured. They are found in food, water, air and even within our bodies, raising concerns about their potential health impacts.

While research is ongoing, there's evidence suggesting that they may be associated with various health problems, including inflammation, oxidative stress and even potential impacts on fertility, cancer, and foetal development.

What is apheresis and what did Bloom do?

Apheresis, also known as plasmapheresis, is a medical procedure typically used to treat autoimmune disorders and blood diseases. Blood is drawn, plasma is separated, filtered, and then reintroduced to the body.

While it's been used in medical fields like haematology and autoimmune diseases for decades, its application as a luxury detox procedure has raised eyebrows and questions.