More than 10% of people worldwide have chronic kidney disease, a debilitating condition that progressively impairs the kidneys' capacity to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood. Evidence suggests that toxic exposures increase kidney disease risk. A recent study found that higher exposure to PFAS—so-called “forever chemicals"—was linked with decreased kidney function in young adults, potentially mediated by gut bacteria and metabolite changes.

The study involved 78 young adults at high risk for metabolic disease. Researchers measured their baseline PFAS levels, gut bacterial composition, and blood metabolite profiles. Then, they assessed the participants' kidney function.

They found that for each incremental increase in PFAS exposure, kidney function declined by roughly 2.4%. Shifts in specific gut bacteria and their metabolites, such as lower levels of Lachnospiraceae and increased levels of metabolites, explained up to half of the association between PFAS and reduced kidney function.

These findings suggest that PFAS contribute to kidney damage by disrupting gut health and metabolic processes. PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals widely used in consumer products for their water- and stain-resistant properties. Microplastics often contain PFAS that can leach into the environment and accumulate in the body. Learn more about microplastics and PFAS exposure in this episode featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.