Gut microbiome may influence how the body handles 'forever chemicals,' with certain bacteria showing a significant ability to accumulate PFAS, potentially impacting the rate of chemical clearance from the body. Digest
The human gut may play a previously unrecognized role in the body's handling of persistent chemical pollutants. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as "forever chemicals," resist degradation and are widely found in human tissues due to their widespread presence in food, water, and consumer products. A recent study found that some gut bacteria can accumulate PFAS at intracellular levels thousands of times higher than those in the surrounding environment.
Researchers exposed 38 strains of human gut bacteria to a range of PFAS, testing concentrations from nanomolar to 500 micromolar. Then, they assessed how the bacteria took up the chemicals and how those chemicals affected bacterial function. To explore the relevance in living systems, they also colonized mice with selected bacterial strains and measured chemical excretion.
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Several bacterial strains, including Bacteroides uniformis and Escherichia coli, showed substantial chemical accumulation without impaired growth. High-resolution imaging confirmed that the chemicals were located inside the cells. In mice, colonization with bacteria that accumulated more chemicals resulted in higher excretion of perfluorononanoic acid compared to germ-free controls or mice colonized with strains that accumulated less.
These findings suggest that the gut microbiome influences the fate of PFAS within the body after exposure. Microbial uptake and retention of these chemicals could influence systemic levels and the rate of clearance, with potential implications for long-term health and future efforts to reduce body burden. Learn more about the role of the gut microbiome in human health in this episode featuring Dr. Eran Elinav.](https://www.foundmyfitness.com/episodes/eran-elinav?email={{contact.EMAIL}})