Pfas
Episodes
Beta-glucan versus psyllium for lowering LDL, PFAS reduction, creatine and caffeine, urolithin A, exogenous ketones, IVF, Botox, and sauna.
Dr. Rhonda Patrick reviews the evidence for nattokinase, how oat beta-glucans may aid with PFAS excretion, and HRT for APOE4 carriers.
In this Aliquot, I briefly describe the science and concerns surrounding microplastics and identify ways to lessen...
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Rhonda Pollution Fiber Sauna Caffeine Supplements Urolithin A Creatine Reproductive Health Exogenous Ketones Cholesterol Ubiquinol PfasBeta-glucan versus psyllium for lowering LDL, PFAS reduction, creatine and caffeine, urolithin A, exogenous ketones, IVF, Botox, and sauna.
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Pollution Alzheimer's Estrogen Fiber Vegetarian Bisphenol A Supplements Cardiovascular Rhonda Microplastics PfasDr. Rhonda Patrick reviews the evidence for nattokinase, how oat beta-glucans may aid with PFAS excretion, and HRT for APOE4 carriers.
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In this Aliquot, I briefly describe the science and concerns surrounding microplastics and identify ways to lessen...
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In this clip, Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses how microplastics, BPA, phthalates, and PFAS affect human health through exposures like food, water, and air.
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In this clip, Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses how the body clears BPA, phthalates, microplastics, PFAS, and strategies to support their removal.
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In this clip, Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses ways to reduce microplastic exposure and associated chemicals like BPA, PFAS, and phthalates.
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Rhonda Cancer Epigenetics Diabetes Mitochondria Calcium Dental Weight Loss Microplastics Glp-1 Ubiquinol Pollution PfasDr. Rhonda Patrick discusses GLP-1 agonists, alpha-lipoic acid, ubiquinone vs. ubiquinol, calcium needs, and liquid biopsy cancer screening.
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Rhonda Caffeine Bisphenol A Pollution Bone Sulforaphane Sauna Salt COVID-19 Autoimmunity Microplastics PfasDr. Rhonda Patrick discusses her supplement stack, avoiding microplastics, creatine for brain health, and mRNA vaccine autoimmunity risks.
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Pollution Microplastics Brain Pregnancy Bisphenol A Environment Neurodegeneration Reproductive Health PfasMicroplastics are ubiquitous in everyday life. This episode details how they impact our health and ways that we can limit our exposure.
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Rhonda Hormones Diabetes Cholesterol Omega-3 Dementia Curcumin Protein Blood Sugar Berberine Acetaminophen Microplastics Pollution PfasDr. Rhonda Patrick discusses xylitol safety, strategies to reduce hemoglobin A1C, klotho and dementia risk, and the timing of hormone replacement therapy.
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Processed foods fall on a spectrum, from minimally processed (like oatmeal or canned tomatoes) to ultra-processed...
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Rhonda Dementia Vitamin K Sulforaphane Sauna Glutathione Triglycerides Time-Restricted Eating NAD+ Microplastics Pollution PfasDr. Rhonda Patrick explores collagen peptides, high-dose niacin and vitamin B6, avoiding nano- and microplastics in her latest Q&A.
Topic Pages
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Microplastics
Microplastics adsorb PFAS via hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions, facilitating environmental transport, concentration, and potential trophic transfer.
News & Publications
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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.
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}})
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Exposure to synthetic PFAS chemicals in drinking water may increase the risk of certain cancers by up to 33%. www.nature.com
Nearly 2 million people in the U.S. were diagnosed with cancer in 2023, and exposure to polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may be a contributing factor. These synthetic chemicals, found in food packaging, household products, and personal care items, are known endocrine disruptors that persist in the body and increase the risk of cancer, liver damage, and immune system dysfunction. Recent research suggests that PFAS in drinking water may elevate the risk of cancers affecting the mouth and throat as well as the digestive, endocrine, and respiratory systems.
Researchers collected data on PFAS levels in U.S. public drinking water systems and county-level cancer rates from 2016 to 2021. Then, using statistical analysis, they estimated the number of cancer cases attributable to PFAS exposure.
They found that PFAS in drinking water was associated with increased cancer rates in the digestive, endocrine, respiratory, and mouth/throat systems, with risk increases of up to 33%. Among men, PFAS exposure was linked to higher rates of leukemia and cancers of the urinary tract, brain, and soft tissues, while among women, it was associated with thyroid, mouth/throat, and soft tissue cancers. Their analysis estimated that PFAS in drinking water contributes to approximately 4,600 to 6,900 new cancer cases annually, depending on the dataset used.
These findings highlight the potential risks of PFAS exposure. Because PFAS are present in plastics, microplastics are a significant source of exposure. Learn more about PFAS and microplastics in our overview article.
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Frequent use of personal care products, such as fragrances and nail products, raises 'forever chemical' levels by 10% to 20% during pregnancy and breastfeeding. www.sciencedirect.com
Personal care products like makeup, hair treatments, and nail polish often contain per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These compounds—often called “forever chemicals"—are linked to serious health risks, including cancer, heart disease, and immune dysfunction. A recent study found that using certain personal care products during pregnancy and breastfeeding raises PFAS levels in the body, exposing developing infants to these toxic compounds.
Researchers analyzed data from nearly 2,000 women in the Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals Study to examine how personal care product use affects PFAS concentrations in blood plasma during pregnancy and in breast milk postpartum. Participants reported how often they used eight personal care products, including nail polish, hair sprays, and fragrances, throughout pregnancy and after delivery. The researchers compared personal care use to PFAS levels in blood and breast milk samples collected at specific points.
They found that using certain products frequently—such as daily fragrances or weekly nail care products—was associated with PFAS levels 10% to 20% higher in blood during early pregnancy. Similarly, mothers who used permanent hair dye shortly after delivery had 15% to 20% higher PFAS levels in their breast milk. These patterns were consistent across multiple personal care product categories and for PFAS chemicals known to persist in the body for years.
These findings suggest that personal care products increase PFAS exposure during pregnancy and breastfeeding. PFAS are also found in plastics, which can break down into microplastics and enter the human body. Learn more about microplastics and PFAS exposure in this episode featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.
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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.
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Exposure to 'forever chemicals,' commonly found in plastics, is linked to 80 minutes less sleep per night and increased sleep disturbances. www.sciencedirect.com
Many people find getting a good night’s sleep challenging, and some research suggests that chemicals like per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals,” could be part of the problem. A recent study found that PFAS exposure is linked to shorter sleep duration and increased sleep disturbances.
Researchers measured PFAS levels and proteins related to metabolism and inflammation in the blood of 136 healthy young adults. They asked the participants about their sleep duration, sleep disturbances, and sleep-related impairments.
They found that, on average, those with the highest PFAS levels in their blood slept roughly 80 minutes less per night than those with the lowest levels. Participants with elevated PFAS levels reported more trouble falling and staying asleep, frequent awakenings, and daytime fatigue.
The researchers also found that specific proteins—11-beta-dehydrogenase isozyme-1 and cathepsin B—might participate in PFAS-driven sleep disruption. 11-beta-dehydrogenase isozyme-1 regulates cortisol, influencing metabolism and stress responses, while cathepsin B breaks down proteins, supporting immune functions such as antigen presentation and inflammation.
These findings suggest that PFAS exposure disrupts sleep by altering metabolic and immune pathways. PFAS are principal components of plastic, which can break down and enter the environment as microplastics. Consequently, microplastics may be a major contributor to PFAS exposure. Learn more about microplastics and PFAS exposure in this episode featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.
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Shorter-chain PFAS alternatives, found in common household products, readily penetrate human skin, potentially increasing the health risks associated with these "forever chemicals." www.sciencedaily.com
Perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are synthetic compounds found in food packaging, household products, and plastic bottles. These “forever chemicals” persist in the body for indefinite periods, posing significant health risks such as cancer, liver damage, and immune system dysfunction. To address these concerns, chemical companies have introduced shorter-chain PFAS alternatives, which break down more quickly in the environment. However, a recent study found that these alternatives readily penetrate the skin, potentially increasing the health risks associated with PFAS exposure.
Researchers designed a three-dimensional model that mimicked the qualities of human skin. They applied various PFAS to the model skin, including perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (used on/in non-stick cookware, water and stain repellents, and food packaging) and perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids (used on/in carpets, clothing, paper products, and cleaning agents) and assessed whether the compounds were absorbed (consequently taken up into the bloodstream), unabsorbed, or retained within skin tissue.
The researchers found that the skin absorbed as much as 58.9% of short-chain PFAS, and the absorption rate decreased as the carbon chain length increased. Interestingly, they found that large quantities of longer-chain PFAS (as much as 68.3%) were retained in the skin instead of being absorbed.
These findings suggest that PFAS, especially shorter-chain forms, readily penetrate human skin and can gain access to the bloodstream. They also underscore the potential health risks of PFAS exposure and the need for further research and regulation.
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High levels of "forever chemicals" linked with cancer and reproductive problems found in seafood. www.sciencedaily.com
Polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are synthetic compounds used in food packaging, household products, and drinking water. PFAS aren’t excreted in bodily fluids like sweat or urine; instead, they persist in the body indefinitely and are often referred to as “forever chemicals.” A recent study found that seafood – including fish and shellfish – contains high PFAS levels.
Researchers asked more than 1,800 people living in the northeastern U.S. about the amount and types of seafood they ate. Then, they measured PFAS levels in fish, lobster, shrimp, and scallops purchased from a market in that area.
They found that the participants were regular seafood consumers, with adults consuming approximately 34 grams daily and children consuming 5 grams – slightly higher than national averages. They also found that the fish contained less than 1 nanogram per gram (ng/g) of PFAS; the shrimp contained 1.74 ng/g, and the lobster contained 3.30 ng/g. These levels may pose health concerns among high seafood consumers.
These findings suggest that seafood is an abundant source of PFAS. Future research may illuminate the benefits and risks of consuming seafood. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to various health issues, including increased cholesterol levels, changes in liver function, and impaired immune function. Some studies suggest a potential association between PFAS exposure and increased risks of certain cancers and reproductive problems
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From the publication:
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), previously referred to as “perfluorinated compounds”, are a class of manufactured chemicals that have been detected in nearly all sampling of geographic locations and environmental matrices worldwide, including sites that had no nearby manufacture or use of PFAS. PFAS are used in hundreds of industrial and consumer products including food packaging and waterproof/stain resistant fabrics. Their strong carbon-fluorine bonds provide both hydrophobic and oleophobic properties, which make these chemicals extremely persistent in the environment. The class of PFAS includes tens of thousands of potential environmental contaminants including over one thousand chemicals previously or currently approved for use in the U.S..
For PFAS measured at concentrations already found in the general population, exposure may suppress the immune system. Additionally, exposure to PFAS, with most studies on PFOA and PFOS, has been associated with many health harms, including an increased risk of cancer, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, and reproductive and developmental harms.
The median level of total targeted PFAS in fish fillets from rivers and streams across the United States was 9,500 ng/kg, with a median level of 11,800 ng/kg in the Great Lakes. PFOS was the largest contributor to total PFAS levels, averaging 74% of the total. The median levels of total detected PFAS in freshwater fish across the United States were 278 times higher than levels in commercially relevant fish tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2019–2022. Exposure assessment suggests that a single serving of freshwater fish per year with the median level of PFAS as detected by the U.S. EPA monitoring programs translates into a significant increase of PFOS levels in blood serum.
Additional information:
In June 2018, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) released a draft Toxicological Profile that derived minimal risk levels (MRLs), which are similar to RfDs, for intermediate duration exposure (15–364 days) of four PFAS routinely measured in NHANES [28]. The MRL [minimal risk levels] values for PFOA (3 ng/kg/day) and PFOS (2 ng/kg/day) are 6.7 and 10 times lower than the RfDs EPA used to develop its 2016 HAs and similar to those developed by New Jersey, though they are based on different studies and endpoints. View full publication
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The average person living in a temperate climate requires approximately two liters of water each day for optimal metabolic function. Many people meet their water needs with bottled water. As a result, the bottled water industry in the United States is robust, with consumers spending more than $30 billion per year on water products. Findings from a recent Consumer Reports study indicate that some bottled water products contain heavy metals and harmful compounds called PFAS.
Heavy metals are naturally occurring metallic elements that adversely affect human health. They enter the environment by natural means and through human activities. In very low concentrations, heavy metals maintain various biochemical and physiological functions, but at higher concentrations are often toxic. The most commonly found heavy metals in the environment include arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc. The FDA sets standards for acceptable levels of heavy metals in foods and beverages.
PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are man-made chemicals used in a variety of applications, including food packaging, household products, and drinking water, among others. Exposure to PFAS is linked to low birth weight, altered immune function, and cancer. Unlike some harmful synthetic compounds, PFAS are not excreted in bodily fluids like sweat or urine; rather, they persist in the body for indefinite periods and are often referred to as “forever chemicals.” The federal government and industry groups have set widely differing standards for acceptable levels of PFAS in water.
The authors of the study tested two to four samples of 47 bottled waters (35 noncarbonated and 12 carbonated) for the presence of heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury). They also tested the products for the presence of 30 PFAS.
They found that all but one of the noncarbonated water products had heavy metal levels well below federal safety limits, but nearly all of the products showed measurable levels of PFAS. The carbonated water products also had heavy metal levels that were below federal safety limits, but many of the products showed measurable levels of PFAS.
These findings suggest that carbonated water products are sources of exposure to PFAS and underscore the importance of establishing federally mandated limits for PFAS in bottled drinking water products.