You've probably seen the headlines. PFAS. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They’re everywhere—in your non-stick pans, your waterproof jacket, and unfortunately, likely circulating in your bloodstream right now. It's a bit terrifying to think about, honestly. These synthetic compounds earned the nickname "forever chemicals" because they just don't break down easily in the environment or in us.
When people ask how to get rid of forever chemicals in body, they usually want a quick detox or a magic pill. I hate to be the one to say it, but the human body doesn't come with a "reset" button for industrial pollutants. However, the situation isn't entirely hopeless. We’re finally seeing real data on how these substances leave our systems and what we can do to speed up that process, even if "speed" in this context is measured in years, not days.
The frustrating reality of PFAS half-lives
Let's get real for a second. If you drink a cup of coffee, the caffeine is mostly gone in a day. If you ingest PFOA (one specific type of PFAS), it stays with you. Scientists talk about this in terms of "half-life." For some of these chemicals, the half-life in humans is estimated to be anywhere from three to seven years. That means if you stopped every single source of exposure today, it would still take nearly a decade just to reduce your levels by half.
It’s a slow burn.
The reason they stick around is basically down to chemistry. PFAS molecules have a chain of carbon and fluorine atoms. This bond is one of the strongest in organic chemistry. Your liver, which is usually great at breaking things down, looks at a PFAS molecule and basically shrugs. It doesn't know what to do with it. Instead of being excreted quickly, these chemicals often get reabsorbed in the kidneys or stuck in the bile, cycling back into your system over and over again.
Can you actually "detox" them?
Forget the green juices. Seriously. Most "detox" products you see on social media are useless for industrial chemicals. They might make you pee more, but they aren't touching the PFAS bound to the proteins in your blood.
However, there is some fascinating, albeit slightly intense, research on how to physically remove these substances.
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A significant study published in JAMA Network Open in 2022 followed Australian firefighters. These folks had high levels of PFAS because of the fire-fighting foams they used for years. The researchers found that regular blood or plasma donation actually reduced the levels of PFAS in their systems.
Why? Because PFAS binds to serum proteins in the blood. When you give blood, you are quite literally giving away some of the chemicals. The study showed that plasma donation was even more effective than regular blood donation, likely because you can donate plasma more frequently. It’s not a "treatment" doctors usually prescribe for the general public, but it’s the only proven way we’ve seen to mechanically lower the body burden.
The role of the gut and bile
There's another path: the enterohepatic circulation.
Basically, your liver dumps toxins into your bile, which goes into your intestines. Usually, the body is too efficient for its own good and reabsorbs those toxins before they can leave in your poop. Some doctors are looking at "bile acid sequestrants." These are cholesterol medications like cholestyramine. They bind to bile in the gut and prevent it from being reabsorbed.
Clinical trials have shown these can significantly drop PFAS levels. But—and this is a big "but"—these are prescription drugs with side effects. They can mess with your vitamin absorption and cause digestive issues. It's not something you go buy at a supplement shop. It's a medical intervention for people with extreme exposure.
Why "getting rid of it" is only half the battle
Focusing only on how to get rid of forever chemicals in body is like trying to bail water out of a boat while the hull is still leaking. If you don't plug the holes, you're just wasting your time.
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You've got to stop the inflow.
Most people get their biggest dose from drinking water. If you haven't checked your local water report lately, you should. The EPA has recently introduced much stricter limits on PFAS in drinking water because they’ve realized even tiny amounts are a problem.
- Water Filtration: Not all filters work. Your basic pitcher filter might catch some, but it's not great for PFAS. You want High-grade Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) or, even better, Reverse Osmosis (RO). RO is the gold standard. It’s expensive and wastes water, but it’s incredibly effective at stripping out those carbon-fluorine chains.
- The Kitchen: If your non-stick pan is flaking, throw it out. Like, today. Switch to cast iron, stainless steel, or glass.
- Dust: This sounds weird, right? But PFAS is often used in stain-resistant treatments for carpets and couches. Over time, those chemicals break off into household dust. You breathe it in. Vacuuming with a HEPA filter and wet-dusting can actually lower your daily exposure.
Sweat, fiber, and the margins of health
Does sweating help? Maybe a little bit.
A few studies have found trace amounts of PFAS in sweat, but it's not the primary exit route. The kidneys and the gut do the heavy lifting. That said, staying active and using a sauna isn't going to hurt, as long as you're staying hydrated with filtered water.
Fiber is also a quiet hero here. Remember that bile reabsorption issue I mentioned? A high-fiber diet—lots of beans, oats, and cruciferous vegetables—can help "trap" some of those bile acids and carry them out of the body. It’s not a miracle cure, but it’s a lifestyle shift that supports the body's natural elimination pathways.
We also have to talk about the "new" PFAS. As soon as PFOA and PFOS were phased out, companies started using "GenX" and other short-chain PFAS. The industry claimed these were safer because they leave the body faster. Technically, they do have shorter half-lives. But they’re also harder to filter out of water. It’s a bit of a shell game.
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What we still don't know
Science is still catching up. We know PFAS exposure is linked to high cholesterol, thyroid issues, and certain cancers. We also know that some people seem to clear these chemicals faster than others. Genetics likely plays a role.
The medical community is still debating what a "safe" level is. Honestly, many experts argue that the safe level is zero, but that's almost impossible in the modern world. We are all "PFAS positive" to some degree. The goal isn't necessarily to reach zero—that's a recipe for health anxiety—but to lower the "body burden" enough that your immune system and endocrine system can function without interference.
Practical steps you can take now
If you’re worried about your levels, don't panic. Stress isn't going to help your liver function. Instead, take a systematic approach to reducing your load and supporting your body's natural exit ramps.
- Test your water. Don't guess. Use a certified lab or check your utility’s annual report. If PFAS levels are high, invest in a reverse osmosis system for your kitchen sink.
- Audit your "slippery" stuff. Look at your makeup, your dental floss (some are coated in PFAS), and your microwave popcorn bags. If it’s grease-proof or waterproof, it’s a suspect.
- Support your gut. Eat more fiber than you think you need. Aim for 30-40 grams a day. This keeps the biliary system moving and reduces the chance of chemical reabsorption.
- Consider blood donation. If you are healthy and able, regular blood or plasma donation is the only scientifically backed way to physically remove these chemicals from your circulation. Plus, you’re helping someone else.
- Talk to a toxicologist or a functional medicine doctor if you suspect high occupational exposure. They can run specific blood tests (like the ones offered by Quest or Labcorp) to see where your levels actually sit compared to the national average.
The journey to lowering your chemical load is a marathon. You aren't going to "flush" your system in a weekend. It's about making small, consistent changes to your environment and giving your body the time and resources it needs to slowly clear the backlog. Focus on what you can control and let the biology do the rest.
Next Steps for Lowering Your PFAS Load:
- Identify Exposure: Check the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Tap Water Database to see if your local area has reported PFAS contamination.
- Upgrade Filtration: Look for water filters certified under NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 58 specifically for PFOA/PFOS reduction.
- Dietary Shift: Increase intake of soluble fiber (found in beans, apples, and citrus) to help bind bile acids in the digestive tract.
- Check Labels: Avoid products with ingredients containing "fluoro" or "perfluoro" on personal care labels.
- Monitor Health: Work with a healthcare provider to monitor cholesterol and thyroid function, as these are often the first systems affected by high PFAS levels.