You’ve probably seen the headlines. They call them "forever chemicals." It’s a scary name. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are basically everywhere—in your non-stick pans, your waterproof jacket, and likely your drinking water. Because these carbon-fluorine bonds are some of the strongest in chemistry, they don't just break down. They sit there. They linger in the environment and, unfortunately, they linger in us.
If you’re wondering how to get rid of PFAS in body, you aren't alone. Everyone wants a detox. A pill. A magic green juice. But honestly? The biology of these chemicals is a bit more stubborn than a weekend juice cleanse can handle. We need to talk about what actually works, what’s total marketing fluff, and how the body handles these synthetic invaders over the long haul.
The frustrating reality of the "Forever" part
PFAS don't behave like alcohol or caffeine. If you drink too much coffee, your liver and kidneys process it, and it's gone in a day. PFAS are different. They bind to proteins in your blood, specifically albumin. Instead of being quickly flushed out, they get reabsorbed by the kidneys. It’s a cycle. They just keep circulating.
How long do they stay? It depends on the specific "flavor" of PFAS. For example, PFOA has a half-life in humans of about 3 to 7 years. That means if you stopped every single ounce of exposure today, it would still take nearly a decade just to get half of it out of your system. It’s a slow game. A very slow game.
Why the "Detox" industry is mostly lying to you
You’ll see influencers selling "PFAS detox" kits. They usually contain activated charcoal, milk thistle, or some proprietary blend of clay. Here is the truth: there is almost zero clinical evidence that these supplements pull PFAS out of your tissues. Activated charcoal is great if you just swallowed poison and are in the ER, because it binds to things in the gut. But PFAS are already in your blood and organs. A charcoal pill in your stomach can't "reach out" and grab chemicals stuck in your liver or blood proteins.
Blood and Plasma donation: The only proven "Drain"
Actually, there is one weird, scientifically backed way to lower the levels. A 2022 study published in JAMA Network Open led by Dr. Robin Gasiorowski found that firefighters who donated blood or plasma regularly saw a significant drop in their PFAS levels.
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It makes sense if you think about it.
If the chemicals are bound to your blood proteins, and you physically remove some of that blood, you are removing the chemicals. The study showed that plasma donation was even more effective than regular blood donation. Why? Because PFAS loves those blood proteins, and plasma is where those proteins live. Firefighters who donated plasma every six weeks for a year saw their PFAS levels drop by about 30 percent.
Is this a recommendation to go bleed yourself dry? Not necessarily. But for people with extremely high occupational exposure, it’s the only intervention that has actually moved the needle in a clinical setting. For the average person, the risks of frequent donation (like iron deficiency) need to be weighed against the benefits of lowering chemical loads.
Protecting your liver and kidneys
Since your body does try to eliminate these chemicals through bile and urine—even if it's slow—supporting your natural filtration systems is the next best thing. This isn't about "cleansing." It's about maintenance.
Your liver is the primary site where PFAS accumulate. Keeping your liver healthy helps ensure that the natural (albeit slow) excretion process isn't hindered. This means cutting back on processed fructose and alcohol, which can cause fatty liver and slow down your "bio-filter."
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The role of fiber
There is some fascinating research into "enterohepatic circulation." Basically, some PFAS are excreted into the bile, sent to the intestines, and then—frustratingly—reabsorbed back into the blood. This is where diet comes in. High-fiber diets, specifically soluble fiber found in beans, oats, and apples, can act as a physical barrier. Fiber binds to bile acids. If the fiber grabs the bile that contains PFAS and carries it out through your stool, you’ve successfully prevented that specific batch of chemicals from being recycled back into your system.
It’s not a 100% fix. But it's a daily, low-stakes way to assist the process.
How to get rid of PFAS in body by stopping the leak
You can't bail water out of a boat if the hull is still ripped open. The most effective way to lower your body burden is to stop new chemicals from entering. If you stop the intake, the half-life clock finally starts ticking down.
The Water Filter is non-negotiable
For most people, drinking water is the biggest source. Standard Brita pitchers (the basic ones) don't do much for PFAS. You need something more robust. Look for filters certified under NSF/ANSI standards 53 or 58.
- Reverse Osmosis (RO): This is the gold standard. It forces water through a membrane that catches almost everything. It’s expensive and wastes some water, but it’s the most effective.
- Activated Carbon (High Quality): Filters like the Berkey or specific under-sink carbon blocks can work, but they have to be changed frequently. Once a carbon filter is "full," it can actually start dumping chemicals back into your water.
The Kitchen Audit
If you're still using scratched Teflon pans from 2005, throw them away. Seriously. When non-stick coating degrades, it sheds microplastics and PFAS directly into your eggs. Switch to stainless steel, cast iron, or carbon steel. If you must use non-stick, go for "ceramic" coatings, though even those have their own life-cycles to worry about.
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Also, stop microwaving food in plastic. Even "microwave-safe" plastic can leach chemicals when heated. Use glass or pyrex. It's a small change, but over 365 days a year, it adds up.
What about sweating and saunas?
Everyone loves the idea of "sweating out toxins." It feels productive. You sit in a sauna, you drip, you feel cleaner.
With PFAS, the evidence is thin. Most PFAS are found in the blood and organs, not in sweat glands. While some studies have found trace amounts of certain PFAS in sweat, it's a tiny fraction compared to what stays in the blood. Saunas are great for cardiovascular health and maybe for excreting certain heavy metals, but don't rely on them to clear out your "forever chemical" stash. Use the sauna because it makes you feel good, not because you think it's a chemical vacuum.
The psychological side of chemical exposure
It’s easy to spiral into health anxiety here. We live in a plastic-wrapped world. You can't reach zero. Even researchers who study this have PFAS in their blood. The goal isn't purity—purity is impossible in 2026. The goal is "reduction of burden."
Your body is remarkably resilient. While PFAS are linked to things like thyroid issues, high cholesterol, and immune suppression, these are often "dose-dependent." Lowering your exposure by 50% or 70% is a massive win for your long-term health. You don't need to be perfect; you just need to be better than the baseline.
Actionable steps to lower your PFAS burden
- Test your water. Don't guess. Use a lab like MyTapScore or check your local municipal water report. If your levels are high, invest in a Reverse Osmosis system.
- Ditch the "Extra" non-stick. This includes microwave popcorn bags (lined with PFAS) and heavy-duty stain-resistant treatments on your carpets or couches. If a product says "stain-proof," it's probably coated in the very thing you're trying to avoid.
- Eat more beans and cruciferous veggies. The fiber helps trap bile and prevent the reabsorption of chemicals in the gut. Plus, sulforaphane in broccoli supports liver phase II detoxification pathways.
- Consider plasma donation. If you know you have high exposure (perhaps you live near a military base or a manufacturing plant), talk to your doctor about regular plasma donation. It is the only clinically proven way to physically "drain" PFAS from the bloodstream.
- Check your dental floss. Weirdly, some "glide" type flosses are coated in PTFE (Teflon). Switch to silk or waxed cotton floss.
- Don't panic over "detox" supplements. Save your money. Spend it on high-quality food and a better water filter instead.
Focus on the big levers. The water you drink every day and the pans you cook on every morning are the big levers. Fix those, and your body's natural, slow-motion cleaning process will finally have a chance to catch up.