You may have heard the term “forever chemicals” floating around in the news lately. It sounds dramatic—and it is. These compounds, known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), are used to make products stain-resistant, non-stick, and water-repellent. They’re in cookware, food packaging, outdoor gear, carpets, cosmetics, and—unfortunately—our water, food, soil and therefore, our bodies.
Once PFAS enter the body, they don’t break down easily. In fact, some of the most studied forms can remain for years, quietly circulating and building up in our tissues. Studies show that over 98% of people in the United States have measurable levels of PFAS in their blood—even if they’ve never touched a non-stick pan in their lives (NIEHS, 2023).
By understanding what these chemicals are, how they linger, and how fiber and a Root-Cause Diet help escort them out, you can start to beat their effects and begin to heal your body – naturally.
Why They’re Called “Forever Chemicals”
PFAS are built on one of the strongest chemical bonds known to science—the carbon-fluorine bond—which makes them highly resistant to heat, water, and oil. This is great if you’re trying to keep your jacket waterproof… not so great if you’re trying to keep your body free from chemical buildup.
The half-life (the time it takes for half of a substance to leave the body) for certain PFAS can be shockingly long:
- PFOA: ~3 years
- PFOS: 3.4–5.7 years
- PFHxS: 2.8–8.5 years
That means even low-level exposure—like a little here and there from drinking water—adds up over time (Li et al., 2024).
And while older PFAS have been phased out in the U.S., they linger in our environment for decades, and newer versions are still being used. These “short-chain” PFAS may leave the body faster but can still cause harm (EPA, 2023).
The Health Concerns Are Real
Research links PFAS exposure to:
- Hormone disruption
- Immune system suppression
- Thyroid disorders
- Certain cancers
- High cholesterol and cardiovascular disease
- Fertility and developmental issues in children (CDC, 2023).
Given these risks—and the fact that the EPA considers no level of PFAS exposure to be safe—reducing body burden becomes a clear priority.
Why Detox Alone Isn’t Enough
It’s tempting to think a weekend juice cleanse or a bottle of “detox” capsules can wash away years of PFAS exposure. Unfortunately, that’s not how these chemicals work. Because PFAS circulate between the liver, bile, gut, and bloodstream, they can get stuck in a cycle called enterohepatic recirculation.
This is where a Root Cause Protocol (RCP)-style diet can make a real difference. Rather than “flushing” the body with harsh detoxes, RCP focuses on supporting your body’s innate detox pathways—especially the liver, kidneys, and gut—through nutrient-dense foods, mineral balance, and targeted fiber intake.
The Science on Fiber and PFAS Removal
A recent pilot study explored the effects of adding a beta-glucan fiber drink to participants’ diets. After four weeks, those in the fiber group had about an 8% reduction in blood levels of certain long-chain PFAS compared to the control group (Buhrke et al., 2025).
Why? Soluble fiber, especially from oats and barley, forms a gel in the gut. This gel binds not only bile acids but also PFAS—thanks to their similar chemical structure—and helps escort them out of the body through the stool.
Here’s the key: Fiber must be consumed with meals, when bile production is at its peak, to maximize PFAS binding (UML, 2025).
How a Root-Cause Diet Supports This Process
The Root Cause Protocol and the green Mediterranean diet share common ground:
- Mineral-rich vegetables and leafy greens (support detox enzyme function)
- Whole, unprocessed grains and legumes (high in soluble + insoluble fiber)
- Healthy fats from whole foods (help regulate bile flow)
- Fermented foods (nurture gut microbes involved in toxin breakdown)
By pairing fiber-rich meals with mineral-dense foods and proper hydration, you’re giving your body what it needs to naturally interrupt PFAS recirculation.
Where We’re Headed Next
This post is Part 1 of my 5-week series, Breaking Free from Forever Chemicals.
Here’s what’s coming:
- Part 2 (Sept 5): Fiber, Minerals, and Microbes – The Nutritional Keys to Removing PFAS
- Part 3 (Sept 12): 7 Herbal Allies for Clearing Liver and Kidneys of Toxic Burdens
- Part 4 (Sept 19): Everyday Habits to Protect Yourself from PFAS
- Part 5 (Sept 26): Your 30-Day Root Cause Detox Plan
Bottom line: PFAS may be stubborn, but science shows there are realistic, natural ways to help your body move them out—without extreme detox fads. Start with fiber, nourish your detox organs, and take it step by step. Your body is designed to heal; it just needs the right tools.
References:
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (2023). Diet May Protect Against PFOS. Retrieved from https://factor.niehs.nih.gov
- Li, Y. et al. (2024). Human Half-Lives of Perfluoroalkyl Substances.Environmental Health Perspectives, 132(4). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38008199
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023). Health Effects of PFAS. Retrieved from https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/pfas
- Buhrke, T. et al. (2025). Dietary Beta-Glucan Reduces Serum PFAS in Adults. Toxicological Sciences, 198(3). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39647509
- University of Massachusetts Lowell (2025). PFAS Detox Study Findings. Retrieved from https://www.uml.edu
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