Nurture your gut biome to clear forever chemicals from your body
Psst! PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are toxic chemicals that show up in nonstick cookware, grease-resistant food packaging, waterproof clothing, and stain-resistant upholstery, and are then shed into the water supply, fish, and the air you breathe. According to the Natural Resources Defense Fund, animal and human studies link them to kidney and testicular cancer, hormone disruption, liver and thyroid problems, interference with vaccine effectiveness, reproductive harm, and abnormal fetal development. A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found PFAS in the blood of 97% of Americans.
The good news: Reverse osmosis and granular activated carbon filters can remove many PFAS from drinking water, and you can avoid ingesting many PFAS by using stainless steel, cast-iron, glass, or ceramic cooking pans, never heating up food wrapped in grease-resistant packaging or making popcorn in microwaveable bags.
The better news: Scientists have found that you can nurture the growth in your gut of a probiotic called Bacteroides uniformis that gobbles up and then clears out 25% to 74% of the PFAS in your system!
How do you make sure you've got the guts to do this important housecleaning? By eating a high-fiber diet loaded with vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts and seeds, with a good dose of resistant starches from green bananas and 100% whole grains. You also want to eat Bacteroides-supporting foods containing inulin and pectin, including onions, garlic, and leeks, apples, citrus fruits, and carrots.
For more tips on protecting your health from environmental assaults, check out my free newsletter at LongevityPlaybook.com.
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.
(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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