Latest news with #EnvironmentalHealth
New York Post
9 hours ago
- Health
- New York Post
How do you get rid of forever chemicals in your body? Eat more of these foods
They're in your household products, your beer — and even your drinking water. Luckily, a recent study has found a way to rid your body of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — commonly known as 'forever chemicals' due to their lingering presence in the environment and human body. And all you have to do is add a few foods into your diet. 3 A new study has revealed that certain foods that can help you eliminate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Andrii – The study — published in the journal Environmental Health — looked at 72 adult men aged 18 to 65, all of whom has detectable levels of forever chemicals in their blood. Researchers gave 42 of the men a supplement containing one gram of oat beta-glucan — a soluble fiber found in some foods — three times daily, just before meals, as that's when the body produces the most bile. The other 30 men were given a placebo made from rice. After just four weeks, blood tests showed that the fiber group saw an 8% drop in two of the most dangerous PFAS types: PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid). These two chemicals have been found in drinking water, cosmetics and even food packaging — and both are known to build up in the human body over time. 3 After just four weeks, blood tests showed that the fiber group saw an 8% drop in two of the most dangerous PFAS types: PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid). Getty Images Researchers tested for 17 different PFAS compounds total. They found that 70% of participants had 11 or more of them in their bloodstream, and every single participant had at least five. While the reduction seen was modest, experts say it's an important first step — especially since PFAS are infamously difficult to eliminate from the body. 'Despite the growing concerns about the toxicity of PFAS, specific interventions to reduce PFAS levels in the body are limited,' the researchers wrote. Beta-glucan has been shown to bind to PFAS in the digestive system, which might help you poop them out. 3 Researchers gave 42 of the men a supplement containing one gram of oat beta-glucan — a soluble fiber found in some foods. Vladislav Noseek – Foods high in beta-glucan include: Oats Barley Rye Wheat Shiitake Mushrooms Reishi Mushrooms Seaweed Nutritional Yeast Forever chemicals — used in everything from nonstick pans to fast-food wrappers — have been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, liver damage and more. While eliminating PFAS exposure entirely may be difficult, dietary choices can help mitigate their harmful impact.
The Sun
17 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
The 84p supplement that can ‘FLUSH out cancer-causing microplastics' revealed
A CHEAP supplement made from oats could help flush deadly "forever chemicals" from your body, US scientists have found. These toxic substances - known as PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) - are found in non-stick pans, food wrappers, plastic containers and even stain-proof carpets. 2 They build up in the body over time and have been linked to cancer, infertility, liver damage and hormone disruption. But a new study by researchers at Boston University suggests a simple dietary fibre could help reduce PFAS levels in the blood. In the trial, 42 men were given 1g of oat beta-glucan fibre, a soluble oat bran fibre before every meal for four weeks. Another 30 took a placebo made from rice. The fibre is found naturally in oats, mushrooms and seeds. After a month, blood tests showed the fibre group had an 8 per cent drop in two of the most dangerous forms of PFAS: PFOA and PFOS, both linked to cancer and hormone disruption. Scientists believe the fibre works by binding to bile in the gut, which PFAS attach to, and helping excrete it all through poo, rather than letting it seep into the bloodstream. The study, published in Environmental Health, in March 2025, is the first real evidence that something as simple as oat fibre could help clear out chemicals once thought to stay in the body for decades. But PFAS take years to break down, so longer studies are needed to confirm how effective fibre is in the long term. Experts also warned not all fibre works the same - beta-glucan is the key type used in the trial. Previous research has shown that the fibre can also support heart health by lowering cholesterol. What are PFAS? Like other forms of fibre it it also helps ease constipation by keeping bowels moving and reduces the risk of bowel cancer. More than 90 per cent of adults in the UK don't eat enough fibre, according to the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS), with NHS guidelines recommending 30g of fibre a day. Oat beta-glucan supplements are available in the UK from health shops and online, often marketed for heart health or cholesterol. You'll need around 3g per day to match the study dose, typically taken as 1g before each meal. Holland and Barrett are selling a 14-day supply of Oatwell Original Oat Bran Powder with Beta-Glucan for £10.12 - which works out to 84p per dose. How can I eat more fibre? Most adults only eat about 20g of fibre a day, but government guidelines say our dietary fibre intake should increase to 30g a day Make sure you're getting your fibre from a number of sources, not just one. The NHS recommends doing the following to increase your intake: Choose a higher-fibre breakfast cereal such as plain wholewheat biscuits (like Weetabix) or plain shredded whole grain (like Shredded wheat), or porridge as oats are also a good source of fibre. Go for wholemeal or granary breads, or higher fibre white bread, and choose wholegrains like wholewheat pasta, bulgur wheat or brown rice. Go for potatoes with their skins on, such as a baked potato or boiled new potatoes. Add pulses like beans, lentils or chickpeas to stews, curries and salads. Include plenty of vegetables with meals, either as a side dish or added to sauces, stews or curries. Have some fresh or dried fruit, or fruit canned in natural juice for dessert. Because dried fruit is sticky, it can increase the risk of tooth decay, so it's better if it is only eaten as part of a meal, rather than as a between-meal snack. For snacks, try fresh fruit, vegetable sticks, rye crackers, oatcakes and unsalted nuts or seeds. Source: NHS
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Car park pool party would be dangerous
A proposed "pool party" in a Birmingham car park has been described as "dangerous" by police. The Newtown event would feature DJs and a "maximum of 25 ladies" in the temporary pool, the individual behind the plans said. Police licensing officer Mark Swallow stated he did not feel the site was "in any way suitable at this time" and it "would be dangerous as there are numerous hazards". The individual behind the application, for 30 Lower Tower Street on 14 June, said he had tried his best "to figure out all the requirements and do everything that's required". West Midlands Police, which objected to the application, said it had asked the applicant for information to ensure the event was safe and promoted licensing objectives. "To date adequate responses have not been received," it said. Mr Swallow told a licensing meeting it would take "a great deal of work to change this into a suitable site" and there was no indication "the applicant has the means or inclination to do that". Harry Bevington, from Environmental Health, said he was concerned by potential "noise break-out" and up to 450 attendees had been proposed. Only "ladies will be allowed in the pool for safety reasons" and a changing room would be provided for "safe, private and secure outfit change", a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) said. Female security would be there to ensure safety, it stated. The individual behind the TEN application, who attended Wednesday's virtual meeting, said he was keeping certain requested information "for last" as he made sure the site was suitable. He said the "owner of the place... [has] assured he's cleaning the place - I was there myself yesterday [Tuesday] to see the progress". A contractor would manage equipment, the applicant said. The council said no permission was required to carry out a licensable activity temporarily. An applicant must merely give notice of intentions to operate a licensable activity to the relevant authority. "However, the police or local authority exercising environmental health functions may intervene to prevent such an event taking place or agree a modification of the proposed arrangements," it said. Parties will be notified of the licensing sub-committee's decision within five working days. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Local Democracy Reporting Service Birmingham City Council West Midlands Police
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Birmingham pool party event would be dangerous
A proposed "pool party" in a Birmingham car park has been described as "dangerous" by Newtown event would feature DJs and a "maximum of 25 ladies" in the temporary pool, the individual behind the plans licensing officer Mark Swallow stated he did not feel the site was "in any way suitable at this time" and it "would be dangerous as there are numerous hazards".The individual behind the application, for 30 Lower Tower Street on 14 June, said he had tried his best "to figure out all the requirements and do everything that's required". West Midlands Police, which objected to the application, said it had asked the applicant for information to ensure the event was safe and promoted licensing objectives."To date adequate responses have not been received," it Swallow told a licensing meeting it would take "a great deal of work to change this into a suitable site" and there was no indication "the applicant has the means or inclination to do that".Harry Bevington, from Environmental Health, said he was concerned by potential "noise break-out" and up to 450 attendees had been proposed. 'May intervene' Only "ladies will be allowed in the pool for safety reasons" and a changing room would be provided for "safe, private and secure outfit change", a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) security would be there to ensure safety, it individual behind the TEN application, who attended Wednesday's virtual meeting, said he was keeping certain requested information "for last" as he made sure the site was said the "owner of the place... [has] assured he's cleaning the place - I was there myself yesterday [Tuesday] to see the progress".A contractor would manage equipment, the applicant said. The council said no permission was required to carry out a licensable activity applicant must merely give notice of intentions to operate a licensable activity to the relevant authority."However, the police or local authority exercising environmental health functions may intervene to prevent such an event taking place or agree a modification of the proposed arrangements," it will be notified of the licensing sub-committee's decision within five working days. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Even low levels of lead exposure may worsen academic performance: Study
Academic achievement among adolescents may be affected by early childhood lead exposure at much lower levels than previously assumed, according to a new study. Just a small climb in blood concentrations of this toxic metal — still within the range currently deemed acceptable by public health agencies — was associated with worse performance on standardized tests, scientists found in the study, published Wednesday in Environmental Health. 'Children's exposure to lead has long been recognized as harmful to their health and neurodevelopment,' wrote the University of Iowa research team. 'The present work provides further evidence to support that there are no safe levels of lead and that there is a need to continue to reduce or eliminate lead exposure,' the scientists warned. In 1991, the Environmental Protection Agency first issued a rule requiring utilities to monitor their drinking water for lead — mandating action if concentrations surpass 15 parts per billion (ppb), or 1.5 microgram per deciliter (μg/dL). Last year, the agency reduced that safety threshold to 10 ppb, or 1 μg/dL. The Safe Drinking Water Act allows maximum lead content in pipes that touch water to be a weighted average of 0.25 percent across their wetted surfaces. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has historically published health guidelines for blood lead levels, lowering it in 2021 from 5 μg/dL to 3.5 μg/dL. Yet the CDC and other health agencies also recognize that lower blood levels — below that 3.5 μg/dL bar — can still be harmful to child development, the authors noted. As such, the researchers stressed the importance in understanding how blood lead concentrations that are currently considered 'low' could still be impacting children. To further that understanding, they decided to examine the association between a 1-unit change in early childhood levels within the CDC's low range — levels less than 3.5 μg/dL — and academic performance in standardized math and reading tests taken between grades 2 and 11. As a basis of comparison, the scientists also evaluated the effects of a similar 1-unit change in blood level levels in the range of 3.5 μg/dL or higher. Other data informing the study came from birth certificates, as well as the standardized tests, from a broad sample pool of hundreds of thousands of students across Iowa. Ultimately, the researchers found that a 1-unit increase in lead levels in the lower range was connected to lower math test scores by an average of -0.47 points and in reading by -0.38 points. In the higher range, the 1-unit increase was associated with lower math test scores by an average of -0.52 points and in reading by -0.56 points. The trend in score declines, the authors noted, applied to students across the entire study population, from grades 2 through 11. 'The declines in school tests associated with lead levels were generally steady across all grades, highlighting the persistence and permanency of the academic deficits associated with lead exposure,' the authors noted. Emphasizing the notion that no safe lead level exists, the scientists urged policymakers to revisit current health thresholds. Those values, they explained, steer recommendations as to when individual interventions to mitigate developmental risks should occur. 'Reconsidering and potentially lowering current blood lead reference values for intervention may be needed to better address the associations of low-level lead exposures with cognitive and academic outcomes,' they added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
