Latest news with #JenniferSchlezinger
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists uncover exciting new method to remove dangerous chemicals from the body: 'Feasible, accessible and economical'
In a hopeful breakthrough for public health, researchers found that dietary fiber may help reduce PFAS — toxic "forever chemicals" — from the human body. As reported by The Guardian, the pilot study showed that increased fiber intake can lower levels of two of the most widespread and harmful PFAS: PFOA and PFOS. These pollutants are commonly found in water, food packaging, and household products, and they have been linked to serious health issues, including cancer, birth defects, and kidney disease. PFAS, short for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are called forever chemicals because they don't naturally break down and can remain in the body for decades. The study's authors believe dietary fiber forms a gel in the digestive system that blocks PFAS from being absorbed, allowing them to exit when you go to the bathroom — similar to how fiber helps remove bile acids. Importantly, the study found that both soluble and insoluble fibers were needed, and oat beta-glucan, a common supplement, was mentioned as a helpful source. Timing is also important, as fiber works best when taken with meals, when bile production is highest. While fiber didn't work as well for "short-chain" PFAS (which are excreted more easily through urine), it was highly effective at reducing levels of long-chain types such as PFOA and PFOS — the types most commonly found in people's blood. This method also appears to be a gentler alternative to treatments such as cholestyramine, a cholesterol drug sometimes used to treat PFAS exposure but known to cause uncomfortable digestive issues. By contrast, fiber has a wide range of health benefits and is easy to integrate into your daily routine. This promising discovery joins other innovative solutions such as an LED method used to break down PFAS and ultraviolet purification used to break down PFAS in water. "The key is that this is feasible, accessible and economical," said Boston University's Jennifer Schlezinger, a co-author of the study. She added that early results are "very promising," and a larger study is underway. People online were impressed with the findings. "Wild how something as simple as fiber could help flush out toxic forever chemicals," one person said on Instagram. "The link between fiber intake and reducing 'forever chemicals' is such an important topic. More research like this could shape our understanding of diet and health. Thanks for sharing!" added another. Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
The Guardian
11-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Eating more fiber could reduce ‘forever chemicals' in bodies, study suggests
Consuming higher amounts of fiber reduces levels of toxic Pfas 'forever chemicals' in human bodies, a new peer-reviewed pilot study suggests. The research found fiber most effectively reduces Pfos and Pfoa, among the two most common and dangerous Pfas. Each can stay in bodies for years, and federal data shows virtually everyone has the chemicals in their blood. The researchers are 'excited' about the results of studies on mice and a small human population, said Jennifer Schlezinger, a paper co-author with Boston University. A larger study is in the works. 'We're still mid-experiment but we're seeing very promising things,' she said. 'The key is that this is feasible, accessible and economical.' Pfas are a class of about 15,000 compounds most frequently used to make products water-, stain- and grease-resistant. They have been linked to cancer, birth defects, decreased immunity, high cholesterol, kidney disease and a range of other serious health problems. They are dubbed 'forever chemicals' because they do not naturally break down in the environment. The US Environmental Protection Agency has found no level of exposure to Pfos or Pfoa in drinking water is safe. They have a half-life in human blood of anywhere from two to five years, by most estimates. That means the body expels half the amount of the chemical that is in blood during that period. Depending on blood levels, it can take decades to fully expel Pfas. Military bases are often Pfas hotspots that have exposed untold numbers of service members to the chemicals, and the US Department of defense is funding the research. The authors theorize that dietary fibers form a gel that may stop cells lining the gut from absorbing the Pfas. They note that fibers form a gel that impedes the absorption of bile acids, leading to increased bile acid elimination in feces. Bile acids are chemically similar to long-chain Pfas, and the Pfas can move into the gut with the bile. The mechanism in the gel-forming dietary fibers that eliminates bile acid seems to do the same thing for Pfas. Schlezinger said insoluble and soluble fibers were needed, and those can be added to a glass of juice. Oat beta glucan is also effective. It should be taken with meals because that is when the body largely produces bile, which needs to be timed with fiber consumption. Sign up to Detox Your Kitchen A seven-week expert course to help you avoid chemicals in your food and groceries. after newsletter promotion Pfoa and Pfos are classified as 'long chain' Pfas, which means that they are among larger compounds in the chemical class. The fiber seemed to generally work well at capturing and discharging those via feces, but did not work as well for smaller 'short-chain' Pfas. Short-chain Pfas are excreted through urine, but long chains are not. Cholestyramine, a cholesterol drug, has also been used to reduce Pfas blood levels. But it has been found to create frequent, large, hard stools in mice, Schlezinger said. Fiber, by contrast, creates easy-to-pass stools, and has added health benefits, she noted.
