How do you detox from PFAS? What science actually says about getting rid of “forever chemicals”

You’ve probably heard about PFAS - those persistent industrial chemicals dubbed “forever chemicals” because they stick around in the environment and our bodies for years. They’re in everything from non-stick pans to waterproof jackets.

And recently, articles and influencers have started offering tips to “detox” from them using sweat, supplements, or strict liver cleanses. Sounds promising. But does the science back it up?

The truth is a bit more complicated. While PFAS exposure has been linked to various health concerns - from hormone disruption to increased cancer risk - actually eliminating them from your body is no small feat.

Let’s explore what the latest research says about how our bodies handle PFAS, what might help move them along, and which detox claims are more hype than help.

What are PFAS and why are they so stubborn?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals used for decades in consumer products and industrial applications. Their superpower is their chemical structure - strong carbon-fluorine bonds that make them resistant to water, oil, heat, and degradation. Unfortunately, that same quality means they barely break down in nature or inside us.

Once PFAS enter your system - usually through food, water, or household dust - they circulate in the bloodstream and bind to proteins like albumin. And they don’t leave quickly. Some types of PFAS, like PFOS and PFOA, can linger in your body for several years (Lu et al., 2023). Shorter-chain alternatives clear faster, but they’re still not in any rush.

Does the body naturally get rid of PFAS?

Yes - slowly. The kidneys and liver play the main roles in PFAS elimination, mainly through urine and, to a lesser extent, faeces. But clearance depends on the specific chemical. A recent study tracked a healthy volunteer who ingested a mixture of 15 PFAS compounds. The findings were striking: while some newer, short-chain PFAS left the body within days, legacy compounds like PFOS and PFOA had half-lives of several years (Abraham et al., 2024).

The difference comes down to how these chemicals bind in the body. Longer-chain PFAS stick more tightly to blood proteins, making them harder for the kidneys to filter out. Some also get reabsorbed during filtration instead of being excreted.

So what can help eliminate PFAS faster?

Here’s where the science starts exploring potential interventions. Let’s break down the most promising (and not-so-promising) options.

1. Hemoadsorption (blood filtering)

One of the most interesting developments is a laboratory study testing hemoadsorption - a type of blood filtration - to remove PFAS. Researchers circulated a PFAS-contaminated fluid through a sorbent cartridge and saw almost complete removal of high-concentration PFAS within two hours. About 90% was gone in the first hour alone (Pavan et al., 2024).

While this was an in vitro model - so not tested in real humans yet - the results are promising enough that researchers suggest it could be applied clinically for people with high PFAS exposure.

That said, it’s not a casual detox you’d book at a spa. We’re talking medical-grade blood treatment, likely reserved for cases of serious contamination or occupational exposure.

2. Understanding kidney transporters

PFAS don’t float around freely in the bloodstream. They attach to proteins like albumin, which affects how quickly they can be filtered out. Recent research has mapped out how specific transporters in the kidneys handle PFAS, and it turns out that some chemicals hitch a ride out of the body more easily than others.

A 2023 review used molecular docking models to show how PFAS interact with key renal transporters, like organic anion transporters (OATs), which play a major role in their clearance (Lu et al., 2023).

This insight could eventually lead to drugs or dietary compounds that speed up PFAS excretion by enhancing these transporter pathways. But we’re not there yet.

What about saunas, liver cleanses, or supplements?

You’ll find no shortage of wellness articles and detox programmes promising to “flush PFAS” through sweat or special herbal regimens. It’s tempting - who wouldn’t want a simple way to clear these chemicals? But so far, the science just doesn’t support it.

There are no peer-reviewed studies showing that sweating - whether in a sauna or through exercise - effectively eliminates PFAS. The compounds are hydrophobic and protein-bound, which means they’re far more likely to leave via urine than sweat glands.

Similarly, no clinical trials back up the idea that supplements like chlorella, activated charcoal, or liver tonics can reduce PFAS levels in the blood. They may support general health, but detoxing PFAS? That claim is premature at best.

The article you linked from Women’s Health Network suggests sweating and liver support as viable detox routes. While the liver certainly plays a role in chemical processing, there’s no direct evidence showing it can meaningfully eliminate PFAS through enhanced function or herbal support. We’d all love a simple cleanse, but PFAS aren't playing by those rules.

Cutting exposure still matters

If we can’t speed up PFAS removal in any meaningful way just yet, what can we do? Focus on reducing future exposure.

Diet is one of the biggest sources, especially contaminated water, fish, and food packaging. Drinking filtered water (especially filters certified for PFAS removal), avoiding stain-resistant or non-stick cookware, and cutting back on fast food or microwave popcorn (often wrapped in PFAS-lined packaging) can make a difference.

While PFAS are already present in many of us, the body does slowly remove them. So cutting down exposure now means lower long-term levels.

What we still need to learn

There’s still a lot we don’t know about PFAS elimination. Most studies have focused on just a handful of compounds, even though thousands exist. And individual differences - like genetics, kidney function, or even hormone levels - may influence how fast someone clears PFAS.

Researchers are also exploring how PFAS interact with transporters like the ATP-binding cassette family, which could affect both how they enter and exit cells (Collier & Lavado, 2024). This area is still unfolding, but it could unlock more targeted therapies in the future.

The bottom line

There’s no proven way to “detox” PFAS from the body quickly or completely. Some short-chain compounds clear faster than others, and emerging techniques like hemoadsorption look promising, but aren’t yet widely available or practical for the general public.

The most evidence-based steps right now? Reduce future exposure, drink filtered water, and give your body time. PFAS may stick around longer than we’d like, but science is slowly catching up.

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