Can Probiotics Help Your Body Expel “Forever Chemicals”? New Study

In a groundbreaking study conducted by researchers in the United Kingdom, new evidence suggests that specific strains of gut bacteria—probiotics—may assist the body in removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals.” These synthetic compounds are known for their persistence in the environment and the human body, where they accumulate over time and have been linked to multiple health problems including cancer, thyroid disorders, liver dysfunction, reproductive issues, and immune suppression.

The emerging science behind this phenomenon is not just fascinating but potentially revolutionary. If certain microbes in the human gut are capable of binding to, metabolizing, or helping to excrete PFAS, then dietary interventions—like probiotic supplementation and fiber-rich foods—could become a viable part of future detoxification strategies. This article from betterhealthfacts.com dives deep into the science behind PFAS, the UK study on microbial interaction, the role of probiotics and prebiotics, and what this means for your health and long-term exposure to these toxic chemicals.

What Are “Forever Chemicals” (PFAS)?

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—a class of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals used since the 1940s in a wide array of consumer and industrial products. Their most well-known uses include:

• Non-stick cookware (like Teflon)
• Water-resistant fabrics
• Stain-repellent carpeting and furniture
• Food packaging (particularly grease-resistant paper)
• Firefighting foams

These chemicals are extremely stable due to the carbon-fluorine bond—the strongest in organic chemistry. As a result, they do not degrade easily and can remain in the environment and in the human body for decades. Studies have shown detectable PFAS levels in the blood of over 98% of Americans, raising alarm bells globally about their long-term health implications.

Health Impacts of PFAS Exposure

Accumulating scientific evidence links PFAS exposure to a number of adverse health outcomes:

• Cancer: Particularly kidney and testicular cancers
• Endocrine disruption: Affecting thyroid function and hormonal balance
• Immune suppression: Reduced vaccine response in children
• Developmental effects: Low birth weight, early puberty
• Liver damage: Elevated liver enzymes and fatty liver disease
• High cholesterol: Increased total and LDL levels
• Reproductive harm: Decreased fertility in both men and women

Given their persistence and the absence of a known biological breakdown pathway in humans, scientists have long wondered if there’s any way to help the body expel or reduce PFAS load once exposure occurs. That’s where the gut microbiome comes into the picture.

The UK Study: How Gut Bacteria May Bind PFAS

Researchers at a leading UK biomedical institute recently investigated whether specific strains of gut microbiota could interact with PFAS in the digestive system. The study, performed on mice and simulated human intestinal environments, revealed that some lactobacillus and bifidobacterium species showed the ability to bind or sequester PFAS molecules, particularly PFOA and PFOS—two of the most well-studied compounds in the PFAS family.

Key findings from the study included:

• Increased fecal elimination of PFAS in probiotic-fed subjects compared to controls
• Altered gut microbial composition in response to PFAS exposure
• Microbial cell wall components, particularly exopolysaccharides, played a role in PFAS binding

These results suggest that the gut microbiome may be a critical interface in managing the body’s chemical burden. While these findings need confirmation in human clinical trials, they offer a promising avenue for future intervention strategies.

Mechanism: How Do Probiotics Help Remove PFAS?

The gut's ability to bind and potentially neutralize PFAS lies in the structural and chemical properties of certain bacteria. Here are the mechanisms proposed by scientists:

1. Adsorption: Bacterial cell walls—rich in peptidoglycans and surface proteins—may physically bind PFAS through hydrophobic or ionic interactions.
2. Sequestration: Exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by probiotic bacteria may trap PFAS compounds, preventing them from being reabsorbed into the bloodstream through the intestinal lining.
3. Bile Binding: PFAS tend to recirculate via bile in a process called enterohepatic recycling. Probiotics may help interrupt this cycle by binding bile acids and PFAS together, forcing elimination.

This highlights how probiotic interventions could aid in removing harmful compounds that would otherwise remain in circulation for years.

Potential Probiotic Strains Involved

While further studies are needed to identify the most effective strains, the following probiotics have shown promise in the context of PFAS binding or detoxification:

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus
• Lactobacillus plantarum
• Bifidobacterium longum
• Lactobacillus acidophilus
• Bifidobacterium breve

These strains are commonly found in commercial probiotic supplements and fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi.

The Role of Dietary Fiber: Why Oat Beta-Glucan Matters

In addition to probiotics, the UK study also investigated the impact of dietary fibers on PFAS excretion. In particular, the soluble fiber beta-glucan, found abundantly in oats and barley, showed strong results in promoting elimination of PFAS through stool.

Beta-glucan binds to bile acids and promotes bowel regularity, indirectly helping interrupt enterohepatic circulation—the recycling pathway that allows PFAS to re-enter the bloodstream from the gut. By trapping bile-bound PFAS, beta-glucan may increase excretion rates, especially when combined with probiotics.

Other helpful fiber sources include:

• Apples (pectin)
• Psyllium husk
• Inulin (found in garlic, onion, and chicory)
• Flaxseed (mucilage and lignans)

Fiber feeds the good bacteria (prebiotic effect), adds bulk to the stool, and accelerates transit time—all of which support the detoxification pathway.

Synergistic Action: Probiotics + Prebiotics = Synbiotics

The combination of probiotics and prebiotics is known as synbiotics. This pairing creates an optimal gut environment for beneficial microbes to thrive and perform functions like PFAS binding more efficiently. Synbiotic supplements or synbiotic diets can be powerful tools to enhance gut resilience and improve detox capacity.

Examples of synbiotic meals include:

• Yogurt with oats and flaxseed
• Kimchi with steamed barley
• Kefir smoothies with banana and psyllium

Limitations and Future Directions

While the findings are encouraging, several caveats remain:

• Human trials are ongoing: Most data is from animal studies or in-vitro simulations. Human efficacy and optimal dosing need validation.
• Not all PFAS are the same: The binding ability may vary between different chemical structures (short-chain vs long-chain PFAS).
• Duration of treatment: It’s still unknown how long a person must take probiotics to meaningfully reduce PFAS body burden.
• Environmental exposure continues: Without reducing ongoing PFAS exposure, detox strategies may only offer limited benefit.

Nevertheless, this line of research is likely to spur development of next-generation probiotic supplements specifically formulated to enhance chemical detoxification.

Practical Tips to Support Gut Detox from PFAS

While we await definitive human data, here are practical, science-based ways to support your gut’s ability to eliminate PFAS:

1. Consume fermented foods daily (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh).
2. Increase soluble fiber intake—especially oats, barley, apples, and flaxseed.
3. Stay hydrated to maintain efficient bowel function.
4. Limit processed foods and packaging that may contain PFAS.
5. Use high-quality water filters certified to remove PFAS from drinking water.

Conclusion: Can the Gut Be a Tool for Detoxing “Forever Chemicals”?

The idea that probiotics and dietary fibers can help remove toxic substances from the body is not entirely new. But the recent UK study adds scientific credibility to the idea that specific microbial interactions in the gut could help remove even the most persistent pollutants like PFAS. This breakthrough offers a new paradigm in the fight against chemical accumulation in humans, and one that leverages the power of diet, microbes, and fiber.

Though more research is needed to fully understand and apply these findings in clinical settings, the early evidence is promising. At betterhealthfacts.com, we believe that supporting your gut through natural means—probiotics, prebiotics, hydration, and dietary diversity—can be a proactive way to reduce your toxic load and improve overall health.

The microbiome may prove to be the body’s best defense against pollutants that were once thought impossible to remove. The future of detoxification might not come in the form of harsh cleanses or chemical treatments—but rather in nourishing the tiny organisms that live inside you.