PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” can be found in food, water, and even the air we breathe. An analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that about 97% of Americans have these chemicals in their blood. They’ve been associated with various health issues, including cancer and diseases affecting the heart, liver, and immune system.
One reason PFAS are so concerning is their persistence; they can remain in the body for many years, causing ongoing health risks as they recirculate.
The liver processes PFAS, sending some into the intestines, while certain proteins can pull them back into the bloodstream. A similar process can also happen in the kidneys.
It can’t be that easy
When considering how to address the issue of PFAS, researchers explored the potential of an easily accessible dietary supplement: soluble, gel-forming fiber taken during meals.
Recent pilot studies indicate that regularly consuming such fiber can lower levels of PFOA and PFOS, two of the most researched PFAS among the vast array of over 15,000 human-made chemicals.
This research involved Professor Dhimiter Bello from the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences at UML and Professor Jennifer Schlezinger from Boston University. Bello mentions, “By consuming gel-forming fibers like psyllium with a meal, we can trap PFAS in the fiber gel for elimination through feces.” His lab has delved into methods of measuring PFAS in human tissues and fluids, while also documenting sources of PFAS exposure.
He adds, “Professor Schlezinger and I share a common interest and a drive to produce research that makes a difference.”
How PFAS reacts with fiber
In their study, researchers used male mice fed diets designed to resemble typical U.S. eating habits. Some were given inulin as a control fiber, while others consumed oat beta-glucan, a soluble fiber naturally found in oats.
The mice were exposed to water mixed with seven different PFAS for six weeks, after which they switched to clean water for four weeks to track how much PFAS was cleared during this time.
Due to increased water intake, the beta-glucan mice absorbed more PFAS, and the researchers adjusted their findings accordingly. Post-adjustment, blood levels of PFOA and PFOS appeared to decline.
Interestingly, PFAS activated certain liver genes involved in processing chemicals, but only one gene reverted toward normal after the clean-water period.
Why fiber reduces PFAS
PFAS like PFOA and PFOS have been linked to elevated LDL cholesterol, reduced vaccine responses, and certain types of cancer.
Soluble fibers such as beta-glucan and psyllium form gels in the gut, which can bind bile acids. This process has been shown to help lower LDL cholesterol by prompting the body to create new bile acids instead of recycling the old ones. Since PFAS and bile acids share certain chemical properties, trapping them together in a gel seems like a plausible strategy.
Schlezinger reflects on a realization while researching cholesterol management, noting that she found evidence suggesting that gel-forming fibers could enhance the elimination of bile acids, subsequently lowering cholesterol levels in the blood. The liver then pulls cholesterol from the blood to replace the lost bile acids.
She continues, “Given the similarities between bile acids and PFAS, which both cycle between the liver and the gut, trapping them in the same gel seemed reasonable.”
Migrating from mice to people
Previous studies have shown a correlation between high-fiber diets and lower PFAS levels. The new pilot project tested fiber supplementation during meals using both beta-glucan and psyllium.
In one of the studies, an 8% reduction in PFOS and PFOA levels was noted in participants who took fiber supplements for four weeks. Further studies are being conducted to verify these findings.
Schlezinger expresses optimism: “Increasing fiber intake through supplements could effectively reduce PFAS levels in the body and is quite accessible.”
However, she advises consulting with a doctor before starting any fiber supplement regimen.
How it all came together
The collaboration between the universities emerged from a broader initiative aimed at enhancing research capabilities surrounding PFAS biomonitoring and seeking solutions to PFAS contamination.
A seed grant from UMass Lowell enabled Bello to establish laboratory techniques for measuring PFAS in various biological samples, which supported the pilot studies. He noted the evolution of their analytical method, expanding from 15 to around 50 PFAS targets over three years.
“We then developed expertise for untargeted PFAS analysis and provided in-kind PFAS testing to various research groups to assist in generating preliminary data,” Bello explained.
PFAS, fiber, and human health
With PFAS being pervasive and difficult to eliminate, this research highlights a useful and cost-effective strategy: consuming gel-forming soluble fiber like psyllium or beta-glucan during meals could help expel PFAS from the body.
Researchers are now exploring other novel and affordable methods for PFAS removal and detoxification, including different types of fibers, diets, and cholestyramine, a medication that lowers cholesterol.
The landscape of PFAS testing is evolving as laboratories refine their techniques. Bello concludes, “With thousands of PFAS types in circulation, we have considerable work ahead to fully understand the extent of PFAS exposure to humans and the environment and its health implications.”
While still in the early stages, and not a definitive solution, the findings are encouraging and offer actionable steps.
The complete study has been published in the journal Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology and Environmental Health.
