BioBlog – Forever Chemicals: Dealing with the New Reality

By Dr. Martin Hart, DC
Keystone Total Health

“Our choices have consequences.” Isn’t this what we aim to teach our children? That whatever option we choose, there will be some predictable effects and some that we cannot foresee. This has become the case with forever chemicals. Industrial researchers found many ways to increase convenience and solve some common problems with these man-made forever chemicals but did not slow down enough to ask questions about the long-lasting consequences. This is the story of PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

PFAS are synthetic chemicals that are resistant to heat, oil, water, and grease due to the connection of carbon and fluorine. Fluorine is a highly reactive element that is used to make fluoride, which is heavily used in dentistry. We most often find PFAS in things such as cookware, water resistant fabrics, or even make-up. Common sources include:

●      Cleaning products
●      Water-resistant fabrics like rain jackets, tents, and umbrellas
●      Grease-resistant paper
●      Nonstick cookware
●      Personal care products like nail polish, shampoo, eye makeup, and dental floss
●      Stain-resistant coatings on carpets, upholstery, and other fabrics
●      Paper and cardboard wrappers for bakery goods and fast food

Due to the massive amounts of PFAS used across many industries, water and environmental contamination levels have soared. It’s almost impossible to get away from these chemicals entirely. Clearly, you can surmise that man-made forever chemicals are not good for you or your family. But don’t worry, there are ways to limit exposure and detox this junk out. First, let’s take a look at how they affect our bodies and health. PFAS have been linked to:

●      Cancer
●      Liver damage (elevated liver enzymes)
●      Increased risk of infections
●      Low birth weight
●      Developmental delays in children
●      Accelerated puberty
●      Hypothyroidism
●      Increased total cholesterol
●      Increased LDL cholesterol
●      Decreased fertility
●      Hormone disruption
●      Erectile dysfunction
●      Pre-eclampsia
●      Inflammatory bowel disease (i.e., ulcerative colitis)
●      Kidney damage

These are common medical issues that are seen every day in doctors’ offices. Sadly, most doctors do not look for the root causes of these conditions, and end up just prescribing medications or supplements, wondering why their patients do not get better. Biological Medicine focuses on treating the root cause and, in many cases, forever-chemical toxicity is at the source.

We can do this in two key steps: 1) reduce exposure to PFAS and 2) drainage and detoxification.

Reduce Exposure:

1. Switch to all natural and limited ingredient cleaning products.
2. Use natural fibers whenever possible in clothing or furniture.
3. Use PFAS-free parchment paper and cooking products.
4. Utilize cookware that is glass, stainless steel, or ceramic that is known to be PFAS-free.
5. Personal care products need to be natural options and PFAS-free.
6. Avoid stain-resistant coatings on carpets, upholstery, and other fabrics.
7. Avoid containers when eating out or use PFAS-free options.
8. Utilize glass food storage containers.
9. Filter all of your water.

Drainage and Detoxification:

1. Open your drainage pathways.
   Make sure you are having at least 1-3 bowel movements per day. PFAS are excreted in the bile which is then shifted out through your bowels. Stay hydrated to support kidney function. Get moving to clear the lymphatic system. Sweat to support detoxification.
2. Use a binder such as activated charcoal.
   Binders help to hold onto and neutralize toxins so they can be moved out of the body.
3. Support the organs of detoxification.
   You can utilize herbs and supplements which support the liver, kidneys, lymphatics, and the digestive tract. This helps enhance our body’s ability to safely remove toxins from our system.
4. Use detoxification therapies.
   Therapies such as infrared sauna, coffee enemas, lymphatic massage, and ionic footbaths can support our body’s detoxification systems and aid in the removal of PFAS.
5. Focus on repair and recovery.
   PFAS may have negatively affected body functions such as the thyroid or hormone pathways. Utilize a treatment program that helps the body repair and recover these functional systems.

Biological Medicine and the Marion Institute give us the perfect paradigm for addressing PFAS in ourselves and our communities. Look at the examples nature and biology give us and seek to recreate them inside ourselves and in the world around us. Support these natural processes of detoxification while looking to minimize the man-made chemicals that we bring into our lives.

Don’t hesitate to reach out for help via Keystone Total Health or the Marion Institute. Join us on September 3rd for the full story with our episode of BioBites, Breaking Up with Forever Chemicals.

Register here: https://bit.ly/sept3biobites.