13/08/2025
Susun s Weed is wonderful and this is an empowering read
How to Avoid "Forever Chemicals" Hiding in Your Diet
From:
How to Avoid the "Forever Chemicals" Hiding in Your Diet | Super Age
https://superage.com/are-forever-chemicals-hiding-in-your-diet-maybe/
Slightly edited for length by Susun.
"Let's start with the hard truth:
Almost all of us carry forever chemicals (PFAS) in our blood right now.
"PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are found in everything from tap water to firefighting foam to nonstick pans and are almost certainly in your body right now.
"A new 2025 study from Boston University and the California Department of Public Health shows just how they are getting there.
"But before we dive into what to avoid (and what to do), let's take a breath.
This article isn't about fear.
It's about empowerment
And how small shifts in what you drink, eat, and buy
Can lead to lower toxic load and better health outcomes over time.
> Where Are PFAS Sneaking Into Your System?
"In one of the most rigorous studies to date, researchers analyzed blood samples from 700 adults across California to identify levels of legacy PFAS. They paired those results with participants' food diaries and local water quality data.
"Here's what they found:
> Tap water.
People living in areas with detectable PFAS in their public water supply had significantly higher blood concentrations of three of the most studied and harmful PFAS compounds.
> Seafood, eggs, and brown rice were all associated with elevated PFAS levels.
> Packaging might not be the villain anymore.
Unlike earlier studies, takeout food and packaged meals didn't show strong associations with PFAS exposure.
"While none of this is breaking news, the novelty lies in how the researchers modeled the exposures together, adjusting for confounders like age, race, income, and lifestyle factors. [Giving] a much clearer picture of how PFAS get into our bodies today.
"Diet and water may still be an important source of exposure in the general population," says Dr. Emily Pennoyer, the study's lead author.
< "One of our key takeaways is that even low levels of PFAS in water, levels well below crisis zones, can significantly contribute to body burden over time. >
"What Are Forever Chemicals, Really?
> PFAS are a large class of manmade chemicals developed in the 1940s.
They're prized for their resistance to water, oil, and heat, which is why they were used in everything from waterproof jackets to grease-resistant food wrappers.
"These chemicals don't easily break down.
Studies have linked long-term PFAS exposure to:
> Immune system disruption
> Increased cholesterol
> Liver damage
> Hormonal imbalances
> Increased risk of some cancers
> "Worse still: PFAS accumulate over your lifetime. >
Reducing exposure now matters more than ever for your long-term health.
"Things to Do to Reduce Your PFAS Exposure
1. "Check/Filter Your Drinking Water
> Check your local water supply:
Use the EPA's PFAS Tracking Tool
https://awsedap.epa.gov/public/extensions/PFAS_Tools/PFAS_Tools.html
> Review your utility's annual Water Quality Report: Look for PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS in the results.
> Get Private Water Testing: Order a certified PFAS test from a lab certified under EPA Method 537.1.
> Check Your bottled water: The FDA recently released a report saying that PFAS were detected in some bottled spring and purified waters.
> > Look for NSF/ANSI-certified filters (Standards 53 or 58). Reverse osmosis and activated carbon filters are most effective.
2. "Choose Your Proteins Wisely
> Eat ocean-caught fish over freshwater.
> Buy organic, pasture-raised eggs from local farms when possible. Some states have mapped PFAS in agricultural soil and groundwater.
> Watch for foods from known PFAS hotspots. There are maps of PFAS on land in the
US - https://awsedap.epa.gov/public/extensions/PFAS_Tools/PFAS_Tools.html
and Europe, - https://foreverpollution.eu/map/
as well as
hotspots in waters around the world:
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Global-map-of-PFAS-concentration-in-water-a-Sum-of-concentration-of-20-PFAS-subject-to_fig7_379667398
3. "Be Smart About Your Rice
> If you eat rice, rotate with other grains. Because PFAS accumulate in the outer layers, brown rice may have higher levels than white rice. The study found that higher intake of white rice was associated with significantly higher concentrations of PFOA and PFOS in human milk.
> Know your source: When possible, choose rice grown in regions with low PFAS contamination. California-grown rice generally has lower levels than rice from some international sources. [Susun's favorite rice for over 50 years is California-grown, Lundberg short grain organic brown rice. Theres always a pot on hand.]
> [If you can't get Lundberg rice, you can reduce the PFAS] "Rinse rice thoroughly, then use a 6:1 water-to-rice ratio, and drain excess water after cooking.
4. "Feed Your Microbiome
> Emerging research suggests that what you eat may help you clear PFAS.
> In a 2025 pilot study, mice fed a diet rich in β-glucans had lower blood PFAS concentrations, despite receiving a higher overall PFAS dose through drinking water.
[Other sources of beta glucans include seaweed, mushrooms, whole grains, beans, peas, lentils, broccoli, sweet potatoes, eggplant, apples, strawberries and prunes.]
5. "Avoid PFAS in Everyday Products
They're in waterproof jackets, nonstick pans, stain-resistant carpets, and even some cosmetics.
> Avoid "water-repellent," "stain-resistant," and "flame-retardant" clothing, furniture, carpets, and rugs.
> Use ceramic, stainless steel, carbon steel, or cast iron cookware; avoid 'nonstick' cookware."
The article didn't include, because they aren't aware of, nourishing herbal infusions.
Drinking a quart a day is the easiest way to keep any chemicals that make their way into you from staying.
Keeps 'em moving.
Moving on out.
We may live in a chemical soup,
But nourishing herbal infusions are here
To nourish
To protect
To give us what we need
To maintain and regain optimum (PFAS-free) health.
It is in beauty.
It is a giveaway dance.
Breathe with the plants.
Synchronize your heart with the earth's heartbeat.
Revel in green blessings.
Sparkle with gratitude.
Bask in joy.
