Everyday Detox: How to Reduce Your Exposure to “Forever Chemicals” (PFAS)

At Via Nova Health in Rock Hill, SC, Dr. Jeff Matz, DC, MS, helps patients take practical steps to reduce daily exposure to “forever chemicals” like PFAS while supporting the body’s natural detox pathways. Simple changes such as filtering drinking water, avoiding traditional non-stick cookware, choosing safer household products, and eating nutrient-rich foods may help lower toxin burden over time. With a functional medicine approach, our team focuses on reducing environmental inputs and supporting liver, immune, digestive, and whole-body wellness naturally. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online.

We live in an era where avoiding environmental toxins feels nearly impossible. At the top of the watch list are PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), widely known as “forever chemicals.” These synthetic compounds earned their ominous nickname because their molecular bonds are incredibly strong, meaning they don’t break down in the environment, and they take years to clear from the human body.

PFAS are notorious endocrine disruptors linked to thyroid dysfunction, elevated cholesterol, and immune suppression. While you cannot hide from every molecule, a functional medicine approach focuses on what you can control: reducing your daily intake and optimizing your body’s natural clearing pathways.

Step 1: Secure Your Inputs

To stop the accumulation of forever chemicals, you have to audit your immediate home environment:

• Filter Your Water: Standard pitcher filters won’t cut it for heavy environmental toxins. Upgrade to a water filtration system certified to remove PFAS, such as a multi-stage Reverse Osmosis (RO) system or high-quality activated carbon blocks.
• Ditch the Non-Stick Cookware: Traditional non-stick pots and pans are heavily coated with PFAS chemicals that easily leach into your food when heated or scratched. Swap them for non-toxic alternatives like cast iron, stainless steel, or 100% pure ceramic.

Step 2: Supercharge Your Liver Detox Pathways

Once you minimize exposure, you must support your liver’s two-phase detoxification system to clear the toxins already inside your tissues.

• Phase I (Activation): Your liver utilizes specific enzymes to break down fat-soluble toxins into intermediate compounds. Support this phase by eating foods rich in B vitamins, antioxidants, and trace minerals.
• Phase II (Conjugation): This phase takes those highly reactive intermediate compounds and attaches a molecule to make them water-soluble, allowing them to be safely excreted via bile or urine. To fuel Phase II, load up on cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts) and allium vegetables (garlic, onions), which provide the sulfur and amino acids your liver needs to complete the job.

For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We proudly serve patients from Rock Hill, Lesslie, India Hook, Riverview, Newport, and Catawba, and the surrounding areas.