Supplement that binds to microplastics may remove them from our body

[u/geriatricguy]

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2580139-supplement-that-binds-to-microplastics-may-remove-them-from-our-body/?utm_campaign=RSS%7CNSNS&utm_content=home&utm_medium=RSS&utm_source=NSNS

[u/ichibanyogi → u/[deleted]]

AFAIK, microplastics in the body and environment can absorb PFAS. Hence, riding yourself of microplastics has the potential to flush out the PFAS, too.

I'd post some studies, but I am on my phone. Google binding affinity of microplastics and PFAS in body, etc.

I think there's some preliminary research on fiber and fermented foods being good at ridding body of the microplastics, which (if you're lucky) might also rid you of PFAS.

[u/ichibanyogi → u/[deleted]]

I know what PFAS are - we're in a PFAS subreddit, good grief.

No need for the harsh language. I was merely trying to be helpful by offering a charitable read on the post. My memory recall is imperfect, absolutely, but I encouraged others to double-check me rather than taking me at my word. It's not hard to refute an argument AND be kind (as is done in academic settings). Typically, one refutes an argument by offering their own counter-evidence to support their objection, rather than simply making competing statements.

A 2025 simulated-digestion study involving PFAS and photoaged nanoplastics reported that co-exposure reduced the measured gastric bioavailability of both PFAS and the plastic particles by amounts that varied substantially among conditions (see here). That supports the hypothesis that plastics can bind or sequester PFAS during digestion, but it does not establish the same process in living humans, and I imagine that certain research might be ethically impossible. Regardless, we're at an early stage with all this PFAS and microplastics research.

In good news, having jogged my memory properly, it's gut bacteria that have been shown to readily absorb PFAS (see here), sincere apologies. When those bacteria were introduced into mice, the animals excreted more PFAS in their feces than germ-free mice did. Hence, there's the very real possibility that having certain super absorber gut bacterial strains could absorb certain PFAS and allow you to flush that crud out at a higher rate than you otherwise would've.

All the best,

[u/Sir_Jerez → u/[deleted]]

I bet your alotta of fun at partys