Microplastics and PFAS have been detected in human blood, organs, and tissue. If you're asking what you can do about what's already in your body — this page is for you. These are the strategies with the most credible scientific support, honestly assessed.
Important: This is not medical advice. The research in this area is active and evolving. Consult your physician before making changes to your health routine, especially for prescription-based strategies. We cite our sources so you can read the original research yourself.
The most clinically validated method to date
A randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Network Open found that regular blood or plasma donation significantly reduced PFAS levels in the blood of firefighters with high chemical exposure. Plasma donation was most effective, associated with roughly a 30% decrease in average serum PFAS concentrations over 12 months. Blood donation also produced meaningful reductions.
PFAS bind tightly to proteins in blood serum. When you donate blood or plasma, you remove a portion of that protein-bound chemical load. Your body then produces new blood with lower PFAS concentrations — as long as you reduce ongoing exposure.
Most healthy adults can donate whole blood every 56 days and plasma every 28 days. The American Red Cross and other donation centers accept most donors. Check eligibility at your local blood bank. This is free, helps others, and may benefit your own health.
Note: Plasma donation is more intensive than whole blood donation. Consult your doctor if you have any health conditions. Do not donate solely for PFAS reduction without also working to reduce ongoing exposure.
Oat beta-glucan and gel-forming fibers may intercept PFAS in the gut
Research from Boston University and published in Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology found that oat beta-glucan — a gel-forming soluble fiber — may help reduce PFAS levels in the body. PFAS share chemical properties with bile acids, and gel-forming fibers are known to bind bile acids and carry them out of the body through stool. Researchers hypothesize the same mechanism may work for PFAS.
PFAS undergo enterohepatic recirculation — they are processed by the liver, secreted into bile, and then reabsorbed in the gut. Gel-forming fibers may interrupt this cycle by binding PFAS in the digestive tract and escorting them out before they can be reabsorbed.
Good sources of gel-forming soluble fiber include oats (especially oat bran), psyllium husk, flaxseed, barley, apples, and legumes. Aim for 25–38 grams of total fiber per day from whole food sources. Psyllium husk supplements are widely available and well-studied.
Note: This research is still in early stages, primarily from animal and small pilot human studies. Fiber is beneficial for overall health regardless, making this a low-risk strategy to add.
Sweating may help excrete BPA, phthalates, and some plastic-related chemicals
A study published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health found BPA detectable in human sweat, and in some cases at higher concentrations than in blood or urine — suggesting sweat may be an important excretion route for this chemical. Research also indicates sweat may help eliminate phthalates and certain heavy metals. However, sweating appears to be less effective for PFAS specifically.
BPA and phthalates are stored in fatty tissue. Exercise and heat (including sauna) may mobilize these compounds from adipose tissue into the bloodstream, where they can then be excreted through sweat glands.
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise per week. Infrared saunas, which penetrate tissue more deeply than traditional saunas, are increasingly popular for this purpose — though the clinical evidence for sauna-specific benefits over regular exercise sweating is still limited. Stay well-hydrated when sweating heavily.
Note: Sweating does not appear to meaningfully reduce PFAS levels based on current research. For PFAS, focus on the other strategies on this page.
An emerging clinical procedure showing early promise for microplastic removal
A 2025 study published in Brain Medicine provided early evidence that extracorporeal apheresis — a medical procedure that filters blood outside the body — may be capable of removing microplastic-like particles from human blood. The study was conducted in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, who already undergo apheresis as part of their treatment.
During apheresis, blood is drawn from the body, passed through a filtration system that removes specific components, and then returned. The filters used in double-filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) appear to capture microplastic-sized particles.
This is a medical procedure requiring a physician referral and is not yet widely available as a standalone microplastics treatment. Some private wellness clinics have begun offering it, but costs can be steep and clinical benefit for healthy individuals remains uncertain. This is most relevant for people with documented high microplastic exposure or related health conditions.
Note: This is an emerging area of research with limited clinical data. Do not seek out unregulated providers. Consult a physician before pursuing any apheresis procedure.
A prescription cholesterol drug that may accelerate PFAS elimination
Three preliminary studies have suggested that cholestyramine — a prescription drug long used to lower cholesterol — may help the body eliminate PFAS more rapidly. A 2024 study found that rats treated with cholestyramine for 21 days had significantly reduced PFOS levels. Research published in 2025 also found two bile acid sequestrants, including cholestyramine, accelerated PFAS elimination in a short-term human trial.
Like dietary fiber, cholestyramine works by binding bile acids in the gut and preventing their reabsorption. Since PFAS share chemical properties with bile acids, cholestyramine may similarly intercept PFAS during enterohepatic recirculation and carry them out in stool.
Cholestyramine is a prescription medication. It is not appropriate to self-prescribe. If you have documented high PFAS exposure (e.g., you live near a contaminated water source, or you are a firefighter), this may be worth discussing with your doctor as part of a broader treatment plan.
Note: Cholestyramine can interfere with the absorption of other medications and nutrients. It must be taken under medical supervision. The research in humans is still preliminary.
The most important step — stopping the input before addressing the accumulation
No elimination strategy is effective if you are continuously re-exposing yourself at the same or higher rate. The body has natural clearance mechanisms for many chemicals — the half-life of BPA in blood, for example, is measured in hours to days. The problem is that most people are re-exposing themselves constantly. Reducing daily exposure allows the body's own systems to work.
Many plastic-associated chemicals, including BPA and phthalates, have relatively short half-lives in the body when exposure stops. The challenge is that modern life involves near-constant re-exposure through food packaging, synthetic clothing, personal care products, and cookware. Reducing these inputs is the highest-leverage action available.
Start with the highest-exposure categories: food and drink containers (switch to glass and stainless steel), cookware (switch to cast iron or ceramic), and synthetic clothing worn against skin (switch to cotton, wool, or linen). Use our Product Ratings to find safer alternatives in each category.
No elimination strategy works well if you're continuously re-exposing yourself. Use our product ratings to find safer alternatives for the items with the highest daily contact.
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