Sunrise Functional Medicine

Kurt N. Woeller, DO | Sunrise Functional Medicine

PFAS—short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—have become an unavoidable part of modern life. These synthetic compounds, often called “forever chemicals,” are used in thousands of consumer and industrial products because they resist heat, water, and oil. Unfortunately, the same properties that make PFAS useful also make them extremely persistent in the environment and in the human body.

In fact, recent biomonitoring studies show detectable PFAS levels in more than 97% of U.S. adults. And as research expands, so does our understanding of how these chemicals interact with metabolic, endocrine, immune, and detoxification pathways. For individuals dealing with chronic symptoms, unexplained illness, or long-term inflammatory conditions, evaluating PFAS exposure and overall toxic burden can be an important part of clinical care.

How PFAS Enter the Body

PFAS contamination typically begins long before these chemicals reach our homes. Industrial facilities, waste-water treatment plants, and manufacturing sites release PFAS into air, soil, rivers, and groundwater. Once released, they migrate easily—eventually showing up in:

Drinking water
Fish and seafood
Produce and livestock
Household dust
Common consumer goods (cosmetics, textiles, cookware, food packaging, carpets, electronics, and more)

Two forms—PFOS and PFOA—have been especially well studied and are major contributors to population-wide exposure.

Potential Health Effects

The impact of PFAS depends on multiple factors including concentration, duration, genetic vulnerability, and the health of detoxification systems. While research continues to evolve, several patterns have consistently emerged:

Liver Effects

PFAS have been linked to metabolic dysfunction and liver disease. A 2022 study in Journal of Hepatology found a significant association between high PFOS levels and increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Evidence also connects PFAS exposure to metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in both adults and children.

Thyroid Disruption

Because PFAS can interfere with thyroid hormone signaling, studies suggest potential links with hypothyroidism, thyroid dysfunction, and even thyroid cancer.

Blood Sugar & Metabolic Health

Multiple cohort studies indicate PFAS may contribute to insulin resistance and higher risk of type 2 diabetes, particularly with long-term, low-grade exposure.

Reproductive & Pregnancy Outcomes

Pregnant women and developing infants are especially vulnerable. Research suggests higher PFAS levels may correlate with increased risk of preeclampsia, miscarriage, and preterm birth.

This is not an exhaustive list—PFAS have been implicated in immune dysregulation, hormonal imbalance, and certain cancers as well—but these are some of the most consistent findings across large data sets.

Identifying PFAS Exposure

Sunrise Functional Medicine evaluates PFAS exposure within the broader context of a patient’s total toxic load—the accumulated burden of chemicals, pollutants, metals, and other stressors affecting physiological function.

A typical assessment may include:

Detailed health and exposure history
Lifestyle and environmental review

Specialized laboratory testing, such as:

Urinary environmental chemical panels
- PFAS-specific blood testing (where indicated)
- Glutathione status or markers of oxidative stress
- Liver function and metabolic panels
- Microbiome and digestive assessments

Testing is always individualized. The goal is not to test “everything,” but to pinpoint specific contributors to symptoms and identify patterns that require medical attention.

Interventions & Clinical Strategies for Reducing PFAS Burden

Addressing PFAS exposure requires a two-part strategy: narrowing the stream of incoming toxins and strengthening the body’s natural capacity to process and eliminate them. In functional medicine, this starts with a detailed clinical assessment—understanding a patient’s environment, daily routines, workplace hazards, diet, and any history that suggests chronic or cumulative exposure. Paired with laboratory tools such as urinary environmental chemical panels or evaluations of glutathione status, these assessments help reveal how significant the total toxic load may be and where the most meaningful changes can occur.

Once exposure patterns are clear, the next step is putting targeted, practical interventions in place. For most people, drinking water and diet remain major contributors, so updates here often offer the biggest return. Improving water quality through reliable filtration and choosing foods less likely to carry PFAS helps slowly decrease ongoing intake. For individuals with elevated levels, this becomes especially important, as reducing the incoming load gives the body room to catch up.

At the same time, supporting detoxification pathways helps the system move these persistent chemicals out more efficiently. This includes emphasizing high-fiber nutrition, strengthening antioxidant reserves, and ensuring key nutrients—such as B vitamins, magnesium, and precursors for glutathione—are consistently available. Glutathione, in particular, plays a central role in biotransformation, and many patients benefit from strategies that promote its natural production.

Lifestyle therapies also play a role in increasing elimination. Regular sauna use, when appropriate for the patient, has shown potential for mobilizing certain stored toxicants through sweat and enhancing urinary excretion. Gentle movement, adequate hydration, and supporting gut integrity further aid in the processing and removal of PFAS and other environmental contaminants.

Each of these pieces fits into a personalized plan, shaped by the patient’s health status, exposure history, and lab findings. While eliminating PFAS altogether isn’t realistic, reducing unnecessary contact while strengthening the body’s internal resilience can make a measurable difference. Over time, these focused interventions help lighten the overall toxic burden and support healthier metabolic, hormonal, and immune function—often with clearer, more sustainable improvements than patients expect at the start.

Reducing Exposure: What’s Within Your Control

Completely avoiding PFAS is unrealistic, but reducing unnecessary exposure can meaningfully lower toxic burden. Some practical steps include:

Filter drinking water. High-quality carbon filters or reverse-osmosis systems can reduce PFAS and other contaminants.
Choose safer cookware. Stainless steel, cast iron, and ceramic help avoid PFAS-coated nonstick surfaces.
Limit plastic exposure. Store food in glass or stainless steel. Avoid microwaving plastic.
Check personal care and household products. PFAS can show up in cosmetics, dental floss, waterproof clothing, stain-resistant fabrics, and cleaning supplies.
Improve indoor air quality. Air purifiers can reduce airborne chemicals, dust-bound pollutants, and allergens.
Address mold risks promptly. Water damage and high humidity can compound the body’s total toxic burden.
Prioritize organic produce when possible. Especially for foods known to carry higher pesticide residues.
Leave shoes at the door. A surprisingly effective way to reduce tracking contaminants indoors.

These steps aren’t about perfection—they’re about reducing cumulative exposure over time.

A Systems-Based Path to Better Health

PFAS and other environmental toxins are just one piece of a larger puzzle. But for many people—particularly those with chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalance, fatigue, or multi-system complaints—assessing toxic burden can reveal key contributors to their symptoms.

Functional medicine provides a structured, science-based way to evaluate exposure, identify vulnerabilities, and build a plan that restores resilience. With the right testing, targeted interventions, and practical lifestyle strategies, patients can reduce their toxic load and support long-term health. Learn more and request a consultation >>

PFAS, the “Forever Chemicals”: Health Impacts and Interventions