• • Medical devices and healthcare materials
    
  • Cosmetics and makeup products
    
  • Electronics and automotive components
    
  • Drinking water, as well as contaminated soil and air in certain environments
    

PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals,” are receiving increasing attention in environmental and health research due to their extreme persistence and potential impact on human health. Because PFAS break down very slowly, they can accumulate in the body over time, where they have been linked to disruptions in hormonal balance and immune function, as well as broader metabolic and inflammatory effects. Greater awareness of PFAS sources, exposure pathways, and long-term persistence allows individuals and communities to make informed decisions that support endocrine health, immune resilience, environmental safety, and overall wellness.

Unfortunately, new PFAS are in production and scientists are attempting to stay abreast of the latest data. The fact that PFAS are incessantly manufactured is alarming, as findings show that children and pregnant women are vulnerable to these chemical effects. 

Potential health consequences

Adverse health outcomes from PFAS are based on unique circumstances, such as where and how you were exposed, as well as age and genetic factors. Here are some ways PFAS can harm us:

• • May contribute to the formation of childhood leukemia: In a study this year, it was shown that kids (age 7 and under) exposed to PFAS at home had a 60% boost in their chances of forming leukemia. Dust samples were collected from the homes of healthy children, and data was compared to dust samples from the homes of kids who formed acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Half of the dust samples from healthy children’s homes contained 8 different types of PFAS. 
  • Could lead to immunosuppressive effects: These chemicals could suppress immune function by destroying the body’s ability to make antibodies. This is concerning if a fetus is affected, as toxic exposures in the womb can impede immune health as the baby enters childhood. 
  • Might be linked to the formation of thyroid cancer: PFAS can harm the structure and performance of the thyroid, and may increase your thyroid cancer risks by 56%! In one study on thyroid cancer patients, it was shown that their cancer diagnosis may be linked to a variety of PFAS, such as linear perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, perfluorononanoic acid, perfluorooctylphosphonic acid.
  • Has the potential to worsen liver function: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may be correlated with PFAS contacts. PFAS can imitate fatty acids and may alter the biomarkers linked to NAFLD, such as heightening levels of ALT (alanine aminotransferase, triglycerides, and cholesterol. 
  • May be related to the formation of type 2 diabetes: Metabolic factors can be transformed, potentially causing insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. It’s also postulated that PFAS may be connected to gestational diabetes, which is when diabetes is formed during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes can put the fetus at risk for future hypoglycemia and diabetes diagnoses. 
  • Shown to impair female reproduction: “Exposure to PFAS may result in infertility in women via endocrine disruption and through increasing the risk for common reproductive conditions such as endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome,” confirms an article from Science of The Total Environment.

There are additional health concerns that may be tied to PFAS. If you suspect that you’ve been affected by toxins, please discuss this further with our Toronto functional medicine practitioners. We should also mention that PFAS are destructive to the environment, especially to aquatic creatures! We discuss more in the next section. 

Environmental impact

Here are some ways PFAS can negatively harm our planet: 

• • PFAS polymers are a certain type of PFAS. When PFAS polymers are produced by factories, they tend to emit greenhouse gasses and other potent chemicals (i.e. dichlorofluoromethane). These gases may contribute to the decline of the ozone layer. 
  • Various animals – from dogs and horses to pandas and tigers – are contaminated by PFAS. In studies, 120 types of PFAS have been extracted from the blood of animals. 
  • PFAS have been discovered in soils across the globe! These chemicals can impede soil pH levels and potentially contaminate our fruits and vegetables. 
  • Water is a heavy source of PFAS, which jeopardizes the lives of fish and our drinking water. “Recent studies on the vertical distribution of PFAAs in the Atlantic Ocean have demonstrated that PFAA levels are highest in the upper layer of ocean water, with concentrations sharply decreasing as depth increases,” reports a Science Advances piece. 

If environmental toxins are affecting your health, personalized detoxification therapies may be advised for improving liver function, relieving nutrient deficiencies, and flushing out pollutants. You don’t need to settle for a poor quality of life – reach out for our compassionate and comprehensive approach to healthcare.  

Suggested reading: Functional Medicine Toronto Insight: The Alarming Effects of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals

Enrich your healing journey with our functional medicine practitioners

We can all agree that being unwell is an exhausting experience! If you have obstacles to healing from chronic pain, traumatic brain injury, or digestive issues, our clinic services may be of assistance. 

Functional medicine therapies may be beneficial for various conditions, especially for managing cortisol dysregulation, hormonal imbalances, chronic stress, perimenopause, metabolic disease, and more. If you have a specific wellness goal in mind, a functional health provider can tailor a treatment plan specifically for this need! The functional medicine model is patient centered, inspiring you to take control of your health needs with lifestyle modifications, dietary considerations (i.e. eating organic food when possible), and reducing exposures to environmental toxins. 

Along with adhering to functional medicine, we are an integrative medicine practice. We can carefully combine treatment modalities to target specific symptom relief (i.e. clearing up brain fog) and support chronic disease prevention. A root-cause solution is valuable for preventing recurring symptoms, and we can help scrutinize these potential sources with laboratory testing. After getting a comprehensive understanding of your needs, we can customize a wide variety of modalities, including conventional medicine, various holistic medicine options (i.e. naturopathic medicine, herbal remedies, Traditional Chinese Medicine), psychotherapy, intravenous therapy, and more. 

Another perk to joining our clinic is access to our IV Lounge! IV drips are customized with functional medicine principles and freshly blended without added preservatives. Each session is monitored by our naturopathic doctors, nurse practitioners and registered nurses, so your safety and comfort are always top-of-mind. When IV treatments are amalgamated with additional functional medicine therapies and healthy living, they may contribute to optimal health results. 

Our functional lab tests can help detect environmental toxins in your body. Take advantage of our laboratory testing by becoming a new patient – simply call the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre to request your first consult!

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media.

References

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Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS

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