PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are toxic chemicals that show up in nonstick cookware, grease-resistant food packaging, waterproof clothing, and stain-resistant upholstery, and are then shed into the water supply, fish, and the air you breathe.

According to the Natural Resources Defense Fund, animal and human studies link PFAS to:

• Kidney and testicular cancers

• Hormone disruption

• Liver and thyroid problems

• Interference with vaccine effectiveness

• Reproductive harm

• Abnormal fetal development

A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found PFAS in the blood of 97% of Americans.

The good news is that reverse osmosis and granular activated carbon filters can remove many PFAS from drinking water, and you can avoid ingesting excess PFAS by using stainless steel, cast-iron, glass, or ceramic cooking pans, as well as never heating up food wrapped in grease-resistant packaging or making popcorn in microwaveable bags.

Even better news is that scientists have found you can nurture the growth in your gut of a probiotic organism called Bacteroides uniformis, which gobbles up and then clears out 25% to 74% of the PFAS in your system.

How do you make sure you've got the guts to do this important housecleaning?

Eat a high-fiber diet loaded with vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, and seeds, along with a good dose of resistant starches from green bananas and 100% whole grains.

You also want to eat Bacteroides-supporting foods — such as onions, garlic, leeks, apples, citrus fruits, and carrots — which contain inulin and pectin.