Conventionally grown and organic kale, considered by many to be the quintessential superfood, may be contaminated with toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals” because they’re so persistent in the environment.
A recent pilot study revealed that 88% of tested kale was contaminated with PFAS, also known as forever chemicals. This alarming finding suggests that PFAS contamination is not just limited to kale but is likely widespread throughout our entire food system.
The Alliance For Natural Health USA team acquired kale samples from grocery stores in Arizona, New York, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. They sent these samples to Eurofins Laboratories Environment Testing for analysis. Each sample was tested for 16 PFAS compounds using FDA-approved methods. Shockingly, only one sample came back with zero detectable levels of PFAS.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS, a class of over 12,000 chemicals, are widely used for their grease- and water-resistant properties. They show up in nonstick cookware, plastics, cosmetics, stain-resistant and waterproof materials, firefighting foam, dental floss, and even tampons.
“What unites these chemicals is the presence of a carbon-fluorine bond, one of the strongest in chemistry. This bond is also the source of their hazard: PFAS chemicals are highly persistent in the environment and have been accumulating in soils, waterways, and oceans for decades” explains the Alliance for Natural Health USA (ANH-USA).
Exposure is so widespread that PFAS have been found in 97% of Americans. In our bodies, they can have half-lives ranging from a few days to over 10 years. These chemicals are detected in drinking water, animals, food, and even remote areas of the Earth. They are linked to serious health issues, including increased cancer risk and decreased immune function.
PFAS also affects hormones and metabolism, interfering with fertility, growth, and development, raising concerns for future generations. Despite the grave risks, U.S. regulatory agencies have done little to address the extensive environmental contamination.
How Does PFAS Wind Up in Kale?
Kale is just one example—albeit a surprising one—of where you might encounter PFAS. It’s far from the only source. Concerning levels of PFAS have been found in everyday items like peanut butter, pasta sauce, and cooking oil. In another study, leafy greens grown within 10 miles of a PFAS plant contained very high amounts, and even chocolate cake was contaminated.
Drinking water is another major route of exposure. The U.S. Department of Defense has reported that at least 126 drinking water systems near military bases are contaminated with PFAS due to their use in firefighting foam. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), more than 200 million Americans may be drinking water containing PFAS at a concentration of 1 part per trillion (ppt) or higher.
Health Risks From PFAS
PFAS are linked to a wide range of health issues, from cancer and weakened immune systems to weight gain. Problems with liver, kidney, and thyroid function have also been associated with PFAS exposure, along with reproductive issues.
PFAS can also impact fertility. In a study of 382 women of reproductive age trying to conceive, researchers found a 5% to 10% reduction in the probability of getting pregnant within one menstrual cycle for each quartile increase in PFAS exposure, particularly from variants such as PFDA, PFOS, PFOA, and PFHpA.
PFAS may contribute to cancer development by causing changes in epigenetics, immunosuppression, oxidative stress, inflammation, or through hormone and metabolomic pathways. Accumulated epigenetic changes induced by PFAS exposure can amplify tumor growth and cancer progression. Additionally, immune system suppression and chronic inflammation likely play significant roles.
How to Reduce Your Exposure to PFAS
- Avoid Pretreated or Stain-Repellent Items: Skip clothing, furniture, and carpeting that come with these treatments. “Breathable” clothing often contains polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon).
- Choose Flame-Retardant-Free Products: Opt for furniture, carpets, mattresses, and baby items made from naturally less flammable materials like leather, wool, and cotton, rather than those treated with flame retardants.
- Limit Fast Food and Takeout: These foods often come in containers treated with PFAS.
- Skip Microwave Popcorn: The inner coating of the bags often contains PFAS that can migrate to the oil during heating. Instead, make popcorn the old-fashioned way on the stovetop using non-GMO kernels.
- Switch to Safer Cookware: Avoid nonstick cookware and utensils. Instead, use ceramic or enameled cast iron cookware, which are durable, easy to clean, and don’t release harmful chemicals.
- Check Personal Care Products: Avoid items with PTFE, “fluoro,” or “perfluoro” ingredients, like certain dental flosses. Use resources like the EWG Skin Deep database to find healthier personal care products.
Supplements to Detox and Prevent PFAS- Associated Health Risks
Acceleradine® Iodine
High dosing with iodine is a must to “push out” the PFAS and other fluoride based toxins from the body. This is due to the scientific principle known as “Halogen Displacement”.
Displacement is a scientific principle in chemistry where elements from the same group (think column in the periodic table) with a lower atomic weight like Fluorine naturally displace elements in that same group with a higher atomic weight like iodine. This happens because each element in a group has the same number of electrons in their outer shell. This identical outer shell allows different elements in the same group to occupy the same receptor sites because the same number of electrons is the key to allowing them in.
This is why fluorine, chlorine, and bromine (or any compounds containing these elements) naturally displace precious iodine in Group 7 (VII in Roman numerals on the classical Periodic Table). All these elements have seven electrons in their outer shell.
Competitive inhibition is an opposing scientific principle to displacement in chemistry. It occurs when elements from the same group with a higher atomic weight (ie. iodine) can forcefully displace elements with a lower atomic weight (ie. fluoride) in that same group through high dosing of the heavier element.
Due to massive iodine deficiency among the population, these PFAS have a higher probability of becoming embedded in the body, leading to even more chronic disease.
Supplementing with iodine not only helps fill the receptor sites with iodine to prevent these chemicals from taking hold in the cells, but also will help kick these toxins out of the body. Furthermore, iodine helps improve thyroid health and metabolism, increase fat oxidation, improve hormonal balance, increase mitochondrial health, increase cellular energy, improve cells’ ability to detox, and improve cognition.
Acceleradine® iodine is the most effective iodine supplement due to it being a single atom of iodine for ease of delivery and absorption. Most iodine supplements only achieve about 10 to 20 percent, where Acceleradine® may achieve close to 100%. It is further enhanced with Scalar frequencies to improve its efficacy for detoxification and absorption.
Sara Banta’s Radiation and Heavy Metals Detox Cleanse
The supplements in the Sara Banta’s Radiation and Heavy Metals Detox Cleanse help zero out radiation and toxicity, boost your immune system, and help fill your body with Acceleradine®, the only radiation-free monatomic iodine available so that your thyroid and metabolism work optimally, and have no room to absorb any more radiation, toxins, or heavy metals.
Sara Banta’s Radiation and Heavy Metals Detox Cleanse includes the following supplements in addition to Acceleradine® iodine:
Accelerated Colloidal Silver™
Radiation and toxins weaken the immune system and create an acidic, inflammatory environment where diseases can thrive. Silver has been known to help reduce inflammation, devitalize foreign pathogens, and support the immune system. This product combines the smallest possible silver particle size with Scalar technology, which infuses the solution with silver’s frequency and restorative codes. This results in a highly “charged” silver with greater energy potential, providing both the physical and energetic benefits of silver. It’s a true infoceutical product designed to strengthen your immune response and combat foreign pathogens.
Accelerated NucNoMore®
Radiation poses an ever-growing threat to our health, contributing to numerous diseases, including cancer. NucNoMore® is the only known remedy with Scalar frequencies that can help neutralize both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation in the body.
Accelerated Ancient Salt®
Many people suffer from electrolyte and mineral deficiencies, leading to poor intracellular hydration. Accelerated Ancient Salt® helps restore proper body fluid levels and supports detoxification symptoms. This unique salt contains over 62 minerals, is free of microplastics, and is enhanced with Scalar frequencies to help detoxify the body from radiation and heavy metals. It helps increase blood volume, effectively expelling toxins from the body.
Accelerated Cellular Detox PowderⓇ
Detoxing can often lead to “detox flu” symptoms as your body releases toxins. The ingredients in Accelerated Cellular Detox PowderⓇ absorbs these toxins, preventing those flu-like symptoms. It combines six powerful organic ingredients to help your body effectively eliminate toxins, reducing the burden on your liver and kidneys. Enhanced with Scalar frequencies, this detox powder is designed to absorb heavy metals, insecticides, and radiation, offering comprehensive support for your detox journey.
This cleanse is designed to help you get healthier by significantly reducing your toxic load. Unlike many detox trends that fail to address root causes and can even be harmful, these products provide a holistic approach to detoxification, promoting overall wellness and vitality.
Sara Banta
Sara Banta is a Stanford University Graduate with a Degree in Economics and Psychology, and a certified Natural Supplement Expert & Graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Sara is the Founder of Accelerated Health Products and host of the health & wellness podcast, Accelerated Health Radio.
