New Study Demonstrates Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Significantly Reduces Harmful Toxins in Healthy Adults

As research continues to examine the health implications of environmental chemical exposure, MDLifespan highlights new clinical data examining whether serial Therapeutic Plasma Exchange may reduce synthetic chemical levels in healthy adults.

CHICAGO, IL — May 1, 2025 — Amid growing concerns about exposure to environmental chemicals such as plastics-related compounds, phthalates, and glyphosate, new research published in Medical Hypotheses examines whether serial Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE), combined with nutritional supplementation, may reduce levels of synthetic chemicals in humans.

The study, “Can serial therapeutic plasma exchange remove synthetic chemicals from humans?”, was led by physicians and researchers affiliated with MDLifespan and evaluated urinary levels of 38 synthetic chemicals in 91 healthy adults. A subset of 11 participants subsequently underwent either three or five TPE sessions combined with nutritional supplementation.

The study found significant reductions in the synthetic chemicals that were elevated at baseline following the intervention. The researchers concluded that serial TPE combined with nutritional supplementation may be a viable approach for reducing bodily synthetic chemical levels, while emphasizing the need for larger randomized controlled trials.

“We’re exposed to these chemicals every day—through what we eat, what we drink, and even what we touch,” said Dr. Paul Savage, founder and CEO of MDLifespan and lead author of the study. “This research offers early evidence that therapeutic plasma exchange may be a viable way to detoxify the body at a cellular level—and help mitigate long-term health consequences we’re just beginning to understand.”

The study began by evaluating 91 healthy adults for 38 synthetic chemicals, including pesticides, herbicides, phenols, volatile organic compounds, parabens, acrylamides, phthalates, and other metabolites.

The three most frequently detected chemicals at elevated levels were:

• Bisphenol A (BPA) — detected at elevated levels in 60% of participants
• Glyphosate — detected at elevated levels in 35% of participants
• Butylparaben — detected at elevated levels in approximately 30% of participants

A subset of 11 participants then underwent three or five TPE sessions combined with nutritional supplementation. Follow-up testing was performed two weeks, six weeks, and six months after the final session.

The study reported reductions in several measured chemicals, including:

• 71.5% in bisphenol A
• 75.7% in MEOHP, a phthalate metabolite
• 68.0% in glyphosate
• 45.4% in triclosan

The researchers also reported an overall reduction in the measured chemical burden at six weeks, with levels remaining lower at the six-month follow-up.

Synthetic chemicals are widespread in modern environments, with people potentially exposed through food, water, consumer products, personal care products, and other sources.

The study’s authors note that some synthetic chemicals may be associated with adverse biological effects, including endocrine disruption and other physiological changes. The research specifically examined whether TPE could reduce measurable levels of synthetic chemicals circulating through or otherwise detectable in the body.

Importantly, the study does not establish that TPE removes every environmental toxin or that reducing measured chemical levels prevents chronic disease.

Instead, the findings provide preliminary evidence for further investigation into whether serial TPE, when combined with nutritional supplementation, can reduce certain synthetic chemical levels in humans. The authors specifically call for randomized, controlled trials to better assess the potential benefits and risks of the approach.

“We’re still in the early stages of understanding how toxin accumulation impacts long-term health,” Dr. Savage noted. “But we know this kind of proactive detoxification—removing what doesn’t belong—will become essential in every aspect of medicine from cardiology to neurology to oncology and especially obstetrics.”

The findings add to a growing area of research examining environmental chemical exposure and human health.

The study’s authors point to the widespread presence of synthetic chemicals and the need for strategies that can potentially reduce bodily levels of these compounds. Their findings suggest that serial TPE combined with nutritional supplementation warrants additional investigation.

Because the intervention group consisted of only 11 participants and the study was not a randomized controlled trial, larger studies will be necessary to determine how consistently the findings can be reproduced and what clinical significance they may have.

The published paper states that randomized, controlled trials are warranted to assess the potential risks and benefits of serial TPE and nutritional supplementation.

MDLifespan is continuing to develop physician-led Advanced Therapeutic Plasma Exchange protocols and research focused on environmental toxin burden, biomarkers, and individualized health strategies.

The company is also encouraging continued research into environmental chemical exposure and potential approaches for measuring and reducing the body’s burden of selected synthetic compounds.

While the current findings are preliminary, the publication provides a basis for further investigation into the relationship between Therapeutic Plasma Exchange and toxins and whether serial plasma exchange can play a role in reducing measurable chemical exposure.

Read the full study in Medical Hypotheses

To learn more about MDLifespan’s Advanced Therapeutic Plasma Exchange protocols and research, visit the MDLifespan website or explore its research and educational resources.

Originally published May 1, 2025. Republished in the MDLifespan Newsroom.