Who benefits from Chelation?

Everyone in our industrialized society is an “in-taker” of air, water, and food pollution and carries within the tissues of their body toxic metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, and aluminum. These metals contribute to many cancers and are implicated in diseases such as vascular, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and hypertension. Some who take chelation therapy report noticeable improvement in their ability to exercise without pain, and have more energy with a sense of well-being. They also are able to reduce the amount of medications taken or actually wean off of them. There is much more information available on the Internet and in books also.

What is Chelation Therapy?

The word “chelation” is derived from the Greek word “chelos” which translates to “claw” in English. EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid) chemical with molecular arms or claws is a synthetic amino acid, which has the ability to attach itself to metals and minerals. EDTA has the ability to literally grab onto heavy metals and transport them out of the body through the urine.

            Since 1953, the FDA has recognized EDTA as a treatment for lead poisoning. In the 1940s and 1950s, some doctors treating lead toxicity with EDTA observed in patients, who also suffered from heart disease, an unexpected improvement in their angina symptoms.

            Since that time, physicians have used EDTA chelation therapy for over 50 years to treat such related diseases as cardiovascular disease, diabetic arterial disease, and decreased mental function from vascular causes and intermittent claudication (leg pain during exercise). Today nearly 100 million Americans and more than 22,000,000 people worldwide have taken chelation treatments to improve their health and circulation.

How is EDTA used?             

            This therapy involves the intravenous infusions of EDTA over a course of treatments in a doctor’s office. Under current treatment protocols, EDTA chelation therapy is safe and relatively free of side effects. A treatment takes between two and three hours to administer and is usually comfortable and well tolerated. Most patients with significant artery disease will require 30 treatments initially.

            Vascular of blood vessel diseases are the leading cause of death (and worse, disability) in the US and much of the industrialized world. When blood vessels become blocked by plaque, blood flow to vital organs is reduced, starving them for oxygen and other nutrients. The loss of circulation caused by this “hardening of the arteries”, can lead to heart disease, stroke or memory loss, gangrene in the feet and legs, and can even prevent sores from healing.

What are the benefits?

            Proponents of EDTA for vascular diseases have two principal theories for how the drug may operate in the circulatory system. One is by reducing “free radicals”. If out of control, they can cause damage to surrounding tissue, specifically the lining of the blood vessels. This can lead to blockages occurring in the coronary artery disease. The presence of heavy metals in the blood stream can cause an increased production of free radicals. EDTA is approved by the FDA to remove heavy metals. The other theory is that EDTA binds with calcium in the blood stream and creates a series of actions that result in reducing vessel plaque. EDTA also pulls out significant amounts of iron. Recent research suggests that higher than optimal amounts of tissue iron can increase the risk of heart attack as much as 400%. By reducing tissue iron levels, chelation therapy can substantially lower the risk of heart attack.

            Despite the lack of controlled scientific studies (lacking also in bypass, angioplasty and stints) as proof of its effectiveness, physicians have used EDTA for over 50 years to treat cardiovascular, diabetic and arterial diseases, as well as decreased mental function and intermittent claudication (leg pain during exercise). Many of these doctors also use EDTA to prevent these maladies.         

Does standard medicine accept chelation?

            Our patients confirm that the conventional medicine opinion remains negative despite the thousands of pieces of information available in books and through the Internet. We furnish a list of publications along with web sites and 800 telephone numbers. Over the past then years, opposition to chelation has moved from “Chelation will kill you” to “It won’t kill you but you’re wasting your money” to the present and most used comment of “If it’s working for you, keep on doing it”. As more and more people are seeking alternative, preventative, and restorative medicine, the tide seems to be turning. There appears to be a shift today in patients to move away from symptom modifying drugs with patented chemicals to more curative remedies.

What are the risks?

            When the doctor follows the American College for the Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) protocol for Chelation as written in the “Guidelines for the Safe & Effective Use of Chelation Therapy” published by ACAM, the risk is minimal. Dr Elmer Cranton, renowned chelation specialist and author of “Bypassing Bypass”, estimates that the risk of serious side effects in these circumstances is approximately one in 10,000 patients. By comparison, for every 10,000-bypass patients, the death rate is approximately 300. Other patients will suffer serious repercussions such as a heart attack or stroke. One authority on the toxic effect of medications has stated that EDTA is nearly four times safer than aspirin. Some patients may require special consideration. A doctor trained to follow the chelation protocol will routinely identify those and treat accordingly.

What is the cost?