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Chelation is a chemical process where a chemical complex strongly attracts a mineral forming a stable compound. In medicine, chelating agents are used to remove toxic heavy metals from the body, such as lead, mercury, cadmium and others. These toxins contribute to the aging process and can potentially damage the kidneys, heart and liver. The chelating agent works by pulling the heavy metals out of your tissue and filtering them through your kidneys so that they are excreted in the urine.
- Chelation therapy involves administering specific agents (orally, rectally or intravenously) that bind toxic compounds in the blood or tissues of the body.
- However, it is most effective when administered intravenously.
- Chelators are chemicals that typically bind to metals in the bloodstream. Once this occurs, the new chemical is transported to the kidneys and excreted through the urine.
- One of the main ways in which chelation is used in medical practice is to remove toxic heavy metals, such as lead, copper and mercury, due to poisoning. The agent and method used depend on what metal is causing the problem.
- The amount of time taken depends on the type of metal poisoning and treatment.
- Intravenous chelation therapy may be repeated over a period of weeks or months. Some intravenous drugs will need to be given over a period of hours during each visit.
- Chelation therapy generally uses a chemical known as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The process can take up to four hours and involves numerous injections over several weeks. To produce an effect, it’s often necessary to administer 20 or more chelation.
- Right after each procedure, the staff will monitor you for side effects, such as a headache or rash.
- Doctors may advise some dietary changes to help remove the metal from the body and avoid further exposure.
Chelation therapy is U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for treating mercury, lead and other types of heavy metal poisoning, as well as for iron overload (hemochromatosis).
What are the benefits of chelation therapy?
Other than treating heavy metal toxicity, some practitioners of alternative medicine recommend chelation to treat cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke, fibromyalgia, etc. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recommend this practice. The efficacy of chelation in treating the aforementioned diseases is questionable and not proven in any large-scale clinical studies.
Chelation therapy is an effective and safe way to remove harmful metals from your body. It’s safe and well-tolerated. The process is non-invasive and protects you from the harmful effects of heavy metals on your health. Chelation can protect your organs from damage due to heavy metal deposition.
There may be some minor side effects, such as burning or tingling at the injection site. Additionally, some people develop fever, headache or nausea following therapy. Chelation is contraindicated in children, pregnant women and those with kidney disorders.
What are the possible side effects of chelation therapy?
Chelation therapy is not without side effects. Listed below are only some of the side effects of chelation therapy.
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea and skin reactions are commonly noted with chelation therapy.
- Several of these drugs can also cause kidney or liver damage or blood abnormalities.
- Some chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) may eliminate important metals, such as zinc and manganese, from the body along with the toxic metals. This can result in their deficiency.
- These metals must, therefore, be replaced before and after treatment with these chelating agents.
- EDTA can reduce calcium levels in the body, which could cause cardiac complications (irregular heartbeats and dangerous heart rhythm) that require emergency treatment.
- Dimercaprol is associated with several side effects including high blood pressure, increased heart rate, pain at the site of the injection and increased risk of bleeding.
- D-penicillamine can predispose the body to autoimmune conditions. It should not be given to people allergic to penicillin because it is obtained from penicillin.
Always tell your doctor if you are using an alternative therapy or thinking about combining an alternative therapy with your conventional medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional medical treatment and rely only on an alternative therapy.
Heavy metals can get into the body in various ways. They may be ingested through contaminated water or certain paints that contain lead. If someone has a health issue related to the kidneys, certain metals such as aluminum can build up causing illness. Chelation is a very effective way to treat heavy metal poisoning. Many people report less pain from chronic inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, lupus and scleroderma, after chelation therapy.
The use of chelation therapy for diseases other than heavy metal toxicity is not recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is not advised to use chelation for treating cardiovascular or heart conditions.
SLIDESHOW
Anemia: Common Causes, Symptoms, Types, and Treatment See SlideshowChelation in Metal Intoxication: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2922724/
CHELATION THERAPY: https://newmexico.networkofcare.org/mh/library/article.aspx?hwid=ty3205spec
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