Chelation Therapy

Chelation Therapy

What is EDTA Chelation Therapy?

EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid) is a synthetic amino acid which has the ability to attach itself to metals and minerals, forming a particular kind of bond called a chelate. Heavy metals such as lead have a greater affinity for EDTA and form stronger bonds.

Since 1953, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recognized EDTA as a treatment for lead poisoning. In the 1940s and 50s, some doctors using EDTA to treat lead toxicity in patients who also happened to suffer from heart disease observed an unexpected improvement in their angina symptoms. Since that time, doctors have used EDTA to treat blood vessels diseases, based on their belief from observing individual patients and on other types of evidence, that EDTA is useful for that purpose.

Scientists as well as the FDA generally agree that controlled scientific tests are needed to conclusively establish whether any medical treatment is effective, and in particular whether EDTA is effective in treating vascular diseases. Observations by individual doctors and other kinds of evidence are not considered reliable enough to ensure that any therapy actually works. Nonetheless, while FDA has not approved EDTA for treating vascular disease, the status of EDTA as an approved drug for lead poisoning permits physicians to use it to treat other conditions, including vascular disease. This kind of discretionary use of approved drugs by physicians is common to a number of medical treatments.

Proponents of EDTA for vascular diseases have two principal theories for how the drug may operate in the circulatory system. One is by possibly reducing "free radicals." Free radicals are highly active molecular fragments formed during the production of energy in the cells. If they get out of control, they can cause damage to surrounding tissue, possibly including the linings of the blood vessels, and lead to the blockages that occur in coronary artery disease. The presence of heavy metals in the blood stream can cause an increased production of free radicals and EDTA is approved by FDA to remove heavy metals that have accumulated in the body in excessive amounts. But it has not been scientifically proven that using EDTA will reduce free radicals; and if so, whether reducing free radicals will effectively treat blood vessel diseases.

Another theory is that EDTA binds with calcium in the blood stream and creates a series of actions that results in altering the intercellular balance of calcium with magnesium. Some scientists, however, dispute whether these changes have a positive effect on vascular disease.

Despite the lack of controlled scientific studies as proof of its effectiveness, physicians have used EDTA chelation therapy for over 40 years to treat such related diseases as cardiovascular disease, diabetic arterial disease, decreased mental function from vascular disease and intermittent claudication (leg pain or exercise). Many of these doctors also use EDTA in preventive medicine

How is Chelation Therapy Administered?

This therapy involves the intravenous infusions of FDA approved 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. The infusion time is approxiamtely 30 minutes. Chelation therapy patients are advised to take a comprehensive approach to their treatment and health, including, as needed, diet, exercise, stress management programs and dietary supplements.

What Are The Benefits of Chelation Therapy?

Chelation therapy is widely used for the treatment of atherosclerosis and other chronic degenerative diseases involving the circulatory system. It also has other benefits. Many scientists suggest that the beneficial effect of chelation treatment is from the removal of metallic catalysts that cause excessive free radical proliferation. This reduces the oxidation of lipids, DNA, enzyme systems and lipoproteins. The chelation halts the bad effects and initiates the body's healing process, often reversing the damage. It removes the calcium and copper anions from the blood stream. The plaque lining the artery walls are made porous and brittle. Eventually they may get dislodged. Even if only a microscopic layer of the plaque is removed, it, along with a smoothening of the artery wall due to the healing of the cells that line the arteries, can improve the blood flow to the artery muscles substantially. This can prevent artery spasm and minimize or prevent angina pain. Many patients who could not walk due to muscle pain or angina pain have reported that they can walk without pain after chelation therapy.