Chelation comes from the Greek word chele meaning "to claw"
or "to bind". It is the process where manmade amino acids grab or
latch onto unwanted toxic and metal substances that have been deposited in the
body. The goal of the treatment is to remove these substances, open up clogged
blood vessels and arteries, and improve circulation.
The chemical most frequently used, EDTA, was first utilized as a medical
detoxifying agent in numerous metal poisonings. It has since been used in the
treatment and prevention of ailments linked to arteriosclerosis, such as heart
attacks, strokes and peripheral vascular disease.
The reduction of toxins and free-radicals reportedly aids in the treatment of
other vascular-related problems as well as boosting the immune system to help
ward off disease.
Treatment Methods
- Chelators - the most common of which is the amino acid EDTA (thylene
diamine tetra acetic acid) - are administered in an intravenous solution
with vitamins and minerals.
- Treatment is done on an out-patient basis and takes approximately three
and one-half hours.
- Optimal results usually occur after 20 to 30 treatments which average one
to three per week.
- Disposal of the unwanted substance is monitored through urine output,
although most physicians recommend monitoring vital signs along with other
bodily functions before, during, and after treatment.
- Oral treatment is sometimes used for conditions which are not drastic or
life-threatening, or to safeguard against free radicals (highly reactive
destructive molecules) and plaque buildup. This is not to be substituted
mistakenly for IV treatments.
- A whole-food, low-fat diet and appropriate exercise are also part of the
full treatment program.
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Selecting a Practitioner
Selecting a doctor:
- Use only an experienced doctor who has completed the training in chelation
therapy. A qualified physician must be on the premises at all times during
the procedure.
- Have a complete physical examination that includes a heart function test,
hair mineral analysis, an electrocardiogram, a stress test, and doppler flow
analysis. Kidney function must also be checked.
- EDTA dosage should be individualized for each patient.
- The dosage should be administered slowly over a period of three or more
hours.
- Treatments should be administered by well-trained staff members who are
readily available to deal with any problems that might occur during
treatment.
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Conditions Benefited:
Chelation therapy is most often sought by those suffering from cardiovascular
or circulatory problems.
Expectations of the treatment include the removal and elimination of unwanted
toxic metals such as lead, mercury, and iron, as well as calcium and plaque
build-ups from blood vessels and arteries to improve circulation and :
- Help avoid bypass surgery
- Reverse gangrene
- Eliminate Cooley's anemia
- Alleviate intermittent leg cramps
- Ease the discomfort and disability from arthritis, scleroderma (a
hardening that occurs in skin and certain organs) and lupus
- Improve memory and concentration when diminished circulation is the cause
- Slow the progress of Alzheimer's disease
- Improve vision with vascular-related vision difficulties
**Caution: Critics declare that early studies link EDTA to kidney damage and
perhaps bone-weakening osteoporosis.**
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