Chelation Therapy (pronounced as “key-lay-shun”) is a well recommended therapy to treat heavy metal intoxication, like lead, arsenic and mercury poisoning. Heavy-metal cannot be broken by the body, so metal pile up increases, interrupting in natural processes and causing abnormal functioning of the body.
This involves using chelating agents to remove the toxins from the body. EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid), used as chelating agent, combines with the heavy metal deposits in the blood and is excreted through urine. DMPS (2,3- Dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid), DMSA (dimercaptosuccinic acid) and ALA (alpha lipoic acid) are some of the other form of chelating agents. The term “chelation” has been adopted from the Greek work “chele”, which means “claw”. This refers to its action on the toxins in the body.
What exactly is chelation therapy?
Atherosclerosis is a primary reason of heart attack. It is a condition where the arteries become stiff and narrow due to accumulation of fatty acids and plaques. Some doctors recommend and practice the use of chelation therapy for heart diseases. They believe that, chelating agents bind with calcium present in the fatty acids and remove the artery blockage. Chelation therapy works at once for all arteries of the patient.
It is considered as less expensive and nonsurgical method to relieve clogged arteries. It also prevents the need for coronary artery bypass surgery and balloon angioplasty. For diabetic patients, limb amputation can be avoided. Calcification in arteries is considered as an important factor in atherosclerosis. EDTA Chelation Therapy removes excessive calcium and makes the artery more responsive and functioning. The Chelation Therapy enhances blood flow and restores arteries. Dangerous Blood clots can also be avoided by the EDTA Chelation Therapy, as it contains blood thinning elements. Hence, it helps in avoiding stroke and heart attacks.
Even if Chelation therapy has the above benefits, it is considered as a dangerous treatment method, if used for heart disease treatment. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have disapproved the use of this technique. United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), American College of Cardiology, the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the American Heart Association agree to the fact that there is no scientifically proven evidence to show the benefits of the chelation therapy for heart disease.
How is it done?
The complete course of EDTA chelation therapy requires 30 treatment sessions, ranging from one to three sessions per week. The chelating agent EDTA is passed onto the vein through fine needle. While the chelation therapy is continuing, the patient can relax, read, chat, eat, drink and can even make phone calls.
Risks associated with chelation therapy
Some common health problems associated with chelation therapy include fever, nausea, vomiting, headache, drop in blood pressure, abnormally low calcium in blood and limitations in generating new blood cells. During chelation therapy, the EDTA not only binds with heavy metals and calcium of the blood, but also to important minerals required by the body. After chelation therapy, vitamin supplements containing huge amount of minerals are administered to the patients. Permanent kidney damage is another risk associated. This therapy may also cause death.
There is great conflict between people who believe in the benefits of Chelation Therapy and those who consider it as harmful. So before opting for the therapy, a through consultation with your health professional is recommended.
