Overview

Chelation Therapy is the cleaning out of the arteries by way of an intravenous fluid. This treatment can be given as prevention or cure for arterial disease. Treatment is usually once or twice a week over several weeks or months, depending on the individual treatment needed.

Chelation is a chemical process in which a substance is used to bind molecules, such as metals or minerals, and hold them tightly so that they can be removed from a system, such as the body. In medicine, chelation has been scientifically proven to rid the body of excess or toxic metals. For example, a person who has lead poisoning may be given chelation therapy in order to bind and remove excess lead from the body before it can cause damage.

History

The chemical solution used in chelation therapy, EDTA, was first made in Germany in the 1930s. It is now widely accepted as an effective treatment for heavy metal poisoning. In the 1950s, some scientists had a theory that EDTA could remove calcium from the body (which can build up on artery walls and cause heart disease) and thereby help to unclog blocked arteries.

In some early studies, researchers reported positive results among patients with heart disease who received EDTA. Some said that chelation therapy relieved angina (chest pain) caused by blocked arteries. These first observations have not been backed up by larger, more rigorous studies, but they led some practitioners to begin using chelation therapy for heart and circulatory problems and later, for several other illnesses

Benefits

EDTA Chelation Therapy has successfully been used to boost energy levels, improve memory & mental alertness, normalize blood pressure & cholesterol levels as well as help the following conditions.

Procedure

Treatment for atherosclerosis consists of a number of intravenous infusions. Tests will be carried out to individually tailor the infusion to the patient and their health needs. The number of infusions usually falls between 5 and 40, depending on the condition being treated, and its severity. Infusions take anything between 1.5 and 4 hours and can happen once or twice a week. Patients are usually also recommended to follow a self-help plan, which will include nutritional guidelines.

For heavy metal poisoning oral chelation is possible, but it is best to be supervised by an expert. For those concerned about mercury poisoning from amalgam fillings (see our fact sheet on dental amalgam), mercury-free dentists should be able to supervise the chelation process. The issue of mercury poisoning through dental amalgam and thus the need for chelation, is a contentious one. Detractors claim that individuals can be misled by false readouts of machines that measure levels of mercury, leading to lengthy, painful and often expensive dental treatment that is not necessary. However, there is acknowledgement that a small percentage of the population are sensitive to the mercury in their fillings, and there are many testimonies from individuals who feel their lives and health have improved through chelation and the removal of amalgam fillings.

Source of information: www.andalucia.com | www.henryspink.org | www.cancer.org | www.cardiorenew.com