Chelation Therapy: Get the Lead Out!

by Dr. John O. Wycoff

Introduction & Overview

Many people have heard about chelation therapy, but few really understand what it is or how it works. Let me help introduce you to chelation by providing an introduction and overview, a summary of potential indications and then how it really works. Hopefully you will see that chelation is a treatment option that more people can use to get the lead out!

The word chelation is derived from the Greek word, chele, which means claw (like that of a scorpion or crab). The concept of chelation is based on the observation that when a certain amino acid complex called EDTA (ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid) comes in contact with certain positively charged metals and other substances such as lead, copper, calcium, magnesium, cadmium, mercury or manganese it binds or grabs them (hence the chele or claw), and removes them. Chelation therapy is the process of removing from the body these undesirable ionic materials by a process called chelation. Chelation may be performed with various oral capsules and intravenous solutions, although we find the intravenous administration of EDTA is typically the safest and most effective method to remove most heavy metals.

EDTA is a synthetic amino acid first used in the 1940’s for treatment of heavy metal poisoning. It is widely recognized as effective for this use as well as certain others, including the emergency treatment of hypercalcemia and the control of ventricular arrhythmias associated with digitalis toxicity. Studies by the National Academy of Science/National Research Council in the late 1960’s indicated that EDTA was considered effective in the treatment of occlusive vascular disorders caused by arteriosclerosis. EDTA binds to metals such as lead or calcium in their ion form in body and forms a stable compound that may be excreted through the kidney in the urine. The stability of this bond is vital to success in chelation therapy. If the bond is weak, other chemicals can break this bond to form their own compounds.

One way to think about chelation if to compare it to the way we unclog a clogged drain. We add a chemical to the drain. It dissolves the blockage. The resulting compound is removed from the drain using the existing plumbing system. Chelation processes work in a similar manner in our body.

The process of chelation is very common in nature. Our human digestive process is a good example of how chelation takes place. Digestion and assimilation of foods involves the chelation of protein substances (amino acids) with minerals for transportation to their destinations, or in which blood cells latch onto, and thus acquire, iron. Hemoglobin is a chelate of iron. When you eat meat or green vegetables which contain iron, after the digestive process has released the iron from the food in which it is bound, it has to be combined (chelated) with amino acids so that it can be carried through the intestinal mucous membranes into the blood stream.

If you drink tea with your meal, the tannin in the tea will chelate with iron (forming insoluble iron tannate) before it gets absorbed. In this case, the body does not get any iron from foods. On the other hand, if we take some foods which are rich in vitamin C (or take a vitamin C supplement) with an iron rich food meal, the ascorbic acid (vitamin C) will chelate with the iron and enhance its absorption. The iron, once in the blood stream, is released from the proteins with which it was chelated for transportation.

What medical problems can chelation treat?

Chelation can treat a number of medical conditions where heavy metal accumulation is part of the problem. Common indications include:

• Coronary artery disease
• Arteriosclerosis/atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
• Peripheral arterial vascular disease (PAD)
• Carotid artery vascular disease
• Alzheimer’s dementia
• Autism
• Heavy metal toxicity (lead, mercury, cadmium, antimony)
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol)
• Hypertension
• Multiple sclerosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Chelation appears to remove calcium plaque from arteries and serves as a powerful anti-oxidant to prevent damage from free radicals. Chelation serves as a non-surgical option for such problems as coronary artery disease or peripheral arterial vascular disease.

Chelation is just one part of a comprehensive program to improve your health. Avoidance of tobacco and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption augments a complete chelation program. Regular exercise, a healthy wholesome diet and the correct vitamins and mineral supplements are key contributors to obtaining and maintaining health and wellness naturally.

How is Chelation Therapy Administered?

An appropriate evaluation process will insure that chelation is appropriate for your specific medical condition. A comprehensive history and physical is the first step. Additional testing may include blood testing, urine testing for kidney function and vascular testing such as a Doppler test, cardiac stress test EKG and/or angiograms.

Once it has been established that there is a problem which could benefit from EDTA chelation infusions, a series of treatments are scheduled, typically one to three times a week. Chelation therapy may occur in a group setting with other patients receiving similar treatment.

The infusion involves a small needle being inserted into a vein (usually in the hand or forearm). The needle is attached to the infusion bottle containing the EDTA and various other nutrients. The infusion bottle is hung from an adjustable stand and allowed to infuse from 30 minutes to 3 hours depending upon the specific problem and type of infusion being used. The precise amount of time for the administration will be determined by your provider (increased time may be required for impaired renal function patients). A typical chelation infusion will contain EDTA and additional vitamins, minerals, and supplements felt to be appropriate for your medical condition.

In most cases, EDTA solution is dripped into the bloodstream at a rate of one drop per second. One to three infusions may be given each week. The complete treatment consists of anything from 20 (for relatively mild problems) to 30 or more infusions. In rare cases a longer number of infusions may be recommended. Typically periodic maintenance infusions will need to be continued to ensure ongoing benefits.

Periodic blood and urine testing will be done to make sure that the kidneys and other organs are operating sufficiently well to cope with the EDTA detoxification. The EDTA is 95 percent eliminated from the body by the kidneys and 5 percent via bile excretion.

Summary

Chelation performed by a trained physician has very few side effects. The treatments are well tolerated safe and effective. On average, 85 percent of chelation patients improve significantly. Most patients find their symptoms improved, blood flow to diseased organs increases, the need for multiple medications decreases and most importantly, the quality of life becomes more productive and enjoyable. Chelation provides an effective option to improve, restore, and maintain your health and wellness naturally.