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CHELATION THERAPY

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Definition/Concept
The word is derived from the Greek "chele" and refers to the claw of a crab or lobster. A substance is "chelated" out of the body when it is grabbed, trapped and transformed by a chelating agent.

Ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) is a man-made amino acid chelating agent with a particular affinity for toxic metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and aluminum. Should EDTA meet up with such toxic substances, the material is sequestered, then secreted in bodily wastes.

EDTA chelation therapy is safe and non-painful and is administered on an outpatient basis. Treatment involves a series of 20 to 30 infusions of EDTA in solution, each infusion lasting from 1 ½ to 3 hours.
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Chelation therapy is a medical treatment that improves metabolic and circulatory function by removing toxic metals (such as lead and cadmium) and abnormally located nutritional metallic ions (such as iron) from the body. This is accomplished by administering an amino acid, ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA), by an intravenous infusion using a small 25 gauge needle.
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Origin and history
First used in Nazi Germany in 1935 as a replacement for citric acid, it was used in the fabric industry to prevent stains from the calcium present in the hard water. Dr. Schacter notes that during World War 2, chelating agents (not EDTA) were being used when arsenical gases were being used. We also found that in the 1940's, radiation poisoning was well treated with chelating agents, which removed the heavy metals that emitted radioactivity from the body. At the same time, EDTA was being used to remove calcium from pipes and boilers. It wasn't until 1948 that EDTA was first used in the treatment of lead poisoning. Since then, it has become the premier method of treating lead poisoning as well as other heavy metal toxicities. Interestingly, these patients also showed marked improvement in their health; it seemed to eliminate symptoms of atherosclerosis.

Dr. Norman Clarke, Director of research at Providence Hospital in Detroit, began research with EDTA while treating lead poisoned auto workers, and noted that after treating several hundred patients with it, reported that "in occlusive vascular disease of the brain, there has been uniform relief of vertigo, and the signs of senility, even when advanced have been significantly relieved.

In summary, the treatment of atherosclerotic vascular complications with the chelating agent, EDTA is supported by a large volume of information. Since that article, two medical researchers, Drs. Lawrence and Kitchell, received a grant to study chelation therapy. Their research showed that while patients with vascular disease secondary to diabetes improved, that their improvement was only temporary. Since then, a growing number of highly competent, board certified physicians have continued research on chelation therapy, in spite of the unfavorable responses and lack of support by the traditional medical industry. They continued to find that chelation is a safe, effective, inexpensive, easily administered alternative to surgeries and medication. In fact, it appears to deal with the biochemical causes of diseases such as heart disease due to plaque buildup, heavy metal toxicity, peripheral vascular disease and diabetes, versus dealing with the symptoms alone, as traditional medicine so ineffectively does.
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Procedures/Protocol
Medical Examination:
Prior to administering EDTA infusion, the practitioner will conduct some test to determine whether the patient has a problem that will benefit from the therapy and that it is an appropriate remedy.

A comprehensive personal and family history is taken with special emphasis on all aspects of previous health problems and current status. The patient will be asked questions regarding diet, habits, emotional status, exercise, stress levels and a detailing listing of symptoms. A full physical examination will also be performed with special emphasis on the circulatory and respiratory systems.

This is followed by a series of medical tests such as electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, blood tests, urine tests, diet and other tests and hair analysis. Exercise tolerance tests are used to determine how the heart, lungs and circulation responds to activity. A Doppler (sound wave) examination will be carried out to establish a "before" picture of circulatory system.

EDTA Treatment:
Once it has been established that there is a problem which could benefit from EDTA infusion, a series of treatments are scheduled, about two or three times per week. Most chelation centers treat patients in a group setting.

The infusion will be administered usually in a large room with appropriate seating (usually comfortable recliners). A needle is inserted into a vein (usually in the hand or forearm, but sometimes the lower leg). The needle is attached to the container (hung on an adjustable stand), from which is drip-fed around half a liter of fluid over the 3 ½ hours' duration of each treatment. This liquid usually contains 2 to 3 grams of EDTA and whatever additional minerals the doctor has decided will best help achieve a balanced blood content.

When the infusion is being performed, the arm is kept stable by taping it to a padded board, which rests on a cushion for comfort.

In most cases, the EDTA solution is dripped into the bloodstream at a rate of one drop per second. Two to three of such infusions are given each week. The complete treatment consists of anything from 20 (for relatively mild problems) to 30 infusions.

Periodical blood and urine screenings will be done to make sure that the kidney and other functions are operating sufficiently well to cope with the EDTA detoxification.

In rare instances, follow-up infusions will be given. Some patients may undergo as much as 100 infusions.

The EDTA is eliminated from the body, 95 per cent via the kidneys and 5 per cent via the bile, along with the toxic metals and free ionic calcium which it has locked on to in its transit through the circulatory system.


Benefits
-Improved circulation
-Reduction of liver produced cholesterol
-Lowered insulin requirements in diabetics
-Reduced high blood pressure
-Normalization of cardiac arrhythmias
-Relief from leg muscle cramps
-Reduction in allergic symptoms
-Normalized weight
-Improved psychological and emotional status
-Enhanced sensory performance
-Fewer excessive heart contractions
-Lessened varicose vein pigmentation
-Lightened age spots
-Fewer aches and pains - arthritic and otherwise
-Less reliance on pain medication
-Hair loss stopped and reversed
-Reversal of impotence
-Alzheimer symptoms reversed
-Reduced need for diuretics
-Cold extremities warmed
-Chronic fatigue syndrome overcome
-Memory and concentration improved
-Post-cataract vision loss restored
-Skin, hair, nail improvement

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