Introduction

Have you heard about chelation therapy? It's becoming a popular alternative treatment that claims to remove heavy metals and toxins from your body. In this guide, we'll explain simply and clearly what chelation therapy is, how it works, its supposed benefits, safety issues to know about, and if the evidence shows it truly works.

What is Chelation Therapy Exactly?

Chelation therapy uses a man-made amino acid called EDTA that's given through an IV or as a supplement. EDTA stands for ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid - you can just call it EDTA.

EDTA binds to metals in your bloodstream. This allows the metals to then leave your body through your urine. That's why the treatment is called chelation therapy - "chelate" means to grab and hold on.

The metals and toxins targeted include:

• Lead

• Mercury

• Arsenic

• Aluminum

• Cadmium

• Calcium

The FDA first approved chelation therapy back in the 1950s. At that time, it was used for treating heavy metal poisoning. But today, it's becoming popular for treating atherosclerosis, autism, Alzheimer's disease, and other chronic health problems thought to involve metal toxicity.

How Does Chelation Therapy Work?

During chelation therapy, you'll be hooked up to an IV that delivers EDTA into your blood. A full round of treatment usually means getting 20-40 sessions over several weeks.

The EDTA binds to metals, and this EDTA-metal complex gets filtered out by your kidneys into your urine. Your doctor can check the metal levels in your urine before and after to see how much was removed.

You can also take oral chelation supplements with EDTA or other chelating agents. But IV EDTA works better since more can enter your bloodstream at once.

What Are the Supposed Benefits?

Advocates for chelation therapy make these claims about its benefits:

• It removes toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium.

• It may reduce atherosclerotic plaque buildup and lower heart disease risk.

• It might improve circulation and oxygen delivery.

• It could slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer's and dementia.

• It may ease autism symptoms by removing metals thought to damage the brain.

• It provides an antioxidant effect to protect cells.

• It can boost energy levels and improve quality of life.

However, there's not enough scientific proof that it truly provides all these benefits, especially for chronic diseases. Removing lead and other metals is the best proven use.

Is Chelation Therapy Safe?

Chelation therapy does have some possible risks and side effects to consider:

• It can damage kidneys over time since more lead is excreted through urine. Doctors have to monitor kidney function.

• EDTA removes beneficial minerals like calcium along with toxic metals. These need to be replenished through supplements.

• Some individuals may be allergic to EDTA, causing issues like rash, fever, nausea.

• Removing calcium can dangerously lower blood calcium levels, disrupting heart rhythm. Calcium must be monitored and added back if needed.

• EDTA can interact with certain medications like antibiotics. Anyone on prescription meds should talk to their doctor first.

Experts agree chelation therapy should be carefully supervised by a doctor because of these risks. The dose has to be just right to avoid harm.

Is There Proof Chelation Therapy Works?

Whether chelation helps treat chronic diseases is still controversial. Here's an overview of what current evidence says:

• For heart health, a few studies found EDTA chelation may slightly lower risk of heart attacks. But the benefits appear too small to replace more proven treatments.

• For autism, some small studies show minor improvements in symptoms with chelation. But there's not enough evidence it removes metals involved in autism or provides meaningful benefits.

• For Alzheimer's and dementia, there's no solid proof chelation can treat cognitive decline or improve brain function. It doesn't seem to slow the progression of Alzheimer's.

• For cancer, some supporters claim chelation removes metals that contribute to cancer. But there's no credible evidence showing it prevents or treats cancer.

In summary, chelation therapy seems most valid for treating confirmed heavy metal and mineral toxicities right now. For other conditions, safer and more effective standard treatments are available until more research clarifies chelation's role. Discuss chelation therapy thoroughly with your doctor.

Conclusion

Chelation therapy uses the amino acid EDTA to remove accumulated heavy metals and minerals from your body. Although approved for treating metal poisoning, using it for chronic diseases like heart disease, autism and Alzheimer's is still controversial. That's because evidence of meaningful benefits is limited. Also, chelation therapy carries risks of side effects and requires close medical monitoring.

FAQ

What conditions is chelation therapy used for?

Chelation is approved for treating proven heavy metal poisoning. But it's also sometimes used to try to treat atherosclerosis, autism spectrum disorders, Alzheimer's disease and other chronic conditions thought to involve metal toxicity. However, the benefits aren't well proven scientifically for these uses.

Is chelation therapy taken orally or through an IV?

Chelation can be oral by taking chelating supplements, or intravenous by infusion. IV EDTA chelation works better since higher doses can be given more safely. But oral chelation supplements are more convenient.

What's the process of chelation therapy treatment like?

You'll be hooked up to an IV with EDTA for about 1-3 hours per session. A full course is usually 20-40 of these hour-long IV sessions given over 4-12 weeks. You may pee more as metals come out. Your kidneys, calcium, and symptoms should be monitored throughout.