Chelation Therapy: Treating Heavy Metal Burden, Cardiovascular Disease and More…
Written by Devin Wilson, ND
CHELATION THERAPY AND HEAVY METALS
Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic are toxic to the body. High levels of these toxic metals in the body may be associated with a wide range of debilitating symptoms. Lead burden can lead to higher rates of Parkinsonism and cognitive decline in adults, and learning, and behavioral difficulties in children. Mercury exposure is associated with mood disturbances, cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure, infertility and immune dysfunction. Arsenic is a known carcinogen and can increase the risk for diabetes.
CHELATION THERAPY AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
Chelation therapy has also been used in the treatment of cardiovascular. TACT (Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy) is the first large scale study to determine the efficacy and safety of chelation therapy, with or without high-dose vitamins, for those with cardiovascular disease including prior heart attacks, coronary artery disease, diabetes, etc. The preliminary results of this 10 year, $31 million study show that EDTA chelation therapy produced modest, but statistically significant reductions in cardiovascular events. Patients with diabetes were more positively impacted showing a 40% reduction in risk of death from heart disease, 52% reduction in recurrent heart attacks and 43% reduction in death from any cause. Gervasio Lamas, M.D., the study’s principal investigator, remarked “These are striking results that, if supported by future research, could point the way towards new treatments to prevent complications of diabetes”.
OTHER CONDITIONS
Research studies investigating the implications of chelation therapy on autism, neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease, macular degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis and others have been published. See below for links to research and literature on chelation therapy.
CHELATION THERAPY…
The term chelation (pronounced key-lay-shun) is derived from “chelos”, the Greek word for claw. Chelation therapy is an established treatment, used in conventional medicine for removing heavy metals and in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. In addition, chelation therapy has been used in the treatment of autoimmune, neurodegenerative and other diseases.
The purpose of chelation therapy is to bind minerals and/or toxic metals in the body with a chelating agent in order to enhance elimination and, therefore detoxify the body. Of primary concern are calcium deposits in arteries, causing atherosclerosis, a serious risk for heart attack and stroke, and heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and others.
A number of different chelating agents are used in chelation therapy. Your doctor will choose the appropriate one depending on the mineral or heavy metal to be chelated. For example, 2,3-Dimercapto-1-1propanesulfonic acid (DMPS) is commonly used in reducing mercury levels and Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is used in treating atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Your doctor may also recommend natural agents, such as dietary fiber, cilantro, chlorella, etc., to be taken during your treatment for increased chelation and detoxification support
A number of therapeutic agents such as N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), Alpha Lipoic acid (ALA), Selenium, B vitamins, and others, are used in combination with chelation therapy, to provide antioxidant support and to optimize detoxification. In addition, replenishing minerals is imperative while receiving chelation therapy as the chelating agents can bind essential minerals. Our Chelation Protocol includes this additional support using oral supplements and intravenous nutrients.
WHAT IS CHE-ZONE THERAPY?
Che-Zone Therapy, a procedure created by Dr. Frank Shallenberger, M.D., combines intravenous chelation therapy with intravenous ozone therapy. The addition of ozone therapy maximizes the detoxification effect and further supports liver function. This results in increased elimination of heavy metals, toxins and other substances. Intravenous ozone is typically given with glutathione and N-acetylcysteine prior to the chelation IV.
ADMINISTRATION OF CHELATION THERAPY
Chelation therapy can be administered intravenously, rectally and/or orally. The route of administration is chosen depending on the objective of the treatment, the type of heavy metal to be chelated and patient tolerability. IV chelation for cardiovascular disease typically takes 1.5-3 hours. IV chelation for heavy metals typically takes 1 hour. Additional IV therapies may be recommended and can be completed on the same day as your chelation treatment. In most cases multiple treatments over a number of months is necessary to improve cardiovascular health and to reduce heavy metal burden.
Oral chelation for heavy metals is done in 6 or 12 week cycles and can be done at home under medical supervision. Typical treatments are 3 consecutive days per week. Additional oral supplements and detox therapies may be recommended.
IS IT SAFE? ARE THERE SIDE EFFECTS?
When properly performed chelation therapy is safe, and well tolerated. The treatment protocols for chelation therapy are used by chelation therapy practitioners worldwide and have been rigorously tested.
Research has shown that the LD50 (the dose that will kill 50% of all test animals) of EDTA is 1900mg per kilogram of body weight, while the LD50 of aspirin is 420mg per kilogram of body weight. This means that the LD50 of EDTA is 88% higher than that of aspirin.
Chelation therapy is typically well tolerated with minimal side effects. The most common side effect is mild bleeding, bruising and burning sensation at the site of injection. Our center takes extra precautions to reduce this and ensure the patient is comfortable throughout the treatment. Rarely, short-term adverse side effects may occur. These include fever, headache, malaise, digestive upset including diarrhea, bloating, nausea and vomiting. If these occur, notify your doctor and they will recommend additional treatments. These side effects resolve when treatment is stopped.
Chelation therapy is not indicated for everyone. People with kidney disease, receiving renal dialysis and who are pregnant or breast feeding should absolutely not get chelation therapy. Your doctor will perform a thorough assessment and formulate a treatment plan for you.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE ELEVATED LEVELS OF HEAVY METALS? HOW DO I GET TESTED?
Dr. Wilson uses the most accurate and highest quality laboratories to assess heavy metal burden. Assessment of your heavy metals will be done with symptom questionnaires, physical examinations and laboratory testing that may include blood, urine and hair samples.
CONDITIONS TREATED WITH CHELATION THERAPY
Heavy Metals and Other Toxins…
Lead, Mercury, Arsenic, Aluminum, Cadmium, Antimony, Tin, Thallium, Iron, Gadolinium
Cardiovascular Disease…
High blood pressure (Hypertension), Clogged arteries (Atherosclerosis), Coronary artery disease, Diabetes
Autoimmune & Neurodegenerative Diseases…
Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Autism
Eye Disease…
Macular Degeneration – Age Related (AMD)
IS THERE ANY RESEARCH ON CHELATION THERAPY?
TACT (Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy) is the first large scale study to determine the efficacy and safety of chelation therapy, with or without high-dose vitamins, for those with cardiovascular disease including prior heart attacks, coronary artery disease, diabetes, etc. The preliminary results of this 10 year, $31 million study show that EDTA chelation therapy produced modest, but statistically significant reductions in cardiovascular events. Patients with diabetes were more positively impacted showing a 40% reduction in risk of death from heart disease, 52% reduction in recurrent heart attacks and 43% reduction in death from any cause. Gervasio Lamas, M.D., the study’s principal investigator, remarked “These are striking results that, if supported by future research, could point the way towards new treatments to prevent complications of diabetes”. **See below for links to research and literature on chelation therapy.
IS CHELATION THERAPY FDA APPROVED?
The FDA has approved 11 chelating agents, including EDTA and DMSA, to treat heavy metal toxicities. Currently, chelation therapy is not approved by the FDA to treat other diseases, despite scientific research that supports its use in a variety of diseases. (Wax PM. Current Use of Chelation in American Health Care. Journal of Medical Toxicology. 2013;9(4):303-307. doi:10.1007/s13181-013-0347-2).
HOW COMMON IS CHELATION THERAPY?
Practitioners all over the world use chelation therapy in for variety of conditions. A 2008 National Health Statistics Report estimates that in 2002, 66,000 adults received chelation therapy. This same report estimated that 111,000 adults and 72,00 children received some sort of chelation therapy 2007. (Wax PM. Current Use of Chelation in American Health Care. Journal of Medical Toxicology. 2013;9(4):303-307. doi:10.1007/s13181-013-0347-2)
Dr. Devin Wilson has used chelation therapy for both cardiovascular disease and heavy metal burden with great success. He was trained by the American College of the Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) and is a Certified Chelation Therapy provider.