Intravenous Chelation Therapy
EDTA, the active component in chelation
therapy, was discovered in Germany in the 1930's. Researchers
had been searching for a substance that could soften hard
water, and it appeared EDTA was highly effective in doing so.
But EDTA had the capacity to do much more; the substance
happened to also have a strong binding affinity for heavy
metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. For this reason,
EDTA was initially used in treating acute lead poisoning.
Patients suffering from cardiovascular
disease who were being treated with EDTA for acute lead
poisoning noticed improved stress tolerance and less chest
pain upon exertion. They were also able to walk longer
distances. Surprisingly, chelation therapy appeared to have
produced an unexpected healing effect for their cardiovascular
problems.
EDTA (short for ethylenediaminetetraacetic
acid) is the active component in chelation therapy and is a
chelating agent. This term stems from the Greek word "chele",
meaning claw, as EDTA actually grabs on to metal particles
(such as calcium, lead, mercury, cadmium). Once injected into
the blood stream, it binds to these particles and this entire
complex (EDTA plus metal particles) is excreted from the body
during urination.
The process of arteriosclerosis causes
narrowing of the arteries of the heart, legs, and brain.
Calcium deposits (plaques) accumulate in arterial walls,
reducing the flexibility of blood vessels. EDTA binds calcium
ions (electrically charged calcium particles) in the blood and
excretes them via the kidneys into the urine. Thus, the blood
calcium ion concentration will drop and (in response to this)
will lead to the release of parathormone (PTH). PTH in its
turn will attract calcium ions from the tissues (including the
arterial walls) in order to compensate for the lowered blood
calcium concentration.
With age, the calcium
concentration of cells will gradually increase, leading to
impairment of metabolic processes and energy production within
the cells. Chelation therapy will decalcify these cells,
thereby improving their function. Removes heavy metals.
One of the most important
functions of EDTA is the removal of toxic heavy metals from
the body. Substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium
accumulate in the body from environmental exposure; present
day lead load in humans, for instance, is about 1000 times
higher than 1600 years ago.
EDTA also removes iron and
copper. These metals are involved in free radical reactions
that take place in the body. Free radicals are atoms or
molecules containing a unpaired electron that tend to
interfere with numerous bodily processes in an extremely
aggressive fashion. For instance, free radicals can bind to
enzymes, cellular membranes, or DNA and thus interfere with
their function. Given the proper conditions, free circulating
iron and copper ions can promote the formation of free
radicals. Chelation therapy will remove an excess of these
ions from the body and decrease these damaging reactions.
Reduces blood coagulation
EDTA has a positive effect on
blood platelets (thrombocytes), which play an important role
in cardiovascular disease. Generally, brain and myocardial
infarctions occur because clots (which are largely made up of
platelets) close off a vessel. Moreover, blood coagulation in
arteriosclerotic disease appears to be greater than normal,
thus facilitating the formation of clots. EDTA, however,
reduces platelet stickiness, thereby considerably reducing the
chance of clot formation.
Improves oxygen delivery
Red blood cells (erythrocytes)
contain oxygen, the essential component every cell needs.
Through chelation, red blood cells become increasingly
flexible, making them better capable of reaching smaller blood
vessels, thereby increasing circulation and oxygen delivery.
Therapeutic Applications of Chelation
Therapy
Angina Pectoris
Chest pain as a consequence of
lack of oxygen of the heart muscle. This pain generally occurs
upon exertion, in cold weather, with stressful emotional
states, or upon eating large meals, but sometimes also when in
a resting state and at night.
Myocardial Infarction
Part of the heart muscle has
actually died off, generally as a consequence of an acute
blockage of a coronary artery. Chelation therapy helps prevent
new heart attacks, as well as angina pectoris after a heart
attack. Moreover, chelation improves cardiac pump function.
Cerebral Infarction
Die-off of brain tissue as a
consequence of blockage of a blood vessel by clot build-up
onto an already narrowed segment (thrombosis), or blockage
caused by a loosely circulating clot which became lodged
(embolism).
Transient Ischemic Attack
Temporary lack of oxygen of the
brain, which completely reverses itself within 24 hours (such
as transient speech difficulties, transient paralysis,
transient blindness in one eye, etc.).
Diabetes Mellitus
Chelation therapy improves
sugar metabolism. Diabetics undergoing chelation therapy often
need less insulin or oral blood glucose lowering medication
during the course of treatment. In addition, chelation therapy
helps prevent complications of diabetes, such as eye, nerve,
and kidney damage, as well as accelerated arteriosclerosis.
Hypertension
Chelation therapy will
generally lower raised blood pressure. Blood pressure lowering
medication can frequently be diminished or even discontinued.
Side Effects of Chelation Therapy
If EDTA is applied in too high
a dosage over too short a period of time, kidney function can
temporarily diminish. Proper use of EDTA (based on the
protocol as set by the American Board of Chelation Therapy)
reduces this side effect to practically zero. In many cases,
patients with diminished kidney function prior to commencing
chelation therapy will improve under chelation treatment.
Some patients experience discomfort of the
arm in which the infusion is given. This complaint can be
prevented through simple measures.
EDTA has a blood sugar (glucose) lowering
effect, which can bring on fatigue, hunger pangs, and tremors.
Complaints like these can be prevented by eating shortly
before and during the infusion (bread, fruit, etc.) and by
drinking fruit juice.
Rarely, blood calcium levels drop during
treatment. Complaints that may arise include: tingling of the
mouth, fingers, and toes, as well as cramping of hands and
feet. A calcium injection (calcium gluconate) makes these
complaints disappear rapidly.
Some patients experience fatigue during the
first few infusions. This is a normal phenomenon, which soon
disappears on its own. The vast majority of patients will soon
start to feel more fit and energetic because of chelation
therapy.
An excellent source for
more information on
Chelation Therapy is
www.drcranton.com
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