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A process involving the use of chelating agents to remove
heavy metals from the body. For the most common forms of
heavy metal intoxication, those involving lead, arsenic
or mercury, the standard of care in the US dictates the
use of DMSA. This, in addition to other chelating agents
such as DMPSalpha lipoic acid (ALA), are used in conventional
and alternative medicine. Chelation Process Is Very Common
in Nature. Our human digestive process is a very 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 on to, and thus acquire, iron.
Hemoglobin is a chelate of iron (as is the enzyme catalase,
that is used by our bodies to 'switch off' the free radical
activity of hydrogen peroxide).
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 bloodstream. If you drink tea with your
meal, the tannin in the tea will chelate with the iron (forming
insoluble iron tannate) before it gets absorbed. In this
case, the body does not get any iron from your food.
On the other
hand, if we take some foods which are rich in Vitamin C
(or take Vitamin C supplement) with our iron rich meal,
the ascorbic acid (or Vitamin C) will chelate with the iron
and enhance and speed its absorption. The iron, once in
the bloodstream, is released from the proteins with which
it was chelated for transportation.
Methods for detoxification of the blood and or organs.
Several natural foods such as (walnut and walnut extract
taken orally ) chelate heavy metals from the body. Another
method uses intravenous (IV) therapy to increase blood flow
and decrease excessive deposits of plaques in arteries and
organs such as the liver, kidneys, heart and brain. Typically
a substance known as ETDA is used chelate the blood intraveneously.
Benefits/Contraindications
Chelation therapy
is widely used for the treatment of atherosclerosis and
other chronic degenerative diseases involving the circulatory
system. It also has other benefits. Many scientists suggest
that the beneficial effect of chelation treatment is from
the removal of metallic catalysts that causes excessive
free radical proliferation. This reduces the oxidation of
lipids, DNA, enzyme systems and lipoproteins. The chelation
halts the bad effects and initiates the body's healing process,
often reversing the damage. It removes the calcium and copper
anions from the blood stream.
The plaque lining
the artery walls are made porous and brittle. Eventually
they may get dislodged. Even if only a microscopic layer
of the plaque is removed, it, along with a smoothening of
the artery wall due to the healing of the cells that line
the arteries, can improve the blood flow to the artery muscles
substantially. This can prevent artery spasm and minimize
or prevent angina pain. Many patients who could not walk
due to muscle pain or angina pain have reported that they
can walk without pain after chelation therapy.
A number of side
effects have been observed with chelation therapy. These
may include: Headaches from a low blood sugar level, local
skin irritation, nausea or stomach upset, diarrhea, weight
loss (from fluid excretion) of 3 to 5 pounds, fatigue, fever,
cramps, joint pain.
Training/Licensing
See Chelation
Therapy website.
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