EDTA Chelation Therapy is new to many of us, but it has been studied and used successfully for many years. EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) – say that fast 10 times! – is administered intravenously (IV) to remove toxic heavy metals and excess minerals that damage the body. EDTA is able to bind heavy metals and other toxins because of its claw-like molecular structure.
What is Chelation Therapy?
Chelation refers to the use of a chemical substance which binds the ‘bad' TM molecules to itself, allowing them to be removed from the body. During World War II, scientists were searching for an antidote to poison gas. Earlier treatments were able to remove the poison gas, but those treatments were toxic. EDTA, however, proved to be a highly effective treatment for heavy metal toxicity (such as lead poisoning) and for excess minerals (such as calcium), with no side effects. EDTA Chelation allowed the heavy metals or minerals to be removed before they could further damage the body. During the 1940s, the Navy used Chelation Therapy to treat servicemen for lead poisoning.
What Ailments are Treated by EDTA Chelation Therapy?
Chelation Therapy is approved by the FDA for lead and heavy metal poisoning. This is also a recognized emergency treatment for removing excess calcium (hypercalcemia) which is linked to a number of serious and even life-threatening conditions. EDTA Chelation Therapy is also used to treat ventricular arrhythmias in certain circumstances.
In 2013, the NIH published the results of The NIH Trial of EDTA Chelation Therapy for Coronary Heart Disease. They reported that there was some reduction in the risks of heart attack or stroke. The reduction in risk ranged from 18% overall to as much as 39% for diabetics and 37% for those who had previously had a certain type of heart attack (anterior myocardial infarction). They concluded that, “Since this is the first clinical trial to show a benefit, these results are not, by themselves, sufficient to support the routine use of chelation as post-heart attack therapy.”
Dr. Norman Clarke, Sr., one of the pioneers in treating chronic cardiovascular disease with EDTA, testified in 1976 before the California Medical Association's Advisory Board on Internal Medicine that he had personally “given at least 100,000 to 120,000 infusions of EDTA and seen nobody harmed”. He recommended EDTA Chelation as a successful treatment for chronic cardiovascular disease as well as for gangrene and cerebrovascular senility. He also believed EDTA Chelation Therapy to be the best treatment possible for occlusive vascular disease.
EDTA Chelation is used as an alternative medical remedy to improve circulation and remove plaques and calcium deposits from arteries. There have been some unexpected benefits:
- It has been reported that this therapy has reduced the amount of insulin needed by some diabetic patients.
- Some New York studies on hyperactive children reported that they benefited from the removal of lead accumulations, observed in many hyperactive children.
- There are well-documented studies which report that chelation therapy seems to offer a degree of protection against cancer. Some feel that this therapy may also be useful to treat some types of cancer.
How is EDTA Chelation Therapy Administered?
Tests (blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, etc.) are first done to ensure that the treatment can be given safely. A needle is put into the patient's arm and connected to an IV drip which contains EDTA. A session normally lasts for 3 hours and is scheduled for 1 to 3 times a week. Usually, 20-30 sessions are necessary.
EDTA Chelation Therapy has a long safety record. However, anyone contemplating this therapy should discuss it with an experienced practitioner to ensure that it is suitable for their particular condition. If you have experience with EDTA Chelation Therapy, please let us know your results.
Questions and Answers: The NIH Trial of EDTA Chelation Therapy for Coronary Heart Disease
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2013/219840/
http://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/2013/394652/