Chelation Treatments for Heavy Metal Toxicity

The term “chelation” (pronounced key-lay-shun) comes from the Greek word chele, which means “claw”.  This may sound strange until you understand that certain agents, known as chelators are able to chemically bond with metals, minerals, or chemical toxins and whisk them out of the body via the urine and feces.

What Is Chelation?

In our increasingly toxic world, this is beginning to be a very necessary step toward wellness for many people.  One of the methods by which people are discovering their heavy metal toxicity is via a test known as hair mineral analysis, usually ordered by a naturopath or an integrative doctor searching for the underlying cause for disease.

People are discovering that their bodies are polluted with heavy metals such as iron, lead, mercury, cadmium, copper and zinc.  Our bodies cannot break down heavy metals, thus creating toxic levels which are playing havoc with health.

Natural therapists have long known that certain agents are able to chelate – grab onto – these heavy metals and pull them out of the body’s blood and tissues.  They form complex molecules that are chemically inert and can be easily excreted without interacting any further with the body.  This is the method by which chelation therapy detoxifies heavy metals.

So Where Are All These Heavy Metals Coming From?

Heavy metal toxicity is due to many different things, including amalgam dental fillings (which are about 50% mercury), lead in paint, tap water, chemical residues in processed foods, petrochemical products, and cosmetics (unless organic).  Mercury is probably the worst offender and those who work in these professions have the highest risk of mercury overload: physicians, pharmaceutical workers, any dental occupations, laboratory workers, potters, hairdressers, painters, printers, metal workers, welders, cosmetic industry workers, battery makers, engravers, photographers, and visual artists.

Dr. Garry Gordon, a leader in the field of chelation says, “No one on Planet Earth is operating at optimal levels without doing something about the toxic metals.  Thus the conclusion I draw is that chelation appears to be a lifetime necessity for all.  There is no chelation that can dent the lead levels of bones unless continued for at least seven years (bone turnover time).”

How Is Chelation Therapy Administered?

Depending on the agent used and the type of metal toxicity, chelating agents may be taken orally or injected into a vein or muscle.

Known Chelators

Note:  It is possible to feel worse after chelation than when you began if you are not well-informed and do not proceed carefully under the care of a competent healthcare practitioner.  You will want to get the hair mineral analysis test done first to see what metals you have a problem with (if any) and this test is usually done with a qualified professional like a naturopath or integrative doctor.  The following list is purely for informational purposes.

Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetic Acid (EDTA) is the most widely used and studied chelating agent.  It is a synthetic amino acid first used in the 1940’s as a treatment for lead poisoning.  In the 1950’s physicians began to use it for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. 

In 1980, Drs W Blumer and T Reich headed a study which discovered that people who lived close to a busy road had higher chances of dying from cancer than those who did not live close to a busy road.  They discovered that lead from vehicle exhaust was suspended in dust particles and sediment dust along the automobile artery.  They further found that calcium EDTA helped to eliminate the lead poisoning.  It appears that someone listened to this report – all vehicles manufactured after 1986 in the USA were required to operate completely on unleaded fuel.

However.  Using synthetic chelators with their own toxic side effects is not the best way to chelate.

More Natural Chelation Agents Include:

Homeopathic merc sol – good for the removal of arsenic, iron and mercury.

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) – a nutritional supplement that transforms into dithiol dihydrolipoic acid, a chelator of both mercury and arsenic.  It is advised that ALA should be taken with caution by starting at low dosages and supporting its use with a full protocol, which includes clay, to ensure that the heavy metals do actually leave the body.

Inositol Hexaphosphate (IP6) – derived naturally from seeds and rice bran, is the most potent natural chelator of iron and completely non-toxic. Researchers at Wake Forest University Health Sciences state that “iron chelators may be of value as therapeutic agents in the treatment of cancer. They may act by depleting iron, a necessary nutrient, and limiting tumor growth.” [Current Topics Medical Chemistry 4: 1623—35, 2004].   IP6 appears to work selectively against cancer cells. Because cancer cells are high in iron content, IP6 directs most of its attention to these abnormal cells by selectively removing iron.  That deprives them of their primary growth factor.  IP6 does not remove iron from normal red blood cells which are tightly bound to hemoglobin.  Unlike cancer drugs, healthy cells are not affected with IP6, so IP6 has very low toxicity. [Deliliers GL, British J Haematology 117: 577—87, 2002]

Furthermore, IP6 actually enhances the anti-cancer effects of Adriamycin and Tamoxifen, two commonly used breast cancer drugs. [Tantivejkul K, Breast Cancer Research Treatment 79: 301—12, 2003]  For further research on IP6 on pubmed.gov, click this link.

Cilantro (Coriander) – a very effective chelator.  Many people suffering from mercury exposure report a reduction in the often-cited feeling of disorientation when they consume large quantities of this popular herb.  It appears to work better when combined with chlorella (see below).

Parsley, Alfalfa, and Chlorella (blue-green algae) – all three are powerful chemical and heavy metal chelators.  They help to get your system more alkaline and purify the blood, making it easier for the body to rid itself of wastes with less discomfort or “healing crisis” (which is often felt when the toxic debris coming out of the cells causes you to feel sick or like you have the flu).

Onions and garlic –  The high sulfur content works to eliminate heavy metals.  Eggs, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage also have high sulfur content.

Food-Grade Activated Charcoal –  Al Sears, MD recommends his patients utilize food grade activated charcoal for detoxifying heavy metals.  He recommends a total of 20 grams per day, spaced apart in two to four doses, over a 12 day period.

A few more tips:  Remember to replace the good minerals which may be lost during the chelation process with a great quality mineral supplement.  Note that it is best to eliminate heavy metals gently – slower is better than faster – so that the body can reabsorb less and avoid flooding the body with toxic metals that can cause you to feel rotten.  I said it up above and I will repeat it here – it is possible to feel worse after chelation than when you began if you are not well-informed and do not proceed carefully under the care of a competent healthcare practitioner.

References:

http://www.gordonresearch.com/answers/chlorella_and_cilantro.html

http://drsircus.com/medicine/essentials-natural-chelation

http://pubmed.gov

Source of this article:  http://marnieclark.com/category/chelation-treatments/

This article is on Healthwise.

Mercury - The Toxin That Threatens Your Health

Dr. Isaac Eliaz | Jan 31, 2014

One of the most widespread consequences of modern pollution involves mercury, a heavy metal that can threaten your health. Also called quicksilver, mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature.

While the element has its uses (in thermometers, for example), it’s also a major industrial pollutant, coming primarily from coal-fired power plants. The soot from these plants is carried far away, descending on crops or the ocean, where it enters the food chain and may wind up on your dinner plate.

Mercury poisoning is a serious condition. The manic Mad Hatter who carouses in Alice in Wonderland suffered from mercury exposure. At the time, many hatters used mercury in their craft and often suffered mercury-induced tremors. In addition to being a neurotoxin, the element affects the heart, kidneys, liver and other organs, as well as inhibiting the immune system. Pregnant women and children are most at risk.

Mercury poisoning symptoms include headaches, insomnia and tingling in extremities as well as problems with speech, hearing, vision, balance and other neurological symptoms. A study conducted in New Zealand found that people with high mercury exposure experienced fatigue, memory loss, depression and hair loss. If these sound like difficulties you suffer, talk to an integrative physician about testing for mercury body burden.

Government Protections

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has the authority to impose stricter rules on mercury emissions, but so far has not chosen to do so. Coal is a big deal in many States where it is either mined or burned for energy. As a result, we’re now seeing the short-term benefits of abundant energy at the expense of long-term health protection benefits. In other words, we cannot rely on industry and the government to protect our families from toxic mercury. That responsibility belongs to us.

Avoiding Exposure

While there are a variety of mercury sources, the greatest danger comes from fish. Aquatic organisms convert the mercury in water into an extremely toxic form known as methylmercury. From there, the toxin creeps up the food chain in a process called bioaccumulation. Mercury is often concentrated in shellfish, as well as tuna, swordfish, shark and other large fish. European regulators have advised pregnant women not to eat more than 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of game fish in a week. It’s probably not bad advice for the rest of us as well.

This doesn’t mean you should omit fish entirely. Smaller fish have much lower concentrations and are not a significant source of mercury. One very interesting study showed that cognition in infants had an inverse relationship with their mothers’ mercury levels. The lower the mercury levels, the better the cognition. It’s important to note that women with low mercury levels who ate a lot of seafood had better-performing children. They simply avoided the large, mercury-dense fish.

Though the majority of mercury comes from consuming fish, we often encounter other sources. Polluted air, drinking water and some cosmetics also convey mercury. We can also be exposed through dental fillings.

You can also get mercury from compact fluorescent bulbs. Be very careful when changing them. If one breaks, never sweep or vacuum the fragments or you may disperse mercury into the air.

High fructose corn syrup seems to have relatively high levels of mercury: another reason to avoid processed foods that contain this ingredient.

Risks Of Conventional Chelation

There are a variety of chelation therapies that can remove heavy metals and other toxins from the body. Some work better than others and there can be side effects. One of the more common compounds is EDTA, a synthetic amino acid that’s used to treat lead poisoning. Unfortunately, it has a long list of side effects: reduced blood sugar, headaches, nausea, low blood pressure, organ damage and others.

Another compound is DMSA, which is used to chelate lead, arsenic and mercury. Again, it has pretty bad side effects, including fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and rashes.

Another problem with these chemicals is that they can also remove minerals from the body, taking both the bad and the good. Obviously, we need to be careful selecting a detoxification agent. The cure can sometimes be worse than the condition we’re treating.

Natural Detoxification

The best compound I’ve come across to safely remove toxins is modified citrus pectin (MCP).

In the bloodstream, MCP can bind to heavy metals and other toxins to help the body remove them. This ability first came to light after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Children in the vicinity who were given pectin had fewer cases of thyroid cancer.

Alginates are another natural detoxifier. Extracted from brown kelp, these compounds bind to mercury, arsenic and other heavy metals, as well as dangerous chemicals like pesticides. In addition, they are also effective at removing low-level radioactivity. Kelp contains high levels of iodine which can block the absorption of radioactive iodine.

In my own experience, MCP and alginates can be a powerful combination for removing dangerous toxins from the bloodstream and digestive tract. In one pilot study, the paired compounds removed an average 74 percent of the heavy metal burden.  Most importantly, this was accomplished with zero side effects.

The Problem Of Reabsorption

It’s important to remember that detoxification is finished only when the substances are completely removed from the body. A problem that plagues many detox treatments is the fact that heavy metals can be taken from one organ only to be reabsorbed by another (often the intestines). We should always work to avoid this game of physiological musical chairs. Once the toxins are removed, they need to be completely flushed from the body.

This highlights another advantage of MCP, and particularly alginates: Once they bind with toxins, they keep them from being reabsorbed. This puts us in a better position to remove them completely.

I also recommend sulfured amino acids nutrients and antioxidant botanicals, such as cilantro, garlic, milk thistle and dandelion, to further the detoxification process. A nutrient-dense diet emphasizing detoxifying foods, along with plenty of filtered water and regular exercise are also critical for removing mercury and other heavy metals from the body.

In its natural state, mercury is actually quite beautiful. But when it gets inside the human body, it’s a completely different matter. The good news is that there are ways to limit mercury toxicity. It’s simply a matter of being mindful. Keeping mercury out of your system is just one more way to promote good health — and it becomes more important every day.

http://easyhealthoptions.com/detox-category/the-toxin-that-threatens-your-health/

Your Answers For Chelation Therapy

Bob Livingston | Aug 24, 2013

We get more questions on chelation therapy than almost any other nutrient or protocol.

In short, chelation therapy was created by the Germans in the early 1930s to remove heavy metals. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to remove heavy metals. It is not approved to remove calcium plaque from the arteries. The FDA will never approve EDTA chelation therapy for cardiovascular disease simply because it will not jeopardize the heart surgery industry, a multibillion-dollar medical monopoly.

The American Medical Association (AMA), the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) all publicly state that EDTA chelation therapy is “the treatment of choice to remove toxic metals from the body. Toxic metal accumulation is directly related to heart disease.”

Chelation works on the whole body, whereas bypass surgery bypasses only a few inches of heart arteries.

Just the benefit of lead removal is of tremendous benefit to the heart, the kidneys and the nervous system. Heavy metal toxicity is a big factor in causing immune system compromise.

The Research Question

If someone says to you that there are no studies on chelation therapy, your response should be that blinded studies were never required by the FDA to determine the effectiveness of bypass surgery, angioplasty or stents.

The focus of EDTA chelation therapy is on helping vascular conditions related to restricted blood flow due to atherosclerotic plaque.

But there are many other benefits traceable to treatment with EDTA chelation:

• Reduction of liver-produced cholesterol.
• Lowered insulin requirements in diabetics.
• Lowered blood pressure.
• Normalization of cardiac arrhythmias.
• Relief from leg muscle cramps.
• Reduction in allergic symptoms.
• Normalized weight.
• Improved psychological and emotional status.
• Enhanced sensory input: better sight, hearing and taste.
• Reversal of impotence.
• Cold extremities warmed.

Our polluted environment poisons the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat with heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, iron, copper, mercury and aluminum. Add to this vascular assault the buildup of plaque in our arteries, and EDTA chelation therapy is the only treatment of choice to restore vascular health.

Who says so? The AMA, FDA and CDC. Licensed doctors, from first-year interns to professors of medicine at Harvard University, as well as many prestigious medical centers, all confirm that EDTA chelation therapy is the only viable choice for the removal of toxic metals from the body.

Lifesaver

Removal of toxic metals and calcium plaque from the human vascular system directly and positively affects the restoration of cardiovascular health. It’s a lifesaver!

There is no doubt about the efficacy of chelation therapy (IV or oral) for cardiovascular health. There is new excitement about chelation for kidney disease. Just some of the many books written on chelation include: The Chelation Way by Morton Walker; Forty Something Forever by Harold Brecher; Bypassing Bypass Surgery by Elmer M. Cranton, M.D.; A Textbook on EDTA Chelation by Elmer M. Cranton, M.D.; and Questions From the Heart by Terry Chappell, M.D.

Finally, there is a mountain of evidence to support EDTA chelation. People who read the books and literature know that chelation is a miracle in restoring vascular health all over the body and brain.

Chelation must be taken over a few years for maximum benefit. It should be taken as a preventive as well as for the removal of plaque after it has accumulated.

http://easyhealthoptions.com/alternative-medicine/your-answers-for-chelation-therapy/

Chelation: Simple Detox Treatment That Can Save Your Life

Bob Livingston | Sep 06, 2012 | Comments 0



We get more questions on chelation therapy than almost any other nutrient or protocol.

In short, chelation therapy was created by the Germans in the early 1930s to remove heavy metals. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to remove heavy metals. It is not approved to remove calcium plaque from the arteries. The FDA will never approve EDTA chelation therapy for cardiovascular disease simply because the FDA will not jeopardize the heart-surgery industry, a multibillion-dollar medical monopoly.

The American Medical Association (AMA), the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) all publicly state that EDTA therapy is “the treatment of choice to remove toxic metals from the body. Toxic metal accumulation is directly related to heart disease.”

Chelation works on the whole body, whereas bypass surgery bypasses only a few inches of heart arteries.

Organs Benefit

Just the benefit of lead removal is of tremendous benefit to the heart, the kidneys and the nervous system. Heavy metal toxicity is a big factor in causing immune-system compromise.

If someone says to you that there are no studies on chelation therapy, your response should be that blinded studies were never required by the FDA to determine the effectiveness of bypass surgery, angioplasty or stents.

The focus of EDTA chelation therapy is on helping vascular conditions related to restricted blood flow due to atherosclerotic plaque.

But there are many other benefits traceable to treatment with EDTA chelation:

• Reduction of liver-produced cholesterol.
• Lowered insulin requirements in diabetics.
• Reduced high blood pressure.
• Normalization of cardiac arrhythmias.
• Relief from leg-muscle cramps.
• Reduction in allergic symptoms.
• Normalized weight.
• Improved psychological and emotional status.
• Enhanced sensory input: better sight, hearing and taste.
• Reversal of impotence.
• Cold extremities warmed.

Neurological Disruption

In heart disease heavy metal toxins disrupt neurological pathways.

Our polluted environment poisons the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat with heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, iron, copper, mercury and aluminum. Add to this vascular assault the buildup of plaque in our arteries, and EDTA chelation therapy is the only treatment of choice to restore vascular health.

Who says so? The AMA, FDA and CDC. Licensed doctors, from first-year interns to professors of medicine at Harvard University, as well as many prestigious medical centers, all confirm that EDTA chelation therapy is the only viable choice for the removal of toxic metals from the body.

Removal of toxic metals and calcium plaque from the human vascular system directly and positively affects the restoration of cardiovascular health. It’s a lifesaver!

Better Heart Health

There is no doubt about the efficacy of chelation therapy (IV or oral) for cardiovascular health. There is new excitement about chelation for kidney disease. Just some of the many books written on chelation are: The Chelation Way by Morton Walker; Forty Something Forever by Harold Brecher; Bypassing Bypass Surgery by Elmer M. Cranton, M.D.; A Textbook on EDTA Chelation by Elmer M. Cranton, M.D.; and Questions from the Heart by Terry Chappell, M.D.

Finally, there is a mountain of evidence to support EDTA chelation. People who read the books and literature know that chelation is a miracle in restoring vascular health all over the body and brain.

Chelation must be taken over a few years for maximum benefit. It should be taken as a preventive as well as for the removal of plaque after it has accumulated.

http://easyhealthoptions.com/general-health/chelation-simple-detox-treatment-that-can-save-your-life/