T he goal of chelation therapy is to restore the health of arteries. This is accomplished through the removal of pathological heavy metals, dissolving atherosclerotic plaques to restore normal blood flow to the heart and the entire vascular system. Millions of people take high blood pressure and anti-cholesterol medicine, undergo angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery and have persistent cardiovascular problems. Chelation is a safe and effective addition, and in some cases alternative, to the drugs and surgery used
Physicians across the globe have been prescribing and successfully treating coronary artery diseases with EDTA chelation for over fifty years. We find chelation therapy most effective when applied in a preventive approach, recognizing the role diet, exercise, lifestyle, behaviour and the environment play in heart disease. When compared to surgery or long-term drug therapy, chelation therapy is extremely cost effective.
Chelation is also a therapy which targets the removal of potentially toxic heavy metals from the body. These include Mercury, Lead, Arsenic, Thallium, and others. EDTA is the primary chelation therapy we administer which uses the binding characteristics of certain amino acids to collect and eliminate these toxins from the body. It is a proven safe IV administered therapy conducted in our lab by qualified technicians.
What is Chelation (EDTA) Therapy?
EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid) is a synthetic amino acid which has the ability to attach itself to metals and minerals, forming a particular kind of bond called a chelate. Heavier metals such as lead have a greater affinity to EDTA and form stronger bonds.
In the 1940’s and 1950’s EDTA was found to be a safe and effective treatment for lead toxicity and was approved for use as a drug for that purpose. In many cases, patients who coincidentally had symptoms of heart disease such as angina, improved while undergoing lead toxicity treatment. Since that time, scientific opinion and evidence that EDTA Chelation therapy is effective in treating blood vessel diseases has been growing to date, FDA has not approved EDTA Chelation therapy for vascular disease, but the status of EDTA as an approved drug for lead toxicity permits physicians to use it for other conditions, including vascular disease. This kind of discretionary use of approved drugs by physicians is common to a number of medical treatments.
Why does Chelation Therapy work?
The exact mechanism of action by which EDTA improves blood flow has not been determined, but one theory is that it reduces “free radicals.” Free radicals are highly active molecular fragments formed during the production of energy in the cells. They have energy, like sparks in a fireplace and this energy can be used by the body when properly handled. But, if free radicals get out of control, they cause damage to surrounding tissues as fireplace sparks can set the carpet on fire. Excess free radicals contribute to obvious signs of aging such as wrinkling and loss of skin elasticity. Internal damage is less visible, but even more serious.
How is Chelation administered?
An IV pole with a plastic bag containing the EDTA stands beside a comfortable chair in our IV Room. A small needle and catheter is inserted into a vein in your hand or arm to deliver the Chelation treatment. The treatments are painless and take approximately to 2 to 2½ hours to deliver depending on the treatment prescribed and your comfort level.
Chelation therapy involves the intravenous infusions of EDTA over a course of several treatments in our IV Lab. Chelation therapy patients are also advised to take a comprehensive approach to health including: diet, exercise, stress management and dietary supplements. As with any medical treatment, patients should ensure their treating physicians have the training and credentials for the administration of EDTA.
How does Chelation compare to other treatments?
Chelation therapy has been used safely for over 40 years during which time the development of heart and lung machines has allowed the growth of more invasive medical techniques such as by-pass surgery. As with many medical treatments, scientific studies on Chelation therapy and bypass surgery are ongoing and often used in conjunction with one another or other vascular treatments. Because it has a favourable safety and side effect profile and does not preclude the concurrent or subsequent use of other treatments, Chelation therapy is worthy of consideration by those suffering from vascular disease.
We encourage you to visit Integrated Health Clinic to meet with our physicians and learn more about this treatment.
