Chelation, or chelation therapy, is a type of detoxification process that helps your body get rid of heavy metals or minerals. It uses a chelator - a substance that binds to the metals or minerals. The most common chelators are ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), dimercaptosuccinic acid, and dimercaprol. For now, we’ll be focusing on EDTA chelation therapy.

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There are two types of heavy metal poisoning: acute and chronic. The acute type happens when you are exposed to a toxic metal in high quantities. This is rarer, but its symptoms are more sudden and clear. They include:

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• Nausea and vomiting

• Headache

• Difficulty breathing

• Excessive sweating

• Impaired motor skills

• Impaired cognition

• Cramping

• Convulsions

 

In such cases, you would likely need emergency care and you would undergo EDTA chelation immediately after diagnosis.

Chronic heavy metal poisoning, on the other hand, is more common yet more difficult to pinpoint. Its symptoms include:

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• Fatigue

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Aches and pains in different areas, especially the joints

• Gastrointestinal problems

• Blood sugar instability

• Reproductive issues in women

 

In such cases, EDTA chelation would also be helpful, but it may take longer to diagnose the problem, and there may be other issues playing a role. For example, chronic heavy metal poisoning may lead to adrenal fatigue and chronic inflammation, both of which may also need to be addressed before you can fully regain your health. We will cover all of these topics in more detail in this article.

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How EDTA Chelation Works

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When the EDTA binds to the heavy metals or minerals, it renders them harmless. It also makes it easier for your body to then excrete them, usually through urine. EDTA therapy is currently only approved by the FDA for heavy metal poisoning. More specifically for lead poisoning. Which it is very good at treating. For this therapy, the EDTA is injected into the body through an IV. It then circulates the bloodstream, binding to the lead there.

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But EDTA is also able to bind to other metals and minerals, such as iron, calcium, magnesium, mercury, chromium, aluminum, zinc, cobalt, copper, manganese, and nickel. This also means that, while it can remove toxic build-up of these substances, it can also sometimes remove much-needed minerals, and even vitamins, from your body. That’s why vitamins and minerals are sometimes added to EDTA solutions.

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Chelation therapy is also sometimes used for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson's disease, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and autism.

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Dr. Michael Roth is a retired doctor of chiropractic with extensive knowledge and experience in nutrition and health. After running a successful chiropractic office for nearly 15 years, "Dr. Roth branched out into peripheral realms of health study to enable him to offer his clients a more complete and overall knowledge base of wellness. With a goal to glorify the Lord, he is dedicated to provide for and educate the public regarding the gaining and maintaining of dynamic health and effective body cleansing. Dr. Roth also developed a unique topical EDTA cream for the safe, gentle and effective removal of toxic chemicals and heavy metals from the body.