Chelation Therapy
Chelation therapy refers to a treatment using an intravenous solution containing EDTA to remove toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and aluminum among others. Chelation is an FDA approved form of treatment for heavy metal poisoning. EDTA is a special amino acid that acts like a magnet to bind metals that get stored in the fatty tissue, bones, and organs of the body. An excess body burden of these metals can lead to many health problems like autoimmune diseases, arthritis, neurological problems, and heart disease. DMSA and DMPS are other chelating agents used in addition to EDTA to detox the body of toxic metals.
EDTA chelation therapy has been widely used by alternative health care practitioners for the treatment of heart disease. This is an off-label use of this medication, which refers to the use of a medication for purposes other than what is specifically approved for by the FDA. This is a common medical practice with most drugs on the market today because doctors have decided a particular medication can benefit patient care beyond its state FDA approval. Most alternative doctors, including myself have seen clinically the benefit of EDTA chelation for the treatment of heart disease but is not FDA approved for this purpose.
Learn more about Heart Health