Not All Chelation Treatments Are Created Equal - Overview of Chelation Therapy

Chelation treatments or therapy is one of the most effective approaches used for detoxification. Normally, it is used to treat heavy metal poisoning and alleviate symptoms of arteriosclerosis and autism.

But what is chelation therapy?

Chelation therapy is the process in which heavy metals and other metallic toxins are removed from the body with a chemical compound known as a chelating agent.

In the body, the chelating agent reacts with metal ions such as lead, mercury, calcium, iron and aluminum and combines (i.e. bonds) with the ions, forming a more chemically stable compound. The human body cannot break down this non-soluble compound easily.

In turn, the body is freed to excrete this stable compound, known as a chelate ring, removing the metal along with it through both the digestive and excretory systems. Therefore, a colon cleansing is highly recommended prior to the application of any chelation therapy.

Differences between Therapies and Agents

Nevertheless, not all chelation treatments are created equal. Some are more effective and / or more potent than others. Others can also eliminate a significant amount of heavy metals in a shorter amount of time. The efficacy of a chelation treatment largely depends on the chelating agent being administered, its mobilization ability, and the method of administration.

Additionally, all chelating agents exhibit different affinities for different metals. So preference may be given to one chelating agent over another for the removal of a specific heavy metal from the body.

For instance, the chelating agent EDTA (ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid) specifically is used to remove calcium and lead, whereas DMSA (dimercaptosuccinic acid) more readily removes mercury and arsenic in the body, particularly from the brain. Nevertheless, any chelation treatment may use a single chelating agent or a combination of chelating agents to remove one or more different metals from the body.

Types or Methods of Chelation Therapy

The three basic methods for administrating chelation therapy are (1) topical, (2) oral, and (3) intravenous (i.e. IV).

Oral and intravenous treatments are well researched and more commonly administered than topical treatments. Yet topical treatments are gaining in popularity as more parents use topical transdermal DMSA creams and gluthanione gels on their autistic children. This approach, combined with MSM as a skin permeability enhancer, allows for heavy metals to be removed more slowly while lowering the risks of overdosing on any particular chelator, particularly in children. However, the effectiveness and effects of topical treatments have not been studied in detail.

On the other hand, IV chelation treatments are more effective than oral treatments using EDTA, as only a small percentage of EDTA is actually absorbed into the body when taken orally. Licensed physicians mostly use synthetic chelators such as EDTA for heart disease and DMSA for mercury poisoning as the main US-approved agent for IV-chelation treatment in the medical field.

Unlike IV treatments, oral and topical chelation treatments can be self-administered using either synthetic or natural chelating agents in the process.

Potential Chelation Side Effects

Yet, even if a chelating agent or a combination of chelating agents effectively mobilizes and excretes heavy metals from the body, the human body may react either more positively or negatively to the treatment. These probable reactions are partly due to the fact that chelators (i.e. chelating agents) can remove some essential vitamins and minerals from our bodies along with the heavy metals. Some chelators, contingent on the dosage and duration of a treatment or a series of consecutive treatments, will remove more essential nutrients than others.

In turn, any chelation therapy or treatment must be supplemented with additional vitamins and minerals that the body may lose in the detoxification process.

So, whatever chelating agent(s) and chelation treatment method you decide to use, please exercise caution because practically all chelators have some level of toxicity and can create nutritional imbalances in the body when used in excess. Also, research and consult a medical or naturopathic professional on the matter prior to administration.

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Wish to learn more about cleansing and detoxification after reading about chelation treatment and therapy?

Have you heard of the 10-day Master Cleanse, the 12 steps to a complete body detox, or the definitive detox diet? Do you know how to detox to lose weight, to detox your body at all levels in 5 minutes without ingesting anything, or to detox using only a simple water bath? You could also discover the supposed body detox secret, or learn about colon cleansing as undertaken by a former toxic colon victim.

Some Related Chelation Pages
Not All Chelation Treatments Are Created Equal - Overview of Chelation Therapy
Natural Chelation - Nature's Own Chelation Therapy

Chelation Heart Therapy or Treatment
Mercury Chelation - Detoxifying the Body