Chelation

Chelation Therapy Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Martin Dayton DO, MD , MD (Published February 2006 Townsend)

Chelation therapy in medicine is generally regarded to be the use of chelating agents to remove toxic heavy metals from the body. Chelation is pronounced kē'lāt'shun. Toxic heavy metals include but are not limited to Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, and Mercury. However, all metals can be toxic when present in large enough concentrations.

The first widely used medical chelating agent British Anti-Lewisite (BAL), also known as dimercaprol, was developed in the 1940’s. Lewisite is an arsenic based compound used in gas warfare. Also first used clinically in the 1940’s is the chelating agent EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid).  EDTA comes in two injectable forms that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Calcium disodium EDTA to treat lead toxicity and Disodium EDTA to treat elevated blood concentrations of calcium. EDTA is effective in removing Calcium while BAL is not. BAL is effective in removing mercury but not calcium. Both remove lead. These and other medical chelating agents   such as DMPS (2, 3 dimercapto-propane sulfonate), DMSA (dimercaptosuccinic acid) penicillamine (3-mercapto-D-valine), and DFO (desferrioxamine) all have distinctive characteristics governing circumstance dependent usefulness.   

Magnesium disodium EDTA is created by the addition magnesium to commercially available disodium EDTA. This is the form of ETDA complex that has been popularly used to intravenously treat cardiovascular, autoimmune and other degenerative diseases. Despite five decades of use in treatment of cardiovascular disease intravenous EDTA is not embraced by mainstream medicine or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of cardiovascular conditions.

Studies favoring the use of intravenous EDTA in treatment of cardiovascular disease and other degenerative diseases have been in the medical literature since the 1950’s. N.E. Clarke, published in the American Journal of Science in 1956 that 19 of 20 patients with angina received unusual relief with normalization of electrocardiograms for some. Other benefits reported during this period, as they are still being reported today, include improved memory; better sight; hearing and smell; and an increase in energy. Heavy metal toxicity interferes with normal physiologic function and repair leading to numerous symptoms and contributing too many diseases. Multiple conditions may be alleviated simultaneously in the same person through reduction of heavy metal toxicity.  


EDTA may be used preventively as well as therapeutically. W.Blumer and E.M.Cranton published a study in the Journal of Advancement of Medicine which followed 231 subjects over the course of 18 years reporting a 90% reduction in cancer mortality in patients having had received 10 or more Calcium EDTA infusions compared to those who did not.

Oral EDTA is used today preventively and therapeutically. Despite 5% EDTA absorption per the oral route, studies have validated benefit. EDTA may also enhance detoxification in form of rectal suppositories and as an additive to bath water.
Transdermal use of DMPS, a sulfur containing chelator, provides benefit where other routes of DMPS administration are less desirous. Sulfur containing foods such as eggs, garlic and broccoli contribute to reducing the body burden of susceptible toxic metals. The common herb/spice cilantro has gained much recognition for its ability reduce toxic metal burden. Nutritional supplements such as ascorbic acid, lipoic acid, malic acid, and DL methionine may be used to address metal toxicity as circumstances dictate. Various non-prescription preparations synergistically combining substances to enhance chelating properties are constantly being introduced into the marketplace. An innovative product based on zeolite has recently been introduced.  Infrared heat saunas, magnetic mattresses, galvanic current, mineral baths and sweat inducing exercise have proven to benefit metal toxicity.

Metabolic and genomic testing offers information regarding our individual abilities to detoxify. With such information inherited and acquired weaknesses may be targeted nutritionally, medically and via life style modification to aid heavy metal detoxification.

Unraveling viral influences that affect heavy metal retention is being researched by Drs.  A.Yasko and G. Gordon. The use of virus specific RNA based oral supplementation has demonstrated impressive clinical results in detoxification of heavy metals recalcitrant to previous attempts of removal with chelating agents alone.
The American Board of Chelation Therapy which certifies physicians with toxic metal expertise, inclusive of chelation therapy, has recently changed its name to the American Board of Clinical Metal Toxicology. This was done in part to better reflect the need to address the bigger picture of heavy metal toxicity. We need to be environmentally proactive, to clean up contaminated areas, to control industrial and agricultural wastes, to remove toxic metals from vaccines and dentistry, and to educate the public in regard to the presence toxic metals in products we use, including the foods we consume.


About the author:

Dr. Martin Dayton has been practicing integrative medicine over 35 years and heavy metal toxicology over 25 years. He is presently engaged in clinical practice, research, and teaching in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida.
He is the author of "The Case for Intravenous Chelation Therapy".

Tel. 305-931-8484     Web site: www.daytonmedical.com


Chelation: Technical Sidebar

Chemically, chelation is the process of binding an electrically charged metal atom with another molecule, the chelating agent (chelator), to form heterocyclic ring molecular structures. A heterocyclic ring contains dissimilar atoms. Chelating agents are molecules which have the capacity to form such structures when binding with metals. The electrical charge of the metal is neutralized by the sharing of electrons in chemical bonds between the metal and chelating agent. The resultant metal complex is a chelate.  Such chemical bonds have been metaphorically depicted as grasping pincers of a claw. The word chelation is derived from the Greek language, ‘chele’ meaning claw. ‘Metal’ bonding with Chelating Agent EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid)  to form EDTA-metal-chelate

EDTA  Metal Metal – EDTA  

The metal is generically depicted by the letter, M. Metals which bind to EDTA include metals essential to life, such as magnesium and calcium, as well as toxic metals, such as cadmium and lead. Any metal can be toxic when present in too great a quantity. Nitrogen (N), oxygen (O) and carbon (C) atoms compose the basic ring elements of EDTA.  The letter H depicts a hydrogen atom bonded with oxygen (O) to form OH.  H2 depicts two hydrogen atoms which are bound to ring forming carbon (C) atoms. The single solid lines ( / ) between EDTA ring forming atoms represent single chemical bonds. The parallel lines (=) reflect double chemical bonds. The broken lines (---) depict “claw-like” bonds between non-metallic elements of EDTA and the chelated metal (M). Although Sulfur (S) atoms are not found in EDTA, they may be found in other chelating agents. The distinct chemical make up of various chelating agents provide them with unique abilities to bind different metals under differing circumstances. Chelating agents are selected for therapeutic use based on their respective properties.  
Chelation may be used to deliver metals into and remove metals from the body. Magnesium ascorbate (vitamin C) is a chelate found in orange juice and in nutritional supplements. Chelation involves reversible binding of metals. Thus, ascorbate may release the essential metal magnesium in the body and complex with the toxic metal lead to form lead chelate.  The lead exits the body complexed as lead chelate, reducing the body burden of lead. Chelates generally exit the body through the kidneys via urine or through the bile via the stool. However, chelates may not necessarily eliminate toxic metals but rather redistribute them in the body. Since many orange juice drinkers and one daily vitamin and mineral tablet users have excess mineral toxicity and related diseases, the medical field of clinical metal toxicology has much to offer. Clinical metal toxicology, which includes chelation therapy, deals with various issues in regard to preventing and reducing metal toxicity.      
Chelating agents are prevalently found in industry: textile dyeing, water softening, enzyme deactivation, and food preservation.  Besides being useful in medicine, chelation is essential for life. Chlorophyll is a chelate of the metal magnesium. Vitamin B12 is a chelate of cobalt. Heme, a component of hemoglobin, is a chelate of iron.

 

Intravenous DMPS Chelation

Intravenous DMPS chelation therapy, as performed in this office, typically involves DMPS followed by glutathione, and then followed by vitamin C all administered intravenously, the total procedure taking approximately one to two hours. Glutathione and vitamin C reduce chances of adverse reactions. Vitamin C helps to additionally remove toxic metals.

The frequency of intravenous administrations varies with individual patient circumstances, once weekly being average.

The toxic burden of toxic metals, including mercury, which is reduced via the intravenous chelation process is indirectly measured in the urine. After the intravenous procedure is completed urine is collected in a provided container from ranging 6 to 20 hours depending upon individual patient need. The total volume of fluid is measured by recording the number on the gradation scale of the urine container corresponding to fluid level within. Urine from the container is placed into a small tube which is sealed and mailed to the laboratory along with a record of the total urine volume. The laboratory results are interpreted by the doctor once they arrive from the laboratory.

The combination of the DMPS infusion and the analysis of the toxic metal content in the urine is called the “challenge test.” This test measures the excretion of metals in the urine provoked by the DMPS infusion. This test is performed periodically to gain clinically strategic information about the body burden of toxic metals, quantitatively and qualitatively. The test is performed approximately after every 4-6 infusions. The total number of infusions needed vary with individual patient needs. The cost of laboratory test and chelation infusion is generally not covered by insurance.

Manifestation of symptoms noted on the consent form and temporary worsening of preexisting ones following intravenous DMPS chelation may be due to or in part be due to sensitivity or redistribution toxic metals including mercury during the removal (detoxification) process and not necessarily do to allergy to DMPS. Such symptoms generally disappear with repeated infusions as the total toxic burden of the body lessens. Caution should be taken in regard to timing of infusions. Patients prone to have or potentially have symptoms adversely temporarily affecting performance following infusions may wish to choose dates of treatment accordingly.

Oral chelating substances and supporting nutritional supplements are often recommended based upon individual patient need. Recommendations differ from patient to patient. Chelation may be performed by oral ingestion, by rectal suppository and transdermally as well as intravenously. The intravenous route is considered the most potent however, also the least convenient.

 

Intravenous Chelation Therapy at Dayton Medical Center

Intravenous Chelation Therapy involves cleansing the body of harmful chemicals which are implicated in many diseases. With chelation therapy, circulatory conditions associated with hardening of the arteries leading to stroke, hypertension, angina, heart attack, poor memory, poor vision and impotence may be improved. Bypass surgery and limb amputation due to poor circulation may be avoided.

Chelation therapy removes chemicals that form the material that makes arteries hard and clogged and interfere with normal cellular process. In the United States, hardening of the arteries has been found to be an underlying condition in most deaths caused by disease. Osteoporosis and arthritic degenerative joint disease can also be controlled or reversed.

Chelation therapy stimulates the body to restore strength to the bones and removes chemicals that cause joint stiffening and pain. Chelation therapy removes toxic chemicals which interfere with normal biochemical functions. Cosmetically, skin wrinkles are improved. Chelation therapy combats various degenerative processes. Chelation has been shown to be effective in the prevention of malignancy.

Chelation therapy counteracts destructive chemicals which are constantly formed in the body. These chemicals cause degeneration associated with aging. In laboratory tests, the life expectancy of living cells exposed to intravenous chelation substances was extended many-fold. Improvement in human longevity with intravenous chelation therapy appears promising.

During the therapy the patient comfortably relaxes in the doctor’s office while fluid is administered into the vein. The fluid contains chelating substances which grab harmful chemicals in a claw-like manner and eventually carry the chemicals out of the body through the urine. “Chelation” is derived from the Greek “chela” meaning claw. Modern chelation therapy is a simple, safe, and effective procedure. The chelating substances are virtually non-toxic when used as directed.

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