Chelation (key-lay-shun) therapy is a natural therapy used to help remove heavy metals such as lead and mercury from the body. An amino acid is injected into the blood stream and binds to the heavy metals. Once heavy metals bind to the compound, in a process called chelating, the body purges these heavy metals out of the body through urine. Chelation has been used in coronary artery and cardiovascular diseases with some success.
Side Effects
Chelation uses a man-made compound such as EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), which are high concentration sodium and calcium salts. With the chemical makeup of these salts, the heavy metals bind to them to be removed from the body.
According to the American Heart Association, chelation therapy is not an exact science nor is it completely safe. Many side effects are possible. The ones reported most frequently are headache and stomach upset and diarrhea. More serious side effects include kidney failure, low blood pressure and convulsions.
Headache
Headaches during or after chelation therapy are due to two factors. The first is the high concentration of salt in the EDTA compound. High sodium pulls more water into the bloodstream and away from the cells causing dehydration.
The second reason is low blood sugar. When we haven't eaten for long periods of time, our body begins to use whatever glycogen (carbohydrate energy) it can locate. And as the glycogen levels lower, our levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine and insulin decrease as well. The decreasing hormone levels cause the blood vessels in the brain to contract and expand at a rapid rate and feel similar to a headache. Eating a banana will help with both the high sodium levels and low blood sugar that cause the headache since it contains high levels of potassium.
Stomach Upset & Diarrhea
Chelation.org says only 1 percent of people who have chelation therapy complain of stomach upset or diarrhea. Eating a small meal or fruit prior to the infusion eliminates many of the stomach issues. Drinking Gatorade or water with lemon increases fluids that can depleted during chelation, and decreases the chance of experiencing diarrhea.
Rest is the best cure for any of the above side effects.
More Serious Side Effects
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine cites kidney failure, low blood pressure and convulsions have been reported from individuals during chelation therapy. The numbers are low, but still must be reported as a side effect.
Kidney failure is one of the less reported, and only a few incidents have been due to chelation therapy. The chelating compounds are potentially toxic and early doses were life-threatening. The infusion dosages have now been lowered due to this concern.
Individuals with high blood pressure and heart issues after receiving chelation therapy have shown a decrease in blood pressure. Sometimes low blood pressure happens quickly, and causes fainting. Moving slower and resting after treatment can help your body adjust to your new blood pressure levels.
When chelation is administered too quickly or the dose is too high, convulsions may occur because the body cannot adapt as quickly. To contradict convulsions, a dose of calcium gluconate is injected directly into the bloodstream.
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