EDTA is a chemical compound that's able to bind to certain compounds in the blood and remove them. EDTA therapy (also known as chelation) is commonly used to treat mercury and lead poisoning, but it has also gained use among some alternative medicine practitioners for the treatment of heart disease.
Side Effects of Administration
The most common side effect of chelation therapy is a sensation of burning at the site of the injection. Some patients also experience a fever (as their immune system adjusts to this new chemical in the bloodstream), as well as a sudden drop in blood pressure. Other side effects are gastrointestinal in nature, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Finally, one side effect or complication of EDTA therapy is a temporary inability to form new red blood cells. This is a result of the binding of vital nutrients from the blood and causes short-term anemia, which can lead to the patient being abnormally pale and fatigued.
Kidney Disease
One of the more serious complications of EDTA therapy is the potential development of serious kidney disease. The EDTA compound, when it reaches the kidneys for processing, can be toxic to renal cells. Consequently, there's a chance that receiving EDTA therapy could lead to renal tubular necrosis, which is the scientific name for kidney failure. The kidney damage that can result from EDTA therapy can require a person receiving dialysis for the rest of her life, or need a kidney transplant. Consequently, the American Heart Association doesn't recommend EDTA therapy for patients.
"Miracle Cure" Effects
One of the other hazards of receiving any unusual treatment is the health risks associated with not receiving other, more proven methods of treatment--such as drugs or surgery. There isn't sufficient evidence to prove that EDTA therapy is more effective than other kinds of therapies. Although the American Heart Association acknowledges that some patients may improve with EDTA therapy, some of that could be the result of other lifestyle changes (stopping smoking, eating more vegetables and fiber, eating less fat) that chelation practitioners often recommend. Regardless, there is the risk that someone receiving EDTA therapy will not receive traditional treatment when necessary.
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