The human body takes in vitamins and minerals from foods as a source of energy. Sometimes, exposure to minerals and other substances that are dangerous to the health are introduced into the body inadvertently. Lead poisoning is an example. Lead may enter the body if a child mouths a toy or inhales fumes from walls that are covered in paint that contains lead. Removing the offending chemical from the body can prevent health problems down the road. Chelation therapy is an approved treatment for the removal of heavy metals from the body.
Definition
Chelation is a word with Greek origins. The American Cancer Society explains that the Greek root "chele" corresponds to the English word "claw." The agent injected attracts metals in the body, to grab them as a claw would, and draw them out of the body. Chelation therapy is used to remove dangerously high levels of lead, mercury, iron and zinc that accumulate in the body.
History
The acid used in chelation therapy is called ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). German scientists first produced EDTA in the 1930s, and the product has been in use as a treatment for metal poisoning since the 1950s. At that time, researchers studied the possibilities of using chelation therapy as a way to prevent heart disease by removing calcium from the arteries as well as heavy metals from the body. Chelation therapy is approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a lead poisoning treatment, and is widely used as such.
Procedure
The American Cancer Society says chelation therapy is given intravenously--either as a continuous infusion over the course of several hours, or as a shorter, one-time injection. The chemical EDTA is infused into the body, binds to the metals that are present in the body, and the metals are excreted from the body through urination. Most people who need chelation treatments require approximately 20 to 30 treatments over two to three months, though the number of injections varies according to the level of metal poisoning. Follow-up treatments of a preventive nature are recommended on a monthly basis.
Safety
Chelation therapy poses some risks to the recipient, including kidney damage, heart arrhythmia and low blood pressure. People who undergo this form of treatment may suffer from side effects such as nausea and vomiting and diarrhea. EDTA can interfere with the normal production and processing of insulin in some people, and can compromise the immune system. Due to the toxic nature of the chemical used, chelation therapy is not recommended for pregnant women, nursing mothers or people who have liver or kidney disease.
Controversy
Chelation therapy is a controversy in the medical community when uses beyond the treatment of metal poisoning are brought up. Researchers have studied the possibilities of introducing EDTA to the body to remove calcium that builds up in the veins, leading to atherosclerosis and heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has studied the effects but has yet to offer conclusive results.
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