EDTA, or ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid, is a chelating agent. Chelation, as defined by the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, is the process of introducing a substance into the bloodstream for the purpose of removing excess amounts of harmful metals or minerals. EDTA binds with the metal and forms a compound that leaves the body through the kidneys via excreted urine. While chelation therapy is a recurrent theme in alternative and complementary medicine, it is also well recognized by mainstream medical authorities in certain indications.
Treating Lead Poisoning
EDTA is touted by MayoClinic.com as the drug of choice for treating severe lead poisoning, defined as levels higher than 45 mcg per 1 dL of blood. The patient may require repeated administration of EDTA. Although EDTA will reduce the amount of lead in the body, it cannot undo the damage already done to the nervous system and other organs. The FDA notes that the drug approved for the treatment of lead poisoning is called Calcium Disodium Versenate, chemically known as edentate calcium disodium.
Binding With Blood Calcium
The FDA indicates that the drug edentate disodium, marketed as Endrate, is approved for use in certain cases of hypercalcaemia, where blood calcium is hazardously high, predisposing the heart for rate and rhythm abnormalities. Another indication for the use of this particular type of EDTA is in the overdose of the drug digitalis, where the heart could have dangerous and fatal rhythm imbalance.
Alternative Atherosclerosis Treatment
MayoClinic.com mentions that EDTA is used by alternative and complementary medicine practitioners as a preventive therapy for protection from hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis. Hardening of the arteries is known to be the precursor for heart attacks and strokes. However, the FDA has not approved this EDTA use because it has not been proven to work in clinical studies. Also, EDTA is not free of side effects, and there have been reports of deaths due to its administration.
