Cholesterol is a fatty substance that circulates in your blood. Although cholesterol is needed by the body, when its level is too high, it raises your risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke. One possible approach to lowering blood cholesterol is to use a compound called EDTA, or ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, to help remove fatty deposits in arteries that may damage the heart and circulatory system. This treatment, called EDTA chelation therapy, is still controversial. Discuss with your doctor whether it is advisable for your situation.
EDTA
EDTA is a man-made compound that is delivered intravenously to patients exposed to dangerous heavy metals such as lead or mercury. It works by attracting and trapping the metal in a newly formed compound that is then excreted by the kidneys. EDTA is currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration only for this purpose.
The Concept
When your blood cholesterol is too high, some of the cholesterol may produce fatty deposits called plaque inside your arteries. If large amounts of plaque form, this can narrow arteries and interfere with blood flow, an especially dangerous condition in arteries supplying the heart itself. The mineral calcium becomes incorporated into plaque as it is forming. Because EDTA binds and chelates calcium, it is possible that EDTA treatment might remove the calcium from plaque, loosening and possibly removing some or all of the plaque. This is the rationale behind chelation therapy for high cholesterol.
The Evidence
Treatment with EDTA to remove arterial plaque is still controversial. The American Heart Association states that, although some people report feeling better after EDTA chelation, the scientific evidence supporting the treatment is weak because it comes from small, poorly controlled studies. The AHA also notes that chelation therapy is usually accompanied by lifestyle changes, making it difficult to determine whether these changes or the chelation therapy is actually responsible for any improvement. For these reasons, the AHA does not currently recommend the treatment.
A New Clinical Trial
As of early 2011, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute is sponsoring a large clinical trial to evaluate EDTA chelation as a therapy for coronary artery disease. Over 1,600 participants have been enrolled in the trial, all with a history of heart disease and no prior exposure to EDTA. The trial is under way at over 120 sites in the U.S. and Canada and the results are expected sometime in 2012. Investigators will examine multiple parameters to determine if the therapy effectively removes arterial deposits and improves outcomes for these participants.
Recommendations
Chelation therapy with EDTA is currently available from some physicians and practitioners of alternative medicine. However, it carries significant risk, including a slight potential for kidney damage or heart failure and the possibility of a sudden decrease in blood pressure. It may also cause abnormally low calcium levels, which could become serious if not countered with large doses of calcium supplements. Do not pursue EDTA chelation without first discussing it in detail with your doctor, and accept the treatment only from a licensed and trained health care professional.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Chelation Therapy for Heart Disease
- The American Heart Association: Questions and Answers About Chelation Therapy
- National Cholesterol Education Program: High Blood Cholesterol: What You Need to Know
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid
- National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine: Questions and Answers: The NIH Trial of EDTA Chelation Therapy for Coronary Artery Disease
