What is Chelation Therapy?
CT is an alternative medical treatment that utilizes special drugs called chelating agents, usually EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid). CT Australia aims to remove heavy metals like lead and mercury from the body.
It also claims to promote heart health by eliminating calcium buildup in arteries. During treatment, the chelating agent binds to these metals which allows them to be flushed out in urine.
Brief History of Chelation Therapy
CT was first used in the 1950s to treat lead poisoning. Doctors noticed improved blood flow and oxygen delivery in patients who received EDTA treatments.
In the 1960s, some physicians hypothesized that EDTA could dissolve artery-clogging calcium deposits. This could potentially improve circulation and heart health.
Alternative medicine advocates in Australia and elsewhere began promoting relation therapy for atherosclerosis, diabetes, and other conditions involving blood vessels. It remains an alternative treatment today.
How Chelation Therapy Works
There are two main ways relation therapy in Australia is proposed to impact health:
Binding and Removing Metals
EDTA binds to heavy metals in the bloodstream. This allows them to dissolve in solution and later get filtered out by the kidneys and excreted in urine. Removing heavy metal accumulation may help certain conditions.
Improving Blood Flow
Some evidence suggests that EDTA chelation can also bind to and eliminate calcium deposits that restrict blood flow in arteries. This may improve circulation and oxygen delivery in the body.
Conditions Chelation Therapy May Help With
Advocates claim provides health benefits for several conditions including:
Heart Disease
By eliminating calcium buildup and improving blood flow in arteries, chelation therapy may help certain cardiovascular conditions like coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and more.
Diabetes
Some research indicates EDTA treatments can improve blood sugar control, decrease insulin resistance, and reduce complications in diabetics by improving circulation.
Autism
A few studies suggest CT may help children with autism spectrum disorders. It targets the removal of heavy metals which some suspect may contribute to autism development.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Some Alzheimer’s disease theories involve reduced blood flow to the brain. A few doctors believe CT improves circulation which may slow cognitive decline in dementia.
Chelation Therapy Process
If considering CT, it’s important to understand how the treatment process works.
Consultation and Testing
A practitioner will perform medical tests to assess current health status, look for heavy metal exposure, screen for conditions that would exclude CT, and establish a treatment plan.
Administration of EDTA
The chelating agent EDTA will be administered through either an intravenous infusion or orally in liquid form at regular intervals. The IV method is more common.
Number and Frequency of Treatments
Patients typically undergo anywhere from 10 to 50 CT sessions depending on health goals. Treatments are usually given once or twice per week in an outpatient clinic.
IV vs Oral Chelation
IV chelation involves the infusion of EDTA solution into the bloodstream for a more potent effect. Oral chelation utilizes EDTA liquids or supplements taken by mouth. This is less intense but more convenient.
Effectiveness of Chelation Therapy
Despite decades of use and numerous studies, CT remains controversial regarding its proven benefits.
Heart Disease Studies
Some research found EDTA chelation moderately effective for heart disease symptoms. However, the most prominent study with a control group (the TACT trial) had mixed results in terms of heart attack and stroke prevention.
Other Disease Studies
Small studies offer limited evidence that CT helps diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, autism spectrum disorder or other chronic conditions. Much more research is still needed.
Ongoing Research
While early evidence is not entirely conclusive, researchers continue investigating CT for cardiovascular disease, cognitive and neurological disorders, endocrine problems and more.
Risks and Side Effects
When administered correctly by a doctor, CT is generally well tolerated. However, there are some risks involved:
- Allergic reactions – rash, fever, breathing issues
- Low calcium levels – muscle cramps, fatigue, tingling
- Kidney damage – from excess EDTA
- Irregular heart rhythms
- Headaches, nausea, vomiting
Severe side effects are rare but can occur. Vitamin and mineral supplementation following treatment helps minimize adverse events.
Finding a Practitioner
It’s crucial to utilize a properly-trained physician for CT. Contact integrative medicine groups to find practitioners offering EDTA chelation.
Conventional doctors typically don’t provide this treatment. Seek out alternative medicine specialists for access to chelation.
Cost of Chelation Therapy
Full treatment courses of 20 or more IV chelation sessions can cost $2,000-$6,000 out of pocket. Oral chelation is more affordable at around $60-$100 per month.
Check if your insurance has out-of-network coverage for chelation. Some plans may partially reimburse treatment costs.
Insurance Coverage
Most health insurance companies consider chelation therapy an experimental treatment. They are unlikely to cover therapy costs.
Medicare also deems it experimental – they only cover chelation therapy for lead poisoning treatment, not for other conditions.
Conclusion
Chelation therapy aims to eliminate metals and improve circulation using EDTA infusions. It shows some early promise for cardiovascular disease but benefits for other conditions need more research.
Talk to your doctor first before starting treatment to fully understand possible pros, cons and alternatives. Chelation should only be undertaken under medical supervision to limit risks.
While not yet part of mainstream medicine, chelation continues being investigated and refined as a potential therapy for chronic diseases involving blood flow impairment or metal accumulation.