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Chelation Therapy

What is Chelation?
How does Chelation work?
Who can benefit from Chelation?
Are there any side effects?
Why are vitamins & supplements a necessary part to the Chelation program?
Chelation Therapy Testimonials

Chelation Therapy

What is Chelation?

Chelation refers to the process of chemically pulling out certain damaging metals-elements from the body. One such chemical is EDTA (Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetic Acid), a modified amino acid, which is used to remove calcium and certain heavy metals that can cause damage to the arteries and tissues.

Chelation is an intravenous therapy using EDTA that has the ability to "bond" or "hook onto" atoms of calcium, lead, cadmium, mercury and some trace minerals. These minerals combined with the EDTA are eliminated from the body through the kidneys into the urine.

Chelation therapy is a FDA-approved treatment for patients with heavy metal poisoning. It is also used for poor circulation due to arteriosclerosis, and conditions related to these primary diagnoses. In arteriosclerosis, the blood vessels are damaged and then obstructed by the buildup of plaque. During and following chelation therapy, this plaque is dissolved very slowly and the blood flow through the body improves.

We expect chelation patients to follow a basic program of non-smoking, diet, exercise and to take vitamin and mineral supplements.

How does Chelation work?

The process of the hardening of the arteries (plaque formation) is a multi-stage process. Very early on, free oxygen radicals can damage the fragile lining of the arteries. Free oxygen radicals are highly reactive molecules. Unlike most molecules that have paired electrons, free radicals possess at least one unpaired electron. They can therefore tear electrons away from other molecules indiscriminately to make up for their own deficiency, and in this way have the ability to literally rip the surface molecules of cells. These free radicals can be generated by nutritional deficiencies, chronic inflammation, infection, etc. EDTA has the ability to squelch some of these free oxygen radicals and thereby prevent the early steps of damage to the artery. One of the last steps of plaque formation is the process of calcification. EDTA has the ability to remove calcium from plaque and lead to "softening" of the arteries.

Who can benefit from Chelation?

Chelation is commonly recommended for patients who suffer from coronary artery disease (damaged heart blood vessels), angina, poor circulation of legs, TIA's and strokes, chronic non-healing leg ulcers, diabetes with its associated hardening of the arteries, and heavy metal poisoning (lead, cadmium, mercury, etc.).

Are there any side effects?

The most common side effect is low blood sugar and low calcium. This is why patients are required to bring a snack and use recommended calcium supplementation while chelating. Fatigue following chelation has been reported by some patients on the day of treatment. On rare occasions patients have experienced rashes, fevers, or back pain.

Why are vitamins and supplements a necessary part to the Chelation program?

Chelation can deplete calcium, manganese, copper, selenium and other trace minerals. Dr. Rathod recommends specific vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent depletion.

Additional Resources:

1.) Articles written by Dr. Rathod: Chelation Therapy & Heart Health, Holistic Heart Health.

Chelation Therapy