What is EDTA Chelation Therapy? 

EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid) is a synthetic amino acid which has the ability to attach itself to metals and minerals, forming a particular kind of bond called a chelate.  Heavy metals such as lead have a greater affinity for EDTA and form stronger bonds.

Since 1953, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recognized EDTA as a treatment for lead poisoning.  In the 1940s and 50s, some doctors using EDTA to treat lead toxicity in patients who also happened to suffer from heart disease observed an unexpected improvement in their angina symptoms. Since that time, doctors have used EDTA to treat blood vessels diseases, based on their belief from observing individual patients and on other types of evidence, that EDTA is useful for that purpose.

Scientists as well as the FDA generally agree that controlled scientific tests are needed to conclusively establish whether any medical treatment is effective, and in particular whether EDTA is effective in treating vascular diseases.  Observations by individual doctors and other kinds of evidence are not considered reliable enough to ensure that any therapy actually works.  Nonetheless, while FDA has not approved EDTA for treating vascular disease, the status of EDTA as an approved drug for lead poisoning permits physicians to use it to treat other conditions, including vascular disease. This kind of discretionary use of approved drugs by physicians is common to a number of medical treatments.

Proponents of EDTA for vascular diseases have two principal theories for how the drug may operate in the circulatory system.  One is by possibly reducing "free radicals."  Free radicals are highly active molecular fragments formed during the production of energy in the cells.  If they get out of control, they can cause damage to surrounding tissue, possibly including the linings of the blood vessels, and lead to the blockages that occur in coronary artery disease.  The presence of heavy metals in the blood stream can cause an increased production of free radicals and EDTA is approved by FDA to remove heavy metals that have accumulated in the body in excessive amounts. But it has not been scientifically proven that using EDTA will reduce free radicals; and if so, whether reducing free radicals will effectively treat blood vessel diseases.

Another theory is that EDTA binds with calcium in the blood stream and creates a series of actions that results in altering the intercellular balance of calcium with magnesium.  Some scientists, however, dispute whether these changes have a positive effect on vascular disease.

Despite the lack of controlled scientific studies as proof of its effectiveness, physicians have used EDTA chelation therapy for over 40 years to treat such related diseases as cardiovascular disease, diabetic arterial disease, decreased mental function from vascular disease and intermittent claudication (leg pain or exercise).  Many of these doctors also use EDTA in preventive medicine.

 

This therapy involves the intravenous infusions of EDTA over a course of treatments in a doctor's office.  Under current treatment protocols, EDTA chelation therapy is safe and relatively free of side effects.  Chelation therapy patients are advised to take a comprehensive approach to their treatment and health, including, as needed, diet, exercise, stress management programs and dietary supplements.  As with any other medical treatment, patients should ensure that their treating physicians have appropriate training and credentials for administration of EDTA chelation therapy.

Doctors using EDTA chelation therapy may recommend it in place of or in conjunction with other approaches for treating vascular diseases including other drug therapies, angioplasty and coronary artery bypass grafting.  A doctor who administers EDTA chelation therapy will take into consideration individual health issues to determine which approach may be appropriate and whether surgery may be indicated.  You should discuss the options available to you and the associated risks with a doctor.

Scientific studies on chelation therapy are ongoing.  Until controlled clinical studies are completed, debate among medical professionals will continue. There is also serious controversy about the relative risks and long-term benefits of coronary bypass surgery.  Because it has a favorable safety and side effect profile and does not preclude the concurrent or subsequent use of other treatments, doctors who belong to ACAM believe that chelation therapy is worthy of consideration by those suffering from vascular disease.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

These statements reflect the opinions of one segment of the medical profession.  Most physicians and medical groups do not support the use of EDTA chelation for the treatment of either coronary or peripheral artery disease.  As with many other medical treatments, scientific research on EDTA chelation therapy is ongoing; but, to date, the kinds of controlled clinical studies scientists generally rely on to show that medical treatments are effective have not been conducted on chelation therapy.
(Reprinted with permission of the American College for Advancement in Medicine.)