What is Chelation?
The process of chelation is a simple binding of a metal ion with a carrier molecule which then is used either to hang on to or transport
the metal ion throughout the body for various functions.
The word chelate is derived from the Greek word "chele" which means claw, like the claw of a lobster or crab. In this situation, it is the
binding of a chemical substance to a bivalent metal or other mineral.
All living organisms depend upon chelation for their basic life processes. This function makes the utilization of inorganic minerals
possible. For instance, in plants, the green matter, chlorophyll, is a chelate of magnesium, which is absolutely necessary for the plant
to mature and function. A parallel to this in the human body is the chelate of iron which is hemoglobin, the oxygen carrying pigment of
the red blod cells. (Please understand this is a very simple explanation of a most complex function.)
Every mineral taken into the body in the form of food must be chelated by the body before it can be properly utilized. If not chelated or
bound, it will stay ionic, and in this form, if in excess, it may end up forming a stone or a sclerosis.
Chelation is also involved in the formation and function of enzymes, protein substances which control most of the vital functions of the
body. The amino acids, histidine and cysteine, are very strong chelators. Other chelators include proteins (like albumin), dicarboxylic
acid, polypeptides, enzymes and nucleic acids. Vitamins A and C, which are absolutely indispensable to life, are themselves chelating
agents.
Chelation therapy is a process of removing metallic ions from the human body causing a change or a balancing of other metal ions.
Frederick Bersworth, a biochemist at Georgetown University, received a United States patent on EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetic
acid) in 1948. EDTA was then utilized in the human body for the removal of lead in toxic lead poisoning.
In 1948, a group of Detroit physicians were using EDTA to treat lead poisoning when they observed that some of their patients began to
show interesting side effects. These side effects included better vision, better hearing, loss of or decreasing angina pain, ability to
walk further and reduction of discomfort from intermittent claudication. They observed these improvements were most likely related to
relieving the symptoms of arteriosclerosis rather than those that resulted from lead poisoning.
In the early 1950's, Norman Clark M.D., who at the time was director of research at the Providence Hospital in Detroit, undertook clinical
research of EDTA. He found it effective in removing metastatic calcium deposits from the human body, and hypothesized that since
calcium was immediately involved, EDTA might help disintegrate the plaque in atherosclerosis and thus improve blood circulation. This
was reported in the American medical literature in the 1950's.
Chelation therapy treatment for atherosclerosis was originally researched by many investigators, but later, when the original patent
held by Abbott Laboratories ran out in 1967, this process was continued in doctors' offices. This is one reason some doctors are very
critical of, and have little confidence in this treatment. They believe that all major developments in medical treatments should come
from research laboratories, teaching hospitals or medical universities.
Another reason for lack of understanding is that in the past most scientific published references concerning EDTA referred to its effect
on calcium. Doctors who had not studied or knew nothing about the treatment thought of EDTA in its FDA approved instructions as a
treatment for toxic lead poisoning or as a calcium chelator for hypercalcemia, which is a life threatening situation. They read, or
investigated no further. (EDTA is also approved for digitalis toxicity.)
Recently, Dr. A. Fleckenstein demonstrated that the plaque in coronary arteries contained 75% more calcium than the uninvolved
arterial wall. This was in great contrast to the less than 2% increase of cholesterol in the same arterial plaque found on normal arterial
walls. About 40% of the dry weight of plaques is made up of calcium.
Medical history is full of illustrations that show the process of full acceptance of many new innovations. First, there is outright denial
that it works. Then comes a period of, maybe it works for some, but some other mechanism is probably operating to explan the effects
we see. Much later a few brave investigators will undertake studies to learn more about the process, even in the face of continued
criticism. And finally, science proves the theory is correct, and everyone in medicine accepts and uses the process.
This is well illustrated by the example of Dr. Igmaz Semmelweiss, a Hungarian obstetric physician. In 1850 he discovered that, by simply
washing his hands before delivering babies, he could reduce the mortality rates in his hospital from twenty-five percent to less than
one percent. He had a very difficult time trying to convince his colleagues to try this simple procedure. He was laughed out of the
medical profession and died in an insane asylum. Many years later, his theories were accepted. Today he not only is revered in the
medical profession, but has a medical university named after him in his native Hungary.
Today it takes over 150 million dollars to take a new drug through the entire process of certification and acceptance by the FDA. The
compound EDTA has been around for many years and is now being investigated through an FDA-approved protocol. This effort was
spearheaded by the International Chelation Research Foundation, formed in 1985 by a group of investigative chelation chemical
experts and physicians. This non-profit foundation was organized to research and report in scientific literature what chelation does
and how it works.
What Chelation Does
The infusion of EDTA provokes several reactions. First, ionized calcium is lowered in the bloodstream, causing the parathyroid gland
to produce and release a hormone. This hormone then causes the body to release calcium from soft tissue stores, such as the walls of
arteries, to replace the calcium which is being bound in the bloodstream by the EDTA. This phenomenon has been shown to occur
during the infusion of EDTA intravenously over a three hour period. It was demonstrated in 1970 through elaborately designed animal
studies that magnesium disodium EDTA, the compound now used by physicians trained in this therapy, could effectively reduce the size
of plaques in arteries affected by arteriosclerosis, thereby improving blood flow to body tissues.
This causes a stimulation of the body's own mechanisms of healing to restore cellular membranes back to health. Cellular function
becomes normalized.
Toxic metal ions are accumulated by the human body as part of the process of existing in this now polluted planet Earth. Measurements
of lead in our bones, for example, show that humans living today have approximately 1400 times more lead as our ancestors had 400
years ago. EDTA is the best chelating agent for lead and was shown to reduce the incidence of cancer by ninety percent (90%!) in a
study done in Switzerland. EDTA can also chelate iron, copper, arsenic, cadmium, and aluminum, other metal ions that are implicated
in causing disease and accelerating the process of aging. Many of these metal ions hinder and cause dysfunctions of normal enzyme
functions, and even act as catalysts for free radicals.
Blood platelets are very small corpuscles in the blood stream. They tend to adhere to the walls of diseased arteries where they release
several substances capable of forming blood clots. In the process of clotting or coagulating, they also release thromboxane, a spasm
producing substance. EDTA reduces those tendencies upon contact with the platelets.
It is generally believed that free radical damage is the main contributor to aging and degenerative diseases. These free radicals cause
cell destruction by causing chain-like reactions of lipid peroxidation (fat rancidity) which destroy lipid membranes in and around cells.
Without abnormally located metal ions, lipid peroxidation does not take place. EDTA is able to chelate and remove these metal ions,
preventing further peroxidation. The peroxidation process is an enemy of fatty acids from which prostaglandins are produced. This aids
in prostaglandin hormone balance, a vital substance in control of blood clots, plaque formation and arterial spasms.
The process of free radical pathology has been receiving an increasing medical scrutiny because it explains many findings which were
previously unanswered.
Free Radical Pathology
From the beginning, man has searched for a way to regain youth, or at least retard ageing. Countless cures, remedies and potions
have come along, each promising to be the real thing. Medical doctors have searched for an answer as to why people age and why the
degenerative diseases take such a toll. Many theories were advanced, but none were sufficient to change mere theory into scientific
proof.
Now at last the free radical theory offers tangible facts that allow a clear understanding of what takes place as a person ages.
This is true because we are able to identify, measure and combat the aging process. The chelation therapy physician is prepared and
equipped to put this theory into practice.
It is believed man's maximum life span depends primarily on genetics or his DNA coding. His protection against free radicals, however,
has a great deal of influence on whether he will live a full life span or just part of it. We know that DNA, the genetic blueprint of life,
may also be damaged by free radicals, which in turn may lead to mutations which eventually result in degenerative diseases such as
diabetes, arthritis, atherosclerosis, Parkinsons, Alzheimers and even cancer.
Most people living in America receive in their diet just enough vitamin E and selenium to prevent overt antioxidant deficiency diseases
such as those seen in livestock. A few of these diseases are "Mulberry Heart," "White Muscle Disease", and "Exudative Diathesis."
It should be remembered that having "adequate" nutrition is not the same as having "optimal" nutrition. Optimal nutrition eliminates
the root cause of deficiency diseases, as well as reducing or the risk of degenerative diseases such as heart disease and cancer,
though they may still arise from other causes. Evidence suggests that increased intake of vitamins and antioxidants may offer
additional protection. It is also known that EDTA enhances this protection by acting as a free radical scavenger.
Arteriosclerosis Theories
Cholesterol in the food we eat is now considered to be one of the primary causes of heart disease. It is believed the best insurance
against heart disease is to lower the blood cholesterol levels with polyunsaturated fats or drugs, thus preventing a build-up in the
atherosclerotic plaques.
However, there is quite a controversy raging about what actually causes the buildup of fat (in the form of cholesterol and the fatty
acids) in the walls of arteries. There has been found a statistical correlation between high cholesterol levels and an accelerated
atherosclerotic process, so medical science is now stating that dietary cholesterol and saturated fats in the diet are the main culprits.
Other scientists, however, are indicating that a particular form of cholesterol, the LDL (low density lipoprotein) imbalance is the real
"Bad Guy", and is the form most detrimental to arteries. But LDL cholesterol does not cause damage unless it is oxidized!
This oxidation can be initiated and accelerated by copper molecules that cause free radical damage. These copper molecules
and other free radicals can be removed by the use of EDTA.
Other theories are offered by respected scientists, such as Dr Earl P. Benditt of the University of Washington. Using the electron
microscope, plus other sophisticated techniques of cell differentiation and chemical analyses of enzymes present in each cell, he was
able for the first time to visualize the process by which arteriosclerosis may occur.
According to his theory, the initial plaque formed in an artery is triggered by a mutation of a cell in the artery wall. This mutation is
usually induced by a free radical. The damage causes a fibrous plaque to form which is essentially a benign tumor. This cell, mutated
with free radical reactive chemicals, reproduces itself (proliferates) in a more rapid (monoclonal) fashion than normal, causing cell
crowding.
The second stage occurs when the crowded cells begin producing collagen and cholesterol, forming a fibrous mass. This second stage
of the monoclonal-proliferation theory is identical to the first stage of previous theories.
The third stage occurs when the crowded fibrous mass erupts through the inside of the arterial wall (endothelium) into the
bloodstream. This induces an electrostatic charge which attracts calcium and cholesterol from the bloodstream to adhere to the fibrous
mass. The rapid buildup causes blockage of arterial blood circulation and enhances blood clotting. This process can occur regardless
of the patient's level of consumption of cholesterol from food sources. There is always some amount of cholesterol present in the
bloodstream, due to the ability of the body to manufacture it.
The process of chelation is a simple binding of a metal ion with a carrier molecule which then is used either to hang on to or transport
the metal ion throughout the body for various functions.
The word chelate is derived from the Greek word "chele" which means claw, like the claw of a lobster or crab. In this situation, it is the
binding of a chemical substance to a bivalent metal or other mineral.
All living organisms depend upon chelation for their basic life processes. This function makes the utilization of inorganic minerals
possible. For instance, in plants, the green matter, chlorophyll, is a chelate of magnesium, which is absolutely necessary for the plant
to mature and function. A parallel to this in the human body is the chelate of iron which is hemoglobin, the oxygen carrying pigment of
the red blod cells. (Please understand this is a very simple explanation of a most complex function.)
Every mineral taken into the body in the form of food must be chelated by the body before it can be properly utilized. If not chelated or
bound, it will stay ionic, and in this form, if in excess, it may end up forming a stone or a sclerosis.
Chelation is also involved in the formation and function of enzymes, protein substances which control most of the vital functions of the
body. The amino acids, histidine and cysteine, are very strong chelators. Other chelators include proteins (like albumin), dicarboxylic
acid, polypeptides, enzymes and nucleic acids. Vitamins A and C, which are absolutely indispensable to life, are themselves chelating
agents.
Chelation therapy is a process of removing metallic ions from the human body causing a change or a balancing of other metal ions.
Frederick Bersworth, a biochemist at Georgetown University, received a United States patent on EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetic
acid) in 1948. EDTA was then utilized in the human body for the removal of lead in toxic lead poisoning.
In 1948, a group of Detroit physicians were using EDTA to treat lead poisoning when they observed that some of their patients began to
show interesting side effects. These side effects included better vision, better hearing, loss of or decreasing angina pain, ability to
walk further and reduction of discomfort from intermittent claudication. They observed these improvements were most likely related to
relieving the symptoms of arteriosclerosis rather than those that resulted from lead poisoning.
In the early 1950's, Norman Clark M.D., who at the time was director of research at the Providence Hospital in Detroit, undertook clinical
research of EDTA. He found it effective in removing metastatic calcium deposits from the human body, and hypothesized that since
calcium was immediately involved, EDTA might help disintegrate the plaque in atherosclerosis and thus improve blood circulation. This
was reported in the American medical literature in the 1950's.
Chelation therapy treatment for atherosclerosis was originally researched by many investigators, but later, when the original patent
held by Abbott Laboratories ran out in 1967, this process was continued in doctors' offices. This is one reason some doctors are very
critical of, and have little confidence in this treatment. They believe that all major developments in medical treatments should come
from research laboratories, teaching hospitals or medical universities.
Another reason for lack of understanding is that in the past most scientific published references concerning EDTA referred to its effect
on calcium. Doctors who had not studied or knew nothing about the treatment thought of EDTA in its FDA approved instructions as a
treatment for toxic lead poisoning or as a calcium chelator for hypercalcemia, which is a life threatening situation. They read, or
investigated no further. (EDTA is also approved for digitalis toxicity.)
Recently, Dr. A. Fleckenstein demonstrated that the plaque in coronary arteries contained 75% more calcium than the uninvolved
arterial wall. This was in great contrast to the less than 2% increase of cholesterol in the same arterial plaque found on normal arterial
walls. About 40% of the dry weight of plaques is made up of calcium.
Medical history is full of illustrations that show the process of full acceptance of many new innovations. First, there is outright denial
that it works. Then comes a period of, maybe it works for some, but some other mechanism is probably operating to explan the effects
we see. Much later a few brave investigators will undertake studies to learn more about the process, even in the face of continued
criticism. And finally, science proves the theory is correct, and everyone in medicine accepts and uses the process.
This is well illustrated by the example of Dr. Igmaz Semmelweiss, a Hungarian obstetric physician. In 1850 he discovered that, by simply
washing his hands before delivering babies, he could reduce the mortality rates in his hospital from twenty-five percent to less than
one percent. He had a very difficult time trying to convince his colleagues to try this simple procedure. He was laughed out of the
medical profession and died in an insane asylum. Many years later, his theories were accepted. Today he not only is revered in the
medical profession, but has a medical university named after him in his native Hungary.
Today it takes over 150 million dollars to take a new drug through the entire process of certification and acceptance by the FDA. The
compound EDTA has been around for many years and is now being investigated through an FDA-approved protocol. This effort was
spearheaded by the International Chelation Research Foundation, formed in 1985 by a group of investigative chelation chemical
experts and physicians. This non-profit foundation was organized to research and report in scientific literature what chelation does
and how it works.
What Chelation Does
The infusion of EDTA provokes several reactions. First, ionized calcium is lowered in the bloodstream, causing the parathyroid gland
to produce and release a hormone. This hormone then causes the body to release calcium from soft tissue stores, such as the walls of
arteries, to replace the calcium which is being bound in the bloodstream by the EDTA. This phenomenon has been shown to occur
during the infusion of EDTA intravenously over a three hour period. It was demonstrated in 1970 through elaborately designed animal
studies that magnesium disodium EDTA, the compound now used by physicians trained in this therapy, could effectively reduce the size
of plaques in arteries affected by arteriosclerosis, thereby improving blood flow to body tissues.
This causes a stimulation of the body's own mechanisms of healing to restore cellular membranes back to health. Cellular function
becomes normalized.
Toxic metal ions are accumulated by the human body as part of the process of existing in this now polluted planet Earth. Measurements
of lead in our bones, for example, show that humans living today have approximately 1400 times more lead as our ancestors had 400
years ago. EDTA is the best chelating agent for lead and was shown to reduce the incidence of cancer by ninety percent (90%!) in a
study done in Switzerland. EDTA can also chelate iron, copper, arsenic, cadmium, and aluminum, other metal ions that are implicated
in causing disease and accelerating the process of aging. Many of these metal ions hinder and cause dysfunctions of normal enzyme
functions, and even act as catalysts for free radicals.
Blood platelets are very small corpuscles in the blood stream. They tend to adhere to the walls of diseased arteries where they release
several substances capable of forming blood clots. In the process of clotting or coagulating, they also release thromboxane, a spasm
producing substance. EDTA reduces those tendencies upon contact with the platelets.
It is generally believed that free radical damage is the main contributor to aging and degenerative diseases. These free radicals cause
cell destruction by causing chain-like reactions of lipid peroxidation (fat rancidity) which destroy lipid membranes in and around cells.
Without abnormally located metal ions, lipid peroxidation does not take place. EDTA is able to chelate and remove these metal ions,
preventing further peroxidation. The peroxidation process is an enemy of fatty acids from which prostaglandins are produced. This aids
in prostaglandin hormone balance, a vital substance in control of blood clots, plaque formation and arterial spasms.
The process of free radical pathology has been receiving an increasing medical scrutiny because it explains many findings which were
previously unanswered.
Free Radical Pathology
From the beginning, man has searched for a way to regain youth, or at least retard ageing. Countless cures, remedies and potions
have come along, each promising to be the real thing. Medical doctors have searched for an answer as to why people age and why the
degenerative diseases take such a toll. Many theories were advanced, but none were sufficient to change mere theory into scientific
proof.
Now at last the free radical theory offers tangible facts that allow a clear understanding of what takes place as a person ages.
This is true because we are able to identify, measure and combat the aging process. The chelation therapy physician is prepared and
equipped to put this theory into practice.
It is believed man's maximum life span depends primarily on genetics or his DNA coding. His protection against free radicals, however,
has a great deal of influence on whether he will live a full life span or just part of it. We know that DNA, the genetic blueprint of life,
may also be damaged by free radicals, which in turn may lead to mutations which eventually result in degenerative diseases such as
diabetes, arthritis, atherosclerosis, Parkinsons, Alzheimers and even cancer.
Most people living in America receive in their diet just enough vitamin E and selenium to prevent overt antioxidant deficiency diseases
such as those seen in livestock. A few of these diseases are "Mulberry Heart," "White Muscle Disease", and "Exudative Diathesis."
It should be remembered that having "adequate" nutrition is not the same as having "optimal" nutrition. Optimal nutrition eliminates
the root cause of deficiency diseases, as well as reducing or the risk of degenerative diseases such as heart disease and cancer,
though they may still arise from other causes. Evidence suggests that increased intake of vitamins and antioxidants may offer
additional protection. It is also known that EDTA enhances this protection by acting as a free radical scavenger.
Arteriosclerosis Theories
Cholesterol in the food we eat is now considered to be one of the primary causes of heart disease. It is believed the best insurance
against heart disease is to lower the blood cholesterol levels with polyunsaturated fats or drugs, thus preventing a build-up in the
atherosclerotic plaques.
However, there is quite a controversy raging about what actually causes the buildup of fat (in the form of cholesterol and the fatty
acids) in the walls of arteries. There has been found a statistical correlation between high cholesterol levels and an accelerated
atherosclerotic process, so medical science is now stating that dietary cholesterol and saturated fats in the diet are the main culprits.
Other scientists, however, are indicating that a particular form of cholesterol, the LDL (low density lipoprotein) imbalance is the real
"Bad Guy", and is the form most detrimental to arteries. But LDL cholesterol does not cause damage unless it is oxidized!
This oxidation can be initiated and accelerated by copper molecules that cause free radical damage. These copper molecules
and other free radicals can be removed by the use of EDTA.
Other theories are offered by respected scientists, such as Dr Earl P. Benditt of the University of Washington. Using the electron
microscope, plus other sophisticated techniques of cell differentiation and chemical analyses of enzymes present in each cell, he was
able for the first time to visualize the process by which arteriosclerosis may occur.
According to his theory, the initial plaque formed in an artery is triggered by a mutation of a cell in the artery wall. This mutation is
usually induced by a free radical. The damage causes a fibrous plaque to form which is essentially a benign tumor. This cell, mutated
with free radical reactive chemicals, reproduces itself (proliferates) in a more rapid (monoclonal) fashion than normal, causing cell
crowding.
The second stage occurs when the crowded cells begin producing collagen and cholesterol, forming a fibrous mass. This second stage
of the monoclonal-proliferation theory is identical to the first stage of previous theories.
The third stage occurs when the crowded fibrous mass erupts through the inside of the arterial wall (endothelium) into the
bloodstream. This induces an electrostatic charge which attracts calcium and cholesterol from the bloodstream to adhere to the fibrous
mass. The rapid buildup causes blockage of arterial blood circulation and enhances blood clotting. This process can occur regardless
of the patient's level of consumption of cholesterol from food sources. There is always some amount of cholesterol present in the
bloodstream, due to the ability of the body to manufacture it.
Contents:
What It Is I What It Does I Free Radical Pathology I Arteriosclerosis Theories I How It Is Done I Bypass Surgery I Side Effects
These excerpts provided as a public service by the Coyle Chelation Clinic
Coyle Chelation Clinic - "For Better Health"
Dr. Marcia Coyle
Frequenty Asked Questions page 1
Chelation Therapy - Plain Talk
By Robert D. Gutting