The body slowly excretes several heavy metals. Their toxicity increases over the years as they accumulate. A therapy called chelation has been developed to speed the removal of such metals. The therapy comes with possible temporary side effects---for example, pain around the injection area and temporary depletion of essential minerals, especially calcium. These side effects are temporary, especially if monitored by a qualified doctor, and should be weighed against the side effects of leaving the metal to accumulate.
Purpose of Chelation
The purpose of a chelating agent is to bind to toxic metals in the body, such as mercury and lead, so they can be excreted in the urine and stool. Such metals are not readily excreted, but instead accumulate in the body over the course of years. This is the reason that toxic metals concentrate at the top of the food chain (e.g., large fish like tuna and swordfish). Predators store the metals ingested by their prey, which in turn had accumulated the metals ingested by their own prey. Extending the argument, many people need heavy-metal removal due to the fish in their diet. Also, some people lack the genes for normal heavy metal excretion.
Chelating Agents
Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) and 2,3-dimercapto-propane-sulfonate (DMPS) are FDA-approved medication to remove lead from children. DMPS is also effective for mercury and other toxic metals. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is used more for lead poisoning than for mercury. It is also used to reduce iron levels after repeated blood transfusions.
Side Effects
Because of the seriousness of heavy-dose side effects, chelation therapy entails several sessions of low doses---even stretching up to a year. Side effects are serious enough to warrant replacing mercury fillings with ceramic before attempting chelation. The reason for replacing the fillings first is to see if heavy metal levels can be lowered enough without having to take on any side effects, and fillings' replenishing mercury levels would just increase the number of sessions required.
EDTA
The most common side effect of intravenously injected EDTA is a burning spot around the site of injection. EDTA may decrease levels of certain vitamins and minerals; supplements of vitamins and minerals after each treatment are advisable. Vitamin and mineral levels should be monitored during and after a chelation session, especially to avoid diminished calcium levels. The CDC has reported deaths from chelation therapy as a result of chelation-induced calcium deficiency. Doctors should, therefore, monitor calcium levels regularly throughout treatment.
DMSA
DMSA side effects include gas, diarrhea, bloating, and GI discomfort, because of its sulfur content.
DMSA can pull useful metals out of the body, such as zinc and copper. Therefore, a zinc/copper supplement should be taken each day of treatment. (It is important that the zinc:copper ratio be 10:1.)
DMPS
DMPS is more powerful, and therefore more dangerous, than DMSA. It can pull useful metals out of the body, such as zinc and copper. And it can dump enough mercury into the kidneys and liver to permanently damage them. Since there are less dangerous alternatives to mercury removal, DMPS should not be used without a very compelling reason, for example its superior ability to chelate arsenic.
Comparison
In assessing the side effects of chelation, a comparison is needed to keep the side effects in perspective. The side effects of leaving the chelated heavy metals in place are far greater.
An 18-year longitudinal study called "The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey" (NHANES III) found that any level of lead over 2 micrograms per deciliter in the blood caused dramatic increases in heart disease and stroke. In fact, the risk of heart attack increased 150 percent.
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