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WHAT IS IT USED FOR?

Also known as a "heavy metal detox," chelation therapy is used to reverse symptoms of hardening in the arteries, also known as arteriosclerosis.  Arteriosclerosis is caused by multiple complex factors, including abnormal accumulations of metallic elements.  The end result is plaque within the arteries which blocks the flow of blood.  Plaques are composed of fibrous tissue, cholesterol, and calcium.  Arteriosclerosis can lead to heart attack, stroke, and senility and may even lead to amputation of extremities.  Every known study published over the use of chelation therapy to remedy arteriosclerosis has, without exception, described an improvement in blood flow and symptoms.  Adverse editorial comments to the contrary lack evidence and stem primarily from physicians with a vested interest in catheterization and surgery.

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HOW DOES ARTERY DISEASE AFFECT YOUR HEALTH?

Blockage of blood vessels by plaque (atheroma) reduces the flow of blood, starving vital organs for oxygen and other nutrients.  Cell walls then become leaky, allowing excessive calcium, sodium and other elements to enter.  These calcifications can often be seen on x-ray. Disordered calcium metabolism can also cause coronaries and other arteries to spasm, further reducing the flow of blood to vital organs.

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HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED CHELATION THERAPY?

If you have chest pain, leg pain (while walking), shortness of breath, painful discolored feet, transient loss of vision, paralysis, or rapidly failing memory, you will likely see significant benefits from the administration of chelation therapy.  Any unexplained or persistent symptoms which affect your heart, head or limbs should be further explored by a physician for evidence of circulatory blockage.

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HOW DOES CHELATION THERAPY AFFECT HEALTH?

Chelation therapy promotes health by correcting the major underlying cause of arterial blockage.  Damaged oxygen-free radicals are increased by the presence of metallic elements and as a chronic irritant to blood vessel walls and cell membranes.  EDTA removes those metallic irritants, allowing leaky and damaged cell walls to heal.  Arterial walls become softer and more pliable, allowing easier expansion.  Scientific studies have proven that blood flow increases after chelation therapy, and this therapy can be used to supplement a broad-based health care program involving the elimination of tobacco and other damaging habits as well as engaging in regular exercise.

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WHAT IS THE COST COMPARISON?

Bypass surgery is the mechanical repair of only a small portion of the arterial tree.  Total costs for this procedure average about $45,000 and can be as high as $60,000+.  Chelation therapy is an office treatment which improves blood flow throughout the entire vascular system at a fraction of the cost of bypass surgery. For example, a patient undergoing 20-40 hours of chelation therapy could expect a bill between $2,000-4,000, over $30,000 less than a bypass surgery.

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WHAT ARE THE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN CHELATION THERAPY AND OTHER TREATMENTS FOR ARTERY DISEASE?

Chelation therapy can be utilized in conjunction with most other therapies for cardiovascular disease.  EDTA is compatible with blood thinners, blood vessel dilators, medicines for blood pressure and heart arrhythmias, calcium blockers and beta blockers.  The need for drugs is often reduced or eliminated after a course of chelation therapy.

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SAFETY AND SIDE EFFECTS

Chelation therapy is among the safest of medical procedures.  More than 400,000 patients have received over four million treatments in the past 30 years.  No deaths have been directly caused by chelation therapy when administered properly by a physician who was fully trained and competent in the use of this therapy.  Possible side effects of the therapy include: vein irritation, mild pain, headache and fatigue.  Occasionally, a mild transient fever occurs. These and other minor side effects, if they occur, are easily controlled by adjusting the duration and frequency of treatment or with the use of other simple measures.  Side effects tend to diminish after the first few treatments.  Most patients will experience few or no side effects.

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HOW WILL I BE ABLE TO TELL IF CHELATION THERAPY HELPED ME?

Patients routinely report reduction or elimination of their symptoms with an increasing sense of well-being after chelation therapy.  Family and friends are often the first to notice and report improvement in appearance, behavior and performance.  Comparison of pre- and post-therapy diagnostic tests can provide objective evidence of the effectiveness.

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CAN MY PERSONAL PHYSICIAN GIVE THIS TREATMENT?

Any licensed physician can legally administer this treatment.  Courses to train physicians in the safe use of chelation therapy are offered twice each year by the American College for Advancement in Medicine.

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CAN CHELATION THERAPY BE USED AFTER BYPASS SURGERY?

Yes! Although chelation therapy is best utilized to avoid bypass surgery, many patients who have previously undergone one or more bypass procedures, often with little or no benefit, have subsequently benefitted greatly from chelation therapy.  Treatment for each patient must be individualized. If all else fails, including chelation therapy, bypass still remains available as a last resort.

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IS CHELATION THERAPY A LEGAL TREATMENT?

Yes! Chelation therapy is completely legal.  A licensed physician is free to utilize any therapy of acceptable risk which in his or her professional judgment is of potential benefit, even if advertising claims for treatment are not yet approved by the FDA.  The FDA does not regulate the practice of medicine but only limits marketing and advertising claims for drugs. The FDA has approved the marketing claims for the use of EDTA to treat lead poisoning and several other conditions.  Treatments of atherosclerosis is not yet an allowable claim for inclusion in the marketing literature of EDTA.