Value of Chelation Therapy in Cardiovascular Disease

It is estimated that approximately 60 million Americans suffer form heart disease. Over 550,000 deaths per year are credited to heart disease, and the numbers are increasing. The estimated cost of treating heart disease in this country alone is estimated at $50-60 billion annually. These are staggering statistics. Most of you know the conventional treatments for heart disease such as medications, by pass surgery, angioplasty, and catheterization. These are life-saving treatments and are necessary, but can we prevent this type of intervention? This article will deal with a therapy that has been known about for over 40 years and has had numerous studies performed to prove its effectiveness. That therapy is Chelation Therapy.

What is chelation therapy and how does it work? Chelation therapy is a safe and effective method of eliminating toxins and waste from the bloodstream. Intravenous administration of the substance EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) has been proven to increase blood flow and to remove plaque build-up in the arteries. Other benefits of chelation therapy are reversal of arteriosclerosis, prevention of heart attacks and strokes, and as a viable alternative to bypass surgery and angioplasty.

Chelation comes from the Greek word chele meaning “to claw” or “to bind”. The use of EDTA goes back to the 1950’s when it was found to be effective in removal of lead. Since then a number of studies published in reputable medical and scientific journals have confirmed the effectiveness of IV chelation therapy for treatment of blood vessel diseases. Over 500,000 patients in the United   States over the last 40 years have used chelation therapy safely. Even though the FDA has not approved EDTA for cardiovascular disease, over 1,000 physicians recommend and administer chelation. The American College for the Advancement of Medicine and the American Board Of Chelation Therapy have established a specific and safe protocol for EDTA treatments. Proper administration includes performing a complete physical exam and running specific tests to determine blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, tissue mineral analysis and kidney/liver organ function. This therapy is performed on an out-patient basis, is painless, and takes approximately one and one-half hours. The average number of treatments is determined by the physician but is usually between 20-30 sessions. According to Garry Gordon, M.D. of Arizona, a carefully tailored nutritional program including vitamins and mineral supplementation should be part of the total program. A whole foods, low fat diet with exercise also plays an important role.

It is not clearly understood how EDTA works to improve blood vessel disease. The main theory is that it changes the calcium and magnesium in the cell wall lining. With age, calcium tends to accumulate inside cells, disrupting enzyme systems and leading to contraction of the vessel walls. Because EDTA binds to calcium, it allows magnesium to flow through the cell more easily thus relaxing and opening the circulation. Another benefit is that it helps reduce free radical production that is known to be one of the causes of arterial damage.

In a double blind study in 1989 with patients suffering from peripheral vascular disease who were treated with chelation therapy, 88% of the patients reported a marked improvement after 10 treatments. Other reports have documented the following benefits:

• Normalization of cardiac arrhythmia’s,
• Improved cerebral arterial occlusion,
• Improved memory and concentration,
• Improved vision,
• Protection against iron poisoning,
• Detoxification of snake and spider venom.

Many people confuse oral chelation therapy with I V chelation. Though they are vastly different in treatment protocols, oral chelation is a well-documented therapy. It involves using nutritional supplements classified as oral chelators such as garlic, vitamin C, carrageenan, zinc, and certain amino acids like cysteine and methionine. Oral chelators, however, work more slowly over a period of time, and it is not considered a substitute for I V chelation.

How does one find a doctor that practices chelation therapy? First choose one who follows the protocols of the American Board of Chelation Therapy or The American College of Advancement in Medicine at the addresses at the end of this article. Make sure the physician has had years of experience and that one is present even though a nurse administers the therapy.

Many people ask why haven’t they heard of this therapy before and why is there no FDA approval? The answer is simple, the patent on EDTA expired, and it is unlikely that a pharmaceutical company would invest the numerous millions of dollars it takes to get FDA approval despite the evidence. There is also some skepticism among doctors, usually because they are uninformed about the studies or they have not had any experience with its usage.

Because heart disease is the number one killer in America and the fact that bypass surgery is risky, expensive, and the benefits unproven; it is important to consider the possibility of the use of chelation therapy.

For more information two good books on the subject are Bypassing Bypass by Cranton, Elmer, and Troutdale and by Brecher, Harold, and Arline.

American Board Of Chelation Therapy, 70 West Huron St., Chicago, IL 60610. Telephone: 312-266-7246

American College Of Advancement In Medicine, P.O. Box 3427, Lagoon   Hills, CA 92654. Telephone: 714-583-7666