METAL TOXICOLOGY (CHELATION THERAPY)
PRELUDE – Thoughtful Update From Dr. Jim
The study of metal toxicants and their relationship to chronic disease is a fascinating and evolving area of interest. Blood testing for a metal toxicant is useless to access chronic exposure. The use of the provocative urine challenge test for metal toxicity has been proposed to all state medical boards as the standard by the American Board of Clinical Metal Toxicology. We know from 50 years of patient’s results that Chelation Therapy has a positive impact on cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases and many other chronic diseases. Now, there is evidence that the mercury in vaccinations and dental amalgams plays a direct role in Alzheimer’s and autism, two very similar diseases. Also, the TACT study (30 million dollars) was just completed and showed a definite positive effect of chelation on heart disease. So my recommendation to everyone is to be tested for chronic metal toxicity. We have all been exposed.
CHELATION
I am the only physician in southern Ohio certified by the American Board of Clinical Metal Toxicology (www.abcmt.org), a 31 year old organization, to do Chelation Therapy. I presently serve on their Board of Directors.
The following information is offered to answer the many questions patients ask about Chelation Therapy. If you would like to discuss the procedure, please contact me 513.942.3226.
WHAT IS CHELATION?
Chelation is a non-surgical treatment for heavy metal toxicity. Heavy metals have been associated with a myriad of chronic degenerative diseases. IV Chelation has been found to be especially effective in treating cases of poor circulation and hardening of the arteries. The therapy consists of a series of slow intravenous infusions of an amino acid called EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid).
WHAT IS EDTA?
EDTA is a preservative that is found in many foods. The Food and Drug Administration includes EDTA on its list of Generally Recognized As Safe Drug (GRAS list).
Since the 1940’s, EDTA has been used in cases of heavy metal toxicity (such as lead intoxication in children who have eaten paints) to remove the harmful metal from the body. It was incidentally noted that some patients who also had hardened arteries and were being treated for metal toxicity responded with marked improvement in circulatory function, as well as lowered blood pressure. This “side-effect” of EDTA has led to its current use as a form of therapy for all sorts of circulatory problems. Since thenrefinements in protocol have made the treatment even safer and more effective. EDTA improves calcium and cholesterol metabolism by eliminating metallic catalysts which cause damage to cell membranes by producing “oxygen free radicals.” Free radical pathology is now believed by many scientists to be an important contributing cause of atherosclerosis, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer’s and other chronic degenerative diseases of aging. EDTA helps to prevent the production of harmful free radicals.
WHAT DOES CHELATION ACTUALLY DO?
When an EDTA solution is injected into the bloodstream, it surrounds calcium ions in the blood and quickly takes them with it through the kidney into the urine. The body then mobilizes calcium and other heavy metals from hardened arteries, joint linings and other stiffened tissues. This process may even stimulate new bone growth for those who have weak bones (osteoporosis). Reports in the literature show that EDTA may reduce clotting, improve cholesterol and lower blood pressure.
As the hardened arteries get softer and more flexible, more blood asses through. Diagnostic tests taken before and after Chelation, such as vascular analysis and thermography, show that areas of impaired circulation are often restored to normal function.
WHO NEEDS CHELATION THERAPY?
Nearly all men and women over the age of 45 suffer to some degree form the effects of hardening of the arteries. Actually a 30% narrowing of the arteries is considered “normal” at that age. Most people do not realize that they have a problem until they develop chest pains, cramps in their legs when they walk or a heart attack.
People associate things like loss of sharp vision and hearing, dizziness and loss of memory with “old age”. The reason some of us seem to get older and more senile than others is often due to the amount of narrowing of the arteries that is present. Chelation may be the help that many need to overcome the debilitating effects that arteriosclerosis can have all over the body.
WHAT TESTING IS NECESSARY BEFORE A PATIENT CAN START CHELATION THERAPY?
A complete physical, including blood work, urinalysis and a heavy metal provocative challenge test before chelation is begun. Also required is a non-invasive vascular test to measure circulatory function. All of these tests are relatively painless and safe.
HOW IS CHELATION ADMINISTERED?
The Chelation solution contains EDTA plus vitamins and minerals in a standardintravenous preparation. It flows into a vein through a small needle in the arm over a period of 1.5—3 hours. The patient relaxes in a recliner chair while reading, chatting or watching T.V. During the infusion, the patient needs to eat a banana or other small snack. The procedure is continuously monitored by the Chelation technician or physician.
Thirty three treatments, given either once or twice a week, is the basic course of therapy.
IS CHELATION DANGEROUS?
The only serious side effect reported occurred in the early days of therapy, when EDTA was given in too high a dose much too fast, which overloaded the kidney in a few people with lead toxicity. When administered by trained physicians and their assistants, such as physicians certified by the American Board of Clinical Metal Toxicology, chelation is a very safe procedure. Fifteen hundred physicians across the country have safely given more than 4 million EDTA infusions to over 400,000 patients.
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE BENEFITS THAT CAN RESULT FROM CHELATION THERAPY?
The International College of Integrative Medicine, another group of doctors who use Chelation Therapy, reports good to excellent results in 80-90% of patients who receive the total program because of poor circulation to the brain, heart and/or extremities. Improvement in pain, energy, vitality, dizziness, poor memory, cramps, weakness, sores that heal poorly and shortness of breath are usually noted within a month or two of completing a course of Chelation.
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 effectiveness.
What Are The Interactions Between Chelation Therapy And Other Treatments For Arterial Disease?
Chelation Therapy can be utilized in conjunction with most other therapies for cardiac-vascular disease. EDTA is compatible with block 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.
ONCE I’VE HAD AN INITIAL SERIES OF 33 TREATMENTS, AM I SET FOR LIFE?
Like most other aids to health, such as good nutrition, exercise and stress reduction, Chelation is not a “one-shot cure all.” Once satisfactory results are achieved with the initial course of therapy, patients often elect to continue on a maintenance program of monthly treatments. In severe cases, an additional series of treatments can be given if symptoms of impaired circulation recur.
HOW MUCH DOES CHELATION COST AND IS IT COVERED BY INSURANCE?
We prefer to discuss costs during the “free” consult offered above. Costs can very significantly based on the severity of the medical problems you have. Also, length of therapy will e a contributing factor.
Patients report that some of the pre-chelation testing procedures are covered by their insurance. At this time, however, most insurance companies (including Medicare) do not cover the cost of Chelation treatments themselves. When the cost of cardiac medications and surgery, as well as the risk of disability, complications and pain and suffering are figured in, Chelation appears to be much cheaper than treatment with drugs and/or bypass.
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CHELATION?
We recommend that anyone interested in Chelation should read Questions From The Heart by Terry Chappell, M.D. or one of the books by Morton Walker, D.P.M. such asThe Chelation Way, published in 1990, or Bypassing Bypass by Elmer Cranton, M.D. They are available at local bookstores, libraries, or through our office.
CHELATION IS NOT AN “ACCEPTED” PROCEDURE BY ALL PHYSICIANS. WHY DOES DR. JIM helation Is Not An “Accepted” Procedure By All Physicians. Why Does DR. Jim OFFER IT TO HIS PATIENTS?
The answer is quite simple. Chelation is truly a comprehensive treatment. It treats arterial circulation all over the body (as opposed to bypass procedures that can affect only one artery at a time) and also tends to improve stiffened, hardened areas in other body tissues. Not only have we seen dramatic improvement in our patients, but some of our staff and family members have taken a series of treatments as well. Also, the NIH has launched a 30 million dollar study on Chelation Therapy and heart disease.
We offer our patients the best of traditional medicine as well as innovative treatments that have merit. it. We want to give our patients a choice of therapies, explain the risks and benefits of each, and let them make the important decisions only they can make concerning their own health.
