Chelation Therapy

Chelation is a chemical term named from the Greek word chele, meanings "claw" or "claw-like." In chelation therapy, an organic chemical bonds with metals in the bloodstream and digs them out of the system. This therapy is standard treatment for heavy metal poisoning, such as lead poisoning, and the management of iron overload following repeated blood transfusions.

During the 1950s, it was observed that a patient who was receiving chelation therapy for lead poisoning coincidentally experienced relief of angina symptoms. Since that time, many patients have sought and received chelation therapy for atherosclerosis, a "hardening of the arteries" that leads to heart disease and stroke. One theory behind using chelation to treat this disease is that it may remove calcium, which is present in some atherosclerotic lesions, and therefore decrease the obstruction in the arteries. The patient receives repeated intravenous infusions of the drug EDTA that, some believe, grasps the calcium and pulls it from the area of obstruction.

However, others believe that when EDTA is administered intravenously, it encounters and binds with calcium circulating in the blood, and not with any calcium that may exist in the atherosclerotic lesions. According to this view chelation therapy not only may be ineffective in reversing atherosclerosis, but also may expose the patient to risk by depleting the body of calcium and other essential nutrients.

There is, in fact, no sound evidence that EDTA chelation therapy is effective or has clinical benefit for atherosclerosis. For nearly three decades, the NHLBI has carefully followed the scientific literature on this issue. Our thorough and critical review of the published literature on EDTA chelation, which includes numerous case studies and testimonials, identified only two scientifically rigorous clinical trials, neither of which found any benefit of the therapy.

Understanding Chelation Therapy Recommended Resources:

University of California

University of Maryland Medical Center