Chelation Therapy and its Benefits
Sunshine Health Care Center provides many intravenous therapies that are beneficial for a variety of health conditions and preventive measures. We offer an Intravenous therapy known as chelation used for the treatment of heavy metal body burden. Doctors have been using chelation therapy for over 60 years in office settings.
What is Chelation Therapy?
The term “chelation”, pronounced “kee-lay-shun”, comes from the Greek word chelos, literally meaning “claw”. This refers to the molecular properties of the chelating agents to grab or bond with certain heavy metals and toxic chemicals in the body. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Chelation Therapy as “the use of a chelator to bind with a metal in the body to form a chelate so that the metal loses its chemical effect (as toxicity or physiological activity)” 2.
Our Doctors use a specially formulated mixture of vitamins, minerals and other medications, including the main ingredient, Ethylene Diamine Tetraacetic Acid (EDTA), which is introduced into the bloodstream over a period of time using an intravenous (IV) drip. Chelation therapy is typically administered in a series of 10-20 treatments depending on the severity of your symptoms. In more serious or chronic conditions, 40 treatments may be the best option. In addition, many patients report feeling healthier and more energetic after a round of treatments. Typically for a Chelation series to be effective, it must be administered in a series of up to 10 to 20 treatments, depending on the severity of your symptoms. Our Doctors and Medical Staff will make you right at home in our communal IV Room, with comfortable reclining chairs and a flat screen television for your entertainment. Snacks and drinks are provided.
What are the Benefits of Chelation Therapy?
We live in an age of increasing environmental toxicity. Toxic metals and chemicals such as mercury, lead, arsenic and aluminum are prevalent in the water we drink and the food that we eat. They can be introduced into our bodies from multiple sources, such as mercury amalgam fillings 3, dust in the air, pesticides and it is even suggested, by vaccines. By “chelating” these heavy metals from your body, you decrease your risk of developing many forms of diseases that are linked to these toxic substances, such as cancer, arthralgias, chronic fatigue, and neurological disorders. High levels of these toxins can damage the lungs, kidneys, vascular system, liver and central nervous system as well as reduce your overall energy level and nervous functioning.
Are there any Risks or Side Effects?
The Doctors at Sunshine Health Care Center follow the protocol published by the American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) called “Guidelines for the Safe & Effective Use of Chelation Therapy”. According to Dr. Elmer Cranton, M.D., when following these procedures, only approximately 1 in 10,000 chelation patients will suffer serious side effects. 5
Some of the rarer side effects include allergic reactions to the IV fluid solutions, most commonly B vitamins, weakness and dizziness, nausea, malaise and fever. Most of these symptoms can be totally eliminated by adjusting the treatment rate and dosages. More commonly, patients complain about minor pain at the infusion site, and occasionally, for badly deteriorated venous structures, an IV infusion site can become infiltrated. This is a minor condition where the medication enters the surrounding tissue instead of the vein. If at any time during your treatment you feel uncomfortable or notice a problem, do not hesitate to alert a Doctor or Medical Assistant.
Like any medical treatment, there are risks involved, but we are very confident that IV Chelation Therapy has been proven safe and effective over the course of sixty years of trials and clinical usage. The FDA recognizes chelation therapy for the treatment of acute heavy metal poisoning of either lead or mercury. A urine collection will be ordered to determine your degree of heavy metal body burden. The “provoked” urine sample which we will use to determine your heavy metal load is not considered justification for chelation therapy by the FDA. Alternative Practitioners interpret the urine assessment as an indicator of a persons body burden of heavy metals. For best results, the body is “provoked” with a series of chelation treatments prior to the collection of urine. If the urine collection is not “provoked”, a false negative can result as metals such as lead can become heavily deposited in bone tissue and need to be pulled from the bone tissue with a chelating agent. A provoking agent such as EDTA is used in order to release the heavy metals into the blood stream which are then filtered via the kidneys and measured in the urine.
If you have a question about Chelation Therapy relating to your symptoms, please don’t hesitate to call Sunshine Health Care Center and schedule a free fifteen minute consultation.
References:
1 A Guide to Chelation Therapy, by Dr. Lloyd Armold, DO
2 www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chelation?show=1&t=1313176885
3 Omura et al. 1996; O'Brien 2001
4 Forty Something Forever, by Harold & Arline Brecher
5 Dr. Elmer Cranton, MD, www.drcranton.com
* Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products and therapies, while proven beneficial, are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases.