Intravenous Chelation Therapy: Definition, Uses, and Effectiveness

Intravenous chelation therapy uses unique chemicals that bond to metals and remove those metals from the human system. It has proven efficacy in fighting poison, but alternative medicine enthusiasts claim it fights cancer and arteriosclerosis.

Therapy

• In cases of poisoning by a heavy metal like lead or mercury, doctors administer the chelating agent ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) intravenously, over the course of several hours.

Chelation

• The word "chelation" has Latin roots, meaning "claws." A chelating agent "snatches" metals, including iron, magnesium and lead, and binds them. The patient expels the metals in urine.

Cancer

• Because people blame cancer on "toxins" including heavy metals, proponents of alternative medicine believe that chelation therapy fights cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) believes there is no such evidence.

Heart Disease

• One theory holds that chelating agents remove calcium-based plaque from the blood stream, reversing heart disease. EDTA can remove loose calcium, but not plaque, and neither the American Heart Association nor the US Food and Drug Administration approves or endorses chelation therapy to combat heart disease.

Risks

• Aside from discomfort (nausea, burning sensations), chelation therapy presents a small risk of permanent kidney damage.