Chelation is a medical process designed to remove the presence of harmful metals in the body using a chemical or organic chelating agent. In this sheet, you will discover this technique in more detail, its principles, its history, its benefits, how it is practiced and finally, what are the contraindications.

Coming from the Greek word “khêlê”, which means “claws” or “pincers”, chelation is pronounced “kelation”. It is a medical approach aimed at detoxifying the body from harmful minerals and metals. More specifically, it refers to the process by which a chemical or organic substance eliminates unwanted metals present in the body. Thus, this technique is commonly used in cases of poisoning with certain heavy metals (in particular lead) and harmful radioactive substances.

The main principles

Chelating agents can be natural (chlorella, coriander, etc.) or chemical (DMSA, DMPS, EDTA). The choice of agent will depend on the type of poisoning.

In both cases, the principle would be the same: the chelating agent would bind to minerals or ionized metals (electrically charged), such as iron, calcium, lead, copper, etc. This binding would give a completely stable, inactive, non-toxic and soluble complex, which could easily be eliminated by the urinary route. The use of the conditional is used since to date, the scientific community has still not reached a consensus on the mechanisms that are involved.

Some scientific studies have evaluated the effects of chelation on certain health disorders, here is a non-exhaustive list of the benefits of this practice:

Contribute to the treatment of cardiovascular diseases

Several systematic reviews have evaluated the effects of EDTA injection chelation for treating cardiovascular disease and concluded that there is not enough evidence to declare this therapy effective and safe. In another more recent review, the authors concluded that chelation should be used only in a research setting, and in patients not responding to conventional treatments.

Contribute to cancer treatment

In recent years, many studies have studied the effects of different chelators on cancer. A study carried out in 2002 showed that the use of a chelating agent (DFO) made it possible to decrease tumor growth. According to some authors, chelation could be effective in fighting against the proliferation of cancer cells since iron is involved in this mechanism.

Contribute to the treatment of endocrinopathies

In a study carried out on patients with various endocrinopathies (prediabetes, rough hypothyroidism and osteoroporosis), chelation therapy made it possible to cure some patients without resorting to specific treatment. However, it did not cure diabetic patients.

Rebalance blood phosphorus levels

In a study published in 2017, sucroferric oxyhydroxide was used to chelate iron-based phosphates in individuals on dialysis. This chelator has been shown to be effective, and its tolerance is particularly good over the long term.

Contribute to the treatment of Wilson’s disease

The administration of copper or zinc chelators is a treatment of choice for individuals with Wilson’s disease, which is characterized by copper overload.

Some therapists say chelation could also be helpful for arteriosclerosis and a host of other health conditions, from allergies to Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and even baldness. But all these applications have been the subject of heated controversy for several years, particularly with regard to the use of the chelating agent EDTA to treat arteriosclerosis.

The specialist

Most practitioners are located in the United States, but there are also some in Canada, Europe, and Australia. For contact information, see the American College for Advancement in Medicine directory (see Sites of interest).

Chelation, a medical act

Intravenous chelation is a medical act that must be performed by a duly trained and accredited doctor, under rigorous conditions, both in terms of hygiene, preparation and follow-up. The treatment, which lasts 2 hours to 4 hours, is painless. The solution is injected into a vein on the forearm or back of the hand, and the patient remains seated.

Subsequently, the unwanted metals are evacuated through the urine. Treatment is usually accompanied by taking vitamin and mineral supplements, especially zinc, to compensate for losses caused by detoxification. From 20 to 40 sessions over 1 year to 2 years may be necessary. Unless it is an intervention to eliminate severe poisoning, the cost of chelation, which can reach a few thousand dollars, is rarely reimbursed by the government or by insurance companies.

Become a practitioner to practice chelation

To practice chelation, healthcare professionals, mostly physicians, must have obtained certification from the International Board of Clinical Metal Toxicology or an equivalent body. The American College for Advancement in Medicine, the organization that promotes the technique as cardiovascular or rejuvenation therapy, coordinates training in several countries.

Contraindications to chelation

In general, chelation therapy does not carry a great risk. It is necessary that it be carried out by a competent doctor.

Contraindications vary depending on the chelating agent used. For example, EDTA is not recommended for individuals suffering from renal failure, coagulopathies, hepatic cirrhosis or taking anticoagulants, Dimercaprol is contraindicated for individuals allergic to peanuts. As for D-penicillamine, these are prone to many side effects.

It was in 1893 that the Swiss chemist, Alfred Werner, discovered the chemical bonds resulting from metals and developed this concept. In 1920, chemist GT Morgan coined the term “chelation”.

Chelation began to be used as early as World War II, especially with American workers with lead poisoning. The first chelating agent to be used is dimercaprol. Its effectiveness has been recognized in the treatment of poisonings with arsenic, gold, and mercury. During the same period, during the 1950s, Dr. Norman Clarke, director of research at Providence Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, observed that treatment with EDTA often accompanied noticeable improvements in health: decrease in angina pain (related to blockage of the arteries), improvement in memorization faculties and acuity of the senses (sight, hearing, smell), increased energy, etc.

In the 60s, scientific research on this process exploded, and it was in the 80s that some American organizations set up training in Chelation.

Nowadays, this technique continues to gain in popularity, and some people use it in prevention to make sure to rid their body of even the slightest trace of potentially harmful or toxic metals.