The Role of Heavy Metals

Current research studies are finding that many of today's diseases and health problems are linked to an over-burden of toxins in the body. We live in a polluted environment where our food, air and water are contaminated with hundreds of heavy metals that easily pass into our digestive tract to invade us.

Airborne toxins such as car exhaust fumes, factory smoke and cigarette smoke, chemical pollutants such as cosmetics, shampoos, deodorants, hair dyes and nail polish join forces with toxins in our clothes, bedding and showers to have a debilitating effect on our physical well-being. To say we are being bombarded with toxic threats is not an over-exaggeration.

Leading the charge in the toxic army are the heavy metals, which comprise; lead, mercury, aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, bismuth, bromine, cadmium, nickel, thallium, tin and uranium.

Mercury is probably one of the best-known and one of the worst environmental poisons. It can come from; leaking amalgam/silver fillings, which are about 50% mercury, heavy fish consumption, residues from volcanic ash and coal burning.

It's been over 30 years since the government banned lead from paint, and started to phase it out of gasoline but it seems like almost every day there is a news report about a product containing un-safe levels of lead, from children's toys to lipsticks. Despite restrictions placed on lead usage, we know that compared to several hundred years ago, the lead level in our bones is hundreds of times higher than it was at that time.

Of course, all of this just adds to the toxic burden and does nothing to handle the underlying problem - toxic contamination. So, if you are feeling less than 100%, this is likely a major factor and you should discuss with a physician knowledgeable about the impact and treatment of these toxic burdens.

How Can Chelation Therapy Help?

Chelation Therapy (pronounced ke-lation) has been used continuously since it was introduced in the 1940s, specifically to treat lead poisoning. When first used, it was noted that not only did the symptoms of lead poisoning abate but also problems related to the circulatory system such as heart attacks, angina and strokes also improved. Another bonus provided by the new therapy was that it was it found to eliminate not only lead but many other heavy metals too.

Today's Chelation is an intravenous therapy which locates deposits of heavy metals that don't belong in the body and pulls them out, leaving the essential minerals that are the building blocks of a healthy body, in place.

Heavy metal toxicity leads to decreased amounts of Nitric Oxide, which leads to un-relaxed blood vessels and associated decreased blood flow. Also effective in removing calcium and cholesterol deposits, Chelation Therapy can reduce levels by removing plaquing in blood vessels which makes this therapy particularly suited to patients with high blood pressure and high cholesterol or with a history of heart disease. Traditionally known as a "man's" illness, heart disease is now the chief cause of death among American women of all ages and the rate rises significantly after menopause. While the procedure is controversial and still under trials, physicians with experience in Chelation believe that the elimination of heavy metals is a desirable medical procedure that can be life saving.

What Happens During Chelation Therapy?

Patients are carefully evaluated before being considered suitable for chelation therapy, which involves the administration of EDTA (Ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid) via an intravenous drip over a number of sessions. EDTA is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (AFDA) for the treatment of heavy metal poisoning, and is considered safe and routinely used for that purpose. Its use to treat cardiovascular disease and metal detoxification as a means of improving overall health, is still considered investigational and is not considered an approved use by FDA. Chelation is taught by the American College for the Advancement of Medicine, who sets standards for its use and it is currently under study by the National Institutes of Health in a large, multi-center clinical trial. EDTA is diluted in IV fluids of salts, sugars or sterile water to which are added many other vitamins, minerals, bicarbonate salts, anesthetics or heparin.