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The word chelation is derived from the Greek
word chele that means claw (like that of a scorpion or crab). The
concept of chelation is based on the observation that when a certain
amino acid complex called EDTA (ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid)
comes in contact with certain positively charged metals and other
substances such as lead, iron, copper, calcium, magnesium, zinc,
plutonium and manganese, it grabs them (hence the chele or claw),
and removes them. Chelation therapy is the process of removing from
the body the undesirable ionic material by the infusion, or taking
orally, of an organic compound which has suitable chelating properties.
EDTA is a synthetic amino acid first used in the 1940's for treatment
of heavy metal poisoning. It is widely recognized as effective for
that use as well as certain others, including emergency treatment
of hypercalcemia and the control of ventricular arrhythmias associated
with digitalis toxicity indicated that EDTA was considered possibly
effective in the treatment of occlusive vascular disorders caused
by arteriosclerosis. EDTA grabs metallic cation such as Lead or
Calcium from the body and forms a stable compound that is then excreted
from the system. The stability of this bond is vital to success
in chelation therapy. If the bond is weak, other chemicals can break
this bond to form their own compounds.
One way to think about the chelation process is to compare it to
the way we unclog our drains. We add a chemical to our drain. It
dissolves the blockage. The resulting compound is removed from the
drain using the existing plumbing system. Chelation process works
in a similar manner on our body.
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Chelation therapy is widely used for the treatment
of atherosclerosis and other chronic degenerative diseases involving
the circulatory system. It also has other benefits. Many scientists
suggest that the beneficial effect of chelation treatment is from
the removal of metallic catalysts that causes excessive free radical
proliferation. This reduces the oxidation of lipids, DNA, enzyme
systems and lipoproteins. The chelation halts the bad effects and
initiates the body's healing process, often reversing the damage.
It removes the calcium and copper anions from the blood stream.
The plaque lining the artery walls is made porous and brittle. Eventually
they may get dislodged. Even if only a microscopic layer of the
plaque is removed, it, along with a smoothening of the artery wall
due to the healing of the cells that line the arteries, can improve
the blood flow to the artery muscles substantially. This can prevent
artery spasm and minimize or prevent angina pain. Many patients
who could not walk due to muscle pain or angina pain have reported
that they can walk without pain after chelation therapy.
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