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Heavy metal toxicity is a growing health concern. As our exposure to heavy metals like lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium increases through our environment and food supply, these accumulated toxins can cause serious health issues.

After seeing countless patients struggle with the effects of heavy metal buildup, I have found chelation therapy to be one of the most effective treatment options for removing these dangerous contaminants from the body.

In my 25+ years of experience as a practicing chiropractor, I have seen firsthand the incredible benefits that chelation therapy can provide for patients suffering from heavy metal poisoning.

In this post, I want to focus specifically on EDTA chelation and discuss its many advantages compared to other methods.

How Heavy Metals Negatively Impact Health?

Heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium are emitted into our air through industrial pollution. They leach into our water supply from dangerous pesticides, electronics waste, and industrial runoff. Over time, these toxic metals build up in our bodies faster than we can eliminate them. This heavy metal accumulation can then contribute to alarming health issues like:

Neurological disorders
Cardiovascular disease
Hormonal imbalances
Liver and kidney damage
Cognitive decline and dementia

Research links heavy metal exposure to concerning conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, infertility, depression, anxiety, and more. Children are especially vulnerable to cognitive damage and developmental issues from heavy metals. Given these scary effects, evaluating your toxin levels through blood, urine, or hair analysis tests is an essential first step. Understanding your heavy metal load can help determine if chelation therapy suits you.

Symptoms of Heavy Metal Toxicity

The accumulation of heavy metals in the body can cause a range of symptoms that tend to worsen over time with continued exposure.

Fatigue and weakness
Nausea
Abdominal Pain
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Rashes
Itching Skin
Lack of energy/feeling drained
Headaches
Increased risk of neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s later in life
Neuron and neurotransmitter damage
Bleeding gums (in the case of mercury poisoning)
Peeling skin (in the case of mercury poisoning)

What is Chelation Therapy?

Chelation therapy involves using binding agents called chelators to grab onto toxic heavy metals circulating in your bloodstream. Once bound to the chelating compound, these dangerous metals can be flushed out of your body through urine and stool. Some of the most common chelating agents prescribed by integrative physicians include:

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)
Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA)
Dimercaptopropane Sulfonate (DMPS)
Alpha lipoic acid (ALA)
Chlorella or other algae
Cilantro
Garlic

Chelation therapy is available in intravenous formulas injected directly into the bloodstream or oral agents taken by mouth. I offer intravenous and oral options to my patients, customizing their treatments based on need.

EDTA Chelation Therapy

EDTA chelation binds to toxic minerals and metals circulating in blood plasma. Once attached, the body can quickly clear these EDTA-metal complexes through urine excretion. Some of the heavy metals that EDTA can target include:

Lead
Mercury
Cadmium
Nikle
Aluminum
Arsenic
Uranium
Iron overload

Benefits of EDTA Chelation Therapy

Beyond removing toxic contaminants, there are various EDTA chelation benefits:

1. Promotes Cardiovascular Health

EDTA chelation helps prevent oxidative damage to blood vessels and organs by lowering calcium, iron, and heavy metal burden. It minimizes inflammation, improves circulation, prevents blood clots, and protects against atherosclerotic plaque formation.

The Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT), financed by the National Institutes of Health, investigated the effects on people with diabetes and cardiac disease. EDTA chelation decreased cardiovascular incidents like heart attack, stroke, hospitalization rate, and death.

2. Protects Cognitive Health

EDTA lowers levels of brain-damaging metals like lead, aluminum, and iron accumulation associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Preliminary research indicates EDTA therapy may help slow cognitive decline and improve quality of life.

3. Lowers Pain and Inflammation

Studies confirm that removing iron, calcium, and heavy metals in joints can significantly decrease inflammation and oxidative damage. It alleviates joint pain from conditions like osteoarthritis.

4. Normalizes Diabetes and Metabolic Function

The TACT study found that EDTA therapy can lower hemoglobin A1C counts in diabetic patients. It boosts the response to insulin and helps control blood sugar levels.

5. Enhances Energy Levels

Lowering iron overload in the body helps maximize proper oxygen utilization and tissue oxygenation. It has been demonstrated to considerably boost energy output, reduce chronic weariness, and improve exercise endurance.

The broad spectrum benefits I’ve seen from EDTA chelation therapy confirm why this is my preferred method for removing toxic contaminants.

Oral or IV EDTA Administration

EDTA chelation can be given through either oral or intravenous formulas:

IV chelation therapy involves a liquid EDTA formula slowly administered through the veins in a medical facility. A complete treatment cycle is typically 20-40 weekly sessions for 3-6 months.

Oral EDTA supplements are taken by mouth to help with gentle ongoing detoxification between IV treatments. Preventative, low-dose oral EDTA may also protect against long-term heavy metals.

I find benefits in combining intravenous and oral EDTA therapy to enhance the removal of stubborn heavy metals. It produces better patient outcomes than relying on just one method alone.

DMSA Chelation Targets Specific Metals

While EDTA grabs a wide range of minerals and metals, DMSA (dimercaptosuccinic acid) specifically targets heavy metals like:

Lead
Mercury
Arsenic
Cadmium

DMSA is successful at curing acute heavy metal toxicity. It is also used to target excess iron levels. Compared to EDTA, which collects healthy and dangerous metals, DMSA only removes harmful heavy metals while preserving essential minerals. It helps minimize mineral deficiency side effects. Its specificity also allows DMSA to be used more safely in children and pregnant women than EDTA chelation. DMSA dosage, administration, and duration depend on the level of toxicity. Close monitoring of urine toxin output helps guide appropriate usage. Taking mineral supplements helps counter the depletion of nutrients like zinc, copper, magnesium, and manganese.

Do You Have Nagging Symptoms of Heavy Metal Toxicity?

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Wrapping Up - Chelation Critical for Heavy Metal Detox

After decades of overseeing chelation therapy, I cannot overstate how powerfully it counteracts the alarming impacts of heavy metal toxicity. EDTA and DMSA therapies facilitate the safe removal of dangerous contaminants linked to frightening health disorders.

Chelation serves as a crucial cleansing and protective therapy for anyone concerned about heavy metal bioaccumulation. Testing your levels of toxins like lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury can quantify the urgency for undergoing treatment.

Detoxifying from dangerous heavy metals remains one of the most essential and effective strategies I implement for restoring patient health. The incredible benefits possible from chelation continue to motivate this as a staple therapy recommendation in my practice.

Dr. Craig Eymann

Meet Dr. Craig Eymann, a dedicated chiropractor and yoga enthusiast with over two decades of expertise in spinal health, sports chiropractic, and personalized care, prioritizing misalignment correction for swift injury resolution.