Chelation Therapy: Does Science Support the Claims?
What is Chelation Therapy?
Chelation therapy is a treatment that uses special drugs called chelators. “Chelation” means to strongly grab and hold onto something.
The chelators tightly bind to metals in the blood. This allows the body to get rid of extra or toxic metals. The main metals they target include lead, mercury, iron, aluminium, arsenic, calcium, and more.
The first use of chelation was to treat lead or arsenic poisoning. But lately some doctors have been using it to try to help heart and circulation problems. Other uses are for conditions like autism, dementia, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and many more.
History of Chelation Therapy
Chelation therapy started back in the early 1900s. It was first used to treat workers who got poisoned by arsenic or lead on the job. A chemical called BAL was made to reverse the poisoning effects during World War I.
In the 1950s, doctors used a new synthetic chelator called EDTA. This drug could pull lead out of the body safely. The FDA approved it for lead toxicity treatment. Soon after, some doctors started trying EDTA to help patients with heart and artery diseases too.
Now supporters believe chelation might help all kinds of health problems. But normal medical practice still only approves it for diagnosed cases of heavy metal or mineral poisoning.
How Does Chelation Therapy Work?
The chelating drugs get injected into the blood, usually as an intravenous (IV) drip. A full course of therapy takes several months, with treatments one or two times per week.
The chemicals strongly grab onto the unwanted metal ions in the bloodstream. This forms new molecules called complexes that keep circulating until the kidneys pull them out. Then the body gets rid of the metals through peeing.
Those who back chelation think removing calcium buildup and inflammation helps improve circulation and heart symptoms. But scientists are still unsure if this belief holds up according to medical research.
What Conditions Do People Use Chelation For?
Heart Disease
Some small studies show minor benefits for chest pain and blood flow in heart patients. But later research found no real lasting gains compared to placebo. In 2013 one report did note a small improvement in a group getting chelation. But experts felt the evidence wasn’t strong enough to be persuasive.
Autism
The claim here is that chelators can remove heavy metals like lead or mercury and that will reduce autism symptoms. But most kids with autism have normal blood levels of these metals. And many studies show chelation does not help their cognition or behaviour. One trial saw short term language and social gains, but they didn’t last. A 5-year NIH study found no real lasting gains for children.
Other Uses
Some clinics advertise chelation as a cure-all for dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, MS, diabetes, gangrene, poor circulation, erectile dysfunction, chronic fatigue, and many more problems. But there’s virtually no medical research supporting these kinds of uses.
Is There Good Evidence That Chelation Works?
Heart Disease
Early smaller studies hinted EDTA infusions might help circulation and chest pain in heart patients. But when they did larger, double blind studies where no one knew who got the treatment or not, the benefits mostly disappeared. The overall evidence is considered weak and unconvincing by medical experts.
Autism
The theory here is removing metals will reduce symptoms, but research shows chelation doesn’t actually lower blood levels since they’re already normal in most kids. Well-designed trials also reveal no improvement in cognition or behaviour. One study did note a few short term language and social gains, but they did not persist at 5 year follow up.
Other Conditions
For dementia, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and more, there is no solid proof from medical studies that chelation provides any substantial lasting benefits at all. Still, some alternative clinics continue to promote it as useful for all these conditions.
What Are the Risks of Chelation Therapy?
Essential Mineral Loss
Chelators don’t just take out toxic metals, they also remove helpful minerals your body needs like calcium or iron. This can lead to severe low levels unless they get replaced ongoing.
Kidney Damage
EDTA might cause direct kidney injury, especially in repeated high doses. Calcium-EDTA seems safer but still has risks. One child died of kidney failure in an autism study.
Allergic Reactions
Some people have immune reactions to IV chelation leading to low blood pressure, trouble breathing, rashes or anaphylaxis. This can become dangerous if not treated quickly.
Who Offers Chelation Therapy?
Regular doctors mainly just prescribe chelation for diagnosed cases of heavy metal toxicity or excess minerals as standard practice. Using it “off-label” for heart disease or other chronic health problems occurs on the fringe of mainstream medicine currently.
Chelation gets offered routinely in alternative medicine though. Practitioners like naturopaths, chiropractors, holistic MDs, some nurses and nurse practitioners are the main providers.
But choosing an improperly trained, uncertified, or inexperienced therapist raises your risks. Several people have died from chelation-related complications.
Conclusion
The claims around chelation therapy still require much deeper scientific validation before this fringe treatment earns a place within standard medical care for common chronic diseases. Patients should pursue proven options first. Discuss chelation thoroughly with your physician to understand the evidence gaps and safety risks around its currently advertised uses lacking robust research support.
FAQs
Should chelation replace recommended medications or procedures for heart health?
No, proven treatments like statin drugs, stents, or bypass surgery should come first based on the lack of strong proof chelation works for cardiovascular disease.
What conditions clearly demonstrate health improvements from chelation treatment in studies?
Mainly diagnoses involving truly elevated blood levels of lead, mercury, arsenic, iron, calcium or other minerals. The evidence remains lacking for other off-label uses.
Can chelation address the root pathology behind Alzheimer’s or dementia?
No quality medical research indicates measurable impacts on the underlying processes driving neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's or dementia.
Does chelation help clear heavy metals and reduce autism behaviours?
Studies show it neither clears metals from blood, since levels are normal, nor improves cognition or symptoms of autism spectrum disorders. Significant safety concerns exist as well.
Who might consider chelation therapy currently?
Those actually diagnosed through testing with heavy metal toxicity or excess iron, calcium etc could benefit. Other applications are less supported by research, so risks tend to outweigh potential gains.
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