Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA)

EDTA chelation therapy is a nonsurgical treatment for heart disease. Doctors use a synthetic solution, called EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), to pull unsafe waste from your bloodstream. This cleaning process leaves you with an improved blood supply to your legs, heart, and other organs. EDTA chelation therapy can help you avoid heart and artery disease. If you already have such a disease, EDTA might be an alternative to bypass surgery.

Your health care provider may offer chelation therapy. EDTA is injected intravenously at your provider's office. Later, you get rid of the waste it removes from your bloodstream through urination. Hospitalization is not necessary, so this therapy is more comfortable and less expensive than a bypass operation. The American College of Advancement of Medicine (ACAM) offers training in this therapy.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved EDTA chelation therapy as an alternative to bypass surgery. However, more than 500,000 heart patients have been treated safely with EDTA chelation therapy. There are more government-led safety tests under way now, which may confirm the safety of EDTA and eventually lead to FDA approval.

EDTA chelation therapy is approved by the FDA as treatment for lead poisoning and other metal poisoning.

Uses

Researchers originally came up with this method of cleaning the blood as a way to treat lead poisoning. The clean blood flow also seems to help people with heart disease. EDTA clears clogged arteries and improves blood flow to the heart. If you are at risk for heart disease or other vascular problems, using early chelation therapy reduces that risk. If your health care provider recommends a treatment like heart bypass surgery, EDTA may be another choice. If you do have a surgical procedure such as angioplasty or bypass, EDTA chelation therapy can help keep you healthy afterwards.

Chelation therapy is one of the only medically accepted treatments for lead, mercury, or arsenic poisoning. Research confirms that children with lead poisoning experience healthy growth spurts after undergoing EDTA chelation therapy.

EDTA may have a positive effect on Alzheimer's disease because it removes unsafe metals, such as aluminum, from the brain. Chelation therapy helps your immune system work better, perhaps helping you resist conditions such as cancer and lupus. If you are already ill, EDTA can help you recover. A strong immune system also helps you quickly recover from wounds. EDTA can prevent gangrene and helps many people avoid amputation. The improved blood flow also can help people with arthritis, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Studies have shown that chelation therapy improves vision problems like macular degeneration.

Dietary Sources

EDTA is synthetic and not found naturally. It is usually combined with vitamins and minerals (such as vitamin C and magnesium), and delivered through an intravenous injection (directly into your bloodstream).

Other Forms

N/A

How to Take It

You will receive your chelation therapy in a health care provider's office. It will be delivered slowly, over a period of three to four hours. Your health care provider will probably suggest two to three weekly EDTA treatments. Most people with heart disease need 20 to 30 such sessions.

You will follow a similar but shorter process if you are being treated for lead poisoning or an excess of other toxic heavy metals.

Precautions

EDTA infusions must be given slowly. Treatments will be scheduled at least 24 hours apart in order to avoid potentially dangerous side effects. Overdose may lead to kidney failure, organ damage, seizures, or even death.

Your health care provider will monitor your blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, organ function, and other vital statistics during your treatment with EDTA.

Possible Interactions

No harmful drug interactions have been reported.

Supporting Research

Burns CB, Currie B. The efficacy of chelation therapy and factors influencing mortality in lead intoxicated petrol sniffers. Aust N Z J Med. 1995;25:197–203.

Chappell LT, Stahl JP. The correlation between EDTA chelation therapy and improvement in cardiovascular function: a meta-analysis. J Adv Med. 1993;6:139–160.

Carey C, Lee H, and Woeltje K, eds. Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics. 29th ed. Philadelphia, Penn: Lippincott-Raven; 1998.

Cranton E, Brecher A. Bypassing Bypass. Norfolk, Va: Donning Co; 1989.

Cranton E. A Textbook on EDTA Chelation. New York, NY: Humay Sciences Press; 1989.

Guldager B, Brixen KT, Jorgensen SJ, Nielsen HK, Mosekilde L, Jelnes R. Effects of intravenous EDTA treatment on serum parathyroid hormone (1-84) and biochemical markers of bone turnover. Dan Med Bull. 1993;40:627–630.

Hancke C, Flytlie K. Benefits of EDTA chelation therapy on arteriosclerosis. J Adv Med. 1993;6:161–172.

Lin JL, Ho HH, Yu CC. Chelation therapy for patients with elevated body lead burden and progressive renal insufficiency. A randomized, controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 1999;130:7–13.

Murray, M. Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements: The Essential Guide for Improving Your Health Naturally. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing; 1996:435–436.

Olszewer E, Sabag FC, Carter JP. A pilot double-blind study of sodium-magnesium EDTA in peripheral vascular disease. J Natl Med Assoc. 1990;82:173–177.

Olszewer E, Carter JP. EDTA chelation therapy in chronic degenerative disease. Med Hypotheses. 1988;27:41–49.

Reynolds JEF, ed. Martindale: The Extra Pharmacopoeia. 31st ed. London, England: Royal Pharmaceutical Society; 1996.

Sloth-Nielson J, Guldager B, Mouritzen C, et al. Arteriographic findings in EDTA chelation therapy on peripheral arteriosclerosis. Am J Surg. 1991;162:122–125.

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