Chelation Therapy Products: Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, and Dosing
Mar 15, 2024 - 3 min readChelation Therapy Products: Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, and Dosing
Introduction
Chelation therapy is a treatment used to remove heavy metals from the body. It involves administering chelating agents, which are substances that bind to metals and carry them out of the body through the urine. Chelation therapy is primarily used to treat heavy metal poisoning, but it has also been investigated for a variety of other conditions, including coronary artery disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and autism.
Uses of Chelation Therapy Products
Chelation therapy products are primarily used to treat heavy metal poisoning. Heavy metals are toxic substances that can accumulate in the body over time and cause a variety of health problems. Chelation therapy can be effective in removing heavy metals from the body, including lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium.
Chelation therapy has also been investigated for a variety of other conditions, including:
- Coronary artery disease: Chelation therapy has been shown to reduce the progression of coronary artery disease and improve symptoms in some patients.
- Alzheimer’s disease: Chelation therapy has been shown to reduce the levels of aluminum in the brain and improve cognitive function in some patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Autism: Chelation therapy has been shown to reduce the levels of heavy metals in the body and improve symptoms in some children with autism.
Types of Chelation Therapy Products
There are two main types of chelation therapy products: oral chelators and intravenous (IV) chelators. Oral chelators are taken by mouth, while IV chelators are administered through a vein.
Oral chelators include:
- DMSA (dimercaptosuccinic acid)
- DMPS (dimercaptopropane sulfonate)
- EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)
IV chelators include:
- EDTA
- DMSA
- DMPS
Side Effects of Chelation Therapy Products
Chelation therapy products can cause a variety of side effects, including:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Headache
- Flushing
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Muscle cramps
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
In rare cases, chelation therapy products can cause more serious side effects, such as:
- Kidney damage
- Liver damage
- Heart damage
- Death
Precautions
Chelation therapy products should not be used by people who have:
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Heart disease
- A history of stroke
- A history of seizures
- A history of allergic reactions to chelating agents
Chelation therapy products should also be used with caution in people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Dosing
The dose of chelation therapy products varies depending on the type of chelator used, the condition being treated, and the individual patient. Oral chelators are typically taken in doses of 50 to 200 mg per day. IV chelators are typically administered in doses of 1 to 3 grams per day.
Effectiveness
The effectiveness of chelation therapy products varies depending on the condition being treated. Chelation therapy is effective in removing heavy metals from the body, but it is not effective in treating all conditions.
Conclusion
Chelation therapy products are used to remove heavy metals from the body. They are effective in treating heavy metal poisoning, but they can also cause a variety of side effects. Chelation therapy products should not be used by people who have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, a history of stroke, a history of seizures, or a history of allergic reactions to chelating agents. Chelation therapy products should also be used with caution in people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.