2 Different Methods Of Chelation Therapy

Heavy metals aren’t good for the body. But toxic metals are everywhere, including trace concentrations in the food and water people ingest. Lead, cadmium, mercury, and inorganic arsenic have been associated with lower IQs and impaired brain development in children, and cancer and cardiovascular disease in adults. So, how do you get rid of heavy metals in your body before they make you sick?

One of the recommended solutions is chelation therapy, which is an effective treatment to cleanse heavy metals from the body. This chelation therapy overview is a great post to read so you’ll understand how the treatment works.

Moreover, learn the different chelation therapy methods by reading below.

1. Using Naturally Occurring Chelates

In chelation therapy, chelates, which are either natural or synthetic, refer to the chemicals or drugs used in removing heavy metals or treating metal poisoning. Naturally occurring chelates are readily available in the environment, such as plants, herbs, and spices.

Here are some examples of naturally-occurring chelates:

• Vitamin C: This antioxidant vitamin is widely available in fresh fruits and vegetables, such as oranges, pineapple, berries, cantaloupe, papaya, leafy greens, tomatoes, and broccoli. Vitamin C can detox your body while strengthening your immunity, guarding you against cold and flu.

Studies have shown that vitamin C increases lead excretion and reduce the accumulation of the toxic metal in the liver and kidneys, reducing the prevalence rate of high lead concentrations.

• Garlic: This common cooking ingredient contains chelating amino acids, such as L-methionine and L-cysteine, mobilizing and extracting lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium from the body.
• Turmeric: Turmeric powder contains amino and hydroxyl groups (binding sites), making turmeric a great chelating agent for ingested heavy metals.
• Magnesium: Plants have natural chelating enzymes and chlorophyll molecules rich in magnesium to eliminate heavy metals.
• Iron: The blood cells contain hemoglobin with iron that helps remove unwanted metals and minerals from the body.

2. Using Synthetic Chelates

The commonly used chelating agent is ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), introduced via intravenous (IV) route. It’s a proven treatment for lead poisoning and is thought to remove toxic substances from the body, including mercury, arsenic, high levels of calcium, aluminum, and copper.

The detoxification process using natural methods is quite different from synthetic chelation therapy. While natural methods are ingested and pass through the digestive system and the liver, synthetic chelates, like EDTA, work more directly.

Here’s how synthetic chelates works:

• Synthetic chelates work directly by removing heavy metal ions from the blood once injected intravenously.
• Disodium EDTA reduces artery plaques that contain calcium (calcium deposits), binding to this mineral and clearing it out from the blood vessels.
• Oral synthetic chelates are also available as supplements with 3% to 5% absorption, supporting chelation treatments.

Boosting Chelation 

Boost chelation by improving your metabolism through the following:

• Exercise: Physical activity increases energy utilization in the body. Hence, improving metabolism and the detoxification power of naturally occurring and synthetic chelating agents. Thus, regularly perform some stretching, endurance, and aerobic exercises.
• Enough Sleep: Good quality sleep is crucial in one’s metabolism, enhancing the effects of chelation therapy. Help detox and rejuvenate your body by establishing a regular sleep schedule and practice good bedtime rituals.

Conclusion 

The two different methods of chelation therapy are using naturally occurring chelates and synthetic chelates. Natural chelation involves consuming foods high in vitamin C, iron, and magnesium.

Excessive exposure to lead, mercury, and other heavy metals affects the body’s normal functioning, requiring faster and direct chelation method, such as EDTA treatment.