Chelation therapy is used to remove heavy metals from the blood. The treatment assists individuals who are suffering from metal poisoning. Additionally, it has shown itself beneficial when treating conditions like autism, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and heart disease. Here are a few important things to know about chelation therapy, its benefits, and its side effects.

How Does Chelation Therapy Work?

When a patient visits the doctor for chelation therapy, a chelator is injected into their body. When the chelator is injected into the blood, it binds to metals. Eventually, the chelators and heavy metals bound to them will be passed through the kidneys and urine.

The Benefits of Chelation Therapy

Doctors use chelation therapy to remove several heavy metals from the bloodstream. This includes lead, mercury, copper, nickel, iron, and arsenic. There are various ways that you may be exposed to metal poisoning. This includes drinking polluted water or breathing heavily polluted air. Heavy metals can also be ingested. For example, paint containing lead has negatively affected many people, especially children, if small bits are ingested. Various health conditions can lead to metal building up inside the body. For example, aluminum can build up in the body if a person has kidney disease and uses dialysis. Or a person who has Wilson’s disease will experience an accumulation of copper in the body, which poisons it. Other people may experience a condition that causes their bodies to absorb excessive iron from their food.

Are There Risks Associated with Chelation Therapy?

It is important to discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor before having chelation therapy. Chelators are powerful and can produce various side effects that range from mild to severe. A common side effect of the therapy is a burning sensation when the chelators are injected. Other side effects include vomiting, nausea, headache, and fever. Less common side effects include anemia, seizures, brain damage, and low blood pressure. It is also possible to experience cardiac arrhythmias, severe allergic reactions, mineral and vitamin deficiencies, and permanent liver or kidney damage. It is only beneficial to use chelation therapy when the benefits outweigh the risks. This is why it is so important to discuss the use of this treatment with your doctor before agreeing to it.

What to Expect During Treatment

If chelation therapy is recommended for you, the number of treatments you receive and the duration of the treatments will be based on your particular needs. Generally, treatment is done every week. Each treatment session lasts about 30 minutes. You can sit in a comfortable chair while the treatment is done. Most people would not describe the treatment as being exceptionally uncomfortable. You will feel the needle injected and may experience irritation from the solution. You can read a book, play a game on your phone, or just close your eyes and relax as the treatment is done.

How Chelation Therapy May Be Used in Addition to Treating Metal Toxicity

Chelation therapy is mainly used for metal toxicity. However, as mentioned above, it is also used to treat other ailments. For example, some research has shown that autistic children may have higher levels of toxic metals in their bodies. Some believe that this therapy may be useful for autism. Chelation therapy is also being researched to treat cardiovascular disease. Researchers have conducted several studies to see if there is a reduced risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular events for individuals who use this therapy.

They have noted that a healthy lifestyle is essential to reducing cardiovascular events, with or without chelation therapy. Some believe that chelation therapy can be beneficial to those who are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Those with Alzheimer’s disease often have a buildup of certain proteins around their brain cells. Parkinson’s disease sufferers often have higher levels of iron in their brains. Some believe that chelation therapy may benefit them as well.

Would You Like to Learn More?

Would you like to learn more about chelation therapy for metal toxicity and the other conditions mentioned above? If so, contact us today at 205-352-9141. We would be happy to help you learn about the benefits and risks of this treatment and help you find out if it is right for you or someone you love.