What is chelation therapy ?
Chelation therapy is a treatment method in which, since 1948, used with a special fluid infusion on the basis of excess EDTA calcium and heavy metals are removed from the blood. In conventional medicine, chelation therapy is used in treatment of poisoning with radioactive elements and heavy metals such as lead poisoning. Chelation example is also used for blood diseases such as thalassemia, where iron overload in the blood may occur.
Controversial applications
Chelation therapy is also used in alternative medicine. It would have, according to some effect in a variety of disorders which are related to atherosclerosis:
-Angina
-Claudication (smokers legs intermittent claudication)
-Vascular Constriction in the brains: strokes
-High blood pressure
-High cholesterol
-Diabetic nephropathy
-Fatigue, decreased vitality
-Rheumatoid arthritis
-The reduction of oxidative stress
The infusion fluid used consists of 500ml 0.65% NaCl containing 0.5g to 3g EDTA supplemented with 50ml of 10% vitamin C, magnesium sulfate, potassium chloride and various B vitamins. A full treatment in a private clinic consists of a series of medical examinations and 20 to 30 infusion sessions at a cost of about 3000 euros is involved.
These indications for chelation therapy are insufficiently supported by scientific evidence and by mainstream medicine considered controversial.
From a Cochrane review in 2002 found that studies keep in 4 of 5 no significant difference occurred in severity or improvement of the condition. 5th study was prematurely discontinued put. The researchers concluded that there is insufficient evidence to make a judgment on the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of chelation therapy in the treatment of cardiovascular disease and related disorders. Also published in the influential journal JAMA concluded that there was no evidence of any positive effects of chelation therapy in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
The heart lung surgeon Scissor Peter is one of the best known advocates of chelation therapy in the Netherlands. Association against Quackery agitates against regular chelation and chose Scissors to number 8 in the list of the top 20 quacks of the 20th century.