Chelation Therapy

Chelation Therapy

Chelation therapy involves administering chelating agents to eliminate heavy metals from the body. It has a rich history in clinical toxicology and is widely employed by poison centers worldwide for metal detoxification.

For common heavy metal poisonings such as lead, arsenic, or mercury, various chelating agents are available as standard treatments. DMSA (dimercaptosuccinic acid) is commonly recommended by poison centers globally for lead poisoning treatment in children.

Other chelating agents like DMPS (2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid) and ALA (alpha lipoic acid) find use in both conventional and alternative medicine. However, approved medical research has not shown any benefits of chelation therapy for treating other diseases or conditions.

Chelation therapy is utilized to treat acute poisonings of mercury, iron (including thalassemia cases), arsenic, lead, uranium, plutonium, and other toxic metals. The method of administration—whether intravenous, intramuscular, or oral—depends on the agent and the type of poisoning.

In alternative medicine, chelation therapy is sometimes used as a non-standard treatment for certain conditions such as heart disease and autism. It has also been explored for kidney dysfunction, calcific band keratopathy (an eye disorder), and ovarian cancer.

When used according to protocols, approved pharmaceutical chelating agents have a low incidence of side effects. However, improper use can lead to specific side effects. For example, DMPS injections may cause skin reactions at the injection site, along with fever, headache, and nausea in some cases. No deaths have been attributed to DMPS.

Inappropriate use of chelation therapy can pose hazards and risks.