Menu
GrohWellHealingCenter.com
Dr. Susan Groh
Chelation Therapy
A Comprehensive Approach to the Treatment of Vascular Disease and Related
Disorders
Important Notice: The following statements reflect the opinions of one segment
of the medical profession. Most physicians and medical groups do not support the
use of EDTA chelation for the treatment of either coronary or peripheral artery
disease. As with many other medical treatments, scientific research on EDTA
chelation therapy is ongoing; but, to date, the kinds of controlled clinical
studies scientists generally rely on to show that medical treatments are
effective have not been conducted on chelation therapy.
How does vascular disease affect health?
What is EDTA Chelation Therapy?
How is Chelation Therapy Administered?
How does Chelation Therapy compare to other treatments?
How does vascular disease affect health?
Vascular - or blood vessel - diseases are leading causes of death in the U.S.
and much of the industrialized world. When blood vessels become blocked by
plaque, blood flow to vital organs is reduced, starving them from oxygen and
other nutrients. The loss of circulation caused by this "hardening of arteries"
- also known as atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis - can lead to heart disease,
stroke, and memory loss. It can also prevent sores from healing and lead to
gangrene in feet and legs. These conditions are more common in diabetics and
smokers, and much of the time they are the result of lifestyle choice (diet,
lack of exercise, high stress, ect...).
If you have chest pain or leg pain on walking, shortness of breath, painful or
discolored feet, transient loss of vision or failing memory, see a physician!
Any unexplained or persistent symptoms which affect your heart, head, or limbs
should be explored for circulatory blockage.
What is EDTA Chelation Therapy?
EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid) is a synthetic amino acid which
has the ability to attach itself to metals and minerals, forming a particular
kind of bond called a chelate. Heavier metals such as lead have a greater
affinity for EDTA and form stronger bonds.
Since 1953, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recognized EDTA as a
treatment for lead poisoning. In the 1940s and 50s, some doctors using EDTA to
treat lead toxicity in patients who also happened to suffer from heart disease
observed an unexpected improvement in their angina symptoms. Since that time,
doctors have used EDTA to treat blood vessel diseases, and they believe, based
on their observations in the individual patients and on other types of evidence,
that EDTA is useful for that purpose.
Scientists as well as the FDA generally agree that controlled scientific tests
are needed to conclusively establish whether any medical treatment is effective,
and in particular whether EDTA is effective in treating vascular diseases.
Observations by individual doctors and other kinds of evidence are not
considered reliable enough to ensure that any therapy actually works.
Nonetheless, while the FDA has not approved EDTA for treating vascular disease,
the status of EDTA as an approved drug for lead poisoning permits physicians to
use it to treat other conditions, including vascular disease. This kind of
discretionary use of approved drugs by physicians is common to a number of
medical treatments.
Proponents of EDTA for vascular diseases have two principal theories for how the
drug may operate in the circulatory system. One is by possibly reducing "free
radicals." Free radicals are highly active molecular fragment formed during the
production of energy in the cells. If they get out of control, they can cause
damage to the surrounding tissue, possibly including the linings of the blood
vessels, and lead to the blockages that occur in coronary artery disease. The
presence of heavy metals in the blood stream can cause an increased production
of free radicals and EDTA is approved by the FDA to remove heavy metals that
have accumulated in the body in excessive amounts. But it has not been
scientifically proven that using EDTA will reduce free radicals; and if so,
whether reducing free radicals will effectively treat blood vessel diseases.
Another theory is that EDTA binds with calcium in the blood stream and creates a
series of actions that results in altering the intercellular balance of calcium
with magnesium. However, some scientists dispute whether these changes have a
positive effect on vascular disease.
Despite the lack of controlled scientific studies as proof of its effectiveness,
physicians have used EDTA chelation therapy for over forty years to treat such
related diseases as cardiovascular disease, diabetic arterial disease, decreased
mental function from vascular disease, and intermittent claudication (leg pain
or exercise). Many of these doctors also use EDTA in preventive medicine.
How is Chelation Therapy administered?
This therapy involves the intravenous infusions of EDTA over a course of
treatments in a doctor's office. Under current treatment protocols, EDTA
chelation therapy is safe and relatively free of side effects. Chelation therapy
patients are advised to take a comprehensive approach to their treatment and
health, including, as needed, diet, exercise, stress management programs, and
dietary supplements. As with any other medical treatment, patients should ensure
that their treating physicians have appropriate training and credentials for
administration of EDTA chelation therapy.
How does Chelation Therapy compare to other treatments?
Doctors using EDTA chelation therapy may recommend it in place of, or in
conjunction with, other approaches for treating vascular diseases including
other drug therapies, angioplasty and coronary artery bypass grafting. A doctor
who administers EDTA chelation therapy will take into consideration individual
health issues to determine which approach may be appropriate and whether surgery
may be indicated. You should discuss the options available to you and the
associated risks with a doctor.
Scientific studies on chelation therapy are ongoing. Until controlled
clinical studies are completed, debate among medical professionals will
continue. There is also serious controversy about the relative risks and
long-term benefits of coronary bypass surgery. Because it has a favorable safety
and side effect profile and does not preclude the concurrent or subsequent use
of other treatments, doctors who belong to American College for Advancement in
Medicine (ACAM) believe that chelation therapy is worthy of consideration by
those suffering from vascular disease.
Most
Insurance Accepted
Susan Groh, M.D
Board
Certified Family
Practice / Geriatrics & Acupuncture
Groh Well Healing Center Susan Groh, M.D
|