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EDTA Chelation for Heart Disease?
Let’s start with the facts, what’s known to be true about chelation, before we move to the possibilities and the rumors of quackery. Chelation (pronounced “key†rather than “cheâ€) is the process of bonding metal or mineral, and in medical terms can be done either via intravenous (IV) or orally by pill to remove excess metals or toxins from the body.
EDTA chelation is approved by the FDA to treat lead poisoning and for heavy metal removal; different chelation chemicals are used for various purposes. In fact, multiple agents are used in each treatment, such as adding magnesium and potassium, and perhaps bicarbonate to reduce acidity.
Its first documented use in treatment of atherosclerosis was in 1956, but it’s still not approved to treat cardiovascular disease, nor does insurance pay for it in that instance. Still, the anecdotal evidence is accumulating, and that may get more solid next year when the results of an on-going National Institutes of Health (NIH) study are published. This is a 5-year trial that began in 2002 to determine the efficacy and safety of EDTA IV chelation therapy on coronary artery disease, specifically adults who have previously had a heart attack.
At this point, there are only guesses at how this works for reducing blood vessel stress, if it works at all. Researchers don’t yet know if it actually pulls the calcium from the plaques blocking the arteries or whether by reducing the metals in the bloodstream, arterial oxidative stress is decreased along with inflammation. Or something else entirely, no one knows; the majority have never heard of the treatment or those who have doubt it works at all.
But heck, let’s just make the jump from skeptic to curious — it’s easy enough to see how such a process would benefit us all. Arsenic… lead… cadmium… now mercury: metals are known to be toxic to the human body, some of us more susceptible than others, yet all affected somewhat by metal poisoning. Chelation is acknowledged even by the AMA to work for removing metals, and is covered by most insurance companies for treatment of metal poisoning, so why wouldn’t it work to treat people like Dave who may have problems with oxidation causing arterial disease?
Neither of us is convinced this will work. In fact, even Dave’s new doc (Warren Klausner, D.O.), who has seen IV chelation work time and time again in his own patients, tells us the success of chelation is varied. Some of his patients have remarkable results; some have moderate success and others can’t tell much of a difference.
It’s a gamble, really, of time (each of the 20 or 30 treatments takes nearly three hours) and of money (the treatments are $125 each and, in Dave’s case for cardiovascular disease, are not covered by insurance). But it’s not an unreasonable gamble. We paid more than that for our portion of Dave’s by-pass operation, and that was more of a targeted patch than a permanent fix. If chelation works, it’s a systemic solution to clear the circulatory system throughout the body, rather than replacing arteries of the heart that may again get blocked… and all this without major surgery.
While it’s only an experiment of one, we’ll make notes and provide an assessment, pro or con — and truthfully, we have no preconceived notion other than a positive but faint hope — for others who have arterial problems such as heart disease or peripheral arterial disease and are heading for radical medical options.
Most chelation doctors are registered with the American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) and you can search out a local physician on their site if you find yourself interested in a consultation.
For the rest of us, the average aging adult with no apparent health issues who may be wondering about taking EDTA pills, Dr. Klausner says he hasn’t seen any research showing the effectiveness of oral chelation. However, Dr. Garry Gordon, perhaps the most well-known modern chelation practitioner, says in this article, “In our toxic world, oral EDTA offers potential benefits as diverse as those seen with some of our most powerful essential nutrients. I believe it has become as essential today for optimal health as any essential nutrient.â€
There are plenty of skeptics, way lots. For a collection of opposing viewpoint material, spend some time at Dr. Stephen Barrett’s Chelation Watch site, where you’ll find much of the anti-chelation pages organized. At first read, it appears the major gripe is that the studies done to date were inconclusive or not done using the double-blind protocol, and secondly, that there are chelation scam artists at work, no big surprise there.
Between 2,000 and 3,000 medical doctors use IV chelation in their practice here in the US, and it’s even more commonly used in Europe. Literally hundreds of thousands of patients have been “chelated,†perhaps even millions. Problems — side effects — of IV chelation include kidney pain, scary indeed, yet when patients who have kidney damage are pre-screened and dissuaded from treatment, problems are virtually eliminated if the chemical drip is slowed down and if adequate water is consumed by the patient. Conservative chelation doctors tamp down the drip to take at least two hours, even up to four, while monitoring the patient during treatment. Slower intake seems to prevent side effects.
Additionally, not everyone is a candidate. Blood tests should be done prior to beginning treatments, and the doc should review the patient’s prescriptions and supplement intake to determine the safety of the chelation chemicals in combination with the person’s other medicines.
Wild speculation here, coming from complete ignorance: I wonder if ineffectiveness has anything to do with using the wrong chemicals. That is, since it’s *known* that chelation can clear out metals, would chelation have worked on heart patients who felt no benefits had a different solution been used? It’s quite a time and financial commitment. Patients who don’t feel better are unlikely to take another run at it with a different doctor using other agents.
This article by Dr. Ward Dean discusses chelation as an underutilized treatment for heart disease and overall wellness, and is a good place for me to drop you as we wait for Dave’s treatments to begin or good, bad or null results to report.
Finally, we’re both hopeful, and Dave’s willing to invest a couple of months’ trial. Just the same, we’re completely aware that we may be back a month or two from now with a dismal report, and a laugh at ourselves for jumping, however briefly, off the traditional medicine treadmill.
on July 25th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
Wishing you the very best of luck with this Dave.
Being a former healthcare practioner for 16 years, I have always stated that in the United States we need desperately to combine the best of Western, Eastern and alternative medicine practices.
I hope this works for you and I’ll be watching the board and my email for updates.
Go with God brother!
–Tim
on July 25th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
Hi Dave & Laree,
I am glad that you guys are taking a pro-active positive approach, researching & investigating what steps to take to improve Dave’s situation. Although I don’t know much about these things, I would like to recommend a book that was written by 26 doctors. (Sounds like a joke, eh? “How many doctors does it take to write a book?”) Seriously though, it’s an excellent book that deals with many health issues & medical treatments both conventional and alternative. Chapter 7 is titled “Eliminating Heavy Metal Toxicity” and they claim that “silver” mercury amalgram dental fillings contribute to heavy metal toxicity in the body. They also suggest methods of removing heavy metals and talk about chelation therapy. (Heavy metals belong in the gym, right?) Maybe this book will help you. I don’t know. I’m not a doctor (even though my initials are “DR”) The title of this book is horrible and might give you a head-ache but it’s loaded with info that might be good. It’s called “Alternative Medicine Guide to Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia & Environmental Illness” (by Burton Goldberg and the editors of Alternative Medicine Digest) and it’s published by Future Medicine Publishing, Inc. It probably can be found at the big major book stores.
Well, I hope this helps. Whatever you decide to do, I hope it all “works out” well and you can reminisce about it 30 years from now (after a couple of sets of incline dumbell curls, of course).
Good luck, best wishes & God Bless,
David Rubin o
on July 26th, 2007 at 4:37 am
Laree/Dave,
Keep on keeping on is the phrase I have heard over the years, and my prayers are with Dave/Laree for a great recovery.
on July 26th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Sending my best wishes for a successful Rx regime Dave. I’m even sending U some of my Irish ‘luck’, trust me, it’s authentic Irish luck & should work fine for at least 90 days!
Humor included for free. Seriously though, I hope everything goes well & U see some positive outcomes from this therapy. Sincerely, Morgan
on July 26th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
Very best wishes to Dave and Laree with this, and equally profound gratitude for your generous sharing of this very private process with the rest of us. Any lessons will be deeply appreciated and well studied. As is said here in the Land of the Rising Sun, “O daiji ni — take good care” and keep flying!
on July 26th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Hey Dave D,
Good Luck Dave, our prayers are with you.The treatment sounds unique (kinda like the Blond Bomber…)
I think myself and fellow IOL’ers need to fill our cupboards with some extra Bombers Blend from the online store, heck, the extra orders won’t hurt with your med expenses either.
When the going gets tough, the tough stick together. You and Laree are always there for everyone, now it’s a time for a little payback.
I’ll be placing my order tonight!
Take Care,
Frank J
on July 30th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Hi Dave/Larre;
I am a Board Certied Family Nurse Practitioner and have been in the health field most of my adult life (plus being a body builder) I was taken back by the reading of “open – heart ” surgery that the Bomber” had….not Dave Draper ! However life goes on. Statin medications, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, etc are the medical way of dealing with Cornary artery disease plus other arterial and venous conditions ( plus having nasty side effects). My question to anyone is this…if chelation therapy would be benefical, why not do it ! My thoughts and prayers are with both you…God’s speed dave and Laree
on October 18th, 2007 at 7:43 am
Hi Dave and Laree,
Thank you for the article on chelation and mentioning it in this weeks news letter on Dave’s use of this therapy.
It does work.
If I may tell a little story.
My Mother was diagnosed with PVD,Peripheral Vascular Disease in the early 1980′s.
She had two toes that were going black from lack of blood circulation,she was told by her doctor they would amputate the toes,maybe more.
She was supposed to go in for angioplasty and when they told her of the possibilities of perhaps cutting her open on the table if a problem arose and the fact that a shunt ,if used,would have to be replaced in 5 years,she decided to find an alternative.
She went to the Atkins clinic,Dr Atkins of the High Protein low carb fame.
He told her he could save her toes and save her from having the angioplasty and or any invasive surgery related to this.
He started her on Chelation combined with his High Protein,Fat ,low carb diet with vitamin therapy and he told her to start to walk.(at that time she could not walk,even on flat surfaces, very far)
Within two months her toes,that were Black began to regain their normal color.
She was able to walk further with less pain.
Doppler exams showed a stronger pulse below the hips and especially at the ankle and foot.
She continued to see Dr Atkins,get chelation,eat the diet and vitamins for several years,approximately 5, and she has never had a recurrence of the toes turning colors,Doppler at the podiatrists show blood flow to the foot and toes is still good.
Dr Atkins had her go back to Dr V,the dr that wnated the surgery and angiolasty ,a Dr That he ,Atkins, had become a Cardiologist with,and show him what could be done aside from cutting off body parts and invasive surgery,by using Chelation,Diet,vitamin therapy.
Dr V could not believe the results,results that are still working today,over 20 years since she was diagnosed.
Dave ,I had opportunity to meet you in the late 60′s, early 70′s,you have the mind set to believe that you can be and do what ever you want.
Believe that this WILL work,it Will work.
All the Best to you Both.
on August 2nd, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Hi Dave,I was introduced to Creatine last winter by a personal trainer,followed the directions on the label for dosage; It seemed to help in preventing muscle fatigue,was happy using it once a day on my off days,twice a day on lifting days.After 2 months i had developed a persistant productive cough,the doctor ordered lab work,the results showed that my creatine levels were dangerously high in my kidneys . I stopped using the creatine supplement and after 3 months of not using it,my labs are back to normal . Is there anyway I can get this nutrient from diet sources ,to avoid taking it in the powder form,of which I will never use again.
on August 3rd, 2008 at 8:47 am
Jeff, you can get your creatine by eating red meat. In fact, the people who usually respond best to creatine are vegetarians who generally have low creatine levels because of lack of beef in their diets.
Feel free to post in the main forum if you’d like more input. Not too many people will see this comment on an old post, nor do many people post responses in the comments here in the blog.
on October 16th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Hi Dave,
Its a year later and I’m wondering how it’s going. I had 3 heart attacks (minor – I’m still here) about 8 years ago. Basically I live on a combination of drugs, the doc’s wouldn’t operate on me because it’s a capillary that’s blocked not an artery. To small to put a stint in, but big enough to put me in hospital 3 times. I have spent most of my time improving my health with exercice and monitoring what I eat. Apparently my body struggles to produce good cholesterol it’s almost reach 0 at number of times.
So I’;m interested in this EDTA Chelation therapy, since I still occassionally suffer from Angina.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Torben
on October 17th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Torben, I passed this over to Dave and here is his response:
“Sorry for your challenges; they’re at every bend.
I had a quadruple bypass surgery in Feb of ’07 and between July ’07 and January ’08, I underwent 40 three-hour sessions (141 hours) of EDTA chelation to treat symptoms of arterial blockage in the legs. I noticed no difference in anything anywhere, though blood tests indicated my metal levels were reduced. They weren’t high to begin with.
Now Laree’s going to tell me to add one caveat: I had an angiogram earlier this years and the new bypass grafts are completely clear. The thing is, we don’t know if they were clear when the arteries were used during the surgery; we don’t know if blockage would have occurred this quickly; and we don’t know if the chelation contributed in any way. Unfortunately, my ability to report chelation success or failure is right about nil.
I had high hopes for positive results in both the surgery and the chelation therapy and was disappointed in both. Late summer I underwent a quadruple lamenectomy (L-2,3,4,5) to improve nerve function and muscle response in the legs. So far, another disappointment.
So, if you’re looking for encouragement from this warrior, forget it. I’m thinking about drinking and going back to drugs. Just kidding… quadruple laughs. Time, prayer, training, right eating, smiles and laughter and Laree are the sure cure for what ails me.
An appointment with Dr. Quinn, a physiologist, is next on my agenda. Rolfing and Feldenkrais treatments are somewhere in the future. Mr. Olympia over-100 is a ways away yet.
We press on with God’s might… Dave Draper, the Bomber, not to be confused with DD, the Bummer.”
on December 30th, 2008 at 10:52 am
hey brother.hope your feeling well.i cant give my real name.im a ex fighter.kickboxer.i also have trained for 26 years.and have met you before.your tips on traing.still help me today.hey im not getting older im getting better thanks to you.god bless.rk
on July 28th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
[...] EDTA Chelation for Heart Disease?Jul 25, 2007 … For the rest of us, the average aging adult with no apparent health issues who may be wondering about taking EDTA pills, Dr. Klausner says … [...]