WHAT IS EDTA CHELATION THERAPY?

EDTA ( ethylene diamene tetra acetic acid) is a synthetic amino acid which has the ability to attach itself o metals and minerals, forming particular kind of bond called a chelate. Heavier metals such as lead or mercury have a greater affinity for EDTA  and form stronger bonds.

Since 1953, the US 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 diseaseobserved an unexpected improvement in their angina symptoms. Since that time, doctors have used EDTA to treat blood vessels diseases, and they believe, based on their observations in individual patients and other types of evidence, that EDTA is useful for that purpose.

Scientist as well as  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 disease. TACT study (Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy) was started in September of 2003  and expected completion date is July of 2009.  The TACT study is co-funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, both part of the NIH, the government’s lead agency for medical research. The  The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and effectiveness of ethylene diamine tetra-acetic (EDTA) chelation therapy in individuals with coronary artery disease.

Nonetheless, while 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 disease have two principal theories for how the drug may operate in the circulatory system. One is possibly reducing " free radicals". Free radicals are highly active molecular fragments formed during the production of energy in cells. If They get out of control, they can cause damage to surrounding tissue, possibly including the linings of the blood vessels, and lead to blockage 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 on the body  in Excessive amounts. But this is just a theory which has not been proven yet. 

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. Some scientists, however, 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 fourty years to treat such related disease as cardiovascular disease, diabetic arterial disease, and intermittent claudication ( leg pain with exercise). many of these doctors also use EDTA in preventative medicine.

HOW IS CHELATION THERAPY ADMINISTERED

This therapy involves theintravenous infusions of EDTA over a course of treatments in a doctor's office. Under current treatments 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 insure 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 by-pass 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 associated risks with a doctor !

Until scientific studies such as TACT 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 favorable safety and side effects profile does not preclude the concurrent or subsequent use of treatments, doctors who belong to ACAM believe that chelation therapy is worthy of consideration by those suffering from vascular disease.

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION  ABOUT CHELATION THERAPY

Please contact Dr. Casdorph's office at (562) 597-8716 to schedule an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Casdorph. Consultations can  also be done over the phone with a major credit card.

You can also  contact the American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) at (949) 583-7666 or WWW.acam.org  to verify Dr. Casdorph's credentials as a physician who has had intensive training with ACAM in the use of EDTA Chelation Therapy.

By ACAM