Heavy Metals & Chelation Therapy

What is Chelation Therapy (CT)? 

Chelation therapy is a medical treatment used to remove heavy metals from the body, particularly for lead, mercury, and cadmium toxicity. It involves administering chelating agents, such as calcium EDTA and DMPS, which bind to harmful metals then eliminated from the body through the kidneys.  Chelation, via EDTA, is a very effective way to treat heavy metal poisoning and is approved by health Canada for the treatment of lead poisoning and as a preservative in foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.  

While chelation therapy is widely recognized for treating heavy metal toxicity, research has also explored its potential cardiovascular benefits, particularly in individuals with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) and diabetes. Some studies suggest that EDTA chelation therapy may improve vascular health in these patients. Its potential use in cardiovascular health stems from the fact that EDTA binds to calcium, and hence can help remove the calcium plaques that deposits in the arteries.  EDTA may act as an antioxidant by removing metals that combine with LDL cholesterol, which can damage arteries.   However, it is still regarded as “experiment” and not to replace lifestyle changes and standard treatments of care for these conditions. 

How are Heavy Metals Retained in the Body?

Normally, heavy metals are absorbed, metabolized, and excreted. However, in some individuals, heavy metals are retained over time, leading to chronic accumulation and toxicity. This retention can contribute to long-term health issues.

The body's ability to naturally detoxify heavy metals depends on several factors, including:

• Total toxic load – The combined burden of all environmental toxins.

• Nutritional status – Deficiencies in zinc, selenium, and antioxidants can impair detoxification.

• Genetic factors – Certain genetic polymorphisms (e.g., MTHFR, GST, and APOE variants) may reduce the body's ability to eliminate heavy metals.

Sources of Heavy Metals

The primary global sources of heavy metal contamination include various industrial sectors, the energy industry, transportation, municipal waste management, landfill sites, and the use of fertilizers and waste for soil enrichment. 

Heavy metals are released into the environment through multiple pathways, including 

• Air emissions from combustion, extraction, and processing)

• Water contamination via direct deposition, runoff from industrial plants or post forrest fires and soil pollution These can lead to bioaccumulation in crops and other organisms through the food chain; for enzyme tuna having higher mercury levels compared to mackerel fish. 

Specific sources:

• Mercury – Amalgam dental fillings, high-mercury fish (e.g., tuna, swordfish), occupational exposure (dentists, dental technicians, miners)

• Lead – Old pipes or damage to pipes, meters, and wellheads post forrest fires, paints in older homes, occupational exposure (renovations, construction), hobbies (shooting sports, makes fishing weights, paining)

• Cadmium – Industrial pollution, smelting, batteries, cigarette smoke, natural sources (forrest fires, volcanos), pesticide and fungicide exposure (farming, orchards, wineries).

• Arsenic – Contaminated groundwater, rice, pesticides (wineries, orchards, farming etc)

Potential Symptoms of Heavy Metal Toxicity

Heavy metals are the strongest irreversible enzyme inhibitor and can have profound effects on neurological, cardiovascular, immune, and endocrine function, leading to symptoms such as:

• Fatigue, brain fog, poor memory, mood disorders (depression, anxiety)

• Neuropathy, tremors, muscle weakness ie sudden or early onset Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s.

• Hypertension (early onset, resistant to treatment), arrhythmias, atherosclerosis

• Chronic inflammation, immune dysfunction, autoimmune conditions

• Digestive issues, liver and kidney dysfunction

Watch this Video on “How Mercury Causes Brain Neuron Degeneration - University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine Dept. of Physiology and Biophysics” 

Testing and Treatment Protocol

• Heavy metal testing: 

  • Urine is collected over 6 hours after a provocation IV containing chelating agents (calcium-EDTA +/- DMPS).  Chelators bind and pull heavy metals from soft tissue and bone, then are excreted in the urine. 

  • Testing done without provocation can be used to assess for any current heavy metal exposure  (occupation or hobbies)

• Treatments 

  • Chelation IVs (calcium EDTA +/- DMPS) are typically done either weekly or bi-weekly.

  • Each chelation treatment is followed by the administration of glutathione (1 gram) to support detoxification pathways. 

  • After four chelation treatments, re-mineralization through IV therapy is recommended. Alternatively, taking a multivitamin 24 hours after each treatment is advised.

  • Total treatments: individually based, but range from 10-30+ treatments.

• Re-testing: After 5-10 treatments. Retesting heavy metals is important because, as metals are removed from the body, the levels of other metals can shift, which may require adjustments in treatment.

Important Considerations

While chelation therapy can be highly beneficial, it should be administered under the supervision of a trained medical professional. Chelation may not be suitable for everyone, especially for individuals with severe heart or kidney disease, pregnancy, breast feedings, or children.

If you are considering chelation therapy, contact us to schedule an initial consultation and discuss how this therapy can support your health goals.

Medical Disclaimer: The purpose of this blog and the content in each post is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for any medical concerns. Online booking is available to book a consultation with me.