The Longevity Center

MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) ABOUT IV EDTA CHELATION THERAPY

1. What is chelation therapy?

Chelation therapy is an integrative medicine approach used for the body to get rid  of unnecessary and toxic heavy metals as well as metastic (or poorly placed) calcium deposits and is being employed by a growing number of physicians to reverse the process of atherosclerosis through the injection of a chelating agent. It works by binding of these metals, and other toxic elements in the body, and is eliminated through the urine.

It is a safe, effective and inexpensive alternative to drugs and surgeries and is used to treat illnesses such as heart disease, strokes, diabetes, hypertension, other vascular-related conditions and medical conditions that involve adverse reactions to environmental pollutants.

2. What is plaque (atheroma)?

It is an accumulation of harmful deposits which clog the inside of the arteries. Plaque causes hardening of the arteries, poor circulation and calcification which can eventually cause strokes, heart attacks, Alzheimer Disease, crippling arthritis and many other vascular-related conditions.

3. How does artery disease affect health?

Blockage of blood vessels by plaque (atheroma) reduces the flow of blood, starving vital organs for oxygen and other nutrients. Cell walls then become leaky, allowing excessive calcium, sodium and other elements to enter. When calcium accumulates to a critical point, deposits form like concrete. Disordered calcium metabolism can also cause coronaries and other arteries to go into spasm, further reducing blood to vital organs.

4. What is chelation therapy used for?

Chelation therapy is used to reverse symptoms of hardening and clogging of the arteries, also known as atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis. Atherosclerosis leads to heart attack, stroke, senility and may lead to amputation of extremities. Every single study of the use of chelation therapy for atherosclerosis which has ever been published, without exception, has described an improvement in blood flow and symptoms.

Note: there are 1,800 research studies and about 30 books on chelation therapy.  We encourage you to do your own research on this novel form of therapy and make an educated decision towards your long term health.

5. What about safety and side effects?

Chelation Therapy is among the safest of medical procedures. More than 400,000 patients have received over four million treatments during the past 30 years. Not one death has been directly caused by chelation therapy, when properly administered by a physician who was fully trained and competent in the use of this therapy. Minor side effects are possible, as with any drug therapy and will be explained properly before you start with the treatment.  Some noted contraindications will be addressed as well.

Trivia: In the last 10 years there has been 30,000 deaths from bypass surgery either on the table or shortly after. In chelation therapy there have been none.

6. Is chelation therapy a legal treatment?

Yes! Chelation therapy is completely legal. A licensed physician is free to utilize a therapy of acceptable risk which, in his or her professional judgment, is of potential benefit. The FDA does not regulate the practice of medicine but only limits marketing and advertising claims for drugs. The FDA has approved marketing claims for the use of EDTA to treat lead poisoning and several other conditions.

7. What are the interactions with other treatment for artery disease?

Chelation therapy can be utilized in conjunction with most other therapies for cardiovascular disease as well as other chronic conditions. EDTA is compatible with blood thinners, blood vessel dilators, medicines for blood pressure and heart arrythmias calcium blockers and beta-blockers. The need for some drugs is often reduced (or even eliminated) after a course of chelation therapy.  If indicated by some parameters as noted by the chelating doctor, medications are adjusted accordingly.

8. How do I know if I need or can benefit from chelation therapy?

If you have chest pain and heaviness or leg pain on walking, shortness of breath; painful discolored feet; transient loss of vision; paralysis, or rapidly failing memory, see a physician! Any unexplained or persistent symptoms which affect your heart, head or limbs should be explored for circulatory blockage.

Each one of us, especially those living in urban communities, are continuously exposed to toxic fumes and other heavy metal particulates and other toxic materials, even in our food and water.  Prolonged exposure will eventually lead to disease conditions which could be better addressed if detected early on, and better yet, with preventative therapies.

9. How will be able to tell if chelation therapy has helped me?

Patients routinely report reduction or elimination of their symptoms with an increasing sense of well being after chelation therapy. Family and friends are often the first to notice and report improvement in appearance, behavior and performance. Comparison of pre- and post- therapy diagnostic tests can provide objective evidence of effectiveness. A serial diagnostic work up is requested of the patient as he or she undergoes the intensive phase of chelation therapy and results are used as gauge of both doctor and patient in the effectiveness of treatment.

10. Are there contraindications? Are there some people who should not take chelation therapy?

Even the safest health therapies such as walking and sauna bath have their contra-indications. The relative contraindications are renal impairment, liver disease, anticoagulation, tuberculosis. Congestive heart failure cases may be chelated with careful control of fluid, electrolyte, potassium and magnesium. Pregnancy and being on dialysis are absolute contra-indications.

11. What types of tests are required prior to chelation therapy?

A complete head to toe examination, complete history, detailed listing of medications, copies of pertinent medical records, past practitioner’s summaries, blood, hair, saliva and urine specimens, electrocardiogram, complete nutritional and medical testing and evaluation. Special imaging techniques for the heart which are non-invasive are preferred. Consultations with other medical specialist may be requested. Follow-up examinations and testing will be performed at regular interval during and after treatment.

12. Can chelation therapy be used after bypass surgery?

Yes! Although chelation therapy is best utilized to avoid bypass surgery, many patients who have previously undergone one or more bypass procedures, often with little or no benefit, have subsequently benefitted greatly from chelation therapy. Treatment for each patient must be individualized. If all else fails, including chelation therapy, bypass remains available as a last resort.

Chelation is a part of a total program designed to help you achieved a higher level of wellness. Chelation is unlikely to make a difference to your health if you are going to continue to smoke, drink, overindulge, lead a sedentary lifestyle and carry 20 to 50 lbs. of excess fat around with no muscle tone and another 20 lbs. of impaction in your colon from fatty junk foods. We recommend a healthy lifestyle change to realize the full benefit of our therapies.

*Please note that these therapies must be administered by a licensed and trained physician.