chelation therapy

caramel · Nov 5, 2003

Quick Question.

What is chelation therapy?

tonchitoRN · Nov 5, 2003

good question. it is part of alternative medicine but is also used in conventional medicine. i am still learning. it is a tx used to remove toxic levels of metals from the body. it can be done via iv or po. some inconclusive studies have said it is beneficial in treating atherosclerosis and maybe alzheimers.

crankyasanoldma · Dec 12, 2003

check http://www.quackwatch.com

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Dec 12, 2003

I worked at a chelation therapy clinic here in the mtns. of Va. for three years.. it was run by a leading cardiologist who has since opened another and main clinic in Washington state. Our clinic is still here and going strong.

It was very interesting and very rewarding. I can say that I firsthand observed the many beneficial effects of this therapy on our patients and only wish it would finally be approved here in the US... but obviously cardiac surgeons stand much to lose, if this were to happen ($$).

crankyasanoldma · Dec 12, 2003

The American Heart Association has a position statement on chelation therapy, and does not support it. You can read the fulltext of their stand here: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3000843

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Dec 12, 2003

That's old news. They have NEVER supported it and will fight it tooth and nail for as long as they can. As stated before, they stand to lose a LARGE chunk of their business if they were to ever acknowlege the benefits of chelation therapy.

But that's my own humble opinion... as said... I observed with my own eyes the VERY obvious improvements... as well as the labs.

Not to speak of what the patients themselves noted ...

Won't argue this... I know everyone has their own opinion ... just thought I'd throw mine in there as well. :)

crankyasanoldma · Dec 13, 2003

I don't want to argue about it either but it is disingenuous to suggest Doctors are 'only in it for the money' and the chelation folks aren't.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Dec 13, 2003

Except that chelation costs a mere pittance compared to open heart surgery.... with far less trauma to the patient. So yeah... I'd say the surgeons have plenty of reason to fight this.

Again, just my opinion here.

crankyasanoldma · Dec 13, 2003

Of course, open heart surgery is not the only treatment for atherosclerosis.

Chelation claims to treat many ailments.

Healthy net claims:" If arteries could be kept supple, prevented from hardening and narrowing, the free flow of blood would be assured and both the risk of a rapid degree of ageing as well as many diseases associated with age - such as forms of cardiovascular degeneration, athero- and arteriosclerosis, peripheral circulatory dysfunction, some types of kidney disease, hypertension, cerebrovascular accidents and premature senility as well as, in many instances, cirrhosis and kidney disease .."

Dr Cole claims: Improved circulation

Reduction of liver produced cholesterol

Lowered insulin requirements in diabetics

Reduced high blood pressure

Normalization of cardiac arrhythmias

Relief from leg muscle cramps

Reduction in allergic symptoms

Normalized weight

Improved psychological and emotional status

Enhanced sensory performance

Fewer excessive heart contractions

Lessened varicose vein pigmentation

Lightened age spots

Fewer aches and pains - arthritic and otherwise

Less reliance on pain medication

Hair loss stopped and reversed

Reversal of impotence

Alzheimer symptoms reversed

Reduced need for diuretics

Cold extremities warmed

Chronic fatigue syndrome overcome

Memory and concentration improved

Post-cataract vision loss restored

Skin, hair, nail improvement

Those are some mighty big claims, and that's just the first two that popped up!.

I could go on, but I'll spare you. I'm saying extraordinary claims require (even ordinary) proof. There is not proof that chelation therapy helps in any way. There is lots of proof that chelation can be harmful, even fatal. Of course, one would have to be 'open minded' to look into it.

Interestingly, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a division of the National Center for Health is doing a 5 year study on chelation therapy (link:http://nccam.nih.gov/). I'm afraid it will be bad news.

It's odd that it takes 'established medicine' to find the time and interest to prove or disprove the claims of chelation. Why haven't the Alp proponeents done this? Because they can't.

crankyasanoldma · Dec 13, 2003

Akk- make that "Alt proponents"..

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Dec 13, 2003

Like I said... I worked there long enough to see subjective as well as objective results... I saw a gangreneous leg saved from amputation... one patient who on his initial visits could not walk to the front door without having to sit and rest from blocked arteries, and whose leg veins had been stripped so many times that the docs had given up on him was now walking five miles a day.... these are personal neighbors in my own community.. I see them still (and their recovery)... and it has been over ten years that I worked at this clinic. I still visit the clinic and the great nurses who work there... none of which, by the way, are ALT. MED. proponents... just regular country nurses.

I've seen enough to make a believer out of me, not to mention my own research and reading on the subject.

I'll leave it there... just sharing my own experiences and exposure.

Yes, "established medicine" has come a long way.... changing all the time.... evolving...doing procedures now that were laughed at years ago... yet always fighting initially when a threat is perceived.

I'm outta here ! :)