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Chelation therapy is a process involving the injection of chelating agents such as EDTA into the blood.
Discovery in medicine
Chelating agents were introduced into medicine as a result of the aftermath of poison gas warfare in World War I. The first widely used chelating agent was called British Anti-Lewisite, or BAL, a name given to dimercaprol, an organic compound related to the mercaptans, which are a class of organic chemicals whose name comes from their ability to react with and form compounds with, or "capture," mercury. Lewisite gas, likewise, was an arsenic based organic compound used in gas warfare; BAL likewise bound the arsenic compounds from lewisite in the body and enabled it to be excreted harmlessly.
From the discovery of the metal capturing effects of BAL, a group of chelating agents was discovered. The chelating agents proper bind with metallic ions so that the ion is held by several chemical bonds, thus rendering it much less chemically reactive and allowing the body to dispose of the ion.
In alternative medicine
Some alternative practitioners claim it can be used to treat hardening of the arteries. It is also sometimes used by alternative practitioners to treat what they believe to be a case of heavy metal poisoning. These diagnoses are often made by means of highly questionable methods such as the use of Vega Machines. Although it does have conventional medical uses, its use by practitioners of alternative medicine is not supported by evidence and has led to harm in a number of patients.
Theory
The theory behind chelation therapy is that EDTA will form a complex with the calcium in the walls of arteries. The problem with this theory is that EDTA cannot penetrate the cell walls in the arteries and therefore cannot get access to the calcium. As for heavy metal poisoning, it is hoped that the EDTA will combine in a complex with the heavy metals before the body can fully absorb them, and allow them to be excreted harmlessly.
Dangers
EDTA is regarded as being toxic. A number of dangers have been associated with the therapy including hypocalcaemia and decreased blood coagulation ability (possibly due to loss of calcium). There is also the risk of leaching of necessary trace metals.
Uses in conventional medicine
EDTA is used as a treatment for acute mercury and lead poisoning.