What is Chelation?
This form of therapy is not new. Chelation therapy gained popularity during War World II when it became a routine treatment for both arsenic and metal poisoning. During the 1950s, the medical field began using chelation as a treatment for both children and adults for lead poisoning. Often, patients reported improvements in other areas such as improved vision, sense of smell and better hearing. There are critics of chelation, however, studies have shown that chelation is a safe method of therapy when performed by a knowledgeable and experienced physician. There are many benefits of chelation therapy and reasons why it is good for the heart.
Though not scientifically proven, repeated chelation therapy may help treat heart disease and decrease chest pain in patients suffering from chronic heart conditions. This form of therapy might also be a good and safe alternative to invasive heart bypass surgery. In addition, chelation also improves a person’s stamina and physical endurance. Many patients undergoing this form of therapy often see improved muscular coordination and brain function as well.
In addition, it is believed that because chelation therapy removes harmful metals stored within the body, that some chelation patients also report reduced neurological and cardiovascular symptoms. The same patients have reported improvement in fatigue and better skin conditions. Chelation therapy has also shown to improve respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms.
For patients suffering from reoccurring chest pain and heart disease, chelation therapy is often a good alternative to medicine or surgery. Those undergoing chelation for those conditions might notice improved coronary circulation and increased heart function after therapy. Researchers have shown that a beneficial effect of chelation therapy for heart patients is that it removes metal that causes excessive free radical proliferation. That reduces the oxidation of lipids and DNA. They believe that chelation can halt or reverse the bad effects heart disease. Chelation may also remove the plaque lining the artery walls that often causes blocked arteries. Some patients report that they are able to move and walk pain free after chelation therapy.
Before undergoing chelation therapy, a physician will perform both a medical examination and get a thorough background medical history. A family history is also taken to check on all aspects of previous health problems. The doctor will also give the patient a series of medical tests prior to the therapy. This will include an electrocardiogram, chest x-rays, and both blood and urine tests. A heart stress test or exercise test may also be given to assess cardiovascular endurance.
When treatment begins, the infusion usually lasts about 3-1/2 hours. Approximately a half of a liter of fluid will enter the blood stream during this time. A typical treatment will consist of two or three therapies per week and will be repeated between twenty to thirty times.
Some may wonder about the possible side effects when it comes to chelation therapy. The fact is that many people, who look to chelation for help, find that there are very few side effects. One word of caution-this form of therapy should only be performed by an experienced and knowledgeable health care professional. When there are side effects, they are usually very mild. Some patients report a headache, a slight fever or nausea right after treatment. The side effects do not last long. Headaches after treatment are generally caused by low blood sugar. Eating fruit during the first half hour of treatment is recommended to help stop headaches. Chelation is also known to cause diarrhea in a few patients. It is recommended to drink plenty of fluids after treatment and to avoid spicy foods. Losing three to five pound after chelation is also common, especially for those who retain water.
With any type of treatment, some people may experience more severe side effects. One of these extreme side effects that can occur with repeated treatments may include decreased liver function. Only extreme cases report a decrease in liver function. If you already suffer from a decrease in liver function, you should not undergo chelation.
For many, this form of therapy is extremely helpful. It is estimated that over seventy-five percent of patients receiving chelation therapy see a significant change. Ninety percent of patients who receive repeated chelation procedures say that the therapy has benefited them tremendously when combined with diet changes and exercise. Chelation therapy can be a safe alternative that will prove beneficial to heart health. If you have questions or concerns about chelation, you should seek the advice of your health care professional.
