heavy metals and oral chelation

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HEAVY METALS AND ORAL CHELATION By Extended Health Additions by the author to the text is in italics Chelation, which is pronounced “key-lay- shun”, comes from the Greek word “chele”, meaning to claw. Chelating agents are substances that can chemically bond with toxic minerals, metals, and chemicals within the body. The chelating agent encircles a mineral or metal ion and carries it from the body via the urine and feces. WHAT IS ORAL CHELATION? Oral chelation involves ingesting chelating agents, like chlorella, vinegar, EDTA, and mangosteen. Various vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and herbs can be used to supplement the benefits of the numerous chelating agents. The addition of these substances helps to replenish any loss of nutrients that may occur during the chelation process. In so far as possible, all ingredients should be derived from natural sources.

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HEAVY METALS AND ORAL CHELATION

By Extended Health

Additions by the author to the text is in italics

Chelation, which is pronounced “key-lay-shun”, comes from the Greek word “chele”, meaning to claw. Chelating agents are substances that can chemically bond with toxic minerals, metals, and chemicals within the body. The chelating agent encircles a mineral or metal ion and carries it from the body via the urine and feces.

WHAT IS ORAL CHELATION?

Oral chelation involves ingesting chelating agents, like chlorella, vinegar, EDTA, and mangosteen. Various vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and herbs can be used to supplement the benefits of the numerous chelating agents. The addition of these substances helps to replenish any loss of nutrients that may occur during the chelation process. In so far as possible, all ingredients should be derived from natural sources.

Oral EDTA chelation has all the benefits of intravenous (IV) chelation, but is much slower acting because only 4% to 18% of an oral EDTA dose is absorbed (compared with 100% of an IV dose). Taken on a daily basis, oral chelation will gradually accomplish what its IV counterpart does in a shorter duration of time. Oral chelation is useful in reducing heavy metal toxicity, calcification, blood cholesterol, and lipid peroxidation (the free-radical oxidation of metabolized fats), as well as

thinning the blood and preventing the formation of blood clots (a cause of heart attacks).

What are the choices again?

Chlorella, vinegar, mangosteen peel, oral EDTA, and EDTA suppositories, are the oral/anal chelation choices. The other choices are IV EDTA and IV DMPS.

What is chlorella?

Chlorella is an alginate that binds with metals in the blood, in the intestines and has some chelation properties in the cells.

What is vinegar?

Red wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar both have chelating properties. They work by “pulling” metals out of cells and tissue. There needs to be something there like chlorella to catch them and carry them out of the body.

What is mangosteen?

Mangosteen is a fruit from South East Asia whose peel has over 70 antioxidants that eat up free radicals, powerful anti-inflammatory properties that cross the blood/brain barrier, and

has mild chelating properties. It also is anti-fungal. Since the fungus, candida albicans, is a storehouse for heavy metals, (particularly mercury) and mangosteen kills candida, it works well in tandem with chlorella, which ideally should be taken at least a half hour before mangosteen so it will be in the small intestine when the metals start to arrive.

What is EDTA?

EDTA is a synthetic amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. EDTA is approximately one-third as toxic to the body as aspirin. EDTA chelation therapy, in an intravenous solution, was first introduced into medicine in the US in 1948 as a treatment for lead poisoning. Shortly thereafter, the US Navy advocated the use of chelation therapy for sailors who had absorbed lead while panting ships and military facilities using lead-based paint. The US FDA has approved IV EDTA chelation as a treatment for lead poisoning.

Physicians administering IV EDTA chelation for lead toxicity observed that patients who also had atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries primarily caused by fatty plaque) or arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries caused by calcium) experienced reductions in both conditions after chelation. Since 1952, IV EDTA chelation has been used by some medical practitioners to treat cardiovascular disease. More recently, oral chelation has come into use as an alternative to the IV form of therapy. [auth note: there is also a highly effective suppository form.]

Although much safer and less expensive than coronary bypass surgery or angioplasty, IV chelation is still relatively expensive. It is not widely available and there are comparatively few experienced medical doctors that are trained to administer it. Fortunately, there is safer, less expensive, non-invasive, and more readily obtainable alternative - oral chelation.

WHAT ARE HEAVY METALS?

Heavy metals are trace metals with a density at least five times that of water. They are stable elements that cannot be metabolized by the body and get passed up in the food chain to human beings (bioaccumulate). The most common, and harmful, heavy metals are Aluminum, Arsenic, Cadmium, Copper, Lead, Mercury, and Nickel. There are many more existing heavy metals that are not as prevalent or as harmful as the previously noted elements. Heavy metals, in general, have no basic function in the body and can be highly toxic.

Heavy metals are present in the air, drinking water, food and countless human made chemicals and products. They are taken into the body by inhalation, ingestion and skin absorption. If heavy metals enter and accumulate in body tissues faster than the body’s detoxification pathways can dispose of them, a gradual buildup of these toxins will occur. High-concentration exposure is not necessary in order to produce a state of toxicity in the body. Most cases of heavy metal poisoning result from chronic low level exposure to these hazardous environmental toxins.

In the last 50 years human exposure to heavy metals has risen dramatically. This is the result of an exponential increase in the use of heavy metals in industrial processes and products. Today, chronic exposure comes from toxic waste dump and burn sites, agriculture chemical products, mercury amalgam dental fillings, lead-based paint, tap water, and chemical residues in processed foods. Personal care products, such as cosmetics, mouthwash, toothpaste, soap, shampoo and other hair care goods are also sources of contamination. In today’s industrial society, there is no escaping exposure to toxic metals and chemicals.

In addition to the hazards at home and outdoors, many occupations are subjected to daily heavy metal exposure. Over 50 professions are exposed to mercury on a daily basis. These include physicians, pharmaceutical workers, dentists, dental workers, laboratory workers, hairdressers, painters, printers, welders, metalworkers, cosmetic workers, battery makers, engravers, photographers, visual artists, and potters.

Studies confirm that toxic heavy metals can directly influence behavior by impairing mental and neurological function. They can also influence the production and utilization of neurotransmitters, and can alter numerous metabolic body processes. Toxic metal elements can induce impairment and dysfunction in the blood, cardiovascular system, detoxification pathways (colon, liver, kidneys, skin), enzymatic pathways, gastrointestinal tract, immune system, nervous system (both central and peripheral), reproductive system, and urinary system pathways.

Breathing heavy metal particles, even at levels well below those considered nontoxic, can have serious health effects. Virtually all aspects of animal and human immune system function are compromised by the inhalation of heavy metal particles. In addition, toxic metals can increase allergic reaction, cause genetic mutation, compete with “good” trace metals for biochemical bonding sites, and act as antibiotics, killing both harmful and beneficial bacteria. (See Minerals, below.)

Much of the damage produced by toxic metals stems from the production of oxidative free radicals. A free radical is an energetically unbalanced molecule that “steals” an electron from another molecule in order to restore its balance. Free radicals result naturally when cell molecules react with oxygen (oxygenation). With a heavily toxic load, or antioxidant deficiencies, uncontrolled free-radical production occurs. Unchecked free radicals can cause tissue damage throughout the body. In fact, free-radical damage underlies all degenerative diseases. Vitamins A, C, and E are some well-known antioxidants that curtail free radical activity, as well as mangosteen.

Toxic heavy metals can also increase the acidity of the blood. The body draws calcium from the bones in order to restore proper blood pH. Toxic metals can set up conditions that lead to inflammation in arteries and tissues, causing more calcium to be drawn to the area as a buffer. The calcium coats inflamed areas in the blood vessels like a bandage, patching up one problem, but creating another – the hardening and progressive blockage of the arteries. Without replenishment of calcium, the constant removal of this important mineral from the bones will

result in osteoporosis, (the loss of bone density) which leads to an increased risk for fractures of the spine and hips.

COMMON HEAVY METALS:

SOURCES AND SPECIFIC EFFECTS

Aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, and nickel are the most prevalent heavy metals. The specific sources of exposure to body tissues, where the metals tend to be deposited, and the adverse health effects of each metal are identified below.

1. Aluminum (Al (CAS# 7429-90-5)

Sources of exposure: Air (high levels of aluminum dust in the workplace), chemtrails, acid rain (dissolves aluminum from soil and rock), plants grown in aluminum laden soil, aluminum cookware, aluminum foil, antacids, antiperspirants, appliances, baking powder (aluminum containing), buffered aspirin, building materials, canned acidic foods, food additives, lipstick, prescription and over –the-counter drugs (anti-diarrhea agents, hemorrhoid medications, vaginal douches), processed cheese, “softened” and normal tap water.

Target tissues: Bones, brain, kidneys, skin, lungs and stomach.

Signs and symptoms: Colic, dementia, esophagitis, gastroenteritis, kidney damage, liver dysfunction, loss of

appetite, loss of balance, muscle pain, psychosis, shortness of breath, weakness, and fatigue, lung damage if inhaled.

Dr. McLaughlin, MD, F.R.C.P. ©, a professor of physiology and medicine and the director of the Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases at the University of Toronto, states, “Concentrations of aluminum that are toxic to many biochemical processes are found in at least ten human neurological conditions.” Recent studies suggest that aluminum may be involved in the progression of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)(Lou Gehrig’s disease), senile and presenile dementia, clumsiness of movements, staggering when walking, and an inability to pronounce words properly. Behavioral difficulties among schoolchildren have also been correlated with elevated levels of aluminum and other neuro-toxic heavy metals.

Medical tests for aluminum screening: Blood, urine, feces, hair, and fingernails.

Everyone is exposed to low levels of aluminum from food, air and water. High levels can affect the respiratory and nervous systems and the bones. Aluminum toxicity may also cause birth defects in newborns. Aluminum has been found in at least 489 of the 1,416 (34%) National Priorities List sites identified by the EPA.

2. Arsenic (As 33)(CAS# 7440-38-2)

Sources of exposure: Air pollution, antibiotics, antibiotics given to commercial livestock and chickens, certain

marine plants, chicken feed, ores (copper and lead), smelting/refining/processing plants, galvanizing, etching and plating processes, chemical processing, coal-fired power plants, defoliants, drinking water, drying agents for cotton pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, seafood (fish, mussels, oysters) specialty glass, hazardous waste sited, and wood preservatives.

Target tissues: Most organs of the body, especially the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, and skin.

Signs and Symptoms: Abdominal pain, burning of the mouth and throat, garlic-like breath, malaise, fatigue, cancer (especially lung and skin), coma, diarrhea, nausea, neuritis, peripheral vascular problems, dermatititis, skin lesions, and vascular collapse. Low levels of inorganic arsenic decrease the production of red and white blood cells, damage blood vessels, and can cause “pins and needles” sensation in the hands and feet. Long-term exposure can cause darkening of the skin and the appearance of small “corns” or “warts” on the palms, soles, and torso.

Medical tests for arsenic screening: Urine (best), hair, and fingernails.

Exposure to higher than average levels occurs primarily in the workplace, near hazardous waste sites, or in areas with naturally high levels. This chemical is present in at

least 781 of the 1,300 (60%) NPL sites identified by the EPA.

3. Cadmium ( Cd 48 )(CAS# 7440-43-9)

Sources of exposure: Air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels (oil and coal) and the incineration of municipal waste materials, art supplies, bone meal, cigarette smoke, food (coffee, fruits, grains, and vegetables) grown in cadmium-laden soil, meats, refined foods, seafood, fungicides, highway dusts, incinerators, mining, nickel-cadmium batteries, oxide dusts, paints, phosphate fertilizers, power plants, sewage sludge, “softened” water, smelting plants, tobacco, and welding fumes. A prevalent source of cadmium exposure is from tobacco products. Most people who smoke have twice as much cadmium in their bodies than non-smokers. Thirty to fifty percent of what is inhaled is taken up into the blood stream and retained in the body. Once cadmium enters the body, it is very strongly retained; therefore, even low doses may build up significant cadmium levels in the body if exposure persists for a long period of time.

Target tissues: Stomach, kidneys, lungs, immune system, liver, testes, nervous system, and blood.

Signs and Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal irritation, pulmonary edema, lung cancer (increased risk), kidney damage, and kidney stones.

Medical tests for cadmium screening: Red Blood cell (recent exposure), urine (reflects total presence in body) and hair.

4. Copper (Cu 29)(CAS#7440-50-8)

Source of exposure: Copper is common in our air, drinking water, food, and soil. It is found in plants grown in cadmium-laden soil, animals that graze on such plants, plumbing supplies (pipes, faucets, etc.), gardening products used to control plant diseases and fungus (fungicides), welding materials, and electroplating materials.

Target tissues: Eyes, nose, mouth, lungs, intestinal tract, kidneys, and liver.

Signs and symptoms: Nose, mouth and eye irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, dizziness, headache, vertigo, drowsiness, tachycardia, convulsions, and liver and kidney damage. Copper toxicity has been characterized in patients with Wilson’s Disease, a genetic disorder that causes the accumulation of copper in body tissue. Manifestations of Wilson’s Disease include hemolytic anemia, cirrhosis of the liver, neurologic abnormalities, and corneal opacities.

Medical tests for copper screening: Blood, urine, and hair.

5. Lead (Pb)(CAS# 7439-92-1)

Sources of exposure: Air pollution, soil, dust, lakes, rivers, ground water (acidic or softened) and drinking water. Mining and manufacturing processes, burning fossil fuels, ammunitions, batteries, metal products like solder and pipes, roofing, old paint, ceramics, and caulking are additional sources of exposure. Lead is in the air and attaches to dust. Lead-containing dust is removed from the air by rain. It is prevalent in and around municipal waste incinerators and landfills. Cigarette smoke is also a source of lead: people who either smoke tobacco or are exposed to second–hand smoke, may be exposed to higher levels of lead than people who are not exposed to cigarette smoke.

Target tissues: Lead affects almost every organ system in the body. It is absorbed into the body and distributed to the blood, soft tissue, and bone. The central nervous system is the most vulnerable to lead toxicity, particularly in developing children. Lead also damages the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive system and the immune system.

Signs and Symptoms: Prenatal exposure may cause premature birth and underdeveloped babies. Young

children exposed to lead exhibit mental retardation, learning difficulties, and reduced physical growth. In adults, lead may decrease reaction time, cause weakness in the fingers, wrists and/or ankles, cause hypertension, and possibly affect memory. It can also cause anemia and abortion and it can damage the male reproductive system.

Medical test for lead screening: Blood, urine and hair.

6. Mercury (Mg) (CAS# 7440-02-0)

Sources of exposure: Mercury occurs primarily in two forms: organic mercury and inorganic mercury. The inorganic form occurs when mercury is combined with chlorine, sulphur, or oxygen. The organic form occurs when mercury is combined with carbon. The most common form of organic mercury is methyl mercury, which is produced primarily by small organisms in water and soil Metallic (inorganic) mercury is used in thermometers, dental fillings, batteries, skin-tightening creams, antiseptic creams, and ointments. Other sources include fish, shellfish, and vapors from spills, incinerators, and the burning of mercury containing fuels.

Target tissues: Nervous system, brain, kidneys, fetus, lungs, and skin.

Signs and symptoms: Irritability, tremors, changes in vision and/or hearing, memory problems. Other

symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased blood pressure and/or heart rate, skin rashes, gastrointestinal irritation, eye irritation, renal disorders, and neurobehavioral changes. The EPA has determined that mercuric chloride and methyl mercury are possible human carcinogens. Mercury can pass from mother to fetus and can produce brain damage, mental retardation, learning disabilities, autism, incoordination, blindness, seizures, and an inability to speak. Children poisoned by mercury may develop problems with their nervous and digestive systems and kidney damage.

7. Nickel (Ni) CAS#7440-02-0)

Sources of exposure: Nickel is very abundant and is found in soils, volcanic ash, metal coins and jewelry. Tobacco smoke, certain foods, and drinking water can also contain various nickel concentrations.

Target tissues: Skin, respiratory tract, lungs, nasal sinuses, blood, stomach, and kidneys.

Signs and symptoms: Itchy skin and rashes are the most common symptoms of exposure. It may contribute to asthma, chronic bronchitis, and reduced lung function. Nickel has also been implicated in contributing to spontaneous and threatening abortions. Drinking water with unusually high amounts of nickel may cause stomachaches and damage the kidneys. The US Dept. Of Heath and Human Services has determined that nickel

and nickel containing compounds may be carcinogens. Cancers of the lungs and nasal sinuses have been reported from exposure to dust containing high levels of nickel compounds in nickel refineries and processing plants and near volcanoes.

Medical tests for nickel screening: Blood, urine, hair, and feces.

End of Oral Chelation article from Extended Health.

8. Barium (Ba 56)

Sources of exposure: Barium is found in cathode ray tubes, spark plug wires, weighting agent in new oil well drilling, radiocontrast agent for x-rays, in Lithopone for white paints, rat poison,

Florescent lamps, glass making, the green color in fireworks, welding of rail tracks, infrared optics, and in chemtrails.

Target tissues: central nervous system.

Signs and symptoms: cardiac irregularities, tremors, weakness, anxiety, dyspnea and paralysis. Barium dust in the lungs can cause baritosis.

9. Stonium (SR 38)

Source of exposure: The 90 Sr isotope is present in radioactive fallout and has a half- l ife of 28.90 years., which is used in spacecraft, remote weather stations, navigational buoys and emitted during nuclear accidents, recycled water coming from urinating after chemotherapy.

Target tissues: bones (where it replaces calcium)

Signs and symptoms: bone cancer

10. Depleted Uranium D-238 has 60% external radiation dose as natural uranium

Source of exposure: with a half life of 4.46 billion years, it is in the air, soils, nuclear power plant waste, radiation shielding equipment in hospitals, defensive armor plating, armor-piercing projectiles (munitions), leaking storage tanks, hydrogen bombs, false teeth, enamel and glass made before 2000, inhalation, ingestion or embedded particles

Target tissues: kidney, brain, liver, heart, spleen and other organs

Signs and symptoms: leukemia, genetic, reproductive, and neurological systems, birth defects, decreased performance on neurocognitive tests, elevated levels of

protein excretion, urinary catalase an diuresis, inhibited periodontal bone formation, lung lesions and fibrosis, edema and swelling, lung cancer, severe nasal congestion and hemorrage, decrease in RBC count and hemoglobin, immune system disorders, chronic pain, fatigue, and memory loss, genetic abnormalities,

With the vast amounts of heavy metals in our environment, I don’t think there is a man, woman, child or animal who can afford to not actively chelate constantly. I wish it wasn’t so. It feels sad to have arrived in such a relatively short time at a place where toxins are so prevalent.

If you still have doubts about this subject, just think of polar bears, orca whales and sharks. There have been many studies done on their populations trying to figure out what is causing their increasing illnesses and decline in population. It has been discovered that their bodies hold high levels of heavy metals. If their bodies have too many, and they have never lived in a city with fumes or a home with thousands of chemicals, what makes you think you are exempt?

Years ago I had the privilege of meeting Case Western researcher, Dr. Jonatha M. Gott., PhD. She does research on RNA. I asked her what the most harmful substance to a cell is. She responded: “Heavy metals” without any hesitation or time to think. She followed that answer with, “They break DNA and cause the cell to replicate incorrectly. It only takes 5 molecules per cell to make this happen.”

Protocols for chelating heavy metals:

Some of these ideas come from Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt’s seminars (see www.klinghardtacademy.com), reports from researchers at his seminars and information gathered from various practitioners who have been working in this field for many years.

Minerals:

The body must be saturated with all the minerals it needs. If there is a mineral missing, for example, in the cycle that produces glutathione, a metal can fill that empty spot and keep the cycle from functioning properly and the person becoming glutathione deficient. There is an additional risk of methyl groups being “stolen” from genes to use in that cycle. This leaves the gene defenseless to mutation.

“Mineral loading” is the term to describe taking an abundance of minerals for 2 – 3 months to ensure there are enough minerals present when you start chelation.

Antioxidants:

A variety of antioxidants like CoQ10, Astaxanthin, Spirulina, mangosteen, CoQ10, Green Tea extract, Vit. C, E, and all the berries, organic, of course. s

Open Pathways of Elimination:

The Pathways of Elimination are the digestive system, lymphatic system, the skin, and the kidneys. Each one needs to be working optimally before you start chelation.

It is easiest when the stool is a little loose, and definitely not “normal” or constipated. Once the metals start to be released, the tendency of the body is to become constipated. “Smooth Move” tea is helpful. Doing an Ayurvedic salt water cleanse and/or an enema or colonic before you start is helpful.

The lymphatics have a tendency to be backlogged if you don’t move enough. There is an oil Ayurvedic massage (see: Dr. Lad, The Complete Book of Ayurveda Home Remedies) that is easy to learn to help the lymphatics function better. The homeopathic remedy kit by Heel called Detox Kit is very good to use throughout any cleanse.

The skin must not be congested or broken out. You can dry brush it along the lymphatic lines, or you can bathe and scrub your skin with a cotton washcloth to stimulate it.

The kidneys are part of the urinary system. If you are not already drinking 8 – 10 glasses of water a day, this is the time to start. You don’t want to start without enough

water to flush out the toxins as they are eliminated from tissues and cells.

If the Pathways of Elimination are not open and if you start, you will probably get sick quickly. Once you have them open, then start with chlorella at least twice daily. You want to work up to at least 2 tsp a day. More cannot hurt you, it is just an alginate/food.

Also start a good acidophilus like TheraLac or Jarrow last thing at night.

Then start your chelating agent(s) in small amounts, a third of what is recommended (or less). Mangosteen is my favorite because it helps so many aspects of metal toxicity all at once.

It is the most powerful anti-inflammatory plant I know of. This is a perfect supplement to take for a lifetime, since the metals cause inflammation.

If a person can tolerate it, after 3 – 6 months I like them to try the EDTA suppository in addition. It will facilitate moving the metals out of the tissues and cells faster. Only start this when all the systems are eliminating well.

In severe cases the best alternative is to do IV chelation therapy using DMPS. With the amounts of metals recorded in soil, air, and water in many regions, “cleaning up your environment” may not be truly possible and removing the metals quickly may be necessary. I have

seen this therapy save bedridden patients who were declining rapidly.

There are, of course, many adjunctive therapies that I recommend like nutrition, acupuncture, chiropractic adjustment or osteopathic manipulation, homeopathy, EMDR, etc.

A note: It has taken a lifetime to accumulate the metals in your body from the environment, including your mother’s womb. It doesn’t leave quickly. This is probably a life long endeavor given the metals we are exposed to daily just by breathing and eating.

Heavy metal toxicity is everyone’s problem. As you clean up your environment, exposures lessen. As you make changes month by month, you will be accumulating less, mitigating the effects/damages happening in the body, and eventually get the body burden down.

The Connection Between Heavy Metal Toxicity, Chemical Sensitivity, and the NO/OOS Cycle

Dr. Martin Pall, PhD, biochemistry professor at University of Washington, has identified the NO/NOOS cycle as being key to chemical sensitivity and exposure to heavy metals ??? He has developed a protocol for subduing the formation of NO.. Here is the protocol:

http://www.ei-resource.org/articles/multiple-chemical-sensitivity-articles/multiple-chemical-sensitivity-%11-the-end-of-controversy/

http://www.ei-resource.org/articles/multiple-chemical-sensitivity-articles/multiple-chemical-sensitivity-_-the-end-of-controversy/

http://www.thetenthparadigm.org/      newest site