How Does
Definition
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Chelation is the process in which the synthetic amino acid detoxamin bonds to minerals and metals in the blood. This bond is called a chelate, and the chelation process creates a product called ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Chelation therapy using EDTA is primarily used to treat patients with lead or mercury toxicity. Since lead and mercury are naturally occurring elements in the body, the body will not attack and get rid of the excess metal--even if the levels become too high. Chelation bonds with the metal to trick the immune system into thinking it is a foreign substance. The immune system cells then destroy the metal in the process of destroying the chelation agent.
Circulation
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When EDTA is ingested it works its way through the entire blood stream. As it travels, it attracts any excess metals in the blood stream, such as mercury and lead, and binds with it. The EDTA is powerful enough to even pull metal from the tissues and membranes of the body. Once bonded to the metal, the EDTA continues to travel through the circulatory system.
Immune System
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Since the immune system of the body sees EDTA from chelation therapy as an intruder, it sends out a host of defense cells to destroy the EDTA. In the process of destroying the EDTA, the metal bound to the chemical also gets destroyed and turned into waste products.
Exit
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After the EDTA-covered metal has been destroyed, the leftover waste from the original products is transported to the kidneys. The kidneys then flush the waste product out of the body through urine.
eHow Article: How Chelation Works
Comments
nixy33 said
on 7/15/2009 Huh? You say "The immune system cells then destroy the metal in the process of destroying the chelation agent"
Your immune system CAN NOT destroy lead and mercury. Where did you hear that?