By Maria Scunziano-Singh, MD, NMD, DipABLM
Have you ever wondered how the human body handles the massive onslaught of heavy metals, organophosphorus pesticides, pathogenic organisms, air pollution, drugs -oral, topical, injectable, contrast dyes, personal care products, tattoos, piercings and a host of many other environmental products and chemicals?
Well, friends, the answer may surprise you.
Chelation (pronounced keelayshun), from the Greek word ‘chelos’ meaning claw, involves the binding of one substance to another to form or cause an inert or harmless product that can be excreted by the kidneys or bowels in a human body. The body can bind metals and other toxins via substances called metalloproteins and the antioxidant glutathione to protect and defend against potentially devastating consequences! This is nothing short of a phenomenal feat that is repeated multiple times every day of one’s life. There are thousands of substances that must be processed virtually every second and the mind cannot conceive of the colossal tasks undertaken by every organ, especially and namely, the liver. This organ is a powerhouse of the human body and literally takes a tremendous beating.
There is a limitation, however, to the capacity of the liver and body to take on and deactivate these substances. As toxic metals such as lead (a metal that has been infiltrating our environments for 100 years even though taken out of production in 1979), mercury (a significant component of ‘silver’ dental fillings, certain fish, and also used in ‘inoculations’ for many decades), cadmium, aluminum, and arsenic, among others, have entered our bodies in significant quantities over time, the naturally occurring chelation is overwhelmed.
The ‘time’ factor, however, can be acute or after a sudden overloading of metals. In any case, the result is toxic overload and a significant accumulation with consequences that can include any one or more of the following: degenerative nerve damage and neurotoxicity manifesting as neuropathy, multiple sclerosis and other central nervous system conditions, dementia, autism, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, eye and skin conditions and cancers. Early symptoms can be dismissed, taken for ‘normal aging’ or blamed on something else. The symptoms may come and go or may be persistent. These can include easy fatigue, exhaustion with limited movements, weakness of muscles and limbs, disturbed vision, memory issues, joint pains, poor coordination, stumbling, tingling in various body parts, infections with low immunity and even depression.
Enter EDTA and other types of rescue chelators onto the scene to help unload these metals that can injure the body in many ways.
What is EDTA? You may have seen these letters on food packages, and it is a safe product that protects food from spoilage or even losing its color by binding metals in each food. Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid is a manufactured ‘amino acid’ that was initiated back in the 1930s and ‘40s to be used for lead poisoning for navy personnel working in shipyards. The EDTA was a very effective chelator and has since been used extensively without detriment to recipients. Interestingly, it is both a food additive that is harmless and a form of ‘medicine’ for those who have had high levels of metals measured in their bodies. Intravenous EDTA has been well- tested through different trials including 2 very significant Trials to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT 1 and 2) that demonstrated significant reductions in cardiovascular disease in Diabetes. Since these trials, many people have been offered intravenous chelation with EDTA with remarkable outcomes.
At Integrative Healing at Om, a holistic physician practice located on the campus of WellCome Om Integral Healing & Education Center, we offer IV EDTA chelation to help those who are seeking a form of treatment that has significant value in conditions that would otherwise be treated with drugs and/or surgery.
We also offer nutritional intravenous therapies that we can combine with chelation or provide without chelation that include high dose vitamin C, glutathione, B vitamins and more. A full health evaluation with Dr. Maria is performed with a customized plan of action that includes counseling on nutrition and other modalities for your specific condition. Upon arrival for an infusion appointment, you will be greeted by a wonderful team of our medical assistant Mary and a registered nurse, Christy, who will make your experience quite comfortable, painless and enjoyable in a relaxing friendly atmosphere. It all flows smoothly at Om!
If you or someone you know has a health concern that may be helped by IV EDTA and other chelating agents, please contact our office at (352) 254-8090 or inquire online at [email protected]. Do look at our website for testimonials by recipients of EDTA who have seen the amazing benefits it offers.
See you soon!
–Dr. M
