Chele is a Greek work meaning 'crab claw'.
To start with we need to understand that chelation is a type of bonding of ions and molecules to positively charged metal ions to create larger particle for safe transpiration and removal. And that it is a form of treatment that involves the administration of chelating agents to remove heavy metals from the body. Examples of chelating agents in nature are
haemoglobin, which chelates an iron molecule in blood,
chlorophyll which chelates a magnesium molecule in plants and
vitamin C which chelates an iron molecule to facilitate its absorption from the gut.
It is a form of 'detox' support.
Heavy metals first enter your bloodstream when exposed to farmed fish, environmental pollutants, tattoos, certain vaccinations, contaminated water, dental fillings and household products. Heavy metals such as mercury, nickel, uranium, cadmium, lead and aluminum, are able to imbed themselves into our central nervous systems and bones, accumulating for years and can slow you down mentally and physically. They are suspected of triggering dangerous conditions like heart disease, thyroid problems, dementia, neurological conditions, Alzheimer’s, depression, anemia, autism, infertility and birth defects.
Heavy metal detox can remove these toxins from your body and minimize their impact on your health.
Chelation therapy is the preferred medical treatment for forms of toxic metal poisoning and involves chelating agents to remove heavy metals from the body by binding to heavy metal toxin ions and allowing them to be dissolved and excreted in the urine
There are a variety of common chelating agents with differing affinities for different metals, physical characteristics, and biological mechanism of action.
Chelation therapy forms a part of my wellness protocol as the first step of elimination.
Causes to follow a chelation protocol:
Coffee: one of the most heavily fumigated crops, and the roasting process leaves volatile coffee oils open to rancidity, which happens rapidly. Eliminate coffee because it is toxic, and acts as a diuretic.
Alcohol is a diuretic, it diminishes blood oxygen levels and depletes key liver detoxification enzymes, depletes minerals, raises blood sugar, and slows metabolism.
Body Care products such as makeup, face creams, shampoos, lotions, deodorants, even toothpaste, contain toxic chemicals that are endocrine disruptors and liver congesting substances. Choose natural brands, that are organic and parabens, chemical and preservative free.
Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners such as Aspartame and Nutrasweet break down in the body to produce neurotoxins such as glutamic acid, and liver toxins such as methanol. A recent study showed that animals fed aspartame gained more weight because their fatty tissue became less vascular, less metabolic, making it harder to burn fat. Replace sugar and artificial sweeteners with stevia, xylitol or raw honey.
Dairy products causes mucus production in the body, which congests the liver and the lymphatic system, slowing and complicating the detoxification process. Dairy also contains metabolites of pus from the inflamed cows udders, and hormones used to increase milk production. Avoid dairy during the detox process, and minimize dairy in general. Choose organic, raw dairy to minimize toxins and to maximize nutrition.
MSG, preservatives, artificial flavourings found in all ready-made meals, store-bought sauces, gravies, chutneys, marinades, processed foods, cakes, biscuits, sweets, chocolates etc.
Hydrogenated oils and trans fats like cooking oil, canola oil, margarine, etc. Rather use extra virgin cold-pressed olive oil in a dark glass bottle or organic coconut oil.
Pesticides: Eat organic food as much as possible. Wash your produce well. If you must eat conventional produce, avoid the 12 most highly fumigated produce items: Strawberries, Bell peppers (green and red), Spinach, Cherries, Peaches, Cantaloupe, Celery, Apples, Apricots, Green beans, Grapes, and Cucumbers
Medications: for example lithium used to treat bi-polar disorder.
Testing can determine if you have heavy metal toxicity. Hair and urine are two common ways to test for type and levels of systemic poisoning.
In the end we can say that every day we come into contact with heavy metals, due to their omnipresence: heavy metals are present in drinking water, food, air, products for personal and domestic hygiene. It is important to know that they can not be avoided completely, but once settled in our body, can cause serious health problems and ailments. It is therefore not surprising that a large number of doctors, specialists, nutritionists and phytotherapists regularly study this field of science, constantly trying to contribute to the prevention and treatment of this serious health and environmental problems. Chelation therapy is effective for reducing toxic effects of metal ions. Having in mind that the use of chelating agents is limited by its adverse effects, it is necessary to choose the most suitable chelating agent as a medicament, and to avoid disruption of metal homeostasis.
What can you do to prevent & treat for fat soluble toxins & heavy metal toxicity?
LIFESTYLE
Clean water will assist with elimination process
Avoid toxic chemicals (see list above)
Breathing will support the detoxification process
Massage will support lymph drainage
Reflexology will stimulate homeostasis
Eat organically grown plants
Avoid products with chemicals, choose cleaner and greener options, if you absolutely must use lotions and potions to feel beautiful.
Activities that promote sweating such as exercise and using a steam room or sauna.
SUPPLEMENTATION
As an antioxidant it deactivates free radicals and reactive oxidants in oxidative stress.
Regulates by supporting active antioxidants such as Vitamin C (working together they neutralize Hydrogen Peroxide) and E.
Plays an important role in detoxification.
In metabolism it plays an important role in biosynthesis.
Has the potential to act as a neurotransmitter.
In plants it plays a role in stress management.
Cysteine & Glycine (both amino acids) increase glutathione levels, as do N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) and Alpha Lipoic Acic (ALA)
Chlorella
Has been shown an ability to bind cadmium, zinc, copper, and lead (in vitro) and accelerate elimination thereof.
It also has the ability to increase glutathione.
High in amino acids and Vitamins B6 & B12 (supporting the nervous system from potential heavy metal toxification).
Contains some omega 3, which is useful for it's anti-inflammatory effects.
Helps lower the harmful chemicals found in foods, such as dioxin (a hormone disruptor).
Effective to support the immune system in it's anti-viral properties.
Contains fibre, niacin, carotenoids and antioxidants to assist with lowering cholesterol.
Works very effectively with chlorella to assist with detoxification.
Potent anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antifungal, antimicrobial and significant chelating properties.
Dimercaptosuccinic acid, also called succimer, is a medication used to treat lead, mercury, and arsenic poisoning. Read more here.
Activated charcoal is a form of carbon that has massive surface area and a strong negative charge. It’s been around for thousands of years and it’s still used in emergency rooms today to treat poisoning.
Charcoal binds to chemicals whose molecules have positive charges, including aflatoxin and other polar mycotoxins, BPA, and common pesticides. Once the chemicals attach to the charcoal you can pass them normally (i.e. poop them out).
Charcoal can bind to the good stuff, too (i.e. vitamins and essential minerals) so I don’t recommend taking it within an hour of other supplements. Try taking a couple charcoal pills along with exercise or have a sauna session. They should absorb many of the toxins you release into your gut and GI tract.
Zeolite Powder
A volcanic mineral powder with powerful ion bonding properties and effective as a heavy metal detoxifying support. Read more in this study.
Consider the following:
Liver support herbs such as Milk thistle & Dandelion
Kidney support herbs such as parsley & buchu
Antioxidants for example astaxanthin
Medicinal mushrooms such as reishi and cordyceps
EDTA is widely used in the USA and Europe for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders, rather than for removal of toxic metals. In South Africa it is offered by selected Doctors practicing Integrative Medicine. EDTA improves function and exercise tolerance in conditions associated with atherosclerosis, such as angina, peripheral vascular disease and cerebrovascular disease. By chelating and removing calcium, along with a variety of other metals, it has a direct effect on reducing platelet aggregation, which prevents clotting of the blood which may otherwise have had fatal consequences. It stimulates the functioning of the heart, and by stimulating the parathyroid glands it dilates the coronary arteries. The stimulation of the parathyroids also has a positive effect on building bone. EDTA stimulates enzyme activity and improves the ratio of HDL [good] to LDL [bad] cholesterol. Thus for anyone with one or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease, EDTA has been shown to reduce these risks greatly while improving overall health.
Please note:
On a final note, just be sure your magnesium levels are high before starting any serious chelation program since this trace mineral helps to promote ‘relaxed’ arteries and can make elimination of toxins easier on the body.
Further reading:
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