Chelation Health Dictionary

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Chelation: From 1 Different Sources

From the Greek ‘chele’ meaning to claw or grip. Deposits of cholesterol and by-products of free radical activity may cause arteries to become brittle and block circulation. Chelation offers an internal ‘house cleaning’ whereby such deposits and metals are freed into the circulation for elimination from the body.

Chelation is increasingly used as an alternative to by-pass surgery for coronary disease, significantly improving the coronary circulation. Reportedly of value for improved kidney function, decreased insulin requirement for diabetes, to reduce prostate obstruction, restore near-normal breathing pattern in emphysema and to bring relief in arthritis. Specific herbs act as bonding agents to metals in blood vessel plague prior to expulsion via the kidneys and bowel.

Conventional medical chelation therapy consists of an intravenous drip of a synthetic amino acid, EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid) which leeches from the tissues toxic metals (lead, mercury etc) prior to elimination. Cholesterol and fats are dissolved and metabolised by the liver, and metals are excreted by the kidneys.

Supportive aid to primary treatment. Combine tinctures: Hawthorn 2; Lily of the Valley 1; Capsicum quarter. Dose: 15-60 drops in water thrice daily.

Saponin-containing herbs, by their detergent action act as binding agents to leech metals, plague etc from blood vessels and the intestinal canal.

Diet. Guar gum preparations. Low salt. Fish oils or oily fish.

Supplements. Vitamins A, C, D (Cod Liver oil), B-complex, especially Vitamin B12, biotin, PABA, chromium, selenium, zinc, methionine, superoxide dismutase, magnesium.

Information. The Arterial Disease Clinic: tel: 0942 676617. 

Health Source: Bartrams Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine
Author: Health Encyclopedia

Lead Poisoning

Lead and lead compounds are used in a variety of products including petrol additives (in the UK, lead-free petrol is now mandatory), piping (lead water pipes were once a common source of poisoning), weights, professional paints, dyes, ceramics, ammunition, homeopathic remedies, and ethnic cosmetic preparations. Lead compounds are toxic by ingestion, by inhalation and, rarely, by skin exposures. Metallic lead, if ingested, is absorbed if it remains in the gut. The absorption is greater in children, who may ingest lead from the paint on old cots

– although lead-containing paints are no longer used for items that children may be in contact with.

Acute poisonings are rare. Clinical features include metallic taste, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, ANOREXIA, fatigue, muscle weakness and SHOCK. Neurological effects may include headache, drowsiness, CONVULSIONS and COMA. Inhalation results in severe respiratory-tract irritation and systemic symptoms as above.

Chronic poisonings cause gastrointestinal disturbances and constipation. Other effects are ANAEMIA, weakness, pallor, anorexia, insomnia, renal HYPERTENSION and mental fatigue. There may be a bluish ‘lead line’ on the gums, although this is rarely seen. Neuromuscular dysfunction may result in motor weakness and paralysis of the extensor muscles of the wrist and ankles. ENCEPHALOPATHY and nephropathy are severe effects. Chronic low-level exposures in children are linked with reduced intelligence and behavioural and learning disorders.

Treatment Management of patients who have been poisoned is supportive, with removal from source, gastric decontamination if required, and X-RAYS to monitor the passage of metallic lead through the gut if ingested. It is essential to ensure adequate hydration and renal function. Concentrations of lead in the blood should be monitored; where these are found to be toxic, chelation therapy should be started. Several CHELATING AGENTS are now available, such as DMSA (Meso-2,3dimercaptosuccinic acid), sodium calcium edetate (see EDTA) and PENICILLAMINE. (See also POISONS.)... lead poisoning

Bypass Operation

The transplant of an artery or vein from the leg to bypass a clogged artery in the heart. Vessels may be blocked by a deposit of plaque made up of collagen, fats and cholesterol solidified by calcium and other mineral salts, and which may have been building up for 30-40 years. See: CHELATION.

London’s Middlesex Hospital Intensive Care Unit has found that a 20-minute foot massage using Neroli oil significantly reduces the level of anxiety and pain experienced by post-cardiac surgery patients. ... bypass operation

Candidiasis

Systemic Candida. An infection by the yeast-like fungus Candida albicans.

Causes: Impaired immunity as in AIDS. High sugar diets (yeasts thrive in the presence of sugar), alcohol, broad spectrum antibiotics, iron deficiency anaemia, diabetes, steroid therapy. A common cause frequently overlooked is the reaction between yeasts and mercury from amalgam dental fillings when methyl mercury is created in the intestine. For treatments to be effective silver fillings should be removed. A favourite breeding ground for the fungus is the low bowel.

Alternatives. Teas. Balm, Chamomile, Gotu Kola, La Pacho (Pau d’arco), Rosemary, Thyme. Tablets/capsules. Aloe Vera, Caprycin, Echinacea, Garlic, Goldenseal, Poke root, Thuja. Candidiasis of stomach and intestines. Caprylic acid derived from coconut inhibits growth of Candida in the intestines and colon without upsetting the balance of the intestinal flora.

Horseradish. Success reported: (Rudat K.D. 1957. Journal Hyg. Epidem. Microbiol. Immol. Prague 1:123)

Garlic. Inhibits growth of Candida. (Tynecke Z, and Gos Z)

Formula. While a practitioner’s treatment will be prescribed according to the specific requirements of the individual, the following combination may be used for the average case:–

Tinctures: Echinacea 50ml, Poke root 15ml, Vervain 15ml, Galangal 15ml, Calendula 15ml, Clivers 20ml. Mix. Dose: one 5ml teaspoon thrice daily. (Brenda Cooke MNIMH, Mansfield, Notts)

Diet. High fibre food essential for efficient daily clearance. Low fat, low salt, gluten-free, little milk only. 2 teaspoons Olive oil thrice daily. Reject: refined foods, yeasts (no bread), mushrooms, mouldy cheese, sugar, artificial sweeteners, alcohol.

Supplements. Vitamin A, C, E, biotin, Calcium ascorbate, Zinc, Lacto-bacillus.

Chelation therapy. Anti-fungals. ... candidiasis

Hip Replacement Operation

Athroplasty. Success rate: high. Commonest indication: osteo- arthritis of hip. A lesser risk of sepsis occurs in first operation than in subsequent ones. Infection is suspected when acetabular loosening is present in conjunction with femoral loosening. Echinacea is the key remedy for combatting infection and for enhancing the patient’s resistance. Comfrey root promotes healing of bone tissue. St John’s Wort gives partial relief in post-operative pain. Horsetail is a source of readily absorbable iron and calcium. For slow healing, a liver agent (Fringe Tree) may be indicated. Alternatives. Teas. Comfrey leaves, Calendula, St John’s Wort, Gotu Kola, Plantain.

Tablets/capsules. St John’s Wort.

Formula. Comfrey root 2; St John’s Wort 1; Echinacea 2; trace of Cayenne (Capsicum). Dose – Powders: 750mg (three 00 capsules or half a teaspoon). Liquid Extracts: 1-2 teaspoons. Tinctures: 1-3 teaspoons. Effect is enhanced when doses are taken in cup of Comfrey herb tea. Other agents to promote renewal of tissue. Slippery Elm bark, Fenugreek seeds, Wild Yam, Carragheen Moss.

Discomfort from a scar. Aloe Vera gel, Calendula, Comfrey or Chickweed cream or ointment. See: CASTOR OIL PACK.

Diet. High protein, oily fish or fish oils.

Supplements. Vitamin C: 3-6g daily. Calcium ascorbate, Zinc. Magnesium. Cod Liver oil for Vitamins A and D; 2 teaspoons daily.

Note: Where titanium alloy implants are used for this operation serum levels of the metal are likely to show up higher than normal. Raised serum titanium has been linked with lung cancer, osteoporosis, and platelet suppression. A New Zealand study has found deaths from cancer were significantly higher in patients having had a metal hip replacement. See: CHELATION.

Comfrey. Potential benefit far outweighs possible risk. ... hip replacement operation

Mercury Poisoning

The toxic effect of mercury has been known since days of the medieval alchemists. Charles II presented all the symptoms we now recognise as mercurial poisoning, presumably the result of medication received over many years. Its symptoms simulate multiple sclerosis, when chronic. They are: constant fatigue, pins and needles in the limbs, resting tremor, nausea, dizziness, ataxia, pains in the bones and joints, drooling (excessive salivation), blue line along the gums. In children they may include all kinds of vague aches and pains, chorea, hyperthyroidism and facial neuralgia. Weakness, walking difficulties, metallic taste in the mouth, thirst, mental deterioration. It is now known to cause a number of serious nerve dystrophies.

Mercury has an affinity for the central nervous system. Soon it concentrates in the kidney causing tubular damage. A common cause is the mercurial content (50 per cent) in the amalgam fillings in teeth which, under certain conditions, release a vapour. Fortunately, its use in dentistry is being superceded by an alternative composite filling.

A common cause of poisoning was demonstrated in 1972 when 6,000 people became seriously ill (600 died) from eating bread made from grain treated with a fungicide containing methylmercury. For every fungus in grain there is a mercuric compound to destroy it. The seed of all cereal grain is thus treated to protect its power of germination.

Those who are hypersensitive to the metal should as far as possible avoid button cells used in tape recorders, cassette players, watch and camera mechanisms. As the mercury cells corrode, the metal enters the environment and an unknown fraction is converted by micro organisms to alkylmercury compounds which seep into ground waters and eventually are borne to the sea. When cells are incinerated, the mercury volatilises and enters the atmosphere. (Pharmaceutical Journal, July 28/1984)

Mercury poisoning from inhalation of mercury fumes goes directly to the brain and pituitary gland. Autopsies carried out on dentists reveal high concentrations of mercury in the pituitary gland. (The Lancet, 5-27-89,1207 (letter))

Treatment. For years the common antidote was sulphur, and maybe not without reason. When brought into contact sulphur and mercury form an insoluble compound enabling the mercury to be more easily eliminated from the body. Sulphur can be provided by eggs or Garlic.

Old-time backwoods physicians of the North American Medical School used Asafoetida, Guaiacum and Echinacea. German pharmacists once used Bugleweed and Yellow Dock. Dr J. Clarke, USA physician recommends Sarsaparilla to facilitate breakdown and expulsion from the body.

Reconstructed formula. Echinacea 2; Sarsaparilla 1; Guaiacum quarter; Asafoetida quarter; Liquorice quarter. Dose: Liquid Extracts: 1 teaspoon. Tinctures: 2 teaspoons. Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Thrice daily.

Chelation therapy.

Formula. Tinctures. Skullcap 2-15 drops; Pleurisy root 20-45 drops; Horehound 5-40 drops. Mercurial salivation. Thrice daily. (Indian Herbology of North America, by Alma Hutchens) Dental fillings: replace amalgam with safe alternative – ceramic, etc. Evidence of a link between tooth fillings containing mercury and ME has caused the use of dental amalgam to be banned in Sweden. ... mercury poisoning


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