Lead and the 21st Century. What is Chelation?

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2 Lead and the 21st Century In the 1970 s, the average blood lead level in U.S. adults was over 13 ug/dl. Today, the average level has been reduced to 2.54 ug/dl. Unfortunately, the mortality data in the latest National Health And Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) study showed that in the groups of patients with lead between 2-3 ug/dl, the death rate was increased from % from various vascular conditions including stroke and heart attacks. The study shows that 38% of all U.S. adults are at risk. A 2006 editorial in Circulation, the American Heart Association Journal, called low level exposure to lead the silent killer in the U.S. This booklet is intended to give the reader an update on lead toxicity and health concerns as well as offer options for reducing that risk. What is Chelation? Chelation is the chemical binding of one substance to another. EDTA Chelation is a modified amino acid that binds to lead and other toxic metals and removes them through your urine. EDTA was originally developed by the Germans for use in arsenic gas poisoning on the war field, and was later used in the U.S. to treat lead toxic patients. It became a FDA approved lead treatment in the mid 1950 s. It was noted to cause dramatic improvements in a number of other health issues. Due to political and economic forces in the ensuing decades after cardiac bypass surgery was popularized, EDTA Chelation was relegated as an alternative treatment for vascular disease. EDTA is put in cosmetics, food and several other substances due to its antioxidant properties and may work in other positive ways aside from removing lead. The National Institutes of Health in the U.S. is conducting a 5 year study looking into EDTA treatment after a heart attack and a recent multinational study showed 93% reduction in need for angioplasty, 62% reduction in need for bypass surgery and resolution of over 63% of all symptoms over a three year period in patients with proven vascular blockages who received EDTA treatments. At this time, EDTA Chelation is FDA approved for treatment of lead toxicity, not vascular disease, but it is apparent from recent studies that people with low level lead have up to % increase in vascular death from stroke, heart attack and other vascular disease. For more information on chelation, please visit or

3 Lead Facts Lead exposure causes blood lead levels to rise, and stay high for 30 to 60 days. 90% of the lead is then crystallized in the bone. Lead and other toxic metal are stored in your bones. Lead is released into your tissues as your bones soften with age. This can cause a myriad of proven health problems. Studies have shown 38% of all US adults have blood lead levels that put them at increased risk for vascular disease. Studies have shown many health conditions are caused, or made worse, by the presence of lead and other heavy metals in the bones. Those conditions include high blood pressure, vascular disease, kidney failure, osteoporosis, memory loss, brain shrinkage, ADHD, and 42% of all cataracts. Call NOW at Important: Please visit our Website at

4 Environmental Lead Exposure and Progression of Chronic Renal Insufficiency EDTA chelation therapy administered by IV was effective in halting progressive renal failure in patients with chronic lead levels previously considered to be in the high normal range. The cost of this treatment for all 32 patients in the chelation group, including chelating agents, measurements of lead, frequent hospital visits and staff salaries, was approximately $120,000 (or $3,750 per patient). However, the cost of three years of hemodialysis for this number of patients would be approximately $1,950,000 (61,000 per patient). Thus, the treatment is likely to be cost effective. Journal of the American Medical Assocation Mar. 2003: High blood pressure was found to be positively related to levels of lead that were previously thought to be nontoxic (1-2 micrograms per dl instead of the previous believed 40 micrograms). This was particularly evident in postmenopausal women who were having heavy bone turnover due to estrogen loss. Lead is stored in the bone and released as bone is broken down by hormonal imbalances making pre-menopausal women and older men and women targets for lead toxicity and hypertension. Enivronmental Health Perspective Sept. 2004: Lead, Diabetes, Hypertension, and Renal Function: The Normative Aging Study : Bone levels of lead (not blood levels) reflect total body burden of these metals. Elevated total body burden is related to development of high blood pressure and diabetes during the aging process. Circulation Sept. 2006: Data shows that blood lead levels above 2ug/dl have significant vascular mortality-up to 151% for stroke, 88% for heart attack and 55% increased vascular death overall if levels above average level of 2-3ug/dl. Editorial in this American Heart Association Journal, Circulation states, Low level exposure to lead is unmasked as silent killer.

5 Circulation 2009: The patients who have the top 33% of stored bone lead in their bodies have 6 to 8 times the risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to the 33% with the least bone stored lead. Evidence Based Integrative Medicine 2005: Subsequent Cardiac and Stroke Events in Patients with Known Vascular Disease Treated with EDTA A Retrospective : Two hundred twenty patients with documented vascular disease were enrolled and followed for a three year period after treatment and compared to a meta-analysis of similar patients. In the EDTA group there were 0 heart attacks, 0 deaths compared to an expected 15 heart attacks and 6 deaths. There was a 62.5% reduction in the need for coronary bypass, a 93.6% reduction in need for angioplasty, and 68.7% had complete resolution of symptoms. NIH TACT Trial: The National Institute of Health is currently conducting a five-year double blind placebo controlled study on post-heart attack patients treated with EDTA chelation. Dr. Dorothy Merritt is one of 100 principal investigators who enrolled patients in the US. The study is ongoing and no results are available at this time, and no safety concerns have been noted. How to Limit Health Effects of Lead Avoid sources of paint from overseas, old lead pipes, dust from lead paint, leaded crystal decanters and glasses Keep bones strong and healthy- by taking calcium, exercising and treating osteopenia osteoporosis aggressively EDTA IV Chelation treatments will remove lead from bone and tissue and is FDA Approved Oral DMSA Chelation: An oral regimen for DMSA slowly removes lead and is FDA approved in children. They do not penetrate or removed the cortical bone stores Oral EDTA- popular in some internet vitamins but only 3-5% of a 100mg dose is absorbed and able to work EDTA Chelation had been FDA approved for lead toxicity since the 1950s. Its use for general health improvement or in vascular disease has been controversial in the past few decades but is regaining popularity. Recent studies are bringing chelation back into the mainstream.

6 Chelation Brings Funeral Home Director New Life After years of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, painful surgeries to replace his hip and knee, and multiple heart stent placements, funeral director Ron Crowder was just too tired to think about facing bypass surgery. A lifelong community leader and activist, Ron s health problems were draining his energy level significantly. After being referred to Chelation Centers of Texas by his cardiologist, Ron found that he was an ideal candidate for chelation therapy. After ten months of treatments to remove toxic heavy metals from his body, Ron was able to regain his health and enjoy his daily level of activity. On Ron s next trip to the cardiologist he passed his stress test and he no longer needs bypass surgery. Chelation therapy gave him back the quality of life he desired for so long. Pfister is Feisty Again Kay Pfister is a strong, graceful, and successful woman, but after suffering from crippling rheumatoid arthritis she wasn t feeling that way. Steroids and pain medications could not free her from barely being able to move her joints or take away her constant pain. She was forced to quit her job as a real estate agent. A good friend recommended that she look into chelation therapy. She found Dorothy F. Merritt, MD and became one for her first chelation clients in Kay Pfister would soon be free from pain. Thirty treatments of chelation erased the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis from Kay s life. Another 15 treatments gave her motion in her wrist that had been impaired. She is back to her feisty self and on a chelation maintenance program to remain that way. Initial Evaluation The initial visit includes an evaluation with the medical provider, and a min I-V of EDTA Chelation. We will require a blood lead level and kidney function test, and you will need to collect your urine for 6 hours following your visit. Supplements will be recommended based on your medical condition and a follow up appointment will be made to review the results of your urine and blood work in 7 to 14 days.