The ICIM basic metals training course is back. Program Chairman Richard Plumb DO is coordinating this comprehensive introduction to Chelation Therapy for newcomers to the field as well as those who desire updates in the science and practice of metal toxicology.
Introductory Course in Metal Toxicology:
Overview and Goals:
-Introduce the attendees to the prevalence, incidence and contribution of heavy metal toxicity and/or imbalances of essential minerals to the chronic disease process.
-Discuss the common disease processes, which may have etiological basis as a result of chronic metal toxicity
-Discuss the pathophysiology of chronic metal toxicity
-Review and detail the various methods of diagnosis, evaluation, monitoring and treatment of chronic metal toxicity
-Convey the pitfalls associated with each of the above
Lecture Objectives:
-Describe the importance and implications of metal toxicity on the biological system
-Review the pathophysiology of chronic metal toxicity
-Discuss how metal toxicity may contribute to phenotypic expression of these chronic disease processes
Learning Objectives:
-Articulate the contribution of metal toxicity to the leading causes of death in the industrialized world including cardiovascular disease, cancer& neurological disease
-Identify the various methods of treatment and nuances of each treatment for chronic metal toxicity
-Outline the essential supportive treatment modalities necessary to safely and effectively treat chronic metal toxicity
Day 2 test and additional lectures re. history, marketing, IV therapy, charting, etc
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Chelation Therapy~ What Can it Do for Me?
L. Terry Chappell, MD
Chelation is a chemical term that in medicine most commonly means to remove toxic metals from the body. There are several chelating agents in use clinically to remove mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium, aluminum and other harmful metals. Even moderate levels of these metals, especially lead and mercury, can cause or greatly accelerate chronic degenerative diseases in the body such as heart disease, strokes, cancer, arthritis, and possibly neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and autism.
Some of the substances proven effective in removing these metals are CaEDTA and DMSA. DMPS is also a powerful chelator, and is available through compounding pharmacies. Several herbal preparations have been suggested as chelators but they are very weak compared to the medications.
Intravenous disodium EDTA with magnesium has been used for more than 50 years to treat vascular problems, including coronary artery disease, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease. Usually 20-30 treatments are required for a basic course and monthly maintenance treatments are recommended. There have been many research papers published indicating the effectiveness of this therapy, and a few others published by critics of the therapy that have negative conclusions. None of these studies were of sufficient power to produce a consensus guideline on the use of the therapy for vascular problems.
Advocates with considerable experience with the therapy have many happy patients who are very enthusiastic about their results. Critics are not convinced without definitive proof. Much of the favorable research on IV disodium EDTA is quoted by companies who sell oral CaEDTA to try to show effectiveness for vascular problems. This is misleading advertising, because CaEDTA is usually only 5-10% absorbed orally and thus cannot have the same effect as IV Disodium EDTA.
Currently, there is a large ongoing multi-center clinical trial called the “Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy” (TACT) to determine if IV disodium EDTA can prevent future cardiac events in patients who have had a heart attack. The results of TACT will not be available for several years, but already there is sufficient experience to demonstrate that the therapy is safe if given according to the published protocol.
Patients interested in finding a physician who will treat them with IV EDTA Chelation Therapy should contact www.icimed.com or www.acam.org or the American Board of Clinical Metal Toxicology at www.abcmt.org.
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