DMPS chelation, DMSA chelation, EDTA chelation – Chelation explained

DMPS, EDTA, and DMSA, have a big problem in that they only bind weakly to the toxic element mercury and then will drop it off somewhere else in the body.  This can sometimes cause even MORE trouble.  In contrast, Metal Free binds strongly to heavy metals and mercury and then eliminates it from the body.  Metal Free is mainly excreted through the liver bypassing the delicate kidney. 

There have been cases of intractable seizures in children and Multiple Sclerosis symptoms in adults, increased self-stimming, and compromised central nervous system function in some children.  DMSA and liopic acid  This may be due to the DMSA picking up mercury from the kidney and dropping it off in the blood, brain, lung, heart, muscle and liver (Gregus et al).  Mercury redistribution occurs because DMSA binds only WEAKLY to mercury. 

Extended use of DMSA can cause mild to moderate neutropenia with increased SGOT, SGPT, Platelet count, Cholesterol, Alkaline Phosphatase and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN). Adverse reactions to DMSA include ataxia, convulsions, rash, nausea, diarrhea, anorexia, headache, dizziness, sensorimotor neuropathy, decreased urination, arrhythmia, infection. Zinc excretion doubles during the administration of DMSA. Patients must be kept hydrated as renal function can be compromised.

Chelation Explained

Chelation including EDTA chealtion, DMSA chelation, and DMPS chelation (pronounced key-layshon) therapy can contain disodium EDTA (Ethylene Diamine Tetra-acetic Acid) intranvenous infusions, Meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) orally,  or sodium salt of 2,3-dimercatpro-1-propane sulfonic acid (DMPS) intranvenous infusions.  Other Natural Chelation supplements also exist such as cilantro and the algae chorella. 

Chelation was originally developed during World War II as a technique for removing toxic metals from the body.  Chelating agents are substances, which can chemically bind with heavy metals, minerals, or chemical toxins from the body.   A chelating agent encloses a mineral or metal ion and carries it from the body via the urine or feces. EDTA is NOT absorbed well orally and must be taken intravenously. 

Today, EDTA chelation therapy practitioners believe that by injecting EDTA into the bloodstream, the action of EDTA will also remove much of the “calcium” accumulation that may be clogging the blood vessels.  EDTA chelation therapy may be an alternative way of cleansing the blood vessels to improve blood flow.  Supporters feel that EDTA chelation therapy may be effective against atheroscerlosis and many other serious health problems.  Its use has become widespread because patients feel that it might be a valid alternative to established medical interventions such as coronary bypass surgery.  EDTA binds di and trivalent metallic ions to form a stable ring structure.   EDTA is water soluble and binds only metallic ions that are dissolved in water.  The brain is largely fatty.  So EDTA does NOT work well in the brain.  At the normal pH of blood (pH 7.4), the strength with which EDTA chelates dissolved heavy metals, in decreasing order, is : 

Iron+++ (ferric ion), toxic element mercury ++, copper++, aluminum +++, nickel ++, lead ++, cobalt ++, zinc ++, iron ++ (ferrous ion), cadmium ++, manganese ++, magnesium ++, and calcium ++. 

EDTA chelation practitioners say that by removing the calcium, patients may reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and other blood related diseases. Various other organic acids found in the body or in foods can act as chelation agents, including citric acid, acetic acid, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and lactic acid.  The body’s natural chelation processes are responsible for such things as the digestion, assimilation, and transport of food nutrients, the formation of enzymes and hormones, as well as the detoxification of toxic chemicals and heavy metals.  The origin of the term chelate is from the Greek chele for claw, and refers to the “claw-like” structure of the organic chemical ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) first synthesized in Germany in 1930. 

DMSA 

Meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) is a sulfhydrl-containing, water soluble, orally administered heavy metal chelator which has been used as an remedy for heavy metal toxicity since the 1950s.  In healthy individuals, roughly 20 percent of an oral dose of DMSA is absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract.  Ninety-five percent of the DMSA that makes it to the bloodstream is bound to albumin.  Most probably, one of the sulfhydrls in DMSA binds to a cysteine residue on albumin, leaving the other S-H available to chelate heavy metals.  A study done with healthy fasting men indicated that 90 percent of the DMSA recovered in the urine was found to be mixed disulfides of DMSA (DMSA attached to one or two cysteine molecules), and 10 percent was free unchanged DMSA. 

DMPS 

DMPS (sodium salt of 2,3-dimercatpro-1-propane sulfonic acid) is not a new drug.  DMPS history goes back to the former Soviet Union in 1958.  Later on, in 1978, DMPS became available to the western world following its synthesis and production by Heyl, a German pharmaceutical company.  DMPS is a chelating agent in the group of dithiols, along with the succimer (DMSA, 2,3-dimercaptocuccinic acid) and dimercaprol BAL, British anti-Lewisite).   DMPS has been used quite extensively in Europe and on a limited basis in North America as a treatment for the toxic element mercury, arsenic or lead intoxication.  It is a registered drug in Germany and, as a matter of fact, due to its long record of safety, is now available without prescription.  However, there have been some reports of adverse reactions in 5-20% of all administrations of DMPS that may last for years.  This is because DMPS binds weakly to the toxic element mercury and drops it off somewhere else in the body.  In contrast, Metal Free binds strongly to the toxic element mercury and eliminates it from the body in the feces via the liver bypassing the delicate kidney. 

DMPS has been also used as an agent to estimate mercury element toxic body burden.  Oddly enough, resting urine or blood levels of mercury may bear little relationship to the body burden of mercury in longstanding, low level intoxication, such as that which may occur from 50% mercury silver dental amalgam fillings.  This is due to the fact that the toxic element mercury is bound in tissue and will NOT release unless infused with a binding agent. DMPS is commonly used to assess the boy burden of mercury and other heavy metals through provocation testing (also known as the “challenge”).  There are several methods of performing this challenge.  In one methodology, DMPS, is given as a slow intravenous push.  The patient then provides the first urine specimen after one to one and one half hours with the collection being done for anywhere from 12-24 hours.  The urine sample is then sent overnight express to a toxicology laboratory.  Generally speaking the toxic element mercury and other heavy metals are reported as micrograms metal per gram of urinary excretion of creatine.  When elevated levels of toxic heavy metals are no longer found with provocation urine testing, the general assumption is that DMPS is of no further value and may be discontinued. 

However, Klinghardt, MD PhD has found that unresolved allergies, emotional family conflict and trauma will block the excretion of mercury and heavy metals.  Klinghardt, MD PhD has found that once these allergies, family conflicts and emotional trauma is resolved then chelation with DMPS can continue with continued success. DMPS is excreted in the urine mainly.  DMPS pervades both intracellularly and extracellularly.  However, it is claimed that unlike other chelating agents such as EDTA, DMPS does NOT pass the blood brain barrier and does not redistribute the mercury to the brain and central nervous system.  However, some case histories in real patients contradict this assumption.

Again 5-20% of patients have reported serious side effects such as lower back pain, kidney pain, indigestion and rashes.  These side effects can last FOR YEARS after only one dose of DMPS!  This may be due to the DMPS picking up mercury and dropping it off somewhere else in the body. 

EDTA 

EDTA, (Ethylene Diamine Tetra-acetic Acid) is a synthetic amino acid and is approximately one third as toxic to the body as aspirin.  Chelation therapy with EDTA was first introduced in the medical field in the U.S. in 1948 as a treatment for the lead poisoning of workers in a battery factory.  Shortly thereafter, the United States navy advocated chelation for sailors who had abosorbed lead while painting government ships and facilities.  IV EDTA chelation is FDA approved as a treatment for lead poisoning.  Interestingly, physicians using chelation for lead toxicity observed that patients who also had atherosclerosis (fatty-plaque buildup on arterial walls) or ateriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) experienced reductions in both conditions after chelation.  More than 1,800 scientific journal articles have been published on the use of EDTA in intravenous chelation.