Chelation+Therapy

Keyla Herrera
2nd period science 9/22/16 = = =**Does Chelation Therapy Actually Cure Lead Poisoning?**= = = =**Introduction**=

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What is chelation therapy? Chelation therapy is a therapy for mercury or lead poisoning that binds the toxins in the bloodstream by circulating a chelating solution. It involves a chemical solution called EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid).=====

=Claims:=

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Doctors believe chelation can help remove heavy metals from the body. In 2006, the CDC (the **C**enters for **D**isease **C**ontrols and prevention) reported that two children and one adult had died after receiving chelation. they all developed dangerously low calcium levels which can cause the heart to stop beating. Proponents claim that chelation therapy is effective against:=====

-Lead poisoning
=**The Evidence**=

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On February 2005, a girl aged two years old was tested for blood lead. On February 28, 2005 the girl was admitting to a local medical center for combined oral and IV chelation therapy. the patients blood electrolytes at admission were within normal limits. The patient received her first dose of IV. One hour later the patient's serum calcium had decreased to 5.2 mg/dL. A cardiac resuscitation code was called later that day. The child had no palpable pulse or audible heartbeat. All attempts at resuscitation failed. The cause of the death was recorded as sudden cardiac arrest resulting from hypocalcemia (calcium in the bloodstream) associated with the chelation therapy.=====

=**The Cost**=

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A course of six weeks to six months can cost $3,000 to $4,000. This is considerable less than bypass surgery which is normally $40,00. A treatment costs $75 to $125. A course of I.V. EDTA chelation therapy can costs between $2,000 and $4,000.=====

=**References**=

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 * 1) CDC. Preventing lead poisoning in young children: a statement by the Centers for Disease Control. Atlanta, GA: CDC; 1985.
 * 2)  Editor in Chief, Harvard Health Publications, Editor, H. H., Letter, E. E., Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch, & Letter, E. E. (2013, March 26). Chelation therapy offers small, if any, benefit for heart disease - Harvard Health Blog. Retrieved September 23, 2016, from http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/chelation-therapy-offers-small-if-any-benefit-for-heart-disease-201303266030