Heavy metal detoxification

Heavy metal detox, or detoxification, is the removal of metallic toxic substances from the body.
In conventional medicine, detoxification can also be achieved artificially by techniques such as
dialysis and (in a very limited number of cases) chelation therapy. There is a firm scientific base
in evidence-based medicine for this type of detoxification. Many alternative medicine
practitioners promote various other types of detoxification such as "diet detoxification".
The detox is performed to rid the body of toxic metals.
Toxic metals, including heavy metals, are individual metals and metal compounds that
negatively affect people's health. Some toxic, semi-metallic elements, including arsenic and
selenium, are discussed in this page. In very small amounts, many of these metals are necessary
to support life. However, in larger amounts, they become toxic. They may build up in biological
systems and become a significant health hazard. This page provides a starting point for technical
and regulatory information about toxic metals.
Contents
1 Arsenic
2 Beryllium
3 Cadmium
4 Hexavalent chromium
5 Lead
6 Mercury
7 References
Arsenic
Common sources of exposure to higher-than-average levels of arsenic include hazardous waste
sites and surrounding areas, and areas with high levels of arsenic naturally occurring in soil,
rocks, and water. Exposure to high levels of arsenic can cause death.
Beryllium
Elemental beryllium has a wide variety of applications. Occupational exposure most often occurs
in mining, extraction, and in the processing of alloy metals containing beryllium. Beryllium
causes lung and skin disease in 2 to 10 percent of exposed workers.
Cadmium
Cadmium is an extremely toxic metal commonly found in industrial workplaces, particularly
where any ore is being processed or smelted. Several deaths from acute exposure have occurred
among welders who have unsuspectingly welded on cadmium-containing alloys or with silver
solders.
Hexavalent chromium
Forms of hexavalent chromium can be toxic. Calcium chromate, chromium trioxide, lead
chromate, strontium chromate, and zinc chromate are known human carcinogens. An increase in
the incidence of lung cancer has been observed among workers in industries that produce
chromate and manufacture pigments containing chromate.
Lead
Occupational exposure to lead is one of the most prevalent overexposures. Industries with high
potential exposures include construction work, most smelter operations, radiator-repair shops,
and firing ranges.
Mercury
Common sources of mercury exposure include mining, production, and transportation of
mercury, as well as mining and refining of gold and silver ores. Other more common sources can
be found in silver dental fillings, fluorescent bulbs, and vaccinations. High mercury exposure
results in permanent nervous system and kidney damage.
[1]

Chelation therapy
Chelation therapy is a medical procedure that involves the administration of chelating agents to
remove heavy metals from the body. Chelation therapy has a long history of use in clinical
toxicology
[1]
and remains in use for some very specific medical treatments, although it is
administered under very careful medical supervision due to various inherent risks.
[2]

Chelation therapy must be administered with care as it has a number of possible side effects,
including death.
[3]
According to the American Cancer Society, medical evidence does not
support the effectiveness of chelation therapy for any purpose other than the treatment of heavy
metal poisoning.
[3]
Over-the-counter chelation products are not approved for sale in the United
States.
[4]

Approved medical use


Two molecules of deferasirox, an orally administered chelator, binding iron. Deferasirox is used in the
treatment of transfusional iron overload in people with thalassemia.
Chelation therapy is used as a treatment for acute mercury, iron (including in cases of
thalassemia), arsenic, lead, uranium, plutonium and other forms of toxic metal poisoning. The
chelating agent may be administered intravenously, intramuscularly, or orally, depending on the
agent and the type of poisoning.
[15]

Several chelating agents are available, having different affinities for different metals. For the
most common forms of heavy metal intoxication lead, arsenic, or mercury a number of
chelating agents are available. Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) has been recommended for the
treatment of lead poisoning in children by Poison Centers around the world.
[16]
Other chelating
agents, such as 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS) and alpha lipoic acid (ALA), are
used in conventional and alternative medicine.
Common chelating agents follow:
Chelator Used in
Dimercaprol (British anti-Lewisite; BAL)
acute arsenic poisoning
[17]

acute mercury poisoning
[17]

lead poisoning (in addition to EDTA)
[17]

Lewisite poisoning (for which it was
developed as an antidote)
Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA)
lead poisoning
[17]

arsenic poisoning
[17]

mercury poisoning
[17]

Dimercapto-propane sulfonate (DMPS)
severe acute arsenic poisoning
[17]

severe acute mercury poisoning
[17]

Penicillamine
Mainly in:
copper toxicity
[17]

Occasionally adjunctive therapy in:
gold toxicity
[17]

arsenic poisoning
[17]

lead poisoning
[17]

rheumatoid arthritis
[17]

Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (calcium
disodium versante) (CaNa
2
-EDTA)
lead poisoning
[17]

Deferoxamine and Deferasirox
acute iron poisoning
[17]

iron overload
[17]

Medically diagnosed heavy metal poisoning
Some common chelating agents are EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), DMPS (2,3-
dimercaptopropanesulfonic acid), TTFD (thiamine tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide), and DMSA
(2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid). Calcium-disodium EDTA and DMSA are only approved for the
removal of lead by the Food and Drug Administration while DMPS and TTFD are not approved
by the FDA. These drugs bind to heavy metals in the body and prevent them from binding to
other agents. They are then excreted from the body. The chelating process also removes vital
nutrients such as vitamins C and E, therefore these must be supplemented.
[18]

Uses in alternative medicine
In Alternative medicine, chelation therapy is promoted with the misleading claim it can treat a
variety of ailments, including heart disease and autism.
[19][20]

Attempts have been made to use it in treating kidney dysfunction, calcific band keratopathy (an
eye disorder), and ovarian cancer. The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative
Medicine (NCCAM) conducted a trial on the chelation therapy's safety and efficacy for patients
with coronary artery disease.
[21]
NCCAM Director Stephen E. Straus cited the "widespread use
of chelation therapy in lieu of established therapies, the lack of adequate prior research to verify
its safety and effectiveness, and the overall impact of coronary artery disease" as factors
motivating the trial.
[22]
The study has been criticized by some who said it was unethical,
unnecessary and dangerous, and that multiple studies conducted in prior to it demonstrated that
the treatment provides no benefit.
[2]