Oral EDTA, Lead & More

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Oral EDTA, Lead & More

Life Flow One

The Solution For Heart Disease

http://www.oralchelation.net/data/EDTA/data14k.htm

 

by

Karl Loren

 

Compilation of Articles

 

Showing the Benefits of Oral EDTA

 

By Dr. Garry F. Gordon

 

For those of us with the propensity to look, the evidence is there:

 

EDTA has an impact on vascular disease, reduces clotting problems,

reduces iron & heavy metal stores already in the body and results in

reduced free radicals.

 

 

 

Exhibit 1: The Binding Capacity of EDTA to Copper and Iron.

 

This clearly documents the strong binding capacity of EDTA to copper

and iron. This is cited as " the primary reason that 90 million

pounds of this substance are utilized annually, mostly as a food

additive.

 

Exhibit 1A: A Lowering of Prothrombin Activity

 

" A Comparative Study of the Use of Ferric Chelate in Iron Deficiency

Anemia " by C.F. Herridge, from The British Medical Journal, Vol. 2,

pg 140, July 19, 1958, reports that there was a lowering of the

prothrombin activity found in half of the group, though it was not

thought to be of clinical importance at that time.

 

Exhibit 1B: The Influence of EDTA on Iron Bioability

 

This exhibit contains 11 abstracts and 17 published articles

regarding the influence EDTA has on iron bioavailability, and

includes the following:

 

" The effect of Various Ligands on the Absorption, Distribution, and

Excretion of Iron following Oral Administration, " by W. Forth, et

al, Arch. Expti. Pathol. Pharmakol. 252(3), 242-57 (1965) Germany.

In the presence of EDTA, diminished iron retention appeared to be

due to a marked increase in excretion. Furthermore, EDTA-bound iron

is poorly utilized by the erythropoietic system.

 

Food iron absorption in man; the effect of EDTA on absorption of

dietary non-heme iron. " American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,

1976: 29(6), 614-620. This study reports a decrease of absorption on

hon-heme iron of 72% when EDTA is present at 2:1 molar ratio.

 

" Effect of orally administered EDTA on iron absorption in man. " P.S.

Davis et al. Australis Ann. Med. 16(1), 70-4, 1967. EDTA

significantly reduces iron absorption when present in a ratio of

10:1 or more.

 

" The Enhancement of Iron Excretion in Iron-Storage Diseases, " W.G.

Figueroa. Metal-Binding in Medicine, M.J. Seven, M.D., ed., J.B.

Lippincot, Chapter 17 (1960). This study claims that oral EDTA does

not increase output of iron in the urine.

 

" The Effect of the Prolonged Intake of EDTA on the Utilization of

Calcium and Iron by the Rat, " B.A. Larsen, Canadian Journal of

Biochem. Physiol., Vol 38 (1960), pgs 813-817. This article states

that EDTA ingestion causes less iron to be absorbed and more of what

is absorbed to be excreted.

 

" Effect of pH and chelating agents on iron binding by dietary fiber:

implications for iron availability. " M.J. Leigh, American Journal of

Clinical Nutrition 38: Aug, 1983, pages 202-213. This article states

that all iron research must take into account the level of ascorbic

acid. The key end result may be assumed to be due to the great

stability of the iron/EDTA complex at all pH levels.

 

" A Comparison of the Effect of Fe-3-Specific EDTA on urinary iron

excretion in a Patient with Hemochromatosis. " F.Gilbert McMahon,

Journal of Lab and Clinical Medicine, page 600, October 1956. This

reports a two-fold increase in urinary iron excretion from

intravenous administration.

 

" Design of Chelates for Therapeutic Objectives. " Martin Rubin, Fed

Proc 20 (Suppl. 10; Pt. 2): pgs 149-157, September 1961, states that

EDTA is able to hold iron in the presence of even a specific iron-

binding protein (siderophilin) of the plasma. Dr. Rubin states that

iron, presented to the cell in the form of an EDTA chelate, is

unavailable for incorporation into hemoglobin. This strongly

suggests that it is not available to catalyze free radical pathology!

 

Although the evidence regarding the removal of copper was limited to

3 out of 6 cases in Wilson's Disease and although oral EDTA was not

always beneficial in iron overload, the evidence that oral EDTA

inhibits the absorption of iron and copper seems overwhelming. Even

that beneficial and probably life extending activity may not be as

important as the potential for continuous, economical, and

convenient presence of EDTA in body fluids binding copper and iron

so tightly that they are largely unavailable for biological

activities including catalyzing free radical reactions.

 

 

 

Exhibit 2 : The Ascending Order of some of the Metals Chelated by

EDTA

 

Prolongation of Prothrombin Time by EDTA

 

Does Oral EDTA chelate out normal minerals?

 

How does EDTA treat malabsorption problems?

 

Those doctors only partially familiar with the workings of oral EDTA

could be concerned that oral EDTA might chelate out normal minerals

through the GI tract. This concern has been more than adequately

answered by the 21 abstracts and/or portions of published articles

in Exhibit 2. They, in fact, show that oral EDTA appears to treat

malabsorption problems and that it is apparently absorbed as the

complexes of several minerals. In this exhibit, there are two rat

studies that indicate increased deposition of calcium and phosphorus

in the bones following oral EDTA administration. (See Abstracts No.

CA 55:5762e, Vozar, and CA 54:25290h, Vozar).

 

 

 

This information comes from the Annals of Internal Medicine, volume

47, 1957, " Editorial: Chelation. " Page 1037 of this article lists

the well known ascending order of some of the metals of biological

interest that are chelated by EDTA. It also states that there are

reports showing that one of the effects of EDTA is to prolong

prothrombin time, citing the American Journal of Clinical Pathology

24: 39, 1954; and the Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine

42: 550, 1953, as references.

 

Dr. Garry F. Gordon believes that generally the anti-clotting effect

of EDTA is far more subtle and probably works in a synergistic way

with other anti-clotting, anti-platelet substances such as garlic,

Gingko, polysaccharides, EPA, etc.

 

 

 

Exhibit 3: The Lowering of Cholesterol through oral EDTA

 

Herewith are six references regarding the benefits from oral EDTA,

all documenting a lowering of cholesterol. There is one article

showing an increase in cholesterol levels but this was only in rats.

I think the preponderance of favorable evidence regarding

cholesterol lowering in humans from the ingestion of oral EDTA is

clear.

 

EDTA has been able to virtually substitute for zinc in zinc-

deficient animals, and has been shown to enhance the absorption of

heparin, Vitamin B12, and increase the blood levels of antibiotics

in chickens by 100%. Special salts of iron EDTA are being considered

for worldwide application because of these well documented studies.

(EDTA is commonly used as a feed additive for animals and thus has

been studied extensively.)

 

Researchers calculate the average human is already ingesting 15 to

50 milligrams of EDTA daily in their standard diet. Dr. Garry Gordon

thinks an effective therapeutic dose of EDTA in products ought to be

at least 500 mg, or (preferably 800 mg or more).

 

 

 

Exhibit 4: Significant Lead Lowering with Oral EDTA

 

The 88 abstracts and portions of 27 published articles (courtesy of

Mr. Scharffenberg) in Exhibit 4 come from mainstream medicine and

indicate an increase of excretion of lead with oral EDTA from 3 to

30 times (without exception). Virtually every one of these articles

describes significant lead lowering benefits from the oral ingestion

of EDTA.

 

 

 

Was Oral EDTA intentionally secreted to the sidelines of mainstream

medicine?

 

The main problem that led to the loss of favor of oral EDTA around

1960 was the AMA's strong concern regarding its potential for abuse

by industrial physicians who would use the tablets instead of

demanding that management improve the working environment.

 

It is well documented that all of us provably have adverse health

effects because of the levels of lead found in everyone today. Since

there is no safe level and these adverse effects have been

documented at every measurable level, the widespread employment of

nontoxic and inexpensive therapies for removing lead must take on

greater importance. Oral EDTA must once again be brought to center

stage and evaluated versus penicillamine and DMSA, both of which are

far more expensive and clearly more toxic.

 

 

 

Patients acutely lead poisoned must be removed from all known

sources of lead.

 

There may be some relative contraindications to the use of oral EDTA

in the case of an acutely lead poisoned person unless the intestinal

tract is emptied with something like an enema, as per the review

article " Lead Poisoning, Review of the literature and report on 45

cases. " R.K. Byers, Children's Hosp., Boston, Harvard Med. School,

Pediatrics 23: 585-603 March 1959. It apparently enhances lead

absorption from the gut so it would seem rather obvious that good

medicine requires that, whenever possible, the doctor first removes

patients from all known sources of lead for maximum effectiveness.

 

 

 

Oral Calcium EDTA increases urinary lead excretion without modifying

its intestinal excretion:

 

The issue regarding the absorption of lead from the intestinal tract

has been studied in some depth. " Effects of calcium sodium

ethylenediamin-tetra-acetate on the kinetics of distribution and

excretion of lead in the rat, " N. Castel-lino and S. Aloj, Brit.J.

Indust. Med., 1965, 22, 172, reviewed this issue and concluded that

oral administration of calcium EDTA caused a great increase of

urinary lead excretion without modifying its intestinal absorption.

They reported that approximately 18% of orally ingested lead was

absorbed by rats whether they were treated with EDTA or not.

 

 

 

Natural Zinc and Mineral Supplements should accompany Oral EDTA

Therapy.

 

Because of the dangers of low level lead toxicity, many alternative

medicine doctors facilitate the removal of lead with the use of

natural therapies including Vitamin C, garlic, zinc, and calcium.

Oral EDTA is a vitally important additional method of increasing

lead removal from the body. These natural adjunctive lead cleansing

therapies provide significant protection to patients because, for

example, by aggressively administering zinc, any potential for zinc

deficiency associated with oral EDTA therapy is entirely avoided.

These recommendations, therefore, should help to mitigate any of the

criticisms ever leveled at oral EDTA, such as the fear of

mutagenesis if zinc is allowed to become deficient. Just as we chose

to point out where the early researchers with intravenous EDTA had

erred, and we were able to overcome their errors successfully

through such cautions as mineral replacement.

 

 

 

Consider the Stability Constants when regarding the therapeutic

potential of oral EDTA in vascular disease.

 

There has been a legitimate confusion regarding the therapeutic

potential of oral EDTA in vascular disease. It would seem likely

that if we look at stability constants, however, EDTA certainly

prevents excess iron absorption, and (depending on other factors

such as pH, etc.) it is really chelating iron out of the body as the

literature indicates. The published stability constants clearly

indicate that oral EDTA would decrease the circulating levels of

free iron and copper because they are now bound to EDTA and

therefore not biologically available to catalyze free radical

reactions. While these actions may be considered by some to be

theoretical, the removal of lead from the oral ingestion of EDTA

cannot be considered as anything other than established fact.

 

 

 

All studies clearly show the dangers of gradually accumulating

levels of toxic metals such as lead and cadmium in tissues with

aging, especially in the brain (esp. the pituitary gland) Since oral

EDTA clearly helps to prevent and possibly even reverse this

problem, and since EDTA has been documented to be an effective food

preservative that prevents oxidative damage to food by free metals,

having FDA approval to be added to our diet

 

at levels of 25-800 mg., it is Dr. Gordon's belief that every

informed doctor should research it and consider using it in his

practice.

 

 

 

Exhibit 5: Concern about the Buildup of EDTA in Surface Waters

 

The Federal Health Office in Germany published the

article " Implications of Heavy Metal Toxicity Related to EDTA

Exposure " (H.H. Dieter, Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry,

Vol 27, pp. 91-95, 1990). This article sounded the alarm that EDTA

is building up in all surface waters at an alarming rate. And

although there is extensive documentation regarding its usefulness

and safety, there is new research regarding nephrotoxicity from

accumulated cadmium after chronic low-level exposure of an

EDTA/cadmium complex that forms in surface water and potentially may

accumulate in renal tubular cells.

 

 

 

Exhibit 6: The Danger posed by the German Federal Health Office can

be avoided

 

when the dose of EDTA is higher than the amount of Cadmium.

 

The theoretical danger of Cadmium toxicity documented by the German

Federal Health Office can be avoided when the dose of EDTA is higher

than the amount of cadmium. (See " Effects of Chelation Agents on

Oral Uptake and Renal Deposition and Excretion of Cadmium, " Brigitta

Engstrom, National Institute of Environmental Medicine, Stockholm,

Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 54, pp. 219-232, l984.) The

Engstrom article clearly shows increased body elimination and

decreased acute toxicity. Note: It is only very low intakes of EDTA

in combination with cadmium that produce this theoretical risk.

 

Exhibit 7: References from an Outline of Slides on oral EDTA.

 

One article has been copied in its entirety to illustrate the

quality of the type of references contained in all of them. (Morgan,

South Med J., Vol 68, No.8.)

 

(See Ref. Nos. 10,12, 13, Brit J Ind. Med and Arch of Indust.

Health.) All of these references need to be obtained in order to do

a comprehensive search of the literature.

 

 

 

Exhibit 8: The influence of various diseases on the absorption of

EDTA.

 

The proven increased intestinal absorption of chromium EDTA with

various diseases makes the oral route all the more effective in

sicker patients who are PROVEN to absorb a higher percentage of EDTA

(probably up to the 18% level published elsewhere).

 

For years, a common method of taking 3 gm of oral calcium EDTA was

in grapefruit juice. Current interest in the drug interactions with

grapefruit juice are still inconclusive as to how all of these

effects are generated, so it is possible that there was some hidden

benefit from this approach to oral EDTA administration.

 

Included in the seven articles of this exhibit, it shows that the

sicker the patient, the more likely the leaky bowel will supply even

greater absorption of the oral EDTA. The proven ability of EDTA to

chelate with metals such as copper and iron so they are completely

inactivated and cannot react as metal ions, holds some interesting

prospects for future life extension research. Leading experts in

aging research continue to believe that these metals catalyze free

radicals to our great detriment.

 

 

 

Exhibit 9: August & Sept. 1997, Issues of Nutrition News, on Oral

Chelation.

 

These articles were written by Ward Dean, MD, after an extended of

actively studying oral EDTA.

 

Exhibit 10: " Oral chelation with EDTA, " by Dr. Garry Gordon, MD.

 

This article is from the 1986 issue of the Journal of Holistic

Medicine, Vo. 8 Nos. 1 & 2.

 

 

 

Exhibit 11: Binding of Free Copper & Iron to lessen Free Radical

Damage

 

It appears that by binding free copper and iron there may be

significant improvement with some of the newer markers of free-

radical damage, such as provided by Genox Labs in Baltimore. This

information is from Richard Cutler, Ph.D., who did 18 years research

with Natl. Institutes of Aging, who is a recognized expert on aging,

and who clearly advocates the use of food additives that bind copper

and/or iron).

 

 

 

Exhibit 12: EDTA in Food, its Enhancement of Several Essential

Nutrients, and its

 

Prevention of the Copper Catalyzed Oxidation of Vitamin C.

 

These articles illustrate the use of EDTA in food and how it not

only enhances the uptake of several essential nutrients (vitamin

B12, heparin, and essential minerals), but also has a synergistic

effect with other nutrients such as polysaccharides.

 

Also EDTA prevents the copper catalyzed oxidation of Vitamin C .

(See H.L. Aamoth et al, Annals, N. Y. Acad. of Sci., V. 88, 1960.)

 

 

 

Morrison's Formula Showed a 70% Reduction in Second Heart Attack

Rate.

 

Dr. Gordon has studied this intensively for he had the privilege of

working with Lester Morrison, M.D., who spent more than $10,000,000

developing a synergistic formula based initially on tracheal

cartilage rings and later going into other sources of

polysaccharides. Morrison documented that this formula would reverse

arteriosclerosis and protect from myocardial infarction etc. When

Dr. Gordon added EDTA to this formula, the effective dose required

to prevent blood clotting in the standard Chandler loop test

employed in Morrison's research was substantially reduced. Dr.

Gordon's knowledge of this research combined with the incredibly low

mortality rate he experienced in his practice has made him extremely

optimistic regarding the benefits of what he considers to be a total

oral chelation approach of synergistically combined nutrients.

Morrison's formula alone showed a better than 70% reduction in

second heart attack rate. (Morrison, Lester M., M.D., and Schjeide,

O. Arne, Ph.D. Coronary Heart Disease and the Mucopolysaccharides

(Glyco-saminoglycans). (1974) Charles C. Thomas, Publisher. 2600 S.

First Street, Springfield, Illinois 62717. ISBN 0-398-02903-2.

Morrison, Lester M., M.D., and Schjeide, Ole A. Ph.D.

Arteriosclerosis. Prevention, Treatment, and Regression. (1984)

Charles C. Thomas, Publisher. 2600 S. First Street, Springfield,

Illinois 62717. ISBN 0-398-04919-X. Morrison, Lester M., M.D., with

Nugent, Nancy. Dr. Morrison's Heart-Saver Program. (1982) St.

Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010. ISBN 0-312-

21481-2.)

 

 

 

Miscellaneous uses of EDTA:

 

In 1959 F. Bersworth and Martin Rubin got a patent for the

prophylactic use of Ca EDTA, to be blended with food products, to

PREVENT metal poisoning. Today, with our food supply so challenged,

this idea appears quite rational. We know that EDTA protects against

many toxic metals including nickel, cadmium (as long as dose is high

enough), vanadium (which some research links to diabetes), cobalt,

iron, and copper overload. EDTA has also been shown to help lower

the body burden of internally deposited fission products (U.S.

Atomic Energy Commission) . In fact, a rat study showed significant

protection against the toxicity of cisplatin.

 

Exhibit 13: The Safety of EDTA

 

This exhibit consists of 15 articles regarding long term safety of

EDTA which, after careful review, cannot be considered a significant

issue. (See " The Metabolism of EDTA, Food and Cosmetic Toxicology. "

British Industrial Biological Research, " Safety evaluation studies

of calcium EDTA. " Bernard L. Oser et al, Food and Drug Research

Labs. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 5, 142-162, 1963. Also,

Toxicological Profile, Current Use, and Regulatory Issues on EDTA

compounds for assessing use of Sodium Iron EDTA for food

fortification; Paul Whittaker et al, Center for food safety, FDA,

Washington D.C. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 18, 419-427

(1993))

 

 

 

IRON and EDTA

 

The complex issue regarding iron balance is covered in Fd. Cosmet.

Toxicol. Vol 2 pp. 741-750. Pergamon Press (1964) which shows that

iron absorption is apparently only decreased when positive iron

balance exists. Many experts in anti-aging are convinced that

lowering the levels of iron in our bodies should increase life span.

The studies included show that oral EDTA prevents absorption of iron

(UNLESS one is deficient).

 

 

 

Exhibit 14: A Few Pages from Scharffenberg's Printout of more than

400 References

 

on Oral EDTA Articles.

 

Exhibit 15: A Discussion of the Benefits of EDTA in Epilepsy,

Porphyria, & Psoriasis

 

 

 

We trust that after having familiarized yourself with some, most,

or all of the articles contained in the EDTA portion of this

website, as a medical practitioner you will continue to learn about

oral EDTA Chelation and its benefits with respect to lead and metal

poisoning, its synergistic effects with nutrients, and its potential

in formulas of the future.

 

 

 

EXHIBIT LIST

 

Exhibit No. Description

 

1.) Iron and EDTA

 

2.) Enhanced absorption of useful nutrients and detoxification

of heavy metals including vanadium and fissionable materials

 

3.) Benefits of oral EDTA on

cholestermetabolism

 

4.) 115 references showing positive

benefits with oral EDTA in lead toxicity

 

5.) H.H. Dieter. German

Federal Health Office concerns re EDTA in water

 

6.) Oral EDTA removed by cadmium as long

as molar ratio is achieved dosage

 

7.) Dr. Gordon's slide presentation

regarding lead

removal with oral EDTA

 

8.) Enhanced intestinal absorption of

essential nutrients including Vitamin B12, zinc,

cobalt, heparin, and synergy with polysaccharides

 

9.) Ward Dean article in

Nutrition News,

Vol. 11 No. Sept.

1997.

 

10.) Garry Gordon interview in Life

Enhancement Magazine, No. 32, April

1997, " Chelation with EDTA… "

 

11.) Genox Laboratory literature (Dir.,

Richard Cutler, Ph.D.) suggesting benefits in

their free radical marker tests with food

additives that combine with iron

and/or copper.

 

12.) Articles re usefulness of EDTA in

the food supply to prevent food spoilage and

protect ascorbic acid from oxidation.

 

13.) Research articles re

safety of EDTA

 

14.) Small portion of more than 400

references regarding oral EDTA organized by

Richard Scharffenberg