The FDA approved EDTA for its metal-binding ability.
We differentiate between NaEDTA, NaCaEDTA and NaMgEDTA.
NaEDTA strongly binds free calcium and has been approved by the FDA and other institutions for the treatment of hypercalcemia.
NaCaEDTA consists of NaEDTA bound with calcium, and thus cannot bind calcium.
NaMgEDTA consists of NaEDTA bound with Magnesium. The vasodilatory function of magnesium and the calcium- and other metal-binding ability of this chelator is thus used for the treatment of vascular disease such as diabetes.
Misunderstandings about the function and application of EDTA-chelators have caused problems and since then the FDA issued the following warning: “The two EDTA drugs (NaCaEDTA+NaEDTA) have established names that are easily confused and both are referred to in clinical practice as "EDTA." This confusion has resulted in medication errors in which some patients have received the wrong drug, which has been fatal in some cases or caused serious adverse reactions in others. The error is especially dangerous when edetate disodium (NaEDTA) is erroneously given to a patient who is supposed to receive edetate calcium disodium (NaCaEDTA).
The two EDTA drugs have different approved uses and significantly different effects. Risks are low when infusion protocols are followed.
Summary of the response to Dr. Michael Gerber's article "Thirty Years of Progress in Cardiovascular Heath", Townsend Letter, Oct 2011: view
Na2EDTA (Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid disodium salt or in short Sodium EDTA) easily binds with calcium. It is used intravenously in the treatment of hypercalcemia and of atherosclerotic disease. Na2EDTA should not be used in children or patients suffering from parathyroid disease.
CaEDTA is the calcium salt of Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, also referred to as Calcium ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid. Since it is bound to calcium, it will not be effective in removing calcium. It has been approved for lead intoxication only.
The infusion time of Na2EDTA or CaEDTA should not be less than 1gr/hr.
Oral EDTA or EDTA suppositories detoxify the digestive tract. Read more
Information from the American Heart Association regarding the TACT Study. Nov. 13, 2013
Patients with diabetes mellitus, when compared with patients without diabetes mellitus, demonstrated a major reduction in the primary end point, and consistent reductions in the individual components of the primary end point.
Los Angeles, CA (updated) - The randomized, double-blind trial of chelation therapy (TACT = Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy) indicates that NaMgEDTA Chelation Therapy improves clinical outcomes in patients after an acute MI.
L. Terry Chappel MD1 & John F. Stahl PhD2. The Correlation between EDTA Chelation Therapy and Improvement in Cardiovascular Function: A Meta-Analysis. J of Advancements in Med. vol 6, #3, 1993
A thorough literature search identified 40 articles on the subject. Nineteen studies met the criteria for inclusion with data on 22765 patients. The meta-analysis revealed a correlation of 0.88, which indicates a high positive relationship between NaMgEDTA therapy and improved cardiovascular function. Eighty-seven per cent of the patients included in the meta-analysis demonstrated clinical improvement by objective testing.
1 Assistant professor at Wright State School of Medicine.
2 Prof. of Electrical Engineering and Director of Cooperative Education at Ohio Northern University College of Engineering.