Chelation updates – New politics may alter the landscape on Heavy Metals Removal – Getting toxic metals and arterial calcification out of the body is critical for millions of us. New attention has been drawn to chelation therapy for this, partly due to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appointment as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Kennedy is a vocal advocate for chelation, arguing that its potential benefits have been suppressed by regulators. His position overseeing a budget of nearly $2 trillion has reignited discussions about chelation’s role in modern medicine.
It’s useful for Best Holistic Life magazine readers to know that some foods and herbs are natural chelators. Although they aren’t as concentrated as medical-grade substances, they are shown to help the body rid itself of some toxic metals.
- Broccoli sprouts: Rich in sulforaphane, which promotes detoxification of heavy metals.
- Cilantro: Helps remove mercury, lead, and aluminum from tissues.
- Garlic and onions: Sulfur-rich foods that particularly help remove lead from the body.
- Brazil nuts: High in selenium, which reduces metal toxicity and binds methylmercury.
- Chlorella: Green algae with an outstanding ability to bind cadmium and arsenic and reduce mercury in the brain and kidneys.
- Alliums (garlic, onions, shallots, leeks): Powerful chelates due to high sulfur content.
- Curcumin (from turmeric): Protects the liver from damage induced by various heavy metals.
- Quercetin: A flavonoid that significantly reduces cadmium levels and related kidney damage.
- Pectin-rich fruits: Pears, green apples, citrus fruits, cabbage, beets, and carrots increase heavy metal excretion.
- Foods high in vitamin C: Such as Oranges, strawberries, grapefruit, kale, and red peppers, help reduce the toxic effects of heavy metals.
- Spirulina: High in cysteine for heavy metal detoxification
Aside from those natural chelators, more concentrated intravenous (IV) chelation remains an undisputed method for removing heavy metals like lead from the body. Different chelating agents target specific metals: Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for lead and calcium, Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA—administered orally) for mercury, arsenic, and lead, and Diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) for radioactive metals.
The effectiveness of chelation therapy in diabetics with heart disease has been explored extensively, and the results are contradictory. The Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy 2 (TACT2), published in April 2024, produced results that differed from the original TACT study. TACT2 focused on patients with diabetes, the highest-risk cohort from TACT with the greatest observed effect size.
In TACT2, chelation therapy reduced blood lead levels by 61% in the treatment group and increased cadmium excretion but did not significantly reduce cardiovascular events compared to the placebo group. This contrasts with the original TACT trial, which demonstrated a significant reduction in death and cardiovascular events among diabetics.
The lead investigator, Dr. Gervasio Lamas, discussed possible reasons for the difference between TACT and TACT2. He noted that average blood lead levels in the U.S. had dropped 41% between the two trials. This reduction may have diminished the therapeutic impact of lowering blood lead levels through chelation.
However, lead levels have not dropped uniformly across the United States and certainly have not decreased significantly in many other parts of the world. This suggests the original TACT study findings might still be valid for billions of people living in areas with persistently higher lead exposure.
One outcome of TACT has been a focus on developing more patient-friendly delivery methods. Oral chelators are one alternative. Thanks to enteric coatings, capsules can bypass stomach acids and dissolve in the intestines, releasing larger amounts of the drug into the blood.
DMSA, also known as succimer, is one such oral chelator. It is administered orally at a dose of 30 mg/kg/day and has been shown to be an effective antidote for lead poisoning. DMSA significantly increases urine lead excretion and reduces blood lead concentrations. However, there is wide individual variation in response.
Many chelation regimens combine chelating agents with vitamins, supplements, and nutraceuticals. NanobacTX is an example of such a combination. Its formula uses edetate disodium dicalcium and enzyme systems to dissolve calcified plaque and improve vascular health. NanobacTX is reported to have a longer therapeutic time than traditional IV EDTA chelation, potentially making it more effective.
Emerging research, for example, at Clemson University in South Carolina and at Elastrin Therapeutics, is exploring new approaches to chelation using targeted nanoparticles. These delivery systems, which range in size from ~10 to 1000 nm, are made from natural or artificial polymers. They bind to drug compounds and deliver them to specific points in the body.
This provides several advantages:
- It maximizes the effectiveness of metal chelators through specific targeting.
- It reduces the toxicity of chelation compounds by preventing systemic shot-gunning of the whole body.
- It increases the availability of the drug at the targeted point.
Chelation therapy is rapidly evolving. From new delivery methods to innovative combinations and cutting-edge nanoparticle research, the field is experiencing significant advancements. As official stances on chelation continue to shift, it’s crucial for medical professionals and the public to stay informed. To learn more about chelation innovations, read the book Discovering the Nature of Longevity, available on Amazon.com.
Note: This article is for information only and should not be taken as medical advice. Consult a qualified physician before trying any therapy.
References
- Washington Post (2025). Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s appointment as HHS Secretary.
- Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology – A review of herbal compounds for chelation therapy in heavy metal toxicity
- Medical News Today – What is a heavy metal detox? Uses, evidence, and alternatives
- Sears ME (2013). Chelation: Harnessing heavy metal detoxification—A review: The Scientific World Journal.
- Lamas GA et al., (2024). Effect of Disodium EDTA Chelation Regimen on Cardiovascular Events: JAMA.
- Los Angeles Times (2025). Elevated Lead Levels Detected in LA Atmosphere.
- Bradberry S et al., (2009). Use of oral dimercaptosuccinic acid (succimer): Clinical Toxicology.
- NanobacTX Official Product Information (2024).
- Karamched et al. Site-specific chelation therapy with EDTA-loaded albumin nanoparticles reverses arterial calcification in a rat model of chronic kidney disease. Scientific Reports. 2019.
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- About the author: Douglas Mulhall’s latest book, Discovering the Nature of Longevity: Restoring the Heart and Body by Targeting Hidden Stress, explores prevention and therapies for heavy metal contamination. The American Institute of Stress recommends it and carries a Foreword by the Chief author of the American Heart Association statement on toxic heavy metals. He co-develops award-winning certifications and standards for products globally and is a registered ISO expert on a global standard for declaring the contents of products.
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