Manuscript
Published By The University of Michigan

University of Michigan hosted their 25th annual conference on toxic heavy metals. Scientists and researchers from all over the world came to share information on solutions to reverse and prevent further heavy metals poisoning of our earth's water air and soils.

Extreme Health was the only company invited with a solution for the already poisoned human.

Oral Chelation & Nutritional Replacement Therapy for Heavy Metal Toxicity and Cardiovascular Conditions

Published by the University of Michigan

By Maile Pouls Ph.D.

Part 1

Extreme Health has designed a formula to help people recover from heavy metal toxicity and restore and maintain their cardiovascular health. The program is based on oral chelation and the proper nutritional replenishment formula which are proving effective in clinical trials.

THE HEAVY METAL HAZARD

Some metals are naturally found in the body and are essential to human health. Iron for example prevents anemia and zinc is a cofactor in over 100 enzyme reactions. They normally occur at low concentrations and are known as trace metals. In high doses they may be toxic to the body or produce deficiencies in other trace metals; for example high levels of zinc can result in a deficiency of copper another metal required by the body.

Heavy or toxic metals are trace metals with a density at least five times that of water. As such they are stable elements (meaning they cannot be metabolized by the body) and bio-accumulative (passed up the food chain to humans). These include: mercury nickel lead arsenic cadmium aluminum platinum and copper (the metallic form versus the ionic form required by the body).¹Heavy metals have no function in the body and can be highly toxic.

Once liberated into the environment through the air drinking water food or countless human-made chemicals and products heavy metals are taken into the body via inhalation ingestion and skin absorption.² If heavy metals enter and accumulate in body tissues faster than the body's detoxification pathways can dispose of them a gradual buildup of these toxins will occur.³ High-concentration exposure is not necessary to produce a state of toxicity in the body as heavy metals accumulate in body tissues and over time can reach toxic concentration levels.

Heavy metal exposure is not an entirely modern phenomenon: historians have cited the contamination of wine and grape drinks by lead-lined jugs and cooking pots as a contributing factor in the "decline and fall" of the Roman Empire;⁴ and the Mad Hatter character in Alice in Wonderland was likely modeled after nineteenth-century hat makers who used mercury to stiffen hat material and frequently became psychotic from mercury toxicity.

Human exposure to heavy metals has risen dramatically in the last 50 years however as a result of an exponential increase in the use of heavy metals in industrial processes and products. Today chronic exposure comes from mercury-amalgam dental fillings lead in paint and tap water chemical residues in processed foods and "personal care" products (cosmetics shampoo and other hair products mouthwash toothpaste soap). In today's industrial society there is no escaping exposure to toxic chemicals and metals.

In addition to the hazards at home and outdoors many occupations involve daily heavy metal exposure. Over 50 professions entail exposure to mercury alone. These include physicians pharmaceutical workers any dental occupation laboratory workers hairdressers painters printers welders metalworkers cosmetic workers battery makers engravers photographers visual artists and potters.⁵

The Effects of Heavy Metal Toxicity

Studies confirm that heavy metals can directly influence behavior by impairing mental and neurological function influencing neurotransmitter production and utilization and altering numerous metabolic body processes. Systems in which toxic metal elements can induce impairment and dysfunction include the blood and cardiovascular detoxification pathways (colon liver kidneys skin) endocrine (hormonal) energy production pathways enzymatic gastrointestinal immune nervous (central and peripheral) reproductive and urinary.⁶

Breathing heavy metal particles even at levels well below those considered nontoxic can have serious health effects. Virtually all aspects of animal and human immune system function are compromised by the inhalation of heavy metal particulates.⁷ In addition toxic metals can increase allergic reactions cause genetic mutation compete with "good" trace metals for biochemical bond sites and act as antibiotics killing both harmful and beneficial bacteria.⁸

Much of the damage produced by toxic metals stems from the proliferation of oxidative free radicals they cause. A free radical is an energetically unbalanced molecule composed of an unpaired electron that "steals" an electron from another molecule to restore its balance. Free radicals result naturally when cell molecules react with oxygen (oxidation) but with a heavy toxic load or existing antioxidant deficiencies uncontrolled free-radical production occurs. Unchecked free radicals can cause tissue damage throughout the body; free-radical damage underlies all degenerative diseases. Antioxidants such as vitamins A C and E curtail free-radical activity.

Heavy metals can also increase the acidity of the blood. The body draws calcium from the bones to help restore the proper blood pH. Further toxic metals set up conditions that lead to inflammation in arteries and tissues causing more calcium to be drawn to the area as a buffer. The calcium coats the inflamed areas in the blood vessels like a bandage patching up one problem but creating another namely the hardening of the artery walls and progressive blockage of the arteries. Without replenishment of calcium the constant removal of this important mineral from the bones will result in osteoporosis (loss of bone density leading to brittle bones).

Current studies indicate that even minute levels of toxic elements have negative health consequences however these vary from person to person. Nutritional status metabolic rate the integrity of detoxification pathways (ability to detoxify toxic substances) and the mode and degree of heavy metal exposure all affect how an individual responds. Children and the elderly whose immune systems are either underdeveloped or age-compromised are more vulnerable to toxicity.⁹

Common Heavy Metals: Sources and Specific Effects

Aluminum arsenic cadmium lead mercury and nickel are the most prevalent heavy metals. The specific sources of exposure body tissues in which the metal tends to be deposited and health effects of each metal are identified below.

1. Aluminum

Sources of exposure: Aluminum cookware aluminum foil antacids antiperspirants baking powder (aluminum containing) buffered aspirin canned acidic foods food additives lipstick medications and drugs (anti-diarrheal agents hemorrhoid medications vaginal douches) processed cheese "softened" water and tap water.

Target tissues: Bones brain kidneys and stomach.

Signs and Symptoms: Colic dementia esophagitis gastroenteritis kidney damage liver dysfunction loss of appetite loss of balance muscle pain psychosis shortness of breath and weakness.

Among the patients I see in my practice the highest aluminum exposure is most frequently due to the chronic consumption of aluminum-containing antacid products. Research shows that aluminum builds up in the body over time; thus the health hazard to older people is greater.

D.R. McLaughlin M.D. F.R.C.P. (C) professor of physiology and medicine and director of the Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases at the University of Toronto states "Concentrations of aluminum that are toxic to many biochemical processes are found in at least ten human neurological conditions."¹⁰ Recent studies suggest that aluminum contributes to neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease Parkinson's disease senile and presenile dementia clumsiness of movements staggering when walking and inability to pronounce words properly. Behavioral difficulties among schoolchildren have also been correlated with elevated levels of aluminum. ¹¹

2. Arsenic

Sources of exposure: Air pollution antibiotics given to commercial livestock certain marine plants chemical processing coal-fired power plants defoliants drinking water drying agents for cotton fish herbicides insecticides meats (from commercially raised poultry and cattle) metal ore smelting pesticides seafood (fish mussels oysters) specialty glass and wood preservatives.

Target tissues: Most organs of the body especially the gastrointestinal system lungs and skin.

Signs and Symptoms: Abdominal pain burning of the mouth and throat cancer (especially lung and skin) coma diarrhea nausea neuritis peripheral vascular problems skin lesions and vascular collapse.

The greatest dangers from chronic arsenic exposure are lung and skin cancers and gradual poisoning most frequently from living near metal smelting plants or arsenic factories.

3. Cadmium

Sources of exposure: Air pollution art supplies bone meal cigarette smoke food (coffee fruits grains and vegetables grown in cadmium-laden soil meats [kidneys liver poultry] or refined foods) freshwater fish fungicides highway dusts incinerators mining nickel-cadmium batteries oxide dusts paints phosphate fertilizers power plants seafood (crab flounder mussels oysters scallops) sewage sludge "softened" water smelting plants tobacco and tobacco smoke and welding fumes.

Target tissues: Appetite and pain centers (in brain) brain heart and blood vessels kidneys and lungs.

Signs and Symptoms: Anemia dry and scaly skin emphysema fatigue hair loss heart disease depressed immune system response hypertension joint pain kidney stones or damage liver dysfunction or damage loss of appetite loss of sense of smell lung cancer pain in the back and legs and yellow teeth.

Current studies are attempting to determine if cadmium-induced bone and kidney damage can be prevented (or made less likely) by adequate calcium protein (amino acids) vitamin D and zinc in the diet.¹²

4. Lead

Sources of exposure: Air pollution ammunition (shot and bullets) bathtubs (cast iron porcelain steel) batteries canned foods ceramics chemical fertilizers cosmetics dolomite dust foods grown around industrial areas gasoline hair dyes and rinses leaded glass newsprint and colored advertisements paints pesticides pewter pottery rubber toys soft coal soil solder tap water tobacco smoke and vinyl 'mini-blinds'.

Target tissues: Bones brain heart kidneys liver nervous system and pancreas.

Signs and Symptoms: Abdominal pain anemia anorexia anxiety bone pain brain damage confusion constipation convulsions dizziness drowsiness fatigue headaches hypertension inability to concentrate indigestion irritability loss of appetite loss of muscle coordination memory difficulties miscarriage muscle pain pallor tremors vomiting and weakness.

The toxicity of lead is widely acknowledged. The greatest risk for harm even with only minute or short-term exposure is to infants young children and pregnant women. A federal study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) in 1984 estimated that three to four million American children have an unacceptably high level of lead in their blood. Dr. Suzanne Binder a CDCP official stated "Many people believed that when lead paint was banned from housing [in 1978] and lead was cut from gasoline [in the late 1970s] lead-poisoning problems disappeared but they're wrong. We know that throughout the country children of all races and ethnicities and income levels are being affected by lead [already in the environment]."¹³ In their book 'Toxic Metal Syndrome' Dr.'s R. Casdorph and M. Walker report that over 4 million tons of lead is mined each year and existing environmental lead levels are at least 500 times greater than pre-historic levels.

In 1989 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that more than one million elementary schools high schools and colleges are still using lead-lined water storage tanks or lead-containing components in their drinking fountains.¹⁴ The EPA estimates that drinking water accounts for approximately 20% of young children's lead exposure.¹⁵ Other common sources are lead paint residue in older buildings (as in inner cities) and living in proximity to industrial areas or other sources of toxic chemical exposure such as commercial agricultural land. All children born in the U.S. today have measurable traces of pesticides a source of heavy metals and chlorine-based chemicals in their tissues.¹⁶

Lead is a known neurotoxin (kills brain cells) and excessive blood lead levels in children have been linked to learning disabilities attention deficit disorder (ADD) hyperactivity syndromes and reduced intelligence and school achievement scores.¹⁷

5. Mercury

Sources of exposure: Air pollution batteries cosmetics dental amalgams diuretics (mercurial) electrical devices and relays explosives foods (grains) fungicides fluorescent lights freshwater fish (especially large bass pike and trout) insecticides mining paints pesticides petroleum products saltwater fish (especially large halibut shrimp snapper and swordfish) shellfish and tap water.

Target tissues: Appetite and pain centers in the brain cell membranes kidneys and nervous system (central and peripheral).

Signs and Symptoms: Abnormal nervous and physical development (fetal and childhood) anemia anorexia anxiety blood changes blindness blue line on gums colitis depression dermatitis difficulty chewing and swallowing dizziness drowsiness emotional instability fatigue fever hallucinations headache hearing loss hypertension inflamed gums insomnia kidney damage or failure loss of appetite and sense of smell loss of muscle coordination memory loss metallic taste in mouth nerve damage numbness psychosis salivation stomatitis tremors vision impairment vomiting weakness and weight loss.

The primary source of exposure to mercury is "silver" dental fillings (approximately 50% mercury when placed); over 225 million Americans have these fillings in their teeth.¹⁸ Mercury fillings release microscopic particles and vapors of mercury every time a person chews. Vapors are inhaled while particles are absorbed by tooth roots mucous membranes of the mouth and gums and the stomach lining.

In people with mercury amalgam fillings measurements of the mercury level in the mouth ranges between 20 and 400 mcg/m3. Keep in mind that this is continuous exposure. The National Institute of Occupation Safety and Health places the safe limit of environmental exposure to mercury at 20 mcg/m3 but that is assuming a weekly exposure of 40 hours (the work week) and the mercury involved is outside the body.¹⁹ The Environmental Protection Agency's allowable limit for continuous mercury exposure is 1 mcg/m3 but again that is based on mercury sources outside the body.²⁰ Neither figure addresses 24-hour-a-day exposure from mercury in one's mouth.

Hal Huggins D.D.S. a specialist in the effect of mercury amalgams on health reports that 90% of the 7000 patients he tested showed immune system reactivity from exposure to low levels of mercury. In 1984 the American Dental Association (ADA) without providing scientific evidence claimed that only 5% of the U.S. population is reactive to mercury exposure and that this figure is insignificant. Meanwhile the ADA mandates that dentists alert all dental personnel to the potential hazards of inhaling mercury vapors.²¹ The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) goes further instructing dentists to treat mercury amalgam as a toxic material while handling before insertion and as toxic waste after removal.²²

Mark S. Hulet D.D.S. who conducts research on amalgam fillings wrote a pamphlet for his patients in which he cites five categories of pathological reaction to mercury fillings as identified by dentists doctors and toxicologists. The categories are:

-Neurological: emotional manifestations (depression suicidal impulses irritability inability to cope) and motor symptoms (muscle spasms facial tics seizures multiple sclerosis)

-Cardiovascular problems: nonspecific chest pain accelerated heart beat

- Collagen diseases: arthritis bursitis scleroderma systemic lupus erythematosis

-Immune system diseases: compromised immunity

-Allergies: Airborne allergies food allergies and "universal" reactors.

One of the keys to mercury's effects on health may be its ability to block the functioning of manganese a key mineral required for physiological reactions in all five categories notes Dr. Hulet.²³

6. Nickel

Sources of exposure: Appliances buttons ceramics cocoa cold-wave hair permanent cooking utensils cosmetics coins dental materials food (chocolate hydrogenated oils nuts food grown near industrial areas) hair spray industrial waste jewelry medical implants metal refineries metal tools nickel-cadmium batteries orthodontic appliances shampoo solid-waste incinerators stainless steel kitchen utensils tap water tobacco and tobacco smoke water faucets and pipes and zippers.

Target tissues: Areas of skin exposure larynx (voice box) lungs and nasal passages.

Signs and Symptoms: Apathy blue-colored lips cancer (especially lung nasal and larynx) contact dermatitis diarrhea fever headaches dizziness gingivitis insomnia nausea rapid heart rate skin rashes (redness itching blisters) shortness of breath stomatitis and vomiting.

7Casdorph H. M.D. and Walker M. D.P.M. Toxic Metal Syndrome (Garden City Park NY) Avery Publishing 1995) 95. ⁸Kellas B. Ph.D. and Dworkin A. N.D. Surviving the vomiting.

The greatest danger from chronic nickel exposure is lung nasal or larynx cancers and gradual poisoning from accidental or chronic low-level exposure the risk of which is greatest for those living near metal smelting plants solid waste incinerators or old nickel refineries.²⁴

How Can We Protect Ourselves from Heavy Metals?

Logic dictates that once the potential harm from heavy metals is understood their production and use should be phased out and toxic storage heavily regulated. As is obvious from the list of exposure sources above logic is not the guiding principle here except in the case of lead the use of which has been curtailed.

Even if all heavy metal production were to stop today however enough heavy metals have been released into our environment to cause chronic poisoning and numerous neurological diseases for generations to come. There are presently 600000 toxic waste contamination sites in the United States alone according to the U.S. Congressional Office of Technology Assessment. Of these less than 900 have been proposed by the EPA for Superfund cleanup and approximately 19000 others are under review. While some of these toxic messes were likely caused by accidents or ignorance the majority came from illegal dumping by hazardous product or waste distributors manufacturers transportation companies or waste management companies.²⁵ Such practices have not ceased as focus on profit continues to override concerns about health the environment and a more promising future for all of our children.

With the government doing little or moving very slowly to protect the public from the hazards of heavy metals it is up to individuals to take measures to protect themselves. According to conventional medicine there is nothing a person can do to address aluminum arsenic cadmium lead mercury or nickel exposure aside from avoiding known sources. Given the prevalence of these toxins in our lives this is impossible.

Fortunately there is a way to get these harmful substances out of the body. Intravenous and oral chelation detoxification protocols and specific nutritional therapies can remove heavy metals and chemical toxins and reduce the toxic load our bodies endure on a daily basis.

Extreme Health's Oral Chelation Formula and studies are available for your review on this web site or call 1(800) 800-1285.

Part 2: THE CHELATION SOLUTION

Chelating (pronounced key-layting) agents are substances which can chemically bond with or chelate (from the Greek chele claw) metals minerals or chemical toxins from the body. The chelating agent actually encircles a mineral or metal ion and carries it from the body via the urine and feces.²⁶ Many organic acids found in the body or in foods can act as chelating agents including acetic acid ascorbic acid (vitamin C) citric acid and lactic acid. Natural chelation processes in the body are responsible for such things as the digestion assimilation and transport of food nutrients the formation of enzymes and hormones and detoxification of toxic chemicals and metals.²⁷

Intravenous chelation therapy involves injecting the chelating agent EDTA into the bloodstream for the purpose of eliminating from the body undesirable substances such as heavy metals chemical toxins mineral deposits and fatty plaques (as in the arteries; the agent binds to the calcium in the plaques). EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid) is an effective and widely studied chelating agent.

EDTA is a synthetic amino acid (amino acids are the building blocks of protein) and is approximately one third as toxic to the body as aspirin.²⁸ Chelation therapy with EDTA was first introduced into medicine in the United States in 1948 as a treatment for the lead poisoning of workers in a battery factory. Shortly thereafter the U.S. Navy advocated chelation for sailors who had absorbed lead while painting government ships and facilities. The FDA approved IV EDTA chelation as a treatment for lead poisoning.

Physicians administering the chelation for lead toxicity observed those patients who also had atherosclerosis (fatty-plaque buildup on arterial walls) or arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) experienced reductions in both conditions after chelation.²⁹ Since 1952 IV EDTA chelation has been used to treat cardiovascular disease.³⁰

Over 1800 scientific journal articles have been published on the use of EDTA in intravenous (IV) chelation. In the past 30 years hundreds of thousands of patients have received this therapy as delivered by over 1000 physicians in approximately 3300000 IV infusions. EDTA's success rate in increasing blood circulation is 82% provided the patients received sufficient chelation.³¹

How Chelation Aids Cardiovascular Health

Chelation reduces calcium plaques on arterial walls. These atherosclerotic plaques are not limited to arteries nearest the heart. On the contrary they are widespread and can affect blood flow (oxygen delivery) to every cell tissue gland organ and system being served by the over 75000 miles of blood vessels in your body. Chelation reaches every blood vessel in the body from the largest artery to the tiniest capillary and arteriole most of which are far too small or too deep within the brain or other organ to be safely reached in surgery.

Other scientifically documented benefits of intravenous EDTA chelation therapy for the cardiovascular system include:

-Stabilization of arterial intracellular membranes ³²

-Maintenance of the electrical charge of platelets in the blood reducing blood clumping (aggregation) and preventing blood clots.³³

-Marked improvement in nearly 100% of 2870 studied patients with peripheral vascular disease ³⁴

-Normalization of half of treated cardiac arrhythmias ³⁵

-Reductions of cerebrovascular occlusion ³⁶

-Improved cognitive function in people with memory and concentration deficits and improved visual acuity (when problems are caused by arterial blockage) ³⁷

- Improved myocarditis due to lead poisoning.³⁸

-Reduction of blood fat levels and improved capillary blood flow.³⁹

-Increased peripheral blood flow to the extremities.⁴⁰

-Improved compliance of vascular tissues; decalcification of elastic tissues resulting in improved elasticity and resilience. ⁴¹

-Improved red blood cell membrane flexibility and permeability to potassium. ⁴²

-Decreased blood pressure levels as a result of excretion of cadmium from renal tissues diminished peripheral resistance improved blood vessel resilience and pliability decreased vascular spasm and improved magnesium uptake.⁴³

In addition to the effectiveness of IV EDTA chelation therapy in treating cardiovascular disease and heavy metal toxicity research has documented its benefits for aneurysm Alzheimer's disease and senile dementia arthritis autoimmune conditions cancer cataracts diabetes emphysema gallbladder stones hypertension kidney stones Lou Gehrig's disease osteoporosis Parkinson's disease scleroderma stroke varicose veins venomous snake bite and other conditions involving an interruption in blood flow and diminished oxygen delivery.⁴⁴

The ten top killers of Americans (in the order of frequency) include heart disease cancer stroke accidents pneumonia diabetes cirrhosis arteriosclerosis suicides and infant death. All but accidents pneumonia suicides and infant death have an underlying connection to reduced blood circulation. More than 90 percent of Americans live in jeopardy of having a serious illness relating to the circulatory system.⁴⁵

The human and financial cost of cardiovascular disease in the U.S. is astronomical. Every year approximately 1.5 million Americans have a heart attack 300000 of who die before receiving medical attention. The treatment of cardiovascular disease rings up a total of $100 billion dollars annually-$200000 spent every minute.⁴⁶ Coronary artery bypass surgery (bypassing the blocked heart artery with grafted leg artery average cost $44000) is the most frequently prescribed surgical procedure for heart disease costing $10 billion per year.⁴⁷ Numerous leading medical doctors and authorities have stated that coronary bypass surgery is over-prescribed and often unnecessary.⁴⁸ Nearly 20000 people die every year as a result of bypass surgery or angioplasty (ballooning of the occluded artery average cost $21000).⁴⁹

A common misconception about chelation is that it lowers the levels of calcium in the bones and teeth as the body draws calcium from them to replace the calcium drawn from the blood by the chelation process. On the contrary the calcium to restore blood levels is drawn from places in the body where calcium has built up unnaturally as in arterial plaques (which contribute to clogged arteries) calcified bursae (a source of bursitis) arthritic joints and kidney stones.⁵⁰

Further one of the co-founders of the American College of Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) and a pioneer in chelation therapy states "If calcium levels start to drop the parathyroid glands kick in and start secreting parathormone which 'steals' back enough calcium from the EDTA (and other) chelates to keep the heart beating normally (serum calcium must stay at a constant level for normal heart function) and to activate cells called osteoblasts which strengthen and rebuild bone. The more chelation we give people the less osteoporosis they have and the less age-related calcium accumulation [arterial wall plaques] there is in the blood vessels."⁵¹

Intravenous chelation has two drawbacks, however. Although much safer and less expensive than coronary bypass surgery or angioplasty, it is still relatively expensive (hundreds of dollars per visit) and not widely available. There are comparatively few experienced medical doctors certified in IV chelation therapy. Fortunately, there is an even safer, inexpensive, and more easily obtained alternative: oral chelation.

Oral Chelation

Oral chelation involves ingesting nutritional food supplements, which contain chelating agents (EDTA & numerous natural chelators), that include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and herbs.

Oral EDTA chelation has all the benefits of IV chelation, but is much slower acting because only 4% to 18% of an oral EDTA dose is absorbed (compared with 100% of an IV dose).⁵² Taken on a daily basis, oral chelation will gradually accomplish what its IV counterpart does in a few administrations. According to many studies, oral chelation is useful in reducing heavy metal toxicity and calcification, lowering blood cholesterol, lessening lipid peroxidation (free-radical oxidation of metabolized fats), thinning the blood, and preventing the formation of blood clots (a cause of heart attack).⁵³

In some areas, oral chelation may actually outperform IV EDTA (only) chelation. In addition, my oral chelation formula has the ability to chemically bond with and cause the elimination of mercury from the body (as evidenced by mercury levels in urine samples before and after oral chelation).⁵⁴ As mentioned earlier, EDTA does not chelate mercury. In Extreme Health's Oral Chelation formula, it is the other chelating agents—cilantro, chlorella, and lipoic acid—that effectively act on mercury.

The heightened benefits of oral chelation may result from the synergistic effect of combining the numerous natural chelating agents such as activated clays certain bioflavonoids chlorella cilantro coenzyme Q10 garlic L-cysteine L-glutathione lipoic acid methionine selenium sodium alginate and zinc gluconate. Each chelating agent has a predilection for different chemicals and mineral or metal ions.

The addition of nutrients known to support liver function and detoxification also increases an oral chelation formula's effectiveness. A companion formula of antioxidants and other nutrients enhances the chelation process by replacing beneficial minerals removed during chelation promoting the healing of tissues and preventing free-radical oxidative damage. As with chelating agents different antioxidants work on free radicals formed by a variety of oxidizing agents. For this reason the formulas contain a wide range-there are 30 different antioxidants in the Age-Less formula.

Antioxidant activity may play a particularly important role in amplifying the benefits of chelation. Prevention of free-radical damage (which Extreme Health's Oral Chelation formula includes 34 antioxidants) is the another main action behind chelation's positive effects.⁵⁵

The effectiveness of oral chelation is a topic of debate, even amongst proponents of IV chelation. My clinical research, however, demonstrates oral chelation's benefits for atherosclerosis and heavy metal poisoning.⁵⁶ Many health professionals believe that oral chelation is not a replacement for IV chelation. I agree with this view when the patient's condition is too severe to wait for the slower-acting oral chelation to produce effects. When such patients have completed the recommended number of IV chelation treatments, however, oral chelation is of great benefit in maintaining their cardiovascular health.

In addition to heart patients, I particularly recommend oral chelation for anyone with a family history of heart disease, long-standing poor dietary practices, or a history of exposure to mercury or other heavy metals or toxic chemicals. More generally, oral chelation is useful to anyone who wants to prevent cardiovascular disease and clear their bodies of harmful metals and toxins that we are all exposed to.

Oral chelation can serve as a convenient, non-invasive, long-term health maintenance and prevention program. The gradual dosage delivery significantly reduces the risk of side effects. And, oral chelation is safe for children and adults.

ORAL CHELATION AND NUTRITIONAL REPLACEMENT PROTOCOL

In evaluating available oral chelation formulas none that had all the ingredients necessary to comprehensively chelate all twenty of the heavy metals and chelate mineral plaque assist the kidneys and liver in the detoxification process and include a total mineral and nutritional replacement.

Extreme Health's formula exerts beneficial effects on the entire cardiovascular system. By detoxifying your body and allowing your veins and arteries to open up the formula ensure that your tissues glands organs and interrelated systems receive ample oxygen-rich blood which in turn improves their efficiency.

In terms of ingredients the formulas have two overall advantages:

1. They are plant-enzyme based. Enzymes which are the catalysts for all metabolic actions assist in the optimal assimilation and utilization of the food people consume (giving them the most nutrients for their money). Enzymes also assist in the assimilation and utilization of the other nutrients in my formulas; thereby ensuring you get the most out of each ingredient. Without enzymes proper utilization of nutrients is not achieved. With enzyme supplementation you can get up to ten times more assimilation of food and nutrients as without.

2. Aside from EDTA the nutrients in the formulas are whole food/plant based which means you get the range of nutrients and co-factors found in that plant or food rather than only isolated fractions (as in synthetic vitamin supplements). The healing actions are thus more powerful. In addition since the formulas are plant based (concentrated food nutrients) there is no need to be concerned about drug interactions or side effects.

Dosage starts at one tablet of Age-Less at breakfast (increasing gradually to three tablets) and one capsule of the Oral Chelation Formula at bedtime (increasing gradually to three). It is important to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of filtered water daily. If intake is far below that it can be raised in increments.

In rare cases people experience irritability low-grade headache or overall achiness. These symptoms arise from the heavy metals or chemical residues that have been pulled out of tissues and are circulating in the body prior to excretion. The symptoms do not indicate an adverse reaction to the formulas but rather that the body has been storing significant amounts of toxins. Decreasing the dosage of the formulas and increasing water intake will eliminate these symptoms.

Diet and Nutrition

In keeping with a whole-body approach to health and medicine I recommend implementing healthy dietary and lifestyle practices along with Extreme Health's Oral Chelation formula program. Abuse of alcohol drugs (recreational or prescription) and tobacco products chronic stress and lack of exercise are obviously detrimental lifestyle factors.

A poor diet is equally detrimental. I recommend that everyone but particularly people concerned about cardiovascular disease avoid the following foods and beverages or ingest them only in small amounts: alcohol (any form) baking soda butter caffeinated drinks (coffee tea others) canned vegetables chemical ingredients (mold inhibitors preservatives artificial sweeteners meat tenderizers) chlorinated (tap) water commercially prepared foods fats and oils (especially fats from commercially raised animals saturated fats hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils) fried foods heated polyunsaturated fats (fast foods oils theatre popcorn oil) lard margarine MSG (monosodium glutamate) processed and refined foods red meat (or any products from commercially raised animals) salt (sodium chloride) soft drinks softened tap water spicy foods sugar commercial salad oils (many contain trans-fatty acids refined by bleaching chemicals heat and solvents) tallow tropical oils (palm cottonseed) and white-flour foods.61

Nutritional deficiencies can contribute to cardiovascular disease.⁵⁷Certain vitamins minerals and other nutrients have been identified as vital for maintaining cardiovascular health. Degrees of deficiency of one or a combination of the following nutrients will result in corresponding symptoms of physical disease or inadequacy in the cardiovascular system:⁵⁸

- Vitamins: C E A (beta carotene) D B (1 2 3 [niacin and niacinamide] 5 6 12) folic acid and biotin.

-Minerals: Calcium chromium copper magnesium manganese molybdenum potassium selenium and zinc.

-Amino acids: L-carnitine L-lysine L-proline

-Coenzyme Q10.

All of these nutritional supplements and more are in the Oral Chelation and Age-Less formula.

Nutritional deficiencies can contribute to the accumulation of heavy metals in the body. When sufficient levels of certain vitamins minerals and other nutrients are maintained in the body the continued absorption of specific heavy metals is greatly reduced.

All of these nutritional supplements and more are in the Oral Chelation and Age-Less formula.

Extreme Health's Oral Chelation Formula and studies are available for your review on this web site.

Part 3

Ingredient rationale of Oral Chelation & Age-Less Replenishment and Antioxidant Formula; Summaries of Clinical Studies; Conclusion.

Ingredients of the Oral Chelation Formula

1. Chelating agents: and nutrients that assist in the mobilization of metals and toxins; alginate garlic (high allicin potential) activated attapulgite (clay) chlorella (freshwater algae; needed to bind up the liberated mercury and carry it out of the body via the feces) lipoic acid methionine and L-cysteine (heavy metal scavengers) along with EDTA.

2. Antioxidants: Lipoic acid (extremely powerful known as the "ideal antioxidant" vitamin C catalase methionine and L-cysteine.

3. Lipotropics (improves fat metabolism): Trimethylglycine carrageenan and L-lysine (blood vessel "teflon" fatty plaque chelating agent cellular fuel reduces angina pectoris). L-lysine is an amino acid involved in the structural repair of damaged blood vessels. It has a beneficial effect on lead toxicity and high blood pressure.

4. Plant-based enzymes (bromelain lipase catalase): ensure optimal utilization of all of the above nutrients.

Ingredients of the Age-Less Replenishment and Antioxidant Formula

2. Minerals: Calcium magnesium manganese chromium copper gluconate molybdenum potassium selenium vanadium and zinc gluconate.

3. Essential vitamins: A (antioxidant blood vessel stabilizer) D-3 (cellular fuel) E (antioxidant chelator blood vessel stabilizer reduces angina pectoris) B1 (cellular fuel) B2 (cellular fuel) B3 (niacin [lowers cholesterol and triglycerides cellular fuel reduces lipoprotein] and niacinamide [cellular fuel]) B5 (lowers cholesterol and triglycerides cellular fuel) B6 (cellular fuel) B12 (blood cell nutrient cellular fuel) PABA inositol folic acid (blood cell nutrient cellular fuel) biotin (cellular fuel).

4. Liver Support (artichoke hybrid): an effective powerful ingredient for detoxifying the liver during chelation normalizing liver metabolism and preventing further damage due to internal and external toxins such as alcohol and environmental poisons. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. Liver is the body's filter for toxins. When the liver cannot keep up with the toxic load toxins accumulate in that organ. This ingredient helps clear toxins out of the liver including during both phase 1 and phase 2 liver detoxification (conjugation for water solubility and excretion) which most programs and formulas do not address.

5. Antioxidants: bioflavonoids catalase coenzyme Q10 Ginkgo biloba grape seed OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins) green tea hesperidin lutein lycopene quercetin rutin L-taurine and 14 others.

6. Phytonutrients: hawthorn berry (cardiac tonic) iodine (as kelp; thyroid and energy production support) milk thistle and beet juice powder (support liver in detoxification and cleanse blood) and MSM (methyl sulfonyl methene; increases blood vessel elasticity) among others.

7. Amino acids: L-choline L-carnitine (lowers cholesterol triglycerides cellular fuel) L-proline and L-taurine (supports heart muscle and function).

8. Lipotropics: chondroitin sulfate. A constituent of the arterial wall possessing anti-coagulant (reduces blood-stickiness) anti-lipemic (anti-fat in bloodstream) and anti-thrombogenic (reduces clotting) properties.

9. Plant-based enzymes to enhance the absorption and digestion: bromelain lipase and catalase.

Note: In-depth information on formula ingredients is available upon request.

Summaries of Clinical Studies on the Oral Chelation and Age-Less Formula

Note: Copies of the full studies are available upon request.

o In 1998 as Director of Research for Extreme Health I conducted heavy metal urine analyses on 14 patients ages ranging from 29 to 73 and from a variety of different occupations before and after only one day's dose of the Oral Chelation and Age-Less formula. Omegatech King James Medical Laboratory Inc. in Cleveland Ohio analyzed the urine samples.

The results showed significant excretion of all six of the heavy metals most commonly encountered and damaging to health. The following are the average percentages of increase in the 14 patients' heavy metal excretions after just one day on the formulas:

Aluminum: 229%

Arsenic: 661%

Cadmium: 276%

Lead: 350%

Mercury: 773%

Nickel: 9439%

-Hair analyses. Through Great Smokie's Diagnostic Laboratory we conducted tests on patients before oral chelation and after six months on the program showed significant reduction of heavy metals. In one case a dentist who had high exposure to mercury the second hair analysis showed a decrease or a normal reading in all heavy metals that were abnormally high on the first hair analysis except for mercury which was higher. In the other case a dentist hygienist the second hair analysis showed a decrease or a normal reading in all heavy metals that were abnormally high on the first analysis except for silver which went higher.

Heavy metals can be stored deep in the tissues brain and nerve ganglion. When all heavy metals except one decrease after chelation we know that this one was stored at the deeper levels and is finally being pulled out of those tissues and mobilized for excretion. Thus the higher readings are a positive sign that chelation is under way. In individuals with chronic or longstanding exposure to high amounts of heavy metal the hair analysis readings can remain high and even go higher for a period of six to twelve months depending on the amount of previous exposure.

Mr. Bob Smith Vice President of Elemental Analysis Great Smokie's Diagnostic Laboratory who has interpreted the hair analysis of many thousands of patients stated that in his professional opinion "your results exhibited significant reduction of heavy metals in just six months."

- A medical doctor in Alamo California tested one of his patients who took the Oral Chelation and Age-Less Formula with no other supplements or medications. After only two months of this regimen blood tests showed significant reduction of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol and an increase in HDL cholesterol.

-Philip Hoekstra III Ph.D. a pioneer of thermology conducted thermological studies on six patients before they began taking the Oral Chelation and Age-less Formula (no other supplements or medications) and after six months on the program. The study was conducted over the past years under the auspices of the California Preventative Medicine Foundation in San Rafael California.

Thermology is a diagnostic imaging based on measurements of heat emissions from the body filmed by infrared sensing devices and projected onto a computer monitor. Cells emit heat in the course of energy conversion. If there is a disturbance in the energy-conversion processes as occurs in the case of blocked or narrowed arteries the lessened heat emissions and reduced blood flow appear as darker areas on the thermology scan. In this way thermology tracks the progressive deterioration of the flow of infrared energy along atherosclerotic arteries and can be used as early detection of heart disease.

The results of Dr. Hoekstra's study revealed marked improvement in blood circulation in all but one of the patients as documented by the thermologic images. Vascularization (improved blood flow) of the feet increased by as much as 33%-significant improvements after only a six-month trial.

Nancy Gardner Heaven director of the Foundation states "It appears that even though the clients selected for this study had varying complex heart conditions all but one had an improvement of at least a 20% increase in circulation reducing the level of stenosis [narrowing] of the vascular system. I feel very good about recommending the use of this product [Oral Chelation and Age-Less Formula].

Patient Reports on the Oral Chelation Program

In my private practice I currently have 85 patients with a variety of health concerns who are taking the Oral Chelation and Longevity Plus formulas. They report improvement in the following conditions: headaches cold hands or feet skin problems and degenerative diseases such as diabetes autoimmune disorders arthritis and angina pains. They have also experienced positive effects in symptoms and conditions related to energy level overall stamina memory (forgetfulness) ability to concentrate circulation blood pressure cholesterol and triglycerides vision respiration and sexual drive or stamina.

The following are reports from three patients:

- D.G. 36 and her son L.G. 3 had high heavy metal readings in their hair and urine analyses and were experiencing heavy metal toxicity effects. D.G. had a range of symptoms and L.G. was having difficulty in learning to speak and suffered chronic recurrent viral infections (flu and colds). I started both of them on the Oral Chelation and Age-Less formula.

After three months of consistently taking the formulas D.G. reported to me that she had increased energy improved circulation improved vision and a decrease in headaches and angina pains. She stated "I am amazed at the overall recovery of my body. My eyes have improved a lot. They are not so tired anymore and the muscles in the eyes do not seem to have the pulling sensation that I had before. Improvement in my immune system is also a big plus. I am no longer so weak that I pick up every cold or flu symptom that I come in contact with. L.G.shows improvement in his immune system. I also notice that his speech is improving with the chelation."

-C.B. 43 a patient with diabetes who presented with severe lack of mental clarity stated "Since I've been on the Oral Chelation and Age-Less formula I have no more 'brain fog' and the mental fuzziness is completely gone."

-T.B. in his 50's who had had a quadruple coronary artery bypass two years before and was experiencing pain and numbness in his right leg wrote "I have been taking the Oral Chelation and Age-Less formula for three to four weeks. Since that time I have noticed that the numbness in my right ankle is gone."

Plus more upon demand.

Conclusion

Research has proven the benefits of chelation for cardiovascular disease heavy metal toxicity and other conditions. The number of physicians who are available to diagnose and treat advanced health problems and administer intravenous chelation continues to grow. This development along with the recent advent of oral chelation reflects the rapid changes occurring in U.S. health care. The transformation of medical practice is due to both public dissatisfaction with the "cut or medicate" linear-delivery system of medicine and the demonstrated effectiveness of alternative and complementary therapies. Preventive health protocols (diet exercise and lifestyle modifications) chelation therapy and nutritional sufficiency is the medicine of the future.

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