Chelation Counselling
Synapse Africa Neuro-Nutritional Clinics specializes in Oral Chelation and Super-nutrition detoxification protocols.
Carin S. Smit is a Board-Certified C/CMT (C/Clinical Metal Toxicologist) (see listing on www.IBCMT.com). She is certified to provide oral chelation programmes and instructs in areas of Super-Nutrition (use of supplements, herbs, enzymes and other compounds, which accelerate detoxification).
The word “Chelation” comes from the root-word: “chelos” which means “claw” in Greek. To chelate means to remove potentially toxic substances by means of a chemical claw-like action from the bones, bone-marrow, adipose fat, other soft tissues in the body and brain tissue. It also means that we support the liver, kidneys and adrenal glands during this chelation process. Removal of toxic metals is a potentially dangerous process if not done under supervision of a certified Clinical Metal Toxicologist, so make sure that when you embark on chelation that you see someone who is properly certified and experience to perform the chelation supervision.
Before embarking on chelation there are certain preparatory steps that need to taken:
- Baseline testing establishes your toxic metal body burden
- These lab tests also establish whether your liver, kidneys and body mineralization can survive a period of intensive chelation therapy. Hence Liver Function tests, Kidney Functions, Adrenal Functions are assessed and a baseline Iron-study, basic Mineral Hair Analysis and serum minerals are tested.
- Peripheral live blood analysis and oxidized blood analysis gives further clues to the heath of the gut, the possible presence of yeasts (which thrive on the sulfur in the chelation drugs and must be eradicated BEFORE chelation is started!) and the status of the immune system and basic nutrition.
- Should your lab results return a verdict that your kidneys are failing, then chelation is not possible. Should we find that your liver functions are NOT optimal, we would embark on a period of hepatic support to see if we can restore optimal liver function. If your adrenals are exhausted, we would work on adrenal support.
- If baseline lab testing confirms that your toxic metal burden warrants chelation, we would commence, ONLY once the gut-issues have been addressed, once your mineralization is optimal and your immune system can support you through this process.
REMEMBER:
Chelation (removal of toxic metals) is not always a benign process as the chelation drugs have an affinity for the good as well as the bad metals in your system. Doing a baseline mineral hair analysis cantherefore go a long way towards helping your system cope with chelation in a healthy and optimal manner.
Oral chelation is a milder, yet just as effective form of toxic metal removal and entails taking oral chelators, such as DMSA every 2nd week for 3 days. Typically chelation lasts for a cycle of 4 months, after which lab tests are repeated. Once the process of chelation is commenced, it should be completed – sometimes with respite periods built into the programme during the months of chelation.
Typical Side Effects During Chelation
Toxic metals do harm whilst they are IN the cells of the body and on their way out, so one can expect some measure of metabolic disruption and dysfunction of metabolic processes during any chemical chelation period.
Side Effects In Children
As I specialize in chelation for children with autism, the list below has been compiled with the kind assistance of the many parents who have been trained to manage their children’s oral chelation:
- increased hyperactivity
- increased salivation
- increased emotional lability
- increased number of dirty nappies(diapers)
- increased anger
- increased self-injurious behaviours
- decrease in appetite
- decrease in hours of sleep
- restlessness
- thirst
- dark rings under eyes (liver stress)
- outbursts
- skin rashes
- fatigue
- gas
These symptoms are usually ameliorated when giving GABA (Gamma Amino Butyric Acid) (fairly high doses – between 3000 mg – 5000 mg depending on age and weight of child) and Taurine (fairly high doses between 6000 – 10,000mg per day). As the latter might increase the efficacy of Magnesium, a close watch should be kept on bowel movements. If these increase beyond reasonable levels, Taurine should be reduced till a balance is reached.
I normally regulate behavioural outbursts by increasing minerals, GABA and Taurine for 3 days before and after each chelation block of 3 days.
Side Effects In Adults Are Typically Milder and Include:
- restlessness
- irritability
- fatigue
- pain in joints, muscles
- headaches
- sleeplessness
- need for excessive sleep
- nausea
- depression
- tearfullness (women)
- bloatedness
- decreased appetite
- bowel discomfort
- gas
Example of a Chelation Schedule on DMSA Oral Chelation
The Green days represent the 3 days before and after each block of chelation
During the green days, I increase Calcium, Magnesium, and other minerals as well as high dose GABA and Taurine.
The Red days represent the 3 days of chelation.
During the red days, I instruct that no minerals are given (Ca, Mg, Zn, other minerals) but that high dose GABA and Taurine are maintained.
The Yellow days represent he days between each pre- / post-chelation block. In total one chelates orally for 3 days every 11 days – hence 2 chelation cycles in every month. The red days represent the 3 days of chelation. The yellow days represent he days between each pre- / post-chelation block. In total one chelates orally for 3 days every 11 days – hence 2 chelation cycles in every month.
During yellow days all minerals, other supplements, GABA and Taurine are given at normal pre-chelation levels.
Toxic Metals Chart
Psychiatric Disturbances: |
Mercury |
| Social Deficits, Social withdrawal, Repetitive, perseverative, stereotyped behaviors; OCD-typical behaviors, Irritability, aggressive behaviors, temper tantrums,Speech comprehension deficits, Loss of speech, developmental problems with language, Dysarthria; articulation problems; slurred speech, unintelligible speech,
Flapping, circling, rocking, toe walking, Problems with intentional movements or imitation, Abnormal gait/posture; in co-ordination, loss of balance; problems sitting, lying, crawling, and walking, |
Arsenic, Copper, Lead, Mercury |
| Depression, mood swings, flat affect; impaired facial recognition |
Lead, Mercury |
| Irritability, aggressive behaviors, temper tantrums, Attentional problems (ADHD), lacks eye contact, impaired visual fixation |
Copper, Mercury |
| Suicidal Behaviors |
Lead, Mercury, Thallium |
| Sleep difficulties/ disturbances |
Aluminum, Arsenic, Cadmium, Copper, Lead, Mercury, Thallium |
| Chronic fatigue (CFS); weakness, malaise |
Arsenic, Lead, Mercury |
| Anorexia; symptoms reflecting eating disorders, loss of appetite/weight |
Thallium |
| Anxiety; nervous tendencies |
Speech and Language Deficits |
Aluminum, Mercury |
| Speech disorders |
Mercury |
| Loss of speech, developmental problems with language, Speech comprehension deficits, Dysarthria; articulation problems; slurred speech, unintelligible speech |
Cognitive Impairments |
Arsenic, Lead, Mercury |
| Mental retardation, borderline intelligence |
Copper, Lead |
| Uneven performance on IQ scores, low IQ scores |
Aluminum, Lead |
| Poor memory (short term, verbal, and auditory) |
X Metals |
| Difficulties understanding abstract ideas; difficulty carrying out complex commands |
Aluminum |
| Dementia; pre-senile and senile dementia |
Aluminum, Arsenic |
| Stupor |
Lead |
| Impaired reaction time; lower performance on timed tests |
Sensory Abnormalities |
Arsenic |
| Abnormal Sensations in the mouth and extremities |
Arsenic, Lead, Mercury |
| Hearing loss, difficulty hearing |
Arsenic |
| Abnormal touch sensations; diminished touch sensations, aversion to touch |
Arsenic, Mercury |
| Blurred vision; sensitivity to light |
Motor Disorders |
Copper, Mercury |
| Choreiform movements, myoclonal jerks, unusual postures, Difficulty walking, swallowing, talking |
Mercury |
| Flapping, circling, rocking, toe walking, Problems with intentional movements or imitation, Abnormal gait/posture; in co-ordination, loss of balance; problems sitting, lying, crawling, andwalking |
Aluminum, Arsenic |
| Decreased locomotor activity |
Aluminum , Arsenic, Copper, Lead, Mercury, Thallium |
| Convulsions; seizure |
Physiological Impairment Chart
Structural and Functional Abnormalities associated with various heavy metal toxins:
Brain and Central Nervous System: |
Aluminum |
| Neuro-fibrillary tangles |
Aluminum, Arsenic, Thallium |
| Neuritis, retrobulbar neuritis, neuropathy |
Aluminum, Arsenic, Lead, Thallium |
| Encephalopathy |
X Metals |
| Cerebro-vascular disease |
Lead |
| Alterations in nerve conduction velocity |
Thallium |
| Alterations in the spinal chord |
Aluminum, Mercury |
| Accumulates in CNS-structures |
Arsenic, Lead |
| Abnormal EEGs |
Copper, Lead, Mercury, Thallium |
| Autonomic disturbances |
Peripheral Nervous System: |
Arsenic, Mercury |
| Peripheral neuropathy |
Arsenic |
| Alterations in peripheral nerves |
Arsenic, Mercury, Thallium |
| Loss of feeling/ numbness in the extremities, paresthesia |
Gastrointestinal Tract: |
Arsenic, Copper, Mercury, Thallium |
| Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; loss of appetite |
Arsenic, Copper, Lead, Mercury, Thallium |
| Abdominal pain, stomach cramps; burning of the throat and mouth |
Arsenic, Mercury, Thallium |
| Esophagitis, gastroenteritis, colitis |
Arsenic |
| Cancers (colon, pancreatic, stomach, or rectal) |
Renal and Hepatic Impairment: |
Arsenic, Copper, Thallium |
| Hepato-toxicity; Liver dysfunction, damage |
Copper |
| Cirrhosis of the liver; hepatitis |
Arsenic, Lead, Mercury |
| Kidney disease ; kidney failure |
Arsenic, Copper, Lead |
| Renal toxicity; tubular proteinosis |
Arsenic, Lead |
| Kidney Damage, histological alterations |
Cardiovascular System: |
Arsenic |
| Blood vessel damage |
Arsenic, Copper, Lead |
| Anemia; decreased red blood cell count |
Arsenic, Copper, Lead, Thallium |
| Hypertension; increased heart rate (tachycardia) |
Electro-cardiac disorders: |
Arsenic, Lead |
| Peripheral vascular disease; cardiovascular disease; vascular collapse |
Respiratory System: |
Aluminum, Arsenic |
| Pulmonary Fibrosis |
X Metals |
| Pulmonary edema |
Aluminum, Arsenic, Mercury |
| Pneumonia, laryngitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis |
Arsenic, Aluminum |
| Restrictive airway disorders, asthmatic conditions, pneumoconisis |
Arsenic |
| Respiratory tract cancers |
X Metals |
| Nasal ulcers, perforation of the nasal septum |
Immune System: |
X metals |
| Increased incidences of asthma, autoimmune-like symptoms, allergies & inhibition of lymphocytes, T-cells, monocytes |
Lead |
| Immuno-suppression |
Arsenic, Thallium |
| Decreased white blood cell count |
Reproductive System: |
Aluminum, Thallium |
| Genital abnormalities |
Copper, Mercury |
| Disturbances in menstrual cycle; menstrual pains |
Arsenic, Lead, Mercury |
| Birth defects; premature births; Spontaneous abortion |
Arsenic, Aluminum, Cadmium, Lead |
| Reproductive dysfunction |
Other Physical Disturbances: |
X Metals |
| Hypotonia or hypertonia; decreased muscular strength |
Aluminum, Arsenic, Copper, Mercury |
| Rashes, contact dermatitis, eczema, itchy/irritating skin |
Arsenic, Copper, Lead, Thallium |
| Muscle pain; headache; acrodynia; colic |
Thallium |
| Alopecia (hair loss) |