by Dee McMath

Chelation Therapy is the cleaning out of the arteries by way of an intravenous fluid. This treatment can be given as prevention or cure for arterial disease. Treatment is usually once or twice a week over several weeks or months, depending on the individual treatment needed.

This very specific treatment involving the cleansing of your arteries is available at a few clinics on the Costa del Sol. It involves a course of intravenous infusions and the intake of prescribed vitamins and other supplements. The clinics offering this treatment are private and therefore not under strict regulations from the Spanish government. Many Northern European people come to Andalucia in their later years. Some opt for this type of treatment, in a bid to enjoy a long and healthy retirement. Since this treatment is not regulated, there may be some risks, which have not yet come to light it is therefore essential that you provide your GP with full information of treatment before going ahead.

The intravenous infusion of Ethylene Diamine Tetra-Acetic Acid (EDTA), together with certain minerals and vitamins in measured dosages is the main part of the treatment. A slow drip method is used to administer this infusion, which flows through the bloodstream and in the process flushes out toxic metals such as lead, mercury and iron. Too much iron can give rise to heart problems and high levels of lead and cadmium can cause high blood pressure. EDTA Chelation therapy can regulate most metallic elements present in the body. As a result of eliminating these harmful properties, this therapy is said to improve necessary calcium production and to correct cholesterol and metabolic levels. This therapy claims to help offset many of the ageing diseases, such as arteriosclerosis, cancer and diabetes in its prevention of the production of harmful 'Free Radicals'.

This treatment, alongside a sensible health care programme of regular exercise and correct health and food supplement intake, is said to soften hardening arteries and create a safer blood flow. Preventative treatment is given to minimize the risk of heart disease, especially amongst high risk categories, including those who have a history of smoking or heavy use of drugs / alcohol, as well as people with a family history of cardiovascular and other medical problems. This treatment is given over several sessions. In the case of preventative cases, you may have 10 regular treatments over one or two weeks. For dealing with moderate disease 20 treatments will be necessary and for severe cases up to 40 sessions may be recommended over a period of 4 months to a year. The intravenous infusion is administered in a clinic and can take up to 4 hours per session. The success rate is said to be high, but in some cases an improvement rather than cure is achieved. Nevertheless, this is said to give an improved quality of life.

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