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Open Up Clogged Arteries
By David Blyweiss, M.D.
When a patient is diagnosed with cancer, they can become paralyzed with fear. But most types of cancer pale in comparison to America’s biggest killer—heart disease. Yet many people live their lives blissfully unaware that dangerous, and potentially deadly, plaque is building up inside their arteries, creating a condition called atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease and death in the U.S., affecting 4.6 million Americans. In fact, arteries that are clogged with plaque are responsible for one death ever hour. But here’s the shocking truth that doctors won’t tell you: Everyone has some plaque inside their arteries – and it can begin when you are still a teenager! Whether you develop atherosclerosis depends on a number of factors. Some, like age or family history, are beyond your control. Some, like your diet or whether or not you smoke, are risk factors you can change.
Narrowed arteries don’t just set you up for heart attack or stroke. They can impact the way you feel every day. I’ve seen patients with atherosclerosis who suffer from fatigue, memory problems, insomnia, tingling in their hands and feet and a lackluster sex life (erectile dysfunction can be one of the first symptoms). And it is all because of reduced blood flow from atherosclerosis.
Conventional medicine treats atherosclerosis with potentially harmful drugs and procedures which may or may not be beneficial. Statin drugs are typically prescribed to lower total and LDL cholesterol levels that contribute to atherosclerosis. Beta blockers, ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers keep blood pressure in check. And anticoagulant drugs lower the risk of blood clots by discouraging platelets from sticking together inside narrowed arteries.
When your arteries are severely clogged most doctors turn to surgery to remedy the problem. But like drugs, surgery only addresses the symptoms of atherosclerosis. Worse yet, surgery—including coronary bypass, balloon angioplasty and stent implantation—can be risky and often unnecessary. But here is the other thing your doctor probably won’t tell you: Unless you are at severe risk for a heart attack or stroke, you can not only halt atherosclerosis, you can actually reverse it!
Oral EDTA chelation is a natural non-invasive process of cleaning out the arteries and veins. The natural compounds in EDTA dissolve excess calcium from the arterial walls, making them more responsive and better able to dilate. This action alone can improve blood flow and general circulation. But EDTA chelation therapy also has blood-thinning effects and discourages the formation of blood clots. And it’s a powerful antioxidant that limits free radical damage.
The key to oral EDTA chelation’s efficacy is a combination of several nutrients that work synergistically to discourage plaque formation and keep blood vessels strong and pliable. This unique combination also supports optimal health throughout the entire body. Here are three of the most important nutrients found in oral EDTA chelation:
Aspartic acid: Also known as L-aspartate, aspartic acid helps to promote a robust metabolism and is sometimes used to treat fatigue and depression. Aspartic acid gets its reputation as a treatment for chronic fatigue because of the crucial role it plays in generating cellular energy. Since moving blood and nutrients throughout the entire body requires huge amounts of cellular energy, this nutrient is critical to the heart and circulatory system.
EDTA: Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid or EDTA is an amino acid approved by the FDA to remove heavy metals from the body. It’s interesting to note, however, that prior to 1970 (and the advent of costly drugs and high-tech heart surgery), the FDA also approved intravenous EDTA treatment for arrhythmias, calcium buildup in the tissues and some vascular disorders. Chelation therapy with EDTA also improves diabetes and osteoarthritis, and it helps people with memory loss and cataracts because of the way it clears heavy metal toxins from the bloodstream.
Vitamin C: Although EDTA is the cornerstone of chelation therapy, adding high doses of vitamin C makes a significant contribution to its heart healthy benefits. Not only does this antioxidant help prevent blood platelets from sticking together, it also plays a role in protecting LDL cholesterol from oxidation. Vitamin C is also crucial for the production of collagen, an important protein that helps to maintain the integrity of blood vessels.
If that weren’t enough, vitamin C decreases the level of proteins that contribute to blood clots. Other activities of this important antioxidant include elevating HDL cholesterol, promoting normal blood pressure and regenerating vitamin E. But perhaps vitamin C’s most important roll in promoting healthy arteries is its ability to boost the integrity of arterial walls and prevent inflammation that contributes to early atherosclerosis.
References:
Born G.R., Geurkink TL. Improved peripheral vascular function with low dose intravenous ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). Townsend Letter for Doctors. July, 1994, # 132, 722-726.
Hancke C, Flytie K. Benefits of EDTA chelation therapy on arteriosclerosis. Journal of Advanced Medicine. 1993;6:161-72.
Lynch SM, Gaziano JM, Frei B. Ascorbic acid and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.- Subcellular Biochemistry. 1996;25:331-367.
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