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Chelation In Nature
Our
human digestive process is a very good example of how chelation
takes place. Digestion and assimilation of foods involves the
chelation of protein substances (amino acids) with minerals for
transportation to their destinations, or in which blood cells
latch on to, and thus acquire, iron. Hemoglobin is a chelate
of iron (as is the enzyme catalase, that is used by our bodies
to 'switch off' the free radical activity of hydrogen peroxide).
When you eat meat or green vegetables which contain iron, after
the digestive process has released the iron from the food in
which it is bound, it has to be combined (chelated) with amino
acids so that it can be carried through the intestinal mucous
membranes into the bloodstream.
If you drink tea with your meal, the tannin in the tea will
chelate with the iron (forming insoluble iron tannate) before
it gets absorbed. In this case, the body does not get any iron
from your food. On the other hand, if we take some foods which
are rich in Vitamin C (or take Vitamin C supplement) with our
iron rich meal, the ascorbic acid (or Vitamin C) will chelate
with the iron and enhance and speed its absorption. The iron,
once in the bloodstream, is released from the proteins with
which it was chelated for transportation.
What Are The Benefits of Chelation Therapy?
Chelation therapy is widely used for the treatment of atherosclerosis
and other chronic degenerative diseases involving the circulatory
system. It also has other benefits. Many scientists suggest
that the beneficial effect of chelation treatment is from the
removal of metallic catalysts that causes excessive free radical
proliferation. This reduces the oxidation of lipids, DNA, enzyme
systems and lipoproteins. The chelation halts the bad effects
and initiates the body's healing process, often reversing the
damage. It removes the calcium and copper anions from the blood
stream. The plaque lining the artery walls are made porous
and brittle. Eventually they may get dislodged. Even if only
a microscopic layer of the plaque is removed, it, along with
a smoothening of the artery wall due to the healing of the
cells that line the arteries, can improve the blood flow to
the artery muscles substantially. This can prevent artery spasm
and minimize or prevent angina pain. Many patients who could
not walk due to muscle pain or angina pain have reported that
they can walk without pain after chelation therapy.
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