Research Chelation Therapy

Chelation and clathration both facilitate the removal of heavy metal compounds from the body. But there are some distinct differences between the two. Although both techniques “neutralize” toxic heavy metals in the bloodstream, and orient them toward elimination from the body, the structure of the two differs to some extent.

If chelation (the term is from the Greek phrase for “claw like”) grabs onto the heavy metal compound and pulls it out of the body, clathration forms a “cage” which incorporates the offending compound into its own structure, effectively (if the process works according to maximum efficacy) imprisoning the substance and escorting it out via the elimination process.

Another difference is that chelation can be thought of as a more one dimensional process, where clathration is a more three dimensional one. In clathration, specifically-sequenced glycoproteins and peptides form a lattice or inclusion complex and multiple receptor sites attach to a toxic molecule with irreversible bonds, literally wrapping themselves around the toxic substance, preventing additional reactions with tissues and organs as it is eliminated from the body.

Chelation has been used since World War I, when it was developed to remove toxic gas particulates from the blood. Clathration is a much more recent discovery.

The similarities are obvious — both disable toxic heavy metal compounds. Both are utilized by various clinicians who are now engaged in progressive study and treatment of autism and autism-related disorders, such as Asberger’s and Rett Syndrome.  Both have produced varying degrees of results within the bodies of patients and test subjects.

There is no doubt that we will be hearing much about these two procedures in coming years where concerns treating heavy metal toxicity and autism and autism-related disorders.