This is a cross post from AMC, and Andy answered it there, so I'm going to delete this from FDC, so the discussion on it doesn't get split up.--------Jackie

In frequent-dose-chelation@yahoogroups.com Joseph wrote:

I emailed this to Andy, who advised that I post it here.

Chelating agents (interview with Dr. Ray Peat, Ph.D.)

There are several methods of mercury (and other heavy metal)
detoxification. If you decide to have your amalgams replaced with
gold, porcelain or composites, choose a dentist who is trained to do
it. Otherwise your symptoms can become much worse or even
life-threatening due to unsafe removal procedures which increase
ingestion of mercury and its vapors. Also, removal of silver
amalgams does not remove body stores. These must be removed by
chelation therapy. Substances that bind mercury and other metals are
called chelating agents and there are both oral and intravenous
chelation therapies available.

Unfortunately, most chelating substances can have very poisonous
effects. Common chelating agents such as EDTA, used both
intravenously and orally, can remove heavy metals including from the
bone, such as lead. The problem is, after removal from the bones, the
EDTA dumps the lead into the brain and the kidneys. Chemet (succimer,
or 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid abbreviated DMSA), is a dangerous
chelating agent which was approved by the FDA in January 1991. DMSA
is very similar to another chelating agent called BAL, or British
Antilewisite (2,3- dimercaptopropanol). The problem is, just like
EDTA, both DMSA and BAL remove lead from the bones and deposit it into
the brain and the kidneys. IF the lead is removed before it gets
into the bones, there is no toxic effect with EDTA, DMSA or BAL but
why use something dangerous? There is a review article in J. of
Chem. Ed., in the early 1970's which summarizes the research in 3-4
pages and references the original research.

Estrogen makes you overproduce collagen and stimulates soft tissue
deposition of calcium.

Thyroid makes you retain magnesium and dump abnormal calcium and
estrogen. Thus, thyroid is similar to chelation.

Surfaces of blood vessels work like an ion exchange resin. If you run
calcium over the membranes, the membranes will suck up calcium.

To safely remove heavy metals, use succinic acid as the sodium or
magnesium salt (sodium or magnesium succinate). It is classified as a
food, is an antioxidant (anti-free radicals) and stimulates
respiration in addition to being a chelator. Succinic acid will suck
out Al non-toxically. Magnesium or sodium + succinic acid should
chelate mercury. No side effects.

The last resort is penicillamine. Good for all heavy metals but not
as safe as succinic acid.

According to Dr. Ray Peat, succinic acid as the sodium or magnesium
salt (sodium or magnesium succinate) is the safest chelating agent,
with penicillamine being next. In the 1930's, Szent-Gyorgyi showed
that succinate stimulated cell respiration. In the 1980's other
researchers reported that it stimulates pregnenolone production in the
adrenal glands. Succinic acid is a good food, is crucial to the Krebs
cycle (essential for energy), speeds it up by stimulating respiration
and is thus similar to the thyroid hormone. Pure succinic acid or
succinate (not DMSA) can be used either orally or intravenously. It
has no harmful effects to the mitochondria (as does EDTA). Succinate
has been shown to remove aluminum and lead. There is no reason not to
believe that it will also take out other heavy metals, including
mercury and iron, but I have no references on this. It would be great
if someone would do a study on this. Peat says succinic acid works
orally so I would choose to do oral rather than intravenous chelation
therapy. His recommended dosage is 200 mg twice daily but please put
the succinic acid in a capsule, otherwise, it will suck calcium out of
your teeth. Peat says that it may take a week or so to clean out the
heavy metals.

Succinate does not suck calcium from the blood, but helps carry it.
Plus, it stimulates respiration and helps deposit calcium in bones
while taking it out of soft tissues. It simulates carbon dioxide
production which increases oxygen in the body. CaCO3 is the starting
material for hydroxyappetite (bone substance).

A high sodium diet (sea salt, not table salt) prevents kidney damage
from heavy metals. Other good chelating agents include, orange juice
and coffee and intravenous (not oral) ascorbic acid. Ascorbate is
better used i.v. than orally because it can irritate the live and the
colon and cause diarrhea. Also, ascorbic acid must be pharmaceutical
grade because most sources are contaminated with heavy metals due to
the method of manufacture. Also 90% of ascorbic acid now comes from
China. The citric acid in orange juice is a good chelator. The
caffeine in coffee helps get the lead and cadmium out of the kidneys.

Succinate and mercury (Hg) , iron (Fe)

Does it remove Hg? Experiments used Al (aluminum). Al behaves the
same as Hg but this is only an assumption. It is proven that
succinate removes Fe.

Toxicity of DMPS and DMSA

Question: Does the body quickly or gradually get rid of DMPS or DMSA
chelating agents? I have many people who nearly died when they took
DMPS or DMSA. But, I should think that the body would eventually
detox it. What do you think?


I completely botched this attempt at posting, but I think this is the info. I had written a reply but botched it too.