Detoxification & Chelation Protocols

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Detoxification Protocols
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'Assisted Detoxification' Categories
Stimulating Your Lymphatic and Cardiovascular Circulation
Balancing Liver Function and Energy Levels during a Detoxification
Programme
How detoxification fits into your overall programme
Detoxification Supplements and Techniques to Assist Cellular
Detoxification
Absorbants Overview
Bentonite Clay - Internal and External Use
Zeolite / Clinoptilolite Powder
Silica-based products
Charcoal
Oral EDTA
Fibre - Chlorella, Alginate & Metachel
Beta Sitosterol
Cholestyramine and Welchol
Bacteria
Chelation
Introduction
Mechanism
Method of Administration: Intravenous, Anal and Oral
Chelating Agents & Mobilising Agents Defined - What to Take
and When
Low Frequent Dose Chelation - The Cutler Protocol
Toxicity of Certain Synthetic Chelating Agents
Comparative Studies and Reviews of Chelating Agents
Targetted Chelation by Heavy Metal
Use of Absorbants in Parallel
Balancing Chelation
Critics of Chelation Therapy
Proper Hydration
Demineralisation and Mineral Supplementation
Dosage
Over-Detoxification Side Effects
Frequency of Administration
Supporting Liver Function

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Measuring the Progress of your Chelation Programme

Chelating Agent Reviews
Liquid Zeolite
Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) / Modified Alginate Complex
(MAC)
EDTA Suppositories
Liposomal EDTA
OSR#1 (NBMI)
IP6
Mobilising/Chelating Combination Product Reviews
Fermented Peptides & Micronised Chlorella
PCA
Metal-Free
Matrix Metals
NDF and NDF Plus
Heavy Metal Nano Detox
Zeotrex
Mobilising Agent Reviews
Lipoic Acid
Thiamine TetrahydroFurfuryl Disulfide (TTFD)
Fulvic Acid and Humic Acid
Cilantro (Coriander Leaf)
General
Other Chelating/Mobilising Herbs
Mobilising Products containing Cilantro (Chelorex)
PHOSPHOLIPID THERAPY
Role of Phospholipids
Soy Lecithin
Oral Phosphatidyl Choline Supplementation
Concentration
Storage Considerations
Dosage Considerations
35% Phosphatidyl Choline
BodyBio PC
NT Factor
Phosphatidyl Serine
Citicoline CDP
Alpha GPC and Sphingomyelin
Soy Considerations - GMO and Phytoestrogens
Other Sources of Lecithin - Egg Yolk and Sunflower
Phospholipid Exchange (PLX) - IV Phosphatidyl Choline Infusions
Combining PLX with FIR Saunas
Light (EMR) Therapies
Introduction
FAR INFRARED (FIR) SAUNAS
What is FIR and how does it work?
Types of FIR Sauna

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FIR Sauna Duration

Considerations for FIR Sauna Usage
Combining FIR Saunas with other Detoxification Protocols
Experimentation
Light Beam Generator (LBG) aka OAPD
LymphStar Pro
Lustre - Electro Lymphatic Drainage/Therapy (ELT)
Laser Energetic Detoxification (LED)
Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
Other Electromagnetic Stimulation
Foot Detox Patches and Tourmaline
Foot Detox Patches
Tourmaline Jewelry
Centrophenoxine / Meclofenoxate HCl
Example of a Liver and Gallbladder Cleanse
Kidney Stone Elimination
Fluoride Elimination
Skin Cleansing
Bentonite Clay Bath
'Mud' Pack
Skin Exfoliation
Skin Brushing
Himalayan Crystal Salt Bath
MSM Bath
Other Detoxification Methods
Detoxification Diets
Homeopathic Remedies

Last Updated: 22 May 2015

'Assisted Detoxification' Categories:

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So who do we believe about detoxification? Alternative health

proponents will tell you that everyone needs to go on a
detoxification programme, which vary between being useless,
harmful, rather severe to the gentle. Experts from the medical
establishment will tell you that all you need to detoxify your body is
to drink plenty of tap water and to make sure you are getting
enough sleep. Is detoxification a big con? Who is right? To answer
this question we need to understand how detoxification processes
work in the body.
The term detoxification means different things to different people.
Below are some examples of different types of 'detoxification'.
Cellular detoxification:
Removal of toxins such as heavy metals can be achieved by taking
a supplement (called a Chelating Agent) to actively leach heavy
metals and some other toxins from the cells and proteins of the
body. Heavy metals are highly polar molecules (positively charged
in ionic form) and tend to accumulate in the matrix and cells of the
liver, kidney etc. as well as in other protein structures in the body.
A small proportion of heavy metals in the body enter the adipose
tissue (see Wikipedia's definition of fat cells) and perhaps also to
the mitochondrial membranes and interfering with mitochondrial
function. Certain heavy metals that mimmick Calcium, for example
Lead, will also accumulate in bone, which is also a polar segment of
the body. A chelating agent binds with these heavy metals to form a
large molecule which travels in the bloodstream until it is removed
from the body by the eliminative organs such as the liver, the
kidney, the lungs, the mucus membranes and the skin. This is
examined below in the absorbants, chelation, cilantro, glutamic acid
peptides and activated zeolites sections on this page. Heavy metal
levels can be determined through a hair mineral analysis test,
various laboratory tests and kinesiological testing. Please see the
identification page for more information.
Removal of organic chemical toxins from the body's fatty tissues
and cell membranes and mitochondrial membranes (a condition
known as Neurotoxic Membrane Syndrome or NMS) can be
achieved by ingesting constituents of these membranes in order to
assist the body in naturally rebuilding and replacing them, thus
flushing out the attached toxins, (i.e. heavy metals and organic
toxins). Such toxins tend to accumulate in the less polar and
lipid-rich parts of the body, having little polarity and a strong affinity
for other non-polar organic compounds, especially lipids. Removing
toxins (and also 'rogue' protein complexes - see the mitochondrial
page for more information) from the inter- and intra-cellular

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membranes may be achieved by taking a cominbation of Omega 3

and Omega 6 fatty acids and large amounts of Phosphatidyl Choline
or other phospholipids (either orally or orally and via injection). This
is described in the Phospholipid Therapy section below. The removal
of toxins from both the cell membranes and fatty tissues can be
achieved by electromagnetically stimulating the body's organs and
tissues to release toxins attached to cell membranes and
mitochondrial membranes and to drain toxins present in the
lymphatic fluid by using far infrared radiation methods (and also
phospholipid therapy to a lesser extent). This is discussed in the
Light (EMR) Therapies (inc. FIR Saunas and OAPD/LBG) paragraph
below. Organic toxins tend not to show up in hair, urine or blood
tests for chemical elements (mass spectrometry or otherwise), and
are harder to detect kinesiologically (depending on practitioner),
and so can be detected through white cell microscopy (ATP
Translocator Protein test) or indirectly through a urinary metabolic
profile. Please see the identification page for more information.
Whichever method or combination of methods of cellular
detoxification you choose, bear in mind that the additional work
load on the liver involved may create excess heat energy in the
body and may lower the energy and thus efficiency and health of
the liver, which may unbalance your energetic system somewhat
during a heavy detoxification programme.
Removal of accumulated endogenous cellular waste, specifically
Lipofuscin, from the cell walls and other cell membranes. Lipofuscin
is a result of various undesired events such as glycation
(uncontrolled bonding of sugars without enzymatic control) of lipids
and proteins (in the cellular membranes) or of free radical damage
to cell membrane lipids. The results of these attacks are broken
down by the cells lysosomes but still leaves small traces of sticky,
granular waste - Lipofuscin - which may accumulate in the longer
lived cells of the body with age. Removing Lipofuscin can be
achieved with Nootropic drugs (a.k.a. smart drugs or anti-ageing
drugs) such as Centrophenoxine.
Cleaning the Organs of Elimination:
When undertaking a detoxification programme, it is often not enough to
just assist the body's cellular detoxification, although cellular
detoxification is probably the most important element. It often helpful to
clear out and cleanse the body's eliminative organs and tissues, as
described below, to allow the body to effectively expel toxins from the
body, that you may be releasing in your cellular detoxification
programme. The body is continually producing and taking on new toxins
from the environment, which the organs of elimination have to remove
to prevent excessive build up in the tissues. However, during a
detoxification programme, we are effectively lightly 'poisoning' the body
by releasing additional toxins from the tissues into the blood stream, and

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these additional toxins also have to be removed. This is why it is

important to be able to properly expel all these toxins from the body.
Whilst the exact method of cellular detoxification and dietary
recommendations may vary, these basic principles are generally
accepted by many specialists in the detoxification field, of a variety of
disciplines, diets and methodologies, e.g. Dr Richard Schultze (please
see the Detoxification Diets section below.
Cleansing the colon of excessive mucoid plaque and hardened/built
up stool. This is described in the psyllium section below. Mucoid
plaque is examined in detail on the Mucoid Plaque page. The liver
and gallbladder eliminate the vast majority of the body's toxins, and
excrete these combined/semi-neutralised toxins into the small
intestine. If there is excessive congestion in the small and large
intestines, a significant amount of reabsorption may occur of toxins
in the stool back into the blood stream, which may then retoxify the
tissues and the brain. This may be greatly exacerbated if the patient
is undergoing a chelation programme as the mucoid plaque may
absorb a large amount of the heavy metals excreted into the GI
tract! If a patient has very few bowel movements (i.e. less than one
a day), then clearing and cleansing the colon is of the utmost
importance (including a corresponding change in diet), as the
majority of toxins are supposed to be eliminated through the
digestive tract and out from the bowels, and if the bowels are
extremely congested, then any additional cellular detoxification that
is occurring will result in even more of a build up of toxins in the
colon. It makes little sense chelating mg's of heavy metals from the
tissues when there are kilos of putrifying mucoid plaque and stool in
the small and large intestines, full of toxic matter and heavy metals
which can more quickly be removed. Clearly before trying to
remove toxins from the body through the liver, the pathway from
the liver to the toilet has to be clear! Some specialists regard a
colon cleanse as being the highest priority in cancer patients who
do not have very long to live, as part of their treatment programme.
Cleansing the liver of toxins that have built up in it. Improving liver
functioning and expelling of its accumulated toxins through
additional bile release from the gallbladder can be achieved by
taking herbs such as Cilantro or Silymarin Milk Thistle
tinctures/supplements. Of course taking any herb long term has an
energetic impact on the body, as a practitioner of oriental medicine
will tell you, and is not advisable. For short term usage, it may be
beneficial. Taking Phosphatidyl Choline or Lecithin may also assist in
bile production. In addition, Butyric acid or Calcium/Magnesium
Butyrate may also assist in cleansing the liver an protecting the
intestinal membranes. Please see the Liver Function page for more
information about herbs and supplements to support the liver.
Cleansing the liver and gallbladder of mineral deposits that have

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built up in it. Mineral deposits (i.e. crystalised bile salts, or

gallbladder 'stones', aka gallstones) tend to build up in the
gallbladder, which take up too much space in the gallbladder (e.g.
up to a heaped teaspoon of gallstones), and they tend to absorb a
variety of toxins over time. Their presence toxifies the gallbladder
and can prevent the gallbladder filling up with enough bile, therefore
limiting the amout of bile that can be secreted into the intestines,
thereby preventing effective digestion and detoxification. To remove
gallstones, a variety of different liver and gallbladder cleanses are
available. These work by softening the mineral deposits over a
period of a week typically, by eating a large number of apples or
drinking litres of apple juice each day (or taking malic acid
supplements instead for those that have candida/parasite/bad
bacteria issues). This also helps to dissolve old bile in gallbladder
which can be subsequently released. On the day of the cleanse, one
takes an amount of epsom salts to dilate the bile secretion tubes
(biliary tubing) in the gallbladder, followed by an amount of olive oil
and lemon juice to empty the gallbladder of bile and actively force
out the mineral deposits, which take the form of small green balls,
which are then expelled in the faeces. There is an associated risk of
blocking your biliary tubing with such a process with especially large
gallstones, which would require emergency surgery to unblock
them, so advice from a qualified health practitioner is always
advisable.
Pictures of of gallbladder full of mineral deposits and pictures of
gallstones excreted during a liver cleanse can be seen at the link
below.
www.angelhealingcenter.com/GallstonePictures.html
Clearing the liver of fatty deposits. It is important when treating CFS
in general, but also when engaging in any detoxification
programme, to ensure that one's diet is conducive to a healthy
liver. This means not only avoiding trans fats, but also ensuring one
has a healthy oil intake, rich in the correct proportion of Omega 3
and 6 Essential Fatty Acids. Please see the section Factors that may
contribute to Inefficient Liver Functioning above, Nutritional
Deficiencies page and Digestive Disorders page for more
information. A fatty liver will not function correctly and is likely not
able to deal with your current (and historical) requirements let alone
those of a heavy detoxification programme.
Cleansing the lymphatic system of accumulated waste and clumped
cells to remove blockages and ensure healthy immune system and
detoxification function. This involves light therapies, such as
Oxygen Assisted Photon Detoxification (OAPD), described in the
Light Therapies section below, and to a lesser extent Detox Foot
Patches, described in the Detox Patches section below. It can also

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involve exercise, massage, hydrotherapy and other methods.

Cleansing the kidneys of toxins and mineral deposits that have built
up in them. This involves proper hydration (i.e. drinking enough
mineral or filtered water to wash out the toxins and mineral
deposits from the kidneys). This also means avoiding drinking
anything other than water, juiced fruit or vegetables and herbal teas
(preferably those rich in antioxidants or herbs to support the liver
and digestive function), especially alcohol, sugary/soft drinks and
coffee. Certain herbs may also assist in 'flushing' the kidneys. A
sign of weak kidneys (or adrenal function - the adrenal glands being
attached to the kidneys), or low kidney qi (according to TCM), is a
stiff lower back or lower back pain.
Kidney stones are one of the most common disorders of the urinary
tract. Most kidney stones pass out of the body with any
intervention. However some do not and require treatment. Some
individuals may be more prone to developing/forming kidney stones
for genetic reasons, but on the whole it is dependent on diet and a
high 'oxalate' intake (e.g. chocolate, rhubarb, spinach, wheat germ
etc.)
www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov/Kudiseases/pubs/stonesadults
/index.htm
...or a high cystine intake (as opposed to the cysteine form which
does not contribute to bladder/kidney stone formation.
www.vitaminstuff.com/amino-acid-cystine.html
There are of course medical procedures for removing kidney
stones, but what we are proposing here is to remove them
naturally, using highly effective herbs, as a first point of call, before
cutting up the body unnecessarily.
Urination when the bladder fills up and passing stools when they
enter the rectum, and not holding them in longer than need be, to
avoid reabsorbing any toxins.
Cleansing the skin of external and internal sources of toxins. This
can be achieved by the use of clays and exfoliating scrubs, as
described in the Skin Cleansing section below.
Clearing (and not ingesting) mucus from the throat, nasal passages
and lungs (especially first thing in the morning).
Cleaning the tongue (by brushing with toothpaste or with tongue
scraper) and gums by brushing with toothpaste to remove bacterial
build up. Disclaimer - Don't brush too high up on the tongue or you
may damage your taste buds.
Proper, diaphragm breathing to expel toxic carbon dioxide gas (CO2

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is a toxic gas!) and to properly oxygenate the blood - this involves

maximum belly movement to initiate the breath in before lifting the
rib cage.
Killing off harmful micro-organisms:
Another type of 'detoxification' is the killing off of harmful microorganism such as candida, single cell parasites and bad bacteria. I would
not categorise living micro-organisms as toxins, but as invaders or
unwanted guests. They do however continually produce exotoxins,
which they excrete, and also endotoxins, which are released when these
organisms are killed off. They also put a constant strain on the immune
system. Procedures for killing these are described in the Digestive
Disorders section, although such micro-organisms are not necessary
restricted to the digestive tract and are often systematic (i.e. present
throughout the body), putting a constant strain on the immune system
and excreting toxins continually.
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Stimulating your Lymphatic and Blood Circulation:

Remember to try to keep up your rate of metabolism and
cardiovascular circulation whilst engaging in a detoxification
programme. You will be carrying a large amount of toxins in your
lymphatic system, so it is important to keep the lymphatic system
moving and flowing. Some information pertaining to the lymphatic
system can be found on the Immune System Impairment page.
It is also important to maintain a good blood supply and circulation
to the liver and other parts of the body, so that released toxins from
the tissues can be carried away, and brought to the liver. It is
therefore important to take regular exercise, even if just light, to
breathe properly, keep well hydrated, and to lightly massage the
organs or particularly afflicted areas to maintain that circulation (by
any means know to you). Alternative hot and cold showers each
morning may also help (a.k.a. hydrotherapy - please see the
Energetic Therapies page for more information); and also anything
that makes you sweat (e.g. steam saunas or FIR saunas). Foot
detox patches may also help increase the rate of draining of your
lympathic system and stimulate the lymphatic circulation.
Dry skin brushing and scrubbing will also help to stimulate the
lympathic circulation.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage or Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
is a type of gentle massage of the lymph nodes of the body that is
designed to assist in the body's drainage of excess lymph, and thus

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in aiding the removal of toxins carried in the lymphatic fluid from

the body. MLD can either be provided by a skilled practitioner or
you can perform a simplified version yourself on your own body. A
link below from the Cancer Backup web site describes MLD.
www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Resourcessupport/Symptomssideeffects
/Lymphoedema/Manuallymphaticdrainage
There may be some overlap between MLD and the type of
Lymphatic Drainage Massage recommended by Dr Raymond Perrin
in his book The Perrin Technique to compliment his Perrin
Technique treatment programme.
Energetic therapies such as acupuncture, bio energy healing,
quantum touch etc. can also help to assist in lymphatic drainage as
well as stimulating the organs of elimination. Even massaging an
affected body part can increase blood flow and lymph flow to that
area, as can gentle exercise, sweating, and hydrotherapy (alternate
hot and cold showers/immersion). It is clear that assisting
lymphatic drainage alone will help detoxification to an extent, but it
is something that should be done as part of a detoxification
programme rather than a single means of assisting detoxification.
Any way we can increase blood flow and lymphatic flow is going to
help your detoxification programme, recovery and general health. It
should not be ignored!
There is a Tai Chi exercise that involves stimulating the body's
meridians. This involves drums one's fists lightly over the body,
arms and legs. It starts on above the groin and one moves up the
central axis of the torso until one reaches the chest. One then
drums the chest, each fist covering each 'pec', drumming the whole
area left and right and up to just below the collar bone. This
particular part of the exercise stimulates the lymph glands in the
chest, and the overall lymphatic system in general. One then drums
the central axis of the forehead, the top of the head, all the way to
the back of the head and the neck. One then drums down one's
back, either side of the spine, until one reaches the buttocks. One
then drums the whole area of the buttocks, with one fist on each
buttock. Then one drums down each arm (one at a time, using the
opposite fist to do the drumming), down the outside of the arm
onto the back of the hand, then up the inside of the arm until one
reaches the armpit. One then performs a similar routine on the legs,
down the outside of the leg and up the inside of the leg. One can
perform this any time, but it is usually performed first thing in the
morning to stimulate the body.
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Balancing Liver Function

Detoxification Programme:

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and

Energy

Levels during

Sometimes by increasing/strengthening the body's energy levels

and electromagnetic field, and also supporting the liver and kidney
with the relevant chemicals and nutrients (in the right quantities) in
order to function optimally, it is enough to energise the liver enough
to perform its detoxification duties in full. In heavily toxified
patients, the clogging up of the eliminative organs (primarily the
liver) and thus their lower function and energy is partly why their
bodies cannot naturally detoxify themselves. When undertaking a
cellular detoxification programme, it is wise to cleanse the body's
eliminative organs on a periodic basis. One must however strike a
balance between gently assisting the body's natural detoxification
mechanisms, and forcing the body the intensively undergo
detoxification in an aggressive manner which can overload the liver
and kidneys and deplete the body's energy levels in general.
Cellular detoxification, or in effect, actively releasing toxins from the
tissues and organs of the body into the blood stream, is equivalent
on some level to continuously poisoning the body over long periods
of time. In the case of Heavy Metals, they are usually in places
where they are already causing a large number of problems
biochemically, so chelation does not poison the body so much but
more taxes the organs of elimination, which are probably already
quite stretched. It is therefore important not to 'overdo it' and in
such cases, if one greatly exceeds one's detoxification capacity, one
is significantly poisoning oneself (to some degree) and this is why
the symptoms of over-detoxing are headaches, fatigue etc.
Detoxing solidly for several years could be considered equivalent to
heavy drinking for several years in terms of the effect it will have on
one's liver! As you are putting an additional burden on your liver,
you have to physically ensure that your intake of supportive
nutrients is sufficient for the additional work your liver is being
asked to carry out.
Probably the most important of these is Glutathione and Glucuronic
acid. Glutathione production and availability is a bottleneck for
detoxification and liver function for many CFS patients, whose
Glutathione levels are already too low to start with, which is partly
why they got into difficulties in the first place. Increasing
detoxification requirements will increase the requirement for
Glutathione. It is therefore of critical importance to decrease the
amount of cellular detoxification or chelation to match the available
Glutathione levels, or to boost those Glutathione levels by taking
Glutathione precursors (e.g. L-Cysteine) or to directly supplement
Glutathione, either orally or by injection. The less Glutathione is
available, the longer a cellular detoxification programme will take;
and equally if one proceeds at an aggressive pace regardless of

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Glutathione levels, sooner or later the body will run very low,
opening up the possibilities of liver stress or damage, and indeed
severe oxidative damage around the body and impaired respiration
functions on account of the lack of antioxidant protection offered by
Glutathione. A Functional Liver Detoxification Profile (FLDP) is a
useful tool to ascertain the extent of one's current liver health and
efficiency, and which pathways may possibly be impaired. This test
is discussed on the Identification page.
It is equally if not more important to ensure that the energetic levels
and general function of organs such as your liver and kidneys are
sufficiently high to accommodate for your current level of
detoxification. Whether the chelating agents you are using are
mainly excreted via the kidneys or liver or both will also have an
effect on which organs are put under the most strain. Over time,
cellular detoxification will tend to deplete the energy and also
nutrient reserves of these organs. This is why regular breaks and
pacing oneself in one's detoxification regime are very important.
Every 6 or 9 months, for a few weeks, or so, you may want to
establish a baseline, cease your detoxification programme, and to
see how you feel with your new level of cleanliness of toxins without
burdening the body with detoxification - whilst continuing to
support your liver and kidneys etc; and also to give these organs of
elimination a rest.
For more information on nutrients for liver and kidney support, and
the enzymatic processes involved, please see the Inefficient Liver
Function page.
For more information about energetic treatments, please see the
energetic therapies page.
For more information on electromagnetic stimulation, please see the
Electromagnetic Deficiencies page and also the FIR section on this
page.
You may wish to also consider the Liver Function tests on the Tests
page to establish which liver pathways if any are impaired and
require supporting.
If you are lucky enough to have a lower level of toxicity or very
healthy liver and kidneys, you may well be able to complete your
detoxification programme in one continuous programme, with no
intervals. However, you wouldn't run consecutive marathons in one
day - you might consider a little rest and recuperation in between
each one! In most cases doing so is a recipe for disaster and burn
out (i.e. shifting your metabolism to a lower level of Chronic Fatigue
and cellular inefficiency that is hard to recover from). Your doctor or
consultant should be able to advise you of the best and optimal

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regime for you as you go along.

It is sometimes hard to identify a tired liver, but your regime should
give you a guide to how hard you are working it. The liver is a large
organ, and protrudes from the bottom of the right rib cage.
Sometimes liver discomfort can be confused with a discomfort or
pain in the colon, specifically the top of the ascending colon. If you
are taking aggressive amounts of fibre and/or preforming too
aggressive a colonic abdominal massage (to increase stool
movement in the colon), then you may aggravate the lining of the
colon. The ascending colon is particularly prone to abuse in this
manner as it tends to clog up with stool quite easily. So if you are
experiencing discomfort in this area (in the right side of the middle
of your abdomen), then you can probably figure out what it causing
it. If you are not sure then, it is best to take a break from
detoxification for at least a couple of weeks in any case! The
sensation should then disappear. Sometimes the exact place of the
sensation may vary slightly, sometimes feeling as if it is coming
from the top of the ascending colon, and at other times from the
bottom of the liver.
Please note that in addition to eliminating toxins from the body, the
liver is also responsible for breaking down and digesting oils. Large
amounts of oil in the diet and the consumption alcohol, caffeine,
nicotene or other drugs will put a heavy burden on the liver and
gallbladder. Glucuronic acid is the main nutrient involved in
supporting the breakdown of fatty substances and toxins in the
liver. If you are intending to embark on a detoxification programme,
it would be highly advisable to cut out fried foods and to avoid
eating excessive amounts of additional vegetable oil, nut oils,
ground flaxseed, olive oil, coconut oil or dessicated coconut in/with
your food as well as any drugs or any kind. You don't want to be
burdening your liver with your regular lifestyle and diet and then
add additional heavy detoxification work on top of this. If you do
this, you are likely to tire your liver out rather quickly. Please do
remember though that you want to maintain your correct omega 3
to 6 ratio in your diet, and to consume as many good unsaturated
fats as you are comfortable consuming, both in terms of your
digestive system and your liver - but clearly no more or it will be
detrimental to your live function and digestive function.
One should also note that chelation and detoxifying the tissues may
require energy in general (more ATP), i.e. to release or move toxins
around the body, as well as processing them by the liver, as well as
the potential retoxification issues that may in general poison you or
adversely affect your adrenal and mitochondrial function (causing
increased fatigue).
Please bear in mind that as you leach heavy metals out of the bone

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and tissues of the body in sequence that their levels may be

temporarily elevated in the blood (and hence hair folicles). In this
manner, levels of specific heavy metals may appear artificially
elevated or even increase from one hair analysis to another. This is
not something to be alarmed about, but to note which metals the
body is selectively detoxifying at the time of the 'snap shot' of the
hair mineral analysis (which tends to show the mineral state of the
tissues a month ago or two prior to the time of collection of the hair
sample). This may not necessarily be the case however, and may
vary according to the individual. This is far from being widely
accepted as fact however.
One learns to listen to the body and to feel when one is in the
optimum/maximum comfortable detoxification 'zone' (given the
limitations of the protocol one is using), and one can learn when
one is overdoing it or when the liver is being overburdened. One
should also be aware of the potential risks and pitfalls with higher
dosages or durations and use one's common sense. Tests are a
more effective method of gauging what progress you have made
rather than a macho desire to be able to take larger and larger
amounts of a given chelating agent etc. This may sound
complicated, but it normally becomes intuitive after a few months or
so of detoxification.
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How Detoxification fits into your Overall Programme:

As a general rule (if there is such a thing), I advocate that invading
organisms should be largely eradicated first, such as fungus,
yeasts, bad bacteria, mycoplasmas, candida, parasites etc. Once
these invaders have been largely killed off, then the next part of the
treatment should focus on detoxification, the removal of poisons
from the body (the poisons that are continually having a negative
energetic impact on your body 24 hours a day). After this, then the
process of building the body back up again will be more effective as
any poisons present will interfere with bio-chemical processes and
act like brakes on your recovery. As an individual approach is
required, I recommend that you discuss this with your consultant.
There is evidence to suggest that heavy metals in the intestine will
be absorbed by candida, but that the presence of the heavy metals
does not actually encourage their growth. It just means that if you
kill off the candida too quickly, you may well absorb all the heavy
metals that they were carrying, and have an intense 'die off'
reaction.
Assuming that you have a significant level of toxicity in your body
(the definition of significant varies from individual to individual, as

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each person varies in their ability to cope with toxic elements and
compounds), you have a number of choices available to you. Let's
say for example that you choose to use PCA and consume a small
amount of Chlorella and MSM daily as part of your detoxification
programme, in addition to taking phospholipids and having FIR
Saunas. When should you do this? There is no easy answer. In
some cases, the level of toxicity is so severe, that the programme
should be started immediately, prior to treating any other
conditions the individual has. It depends on the type of toxicity
present in the body, which will to a large extent govern the exact
detoxification protocol(s) employed. In other cases, it may be best
to try to build up the adrenal function prior to beginning a
detoxification programme. However, in the latter case, elevated
levels of mercury will target the adrenal glands and kidneys and
weaken their energy.
Heavy metal toxicity if over a threshold amount for a given person
and his biochemical tolerance at that given point in time, will tend
have a negative impact on the metabolic (mitochondrial) function,
hormonal (endocrine) function and immune function, unless the
toxins are physically removed from the body (if present), these
systems are unlikely to be coaxed into full working order by simply
supporting adrenal function etc, but herbal methods (e.g. TCM or
otherwise). One has to remove the active cause of the energetic
problem and provide the body with enough of the deficient nutrients
before you can really achieve success in tackling the energetic
effects the problems have had on the body. CFS patients and
sufferers of related conditions often confuse energetic practitioners
and many herbalists, as they cannot understand what is going on.
If you have just had a mercury amalgam filling(s) removed, it is
critical that you begin a detoxification programme immediately,
regardless of where you are with your treatment, with the emphasis
being on taking absorbants as soon as possible. If you are
considering having your mercury amalgam fillings removed, then it
may be wise to plan and schedule this into your overall treatment
programme. Please see the section below for more information.
Sometimes detoxification will be the highest priority. At other times,
the patient would be best waiting before commencing a
detoxification programme. There is a difference between being
ready to detox and needing to detox. If one can significantly
improve without detoxing, then one should wait and focus on
nutritional and biochemical (etc.) support. If the patient is in bad
shape and will make little progress with any supportive protocol,
i.e. heavy metals or other toxins are the bottle neck, then
detoxification should commence immediately, even if the patient is
not really in the ideal state for it - albeit very gently (but using
proven and effective methods). Immediate improvement should be

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seen in such cases.

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Detoxification Supplements to Assist Cellular Detoxification:

The rest of this page will examine cellular detoxification and
associated supplements, techniques and issues.

Absorbants Overview:
Absorbants or binding agents are in general terms inert substances
that are consumed orally and not digested, but pass through the
digestive tract and bind with any heavy metals present in the GI
tract, usually in the colon. They are in essence chelating agents
which cannot be absorbed into the bloodstream. Heavy metals are
excreted into the colon from the gallbladder in the bile, and usually
attached to Glutathione. Glutathione is not a very good chelating
agent however, and heavy metals can be readily absorbed back into
the digestive tract. This is why absorbants are useful as they
bind/absorb these heavy metals and prevent their reabsorption.
Absorbants are necessary when using mobilising agents to minimise
reabsorption, and perhaps slightly less critical when using chelating
agents that are either strong binders or which are excreted via the
urinary tract. However, even when using such chelating agents,
there will still be a percentage of toxins excreted into the gut bound
to Glutathione, so occasional use of an absorbant is really a must in
a detoxification programme at the very least.
We can assist the natural detoxification processes of the body by
taking an absorbant such as Chlorella or Bentonite clay. These are
intestinal detoxification agents. Heavy metals tend to accumulate in
the GI tract, as well as the blood, lymph, fatty acids (brain!) and
bones of our body. Consuming an absorbant will absorb/bind with
many types of toxins present in the GI tract and assist in their
removal in the faeces. Once the GI tract is free of toxins, and the
patient continues to consume the absorbant, the absorbant will
draw toxins from the blood that passes by the capillaries around the
intestinal wall. Gradually, over a period of months, the blood will be
cleaned of toxins, and heavy metals will begin to be drawn from the
tissues (into the blood, then into the GI tract). The benefit of this
approach is that it is very gentle and does not add any addition
detoxification load on the liver and kidneys.
An absorbant can be taken as your main detoxification supplement,
in which case detoxification is very slow and gentle and may take
anything from 9 months to maybe thirty years to fully detoxify your

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system (of heavy metals), depending on the level of toxicity present

in your intestine, your tissues and individual cells. Or an absorbant
can be used to 'mop up' toxins that are actively released from your
tissues and cells by a chelating agent. Such agents are discussed
further down on this toxification page.
Please note that an absorbant's ability to bind with complex organic
chemicals is somewhat limited, and are not really effective in
releasing and absorbing toxins such as organic-based drugs or
sulphur-based anti-biotics. These are released by methods
described elsewhere on this page (i.e. FIR Saunas, Phospholipid
Therapy etc.) and once eliminated into the small intestine, have to
pass out of the body without 'assistance' from an absorbant. That is
not to say that there is ever any harm in taking an absorbant under
such circumstances anyway. Clearly the number and type of toxins
in the body of a CFS sufferer can often be very large and diverse,
and it is difficult to make hard-sticking generalisations about the
exact capability and limitations of absorbants.
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Bentonite Clay - Internal and External Use
'Bentonite clay' is the name given to a clay first identified in cretaceous
rocks in Fort Benton, Wyoming in the USA. Although bentonite clay
deposits can be found throughout the world, many of the highest
concentrations of the clay are located in the Great Plains of the USA.
Bentonite is a commercially used name for 'montmorillonite', the actual
active mineral in many medicinal clays. The name 'montmorillonite'
originates from the French city Montmorillon, where the medicinal clay
was first identified. Of course medicinal clay has been consumed by
people and animals for thousands of years. The chemical formula for
Bentonite is Al2O34SiO2H2O, with varying amounts of Na2O, K2O and
CaO. The chemical name for bentonite is naturally occurring hydrated
aluminum silicate, e.g. naturally occurring sodium bentonite, naturally
occurring calcium bentonite etc. Sodium activated bentonite is produced
by chemical means, by adding a calcium salt to naturally occurring
sodium bentonite, and is not typically used for internal use.
Bentonite clay is from my experiences much more powerful an absorbant
than Chlorella. It is inert, it is not digested and does not chemically react
with the body. It merely passes through the intestinal tract and absorbs
toxins, and is excreted in the faeces. It is not painful to consume and
has no significant taste. When bentonite clay absorbs water, it expands
and swells up, and is stretched open like a highly porous sponge. Toxins
and heavy metals are drawn into these spaces through electrical
attraction and bound into the clay particles. Because of this, it may be
useful for dissolving bacterial, fungal and protozoan intestinal biofilms

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(by removing some of the nutritional and toxic metals that are bound
into the biofilm matrix). According to the Canadian Journal of
Microbiology, bentonite clay has been used to absorb pathogenic
viruses, as well as pesticides and herbicides. The bentonite is eliminated
from the body in the faeces with the toxins bound to its multiple
surfaces. Bentonite clay is however limited in its ability to absorb toxins
by their electrical charge. I have found that certain types of toxic
element may not be as readily absorbed by orally consumed Bentonite as
other toxic elements. It may depend on what phase of your
detoxification programme you are in and what mixture of toxic metals
and elements you are chelating from your tissues and thus releasing into
your digestive tract.
Bentonite clay is so effective that it can actually absorb nutritional
minetals minerals from the GI tract (basically any positive ions on
account of its negative electrical charge), so it is recommended to take
your 'psyllium and bentonite shake' (P & B Shake) between meals,
preferably at least 1-2 hours after your last meal (or supplements) and
at least 1-2 hours before your next meal (or supplements). On account
of this demineralisation effect, it is wise not to use Bentonite clay for
extended periods and to ensure one is taking in a diet rich in nutritional
metals/minerals and/or supplementation with chelated nutritional metal
elements, to safeguard against demineralisation and nutritional
deficiencies, which can have serious knock on effects in biochemical
terms. Most CFS sufferers are deficient in certain mineral elements
already, so one does not want to exaccerbate this problem even further.
It is recommended to buy as pure bentonite clay as you can find,
preferably at least 99.75% purity. Clearly there is no such thing as
organic bentonite clay as it is not grown. Liquid bentonite can be
purchased in bottles (e.g. Sonne's #7), but it is much better and
cheaper to make your own. Bottled liquid bentonite is however useful to
have if you have having dental surgery (removing amalgam fillings) for
drinking immediately prior and after the procedure(s). Below are some
pictures of pre-bottled liquid bentonite.

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To make your own liquid bentonite (from dry bentonite clay), you need
to buy a jar of bentonite clay powder, and each day, for example, you
take a clean glass bowl and pour 4 cups of mineral/filtered (cold/room
temperature) water into it. Then empty one heaped tablespoon of
bentonite clay on top of the water. Literally tip the contents of the spoon
above the surface of the water. Do NOT stir. Place it in the fridge
overnight. The clay particles will gradually sink to the bottom. If you
attempt to stir it, then the clay will stick to the spoon and the bowl and it
will be impossible to mix it properly.

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The next day, remove from the fridge and use in four drinks. Before use,
stir with a non-metallic spoon (e.g. ceramic or wooden spoon).

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If you only use one bentonite drink a day, then reduce the quantities of
water and clay accordingly. Make a new batch each day (it only takes a
minute), but do not keep it longer than a day. An alternative to this
procedure is to fill a pint glass with filtered water (i.e. half a litre or half a
quart) i.e. enough for one drink and sprinkle a quarter to half a
tablespoon of bentonite onto the surface and place in the fridge. Remove
from fridge the next day and stir just prior to drinking. You may prepare

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one pint glass for each bentonite drink you will consume the next day. It
is helpful to remove the bentonite mixture from the fridge a few hours
before drinking, so that it is near to room temperature and not so very
cold when consuming.
You may find that if you take too much liquid bentonite at once, you may
begin to feel slightly thirsty after a hour or two, and remain thirsty for
perhaps 18 hours. So if you have taken too much bentonite in the
afternoon or evening, you may be up urinating all night as you will no
doubt be drinking large amounts of water in the evening! Bentonite is
very absorbant, so more is not necessarily better, and may have little
added benefit over a moderate dosage.
Please note that although bentonite is often taken together with psyllium
husks (see below), one does not necessarily have to do so. If one is
having problems with psyllium (e.g. excessive bloating), then one could
either use less psyllium or just take bentonite on its own.
For information pertaining to external use of bentonite and other clays,
please see the Skin Cleansing section below.
Bentonite Clay is often consumed together with rehydrated Psyllium
Husks, in the form of a liquid, often referred to as 'Psyllium and
Bentonite Shakes' or 'P&B Shakes'. These are used to detoxify the colon
and to help remove mucoid plaque in the colon, absorbing any toxins
that are released from the mucoid plaque when it is being scraped off the
intestinal walls. This is examined in more detail on the Mucoid Plaque
page.
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Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is another absorbant that can be used. It is commonly
used after dental surgery involving Mercury amalgams. Charcoal has also
traditionally been used in water filtration and to remove microbes and
their toxins from water sources. It can also absorb organic toxic
compounds. There are 150 types of carbon-activated charcoal that can
be purchased, made from wood or vegetables. The most commonly used
is vegetable charcoal. The general dosage depends on application, but
for an adult, perhaps around a tablespoon or less can be consumed,
thoroughly mixed with water, as far away from meals or supplements as
possible, i.e. on an empty stomach. For emergency use, the maximum
dosage is 1g of charcoal per 1kg of body weight. It is probably best to
use a ceramic spoon whilst stirring it and for spooning it into a cup or
glass. It may darken your stools, as it is not digested and being carbon
is of course black!

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http://www.buyactivatedcharcoal.com/faq
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Oral EDTA
Oral EDTA supplements are generally not very well absorbed from the GI
tract into the blood stream, typically 2.5% of total ingested. The small
percentage that is absorbed will act as a chelating agent in the blood and
will bind with heavy metals as well as valency 2 nutritional mineral
elements, and be excreted out through the kidneys. The majority of the
EDTA ingested orally remains in the GI tract and passes through the
small and large intestine and out through our stools. However, this is not
necessarily a negative, but as an intestinal absorbant for heavy metals,
EDTA can be very effective. Oral EDTA also has the benefit of being able
to bind with heavy metals and nutritional metal elements in bacterial and
protozoan biofilms, which helps to dissolve them. In the context of the
intestinal tract, this may help to break down the biofilms to some degree
and help antimicrobial herbs to reach more of these organisms and to kill
off more of them.
Oral EDTA products are best taken away from food and mineral
supplements as they will otherwise bind with the valency 2 mineral
elements in one's food or supplements (e.g. calcium, magnesium, zinc
etc.) and inhibit their absorption.
There are a number of oral EDTA products on the market. Of those I
have tried, I would recommend either Bio-Chelat or Interfase Plus.
Bio-Chelat:
'BodyCARE Environmental Defense' by Nissen Medica Inc. is an oral
EDTA chelation product. It is marketed in Europe as 'Bio-Chelat' by
Detoxpeople.eu. It used to be marketed as Bio-Chelat in the USA. I will
simply refer to it as 'Bio-Chelat'. Bio-Chelat comes in 100ml bottles and
contains relatively speaking a very small amount of EDTA compared to
all other oral EDTA supplements.
Each 100ml bottle only contains 200mg of DiSodium EDTA. This is less
than half the amount in one child-size EDTA suppository. A typical
dosage would be anywhere between 1 drop to 20 drops. 10 drops = 1ml
approximately and so a 10 drops dosage would contain roughly 2mg of
DiSodium EDTA. It also contains small amounts of Sodium, Potassium
and Calcium, as well as Citric Acid.
Ingredients per 1ml serving (10 drops):
3mg - Sodium Bicarbonate

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3mg - Citric Acid

2mg - DiSodium EDTA
1mg - Potassium Chloride
0.5mg - Sodium Chloride
0.05mg - Calcium Chloride
This is such a small amount of EDTA that no significant depletion of body
Calcium is expected. Although it is possible that some trace elements
may be chelated out of the GI tract, this was not found in studies. Nissen
Medica claims that the product causes no demineralisation at all based
on the results of the studies, although I would always err on the side of
caution.
The low levels of EDTA present (which some might criticise as rendering
the product ineffective) are however offset by the inclusion of an
oxidative catalyst that is said to oxidise the SH-group bonds that bond
very strongly with heavy metal ions (i.e. glutathione conjugates of heavy
metals in the GI tract), allowing the EDTA to effectively bond with the
heavy metals for removal by the body. The EDTA bond with a heavy
metal is considered much stronger than the Glutathione bond with heavy
metals. The liver excretes heavy metals into the GI tract for removal
from the body using the natural antioxidant enzyme Glutathione.
However it may be more readily reabsorbed from the GI tract back into
the body. The oxidative catalyst does not oxidise the EDTA itself nor is it
strong enough to affect the brush border membrane of the GI tract,
according to Dr Nissen. The oxidative catalyst is not listed on the
ingredients of the product even though it is patented.
The product claims to active pull heavy metal ions from the blood into
the stomach via the capillaries in the GI tract lining, to allow excretion in
the stools, because of its strong negative charge, achieving a high
concentration gradient that overcomes the blood-brain barrier,
encouraging more mercury excretion from the brain. Presumably this
could also be applied to other oral EDTA products.
Bio-Chelat is also antimicrobial on account of its oxidising component,
which can help to kill off harmful anaerobic bacteria or fungi in the small
intestine.
Bio-Chelat is best taken on an empty stomach, not because of its EDTA
content, which is too low to result in any significant demineralisation, but
because of its oxidant content. Nissen Medica did state that it can be
taken with food, but works best on an empty stomach.
http://www.nissenmedica.com/
http://www.detoxpeople.eu/
Nissen Medica have conducted two separate studies with Bio-Chelat, and

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found a corresponding reduction in heavy metal levels using hair

analysis, suggesting that the product that encourage migration of heavy
metals out of the blood stream and into the GI tract where they can be
eliminated.
http://www.nissenmedica.com/pages/products/body_flush
/clinical_study/
Evenbetternow, LLC, a health supplement reseller, received a warning
letter from the FDA in 2010 regarding their testimonials and marketing
claims for Bio-Chelat, which they have subsequently removed and still
carry the product.
Interfase Plus:
Klaire Labs Interfase Plus is an enzyme supplement designed to remove
harmful intestinal bacterial, fungal and protozoan biofilms. Each capsule
contains 250mg of proprietary enzyme mix (including Serrapeptidase,
Lysozyme, Chitosanase and various Protease and Peptidase enzymes
etc.) and 125mg of EDTA. Their standard Interfase product does not
contain any EDTA but contains more of the enzyme blend per capsule
(i.e. 500mg). I have taken 1-2 capsules of Interfase Plus at a time and
not noticed any significant absorption of EDTA in the blood stream from
them.
http://www.klaire.com/prod/proddetail.asp?id=K-INTP
Other Oral EDTA Supplements - Warned by FDA:
The FDA wrote to a number of Oral EDTA supplement manufacturers in
October 2010 and pressured these companies into revising their product
descriptions or removing their products from production.
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements
/ucm229320.htm
Of these, the following oral EDTA supplements are still being
manufactured.
- Cardio Renew are now FDA registered and approved and continue to
sell their oral EDTA product CardioRenew.
- Longevity Plus are still manufacturing BC-I (Beyond Chelation
Improved), a combination product that contains multiple sachets for
each day, one of which contains EDTA. They simply removed medical
claims from the product description (but kept the name). Longevity Plus
are also manufacturers of ACZ-Nano, the zeolite product.
- Maxam Nutraceutics just removed all reference to medical claims from

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their products, and are still marketing them as dietary supplements (they
contain no EDTA - but lipoic acid which is technically a vitamin, and
naturally occurring acids like fulvic acid etc.)
Of the oral EDTA product manufacturers who received the warning letter,
the following have ceased production.
- Artery Health Institute, LLC ceased production of their Advanced
Formula EDTA Oral Chelation product.
- Dr Rhonda Henry ceased production of her Cardio Chelate product.
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Zeolite / Clinoptilolite Powder

Please see the Liquid Zeolite section below for a full description of what
Zeolite is and how it absorbs toxins.
Zeolite powder, a.k.a. Clinoptilolite clay powder, is not particularly
soluble in water. Most will remain insoluble and undissolved and simply
pass through the digestive tract and bind with any toxic (or nutritional)
metals that it comes into contact with. A proportion of the dissolved
zeolite will be absorbed into the blood stream and bind with metals in the
blood and is eliminated through the kidneys. Be careful not to take too
much zeolite in the event that your kidneys are put under strain by the
amount that does get into your blood. Zeolite powder is mixed with
water and is generally taken on an empty stomach, away from meals
and supplements.
There is considerable debate amongst suppliers of zeolite powder and
liquid zeolite, each side accusing the other of selling unsafe products.
Some argue that powdered zeolite products are unrefined and frequently
contaminated with toxic metals. If you are going to buy zeolite powder, I
would suggest to buy from a reputable source rather than the cheapest
you can find (e.g. usually from Russian quarries). Having said that, some
suppliers will overcharge excessively and not necessarily offer a better
quality product. I would probably only really recommend Healthforce
Nutritionals' Zeoforce, although there may be other quality suppliers out
there.
Powder zeolite suppliers accuse liquid zeolite suppliers of selling very
expensive zeolite - as the amount of zeolite in a small bottle of liquid
zeolite is tiny compared with the large packet or jar of powder zeolite
that you can buy; as they often accuse liquid zeolite vendors of selling a
dangerous product, as they believe their zeolite is as contaminated, but
because it is all dissolved in solution, the toxins are more able to get into
the blood stream. I would probably use liquid zeolite above powdered

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zeolite, and use either Bentonite clay or Charcoal as an intestinal

absorbant, as they do not get into the blood stream at all unlike zeolite
powder in water which does to some degree and may need careful
monitoring regarding the quantities. However, perhaps experiment and
use the method you prefer.
Be careful when mixing zeolite powder with water, as it is carcinogenic if
inhaled (in quantity). It is not carcinogenic when consumed in
solution/suspension orally.
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Silica-based products
Silica is claimed to be able to bind with heavy metals in more than one
form. We have examine 3 types of silica based intestinal binding agents
below, namely Diatomaceous Earth, Enterosgel and IMD.
Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) is a type of fossilised algae called Diatoms. In
the fossilised form are 85% amorphous silica approximately, and their
fossilised shells are extremely hard and extremely sharp edged. When
ingested with water, they help to scrape mucoid plaque from the small
and large intestines as well as slice up any tape worms if present.
Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) also has a high mineral content and can be
used in remineralisation. The DE is not digested as such, although a
small amount of silica and other minerals may be absorbed. The
insoluble fraction sipmly passes through the digestive tract, rather like a
P&B shake.
The outside of the fossilised diatoms are negatively charged and attract
heavy metal ions in the digestive tract. Many sources state that the hard,
cylindrical Diatom shells can catch and trap all kinds of harmful microbes
including yeasts, protozoa and bad bacteria, although this effect may be
secondary and less exaggerated compared with the other properties
mentioned above.
DE has advantages over P&B shakes in that it requires the minimum of
preparation and will likely not cause bloating like P&B shakes can if too
much is taken at once or too many are consumed in one day. A
tablespoon of DE is simply placed into a glass of water and stirred.
That's it. It is probably best consumed on an empty stomach, although
in farming applications it is simply sprinkled on animal feed.
Bentonite and charcoal are best consumed well away from meals of
course, but Diatomateous Earth can be consumed with or immediately
before meals if desired (whilst being less effective). Best to take D.E. on
an empty stomach if possible.

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I have tried D.E. for a couple of months, and has found that it seems to
work best when mixed in with a thick medium, which can give the D.E.
some leverage from which to actually scrape the most effectively in the
GI tract. When mixed in on its own in water, it does not appear to be so
effective as the equivalent amount of fibre mixed in with water. I
therefore believe that D.E. is best consumed either in a glass of water
taken with food, or mixed in with a glass of water/fibre mixture, with or
without an absorbant like bentonite or charcoal. If using the latter
absorbants with D.E.,it is best consumed on an empty stomach. D.E.
does not appear to be as efficient an absorbant or binder of heavy
metals as either Bentonite Clay or Charcoal. This is probably because of
the scale, D.E. working on a fossilised cellular level to trap heavy metals
rather than a molecular level.
Please see the Diatomaceous Earth section of the Bacterial, Yeast and
Parasite Overgrowth page for more information.
Enterosgel is a type of silica-based gel designed for use as an intestinal
absorbant, for heavy metals and other toxins. It is composed of 70%
polymethylsiloxane hydrogel and 30% purified water. It is manufactured
by Bioline Products in the Czech Republic. It is marketed by another
brand in the Ukraine. The typical dosage is 1 tablespoon (15g) at a time.
I have personally tried Enterosgel and found it to be good but somewhat
less effective than Charcoal, but equally absorbs less nutritional minerals
than Charcoal. It is however more expensive than Activated Charcoal.
http://www.enterosgel.eu/an/
Quiksilver's Intestional Metal Detox (IMD) is described as a proprietary
form of highly purified silica with covalently attached metal-binding
groups (thiol-ated). It comes in a 6g powder container with a scoop.
Each serving is only 100mg. However it is very expensive. I have not yet
tried this product but it is well regarded. BioPure have a rebranded
version of the product, called MetalSweep (formerly MicroSilica) which is
approximately the same price but is mixed with Acerola Cherry powder each serving contains the same 100mg of Nano Silica proprietarily
functionalised with butanedithiol. I would probably buy IMD instead,
even if it meant paying VAT when importing it from the US, because it
does not contain any Acerola Cherry powder, which some individuals
with severe dysbiosis may not tolerate as it contains fruit sugars. It is
reputed to target heavy metals and not nutritional elements, although I
suspect it would still bind with trace elements. Arguably I don't see that
much advantage over oral EDTA which is available at a fraction of the
price, even if it does bind strongly with nutritional elements. But if you
can afford it, IMD is probably a good choice.
http://www.drvitaminsolutions.com
/IMD_Intestinal_Metals_Detox_Protocol/#

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http://www.retailbiopure.com/By-Category/MetalSweep-reformulatedMicroSilica/MetalSweep-30g.html
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Fibre
Fibre (fiber in USA) is useful as part of a heavy metal detoxification
programme for a number of reasons. Firstly, it increases the transit time
of food/chyme/stool in the GI tract, reducing the time that the bile
(containing various toxins and heavy metals) has to be reabsorbed into
the bloodstream (either directly or via liberation by pathogenic
organisms in the GI tract). It also helps to bind the heavy metals and
absorb the toxin-laden bile. Some forms of fibre are recommended to be
consumed 15-20 minutes before meals for that reason, to ensure
maximum contact with the bile which is excreted when a meal is eaten.
A number of soluble fibre sources are available to supplement your diet,
as well as fibre rich foods. Some of these are examined on the Mucoid
Plaque page. Additional soluble fibre, can be mixed with any of the
absorbants above and consumed in between meals. However, such fibre
sources may not be ideal for those on a Paleo, GAPS or SCD diet, who
are trying to avoid taking additional indigestible fibre as it may worsen
their gut inflammation and IBS symptoms.
Bentonite and charcoal are best consumed well away from meals of
course, but Diatomateous Earth can be consumed with or immediately
before meals if desired (whilst being less effective). Chlorella

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Chlorella is a green algae and has the added benefit of being a source of
fibre (it is the indigestible outer wall that binds with heavy metals so
effectively) and a good source of nutrients. Approximately 75% of each
cell is digestible. Chlorella is one of the oldest food sources on the
planet. Chlorella pyrenoidosa is more nutritious and probably a better
absorbant than chlorella vulgaris, which is the most common type of
chlorella. If you are trying to cut down on insoluble fibre intake, then
pyrenoidosa may be a better choice as you will probably need to take
less even though it is somewhat harder to digest than vulgaris.
According to Dr Klinghardt,pyrenoidosa's cell wall contains an additional
componound that binds with heavy metals.
Good brands of Chlorella pyrenoidosa include Sun Chlorella and
VitaGreen. Cheaper Chlorella from China can be purchased but it may
perhaps be contaminated to a larger degree.
http://www.sunchlorella.com/
http://www.vitagreen.de/online-shop/chlorella.html
Jarrow's Yaeyama Chlorella is probably the best bulk source of Chlorella
vulgaris.
If you purchase chlorella, make sure you know which species you are
buying. Chlorella, as with all other types of algae, has a cold energy (c/f

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Traditional Chinese Medicine theory) and consuming large amounts may

make the person unwell (this depends very much of course on the
energetic state of the individual). Algae is also alkaline in nature, and it is
helpful to take additional betaine HCl tablets with your chlorella so that
your (probably very low levels of) stomach acid is not neutralised
(generally 500-700mg of Betaine HCl per heaped teaspoon of Chlorella).
If you do take large amounts of Chlorella without any Betaine HCl, you
may notice that you produce more pungent wind than usual (which is a
sign of poor protein digestion, which is in turn a side effect of
less/neutralised stomach acid).
It is the indigestible, fibrous outer cell wall that toxic metals attach
themselves to, and are thereby passed out of the digestive tract with the
stool. The outer cell wall stays in the digestive tract and does not pass
into the blood stream. I have found that certain types of toxic element
may not be as readily absorbed by orally consumed Chlorella as other
toxic elements. It may depend on what phase of your detoxification
programme you are in and what mixture of toxic metals and elements
you are chelating from your tissues and thus releasing into your
digestive tract.
I have not found Chlorella particularly effective as an intestinal absorbant
compared with Bentonite Clay or Charcoal, but it does have the benefit
of not depleting mineral elements or interfering with general digestion of
food (i.e. can be taken with food or on an empty stomach). It's
effectiveness may be related to the relative smaller quantities taken
compared with Bentonite or Charcoal which are generally taken in one
tablespoon doses. However, I believe that it is probably somewhat
overrated as an intestinal detoxifying agent.
0.5 to 1.5g is probably more than enough as a daily dosage. Chlorella,
as other algae supplements, is best taken on an empty stomach, 30
minutes before each meal. This allows the chlorella to mix with the bile in
the intestines and remove some of the toxins from it. There is no reason
why you cannot of course eat chlorella any time of day, as it is a food
source. The amount you take depends on what is right for you. Pay
attention to your body.
Please note that Chlorella can also be a bonafide bloodstream chelating
agent, but only if it is highly processed and the cell walls are chopped up
into tiny fragments, that can pass through the GI wall into the
bloodstream. There it can bind with heavy metals and act like any other
chelating agent, to be removed by the kidneys. Examples of products
that contain micronised or nano-ised Chlorella included PCA, Metal Free
and NDF.
Modified Alginate
One source of fibre is examined in the Alginates section below. It is a

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modified Seaweed extract molecule, Alginate, called Modified Alginate or

'Algimate'. This remains in the GI tract and is very proficient at binding
with heavy metals.
Metachel
Another is called Metachel by Econugenics, and consists of reduced
keratin polymers which are said to bind strongly with heavy metals in the
GI tract and increase stool excretion rates and reduce reabsorption rates
of heavy metals. Keratin protein is highly insoluble and a very tough fibre
and contains high levels of sulphur and cysteine. It is found in our hair,
nails and skin. Natural keratin is found in orange-coloured fruits and
vegetables (oranges, carrots, mangoes, sweet potatoes and
cantaloupe), and also in spinach, broccoli and squash, as well as eggs,
turkey and chicken. I cannot confirm whether this natural form is
reduced or not however and as effective.
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Beta Sitosterol
Beta Sitosterol is a type of phytosterol with a chemical structure similar
to cholesterol. Phyosterols are natural components of many vegetables
and grains (e.g. Aloe Vera). Beta Sitosterol is used to help lower blood
cholesterol levels by inhibiting cholesterol absorption in the GI tract. It
takes teh place of dietary and biliary cholesterol in micelles produced in
the intestinal lumen, thereby causing less cholesterol absorption into the
body.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta-Sitosterol http://en.wikipedia.org
/wiki/Beta-Sitosterol Apart from its usage as a cholesterol lowering
supplement, it is also used in the treatment of Lyme disease as it is used
to prevent the reabsorption of the Borrelia bacteria neurotoxins
(secreted by the liver into the GI tract). Dr Dietrich Klinghardt
recommends the use of beta-sisterol in this application, suggesting that
the action is as an absorbant, and not merely preventing reabsorption by
lining the intestinal lumen - although I have yet to see another source
confirm this. Referring to Beta-Sisterol and Neurotoxin Binding, Dr
Klinghardt writes:
'Neurotoxins are constantly excreted by the body through the liver into
the bile ducts and from there into the small intestines. Neurotoxins have
a high affinity for nervous system tissue. The small intestines are lined
with nerve endings. On the way through the small intestine, most
neurotoxins are re-absorbed by the nerve endings and travel from there
to the spinal cord and back up into the brain. They are on an endless
rotation through these different systems without leaving the body. It has
been shown that several substances can intercept the neurotoxins on

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their way down and bind them in the stool so they are excreted.'
http://www.klinghardtacademy.com/Protocols/The-Use-of-PharmaxNutriceuticals-in-the-Treatment-of-Chronic-Lyme-Disease.html
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Cholestyramine and Welchol

Cholestyramine and Welchol (a.k.a Colesevelam) are two types of bile
acid sequestrants, used typically to lower cholesterol levels by binding
with the bile secreted in the GI tract. They are available in powder form
and form an ion exchange resin when added to water.
They are also used as part of biotoxin protocols as intestinal absorbants
to help bind with neurotoxins that are excreted by the liver in the bile,
into the GI tract, and prevent their reabsorption. Large amounts of
neurotoxins are produced when certain types of bacteria and parasite are
killed, and the Herxheimer and reabsorption of neurotoxins (endotoxins)
can be a major hurdle to their eradication otherwise. They are
particularly adept at binding with cholesterol and biotoxins but may also
bind with heavy metals in the bile.They should both be taken away from
food and supplements, and typically are taken up to 3 times a day.
There are synthetic substances and are well known for being particularly
rough on the GI tract.Of course, many of the other intestinal absorbants
mentioned on this page can be used in their place, with less side effects.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholestyramine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welchol
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Bacteria
Bacteria tend to absorb heavy metals in the GI tract and are passed out
of the body in the stool, thus helping to eliminate heavy metals
(assuming bowel movements are healthy). Bacteria of course multiply
and repopulate the stool as new stool or chyme moves into the
intestines. A healthy GI tract with a good flora balance is important for
not only movement of matter through the GI tract but also in helping to
absorb heavy metals. A clogged up bowel will tend to absorb and retain
heavy metals, and even if there is a significant amount of (probiotic)
bacteria present, it may be trapped inside the mucoid plaque and faeces
congestion, absorbing heavy metals and effectively retaining an ever
more toxic colon. This is often why those with an impaired digestive

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system tend to build up toxicity in the body, as one of the channels of

elimination is not functioning properly. Probiotic bacteria
supplementation is generally a good idea when detoxifying the body, and
otherwise. This is why the use of antibiotics can greatly decrease the
rate of excretion of heavy metals from the digestive tract, as there are
less bacteria to absorb the heavy metals and carry them out of the GI
tract. When killing off pathogenic bacteria and yeast infections such as
Candida, protein-based endotoxins are released which can contribute to
adverse 'die off' symptoms. One part of this may be a release of the
heavy metals they have absorbed directly into the GI tract, where it may
be reabsorbed into the bloodstream unless a good absorbant or binding
agent is present. Please see the Bacterial page for more information.
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Chelation:
back to top

Introduction
Chelating agents are compounds that actively bind with polar toxic
compounds, chiefly heavy metals but also some biotoxins, that they
come across or that they electrically/chemically attract/actively out
from the tissues. They vary in their properties, ease of absorption
from the digestive tract, ease of penetration of various tissue types,
effectiveness (with individual heavy metals), and how inert they
render the heavy metal prior to removal and excretion. Some cross
the blood-brain barrier more effectively than others. Chelating
agents are derived from natural compounds, of plant or soil origin,
or are chemically synthesised amino acids.
Chelation is pronounced 'Key-Lation' and not 'Chell-Ation', which I
didn't grasp for over 18 months and still have problems
remembering the correct pronounciation!
Chelation and chelation therapy are defined at Wikipedia below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chelation_therapy
Chelation products first came after World War One, as a treatment
for the effects of chemical warfare, specifically arsenic. EDTA was
created during World War Two in response to Lead poisoning by
naval personnel from paints used to repaint the hulls of ships.

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DMSA was created in the 1960s as a variant of the WW1 chelating

agent BAL. The Soviet Union created DMPS and also ALA. The
Soviets experimented with Citrus Pectin in the 1980s, and it was not
really until the late 1990s that a number of other more natural
chelating agents appeared on the market.
Chelation has historically been used for both heavy metal
detoxification (including radioactive isotopes) and also for the
treatment of cardiovascular disease, specifically the removal of
atherosclerotic plaque (an alternative treatment to a heart bypass
operation).
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Mechanism
If a chelating agent is taken, then large amounts of heavy metals
and toxins are drawn out of the tissues, into the blood, and
eventually into the liver and kidneys. The principle of chelation is for
the chelant molecule to hit a toxic ion, to create a larger and
preferably more inert molecule, which is large enough for the liver
to recognise/deal with and remove from the blood and to excrete
into the digestive tract for removal from the body (via one's stool).
Chelants are carried around the body in the blood stream and float
around until they hit something that they can bind to, or attract
(locally or from a tissue compartment) with their electrical charge.
In the case of synthetic chelation agents, and mostly likely many
natural chelating agents as well but to a slightly lesser extent, this
may well be nutritional elements and as well heavy metals. Chelants
will go wherever the blood goes, so they will be absorbed into the
tissues to some degree. The more chelant molecules you take into
the body, the more likely they are to hit/attract a toxic element and
bind to it. And conversely, the more toxic elements/molecules you
have in the body, floating around in the blood stream or attached to
(inter/intra) cellular membranes, then the more likely a chelant
molecule floating around is to hit/attract one of them. This is why
chelant dosages should be low at first, and built up slowly, as toxins
are drawn out of the body, and only increased when the toxin
concentration (that the chelants can reach) in the body decreases.
You will be chelating the same amount of toxins from the body at
the start compared with in the middle of your chelation programme,
if you balance it correctly, it is just that the dosages of chelant
required increase slowly as you go along. It is all about probability
(of attraction/collision). Some chelants are better able to penetrate
the tissues, blood/brain barrier and bones than others. Some
render the toxic elements more inert than others.

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Please note that although chelation products are effective at

removing heavy metals from the body's fatty tissues and cell and
mitochondrial membranes (i.e. positive ions, cations, of heavy
metal atoms), they do not (in general) bind with organic toxins,
compounds, antibiotics and drugs which may be clogging up the
mitochondrial membranes. Other methods are required for this, for
example light therapies and phospholipid exchange as described
further down on this page. Do not necessarily assume that
chelation is the answer to all your toxicity issues.
Certain chelating agents can leach mercury from one's amalagam
fillings if present. Protocols for safely removing Mercury Amalgam
Fillings is found on the Toxins page. Where a chelating agent is
known to leach mercury from amalgam fillings, it is stated in the
description of each chelating agent listed further down on this page.
It should be noted that surgical grade 316L stainless steel is not
known to be susceptible to chelating agents. I am uncertain about
titanium roots (for tool implants), but would be rather cautious in
this respect.
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Method of Administration: Intravenous, Anal and Oral

There are three main methods of administering a chelating agent
into the body.
Intravenous (I.V.) Chelation
This is direct administration into the bloodstream via intravenous
injection (usually a drip for slower release and less likelihood of adverse
reactions through spiked dosages. This is the most effective method of
administration but requires reguar injections and can be costly.
Oral Chelation
This is the most common method of administration. It is an effective
method of targetting heavy metals in the digestive tract, mainly the
colon, where they tend to accumulate. The amount of chelating agent
that gets into the blood stream is mainly dependent the rate of
absorption from the digestive tract and how well absorbed that particular
molecule is. Chelating agents taken orally on an empty stomach, away
from meals.
Anal/Rectal Chelation
Certain types of chelating agent, e.g. EDTA, are not absorbed very well
orally, typically in the region of 5%. They can of course be administered

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intravenously, but otherwise a reputedly effective method of delivery into

the blood stream is via rectal suppository. Anal suppositories are usually
administered before retiring for the night, and after the last excretion of
the day to maximise absorption.
As discussed on the Mucoid Plaque page, whilst the rest of the GI tract
(with the exception of the mouth) is connected to the liver, the blood
supply in the rectum and under the tongue bypassing the liver and
joining the rest of the blood circulation to the lungs, brain and other
organs. This is what makes you feel nauseous as you are excreting your
stools on the toilet momentarily as some toxins are reabsorbed. This is
why sublingual and rectal absorption is more effective than swallowing
something. For example, EDTA suppositories utilise this rectal absorption
pathway and 95% of the EDTA is said to be absorbed in this manner, as
opposed to 5% if an EDTA capsule or tablet is taken orally. According to
Dr Elena Koles, 3 nights of rectal EDTA suppositories is equivalent to one
IV injection of EDTA.
http://www.u-ok.net/chelation_chicago.html
I recommend that IV Chelation is probably not to be considered
unless there is a very good reason for doing so. IV Chelation
normally uses artificially synthesised amino acids (i.e. do not occur
in nature) such as EDTA, DMPS, or DMSA.
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Chelating Agents & Mobilising Agents Defined - What to Take and

When
As a general rule, one can classify Chelating Agents into two broad
categories, chelators of heavy metals and mobilisers of heavy
metals, although there is clearly overlap between the two in several
cases.
Chelators bind with a heavy metal and allow its excretion from the
body either via the kidneys or liver, or both. Mobilisers tend to draw
out heavy metals from inside the cells, from the bones and from the
brain (across the blood brain barrier) that most chelating agents are
not able to access).
Mobilisers are however not particularly effective at maintaining the
bond with the heavy metals or at protecting the body from the
adverse effects of the heavy metals they bind with and tend to
redistribute the heavy metals around the body (if taken in a
relatively too high dosage), and are not generally excreted very
efficiently. Mobilising agents rely on the Glutathione in the body to
bind with the heavy metals and carry them out of the body via the

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liver and digestive tract. Although some of the heavy metals

mobilised are excreted from the body, the excretion rate is much
lower in comparison to actual effective chelating agents. Mobilisers
that cross the blood-brain barrier tend to remove heavy metals
from the brain when there the concentration of heavy metals is
higher in the brain than in the rest of the body, but also carry heavy
metals into the brain if the concentration is higher outside the brain.
This is why it is important not to take a mobilising agent at the start
of a detoxification programme, and focus on chelation to start with,
to ensure that the concentration of heavy metals in the body is
much lower than it is in the brain, so that when you start using a
mobilising agent, you are drawing heavy metals out of the brain and
tissues at a controlled rate and not building up toxicity in an already
toxified body nor carrying heavy metals into the brain (rather than
out of it). It makes sense when using a mobilising agent to also use
a chelating agent at the same time that is effective at chelating the
metals released by the mobilising agent, i.e. Mercury and Arsenic
usually. Otherwise heavy metals can build up from being mobilised
without being well chelated out of the body. Whilst it is not strictly
necessary to use a chelating agent to help 'mop up' the heavy
metals released with mobilising agents, it is highly recommended to
avoid adverse symptoms and effects. I have found that a hair
mineral analysis is reasonable indicator of mobilised heavy metals,
particularly for lead and mercury.
Lead is not generally mobilised using mobilising agents - to some
extent with MSM (not a great mobiliser as it tends to drop metals
too readily), and this is why a slightly different chelation strategy is
required for Lead, as it will take much longer to remove from the
body and after the initial 'mop up' period with EDTA or other
chelating agents, it may be best to pace oneself and take the
chelating agent less frequently, relying on the body to naturally
liberate more lead over time (or assisting the process of displacing
it from the bones out with a mineral such Calcium or Strontium). A
similar process of displacement can be performed using Zinc to
displace Mercury, although Mercury can be more readily mobilised
with lipoic acid etc. This is why taking Strontium and Zinc at the
start of a detoxification programme may not be the best idea as
one's existing mobilised burden may be too high already - however
it depends on one's levels of deficiency and ability to absorb normal
amounts of these minerals in the GI tract etc. Zinc is important in
immune system functioning as well as Glutathione production.
Glutathione is a weak chelating agent and there may be some
reabsorption of heavy metals in the digestive tract, which is why it
is recommended to take an absorbant when using a mobilising
agent, and also in general, as even with bonafide chelating agents,
the Glutathione pathway will still be removing heavy metals from
the body via the gut. Mobilisers are best taken in conjunction with

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bonafide chelating agents (rather than relying on the Glutathione

pathway alone), so that anything they mobilise can be more
effectively bonded with an removed from the body (with the
minimum of reabsorption). It is probably best to avoid the most
powerful mobilisers until one has chelated for a number of months
first. Mobilisers are mainly used for Mercury, which is fat-soluble (in
the Methyl-form) and tends to accumulate in the cells, tissues and
organs of the body. Mobilisers are generally not necessary for
heavy metals such as Lead which tends to remain in the
bloodstream and readily accessible compartments of the body.
A third category is a combination of the two categories of chelating
agent
and
mobilising
agent,
and
I
have
labelled
it
'Mobilsing/Chelating Combination Products'. This is essentially a
product that contains both chelating agent(s) and mobilising
agent(s), to draw out heavy metals from the tissues and to help
chelate them out of the body. This is essentially the same as taking
a chelating agent with a mobilising agent. As stated above, it is
probably advisable to use a chelating agent for a period of time
before using a powerful mobilising agent or mobilising/chelating
combination product, or unnecessariliy adverse symptoms may be
experienced. Examples of each of the three categories are listed
below.
Please find below a PDF table of most of the above Chelating,
Mobilising and Combination Products, including additional technical
information, created by myself (May 2010).
Chelation and Moblising Agent PDF Table
Chelating Agents:
EDTA**
DMSA**
DMPS**
OSR#1**
Pectasol - Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP)
Activated/Soluble/Liquid Zeolite
Microfermented Peptides of Glutamic Acid
'Nanised' Chlorella (not ordinary Chlorella)
Inositol 6-Phosphate (IP6)*
Mobilising Agents:
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) or R-Lipoic Acid (RLA), a.k.a. Lipoic Acid
Thiamine TetrahydroFufuryl Disulfide (TTFD)*
Humic Acid
Fulvic Acid
Cilantro (a.k.a. Coriander Leaf)
Hawthorn Leaf and Berries

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Chaparral Leaf
Methyl Sulfonyl-Methane (MSM)^
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)^
Glutathione (GSH)^
Centrophenoxine - displaces heavy metals by breaking down lipofuscin
deposits
Homeopathic Detoxification Remedies, e.g. Homeopathic Mercury^^
Allithiamines in crushed garlic
(Electromagnetic stimulating treatments/devices, e.g. FIR or magnetic
wristbands)^^
(Phosphatidyl Choline)^^^
Butyrate/Butyric acid^^^
e.g.1. ThioDox (containing mobilisers ALA* as well as TTFD*).
e.g.2. Chelorex (containing mobilisers Cilantro, ALA and MSM*)
Mobilising/Chelating Combination Products:
PCA (containing mobilisers Fulvic acid, Lipoic acid and chelators
micronised Chlorella and Peptides)
Metal Free (same as above)
NDF (contains mobiliser Cilantro and chelator nano-ized Chlorella
NDF Plus (same as NDF but also containing Fulvic Acid)
Zeotrex (contains mobilser Cilantro and chelator micronised Zeolite
Zeolite-AV (contains mobiliser Humic acid and chelator micronised
Zeolite
* = Synthetic equivalents of natural compounds.
** = Synthetic amino acids, not naturally occurring.
^ = Amino acids and derivatives that bind weakly with Mercury and
Lead, i.e. sub-optimal mobilisers; but which also used or produced
by the liver. ^^ = Treatments that tend to increase lymphatic
circulation and break down waste deposits in the lymphatic system,
with actual 'mobilisation' from the cells being a secondary
characteristic (most probably). EM treatments tend to mobilise
organic toxins more than heavy metals, but it depends which one
one is referring to of course specifically.
^^^ = Phosphatidyl Choline is strictly speaking not a mobilising
agent for heavy metals, but it can help to clear toxins from
mitochondrial membranes, usually of an organic nature, but may
include small amounts of heavy metals. PC tends to increase levels
of organic toxins in the blood (if there are any to be released).
Of the above chelating agents and combination products, all are
excreted mainly by the kidneys apart from OSR, PCA and Metal Free
which are excreted mainly by the liver and gallbladder into the
digestive tract.
Of the mobilising agents, Lipoic Acid is the most powerful, with

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TTFD coming a close second - most probably. One could potentially

classify the amino acids N-Acetyl-Cystein (NAC), L-Cysteine, MSM
and L-Glutathione as weak mobilising agents, but they are also and
probably more significantly weak chelating agents. Vitamin C is also
a weak chelating agent, and high dosage Vitamin C infusions have
proven useful immediately following amalgam filling removal I have
therefore not included them in the above arbitrary classification, but
they are still significant.
Some may argue that chelating agents that are primarily excreted
by the kidneys (i.e. urine) are preferable to those that are primarily
excreted by the liver (into the GI tract and in the faeces), as there
is less reabsorption of toxins in the bladder compared with the
digestive tract. The passage of stool in the digestive tract takes
much longer than the urine route, and also it is easier for toxins to
become trapped in mucoid plaque etc. in the bowel, resulting in an
elevated concentration of heavy metals in the colon. This is
mitigated to some extent by the protective characteristics of the
chelating agent that are bound to the heavy metals in question. This
is why good bowel movement is encouraged before and during a
chelation programme so this issue can be kept to a minimum.
However, one may also argue the converse, that chelating agents
that are excreted by the liver are preferable, as the kidneys are the
'most important' organ, and the storage vessels of Kidney Qi and
Jing, one's life force, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. I
myself have noticed that even using too much of a liver-excreting
chelating agent that one's kidneys can become more tired than
normal, with associated lower back pain. Clearly all chelation takes
an energetic impact on the body. Kidney qi and Jing can take a long
time to build up according to TCM.
At the end of the day, deciding on a chelation agent or agents for
use in a chelation programme should consider the efficiency of the
chelating agent in question and its relative toxicity. Whilst one may
criticise certain synthetic chelating agents for their toxicity, there is
also the toxicity of the actual toxins you are trying to remove to
consider. If your chelating agent is in itself relatively non-toxic, that
is all very well, but if it is not very effective in removing the
particular heavy metals that are most contributing to your toxic
burden, then you are in effect leaving those metals in your system
much longer than you need to and continually suffering the
cumulative effect of their toxicity.
One should also consider where one believes the heavy metals are
at the start of a detoxification programme; and adapt one's
approach as one goes along, as the distribution will change over
time. Heavy metals will tend to accumulate in the colon and one will
need to use some manner of intestinal absorbant. What are the
relative concentrations of heavy metals in the brain and tissues, and

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the blood and readily accessible parts of the body? Which kinds of
heavy metals? This will determine which chelating agent to use, for
how long, and when to introduce a mobilising agent. If one is
experiencing adverse symptoms with a mobilising agent, then either
the dosage is too high, one is not taking enough breaks or one is
introducing it too soon in one's chelation programme. Which heavy
metals you have in what approximate ratios you can ascertain using
laboratory tests, but the other information one must figure out
intuitively by oneself and with the help of one's practitioner. How
your body responds will provide you with a large amount of
valuable feedback. Pay attention and try to be aware of what is
going on.
When choosing a chelating agent, one should try to do one's own
research and seek professional advice, rather than rely solely on the
manufacturer's claims, which are often little more than a sales
pitch; or on the opinion of enthusiastic amateurs. Most
manufacturers do not highlight the difference between mobilisation
and chelation, so you may end up inadvertently taking a mobilising
agent at the start of your detox programme rather than later on as
you might need to (depending on your level of circulating heavy
metals and those in readily accessible parts of the body) etc.
One might want to try bringing a few chelation products along to
your practitioner and have him test them using
kinesiological/muscle testing. A chelator should really be chosen by
the particular heavy metal that it can most effectively target that is
causing the most problems in the body and needs removing as the
highest priority. Whilst all chelating agents will work to some degree
regardless of what works best with the body, as they are not
'nutrients' or 'supplements' in the traditional sense, some may be
better utilised by the body than others at a particular moment in
time, perhaps dependent on the metal most in need of being
removed and also what types of tissues most of this/these metal(s)
are located. I have brought a large number of chelation products to
my practitioner, including the majority of the products listed on this
page, and of those, only Detoxamin for Kids (EDTA) and OSR#1 of
the chelation and combination products have tested positively
kinesiologically (muscle testing). Of the mobilising agents, only
ALAMax CR (slow release ALA) and Thiodox (containing ALA and
TTFD) tested positively. My friend Aaron has reported that Cilantro
tested positively on him at one point during his treatment. There
are many good chelating and mobilising agents, but they may not
be right for you at any one particular time. The body can be quite
fussy in this respect. It should be noted that just because a chelator
is of a natural mineral or plant-based source, does not mean it will
work well with your body at any particular point in time - it may well
cause more problems that it solves. In the same respect, a specific
synthethic chelator may well work better with your body than a

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variety of natural chelators; and of course, the wrong synthetic

chelator may well work even worse with your body than the wrong
natural chelator. There are many variables. Applied
Kinesiological/Muscle Testing, whilst often quite accurate with many
other areas, does sometimes make errors in dosage or frequency,
in particular with reference to mobilising agents. One may need to
override the AK testing information to work the mobilising agent
into one's regime in a sensible manner (with sufficient breaks etc.)
or more complex manner than AK testing is able to provide. Whilst I
found that AK testing provided sensible information about chelating
agent dosing and frequency, it did not with mobilising agents.
Please see the Treatment Approach page for more information.
The body will likely react differently to different chelating agents as
the size and properties of the chelating agent will differ, and how it
binds to the heavy metal will differ also. Thus the combination of
the heavy metal and the chelating agent in the bloodstream will
present a different type of molecule according to which one uses.
The immune system will likely react differently to each of these.
Excessive immune system response (i.e. attack by white blood
cells) can result in excessive levels of inflammation (i.e. free radical
damage).
I do NOT personally recommend the synthetic chelating agents, nor
use of mobilising agents, as a first port of call for chelation,
although they have been proven to be successful in application in
many cases. Perhaps synthetic chelators can be used when more
natural methods have been tried first. But of course, it ultimately
depends on the severity of your toxicity issue and what chelating
agent works best with your body at any one time. EDTA for
example, is probably the most effective chelating agent for Lead of
all chelating agents, natural and synthetic. If they are to be taken,
then I would suggest that one takes them orally rather than IV if
uncertain.
It is of course not strictly possible to compare chelating agents in
this way, as each works slightly differently, and also each seem to
have an short term equilibrium, i.e. when one takes a chelating
agent for the first, time, smaller amounts are required, targetting
the 'easiest' compartments or structures, with this particularly
chemical approach, but once those compartments are cleared out,
then the medium term equilibrium is reached, which is harder to
increase from and requires time to keep working it. This medium
term equilibrium is clearly different for each type of chelating agent,
and in the case of Fulvic and Humic Acid, I was able to relatively
quickly double the dosage tolerated over a period of a couple of
weeks, until he hit that equilibrium. With Cilantro, the short term
and medium term equilibrium is not quite so obvious, and increases
take a long time and are gradual. Depending on the stage in your

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detoxification programme, one may 'max out' on a particular

chelating agent in a period of months, and to continue to take it
would be financially disasterous or ridiculous in terms of quantities
required, and unwise to your health, so then it is usually time to
move onto another chelating agent. This time period is clearly
shorter for some chelating agents than others, depending on
exactly how they work, and is likely to be shorter in the latter
stages of one's detoxification programme and longer in the earlier
stages.
It is perhaps not so important, depending on your exact case,
which particular cellular detoxification (chelation) product you start
with in your programme, be it PCA, NCD or PectaSol, for example,
as likely your detox programme may last some considerable time,
allowing you to cycle through and try various products during this
time, perhaps changing product every few months or so - this may
allow you time to do your research and consider how to
change/tweak your detox regime at the next stage - which you
should also discuss with your practitioner. As the various
techniques and products work in slightly different ways, it is
probably sensible to do this in any case, to make your programme
as varied as possible.
Please note that depending on your personal choice and the advice
from your practitioner, you may choose to use one, two or three of
the above products together (e.g. Cilantro with absorbant, Pectasol
and/or NCD, etc.) I would recommend that if you did, you should
perhaps start with either NCD or Pectasol etc. only for the first
month or so, at least, before adding any mobilising agents. To take
Cilantro at the peak of your toxicity levels may be slightly rougher
than taking the PCA or NCD. If you use multiple products, you may
choose to take each one for a month or two, before moving on to
the next one. You may then return back to your original product
again after this. Or you may choose to take all at once, but at lower
dosages. However, if you do take more than one product at once,
you need to be aware of the relative dosages to each other, which
is something that is not that hard to figure out if you listen to your
body's response. Only increase the dosage of one product at a
time, and increase it by a small increment, and remain on that
dosage for at least a week before experimenting with a higher
dosage again. If you feel any of the above side effects, then simply
reduce the dosage again by an increment. You may want to stay on
a low dosage of Cilantro as a 'background' detoxification
supplement throughout most of the latter stages of your
detoxification programme, on account of its beneficial qualities, and
and perhaps only reach the maximum dosage of Cilantro after 6 to
9 months of your detoxification programme. Of course, the exact
levels of any product or combination of products depends on your
level of toxicity to start with, how long you have been detoxing for,

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how long you have been on the previous dosage level for, and how
energetic/clean your liver and kidneys are. A practitioner may be
able to advise you in this area, but ultimately much of the fine
tuning is up to yourself and is something you must be
self-disciplined about and take full responsibility for.
I believe that OSR#1 and EDTA are some of the most effective
chelating agents there are for cellular detoxification, with Lipoic Acid
also playing an important role at the right time. Cellular
detoxification in its entirety may take anything up to 3 or 4 years,
depending on how efficiently it is performed, but the most benefit is
often felt in the first couple of months. The sooner you start, the
sooner you finish! After you have completed your first ever full
cellular detoxification programme, you may well need to repeat (on
a small scale) it every 6 months, every year or every few years, but
these will likely be much shorter in duration compared to your first
detox. There is no fixed duration that works for everyone, and any
product or programme that makes claims about fully detoxing you
in a few days or a week probably has a disclaimer somewhere (in
the small print)!
Whilst the effectiveness of the various natural chelants I used over
3 years is hard to measure, on account of changing methods of
measurement employed and their various respective drawbacks,
and the uncertainty as to how much there was in absolute terms at
the start of the chelation proramme, in my most recent tests, Lead
did appear to be highest of all his remaining heavy metals, so that
one could deduce that the natural chelating agents I used over this
period were less effective with Lead that with other heavy metals.
So one should perhaps not discount chelating agents such as EDTA.
They have a time and a place.
back to top

Low Frequent Dose Chelation - The 'Cutler Protocol'

Aside from taking a chelation agent 2-3 times a day, in between
meals, on an empty stomach, one can choose a slightly different
approach. This is known as Low Frequent Dose Chelation. This
works on the basis that certain chelation agents have a half-life in
the body, after which time, if they have bound with a heavy metal
but not yet reached the liver, then the may 'dump' the heavy metal
back into the blood or tissues, retoxifying the body. This is
particularly emphasised for mobilising agents, which are not so
readily cleared from the body than chelating agents.
Thus, some proponents of Low Frequent Dose Chelation (LFDC)
postulate that chelating agents should be taken at regular intervals,

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24 hours a day, at low doses, for the duration that they are taken;
and for multiple consecutive days at a time; followed by the same
number of days again taking no chelating agents. The standard two
or three times a day schedule with higher doses, and indeed
schedules that suggest alternate days for taking chelating agents,
should be avoided in their opinion.
rather than at regular intervals during the day, then a long break at
night; or indeed on alternate days. Of course, some manufacturers
state that some elements of this approach may be useful, e.g.
Waiora, who suggest that mixing NCD (Zeolite) into a bottle of
water and sipping on it throughout the day is better than simply
taking one's daily allowance on two or three distinct occasions.
The most well known proponent of Low Frequent Dose Chelation
(who coined the term, as I understand it) is Andrew Hall Cutler
PhD, sometimes referred to as just Andy Cutler. His version of LFDC
has been called the 'Cutler Protocol', although it is not really a
protocol as such as so many parameters within it as fluid and
flexible.
Cutler has written a book on his chelation regime called 'Amalgam
Illness: Diagnosis and Treatment' (1999). He sells it direct on
amazon.com, and also from his website noamalgam.com, shipping
internationally. I summarise the main points from the 'Cutler
Protocol' below, adding his own comments and opinions also.
Whilst I do not agree with all of it and there are a number of errors
in the book, I would still recommend anyone who is about to
embark on a chelation programme to read it.
Cutler has written another book, 'Hair Test Interpretation: Finding
Hidden Toxicities' (2004) - this focusses mainly on the significance
of the presence of heavy metals, nutritional elements and trace
elements, but also delves a little into his own view on treatment
protocols, which overlaps slightly with his other book. I also
recommend this book, with its imperfections and all. He sells it
direct on amazon.com, and also from his publishing website
noamalgam.com, shipping internationally.
The Cutler Protocol is essentially a Mercury Detoxification protocol.
Cutler recommends the use of tried and tested synthetic chelating
agents that are designed for use with Mercury chelation, and hence
recommends either DMPS or DMSA. Cutler states that DMPS is the
more efficient chelating agent for Mercury (Hg) than DMSA, which it
is, but that it may be slightly more expensive, and chelation with
DMSA is often less pleasant with more adverse symptoms. DMPS is
more targetted to Mercury than anything else and results in less
demineralisation. DMSA is however useful for removing Lead.
However the Cutler Protocol's focus is Mercury detoxification, in

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conjunction with Amalgam filling removal, and is not really focussed

on Lead detoxification. Cutler does not recommend EDTA, because
it is primarily a chelating agent for Lead. Cutler prefers DMSA
because it chelates both Lead and Mercury, although it is not
particularly brilliant at either. He states that DMSA has superceded
EDTA now, which is a matter of interpretation, but it is widely
believed that EDTA is a far better chelating agent than DMSA for
Lead. Many practitioners totally disagree that EDTA has been
superceded by DMSA for Lead detoxification, and believe that EDTA
is the best chelator of Lead there is. Cutler perhaps does not like
EDTA because it has to be taken anally or injected and thus is
harder to dose around the clock compared with DMPS or DMSA that
can be effectively taken orally. However, as stated elsewhere, EDTA
is a rather poor chelator of Mercury compared with DMPS. Another
possible reason is that Lipoic Acid is a large part of Cutler's
suggested regime, and it is mainly Mercury and Arsenic that is
mobilised by this, and not Lead, so a chelating agent that is able to
more effectively 'mop up' the Mercury and Arsenic is preferred
(although he does state that taking a chelating agent with Lipoic
acid is not strictly necessary). EDTA is also probably the least
discriminate chelating agent, bonding with mineral elements and
causing demineralisation if preventative mineral supplementation is
not used.
Cutler recommends the use of Alpha Lipoic Acid (a.k.a. Lipoic Acid
or ALA) as part of an overall Mercury detoxification programme.
Lipoic Acid is a mobilising agent and helps to draw them out of the
body's cells and from the brain (across the Blood-Brain Barrier).
Neither of the above chelating agents used can do this, as they
simply 'mop up' the heavy metals that are in the bloodstream and
on the outside of cell membranes (and not from the inside of the
cells or indeed the internal organs). However, whilst Lipoic acid is
highly effective at mobilising heavy metals, it is not particularly
effective as a chelating agent. It also has a very short half-life in the
body, and the levels drop off rather quickly. This is why Cutler
recommends frequent dosing of Lipoic Acid to maintain Lipoic Acid
levels. Lipoic Acid can transport heavy metals both in and out of the
brain, depending on the relative concentrations inside the brain and
in the rest of the body. It is therefore critically important not to take
Lipoic Acid immediately after an amalgam filling removal, and not
until one has been using a chelating agent for some months, in
order to 'mop' up any Mercury in readily accessible places in the
body, before releasing any more from the tissues and into the
bloodstream. Cutler also recommends taking low dosages of ALA
because higher dosages may both result in too much Mercury being
released from the tissues at once (making one feel very ill) and also
the possibility of redistributing it back into the brain again. Cutler
recommends Lipoic acid over any natural mobilising agents such as
Cilantro, because there is too little information and few if any

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studies on its consistency or performance. He also does not

recommend TTFD. I know that it is a reasonably good mobilising
agent but not as potent as Lipoic Acid. Cutler does not mention
Humic or Fulvic Acid.
Whilst Cutler is against the use of natural chelating and mobilising
agents, as he does not believe they are effective, he does not
totally dismiss the use of herbs and natural products as one might
think. He suggests a number of herbs, as well as nutritional
elements, vitamins and prohormones in his book to support various
other biochemical pathways, including mitochondrial, endocrine,
nervous system function, not all strictly related to detoxification.
Cutler presents on a high level a complete treatment outline,
discussing what supplements to take and not to take, from his
perspective. One example, he suggests that one may want to take
Manganese, but if so, only in RDA doses in Mercury toxic
individuals, as it may cause problems he suggests of which he is
non-specific. I have taken higher than RDA doses of Mn to support
adrenal and mitochondrial function on and off for a number of
years, on recommendation from my practitioner, with no specific
problems relating to the Mn as far as I am aware.
Cutler strongly advises against using any Cysteine, Methionine and
MSM. This is because he believes that they redistribute Mercury and
do not significantly increase excretion of heavy metals from the
body, and should never be supplemented (in a Mercury
detoxification programme). He states that some Mercury toxified
patients have elevated Cysteine levels anyway (who should not
supplement either Cysteine or Methionine, but this is not the case in
my experience. Cutler suggests using SAMe (the methyl-group
donor) instead of Methionine, so as to not raise Cysteine or
Homocysteine levels. Cutler instead suggests that N-AcetylCysteine (NAC) is the preferred amino acid for those who have low
blood or live Glutathione levels, as it is the best method for raising
them. He cites a dosage of between 500-4000mg, the latter which
is quite a large amount, even for those who are deficient! Dr
Kinghardt, for example, recommends against using large amounts
of NAC early on in a detoxification programme as it can migrate
Mercury into the brain. Those with elevated blood plasma Cysteine
levels and normal Glutathione (GSH) levels may find it harmful to
raise their GSH levels (he states). Any GSH supplemented orally
should be broken down in the digestive tract into its constituent
amino acids. William Rasmussen suggests that GSH
supplementation can however raise excretion levels of Mercury, via
the biliary tract (i.e. via the gut), but that an intestinal absorbant is
necessary to prevent the heavy metals reabsorption into the
bloodstream. I am not entirely convinced that GSH supplementation
is inadvisable, as he has found it to be useful as part of his heavy
metal detoxification programme (using stabilised forms such as

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Tyler's Recancostat, in low dosages). It is my understanding that it

is useful to maintain one's levels of GSH at a healthy and normal
level, but that the emphasis on chelation should be on a chelating
agent, as it is the more efficient method of removing heavy metals
from the system than GSH conjugates, which can allow heavy
metals to be reabsorbed into the digestive tract if one is not taking
an intestinal absorbant. It is possible that higher dosages of GSH
and NAC may be detrimental, but usually only when the levels of
circulating or readily accessible Mercury are very high, or possibly
when one is at the limit of detoxification capability with other
chelating/mobilising agents. I have at varying times taken large
amounts of Glutathione, NAC and particularly MSM (a couple of
grams per day), and not experienced any negative side effects at
all. However, when my circulating levels of Mercury were very high
indeed, then only small dosages of these could be taken, and too
much would result in severe headaches, losses of energy and
acne-type spots or swellings on the head. One example of a
supplement containing all three of these Amino Acids is Thorne
Research's MediClear, which in the latter example, taken at the
recommended dosage was perfectly satisfactory but over that, the
overdetoxification effects would build up over a period of days and
disappear over a few days when the dosage was reduced back to
normal. On a final note, it should be noted that the use of ALA will
effectively increase Glutathione levels anyway because it is a
precursor to GSH and also a powerful antioxidant that helps to
recycle GSH from its oxidised form.
Cutler goes to great length in his book to explain the background
about Mercury toxicity, the danger of amalgams etc. but
presumably if you are buying the book, you already know you want
to eliminate Mercury from the body. He examines a number of
common supplements and weighs up their pros and cons as far as
Mercury detoxification is concerned - this is very useful (although
subject to his personal opinion in places). Unfortunately he provides
no explanation of why it is actually important to use frequent dosing
and to maintain constant levels of chelating and mobilising agents
whilst they are being used (on the 'on' days). He does state briefly
that the reason low dosages are preferred is that the amount of
harm from cytotoxicity from the chelating agents (the synthetic
chelating agents he suggests being toxic themselves), and also
from the chelated heavy metals that are in transit and being
processed for removal from the body by the kidneys, is at least
proportional to the concentration ingested, and possibly even more.
In other words, taking double the dosage of DMPS may be more
than twice as toxic as taking half that dosage. Further down in this
section, some of Cutler's yahoo group posts are discussed. It is
only here that he discusses why frequent dosing is important, and
here it is only briefly (and somewhat flippantly) mentioned with little
explanation. He states that dosage levels are to be kept constant in

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the body because otherwise mercury can be transported into the

brain. This point should really have been elaborated on, and
explained at length in his book. Perhaps something for a re-edition?
Cutler makes the following suggestions in his book, post-amalgam
removal, which vary slightly from place to place. He suggests that
symptom exacerbation should be expected regardless of
precautions taken. If you are chelating for the first time, it would be
advisable to follow a similar regime (if you are following this
protocol, or otherwise to not take any ALA at the start of your
detoxification programme). Ultimately he suggests there are no
absolutes regarding days on and days off, and actual amounts of
chelating and mobilising agents taken, that is something you (and
your practitioner) need to figure out yourselves.
1. Use oral DMPS - every 8 hours - on a 7 day on/7 day off basis or
a 10 day on 4 day off basis, starting no earlier than 4 days after last
amalgam removal. Same schedule for oral DMSA if that is used
instead, but take it every 3-4 hours. Start at dosages of 25 to 50mg
and slowly increase to 50-300mg [my comment: the dosages for
DMPS and DMSA are vastly different as DMPS is hugely more
powerful, perhaps 20x so.] Follow this regime for 2-6 months.
2. After the above mopping up phase, it is time to start mobilising
mercury from the tissues and to start removing it from the brain.
(P.75) Take Lipoic acid every 3-4 hours, starting at 25-50mg and
working one's way to up 100-200mg per dosage (doubling up for
every increase), as side effects diminish or are tolerated [my
comment: this is an awfully high maximum target dosage and
awfully rapid rate of increase for some people]. On-days
recommendation is a few days to a few weeks, with a break after
each 'campaign' or cycle. Elsewhere (P.203), he suggests 3-14
days on/4-7 days off. ALA may inhibit Copper and Zinc excretion
which is why regular breaks are needed so levels of these metals do
not become elevated. Whilst this may be an issue, I strongly believe
that the danger of cumulative levels of circulating heavy metals and
possible increase in inflammation is probably the most important
reason for requiring breaks with ALA (and indeed any other
mobilising agent). Also, take either DMPS (every 8 hours) or DMSA
(every 3-4 hours), with a 7 day on/7day off cycle or 10 day on/4
day off cycle. Elsewhere (p.90) he states to start off with 3 days
on/4 days off for both DMPS/DMSA (whichever you use) AND Lipoic
Acid. Continue this for between 4 and 30 months.
We shall now examine some of the sources of information on the
Cutler Protocol on the internet.
A Cutler adherent, (alias?) Moria Merriweather, has created the
following site with explanations of various parts of the Cutler

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protocol, in order to make more sense of it or to refine it further. It

seems to differ slightly from the recommendations in Cutler's book.
Perhaps it is time Cutler updated his book and rereleased it. For
example, Merriweather states to take ALA every 3 hours (or 4 at a
stretch during the night to get more sleep!) whereas Andy says to
take ALA every 4 hours as it is used up after that. The idea is to
keep the chelating agent and ALA levels continuous during the
chelating on days. However, according to Xymogen, ALA is normally
used up in 2-3 hours, whereas their slow release formula ALAmax
CR releases ALA for 4-6 hours. Cutler in a yahoo group post excerpt
states that he sceptical of slow release ALA supplements as their
delivery may not be consistent and continuous. However it should
be noted that taking immediately releasing ALA supplements every
4 hours is no guarantee of continuous levels of plasma ALA, as it is
likely to spike levels just as much, if not more, given how rapidly it
is absorbed into the body.
http://home.earthlink.net/~moriam/Andy_dose_sched.html
Word Document of Cutler Protocol according to Moira Merriweather
(an ex-patient)
www.livingnetwork.co.za/healingnetwork/general_guidelines.html
Moria makes the following suggestion for her version of the Cutler
Protocol:
ALA/LA (orally, very 3 hours for a few days, take a break, repeat) for
mercury and arsenic.
DMSA (orally, every 4 hours, on its own or with LA) for lead or mercury.
Cutler claims it will not remove mercury from internal organs unless
taken with LA.
DMPS (orally, every 8 hours or for convenience with every other LA dose
if used together) for arsenic or mercury. Cutler claims it will not remove
mercury from internal organs unless taken with LA.

SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) for antimony. Cutler believes that using

the precursors to SAMe, namely vitamins B6, B12, TMG (see
Homocysteine Metabolism article on the Nutritional page) and Calcium
will also work (more cheaply).
Zinc (3-4 times a day) for elevated Copper levels.
The length of the cycles is said to vary according to the individual,
but in general terms, 3 days on followed by at least 3 days off is the
norm; or alternatively 3 days on 11 days off. A minimum of 3 nights
and 2 days on (2.6 days on) is recommended. A maximum of 2

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weeks on is said to be the upper limit.

http://home.earthlink.net/~moriam/ANDY_INDEX.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~moriam
The Yahoo group 'frequent-dose-chelation' is dedicated to
discussion of Cutler Low Frequent Dose Chelation. The files section
contains a number of reference sources and one is sent a number
of files by TK and Linda J, the group administrators, regarding their
interpretation of the Cutler protocol. They suggest 3 days on and 3
days off for initial rounds, and suggest a dosage schedule for
subsequent rounds.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/frequent-dose-chelation/
The link below contains a number of interesting articles on the
half-life of organic mercury, the movement of mercury and the
action of different chelating agents (i.e. ALA/LA compared with
DMSA and DMPS). Where Cutler refers to 'Chlorella' he in fact
means NDF; as Chlorella is an absorbant, not a chelating agent, as
it remains in the gut. NDF is 'nanoised' meaning each cell wall is
chopped up into small fragments and can be absorbed into the
bloodstream.
http://onibasu.com/wiki/Cutler_protocol
Cutler's protocol is said to work on the basis that organic mercury is
converted by the body to inorganic mercury, and the half-life of
organic mercury in the body is 44 days. The liver and gallbladder
excrete mercury in the form of inorganic mercury, into the digestive
tract, where approximately 10% is reabsorbed back into the body
(being relatively difficult for it to pass back into the blood from the
digestive tract). He postulates also that DMSA and DMPS do not
allow Mercury to cross the blood brain barrer, nor do they
themselves cross it to remove mercury from the brain, but that ALA
does both of these things. This is why he recommends using ALA in
conjunction with synthetic chelators, to assist in removal of
mercury from the brain. He also suggests this is why ALA should
not be used at least 4 months prior to a mercury amalgam filling
removal. ALA is regarded as a much faster chelator, which is why it
is dosed more frequently that the other chelators. Cutler asserts
that there are two things to consider with a chelating agent, firstly
the strength of the bond between the chelator and the heavy metal
atom (called equilibrium) and the frequency with which the
chelating agents drops the heavy metal and picks it up again (called
kinetics) - a strong bond not necessary meaning that the chelator
does not 'drop' its chelant regularly. Cutler devised his chelation
schedule to avoid excessive damage caused by higher doses and

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less frequently dosing of chelating agents, which he believes

contribute to redistribution of mercury around the body rather than
it's elimination.
Proponents of the Cutler Protocol believe that one should not take
any chelating agents or any glutathione precursors prior to doing
extensive reading on the Cutler Protocol, as failure to follow the
correct protocol may result in inefficient chelation, redistribution of
mercury around the body and especially concentrating it in the
brain, and excessive damage to the body (free radical damage and
poisoning in general).
However, as stated above, not everyone is in agreement with the
Cutler Protocol. Some critics argue that the protocol, in chelation
terms may be reasonably logical, in terms of one's overall health
and energy levels, and biochemical efficiency in terms of liver
function and mitochondrial function etc, then interrupting one's
sleep to take ALA doses is counterintuitive, as the body is
desperately short of proper delta sleep as it is, so any regime that
further disrupts one's sleep cycle, even if not every night, is an
extremely bad idea.
I believe it may have some valid advice to offer, but is not
completely convinced about using DMSA or DMPS rather than more
natural chelating agents as a hard and fast rule. I can also see no
direct connection between the concept of half-life of organic
mercury, and the concepts of the half-life of chelating agents and
their 'kinetic' qualities (ability to drop heavy metals and pick them
up again). In addition, there are few actual scientific trials of the
natural chelating agents discussed on this page, and indeed their
'kinetic' qualities or ability to drop and redistribute mercury. Indeed,
the natural chelating products mentioned are not generally
subjected to different regimes, like frequent low dosing.
Manufacturers and indeed many doctors and specialists recommend
using them in a 2-3 times a day manner. Who is right, I am not
entirely sure, but it can do no harm studying as widely as possible
and experimenting with a few different approaches, and making up
your own mind.
I tried an adapted version of stage 1 the above protocol, using
EDTA instead of DMSA, at lower dosages, and found that more than
2 consecutive days was very tiring on the kidneys, and 6
consecutive days resulted in severe kidney pain a few days later
and excessive fatigue for a week. One may want to consider a more
gentle regime with fewer consecutive days if one is intent on
applying the Cutler Protocol. However, I tried such a regime with
one week of DMPS and one week of DMSA, dosing 3 times a day,
and afterwards, I was unable to take ALA for a month or so, on
account of either the redistribution of Mercury or otherwise, as

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there was so much Mercury in his system, in the blood/outside of

the cells. In short it was disasterous. It is hard to say whether it
was the DMPS or DMSA as I took them on subsequent weeks, but
the DMSA felt much 'rougher'. If I had taken them 3 days on, 4
days off, around the clock, it might perhaps have been different. Or
perhaps it was a sign of the properties of DMSA. Another possible
and perhaps quite likely explanation is months of high ALA and
other mobilisation agent usage prior, which likely had a cumulative
effect of building up heavy metal levels in the bloodstream and
tissues, and moving more Mercury into the brain. It is hard to say
for sure.
When looking at data regarding the blood plasma concentration half
life of various chelating and mobilising agents, it is important to
factor in the time it takes to absorb the compound upon ingestion.
Pure blood plasma half life figures are literally that - with a
compound in the blood at concentrate 'x' at time 'zero', how long
will it take for the concentration of that compound to drop to 'x/2'?
It is based on injecting the compound into the bloodstream. It tells
us nothing about the absorption time if taken orally. Some
compounds are absorbed quicker than others and it is possible that
Cutler has chosen compounds with faster absorption rates in
relative terms. The slower the absorption rate, the lower the peak
blood plasma concentration value will be. Also, the time for it to
drop from 1/2 to 1/4 of the total max concentration will likely be
slightly faster than the drop from maximum to 1/2, as there is less
of the compound being absorbed from the GI tract into the
bloodstream. As the concentration of the (orally consumed)
compound drops, the closer it's rate of decrease will resemble the
blood plasma half-life. So when trying to figure out when a chelating
agent's concentration will reach 1/2 of it's (theoretical maximum),
which corresponds with the time between doses according to
Cutler's regime, one must consider the entire process of ingestion,
gradual absorption, peaking, then gradually dropping off to 1/2 of
the original peak value (all the while still absorbing some remaining
compound from the intestines). This is why the theoretical blood
plasma half-life of ALA is 27 minutes whereas the dosing frequency
is 3-4 hours.
Recommendations vary regarding the frequency, schedule and
dosage of EDTA suppositories. T. Michael Culp recommended me to
take 3 Detoxamin for Kids suppositories (375mg) three times a
week (on alternate days, i.e. every other day for 6 days then an
extra day off), on the basis of muscle testing. This worked out quite
well - with sufficient additional mineral intake. Jean Munro of
Breakspear Medical recommended an 800mg EDTA suppository,
taken on 3 consecutive nights, then 11 days break (which is more
or less the same dosage over 2 weeks as Culp's recommendation
but taken in a different way). I tried taking a whole such 800mg

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suppository and did feel tired for a couple of days afterwards, so

would imagine that 3 consecutive days would be very draining
indeed. I found that on his 3 x Detoxamin for Kids suppositories, I
was not able to take any other chelating agents, as they strained
my kidneys. In addition, when I had taken too much ALA, and after
ceasing the ALA, took Detoxamin for Kids, 6 nights in a row, as an
emergency measure to remove the built up heavy metals, I found it
far too much and felt exhausted the following week and had a pain
in my left kidney for a couple of days. The regime felt good for the
first 2 nights, then after that it felt rather exhausting even when I
was taking the EDTA. I would not recommend such a regime even
in an emergency. Whilst Andrew Hall Cutler does not recommend
EDTA, he does make several suggestions for other chelating agents
such as DMPS and DMSA. These include 3 days on and 3 days off;
and even 7 days on and 7 days off. The latter schedule would
presumably be far too much for most people to handle.
As EDTA is generally regarded as being more efficient at Lead
removal than DMSA, there is really no need to take DMSA anyway.
A new chelating agent called OSR#1 (Oxidative Stress Relief) by
NeuroScience, is reputed to be far more effective a chelator of
Mercury than DMPS, and so it could perhaps replace DMPS in terms
of Mercury removal, displacing the need for either DMPS or DMSA in
Cutler's Protocol entirely. Whether OSR#1 should be dosed around
the clock like DMPS, for best effect and least problems, I am
unsure. OSR#1 comes in either capsule or powder form. The
recommended dosage is 1 capsule per day, so it would be hard to
break it up into smaller dosages. The half-life is 6-7 hours, so
perhaps a Cutler-esque protocl would involved taking it 4 times a
day or so. Although Boyd Haley believes it stays in the system for
days, he does not believe that the product accumulates in the body
over time. OSR#1 does come in powder form also, 2 scoops
providing the same dosage as 1 capsule. So perhaps the dosage
could be broken up in some manner if desired using the powder
form. Please see the OSR section for more information.
Perhaps Cutler's recommendations are a theoretical model that may
well apply and be useful for most people, but not all, the body being
a quirky thing and chelation not being an exact science. One could
make the following comparison. If you wanted to get in shape, you
might go to the gym 3 times a week for heavy aerobic sessions.
Other people might prefer to go to the gym 6-7 times a week, but
doing slightly less intensive workouts. However, who would
exercise at a low intensity 24 hours a day? For 7 or more days at a
time? It might be easier for the first few hours but after a while the
body would keel over through lack of sleep. Clearly this is not a
completely valid comparison, but there are certain parallels. The
liver may require more breaks than Cutler proposes, perhaps a rest
day after every on day, or perhaps rest periods during each day.

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The dosage and frequency may well depend primarily on your liver
health, and it's ability to be worked more than normal for short or
medium periods, and not just on the capability of your liver to
remove toxins or on your toxic load. I have found that taking
OSR#1 3 times a week (on alternate days) was beneficial, with no
side effects. In addition, at a time when I was recovering from
having overdone ALA (dosed too highly at first, but without rest
periods throughout) for 6 months, and when I was able to take
small amounts of ALA again, some months later, I found that taking
a small amount 3 times a week was better than dividing that dosage
up into 4-6 hourly doses around the clock (24/7) which resulted in
me feeling very unwell after half a day.
As stated above, perhaps the Cutler Protocol should be revised in
the light of more cutting edge supplements, such as slow or
controlled release forms of chelating agents, such as ALAmax CR by
Xymogen, launched in 2008, or perhaps Jarrow Formulas' Alpha
Lipoic Acid Sustain 300, which can assist in maintaining continuous
levels of ALA in the blood for longer periods, rather than spikes
every 3-4 hours, prolonging the intervals between the repeat
dosing, meaning less sleep interruption. ALAmax CR provides ALA
for up to 4-6 hours.
Cutler advises against using R-LA instead of ALA, as he believes it is
experimental in nature, will not work for chelation and causes very
bad side effects (turning some patients into 'vegetables'), and at
best just will not work. This view is not substantiated with any
specific facts by Cutler (as usual), in his archived forum post and
also on curezone.com. However, I have used R-LA without any
major issues, and some even prefer it to ALA as they have had less
side effects. To say that R-LA will not chelate is nonsense. ALA is
50% R-LA and 50% S-LA, the S-LA component not serving a
chelation function. Some have reported that the S-LA component of
ALA is problematic and causes side effects of ALA! Please see the
Lipoic Acid section for more information. Some may make the
mistake of taking a dosing recommendation for ALA and applying it
to Na-RLA which is in effect twice as strong a chelator. I have
myself experienced severe problems with ALA when dosed daily,
around the clock, with few rest days over 6 months. This was on
account of too few rest days and too high a dosage. Ultimately it
comes down to how you use Lipoic Acid that determines whether it
is useful or poisoning you with increasing amounts of mobilised
Mercury. It is possible that the cases Cutler is refering to who used
Na-RLA had been dosing it incorrectly and hence had experienced
the severe side effects.
Cutler does not mention intestinal absorbants or binding agents in
his book. Whilst they are not strictly necessary for use with DMPS
or DMSA, as these chelating agents are removed by the kidneys,

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the body will always be removing some heavy metals with its own
Glutathione via the digestive tract, especially so when mobilising
more heavy metals with ALA, so that the use of an intestinal
absorbant is really highly recommended if not essential on a regular
or semi-regular basis. There is no point mopping up metals in the
bloodstream efficiently if your gut is full of heavy metals, where
they are being reabsorbed and making you feel ill. However, more
importantly, Cutler's book is geared towards removal of Mercury
Amalgam fillings and subsequent treatment. During Mercury
amalgam filling removal, even with all the precautions in place, you
will likely ingest some significant amount of Mercury (i.e. swallow).
A large part of this Mercury can be absorbed and removed from the
digestive tract by the use of absorbants like Charcoal or Bentonite
Clay, so much less ends up in the bloodstream. There is little to
gain and much to lose by simply letting it pass through the digestive
tract as per normal food transit, absorbing more into the body, and
having to remove it with synthetic chelating agents later on. One
will likely end up much more ill than one needs to be. Of course it
depends to some extent on the body's sensitivity to Mercury, but
still. Not to stress the importance of absorbants in this application is
borderline criminal in my opinion.
Cutler is not too bothered in his book about exact dosage
suggestions for DMPS, DMSA or ALA, which is understandable,
unlike the internet writers and groups that discuss his protocol and
refine it. However, it should be noted that if you get the dosage
wrong (i.e. too high), then Cutler's suggestion of 24 hour regular
consumption of chelating and mobilising agents can become round
the clock poisoning. Unlike other chelation schedules that allow for
rest time each day. The latter type of schedules however may not
rely on so many 'rest' days or 'off' days as Cutler's LFCA. Cutler
makes the highly dubious statement in his book that it does not
matter per se what the exact dosage is of the chelating agent or
ALA, as long as you are taking it in the right schedule and at the
right time. Whilst this may be true up to an optimal dosage, if you
go over that dosage, then you will likely experience severe side
effects, cause excessive inflammation, deplete your energy levels
and put unnecessary strain on your liver and kidneys. Cutler also
mentions that it does not matter if you cannot find a doctor initially
who subscribes to the protocol. I would care to differ here also, as
a rigorous detoxification programme requires careful balancing and
also monitoring, and a second pair of eyes; and regular testing.
There are a number of minor errors in Cutler's Amalgam Illness
book. In many cases, Cutler is half right but also half wrong. For
example, on P.159 regarding 'methylating donors and compounds',
he cites SAMe, Choline, TMG, Folate and B12 as examples of methyl
donors and compounds as 'all having similar effects via methyl
metabolism. This is rather misleading to compare SAMe with these

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other compounds. SAMe is a methylating agent and is used to

create Cysteine, Glutathione and numerous other methylated
compounds. Choline and Phosphatidyl Choline (PC) are product of
methylation, not a methylation donor, and are manufactured from
Cysteine (at some point). PC is created by the methylation of
Phosphatidyl Ethanolamine (PE). Cysteine is manufactured by
methylation, using SAMe. TMG, Folate and B12 are all cofactors in
the remethylation of Homocysteine back into Methionine. Strictly
speaking, Folate (5-MTHF) and Methyl-B12 combine to form the
MTR enzyme, which is the actual methylating agent that
remethylates Homocysteine back into Methionine. MTR cannot be
formed in sufficient quantities if one or the other of these ingredient
vitamins is deficient (therefore usually supplemented together).
Neither vitamin serves any other biological purpose (in this form Adenosyl-B12 is involved in metabolism). TMG is an alternative
pathway to remethylating homocysteine back into methionine.
Folate, B12 and TMG are not interchangeable to SAMe in their
biological functions in any way. For more information on
methylation, please see the Nutritional page. It seems that Cutler
rushed some parts of his book, or wrote it from memory in places.
Part of it reads rather conversationally with double exclamation
marks etc. The above however is particularly ironic as Cutler himself
criticises others for their lack of understanding of chemistry in the
section on Cysteine on P.149: 'some physicians who squeaked by in
chemistry class many years ago don't understand biochemistry well
enough to realize that this will redistribute mercury in teh body
rather than cause its excretion'. Such inappropriate remarks are
really out of place in a book that seeks professional recognition and
attempts to be serious in its remit.
William Rasmussen, author of Lead Detoxification Naturally and
Natural Mercury Detoxification, subscribes to some of Cutler's
concepts regarding low frequent dose chelation, but chooses to use
Cilantro instead of Lipoic Acid, and NDF instead of either DMPS or
DMSA. NDF does contain Cilantro anyway, but it is possible that one
requires more mobilising agent than is in NDF as one progresses
through one's chelation programme. Rasmussen says that he
disagrees with Cutler in that he absolutely insists that a chelating
agent is used with ALA, to actual excrete the mobilised heavy
metals from the body. Cutler states that it is not strictly necessary,
but states in his recommended schedule to use a chelating agent
with ALA. He discusses this regime in his review of his own book on
amazon.com.
Dr Thomas Janossy (www.oradix.com) writes in his PDF document
Recommended Detoxamin Protocol about taking Detoxamin (EDTA)
3 times a week, on alternate days, and also ALA (3 times a day)
and MSM.

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Criticisms aside, there are many positive aspects to Cutler's LFDC,

and if I was going to take DMPS or DMSA again, I would follow
Cutler's suggestions. Taking less more often is clearly gentler on
the body than higher dosages less often. Assuming one gets the
dosages right in LFCA. Iagree with Cutler's suggestions regarding
ALA dosing, and when to dose ALA, albeit with the use of slow
release ALA supplements; and the importance of taking regular
breaks. I would also adapt the approach to more natural chelating
agents which Cutler does not believe are effective, if appropriate
(depending on how practical this is considering the format of the
chelating agent and also the estimated optimal interval - based on
less data than for DMPS or DMSA of course); and include intestinal
cleansing and absorbants as part of the regime.
Whilst I believe the dosing schedule is beneficial, or rather a gentler
way of dosing than less often, I do not believe that one should
wake oneself up during the night to take one's scheduled dosage.
Patients are likely to have too little Delta wave/deep sleep as it is,
without disturbing the sleep they do have. However, patients are
likely to wake up frequently during the night anyway, and if so, if a
waking moment or bathroom visit coincides with the time to dose
the chelating agent or mobilising agent, then it may be a good time
to do so then. If one takes supplements during the night to help
with sleep, be they Melatonin, 5-HTP and/or L-Theanine, or perhaps
even Mitochondrial support supplements, then one could also take
one's ALA then etc. One caveat to the ALA dosage however is that I
found that taking any more than 150mg of ALA during the night
made me wake up and feel euphoric, and make it very difficult to
get back to sleep again. Everyone is different and it depends also on
whether there is a mitochondrial requirement for ALA or not that
might generate such a sensation.
back to top

Toxicity of Certain Synthetic Chelating Agents

Chelation agents vary greatly. They include natural compounds
such Cilantro (Chinese Parsley / Coriander Leaf) etc. And also
include artificially synthesized amino acids (that do not occur
naturally), such as EDTA (EthyleneDiamine TetraAcetic Acid), DMSA
(DiMercaptoSuccinic
Acid)
and
DMPS (DiMercapto-Propane
Sulphonate - not yet FDA approved).The chelating agents reviewed
on this page mainly consist of natural plant and soil extracts, with
less emphasis on synthetic chelating agents.
EDTA exhibits low acute toxicity in laboratory rats, and has been
found to be both cytotoxic (toxic to cells) and weakly genotoxic
(toxic to genetic material) in laboratory animals. No such data

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exists for humans as far as I am aware. It is classed as a persistent

organic pollutant. EDTA is a powerful antioxidant. EDTA is found in
a variety of skin and bathroom products, and is also used in various
medicine applications e.g. as a blood anti-coagulant in blood
samples, and to prevent cell clumping on account of Calcium
deposits.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edta
DMSA is known to cross the blood-brain barrier in humans,
however to what extent this actually occurs is debatable. It has a
relatively low level of toxicity, reputedly 3 times less than that of
DMPS, which is less adept at crossing the blood-brain barrier, but
arguably a better chelator of Mercury. The dosage of DMSA
compared with DMPS is however usually around 10-20 times
higher. This may perhaps be why DMPS is 'smoother' to use than
DMSA as it does not cross the blood brain barrier and the effective
toxicity from the chelating agent at that given dosage is lower than
it is for DMSA. . DMSA is used mainly for chelating Mercury and
Lead. EDTA, DMPS and DMSA are all excreted via the kidneys.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DMSA
www.dmsa-chelation.info
www.chelationtherapyonline.com/articles/bloodbrain.htm
A web site examining the application of DMSA and other protocols
for targeting specific heavy metals can be seen at the link below.
http://www.lef.org/protocols/prtcl-156c.shtml
D-Penicillamine (e.g. trade names Cuprimine and Depen) is a
metabolite of the Pencillium fungi. It is another pharmaceutical
chelating agent, mainly for mercury poisoning, but it is less
commonly used, on account of a variety of potential side effects.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penicillamine
back to top

Comparative Studies and Reviews of Chelating Agents:

The pdf document 'Treatment Options for Mercury/Metal Toxicity in
Autism and Related Developmental Disabilities: Consensus Position
Paper February 2005' by the Autism Research Institute can be read
by clicking on the link below. This document examines chelation in
general and the effects of heavy metal toxicity. The protocols reflect

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many of the concepts on this page, although they rely on synthetic

chelation agents. The document also reviews the pros and cons of
the usage of DMSA, DMPS and TTFD.
http://www.autism.com/pdf/providers/heavymetals.pdf
Dr Mercola stipulates that DMPS is a much more effective chelator
than DMSA.
A web site that examines the pros and cons of DMSA and DMPS is
shown below. This web site postulates that DMSA is preferable to
DPMS, reaching the opposite conclusion to Dr Mercola! Perhaps this
is based on the strength/effectiveness of DMPS compared with
DMSA with respect to its ability to chelate mercury - i.e. it is easier
to make a mistake in the dosage. The web site however postulates
that DMSA is less preferable than natural methods like Cilantro.
www.dmpsbackfire.com/default.shtml
A comparison of IV and oral chelation methods by James C. Roberts
MD FACC can be found at the link below.
www.zimbio.com/Zeolite/articles
/15/Chelation+therapy+EDTA+DMPS+DMSA+Zeolite+Let
Synthetic chelating agents, and some mineral-based chelating
agents, are charge specific, and are known to bind with nutritional
minerals as well as heavy metals. If not used sensibly and in
accordance with a mineral supplementation programme, this can
result in demineralisation, which in extreme cases can be
life-threatening. This is explored more in the Demineralisation
section below.
The chelating agents considered for use on this page, and described
below, are in the context of oral usage (and anal in the case of
EDTA).
Cilantro has been proven to be effective at safely removing close to
100% of heavy metals and toxins from the body. Whilst some of
the artificial drugs have proven to reasonably effective, it could be
argued that a natural approach should be at least tried first. Cilantro
and other natural chelating and mobilising agents are examined in
more detail further below on this page.
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Targetted Chelation by Heavy Metal

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Some chelating agents are better at binding with some heavy

metals than others. So if you are trying to remove a particular
heavy metal that the chelating agent is not best suited to, then you
may be taking high dosages and be under the impression you have
finished chelating, when in fact you haven't, you are just using the
wrong chelating agent. Examples of such synthetic chelating agents
are:
- EDTA is most effective of all chelating agents at chelating Lead
from the blood stream and accessible tissue compartments. It will
strongly chelate Arsenic. It will also chelate but less effectively,
Mercury, Aluminium, Barium, Nickel, Cadmium and Uranium. EDTA
is most effective taken anally rather than orally as it is not
effectively absorbed in the GI tract. EDTA will also remove
nutritional minerals such as Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, Nickel and
Copper.
http://purebulk.com/edta-calcium-disodium
- DMSA is reasonably effective at chelating lead. DMPS and DMSA
are most effective at chelating Mercury from the tissues, although
DMPS is by far the most powerful of the two (meaning you should
not take it if you still have mercury amalgam fillings).
- Lipoic Acid and other mobilisers are mainly used for mobilising
Mercury and Arsenic (as stated above in the Categorisation
section), rather than metals such as Lead, which generally speaking
does not require such mobilisation to be reached by chelating
agents.
- IP6 is the chelating agent of choice for Iron. EDTA will also work
for Iron.
- Citric acid in high doses may also help in the excretion of
Aluminium. EDTA will also chelate Aluminium, probably more
effectively.
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Use of Absorbants in Parallel

It is also extremely important to also consume an absorbant in
conjunction with a chelation programme, such as chlorella or
bentonite clay, so that any toxic substances that are deposited into
the GI tract by the liver are binded with and rendered less harmful
and unlikely to be reabsorbed back into the body. Food and waste
takes a long time to pass through the GI tract and colon, and if
heavy metals do build up in the colon, they may be reabsorbed and

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retoxify the patient. If no absorbant is taken, most neurotoxins are

reabsorbed on the way down the small intestine by the multitude of
nerve endings of the enteric nervous system.
One can't really take too much absorbant (although it is physically
possible). Some absorbants absorb nutrition mineral elements so
one has to be careful to take them apart from mineral supplements
and not take such absorbants too often.
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Balancing Chelation
Chelation in general is a fine art, a balancing of releasing chelated
toxin molecules into the blood stream, over and above what you
liver normally has to deal with (in terms of digestive functions and
breaking down toxins), and not releasing too many 'new' toxins into
the blood in one go that the liver is not able to process comfortably
in one go. Chelation, depending on how well the chelation agent
'masks' the toxin, is akin to a form of very mild but controlled
poisoning, occurring over a prolonged period. When one takes too
much chelant, then one is effectively 'poisoning' the whole body and
it certainly feels like this. It is not the same effect as ingesting a
large relative quantity of that same heavy metal, as the metals
released are chelated or bound to a chelating agent and are thus
slightly less reactive or poisonous.
There is almost always a worsening or sensitisation of the body to
its 'normal' symptoms when the heavy metals are released from
their previous locations in the body. This may include other
sensitivities including (food) allergies or immune-mediated
intolerances, or sensitivies to Electromagnetic Fields (e.g.
promoximity to light bulbs or TV sets when in use, headphone
usage, computer usage etc.) This release of metals results in an
increase in circulating levels of (chelated) heavy metals which
mimicks the effects of the toxicity of the singular heavy metals
themselves. This is why it is advisable to let the body work at the
rate it is comfortable with and not to increase the level of circulating
toxins to more than it can handle.
Arbitrary dosage recommendations are to be taken with a pinch of
salt, as they are usually just guess work, and ultimately one has to
detox by the 'seat of one's pants' or rather, listen to the body, and
find the best dosage for oneself for a given point in time, and learn
to safely adapt this over time without being too impatient or too
cautious. This is discussed more in the Balancing Liver Function and
Energy Levels during a Detoxification Programme section above.

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Chelation is a balance of considering the short term and the long

term. You want the long term benefits of a decreased toxic burden
in the body, but you have to consider the short term - your short
term energy levels - and not overdo it too much as to send your
energy levels and liver function crashing down, which of course has
knock on effects in terms of the medium term and long term
outlook. You have to pick a pace of chelation that is sustainable.
The competitor in a 1500m race who starts off running as if he is in
a 100m race may think he is clever when he is in the lead, but won't
be feeling so clever when he burns himself out too soon and the
other competitors overtake him and finish much sooner than he
does as he spends half of the race walking as he is too tired to run.
It is important to bear in mind that the body is excreting heavy
metals all the time, in the urine and faeces, via the liver and kidney
pathways, with Glutathione etc., and that any chelation you do is
increasing the amount of excretion demanded of these organs. In
the case of DMPS, for example, it is likely to increase urinary
excretion of Mercury 3-4 times, but in terms of the body's total
increase in excreted heavy metals (combined kidney, liver, skin and
breath excretion), it may only be an increase of around 40%.
However, that is still putting a significant burden on the body.
It is critically important to note that chelation can be very
detrimental to your health and be very destructive to your
treatment programme, and even result in cardiac failure is managed
incorrectly (in extreme cases). Certain chelating agents also remove
nutritional mineral elements from the blood and tissues as well as
toxic mineral elements such as heavy metals, and as such may
result in critically low levels of potassium, magnesium or calcium if
not managed correctly. This chiefly affects synthetic chelating
agents, such as DMPS, DMSA and EDTA, but still applies to a lesser
extent to some more natural chelating agents. This page is chiefly
concerned with natural chelating agents, but even so, they should
be used carefully and sensibly - with sufficient breaks. Whilst in
general detoxification is a good thing, one needs to consider one's
overall energy levels, and whether it is indeed appropriate to
undergo a chelation programme at that point in time. It may for
instance be wise to delay it until one is in better shape. It depends if
toxicity is on the critical path or not in relative terms. If one does
undergo a chelation programme, one must pace it correctly, have
sufficient breaks, and be wary of the dosages. There is nothing
particularly clever about engaging in an over zealous chelation
regime, with few if any breaks, at high dosages, and making oneself
extremely ill. Any 'idiot' can make himself extremely ill, this is not a
skill! Nor particularly constructive. For example, to pick a rather
strange metaphor, it is all well and good having clean shoes, but if
you have been shot in the head, it is not really any use to you.

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Chelation and detoxification in general can be very taxing, and it

may be recommended that if you are engaging in this activity, then
you do not put your usual stressors on the body or engage in your
usual stressful activities or draining activities, if applicable, as the
combination of doing with in conjunction with chelation or cellular
detoxification will put a much greater burden on the body than
those activities alone, resulting in a gradual decline in your energy
levels and your adrenal function, if you are not careful and pace
yourself properly.
You may wish to consider alternating between chelators that are
primarily excreted by the liver and those that are primarily excreted
by the kidneys. This may alleviate the strain on one particular organ
if taken over a long period of time. However ideally sufficient rest
periods and a manageable dosage employed so that this does not
occur.
It is extremely important to ensure that the energetic levels of
organs such as your liver and kidneys are sufficiently high to
accommodate for your current level of detoxification at any
particular time in your detoxification programme. Over time, cellular
detoxification will tend to deplete the energy of these organs. This
may perhaps merely be a TCM explanation for levels of liver Phase I
and II compounds required for proper liver function. You should be
supporting the liver, nutritionally, and by other means, during a
detoxification programme.
Therapies such as Quantum Touch, Bio-Energy Healing or oriental
medicine may be to ascertain the energetic health of your kidneys
and liver. These are examined in more detail on the Energetic
Therapies page. In addition, a blood microscopy can reveal if the
liver has become stressed by too much detoxification. More
comprehensively, an LFDP test would probably provide the most
information.
back to top

Critics of Chelation Therapy

Many doctors believe that chelation therapy is of little therapeutic
use in the treatment of CFS, and conversely is harmful to patients.
This is perhaps based on inappropriate chelation regimes.
www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/chelation.html
http://onibasu.com/archives/am/2239.html
Chelation therapy can of course be extremely detrimental to your

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health if not performed properly, and a large number of people who

use this therapy arguably tend to abuse it rather than follow a
sensible regime. The fact that opinions on how to chelate in relative
safety vary so considerably does not help. Critics may have a point,
but I believe this is a rather one sided view as there are many
success stories amongst the horror stories. At the end of the day, if
you decide to use chelation therapy, then you do so at your own
peril and should do your research properly before commencing, to
avoid rather unnecessary mistakes.
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Proper Hydration
Chelation requires the patient to consume very large amounts of
water to ensure that the toxins are released from the tissues are
not allowed to accumulate in the bloodstream and retoxify the
body, but are effectively flushed out of the body as quickly as
possible in the urine by the kidneys.
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Demineralisation and Mineral Supplementation

Synthetic chelating agents, and some mineral-based chelating
agents, are charge specific, and are known to bind with nutritional
minerals as well as heavy metals. If not used sensibly and in
accordance with a mineral supplementation programme, this can
result in demineralisation, which in extreme cases can be
life-threatening.
EDTA for example, is charge specific, and each molecule has an
atomic charge of -2. EDTA molecules will therefore float around the
body and bond with anything that has a +2 atomic charge. This
includes heavy metal atoms, e.g. Lead, but also nutrient minerals
(cations) such as Magnesium, Iron, Chromium, Zinc, Cobalt,
Manganese, Copper, Selenium and Calcium ions. So as part of the
chelation procedure you need to add more +2 nutrients back into
the body, as they are continually being removed by the EDTA. As
treatment progresses, the results decrease in effectiveness and
reach an equilibrium where most of the heavy metals have been
removed from your body (but not all), and additional EDTA just
removes nutrients from your body and removes no more heavy
metals.
http://purebulk.com/edta-calcium-disodium

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There are however protocols for taking chelating agents such as

DMPS and EDTA, which involve basically taking the chelating agent
on one day, and taking mineral supplements on the next day, and
alternating in this manner. DMPS and EDTA etc. do not bind with
vitamins, only minerals and so will not affect any vitamin
supplementation you are undergoing (e.g. additional antioxidants or
B-vitamins).
It should be remembered that although you may require higher
doses of particular chelating agents to achieve the same excretion
rate of heavy metals towards the end of your chelation programme,
that you will greatly increase the rate of demineralisation, as the
chelating agent is much more likely to come into contact with a
nutritional mineral element than it is with a toxic metal element.
Whilst this is generally more applicable to synthetic chelating
agents, it is still applicable to some extent to natural chelating
agents (for which few or no studies in this area exist to confirm with
certainty to the contrary). This is one reason why regular, cyclical
breaks are recommended in a chelation programme, as opposed to
continuous chelation for months or years at a time, to allow the
body to absorb nutritional mineral elements undisturbed and to give
the tissues a chance to get their mineral levels back to normal. The
breaks also give the liver a chance to 'rest' or fully recover, and for
the body's mitochondrial function to recover from the release of
many toxic metals from the tissues during chelation 'on' periods.
When we talk about supplementing minerals during a chelation
programme, we mean above and beyond what you would normally
take for nutritional support. This especially critical for those with
some level of existing nutritional deficiencies, as regular chelation
may result in dangerously low levels of specific essential minerals
very quickly. To simply take your normal nutritional support level of
additional Magnesium and Potassium etc. is probably not going to
be sufficient, especially if you are using EDTA, DMPS or DMSA
(probably less so with natural chelating agents with the exception of
zeolite-based chelants and also absorbant clays like Bentonite).
Clearly you don't want to take both the supplement and the
chelating agent at the same time, as the chelating agent will likely
suck most of these straight out without them having been absorbed
into the tissues, but to take these additional amounts of mineral
supplements (above and beyond your usual amount) on the 'off' or
'rest' days in your chelation programme. If you are experiencing
some degree of demineralisation, despite a mineral supplementation
programme, you may want to consider either taking additional
minerals, taking less chelating agent each time and/or having more
'off' or 'rest' days in your chelation programme relative to 'on' or
'chelating' days. It is important to regularly check one's mineral
levels during a chelation programme.

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I embarked on a chelation programme in November 2009 using

Ca-Na2-EDTA (Detoxamin) but in low dosages, 3 times a week.
This seemed to be removing the heavy metals from his body very
well and I started to feel well. I was taking additional Magnesium
(Jarrow Formulas Magnesium Optimiser) as well as an all around
detoxification and nutritional support protein product called
MediClear Plus by Thorne Research. After 2 months of generally
improving a little, I started to experience a worsening of cardiac
symptoms. The NADH that usually helping with this did not seem to
be doing so much anymore. I had been experiencing muscle
twitching (mainly in the eyelids) which is a sign of Potassium
depletion (not that EDTA depletes Potassium) and decided to
supplement additional Potassium and Calcium. However, whilst the
eye twitches disappeared largely, my cardiac symptoms got worse.
I finally figured out that if K and Ca are depleted, then Mg
(Magnesium) must surely also be too, so started taking large
amounts of Magnesium in the form of Citrate and Malate, together
with Taurine (to enhanced absorption) and the cardiac symptoms of
chest pains and palpatations disappeared largely within hours. I
followed a similar regime of 3 EDTA suppositories a week, but
significantly increased my mineral intake, and did not experience
such demineralisation effects. I have thus included this case study
to illustrate the above point, that one needs to supplement minerals
above and beyond what one normally does, both essential and
trace minerals.
A five year old Autism sufferer died after being given IV Disodium
EDTA as it effectively sucked all the Calcium from his bloodstream,
thereby stopping his heart. The depletion of calcium would not have
occurred if Calcium Disodium (CaNa2) EDTA had been used instead.
Calcium Disodium EDTA is the safer form of EDTA salt for use with
chelation and is found in the vast majority of EDTA-based chelation
supplements. Disodium EDTA is the potentially dangerous type of
EDTA (as it readily depletes Calcium from the body). Dr. Mary Jean
Brown, chief of the Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch of the
Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, states
also that Disodium EDTA should never be used for chelation. And
indeed more importantly, if a lower dosage had been administered
or the same dosage had been administered in several goes, then
the death would likely not have occurred. This is one of the dangers
of extreme demineralisation when too high dosages are prescribed
or administered through error or oversight.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Autism/wireStory?id=4798504
This news story is discussed on Dr Mercola's web site.
A case study of a child patient that was prescribed DMSA resulting
in a total loss of speech for 3+ years is described (slightly

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erratically) in a forum archive post below. This appears to have

been a result of being administered far too high a dosage of DMSA,
resulting in a likely case of severe demineralisation and liver
toxicity.
http://onibasu.com/archives/am/107359.html
Because of the lack of clinical trials of the natural chelating products
as opposed to their synthetic pharmaceutical 'relatives', then one
has to use one's common sense. Those (published) trials that do
exist tend to be those focussing on low to medium dosages over a
period of weeks or months, and not high dosages over many years.
There are detoxifying agents that we know remove nutritional
mineral elements, or rather bind with nutritional mineral elements
(e.g. Zeolite, Humic Acid, Fulvic Acid), but if the chelating agent
matrix comes into contact with a heavy metal, the heavy metal
knocks out the nutritional mineral element back into the blood
stream. Whilst this is all very well and not of any great significance
when chelating using low dosages, it may become a major issue
when using large dosages, when one has removed most of the
heavy metals from the body. At this stage in one's programme,
clearly the changes of each molecule of chelating agent of actually
coming into contact with a heavy metal ion or atom becomes
increasingly smaller and so the likelihood of it simply binding with a
mineral element and being removed from the body are very high.
Demineralisation of specific nutritional elements can thus occur.
This is one reason why continuous chelation is never recommended
for weeks and months at a time, and off days are recommended or
even mandatory, to allow the body to go about it's normal business
without potentially having its vital mineral levels tampered with. It is
also taxing on the liver and requires energy, and may 'poison' the
body, lowing one's energy levels. Those chelating agents that are
claimed not to do this may however do this to a small extent, which
may become significant when dosages are actually increased. Some
detoxification agents work in a different manner, i.e. phospholipids
so are only of concern for some of the above reasons, but not
because of demineralisation which is highly unlikely. Chelation
therefore is not to be taken lightly or in a casual manner, and
increasing care should be taken when dosages are increased for the
above reasons. Increasing the number of breaks and the duration
of breaks, and decreasing the 'on' days may well be a sensible
strategy towards the end of one's chelation programme as one
continues to increase the dosages of chelating agents, with
guidance from one's practitioner of course.
As a general rule, if one is taking a chelating agent, to remove
heavy metals from the body, one might want to consider also taking
additional minerals to protect the body from the effects of the
temporarily elevated levels of heavy metals, primarily zinc and

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selenium and other antioxidants (e.g. vitamin A, C and E and/or

plant-based antioxidants), but also magnesium, potassium, calcium
and iodine which may become depleted/displaced. As stated on the
Nutritional Deficiencies page, both Calcium and Strontium may be
useful to take during a chelation programme:
Calcium (essential mineral) and Strontium (trace element)
supplements, if taken, should not be taken at the same time, as
they compete with each other for absorption (when taken in high
dosages). They should be taken at different times of the day.
Natural dietary sources of Calcium tend to include trace amounts of
Strontium also. Both minerals are involved in bone structure and
Stronium adds strength to the predominantly Calcium structure of
the bone, a little like a metal alloy can be stronger than iron. Both
minerals tend to be very useful when taking during a chelation
programme, especially when using EDTA to remove the heavy
metal Lead. Lead (Pb) is a +2 charged element in ionic form.
Calcium and Strontium are also +2 ions, but in a different periodic
group to Lead. However, they do seem to be useful in displacing
lead from proteins, when used in conjunction with a chelating
agent such as EDTA. Calcium tends to be the most commonly used
for this purpose (a protective mineral) but Strontium may be
favoured over Calcium, depending on the proteins in question.
I.V. Vitamin C has also been shown by Doctor's Data in preliminary
studies to increase faecal lead excretion, besides the obvious
choices of chelating agent such as EDTA, DMPA or DMSA.
back to top

Dosage
As a general rule, whether you decide on a chelating agent to use
as part of your detoxification programme, I recommend the
following guidelines. Always start slowly, with a very low dosage.
Build up the dosage over a period of weeks or even months. Do not
go for the maximum dosage from day one! Elimination of toxins will
be gradual and in a general sense, the lower the levels in your body
the higher the dosage of the chelating agent that can be tolerated.
Do not feel that you have to reach the recommended dosage stated
by the manufacturer or consultant necessarily. A gentle detox is
preferable to an aggressive detox. You need to find the natural
balance yourself, using your sense of wellbeing, the hardness of
your stools and your skin condition, liver health and other factors to
tell you when you are overdoing it, as well as your own common
sense.
When beginning a chelation programme for the first time, or the

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first time you take a particular type of chelating agent product, you
should be very conservative and cautious and start with a dosage of
2-5% of the maximum/recommended dosage. You will need to
build up to this maximum dosage and will likely not be able to
achieve this from the outset. It may take several months,
depending on your level of toxicity and your liver function. If you
overdo it, you will likely experience fatigue, headaches, rashes/acne
and/or liver pains.
Start off with a very small amount of chelation agent and build up
very slowly, noticing the effects on the body. The danger of
chelation is that if too much of the chelating agent is taken over a
period of time, the liver and kidneys can easily become
overburdened, and patient putting his body under unnecessary
strain, depleting his energy, and in extreme cases, permanent liver
or kidney damage can occur. Symptoms of over-detoxification
include severe constipation, severe skin rashes, boils (perhaps the
immune system attacking the partial detoxification products or
otherwise being distracted by them, allowing bacteria to wreak
more havoc in the interim) and terrible headaches. In addition, if
the bowel movements do slow down too much, then retoxification
through reabsorption of toxins through the bowel wall increases
greatly.
If you build up over a long period of time to a point where you are
able to take large dosages of a given chelating agent, then it is
likely that you have reached the limits of what that particular
chelating agent can do, in terms of the types of tissues it can target
and which types of heavy metals it most effectively bind with.
Simply continuing to take very high dosages may have a
detrimental effect on your mineral levels and not necessarily provide
so much more benefit in terms of chelating ability. Being able to
take large amounts of a chelating agent does not necessarily mean
you are 'Heavy Metal' free! It is quite possible that you can remove
certain heavy metals from certain tissues, but only moderately
reduce the levels of a heavy metal like Lead. Even if you move onto
another natural chelating agent, and repeat the same process there,
starting with a low dosage and working your way up, it is not
necessarily guaranteed that you will be effective in removing that
heavy metal either. You will be likely detoxing something, but
without effective and measurable and reliable test results, you don't
really know for sure. I tried using various natural chelating agents
heavily for 3 years and still was not able to remove his lead and to a
lesser extent mercury. More information on the relative
effectiveness of chelating agents shall follow.
If you are able to take large amounts of a chelating agent, it may
not necessarily be effective at attracting toxic metal ions or
complexed ions and binding with them. What may well be

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happening is that you have reached the liver's limit of removing the
chelating agent from your bloodstream, and only a small proportion
of it is actually binding with heavy metals (or perhaps more likely to
be nutritional mineral elements). It could likely be that the chelating
agent has binded with as much as it can in those places in the body
that are accessible to it, and that to remove more heavy metals,
one has to either continue to take that chelating agent together with
a mobilising agent, such as Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) or Cilantro,
and/or change chelating agent. One cannot make any assumptions
about the performance or effectiveness of a course of chelation
without actually testing and measuring it. One cannot rely on
dosage and liver function alone to determine its effectiveness.
Never take a chelation agent (i.e. Cilantro, Lipoic Acid or a synthetic
chelating agent such as DMSA or DMPS etc.) whilst you still have
mercury amalgam fillings in your mouth as it may actively leach out
mercury from your filling into your body. There are however a few
exceptions, which are discussed below.
back to top

Over-Detoxification Side Effects

The liver is only able to process so many chelated toxic elements or
molecules in one go. The same applies to the kidneys. Therefore if
one takes too much chelant for whatever amount of toxicity one has
in one's system (either taking too much initially or increasing the
dosage too quickly), then the liver will be tasked to process
whatever it can cope with, and the rest will simply float around the
blood and likely be reaborbed by the tissues or brain, giving one
adverse detoxification symptoms. This is effectively a mild form of
poisoning. The liver will also be excessively and unnecessarily
stressed. Taking aggressive amounts of chelant is not necessarily
more effective or efficient or clever, and is harsher and more
damaging to the body. Determining the starting dosage is a matter
of guesswork and following recommendations from your
practitioner and/or the manufacturer, and depends on the amount
and type of toxins you have in your body and whether you have
taken this particular product before or not. It is better to err on the
side of caution and be conservative in your approach, and build up
the dosage incrementally, and notice the changes if any it has on
the body and in terms of side effects.
The type of over-detoxification headache that you may experience
may well vary according to what phase of the detoxification
programme you are in and thus what mixture and ratio of different
toxic metals are being chelated at that point in time. You may well
notice very subtly different types of headache! This is not unusual.

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Ideally though you won't over-detox at all, but it may happen from
time to time.
Over-detoxification headaches can be split into two broad
categories, although clearly there is room for experiencing both at
once. A sharp or stabbing headache is normally associated with
excessive release of toxins, especially heavy metals, into the
bloodstream and a 'poisoning' effect. A fuzzy, flu-like headache is
normally associated with excessive free radical production and
inflammation, as a response to elevated toxin levels. Please see the
Peroxynitrite page for more information.
Spots are another potential symptom, in the form of boils, acne or
minor red swollen areas, usually on the head or neck. A rash is
another symptom. These are the body's inflammatory responses.
Toxins are carried out of the lymph into the skin through the sweat
pores in very tiny amounts in normal situations, but when the
capacity of the liver has been reached, more toxins will tend to
work their way out through the skin, which is a back-up
detoxification organ. Some of these toxins will create visible
inflammatory responses which is what one sees in spots or rashes,
depending on where exactly the inflammatory response takes place
under the skin. It is a sign that one needs to take less chelating
and/or mobilising agents so one can detoxify the body within the
capabilities of the liver and kidneys.
A gentle approach is therefore recommended. It is therefore
extremely important that any individual underdoing a complete
detoxification programme do so in conjunction with a professional
consultant.
If you find that you cannot sleep at night, then try to avoid taking
your dosage of your chelating agent so late in the evening. Try
taking your last dosage in the mid afternoon or earlier.
If your stools do firm up too much, you experience excessive skin
rashes or you experience extreme and throbbing headaches, then
back off the dosage of the chelating agent immediately and drink
more water during the day. Take some more absorbant. If you have
become constipated, to help get your bowel movements going, you
can take additional magnesium (on top of what you may already be
taking for magnesium deficiencies, see the nutritional section),
perhaps up to 300mg at a time (once or more times per day). You
can also take ground psyllium husks or ground flax seed (see
above). However, do not use the magnesium regularly to disguise
the fact that you are taking too much chelating or mobilising agent
and that your stools are too firm or that you have constipation.
If for example you have taken too high a dose of cilantro, and your

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gall bladder has released a large amount of bile into your intestines
with a correspondingly large amount of heavy metals such that you
have a splitting and throbbing headache, then taking additional
chlorella to compensate probably won't help. Drinking huge
amounts of water probably won't help either. The best way to deal
with such an over-release of toxins into the GI tract is to take liquid
bentonite if you are not already doing so. This is the most effective
absorbant and will most likely cure the re-toxification headache
within an hour or two. Otherwise the headache may take a day or
two to go away (with correspondingly more cellular retoxification)
assuming that you have actually lowered your dosage of cilantro.
An example of a bad, throbbing headache:
Improper or overly aggressive or macho detoxification regimes are
not clever and to chelate as much as physically possible is not some
kind of perverse sport. One must be mindful of instigating
inflammation through excessive chelation and always monitor the
body for such symptoms. And indeed for symptoms of reduced
energy etc. Take more breaks or lower dosages to get back to a
stable baseline. Critics of chelation therapy state that chelation is
highly dangerous and should not be attempted by anyone bar those
with exposure to radioactive material. I believe that such critics
have a point, as improper chelation is one of the most destructive
things you can do to your body, perhaps with the exception of
excessive consumption of antimicrobial herbs or compounds for
bacteria/candida/parasite treatment (another form of poisoning).
However, when performed properly and relatively safely, it can be
extremely useful in removing many causative factors in one's
condition.
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Frequency of Administration
Chelation agents are typically taken 2-3 times a day, on an empty
stomach. Some prefer to stick to one type of chelation agent at a
time, for a few months or so, before switching over to another for a
few months. One can of course mix things up, and there is no harm
in taking one type of chelating agent first thing in the morning and
then another type between lunch and dinner, for example. It
depends on the individual and at what stage in one's detoxification
programme one is at. Taking more than one at a time is of course
more complicated as one has to manage the dosages of two
products rather than one. For beginners, it is suggested that one
sticks to using one at a time for simplicity's sake.
One may consider what the optimum regime is in terms of chelation

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and how many days break one should have, and have often, in
order to prevent demineralisation (nutritional mineral depletion),
excessive free radical damage, and a worsening of mitochondrial
and liver function. Some practitioners recommend chelating solidly
for a few months, then taking a few weeks off. Others recommend
rounds of 3 days on, 3 days off. Others may have rounds of 5 days
on, 2 days off, etc. You should discuss this with your practitioner
and also perhaps experiment a little to find the regime that suits
you best. Jean Munro of Breakspear Medical recommends 3 days on
and 11 days off, with respect to chelating agents such as DMPS and
EDTA. See also the section on monitoring liver health above.
Bear in mind that it is better to be proactive than reactive, in the
sense that it is better to be prevent problems from happening than
reacting to problems that one creates. It is less taxing and more
gentle on the body and on one's energy reserves. Chelating agents
put an additional burden on the liver and kidneys (depending on
how they are excreted). It is not always more efficient to chelate
non-stop for 6 to 9 months as the liver becomes increasingly more
inefficient and then requires weeks or more to recover. It is always
best to think sustainable and limit the amount of damage one does
to one's body as much as possible. Think marathon rather than
100m sprint. Do not just slavishly follow the manufacturer's
instructions on the packet or bottle as they usually only discuss
'average' daily dosages and not frequency and round regimes.
There is as has been noted above considerable controversy and
disagreement over chelation protocols, with respect to which to use
and in what manner. Universal agreement is unlikely and your exact
chelation regime must be something for you to decide with your
practitioner.
You may need to include 'breaks' into your detoxification regime to
pace yourself. If you are lucky enough to have a lower level of
toxicity or very healthy liver and kidneys, you may well be able to
complete your detoxification programme in one continuous
programme, with no intervals. However this is rarely the case and is
a recipe for disaster for most people. If not, then you may need to
take breaks in the programme to allow your organs to recover or to
not get so depleted in the first place. You wouldn't run consecutive
marathons in one day - you might consider a little rest and
recuperation in between each one! Your doctor or consultant should
be able to advise you of the best and optimal regime for you.
I strongly believe that the danger of cumulative levels of circulating
heavy metals and possible increase in inflammation is probably the
most important reason for requiring regular breaks in chelation
therapy, especially with mobilsing agents.

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Supporting Liver and Kidney Function

Please note in the section above on Balancing Liver Function and
Energy Levels during a Detoxification Programme of the importance
of consuming sufficient nutrients to support kidney, liver and
gallbladder function, on account on the additional work they have to
perform with chelated heavy metals being sent their way for
excretion, in addition to their normal duties they have to perform
for your health and survival. The main route of excretion of the
chelating agent you are using, whether the kidneys or liver, or both,
will clearly have a big impact on this.
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Measuring the Progress of your Chelation Programme

There are a number of different tests to measure toxicity in the
body, as described on the Tests page. Whilst there are many
methods available including hair mineral analysis, urine tests and
blood tests to measure absolute levels of heavy metals, these are
generally not particularly reliable. For example, whole blood
analyses of lead can only be expected to reflect recent exposures
and do not correlate very well with the total body burden of lead.
I personally recommend the Urinary Porphyrins test, which provides
information about the biochemical effects of heavy metal toxicity in
the body, which is really what we are interested in, rather than the
absolute levels, which can be tolerated better by some people than
others. This test aside, the second best test for heavy metal toxicity
is probably the Provoked Urinary Metals Profile. One may want to
exercise caution with the latter, which involves taking a calculated
dosage of a chelating agent to provoke the release of heavy metals
into the urine, which for some people may be way too high a
dosage.
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Chelating Agent Reviews:

back to top
Liquid Zeolite (Natural Cellular Defense or NCD)

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Natural Cellular Defense (NCD) by Waiora is based upon activated

zeolites. Zeolites are naturally occurring crystalline minerals produced
over millions of years by crystallisation of volcanic ash in the ocean or
fresh water lakes. The zeolite used in NCD is clinoptilolite. It has been
used for over 800 years in traditional medicine in its dry form. Waiora's
product isolates this zeolite from any naturally occuring toxins in the raw
material and provides it in an 'activated' form, in aqueous solution. The
zeolite have a 'cage' like structure and are able to absorb and surround a
toxin molecule with the cage and render it relatively harmless. It is
therefore not necessary to take an absorbant in conjunction with NCD,
although it is not necessarily a bad thing to do so anyway, to aid the
detoxification process via the gastro-intestinal pathway. The zeolite's
chemical formula is 4,5 di-cyclo, disilico, dimagnesium, dialumino, oxyo,
trihyrdate. It is technically speaking a chelation agent, but is similar to
'clathration' in its action of enclosing toxin molecules in a matrix (in this
case at the centre of the zeolite molecule). In reality 'clathration' is really
just chelation in functional terms.
NCD is excreted mainly through urinary excretion, i.e. via the kidneys.
NCD has several other benefits, besides chelation. These include pH
regulation (absorbing high concentrations of H+ ions and depositing
them where there is a lesser concentration of H+ ions) and the removal
of harmful ammonium ions from the gastro-intestinal tract (produced
during the deamination of protein during protein digestion).
One possible draw back to NCD is that in heavily toxified individuals,
some toxic molecules may be freed from sequestration and may
exchange in and out of the cage (e.g. a Cadmium atom may displace a
Lead atom from the cage, thereby re-releasing the Lead back into the
body). This may produce some temporary detoxification symptoms,
however, these will vanish with continued use of the product and
continued removal of the more powerfully bonding heavy metals. Heavily
toxified users of NCD could perhaps take an absorbant during the early
stages of their usage of NCD to help counter these effects.
NCD, unlike synthetic chelation agents such as EDTA, is claimed not to
absorb any nutrient minerals into its 'cage', but only toxins and heavy
metals. However, this is not strictly true, as nutritional metal elements
are absorbed into the cage, and are effectively knocked out and replaced
by heavy metal elements when the Zeolite matrix comes into contact
with a heavy metal. In other words heavy metal ions are preferentially
absorbed or trapped. If one is taking very high dosages or one has very
low levels of heavy metals in the body, then there may be some
possibility of demineralisation of nutritional metals from the body. It is
generally more effective to take a lower dosage for a longer time than a
high dosage for a short time in chelation terms in any case. One may
want to consider taking additional nutritional minerals to compensate for
this potential effect (as one woudl do with synthetic chelating agents

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such as EDTA and DMSA etc.), which one is likely doing in any case.
In terms of dosage, it is probably best to start with 1-3 drops, 2 times a
day can be taken, with the dosage as normal increased slowly and built
up to 10 drops 3 times a day. NCD stays in the system for 5 to 7 hours
after taking it. It may be optimal to take smaller doses but more often,
for example 4 times or day, or even continuously during the day. For
example, add your daily dosage to a large bottle of filtered/mineral
water, mix, and then pour your cups of water that you drink during the
day from this bottle. Rik Deitsch has said that there is no point taking
more than 10-15 drops at once as it is not necessarily much more
efficient to do so, but that in extreme cases or when chelating at high
doses at the end of your detoxification programme, one can take 10-15
drops every hour, with a little water.
NCD zeolite has a large affinity to water, and so requires the user to
drink large quantities of water. As with other chelating agents, taking the
product late in the evening may inhibit full sleep. You may want to
perhaps start with PCA and then move onto NCD after this. However,
always consult with your specialist and follow your specialist's
recommendations.
NCD can be taken whilst amalgam fillings are still in place.
Information about this product and videos can be found on Waiora's web
site. Please see the links page. The Waiora web site's NCD page is also
listed below for convenience.
http://www.waiora.com/products/item26000-NCD.php
Alternatively view the NCD White Paper below for more detailed
information (simply left click, or right click and select 'Save Target').
http://www.ncdsupport.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/NaturalCellular-Defense-Monograph.pdf
Mike Adams of Natural News has created a zip file below containing
several research papers on Zeolite:
http://www.naturalnews.com/reports/Zeolite.zip
To read an in depth interview from 3rd April 2006 with Rik Deitsch of
Waiora by Winder Lyons regarding NCD, please click on the link below
(simply left click, or right click and select 'Save Target').
http://www.zeolitetechnology.com/pdf/InterviewRikDeitsch0406.pdf
An Interview with Rik Deitsch by Jake Reimer from 4th June 2007 can be
read at the link below.

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www.litmuszine.com/feature/side_6.04.07b.html
To read the patent on NCD, please click on the link below (simply left
click, or right click and select 'Save Target').
http://www.pathguy.com/6288045.pdf
A product review/endorsement by Dr Gabriel Cousins can be found at
the link below.
www.bizzyblogz.com/Waiora
A description of the O-Ring Test, a trial of 60 participants conducted by
Dr Gabriel Cousins at his Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center in Arizona,
USA. Subjects took NCD in conjunction with a greenjuice fasting diet for
a week, with extremely favourable results in terms of toxin level
decreases. How much of this was down to the NCD and how much was
down to the juice fast has not been established.
www.treeoflife.nu/zeolite
A comparison of NCD to synthetic chelation agents by James C. Roberts
MD FACC can be found at the link below.
www.zimbio.com/Zeolite/articles
/15/Chelation+therapy+EDTA+DMPS+DMSA+Zeolite+Let
'Zeolite is less potent a chelator than are the chemical agents such as
EDTA, DMSA, and DMPS, and we do not have a long-term track record
with the use of Zeolite in chelation therapy, but this material appears to
be quite safe. Zeolite makes chelation therapy affordable to everyone.'
General information about taking NCD and some of the above reference
documents can be found at the site below.
www.liquidzeolite.org
The Zeolite Clinoptilolite is used in a variety of applications such as in
water filters, fertilisers and animal feeds. It is relatively inexpensive.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinoptilolite
http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/clinopti/clinopti.htm
Rik Deitsch of Waiora claims that "I use naturally-occurring clinoptilolite
for the NCD. The process used to purify (in effect to 'activate') the
zeolite is proprietary to myself and my manufacturer. It took several
years to perfect this process and yields a completely safe and very active

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product."
www.litmuszine.com/feature/side_6.04.07b.html
The form of clinoptilolite in Waiora's NCD is therefore claimed to be a
proprietary form. Other zeolite formulations tend to contain 'regular'
clinoptilolite zeolite and are significantly cheaper - and are not usually
specifically marketed for human consumption or for heavy metal
detoxification.
Rik Deitch claims that whilst most of the NCD Zeolite stays within the
digestive tract, a smaller proportion is absorbed into the bloodstream.
Jean Munro of Breakspear Medical claims that Zeolite, being a very large
molecule, does not actually pass into the bloodstream, but stays within
the digestive tract, rather like other absorbants like Bentonite clay, and is
thus is a passive absorbant rather than direct chelator throughout the
body. Thus she argues, you cannot take too much, unless one considers
the potential demineralisation effects of higher dosages. This is not the
view of the supplier Zeolite.com, who state that zeolite is absorbed into
the bloodstream, can cross the blood-brain barrier, and is excreted by
the kidneys.
http://www.zeolite.com
How much better the other liquid zeolite products on market are than
Waiora's proprietary form of clinoptilolite is uncertain. It would be
interested to see some comparison data from Waiora. One is inclined to
take MLM type companies like Waiora's claims with a pinch of salt!
Alternative Liquid Zeolite products to NCD are:
- ACZ Nano - Advanced Cellular Zeolite spray by Results RNA. An Extra
Strength version is also available. It contains sub-micronised
Clinoptilolite zeolite. As it is sprayed under the tongue, it is likely to be
better absorbed than NCD.
http://www.longevityplus.com/products/results-rna-nutritionals
/acz-nano
- ZNatural is a liquid zeolite product that claims to be the original on the
market. It was created by Harvey Kaufman. It contains 4.5 di-cyclo,
disilico, dimagnesium, dialumino, oxyo, trihydrate (Clinoptilolite).
http://znatural.com/index-html.html
There are other liquid zeolite products on the market but I believe that
these 3 I have mentioned are the best available. Powder zeolite is also
available but it is less well refined, less soluble in water, less well
absorbed in the GI tract, and could be considered an intestinal absorbant

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to a large degree, although some will get into the blood stream. They are
sometimes taken with the natural mobilisers humic or fulvic acid to assist
in their absorption into the blood stream.
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Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) - 'PectaSol' / Modified Alginate Complex

(MAC) - 'Algimate':

Citrus Pectin is a plant fiber obtained from the rind and peel of citrus
fruits such as lemons, grapefruits, oranges and tangerines. Structurally,
pectin is classified as a water soluble, complex polysaccharide, rich in
the sugar - galactose. At a molecular level, pectin is a strong binding
agent, which directly relates to its tremendous detoxification and
cholesterol lowering properties. Citrus pectin is very bioavailable and has
a galactose rich make-up, giving it the ability to deliver the following
extraordinary benefits:
- removes heavy metals and toxins
- promotes cardiovascular health

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- promotes normal cell growth

Fruit Pectin has been shown to have chelating properties, and has been
recommended in eliminating radiation poisoning from the digestive tract
in sufferers of the Chernobyl disaster.
www.chernobyl.info/index.php?navID=578
Click here to read the 2006 paper 'Comparison of Prussian blue and
apple-pectin efficacy on 137Cs [Caesium] decorporation in rats' by B. Le
Galla, F. Taranb, D. Renaulta, J.-C. Wilka and E. Ansoborlo.
Both Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) and Modified Alginate Complex (MAC),
are patented products by EcoNugenics. They are Polyuronides, naturally
occurring types of complex polysaccharides, i.e. complex natural sugars.
MCP is harvested from the inner peel of citrus fruit, and is a soluble
dietary fibre composed mainly of repeating Galacturonic Acid units.
Alginate (a.k.a. Algin or Alginic acid) is derived from seaweed. Alginate is
made of linear chains of Mannuronic and Guluronic Acid. The toxic metal
binding properties of polyuronides depends on their level of esterification
and the exact molecular structure of the pectin or alginate molecular
chains. The highest binding affinities are reputedly found in pectins with
a low degree of esterification and alginates that are high in guluronic
acid, arranged in adjacent blocks.
Pectin and Alginates in their natural form cannot be absorbed from the
digestive tract into the bloodstream and thus only act to detoxify the
digestive tract of heavy metals (collecting heavy metals that have been
excreted previously through the biliary tree, i.e. the liver). MCP on the
other hand has been modified so that they can be absorbed into the
bloodstream from the digestive tract (allegedly over 5-6 hours providing
prolonged/slow rate of absorption into the blood), to enable chelation to
occur in the body itself. MAC according to Jarrow Formulas is reputed to
remain in the digest tract and increase rates of binding of excreted heavy
metals in the digestive tract, to prevent their reabsorption. Presumably
the MAC is there primarily to bind with heavy metals already in the
digestive tract from the body's natural detoxification processes
(Glutathione conjugates of heavy metals etc excreted from the liver into
the digestive tract) and also historical accumulation of heavy metals in
the stool and mucoid plaque in the colon; but also perhaps to a lesser
extent to bind with any heavy metals introduced into the digestive tract
by MCP bound to metals excreted by the liver. The main pathway of
excretion of MCP is via the kidneys (i.e. urine) but some is excreted by
the liver into the digestive tract.
'PectaSol's modified citrus pectin (MCP) has a unique chemical structure
and optimized molecular weight that allows for maximized absorption,
systemic chelation of toxic metals, and facilitation of their removal.*
PectaSols modified alginate complements MCP by chelating toxic metals

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within the digestive tract and preventing their reabsorption.'

Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) and Modified Alginate Complex (MAC)
appear to function in a similar manner to the other natural chelating
agent mentioned below, the peptide-based PCA. It is claimed to form an
'egg box chelation structure' where toxic metals become trapped in the
chelation complex, become highly water soluble and are more easily
eliminated by the kidneys and liver, with 'no side effects'. MCP is
excreted mainly via urinary excretion, i.e. via the kidneys. As with PCA,
NCD and Cilantro, there are no reported effects of removing nutritional
elements from the blood stream that can happen with synthetic chelation
agents as described above.
I take the claims of 'no side effects' and the extent to which such
molecular structures shield the liver and tissues from any harmful effects
of the toxic metals held therein with a pinch of salt, as experience with
PCA and NCD points to them considerably reducing these effects, but not
completely eliminating them.
MCP is claimed to chelate Lead primarily and other heavy metals
secondarily. MAC is claimed to chelate Mercury primarily and other heavy
metals secondarily.
The 2007 paper 'Integrative Medicine and the Role of Modified Citrus
Pectin/Alginates in Heavy Metal Chelation and Detoxification: Five Case
Reports' by Isaac Eliaz (the chief chemist responsible for formulating the
'PectaSol' chemistry), Elaine Weila and Barry Wilkb can be viewed in pdf
format by clicking on the link below. It reviews the positive and negative
effects of common synthetic chelation agents such as EDTA and DMPS.
It also studies the effects in (just) five case studies using either just
Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) or a combination of MCP and Modified
Alginate Complex.
http://tang-thorkil.dk/chelationstudy.pdf
A view on Dr Isaac Eliaz's web site can be seen at the link below, which
includes a video.
www.dreliaz.org/hot_topics/index
/removing_dangerous_toxic_metals_from_our_bodies
An audio file interview of Dr Eliaz with Mike Adams (aka 'Health Ranger')
of NaturalNews.com, discussing MCP and Chelation, can be found at the
link below.
www.naturalnews.com/podcasts
/DrIssacEliazCitrusPectinPodcast2008.mp3
Other documents relating to the use of Alginates for chelation can be

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found below. I have not yet tried this particular method out so cannot
comment.
www.freepatentsonline.com/5292525.html
www.heartfeltmedicine.com/Health/EcoNugenics/pectaSol-ChelationComplex.html
MCP has also been shown to help inhibit cancer cell growth.
'MCP is a chemically modified form of pectin. In 1992, researchers at the
Michigan Cancer Foundation published the results of a study in the
Journal of the National Cancer Institute, which indicated that MCP
significantly decreased the spread (metastasis) of melanoma and
prostate cancer cells in rats. Similar results have subsequently been
obtained from other animal studies, concerning breast and colon cancer.
Some small and uncontrolled human studies have also shown that MCP
may inhibit the spread of melanoma and prostate cancer. MCP has no
effect on the growth of primary tumours. Secondary tumours develop
through the adhesion of roaming cancer cells to each other and to other
organs by means of sticky' protein molecules, known as galectin-3.
MCP inhibits this sticking process by preferentially binding to the sticky
molecules. Under the influence of MCP, cancer cells lose their stick.
Hence, the metastasis of all cancers that spread by means of galectin-3
may be inhibited by MCP.'
www.self-helpcancer.org/cancertreatment2_1.htm#MCP
'PectaSol' is the registered trademark of a chelation product based on the
use of Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP), harvested from the inside of citrus
fruit peel. At the time of writing (June 2008), there are currently 2 main
products on the market containing PectaSol. These are sold by
EcoNugenics or under licence by Source Naturals and Jarrow.
PectaSol Modified Citrus Pectin
The first product is called 'PectaSol Modified Citrus Pectin' (MCP).
The main active chelation ingredient is Modified Citrus Pectin (i.e.
'PectaSol'). This is a chelating agent that can be absorbed into the
bloodstream and remove various types of heavy metals, including
both Lead and Mercury. According to the author William
Rasmussen, it is primarily targetted at removing Lead from the
body, but can also chelate other heavy metals - however this does
not seem to be corroborated elsewhere from what I can see, and
the manufacturer nor resellers have made such a statement.
Pectasol MCP is sold by EcoNugenics, and under licence by Now
Foods and Source Naturals. It is available in both capsule and
powder form, the latter being much more cost effective, particularly
at the end of one's detoxification regime when larger quantities are

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taken. The PectaSol MCP capsules contain 800mg of PectaSol MCP

each. The powder form is 100% PectaSol MCP. NOW appears to be
the cheapest brand. European buyers will save money if they buy in
bulk from the US.

www.econugenics.com/products/datasheets/datasheet_6001.pdf
http://store.sourcenaturalscatalog.com/sn2020.html
http://store.sourcenaturalscatalog.com/sn0703.html
www.nowfoods.com/?action=itemdetail&item_id=100921
www.nowfoods.com/?action=itemdetail&item_id=100873

PectaSol Chelation Complex

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The second product is called 'PectaSol Chelation Complex' or 'PCC'

for short. This contains both Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP, i.e.
'PectaSol') and a Modified Alginate Complex (MAC - using the
trademark 'Algimate'). These two ingredients are collectively known
as 'PectaSol Chelation Complex'. This product is a combination
product, providing the chelating agent PectaSol MCP and also the
intestinal heavy metal absorbant Modified Alginate Complex.
According to William Rasmussen, Algimate is a chelating agent that
is absorbed into the bloodstream and that is primarily targeted to
Mercury chelation, but this is not corroborated elsewhere and I am
sceptical about this claim which does not match manufacturer or
reseller statements, which refer to it as a selective intestinal
absorbant.
PCC is only available in capsule form, and is the more potent of the
two types of product. Each PCC capsule contains 300mg of PectaSol
MCP and 450mg of Algimate MAC. MAC seems to be the more
powerful chelator from my experiences. PCC is sold by EcoNugenics
and under licence by Jarrow Formulas. They are both exactly the
same product.

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The EcoNugenics product is called 'PectaSol Chelation Complex'

(probably as you would expect!)
www.econugenics.com/products/datasheets/datasheet_6342.pdf
Jarrow Formulas' 'ToXguard Heavy Metal Detox' contains an
equivalent amount of 'PectaSol Chelation Complex' (i.e. MCP and
MAC) per capsule to EcoNugenics own 'PectaSol Chelation Complex'
capsules product. It was slightly cheaper than the EcoNugenics
branded product but has unfortunately been discontinued.
www.jarrow.com/product-428
EcoNugenics recommend a 'stage II' product, after the use of
PCC for one to six months. This is called 'PectaSol Detox
Complete'. Contrary to the name, it does not actually contain
any Modified Citrus Pectin. It appears PectaSol is a brand name
for a range of products by EcoNugenics, some of which
contain PectaSol and some don't, and also the name of the
trademarked active chelating ingredient 'PectaSol'. PectaSol
Detox Complete is basically a mix of various antioxidants and,
glutatione precursors, Sulfur, ALA, Milk Thistle and Cilantro
leaf.
www.econugenics.com/products/datasheets
/datasheet_6350.pdf
My view on the PectaSol Detox Complete product is that rather
than wait until one has finished the bulk of one's heavy metal
detoxification to start taking these antioxidants and glutatione
precursors, one should really have been taking these all along.
I strongly believe that the chelator Cilantro should be used in
every heavy metal detoxification programme, as it is a
powerful chelator. In general I think it is best to focus on using
Cilantro after one has done at least a bulk of one's chelation as
it can be a little 'rough'. This is explained more in the Cilantro
section. However, in order to get the concentrations of Cilantro
that one is after, it is likely cheaper and more convenient to
buy bottles of Cilantro tincture rather than rely on a
pre-fabricated (value added) supplement like this. This is
particularly relevant when one tailors one's Cilantro dosage as
one goes along, and may not necessarily want to take more of
the antioxidants or precursors than one normally does as one
increases the Cilantro dosage. If you are taking a capsule such
as the one above, then taking high Cilantro dosages would
therefore become highly expensive and would result in taking
very high dosages of the other associated ingredients. I prefer
to take them individually and be in control of the dosages
myself. This is not to say it is not a convenient product

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however.
PectaSol (MCP) powder appears to be negative charged, which
one can feel when one opens the jar, and indeed can notice if
one uses a metallic spoon. When serving the PectaSol powder,
it is probably best to use a non-metallic spoon, such as a
ceramic or plastic spoon. I presume that the capsules of
PectaSol Chelation Complex (MCP and Algimate) are similarly
containing negatively charged powder.
I have briefly trialled Modified Citrus Pectin and Modified
Alginate Complex (the Jarrow Heavey Metal Detox product
described above). The recommended dosage is 1-3 capsules
twice a day on an empty stomach. I took approximately 7-8
capsules three times a day. I felt no adverse side effects until
he took 24 capsules per day, when he experienced a slight
headache. He was able to take such high doses as he had
been chelating and detoxing for 2.5 years previously and so
his heavy metal levels were relatively low. I used 4 bottles of
90 capsules in approximatley 30 weeks. I felt the product
working OK although there was only slight constipation at the
very beginning (a usual sign of detoxification occurring).
Before having trialled the MCP MAC product, I had reached a
'wall' with regards to his Cilantro tincture intake, at 100 drops,
3 times a day. This is a very high dosage, achieved by myself
after 2.5 years of cellular detoxification. I had been unable to
increase this dosage after 3 weeks or so at this level. After
having taken the MCP MAC product for 3 weeks, going back to
Cilantro, I noticed he was able to increase my Cilantro dosage
again comfortably by at least 20%. This is probably at least
equivalent to if not more than he would have achieved if I had
been taking Cilantro during this trial period instead. This is
probably evidence of MCP's effectiveness at mopping up heavy
metals in the bloodstream, allowing one to return to
mobilisation of heavy metals out of the tissues without adding
to the levels already found in the bloodstream from before.
I tried NOW PectaSol Powder for approximately 3 to 4 weeks after a similar period using PectaSol Chelation Complex, as
described above. The recommended dosage is 5g to be taken
3 times a day, on an empty stomach. I started off with 10g
three times a day which was fine (at this stage in my
detoxification regime - not recommended for beginners). I
gradually increased this to just over 60g three times a day
over this period, to stay in the optimal zone'. During this 3-4
week period I used six jars of powder, each containing one
pound (454g), using thus approximately 3 kg (6 lbs) of
PectaSol powder! Tweaking the dosage was a case of
estimation and guesswork, and if I overdid it, I did experience

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headaches (like a general malaise in the head as opposed to a

sharp and painful headache). After this 3-4 week period, I
went back to using Cilantro again, and found that I could
increase my former dosage from 120 drops three times a day
to 180 drops three times a day, so the % increase was even
greater from having used PectaSol Chelation Complex
(perhaps more even more so on account on the quantities
taken and slightly longer duration). My opinion so far is that
Pectasol was extremely good and recommends it for a
relatively headache-free chelation.
Towards the end of my detoxification programme, I was able
to take up to 70 capsules of Jarrow Toxguard Heavy Metal
Detox (PCC) in one dosage, once a day, without experiencing
any excessive diarrhoea (discussed below). This is probably
about the maximum dosage that I could take in one go, if
taken once a day, and slightly lower dosages could be taken
three times a day (e.g. 60 capsules, 3 times a day). However,
these are very advanced dosages and not recommended for
the beginner. One could argue that at this level one is simply
wasting money taking high dosages, as clearly there is little
heavy metal toxicity left in the bloodstream or readily
accessible tissues, and at this point one is better off using a
mobilising agent alone or in conjunction with the chelating
agent to draw heavy metals out of the cells in order to then
remove them from the body. Taking high dosages such as this
simply puts a strain on the liver, regardless of whether there
are heavy metals to be removed or not. One downside to PCC
only being available in capsule form is that it can be extremely
unpleasant to swallow so many capsules, and a large amount
of water is required to swallow them all down, so that they do
not stick in the throat, which can be extremely uncomfortable
to say the least! I almost threw up one time as a number of
capsules had blocked his oesophagus! One can of course
empty the capsules into a drink, one by one, but this can be
time consuming.
Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) is of course a form of pectin, i.e.
(a modified) natural sugar. 5g of MCP consists of 4g of
carbohydrate. It functions as a chelant as it is small enough to
easily permeate the digestive tract and into the blood stream
to function systematically; and also because each molecule is a
tiny fibre, which can bind to heavy metals and other toxins. 5g
of MCP contains effectively 3g of soluble fibre. The upside is
also its potential downside, but only when taken in VERY large
quantities. This is only really relevant for those at the end of
their detoxification programmes, who need to take very high
dosages of chelants to flush out the last of their heavy metals
from their tissues. Taken in very large doses, it may induce

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very loose stools or diarrhoea and also excessive wind. To

offset the effects of the diarrhoea, one should perhaps cut
down on ones Magnesium supplemental intake whilst taking
high doses of MCP. However, as one approaches one's
maximum limit of chelant, the stools may start to firm up
again, on account of the additional bile produced and so on.
The wind is caused by the very high pectin intake, if one is
taking, for example 100g a day (a very advanced dosage),
which feeds the (good and bad) bacteria in ones colon,
producing large amounts of Carbon Dioxide (wind) during the
day and night. In addition it may also result in a little insomnia
if one is taking it too late in the evening (being a sugar). If one
is taking MCP at this dosage, then one should not perhaps do
so for more than a couple of months maximum as it may upset
one's bacterial balance in one's colon. Taking Pectasol powder
in very high dosages may also 'fill one up' a little, and take the
edge off one's hunger for a couple of hours. So whilst being an
excellent product, there are a few considerations when at the
very tail end of ones detoxification programme. Other
chelants, such as Cilantro, do not have this problem. Every
chelant has its pros and cons.
So to sum up MCP and PCC are excellent chelants, but they
work best at low to medium dosages. One can only increase
the dosage up to a certain level before the laxative effect of all
the dietary fibre becomes too unbearable. I have also noticed
an allergic effect at high dosages or other physiological
maladaptation to high dosages. Other chelant agents do not
have this problem and can be taken in high dosages without
such side effects. I have found that PCC capsules are roughly
50%+ as strong as the PectaSol MCP Powder if one considers
the relative amount in each serving. At very high dosages,
even though slightly dearer, it may be worth taking the PCC
capsules instead as the relative laxative effect will be less (i.e.
requiring less weight of MCP/MAC per serving). Do not even
think about taking more than 70g of PectaSol Modified Citrus
Pectin in one go, three times a day, as the laxative and wind
effect becomes totally debilitating in my experience. When one
gets to this ultra-advanced level of chelation at the end of
one's program, it is best to swap to another chelation agent,
for example, cilantro; or simply take a lower dosage of MCP
powder of PCC capsules and take a mobilising agent in
combination, e.g. Lipoic Acid or Cilantro, or combine it with
another type of detoxification therapy such as FIR saunas etc.
back to top

EDTA Suppositories:

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EDTA (EthyleneDiamine TetraAcetic Acid) is an FDA approved

chelating agent, invented in the 1940s. EDTA exhibits low
acute toxicity in laboratory rats, and has been found to be both
cytotoxic (toxic to cells) and weakly genotoxic (toxic to genetic
material) in laboratory animals. No such data exists for
humans as far as I am aware. It is classed as a persistent
organic pollutant. EDTA is a powerful antioxidant. EDTA is
found in a variety of skin and bathroom products, and is also
used in various medicine applications e.g. as a blood
anti-coagulant in blood samples, and to prevent cell clumping
on account of Calcium deposits.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edta
EDTA is the most effective chelator on the market for Lead as
far as I am aware, significantly more effective than DMSA.
EDTA is a weak chelator of Mercury, whereas DMSA is better
suited for chelating both elements at once. However, DMSA is
not the chelator of choice for Mercury, and so if one was
wanting to remove Lead and Mercury from the body, it would
probably be better to take a combination of or alternate
between EDTA and DMPS rather than taking DMSA - this is a
combination protocol used by two holistic MDs I know (of).
EDTA is more of an indiscriminate chelator (of nutritional and
trace metals as well as heavy metals), whereas DMSA is
reputed to be 'rougher' than DMPS (in terms of mimicked
toxicity of bound elements) when it comes to chelating
Mercury. The main drawback compared with DMSA is that
EDTA is more of an indiscriminate chelator, in that it binds with
nutritional metals and toxic metals alike, and will deplete
valency 2 nutritional elements (e.g. Magnesium) and trace
elements. Trace element depletion is particularly rapid on
account of the low concentrations, and low Zinc and Chromium
levels will likely result if supplementation is not untaken. Low
Chromium can result in low blood sugar levels and low Zinc
can result in appetite and weight loss and immune system
impairment. Please see the Demineralisation section for more
information. However, EDTA is less cytotoxic and more
effective and chelating Lead from the body, so for this reason
is a better choice than DMSA in my opinion.
Absorption of EDTA is quite poor when taken orally (e.g. oral
EDTA supplements) in its plain soluble form (around 5%), i.e.
EDTA capsules. However, for this reason, it makes for a good
intestinal absorbant of heavy metals. However, liposomal
EDTA is readily absorbable when taken orally. Liposomal EDTA
is basically EDTA mixed with Soy Lecithin (or a refined
phospholipid mix) and processed briefly in an Ultrasonic

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Cleaner or similar device, in order to coat the EDTA molecules

in phospholipids. A proportion of the EDTA would of course still
travel all the way through the GI tract. An example of such a
supplement is Lipo-Health. Another example is LipoPhos EDTA
by Allergy Research Group. As these products contain lipoic
acid, they are not listed/described fully in this section, but in
the Combination Product Section.
Rectal absorption of EDTA by means of an EDTA suppository
(or perhaps even an EDTA enema) is also an effective means
of absorption. EDTA suppositories are an extremely effective
way of getting EDTA into the blood stream. A proportion of the
EDTA in the cocoa butter matrix would remain in the colon.
The top selling EDTA product used to be Detoxamin, available
in 375mg (Kid's size) 750mg (Adult - Standard) and 1000mg
(Strong) - all contained Ca-Na2-EDTA in a cocoa butter and
cellulose-type matrix for slow rectal absorption. As discussed
below, it was withdrawn from the market because of claims
made by the manufacturer, not because of issues with the
actual product. More information regarding this is highlighted
below. There are however a number of alternative equivalent
EDTA suppository products on the market still. Immediately
below I describe my experiences with Detoxamin. It would
appear that a number of practitioners and vendors use
'Detoxamin' suppositories as a generic term of EDTA
suppositories, much like people call a Vacuum Cleaner a
'Hoover'.
EDTA suppositories tend to be shaped like a long bullet, the
flat end going into the anus. Despite the 'bum bullet' shape, it
is better to insert the flat end into the rectal opening, so that
once in the anus, it is likely to go further into the rectum
because rectal pressure applied to the lower side (the pointed
end) of the suppository will result in more forward/upward
motion than pressure on the flatter end. One pushes it into one
anus with one's finger, past the tight muscle of the sphincter.
The best time to take EDTA suppositories is before one goes to
bed. The suppositories are meant to have most of the EDTA
absorbed through the wall of the sigmoid colon (going directly
to the liver) in around 80 minutes, so it is recommended not to
pass stools within this time. After inserting the suppository, it
starts to melt and you will likely have s slushy, slimey liquid in
your sigmoid colon for a few hours after taking it. This can be
uncomfortable, especially if you need to pass wind, which is
best avoided or performed extremely carefully! It is best to
have squeezed out all the stools one can before using it too, to
help absorption. This is partly why they are taken at night -

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less interference from passing stools like during the day and
less need to consciously 'hold in the goo'. The first 'dump' of
the next day is normal, except for a little slime on the end of
the first 'log' to come out. Although EDTA is absorbed readily
though the rectum, it is not excreted via the liver and into the
digestive tract for removal, but is actually excreted via urinary
excretion, i.e. by the kidneys.
As discussed on the Mucoid Plaque page, whilst the rest of the
GI tract (with the exception of the mouth) is connected to the
liver, the blood supply in the rectum and under the tongue
bypassing the liver and joining the rest of the blood circulation
to the lungs, brain and other organs. This is what makes you
feel nauseous as you are excreting your stools on the toilet
momentarily as some toxins are reabsorbed. This is why
sublingual and rectal absorption is more effective than
swallowing something. The EDTA suppositories utilise this
rectal absorption pathway and 95% of the EDTA is said to be
absorbed in this manner, as opposed to 5% if an EDTA capsule
or tablet is taken orally. According to Dr Elena Koles, 3 nights
of rectal EDTA suppositories is equivalent to one IV injection of
EDTA.
http://www.u-ok.net/chelation_chicago.html
It is reputed that if taken orally, only 5% of EDTA is absorbed.
However, when taken rectally, the rate of absorption is
reputed to be considerably higher and more gradual in
delivery, going straight to the liver and bypassing the stomach
and small intestine. I can vouch for the effective rate of rectal
absorption of EDTA suppositories. Clearly the longer you leave
it up there the better, before it finally mixes in with the stool
ready for excretion. Whilst there is debate over their
effectiveness as a method of chelation, there are clinical
studies on the Detoxamin web site, and in addition, several
more natural treatment-oriented practitioners also recommend
it for chelating Lead from the body over other methods. Whilst
the effectiveness of the various natural chelators I used over 3
years is hard to measure, on account of changing methods of
measurement and their various drawbacks, and the
uncertainty as to how much there was in absolute terms at the
start of the chelation programme, in my most recent tests,
Lead did appear to be highest of all his remaining heavy
metals, so that one could deduce that all of the above natural
chelating agents are less effective with Lead that with other
heavy metals.
www.detoxamin.ca

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The blood plasma half-life of EDTA is 42 minutes in a person

with normal renal function, according to Dr Elmer Cranton.
This is a figure for IV administration of EDTA and does not
include the time it takes for EDTA to be absorbed into the
blood stream when taking orally or anally, which may be quite
slow. In the case of suppositories, it is a factor of the
suppository melting and the EDTA migrating out of the cocoa
butter and into the blood stream. Detoxamin recommend that
the suppository is in place and absorbed for at least 80
minutes.
www.drcranton.com/chelation/kidneyfunction.htm
According to 'Quackwatch', the natural health flaming web site,
EDTA-metal complexes are excreted by the kidneys with a
biological half-life of 20 to 60 minutes (after IV infusion).
www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics
/chelationimp.html
I was kinesiologically tested for two brands of EDTA
suppositories, Detoxamin and also College Pharmacy, and the
adult versions of both did 'nothing', whereas the Detoxamin for
Kids (375mg) tested positively. I found that unlike with any
other chelating agents, I actually felt slightly euphoric after
taking the EDTA suppository, presumaby on account of its
effects on the nervous system, as well as its chelating abilities.
I felt like I had more energy, almost like an Acupuncture
session. This would wear off after 12 hours. On those
occasions when I had a slight headache after taking EDTA, this
was down to taking too much Alpha-Lipoic Acid around the
clock, as it would mobilise additional heavy metals, resulting a
higher than optimal level of circulating heavy metals for the
body to clear at once. I had been recommended to take
Strontium to assist in the process of removing lead from the
body by displacing the Lead from its protein sites etc.
Recommendations vary regarding the frequency, schedule and
dosage of EDTA suppositories. T. Michael Culp recommended
me to take 3 small sized suppositories (375mg) three times a
week (every other day for 6 days then an extra day off), on
the basis of muscle testing. This worked out quite well. Jean
Munro of Breakspear Medical recommended an 800mg EDTA
suppository, taken on 3 consecutive nights, then 11 days
break (which is more or less the same dosage over 2 weeks as
Culp's recommendation but taken in a different way). I tried
taking a whole such 800mg suppository and did feel tired for a
couple of days afterwards, so would imagine that 3
consecutive days would be very draining indeed. I found that

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on his 3 x Detoxamin for Kids suppositories, I was not able to

take any other chelating agents, as they strained my kidneys.
In addition, when I had taken too much ALA, and after ceasing
the ALA, took Detoxamin for Kids, 6 nights in a row, as an
emergency measure to remove the built up heavy metals, I
found it far too much and felt exhausted the following week
and had a pain in my left kidney for a couple of days. The
regime felt good for the first 2 nights, then after that it felt
rather exhausting even when I was taking the EDTA. I would
not recommend such a regime even in an emergency. I would
have been better off taking DMPS or OSR#1 instead to bind
with that excess of Mercury in the blood stream in hindsight or not taken so much lipoic acid so as not to have gotten into
that situation in the first place. Whilst Andrew Hall Cutler does
not recommend EDTA, he does make several suggestions for
other chelating agents such as DMPS and DMSA. These include
3 days on and 3 days off; and even 7 days on and 7 days off.
The latter schedule would presumably be far too much for
most people to handle.
Detoxamin EDTA suppositories are no longer in production. It
would appear that pressure from the FDA, in the form of a
warning letter dated 14 October 2010, resulted in World Health
Products, LLC ceasing production of Detoxamin EDTA
suppositories. Some suppliers still have remaining stocks at
the time of writing - March 2012.
http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions
/WarningLetters/ucm229190.htm
Warning letters were also issued to a number of other
manufacturers of chelation products.
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom
/PressAnnouncements/ucm229320.htm
Of these, only one other is an EDTA suppository manufacturer.
Hormonal Health, LLC, have withdrawn their Kelatox EDTA
suppository product from production Some suppliers still have
remaining stocks.
There are alternative EDTA suppository products on sale
(which I have not yet tried), including:
- VitalTox - CaNa(2) EDTA Suppositories - by Life Vitality/DR
Vitamins, LLC.
http://www.drvitaminsolutions.com/

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- EDTA 0.5 - CaNa (2) EDTA Suppositories - by Oradix.

Contains 500mg of EDTA. Also available are 1.0 and 2.0 sizes.
http://oradix.com/
- Medicardium - MgK(2) EDTA Suppositories - by Remedilink.
http://www.remedylink.com/
- ToxDetox - CaNa(2) EDTA Suppositories - containing
1600mg of Ca-EDTA and 600mg of Glutathione (GSH).
Because of the Glutathione I would probably class these as a
combination product.
http://toxdetox.com
back to top

Liposomal EDTA:
A viable alternative to EDTA suppositories (for chelation
therapy) is liposomal oral EDTA. Oral EDTA, i.e. EDTA capsules
or solution, are not very well absorbed into the blood stream
from the GI tract. Liposomal EDTA is EDTA that has been
dissolved in high-PC lecithin and exposed to ultrasound for a
number of minutes. The ultrasound encourages the
phosphatidyl choline to encapsulate the EDTA molecules.
Lecithin is an emulsifier and is both water and lipid soluble (i.e.
hydrophilic and lipophilic).As phosphatidyl choline is readily
absorbed by the body's cells then EDTA molecules coated in
lecithin components will be hugely more absorbable than
simply ingested normally. The phosphatidyl choline is not
significantly broken down in the GI tract.
Liposomal EDTA can be readily made at home, having
purchased EDTA powder or capsules, lecithin granules or liquid
(preferably high PC), and filtered water. The preparation
method typically includes pre-soaking the mixture for some
hours and/or mixing it in a blender into a smooth thick liquid,
then placing the mixture in a clean, domestic ultrasonic cleaner
for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The resulting
mixture is stored in a jar or similar and kept refrigerated or
frozen (defrosted prior to use then refrozen) and should keep
for a week in the fridge, and longer if kept frozen when not in
use. Vitamin C crystals and other antioxidants can be added to
the mixture prior to blending in order to help preserve the
EDTA and lecithin and to increase its antioxidant value.
Typically Vitamin C is poorly absorbed in solution so effectively

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making Lipo-C adds value as it is much more readily absorbed.

Liposomal EDTA and EDTA suppositories are two methods of
taking EDTA that can be comparable to IV EDTA (as opposed
to oral EDTA which is more of an intestinal absorbant).
However Lipo-EDTA and EDTA-suppositories, whilst both
getting EDTA into the bloodstream relatively efficiently, are not
identical. EDTA suppositories get the EDTA in contact with the
sigmoid colon where EDTA molecules can be absorbed into the
bloodstream, whereas Lipo-EDTA is absorbed into the
bloodstream in liposomal form, meaning that once in the
bloodstream, it can potentially entire lipid compartments in the
body and possibly cross the BBB. This is more controversial as
EDTA has a cytotoxicity (albeit much lower than DMSA and
DMPS), and critics include Dr Cranton. Criticisms are however
theoretical and have not been proven as yet, and it can be
considered to be experimental, although I have not heard of
anyone having any problems with it, although that isn't a
scientific measurement of safety. No Lipo-EDTA manufacturer
has been approached by the FDA.
You can buy Liposomal EDTA from a number of suppliers, but
it is clearly much more expensive to do so, if taken regularly,
and all mixtures I have seen contain both EDTA salt and Lipoic
Acid, which I would class as a combination product. Lipoic acid
is a heavy metal mobiliser. Lipoic Acid may perhaps help to
draw out heavy metals from the tissues, particularly Mercury,
although it is not the best/most efficient way to displace Lead
from my experience (Strontium is probably far better and more
targeted), and there may be potential issues with drawing out
too much Mercury. Lead and Mercury have a synergistic
toxicity and Mercury becomes much more harmful in the
presence of Lead. As EDTA isn't the most efficient chelator of
Mercury, if you take Lipoic acid with lipo-EDTA or EDTA
suppositories, it is not uncommon for Mercury levels to build
up over time in the blood that the EDTA in the supplement
can't quite fully bind with and excrete.
If you don't want it in your Lipo-EDTA mixture then you have
no choice but to make your own Lipo-EDTA or buy/make EDTA
suppositories. If you want lipoic acid in your Lipo-EDTA you
can make it yourself and simply add the relevant amount of
lipoic acid to the mixture pre-blending. However, Lipoic acid is
extremely well absorbed anyway and there is little benefit in
adding it to a liposomal mixture rather than simply taking it
orally in capsule form.
BioPure's Liposomal EDTA product is called Lipo-Health. It
contains Disodium EDTA (and the mobiliser R-Lipoic Acid) -

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making it a combination product rather than a pure chelating

agent. I have tried it and found it to be useful and effective.
EDTA is of course a little harsh on the kidneys (that which is
absorbed into the blood stream) if one's kidneys are already
rather inflamed or fatigued. I would suggest considering a
Calcium supplement if you are taking this product (not at the
same time) as well as other valency 2 mineral supplements
(e.g. Zinc, Magnesium, Manganese, Chromium etc.)
Lipo-Health should be taken away from supplements and food
for optimal absorption and to avoid it demineralising your food.
Please read other sections on EDTA on this page for more
information.
Lipo-Health was formerly branded as 'Phospholipid Exchange Enhanced EDTA Formula' (smaller container and twice as
expensive quantity for quantity) but the name change was
probably due to the trend of FDA pressure in this market
segment and the drop from the excessive former price is
welcome. Bio-Pure USA has now changed it name to Raw Flora
but Bio-Pure Europe still uses the same trading name.
Lipo-Health has a rather short shelf-life of around 6 months or
so, so bear in mind that the container is rather large and would
require intensive usage if one is to use it all up (3 times per
week is suggested but this may be too high a dosage and too
often for some).
http://retailbiopure.me/Lipo-Health-Phospholipid-p36.html
http://rawflora.com/store/index.php?cat=21
Another liposomal EDTA product worth mentioning is LipoPhos
EDTA by Allergy Research Group which is somewhat cheaper.
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OSR#1 (NBMI)

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OSR#1 is a relatively new chelating agent for Mercury,

introduced by Prof. Boyd E. Haley's company CTI Science in
2008. The active ingredient in OSR#1 is 100mg of N1,N3bis(2-mercaptoethyl)isophthalamide (NBMI). OSR#1 is an
abbrevation for 'Oxidative Stress Relief'.
The bond it forms with heavy metals such as Mercury is
claimed to be one million times stronger than DMPS or DMSA.

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It is lipid soluble and is able to cross the blood-brain barrier.

OSR#1 is excreted via the liver/gallbladder into the digestive
tract. The bond it forms with the heavy metal is very strong so
little reabsorption of elemental Mercury occurs in the digestive
tract.
OSR#1 is primarly designed to chelate Mercury but can also
bind to a lesser extent with Arsenic, Lead and Cadmium.
OSR#1 may potentially lower Copper and Selenium levels but
it not known to bind to Calcium, Magnesium or Zinc. Body
Haley has stated that it stays in the system for several days,
and has a blood plasma half-life of 6-7 hours.
In the old CTI Science FAQs page, Haley states that the
product's blood plasma half life is extended because it is lipid
soluble (approximately 6-7 hours) compared with water
soluble antioxidants. Haley states that OSR#1 is lipid soluble
but it able to become water soluble when coupled with
Glutathione. OSR#1 is oxidised by the human liver
homogenates. Presumably this is the mechanism by which it is
excreted from the body in the digestive tract. OSR#1 is said to
bind to the Glutathione conjugate of Mercury. Perhaps this is
why some patients fare better with OSR#1 (less detoxification
symptoms) when their Glutathione levels are higher (e.g.
when they also take Lipoic Acid (a Glutathione precursor). I
have also heard that negative interactions with Lipoic Acid are
possible (on account of its Sulphur content). Haley suggested
that those with low Molybdenum levels may not be able to
convert sulphite to sulphate properly (with sulphite oxidase
enzyme), which may result in a build up of toxic sulphite.
OSR#1 has an ORAC value of 192,400! Acai fruit has an ORAC
value of 18,500. Other synthetic chelating agents such as
DMPS, DMSA and EDTA are also antioxidants, but information
about comparative ORAC values are not available at this time.
According to the instructions, OSR#1 is contraindictated with
Candida infections. Because OSR#1 attracts and bind disulfide
compounds, it may bind with Candida albicans by-products
that contain disulfide bonds. CTI Science therefore
recommended that as a precautionary measure, people with
suspected yeast or Candida problems, or anyone who is on
antifungal medications, should not take OSR#1 until their
yeast conditions were under control.
http://ctiscience.com/background.php
OSR#1 was marketed as a dietary supplement, as a Free
Radical Scavenger and Glutathione promoter, from 2007 to

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2010, after which time it was voluntarily withdrawn from the

market after a letter from the FDA which questioned its basis
as a dietary supplement on the grounds that it did not contain
any active dietary ingredients. Initial testing prior to product
launch was limited but highly favorable. Clinical trials for NBMI
for drug status are currently ongoing.
http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions
/WarningLetters/ucm216216.htm
OSR#1 came in capsule form, in a box of 30 capsules, with
one capsule (100mg) as a recommended adult dosage per
day; and also in powder form, which comes in a box
containing a sealed aluminium bag with 9g of powder inside
(90 servings). The powder version comes with a small scoop,
but the OSR#1 powder does not appear to be diluted down
from the capsule form, so the amounts to measure are very
small. The scoop is very tiny also, and is curved, so the idea of
the powder form being more convenient to use to split up 1/2
dosages etc. is not really applicable. OSR#1 capsules can be
pulled apart relatively easily to take half dosages if required.
The only real advantage with the powder form is that it takes
up much less space than the capsule form (1 box of 90
servings vs 3 boxes of capsules). OSR#1 can be taken on an
empty stomach or with meals, although Boyd Haley has stated
that it may be better absorbed if taken with oil or fat, as it is
lipid soluble, e.g. with a fatty/oily meal or snack.
Boyd Haley has stated on the old CTI Science web site FAQs
page that OSR#1 powder sealed in its bag unopened degrades
at a rate of 3% over 3 years if stored at room temperature. I
enquired to CTI Science about the long term storage
implications for those who have stocked up with a few years
personal supply of OSR, and the response was that as long as
it is kept dry and air tight, it should last many years without
significant degradation. It was suggested to vacuum seal the
OSR#1 capsule trays or bag of powder and store in a freezer
(for long term storage). The expiration date is somewhat
arbitrary, and the last batch of OSR#1 capsules did not even
have an expiration date on them. It is easier to vacuum seal
the 9g OSR#1 bags as one bag is equivalent to 3 packs of
OSR#1 capsules which is 9 trays one would otherwise have to
vacuum seal.
I have been using this chelating agent regularly since July
2010, and have experienced no adverse effects other than
some mild ache in the gallbladder/liver region when taking too
high a dosage (which I would also experienced with too high
oil intake). I was suggested one capsule three times a week

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for the vast majority of this period. My liver would complain if I

went beyond 3-4 capsules a week, but after a series of
mini-liver flushes, I found that I was able to take OSR#1 daily
without any significant issues. For a few months early on, I
had to stay off Lecithin granules even up to 36 hours
afterwards (to avoid overdetoxification symptoms), until I
could build up this dosage. I am not sure why this occurred
but put it down to the cumulative effect of over-mobilisation of
toxins in some manner.
Since 2010, my brain function has improved significantly and
hair analysis tests, if they are to be trusted, indicate
significantly less Mercury freely circulating in the blood. I have
used other chelators over this time period also, on and off, and
this is reflected in lower levels for Lead, Arsenic and Cadmium
at certain points, but I would attribute the lowering of Mercury
to OSR#1.
After just 3 months of use, I was of the opinion that it was the
most convenient and most symptom-free chelating agent for
Mercury I had used, with neurological symptoms subsiding and
no adverse side effects experienced at this low dosage.
DMPS also seemed to be very effective to me, possibly more
effective, it is difficult to say as I did not take it for very long,
but there were various side effects. I experienced much worse
organ burden issues with EDTA, which when taken regularly
(liposomal or as suppository) over several months, severely
inflamed my kidneys requiring a year off.
back to top

IP6:
Inositol Hexakisphosphate (IP6), also known as Phytic Acid, or
Phytate when in the salt form, is a form of Vitamin B8. It is the
principle store of the element Phosphorus (P) in many plant
tissues, especially bran and seeds. The denomination Phytates
also includes the salts of related acids IP3 (Inositol
Triphosphate), IP4 (Inositol Tetraphosphate) and IP5 (Inositol
Pentaphosphate). As well as being a source of dietary
Phosphorus, a vitamin promoting the immune system's natural
NK-cells, and an antioxidant, it is also an excellent chelating
agent.
It readily chelates Calcium and Magnesium in it's acid form. If
taken in its salt form, i.e. Calcium-Magnesium Inositol
Hexaphosphate, it is already combined with Calcium and

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Magnesium and will not chelate these out of the body. The salt
form is therefore preferable to take as an oral supplement.
IP6 is used for chelating excess iron from the body in cases of
haemochromatosis - there being no natural mechanism for
removing excess iron from the body (besides menstruation in
women). IP6 is also one of the few chelating agents used for
Uranium removal, although I am sure that other natural
chelators work well also. IP6 has also been used in cancer
treatment and in antioxidant therapy.
IP6 is generally recommended to be taken on an empty
stomach. It may be as well to ensure one is supplementing
sufficient Calcium and Magnesium with meals also, and to
ensure that one's Iron levels do not drop too much during the
course of taking it, as this may result in various biochemical
and cellular problems.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP6
http://www.advance-health.com/inositol.html
IP6 is thought by some to be completely broken down in the
stomach and small intestine to simple sugars which are
themselves absorbed and metabolised, so that it is not thought
that any free inositol enters the bloodstream. However, to
what extent it can bind with iron and other metals in the GI
tract and pass out of the GI tract without being broken down, I
am not sure about.
https://www.healthtap.com/topics/what-is-inositolhexaphosphatea>
back to top

Mobilising/Chelating Combination Product Reviews:

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Fermented Peptides and Micronised Chlorella

back to top

PCA:

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A relatively new product by Maxam Labs is known as PCA (formerly

PCA-Rx). A link to the Maxam Labs's web site is listed below.
http://www.maxamlabs.com/
In essence, PCA claims to use a process known as 'clathration', whereby
natural peptides seek out and bond with any toxins in the blood and
surround them in a matrix, rendering them less harmful, and are
removed by the liver as normal. Perhaps these peptides work in a similar
way to the peptide Glutathione (GSH). Any toxins that are attached to
tissues are removed and dealt with in a similar fashion. Retoxification
(reabsorption of toxins from GI tract into the blood stream) is largely not
an issue as they are firmly bonded into a peptide matrix. It is therefore
not necessary to take an absorbant in conjunction with PCA, although it
is not necessarily a bad thing to do so anyway, to aid the detoxification
process via the gastro-intestinal pathway. In addition to removing heavy
metals, the product also removes renegade proteins, mycoplasmas,
arterial plaque and PCBs (printed circuit board chemical). The product
can be used prior to mercury amalgam filling removal, unlike chelation
agents. Please note that the use of absorbants such as chlorella or
bentonite are not necessary whilst using PCA. However, they can still be
used, working in parallel to the effects of PCA, and gently removing
heavy metals from the GI tract.
The term 'clathration' is used, presumably to mark PCA out from other
chelation agents, such as DMSA or OSR#1, in that it shields the user
from reabsorption of toxins to a greater extent. However, the
mechanism is technically speaking still chelation, however the chelator
binds to the heavy metal atom or molecule. Zeolite is by this definition a
'clathrating' agent but no one uses this term to describe any of the
zeolite products in the market.
So what is PCA? What is the active ingredient in PCA?
Maxam states that the ingredients are:
'Purified Water, Micro-Fermented Peptides Of Glutamic Acid, Glycine,
Acetylcysteine, Glutathione, Peptidylgluconase, Hyaluronic Acid,
Blue-Green Algae Extracts, Chlorella, Phytoplankton, Multiple Beneficial
Flora Ferments Including: Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, Acidophilus Salivarus,
Streptococcus Thermophilus, Hydrated Colloidal Silica, Alginic [Alginate],
Fulvic, Ferulic And Lipoic Acids; All In A Cultured Medium Of
Oligopolypeptides, Glycoproteins, Phospholipids, Ionic Sea Minerals,
Amino Acid Complexes, Vitamins And Minerals.'
Two of the organic acids in PCA (and Metal-Free), Fulvic acid and Lipoic
acid, are excellent chelators and mobilisers of Heavy Metals. They are
discussed in the sections below. The NAC and Glutathione also help
mobilise heavy metals and draw them out of the tissues and brain. The

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main chelators that bind with the heavy metals for convenient removal
from the body are Peptidylgluconase and Chlorella. Chlorella normally
does not leave the digestive tract but here it is micro-fermented to allow
it to be absorbed into the blood stream and act as a chelating agent.
Maxam labs are a little vague in their exact definition of the ingredients
and mechanism of delivery, but I understand it to be a mixture of
peptides, organic and amino acids and algae extracts that are microfermented with probiotic bacteria, which produce the enzyme peptidyl
gluconase, which binds to these components and allows them to be
absorbed into the blood stream and reach within the cells where the
ingredients can bind with heavy metals and other toxin molecules.
Further information relating to PCA can be found on the Maxam web site,
including a comparison between DMPS, DMSA, EDTA, NDF (Nanocolloidal
Detox Factors - containing Cilantro and Chlorella) and PCA.
PCA is removed from the body primarily through biliary excretion, i.e. via
the liver and into the digestive tract, and secondarily through urinary
excretion via the kidneys.
There may potentially be issues with the differing concentration half-lives
of the active chelators and mobilisers in PCA as they are not the same i.e. the nano-Chlorella levels will drop off quicker than the Lipoic acid
levels etc. The half-lives of some of the mobilisers like Fulvic acid have
not been established.
Using PCA, the patient may notice usual signs of detoxification such as
slight hardening of faeces and/or a skin rash. A skin rash is a sign of
over-detoxification (i.e. too high a dosage). If the dosage is correct,
then the patient should not notice any headaches etc. that can occur
using chelation agents. Of course, if passing faeces becomes too
hard/infrequent or a person's skin rash worses significantly, then it is a
sign that the patient should reduce the dosage of PCA. You are unlikely
to experience any headaches whatsoever if you build up the dosage
SLOWLY, which is excellent for a detoxification product. Everyone
experiences slightly different detox symptoms. Detoxification symptoms
are much less mild than with cilantro and it is not necessary to drink
such abnormally large amounts of water as it is with cilantro either,
although proper hydration is of course important (regardless of whether
one is detoxing or not). Detoxification using cilantro is like a raging bull
compared to using PCA which is more like a well-behaved mouse. That is
not to say you cannot use PCA as your main detoxification agent, and
introduce a little cilantro gently at the end of your detoxification
programme to aid in the final stages of detoxification.
It is probably best to start off with a dosage such as one spray per day,
and slowly increase by one daily spray every 5-7 days, up to a maximum
of 8 sprays twice a day. Do not however feel that you need to reach the

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maximum dosage of the product, as detoxing more gently is easier on

your liver and kidneys. It may take many months to work your way up to
this dosage, and you may reach the maximum dosage towards the end
of your detoxification programme. Whilst I am aware that there are
limited clinical trials with this product, it has received excellent reviews,
and I have personally tried it and can testify that despite the far fetched
claims, it does indeed work.
PCA can be taken whilst amalgam fillings are still in place, although
because of the lipoic and fulvic acid it contains, it may be sensible to use
another agent such as MCP or NCD which does not, whilst the fillings are
in place. At various points I have taken PCA with no problems at all, and
at other points, when I have mobilised too much Mercury, I was not able
to take PCA as it gave me a headache, even at one spray a day. A family
member of mine was able to take 8 sprays a day for a long time, and
after a break, tried it again and could not take any at all.
back to top

Matrix Metals:
Matrix Metals by BioPure (Europe) has exactly the same ingredients list
as PCA, word for word, including the same typos, and seems to be a
rebranded product. See above for details.
http://www.biopureeurope.com/matrix-metals-30ml-e.html
back to top

Metal-Free:
Another manufacturer that also sells a spray bottle micro-fermented
peptide complex is BodyHealth - the product is called 'Metal-Free'. Upon
close investigation of the respective ingredients of PCA and Metal-Free,
they appear to be virtually identical, with very similar sounding
manufacturing and fermentation processes. BodyHealth are reputed to
have brought out their product first, although I am not certain of the
respective product launch dates. Maxam have in the past used some of
BodyHealth's product research in connection with PCA, although later
this was apparently withdrawn for legal reasons. It is likely that Maxam
would claim that Metal-Free is a copy of their product however or
perhaps not acknowledge it at all.
www.metalfree.com
The fermentation process is broadly defined on the Metal-Free web site,
listed below.

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www.metalfree.com/characteristics_micro.html
The active ingredients of Metal-Free are listed as:
Microactivated algae, lactobacillus and bifidus extracts,
peptidylgluconase, glycine, ionic sea minerals, hydrated colloidal silica,
glutathione, vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, fulvic acid, ferulic acid, lipoic
acid, chlorella, and acetylcysteine.

Both PCA and Metal-Free are available in a standard 30ml spray bottle
size, and both have an almost equivalent retail price. Metal-Free seems
to be sold mainly directly by BodyHealth and available from a few
selected resellers at a nominal discount. PCA on the other hand, whilst
also available direct from Maxam, is more widely available from resellers,
at significant discounts.
back to top

NDF:
The PolyFlor ferment (MIER) in BioRay's NDF could be said to sound
similar to that used in Maxam Lab's PCA and Metal-Free. However, it is
not regarded as the same by Maxam Labs, and indeed I recall (from
memory) that NDF was initially marketed as equivalent to PCA under
licence, but it was found that the peptide content was very low, and their
licence was revoked, so they have made a 'similar' product, but which
contains Cilantro and Chlorella (perhaps as Cilantro is a known quantity
in cellular detoxification as opposed to their PolyFlor. The article about

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NDF appears to have been withdrawn from Maxam Labs web site,
although there are references and comparisons with NDF on the Maxam
site. Please see the Cilantro section below for more information about
the Cilantro component.
Please see the PCA section above for more information. NDF is
approximately half to two thirds the price of PCA and Metal-Free,
however NDF Plus is considerably more expensive.
Mucopolysaccharide Ion Exchange Resin (MIER) Nano-Colloidal Detox
Factors(NDF) - aka NDF - is a cellular detoxification product by BioRay
that contains nanocolloidal' cell wall cracked Chlorella pyrenoidosa,
'nanocolloidal' Cilantro and 'nanocolloidal' PolyFlor (a complex ferments
and cell wall lysates and enzymes from beneficial bacteria).
The product is available as NDF and also NDF Plus. BioRay's site is
shown below.
www.bioray.com
NDF works on the basis of binding heavy metals with the MIER for
removal from the body in the kidneys (i.e. urine) - presumably as well as
the Cilantro and Chlorella binding with the toxins for removal also by the
live.
'NDF Ingredients: Nanocolloidal cell wall decimated Yaeyama Chlorella,
Nanocolloidal Organic Cilantro, 12 strains of cell wall broken beneficial
lactobacillus, 3 strains of cell wall broken bifidobacterium, Silica, 18%
grain neutral (gluten free) spirits.
NDF Plus Ingredients: Contains all of the above ingredients plus, fulvic
acid complexes and concentrates of PolyFlor predigested agaricus
blazei, ganoderma lucidum, cordyceps sinensis, milk thistle seeds,
horsetail herb, Silica, 18% grain neutral (gluten free) spirits.'
NDF Plus could be said to have a stronger mobilising capability,
containing both Mercury and Arsenic mobilisers Cilantro and Fulvic Acid,
so if one is going to take NDF, one is probably better waiting to take NDF
Plus later on after having used NDF for some months prior.
www.drkaslow.com/html/ndf_mier_chelating_drops.html
http://toothwisdom.info/detox_mobilization.html
www.webdeb.com/q-machine/heavy-metal-detox.htm
There may potentially be issues with the differing concentration half-lives
of the active chelators and mobilisers in NDF and NDF Plus as they are
not the same - i.e. the nano-Chlorella levels may drop off quicker than

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the cilantro and fulvic acid levels etc. The half-lives of some of the latter
mobilisers have not been established so it is anyone's guess how the
concentrations of the ingredients in the blood vary between doses.
back to top

Heavy Metal Nano-Detox:

Another product that contains 'nanoised' Chlorella is by Premier Research
Labs (PR Labs), called 'Heavy Metal Nano-Detox', a.k.a. 'HM
Nano-Detox'. This is probably the cheapest of all of the above.
'Ingredients:
Servings (2.5ml) per bottle: about 95
Each 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) serving contains:
Proprietary blend (2.5 ml) of:
Grade A Chlorella (whole; broken cell wall) (C. pyrenoidosa),
Bifidobacteria Species (breve ss. breve, infantis ss. infantis, longum),
Enterococcus Species (faecalis TH10, faecium), Lactobacillus Species
(acidophilus, bulgaricus, casei ss.casei, fermentum, helveticus ss.
jagurti, plantarum), Streptococcus thermophilus.
Other Ingredients: purified water, certified organic alcohol. Preserved
with certified organic alcohol (no detectable pesticide or heavy metal
residues).
Clearly whilst Chlorella is just an absorbant, and whose outer shell that
binds with heavy metals cannot leave the digestive tract, in nano-form, it
is able to be absorbed into the blood stream, and is thus classifiable as a
chelating agent.
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Zeotrex:
Another Zeolite product on the market is the Global Healing Center's
Zeotrex. This contains organic volcanic Zeolites (clinoptilolite) as well as
an Angstrom colloid blend (including organic Cilantro leaf and blue-green
algae).
www.ghchealth.com/zeotrex.php
I am not certain whether this product contains 'regular' clinoptilolite or
whether it is a proprietary formulation, but suspects it is the former.
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Mobilising Agent Reviews:

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Lipoic Acid:
Lipoic acid (1,2-dithione-3-pentanoic acid) is a sulphur containing
antioxidant and organic acid.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipoic_acid
Lipoic acid contains two thiol groups (a sulphur atom linked to a
hydrogen atom) which enable its chelation qualities. Other sulphur
containing substances are known for their ability to bind with toxins
in the body, as seen in the above sections, for example, MSM, NAC,
Glutathione and food such as Garlic. Lipoic acid is however active in
both lipid (fat) and aqueous (water) phases and so is an excellent
chelator with the ability to cross the blood brain barrier and
penetrate lipid compartments; and for this reason is known as a
'universal antioxidant'.
As Lipoic Acid is both water and lipid soluble it is able to provide
antioxidative protection in both water and lipid phases, neutralising
free radicals at the moment of formation.
Lipoic acid exists as two enantiomers (one of two stereoisomers non-superimposable mirror image molecule structures). The first
enantiomer is the R variety, R-Lipoic acid, which occurs naturally in
the body, and the second enantiomer, the S variety, S-Lipoic acid,
is synthetically produced and does not occur naturally.
Lipoic acid, a.k.a. Alpha Lipoic Acid or Thioctic Acid, is generally
used to describe those supplements that contain a mixture of both
R-Lipoic Acid and S-Lipoic Acid.
www.yourhealthbase.com/lipoic_acid.htm
'A very recent study of children living in the area affected by the
Chernobyl disaster showed that ALA prevents radiation damage.
There is also evidence that ALA could play a role in minimizing the
adverse effects of smoking and may be useful in the treatment of
mercury and cadmium poisoning.'
Lipoic acid has an important role to play in the body in breaking
down any Superoxide that leaks out of the mitochondria of the
body's cells, that may otherwise potential form the powerful
oxidising agent peroxynitrite. This is examined in more detail on the
Heart Insufficiency page.

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Alpha Lipoic Acid (sometimes annotated to ALA) should not be

confused with Alpha Linoleic Acid (ALA), the Omega 3 Essential
Fatty Acid (EFA).
It is debated whether the S-enantiomer is actually beneficial or not
when mixed together with the R-variant, as some scientists have
noted positive synergistic effects and other antagonistic effects.
www.benbest.com/nutrceut/lipoic.html
R-Lipoic Acid has been shown in studies to be between 2 and 20
times stronger and more effective than Alpha-Lipoic Acid.
As R-Lipoic Acid (aka RLA or RALA) is natural and is actually
produced by the body, and the fact that it is a better chelator than
S-Lipoic Acid, this is probably reason enough to avoid the S-form
(i.e. any product labelled Alpha Lipoic Acid) and take just the
natural R-Lipoic Acid form (if taking such a supplement). However,
muscle testing may assist in ascertaining which form works best
with the body.
Lipoic acid (LA) is the oxidised form of DiHydroLipoic Acid (DHLA).
Lipoic acid (LA) should not be confused with Linoleic Acid (LA)
which is an Omega 6 Essential Fatty Acid (EFA). Both Lipoic Acid
and DHLA are both good chelators, with slightly different chelating
qualities. DHLA is however a pro-oxidant and may exaccerbate free
radical damage. Lipoic acid has been used in conjunction with
Mercury chelation and also to treat AIDS patients.
R-Lipoic Acid is a cofactor in energy production, helping to regulate
glucose metabolism. Alpha lipoic acid is a cofactor in the
multienzyme complex that catalyzes the last stage of the process
called glycolysis. Glycolysis is the first step in converting blood
sugar (glucose), which is obtained from carbohydrates and
proteins, into energy in a form that the body can use. R-Lipoic Acid
is active in all the tissues of the body and in its cellular
compartments. Alpha lipoic acid recycles both water and fat soluble
antioxidant vitamins, improves sugar metabolism and energy
production, promotes the incorporation of cysteine into glutathione
and combines synergistically with other antioxidants for greatly
increased benefits. It is therefore frequently referred to as the ideal
or universal antioxidant and free radical scavenger.
R-Lipoic acid is used in Glucose metabolism in the Krebs cycle as
well as a universal antioxidant, to assist in recycling Glutathione.
According to author William Rasmussen, supplementing Lipoic Acid
can raise cellular Glutathione levels by 30 to 70%. Lipoic acid also
has the effect of binding with heavy metals and carrying them out of

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cells and across the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) (both ways),

depending on relative concentrations of heavy metals in the body
and brain. According to Andrew Hall Cutler, it also increases the
secretion of bile and nonprotein sulphydryl groups. This may result
in darker stools and some irritation to the anus and may potentially
exacerbate gallbladder problems (if present), on account on
increased bile excretion.
High levels of R-Lipoic acid are found in foods such as liver, heart,
yeast and spinach. It can also be taken in supplement form, if
greater than normal quantities are required for a particular patient,
and as mentioned above, is found in the chelation products PCA and
Metal-Free. Lipoic acid is absorbed very quickly by the body, but
levels tend to also drop off very quickly.
According to a study by Gregus Z., 'Effect of lipoic acid on biliary
excretion of gluathione and metals' from Toxicology & Applied
Pharmacology 1992 May; 114(1):88-96, ALA may inhibit the
binding and removal of methylmercury by Glutathione. In addition,
it is also suggested that it may reduce Copper excretion from the
body, and if taken in excess or over a long period of time, may
elevate copper levels dramatically, possibly even to dangerous
levels (perhaps Copper supplementation is therefore not
necessary!) Andrew Hall Cutler in his book 'Amalgam Illness'
suggests rest periods when taking Lipoic Acid on account of the
potential for Copper build up in the body. However, Cardiac patients
may well take Lipoic acid continually. It is probably best to have
regular mineral level checks (e.g. hair mineral analysis) when taking
ALA. The chelating agent EDTA is able to chelate copper from the
body (as is IP6), but taking EDTA with ALA or Na-RLA is not an
excuse to dose Lipoic acid constantly without breaks, as it may still
end up with hugely elevated Mercury levels, mobilised from the
tissues.
It is also reputed by the Autism Research Institute to be a food for
yeast, and oral intake may exaccerbate yeast overgrowth in the
body if present. See page 19 of the document Treatment Options
for Mercury/Metal Toxicity in Autism and Related Developmental
Disabilities (2005). One may argue that function of ALA in the body
depends the circumstances it is taken in and the amounts. I am
unsure if any particular pathway of ALA is more dominant than
others if taken in low dosages. Perhaps it depends on whether any
pathways in the body are impaired and in chronic need of Lipoic
acid or not, any excessive perhaps resulting in further chelation.
Lipoic acid is a nutritional requirement of the body, involved in
Glutathione regeneration and in the Krebs Cycle, and if levels are
depleted, then one can argue that if one is only supplementing ALA
back to normal levels then this type of phenomenon mentioned
above may not occur.

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Tests on rat livers suggest that lipoic acid supplementation may

reduce the activities of biotin-dependent carboxylase enzymes
(responsible for amino acid conversion) in rats livers:
'Lipoic Acid Reduces the Activities of Biotin-Dependent Carboxylases
in Rat Liver'. Janos Zempleni, Timothy A. Trusty, and Donald M.
Mock. 1997.
http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/127/9/1776
Martin Pall in his book Explaining Unexplained Illnesses (discussed
on the Nitric Oxide page) claims that it is well known that Lipoic
Acid supplementation depletes Biotin levels, so if one is taking
Lipoic Acid, one should also be taking supplemental Biotin. This is
perhaps one reason why most ALA supplements contain the
B-vitamin Biotin. This is also explained by manufacturers as helping
to restore the activity of ALA. One should therefore consider
additional supplementation with Biotin over and above what is found
in Lipoic Acid supplements, if one believes one is potentially
deficient or prone to deficiency (e.g. low levels of probiotic bacteria
- which are responsible for the production of biotin required by the
body as opposed to dietary sources).
Some potential adverse effects of high dosage Lipoic Acid
supplementation include stomach upsets, nausea, diarrhea,
flatulence or possible allergic reactions if applicable.
Lipoic acid has a warming quality to it, and if taken in tablet form,
should not be chewed or kept in the mouth, as it is a acid solid, and
is in concentrated form, and will tend to attack the mucus
membranes of the throat and cause a burning sensation and sore
throat. It should be swallowed with water.
One advanced formulation of Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) of note is
ALAmax CR by Xymogen's EP (Exclusive Patented) range. It is a
controlled-release form of Alpha-Lipoic Acid. According to Xymogen,
Lipoic Acid has a brief blood plasma half-life of 27 minutes, which is
insufficient time to provide any meaningful protection to one's cells
if taken once a day. ALAmax CR allows the body to keep continual
blood and cellular lipoic acid levels up during the day. ALAmax CR is
reputed to increase levels of glutathione by 30%. ALAmax CR, as
with some other Lipoic acid formulations, includes the B-vitamin
Biotin.
https://www.xymogen.com/products/product-detail.aspx?pid=11
As mentioned above, a slow release or controlled release Lipoic Acid
supplement may be preferable for chelation purposes, as dosages

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are not spiked as they are when taken in its 'normal' form, e.g. with
ordinary ALA or RLA supplements. I had finished the first phase of
my detoxification programme by the time I started trying ALAmax
CR, which he was taking to improve Mitochondrial function, in
conjunction with Magnesium and Vitamin B1. However, as Lipoic
Acid is such a useful compound, it will also assist in glutathione
production, antioxidative protection and also chelate any heavy
metals out of the tissues too, so chelation detoxification is always
going to occur to some extent when supplementing with it, if there
are any heavy metals to chelate out, which there pretty much
always are, to some degree, however large or small. It is
impossible to reach 'zero' heavy metal levels, by the nature of
concentrations and probability. There are other compounds or
herbs that have chelating properties too, which can be an added
benefit or factor to bear in mind when dosing with them, e.g.
Hawthorn to lower blood pressure.
I have trialled RLA quite late into my detoxification and chelation
programme. However, based on his observations to date, it seems
extremely effective, if taken in a sufficient dosage. I trialled the
Doctor's Best R-Lipoic Acid during the latter phase of his
detoxification regime in 2008. I have found that approximately 8-9
capsules of 100mg RLA (i.e. 143mg Na-RALA), in the latter stages
of my detoxification regime was approximately equivalent to 17
capsules of Complete Metal Cleanse 85mg Humifulvate,
representing a powerful and cost effective chelating agent. RLA is
also available in 50mg capsules. Clearly when starting out on one's
detoxification regime, a much lower dosage is probably more
appropriate, e.g. 50-100mg at a time, building up slowly from
there.
Doctor's Best 'Best Stabilized R-Lipoic Acid' is a form of R-Lipoic
Acid that comes in 100mg capsules. It is based on 'Bioenhanced
Na-RALA' or Sodium R-Alpha Lipoate, the sodium salt of RLA.
Na-RALA is said to be a stabilised form of RLA that is said not to
degrade at high temperatures (not really an issue if stored
correctly), to be more bioavailable than regular RLA and with no
solvent residues. Each capsule contains 143mg of Na-RALA which is
equivalent to 100mg of R-Lipoic Acid.
Another good ALA supplement I have used is Dr Perlmutter's
NeuroActives BrainSustain. This contains N-Acetyl-Cysteine,
Phosphatidyl Serine, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Alpha-Lipoic Acid (20mg),
Coenzyme Q-10 and Gilkgo Biloba.
www.inutritionals.com/neuroactives-brainsustain
In June 2009, I was muscle tested for various forms of Lipoic Acid,
and the ALAMax CR was the only form of those tested that could be

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effectively utilised by the body. Doctor's Best R-LA tested neutral.

In October 2010, I tested positively for BrainSustain only.
One can elect to either take smaller amounts of ALA/RLA with
meals, for example, to supplement one's existing chelation regime,
or one can elect to take (a higher dosage of) ALA/RLA, as one's
main chelation agent, on an empty stomach, in between meals.
With a slow release ALA supplement such as ALAmax CR, this is
less of an issue, and one does not have to think so much about
repeated dosing to prevent the lowering of Lipoic acid levels in the
blood and subsequent 'dropping' or 'dumping' of any chelated
metals the Lipoic Acid is carrying. It is highly recommended to read
the Oral Chelation section above for related issues with half-life and
dosing.
Lipoic Acid as mentioned above is a necessary cofactor in energy
production and the utilisation of Glucose. It is produced in very
small quantities in the body, and in some deficient individuals, the
amounts produced are simply insufficient. Those with cardiac
symptoms who have particularly low mitochondrial function may
wish to consider taking Lipoic Acid for this (which may significantly
reduce the need for other mitochondrial supplements such as
Acetyl-L-Carnitine, CoQ10 and NAD(H)), but if they have a
significant toxic metal load in their body, particularly more in the
body than the brain, then taking Lipoic Acid may make them feel
more ill. In such cases, the patient must decide whether he shall
just take small amounts around the clock, the minimise the effect of
releasing additional heavy metals into the blood stream, or whether
to stop taking ALA entirely for a period of time, and use a chelating
agent to mop up what is extra cellular, so that taking ALA again
after that will be manageable. Clearly with ALA, there will be an
effect of mobilising of heavy metals at whatever dosage you take it
at, but the amount of heavy metals mobilised increases with the
amount of ALA taken. Those with a high demand for ALA (i.e.
mitochondrial impaired) may be able to take slightly more ALA than
those who do not have a biochemical (generally mitochondrial)
requirement for it. If less is used up, then more will clearly be
around to recycle/create Glutathione etc. However, it is generally
not a good idea to take more than 50-100mg in one go. Slow
release ALA is probably best, to avoid spikes of dosing with regular
ALA supplements. However, to achieve the right dose, it may be
necessary to take fractions of an ALA tablet, measured using digital
scales (e.g. chopping up a Xymogen ALAMax CR tablet which
contains 600mg of ALA in each tablet).
If you have overdone it and taken too much Lipoic acid, and are
suffering from sharp headaches, and increased neurological
symptoms and inflammation, it is likely that you have released too
many heavy metals at once from the tissues, which are circulating

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in the bloodstream, and/or have carried heavy metals across the

blood-brain barrier (BBB). In other words you have drawn heavy
metals out of the tissues and into the bloodstream and readily
accessible compartments of the body faster than the body can
remove them, and over time they have accumulated and resulted in
the effect of being 'poisoned' a little like having an amalgam filling
out! Taking even small doses of Lipoic acid in this condition may
result in worsening of these headaches. Assuming you should be
taking Lipoic acid in the first place, the remedy is to simply stop
taking Lipoic acid for probably at least a month or two, wait for all
the symptoms to subside, and resume after that, but starting off
with a very low dosage and building up the dosage slowly over time
to reach your previous 'sustainable' dosage. Andy Culter suggests
that one should take Lipoic Acid a couple of weeks on and a couple
of weeks off, so as to avoid Copper built up on account of ALA's
supression of Copper excretion pathways. However, there he is
talking about preventative breaks rather than reactive strategies to
deal with incorrect (i.e. too high) dosages of ALA.
To speed up the recovery from over-toxification from too much
ALA, you may want to take intestinal absorbants to mop up any
heavy metals in the digestive tract and also chelating agents (NOT
mobilising agents) to mop up the heavy metals that are readily
accessible and causing problems in your bloodstream and the
outside of cells (e.g. EDTA or a natural chelating agent such as
Pectasol Chelation Complex etc.) I have found anal EDTA in my
personal experience to be the most effective at performing this job.
Consider such a toxification episode to be a new starting point and
act accordingly (i.e. you would not take ALA straight after an
amalgam filling removal, so don't do it here). You need to remove
the bulk of the readily accessible heavy metals from the body before
continuing again with your ALA dosing.
Please see the Chelation vs Mobilisation section and the Low
Frequent Dose Chelation section regarding the best time and
manner in which to use Lipoic Acid. As Lipoic Acid is a mobilising
agent primarily, it should not be taken at the start of a detoxification
programme, but be used in the latter half of a chelation
programme, and should ideally be taken in conjunction with another
chelating agent to bind with the heavy metals that are
mobilised/drawn out of the blood and tissues.
back to top

Thiamine tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide (TTFD):

Thiamine Tetrahydrofurfuryl Disulfide (TTFD) is a synthetic
counterpart to Allithiamine, the naturally occurring form of vitamin

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B1 formed enzymatically in garlic when it is crushed (the act of

crushing garlic creates the compound resulting in the more
flavoursome taste of crushed garlic cloves). It is not yet FDA
approved as a therapeutic agent or chelating agent. Whilst not
strictly speaking a chelating agent, it does have a strong mobilising
effect on heavy metals in the body. One case study from a
practitioner cites significant improvements with child chelation using
TTFD as opposed to DMSA etc.
http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=243
TTFD can be found in the Nutricology/Allergy Research Group
supplement (Thiodox) Glutathione Complex. This contain both the
mobilising agents TTFD (5mg) and Lipoic Acid (150mg), as well as
other cofactors and amino acids. I found this supplement to be
perfectly satisfactory for many months, but slowly as I become
more sensitive to ALA (presumably on account of mobilising too
many heavy metals), I found it much harder to take Thiodox
compared with an ALA supplement with the same amount of ALA in
it. I am uncertain what component of Thiodox makes it so potent,
but perhaps it is a combination of the ALA and TTFD. If necessary,
one may want to consider cutting up tablets into small parts.
http://www.nutricology.com/Glutathione-Complex-90-Tabsp-16484.html
TTFD can also be found in Ecological Formulas' product Allithiamine
(Vitamin B1), containing a more substantial 50mg of TTFD.
TTFD can also be found absorbed transdermally, in cream form. For
example, Authia Cream by Westlake Laboratories, Inc. contains
50mg/ml of TTFD and 500mcg/ml of Methyl-B12. It also contains a
trace amount of Lipoic acid (Thioctic acid). It comes in a two 2
ounce tube.
http://westlake-labs.com/products/authia-cream
back to top

Fulvic Acid and Humic Acid:

Fulvic Acid is belongs to a group of organic substances called Humic
substances. These are dark brown constituents of humus found in
soil, contributing to the qualities of soil and are precursors to fossil
fuels. They are also found in peat, coal upland streams, dystrophic
lakes and ocean water. Humic substances are classified into 3
different categories, Fulvic acid, Humic acid and Humin. Both humic
acid and fulvic acid are excellent chelators and powerful

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antioxidants.
Humic acid is normally found in the form of 'humate' (the salt of
humic acid), i.e. humic acid bound to a nutritional mineral element.
Fulvic acid is normally found in the form of 'fulvate' (the salt of fulvic
acid), i.e. fulvic acid bound to a nutritional mineral element. Humic
acid/humate is a much larger molecule than fulvic acid/fulvate as
can be seen from the diagrams above and below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humic_acid
'A substantial fraction of the mass of the humic acids is in carboxylic
acid functional groups, which endow these molecules with the
ability to chelate (bind) (precipitate in some media, make solution in
other media) positively charged multivalent ions (Mg2+, Ca2+,
Fe2+, Fe3+, most other "trace elements" of value to plants, as well
as other ions that have no positive biological role, such as Cd2+
and Pb2+.) This chelation of ions is probably the most important
role of humic acids with respect to living systems. By chelating the
ions, they facilitate the uptake of these ions by several
mechanisms, one of which is preventing their precipitation, another
seems to be a direct and positive influence on their bioavailability.'
Humic acid and fulvic acid have been the subject of many years of
scientific study, on account of its role in soil and plant biology, but
also with respect to its chelation application in humans for removing
heavy metals from the body, with favourable statistics.
Humic and fulvic acids may act in a similar manner to some
synthetic chelation agents, except that they bind only with double
valency positive cations, i.e. nutritional elements and/or heavy
metal ions. It is likely that a heavy metal ion will displace a lighter,
nutritional metal ion and bind with the humate or fulvate. Many
nutritionists recommend Fulvic Acid as an electrolyte (to increase
cellular electrical efficiency) and supplement to take in combination
with trace mineral supplements, to assist in the uptake of them by
the body. The Fulvic Acid bonds with these minerals and as it is a
small molecule and easily able to pass through cell membranes,
allows delivery of the minerals efficiently into the body's cells.
Most products however are based on processed humate, taken
from high quality soil sources, containing large amounts of
nutritional cations already bound into the matrix. They are therefore
not likely to (significantly or in any way) deplete one's mineral
levels. As fulvic acid/fulvate is the smaller molecule, it is more easily
absorbed into the cells, and is regarded as an excellent method of
delivery for trace elements and nutrients into the body, as well as
being an excellent chelator.

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Taken from www.humate.net:

Terminology of Humus Materials:
Humus is the product of the decay of organic matter. It contains
both humic and nonhumic material.
Humic acids (plural) is the collective name for the acid radicals
found in humic matter. They may be separated from humic matter
by alkaline extraction.
Humic acid (singular) is the acid radical found in humic matter
which is soluble in alkali but insoluble in acid, methyl ethyl ketone,
and methyl alcohol.
Humates are the salts of humic acids, collectively, or the salts of
humic acid specifically. (The usage must be determined from the
context.)
Fulvic acid is the acid radical found in humic matter which is soluble
in alkali, acid, methyl ethyl ketone, and methyl alcohol.
Fulvates are the salts of fulvic acid.
Leonardite is a soft brown coal-like deposit usually found in
conjunction with deposits of lignite.
Lignite is a type of soft coal.
Humin is the alkali-insoluble fraction of leonardite. (The usage of
this term does not correspond exactly with the usage by other
workers.)'
Chemical processing allows the nano-extraction of fulvic acid from
humus, which can be used in chelation products. PCA and
Metal-Free contain Fulvic acid as one of the ingredients. The
amounts of fulvic acid in PCA and Metal-Free (described above)
however are quite low. PCA and Metal-Free are taken in a spray
form under the tongue (sublingual), on an empty stomach. Other
products that contain Fulvic acid include Global Health Trax's
Oxygen Elements Max (Fulvic Acid) and Life Science Products' Body
Biotics (an SBO probiotic formula containing Fulvic and Humic
acids).
There are also dedicated Humifulvate (registered trademark)
products (in capsule form) such as Enzymatic Therapy's Complete
Metal Cleanse Humifulvate or Life Flo Health's Metal Detox capsules.
Humifulvate contains a purified, propretiary complex of humic, fulvic

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and phenolic acids. These are harvested from a springfed, peat

deposit from the northern shore of Lake Balaton in Hungary.
Humifulvate is processed by PharmaNutrients Botanical Corporation
and is used under licence by Enzymatic Therapy and Life Flo Health
in their respective products.
www.humifulvate.ca/
www.pharmanutrients.ca
Enzymatic Therapy have stated about their Complete Metal Cleanse
product that it helps to 'lessen the amount of heavy metals in your
body without depleting beneficial minerals', which implies that
humifulvate does not behave like synthetic chelation agents,
depleting whatever metal it comes across, heavy or nutritional.
Enzymatic Therapy have also stated that the humifulvate-based
product requires an avoidance of fibre close to taking it, at least 3
hours beore and after each dose. They state that 'in the immediate
presence of fiber, Complete Metal Cleanse may lose its effectiveness
and miss some toxins.' Perhaps this implies that taking any fibre too
close to the humifulvate will simply mean that it is absorbed by the
fibre and thus not absorbed into the blood stream, or perhaps
flushed through the digestive tract quicker, rather than it being so
readily absorbed from the GI tract into the blood stream.
Enzymatic Therapy's Humifulvate product should probably also best
be taken on an empty stomach and a few hours prior to one's next
meal, and perhaps not a high fibre meal according to their
recommendations.
http://www.enzymatictherapy.com/Products/Product-Categories
/Product-Details.aspx?p=08643
I have trialled Enzymatic Therapy's Complete Metal Cleanse, albeit
quite late into his chelation programme and for a short time. It
seemed to work rather well. The capsules are small and containing
a brown mixture. The dosage taken was 17 x 75mg Humifulvate
capsules, which is of course extremely high, but after nearly 3 years
of chelation and other detoxification protocols. At that stage in my
detoxification programme, it had a similar chelating effect to taking
70 capsules of Jarrow Toxguard Heavy Metal Detox or 60ml (4
tablespoons) of Cilantro Tincture. By my calculations, extrapolating
my dosage of other chelants and the dosage I first started taking
them at, the Humifulvate dosage that someone at the beginning of
my detox programme should be around 1-2 capsules, which is in
line with the manufacturer's recommendations. It can therefore be
considered quite a potent chelating agent. It is doubtful that is has
any of the 'protective' or 'encapsulating' qualities of other chelating
agents described above such as Zeolite, Pectasol or PCA.

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Garden of Life's Primal Defense and Primal Defense Ultra, an SBO

probiotic formula, is another product that contains Humate.
One can also buy pure liquid Fulvic acid, Humic Acid or mixtures of
both in various bottle sizes, from various suppliers, mentioned
below. This can be ideal when wishing to buy a chelator in bulk
volumes towards the end of one's detoxification programme.
A search on the internet may reveal different sources of Fulvic and
Humic acid, some sold for agricultural or horticultural use and
others sold specifically for human consumption (i.e. as a health
supplement). The exact difference I am not fully sure of, but
agricultural/horticultural sources no doubt do not need to be so
stringent about the heavy metal levels in the acid (i.e. depending on
the soil source) or soil quality; and indeed it may be extremely
diluted; whereas for direct human consumption (i.e. in much large
concentrations) very low heavy metal levels are required. It is
therefore recommended to find a source of Fuvlic and/or Humic
Acid that is low in Heavy Metals.
Fulvic acid and humic acid are not just marketed as chelating
agents but also as nutritional products, as they contain a wide
variety of minerals (usually), vitamins, enzymes, DNA and are
powerful antioxidants and electrolytes. Humate, fulvic acid and
humic acid are also known to be anti-viral; it is even believed they
are also anti-microbial and anti-fungal.
www.beta-glucan-info.com/humic_acid_research.htm
The most common extraction method is chemical processing. The
processing also draws out the minerals, vitamins and enzymes etc.
present in the Humus, producing a rich nutritional supplement.
Whilst the vast majority of the elements present in these Humic and
Fulvic Acid solutions are essential or trace nutritional elements,
some are toxic elements and heavy metals, presented in the same
ratio as they are found in the soil. There is however no aluminium,
arsenic, lead or mercury present in these solutions. Clearly it
depends on the soil source, but the most common and high quality
solutions do not contain these specific heavy metals. In any case,
they are present in a very low concentration.
Some argue that the ionic forms of the metals present in soil (e.g.
insoluble metallic oxides) cannot be absorbed by the body, as in
other soil-based mineral products, but because of the Fulvic and/or
Humic Acid, these heavy metals may be bound to by these organic
acids and thus carried easily into the body's cells (in a highly
bio-available form) and even past the blood-brain barrier. Silicates
and various metals are well known to dissolve in Fulvic acid.

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However, the Fulvic and Humic acids also have a chelating

property, and as easily as the Heavy Metals are carried in, they are
of course carried out or if dumped in the cells, are equally carried
out by other Fulvic acid molecules, so perhaps the argument is
circular. One may want to consider the potential effects here of
consuming large volumes of Fulvic or Humic acid containing soil
minerals over a period of many years; but for short term usage, I
do not believe that it is an issue at all, and in fact the nutritional
element levels are a positive attribute.
The exact source of the soil extracts will clearly determine its purity,
level of heavy metals present and also nutritional quality.
Manufacturers claim that they can be taken to compensate for diets
based largely on crops grown from depleted soils. It is stated by
manufacturers that Humic acid is more nutritious that Fulvic Acid,
as it contains a wider variety of larger molecules and associated
nutrients. This is why some manufacturers sell Fulvic and Humic
Acid premixed. One can equally buy Fulvic and Humic Acid
separately and consume both or mix it oneself. The optimum ratio
is reputed to be 2 parts Fulvic to 1 part Humic according to Nano
Health Solutions. Supreme Fulvic claim not to simply mix
pre-produced Fulvic and Humic acid together to produce their
combined Fulvic & Humic Mineral Complex, but create their own
Humic acid from humate, the exact ratio being proprietary. The
ingredients are listed as 'Proprietary blend of bio-available: Fulvic
Nutrients 100% in solution; and Humic Nutrients 100% in solution;
and Deionised carbon-filtered reverse osmosis water.' This is in
contrast to their Fulvic acid product which is said to contain 'Fulvic
Acid 100% in solution' as well as the same deionised water. Both
products however contain the same mineral profile, the blend being
reputedly slightly higher in concentration of such nutrients.
Some suppliers, e.g. BioAg, argue that one should not supplement
minerals in an arbitrary manner, i.e. consuming a broad spectrum
of nutritional elements, as the body may not require all, but specific
minerals in specific quantities, and consuming 'too many' of
particular elements may result in less than optimal ratios of
nutritional elements in one's blood and also potentially toxic levels
of these elements (which become toxic at certain high
concentrations). However, for CFS patients, this is unlikely to be an
issue in my opinion, mineral levels all being very low, and the effect
of mineral content is likely to be minimal given the lower volumes
that Fulvic and Humic acids would be consumed in (on account of
the chelating properties); and indeed the poor absorption from the
digestive tract in any case. BioAg offer a Fulvic Acid product which
is produced not from chemical processing but from a natural
fermentation process, which results in pure Fulvic Acid solution
being produced, which contains no minerals of any kind in it. Such a
Fulvic Acid solution has potentially a higher chelating ability on

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account of all the Fulvic Acid being unbound when it is consumed,

unlike sources described above that contain Fulvic Acid bound to
minerals already in the Fulvic Acid solution.
Fulvic acid is transparent, odourless, somewhat tasteless and
slightly golden coloured, whereas Humic Acid slightly more of a
flavour and is black/brown in colour (no jokes about staying off the
brown acid please!) As Fulvic Acid is a smaller molecule than Humic,
it is probably the better chelator and can more easily cross the
blood-brain barrier, however a combination of the two acids may
also be beneficial from a nutritional standpoint and to benefit from
two slightly different chelation mechanisms.
The general recommendations that I have seen from suppliers of
Fulvic and Humic Acids is that one should consume approximately 1
to 2 ounces per dosage, with approximately 6-8 ounces of
non-chlorinated water (i.e. purified water, not tap water) - although
it can be drunk relatively undiluted also) - on an empty stomach, at
least 30 minutes prior to a meal or nutritional supplement intake.
This is somewhat different from the recommendations of
Humifulvate as described above. The emphasis is on drinking the
Fulvic or Humic Acid with a non-chlorinated water source, i.e.
mineral water or water that has gone through a purification system
that removes the chlorine from the water. Tap water typically
contains chlorine. Chlorine is of course added as it is an oxidising
agent and helps to kill off the microbes in the water (as well as
slightly lowering the tap water's pH, i.e. making it more acidic). As
Fulvic and Humic Acids are very high in antioxidants, then mixing it
immediately with chlorinated water will reduce the effectiveness of
the product (i.e. oxidising the antioxidants before they even go into
the body) and there are very woolly references to it producing a
bad byproduct. Presumably this oxidation would occur in the body
in any case when the acids can into contact with free radicals
anyway, so it is better value for money to use non-chlorinated
water to get the full benefit in any case.
Another factor to bear in mind if drinking large quantities of fulvic
and/or humic acid is that it will tend to slightly lower the body's pH,
and so one may want to offset this with an alkaline food or
supplemental intake. As fulvic and/or humic acid are both acidic (!),
then if drinking them undiluted, on a regular basis, one may want to
brush one's teeth afterwards to avoid excessive acidic erosion of
the tooth enamel.
For a detailed comparison of 3 liquid Fulvic acid brands, please see
the Fulvic Acid Group Test page.
Comparing Fulvic Acid and Humic Acid to Cilantro Tincture, then I
can conclude that if using home made Cilantro, then Fulvic/Humic

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Acid are approximately 50% at best and the same price at worst.
However, ready made Cilantro tincture (available in small 50ml or
100ml bottle sizes) is volume for volume massively more expensive
than either Fulvic/Humic Acid or making your own Cilantro tincture.
When consuming large volumes of Fulvic and/or Humic Acid, there
is one benefit over Cilantro is that they do not contain alcohol, and
if using large volumes of Cilantro tincture, one may have to heat it
up to evaporate most of the alcohol off, which is time consuming.
However, alternating and making the most of the properties of all
different types of chelant mixture is probably the wisest strategy. It
is of course not strictly possible to compare chelating agents in this
way, as each works slightly differently, and also each seem to have
an short term equilibrium, i.e. when one takes a chelating agent for
the first, time, smaller amounts are required, targetting the 'easiest'
compartments or structures, with this particularly chemical
approach, but once those compartments are cleared out, then the
medium term equilibrium is reached, which is harder to increase
from and requires time to keep working it. This medium term
equilibrium is clearly different for each type of chelating agent, and
in the case of Fulvic and Humic Acid, I was able to relatively quickly
double the dosage tolerated over a period of a couple of weeks,
until I hit that equilibrium. With Cilantro, the short term and
medium term equilibrium is not quite so obvious, and increases
take a long time and are gradual.
Please see the Categorisation of Chelating Agents - Chelation vs
Mobilisation section and the Low Frequent Dose Chelation section
above regarding the best time and manner in which to use Fulvic
and Humic Acid. As Fulvic and Humic Acids are poweful mobilising
agents, one may not elect to take them at the start of a
detoxification programme, but be used in the latter half of a
chelation programme, and should ideally be taken in conjunction
with another chelating agent to bind with the heavy metals that are
mobilised/drawn out of the blood and tissues, although this is not
strictly necessary. Mobilising agents work best when taken in small
doses regularly, rather than large doses. It depends ultimately on
the patient, the level of toxicity in their body, how many heavy
metals are freely circulating in the blood and are in the more readily
accessible tissue compartments. Those who have just had a
Mercury Amalgam filling removed or have been overdoing
mobilising agents in the recent past, and are quite poisoned with
Mercury, should not use any mobilising agents, including Humic or
Fulvic Acids.
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Cilantro (Coriander Leaf)

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General:
Certain herbs also help to increase bile production by the <"a
href="toxicity1.html#gallbladder">gallbladder, such as peppermint
and milk thistle, but the most important herb is cilantro. This herb is
capable of mobilizing mercury, cadmium, lead and aluminum in the
bones, brain, and the central nervous system. Cilantro is claimed to
actually leach heavy metals from the bones themselves. Cilantro,
NCD and PCA (both described below) are probably the only effective
chemical agents in mobilizing mercury stored in the intracellular
spaces of the body (e.g. attached to tubulin, liposomes and
mitochondria etc.) and inside the nucleus of individual cells (helping
to reverse DNA damage from mercury toxification). Because
cilantro mobilizes/releases more toxins than it is actually to attach
to and carry out of the body itself, it may well flood the connective
tissue (where the nerves reside) with metals, that were previously
locked into 'safer' (less immediately damaging) hiding places. This
retoxification can be avoided to an extent by taking an absorbant
such as chlorella or bentonite clay.
The leaves of the Coriandrum Sativum plant are usually known in
the USA by their Spanish name, Cilantro. In Europe, the leaves are
simply known as Coriander leaves. They are also called by other
names, such as Dhania, Chinese Parsley or Mexican Parsley. This is
why some Europeans may be confused as to why it is difficult to
buy 'cilantro' outside of the Americas! The seeds or ground seeds of
the plant are usually referred to as 'coriander'. Throughout this web
site, we shall use the term 'cilantro' when referring to the leaves of
the Coriandrum Sativum plant (i.e. coriander leaves), and I hope
this alleviates rather than perpetuates confusion! It is the leaves
that possess the chelating benefits, and not the seeds. The leaves
(cilantro) are also a very strong anti-oxidant, and can help to
prevent animal fats from turning rancid as well as helping to kill off
bad bacteria, fungus and insect larvae in stored foods. The reason
people tend to use different names for the leaves and seeds is that
they have a different taste, and their primary use is in cooking. One
can buy the leaves from a supermarket, grow one's own or
purchase a cilantro tincture. The quantity of cilantro required to
provide an equivalent strength to 10-15 drops of cilantro tincture is
quite large and may be enough to kill the taste of your meal, and
may prove too much on a daily basis. A tincture may therefore be
more convenient for those who do not like the taste or for those
who do not wish to prepare cilantro every day.

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The above Herbs of Grace Coriander leaf tincture is 1:3, which

means that for every ounce of Coriander leaves (by weight) one is
using 3 fluid ounces of alcohol (by volume). The 45% signifies the
strength of the menstruum (alcoholic solution - similar to vodka
strength) prior to addition of the herbs. Menstuum literally means a
'substance that dissolves a solid or holds it in suspension'. Tinctures
may be made with either fresh herbs (ideal) or previously dried
herbs.
Another form which can be purchased is in the form of a pesto
sauce, e.g. Sacla Coriander (leaf) Pesto. One thing to bear in mind
about the Pesto is that it contains whole leaves (ground up
naturally) rather than just the Coriander leaf's active ingredients
that a tincture would, so the Pesto will be naturally more 'hot' in its
nature. In addition, Pesto is quite oily (vegetable oil - a good thing,
if not heated) but it also contains Cheese, which some may have a

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Food Sensitivity to. Cheese is also 'hot' in its properties, according

to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Those issues aside, it can be very
useful to take additional Coriander in this form (within one's limits).
To begin with, one should start with a very low dosage, such as two
drops twice a day of tincture. If you are using the leaves
themselves, you can either add them to food, such as soup, or
grind them with a mortar and pestle. So to begin with, use cilantro
for one week, then take two weeks off. Repeat as necessary. As
one slowly increases the dosage, one can take it daily without a
break and build up to a maximum of ten drops two or three times a
day. Depending on your level of toxicity, if you take a high level at
the beginning you may become quite ill, e.g. 30-60 drops at a time,
sometimes stated as the recommended dosage on cilantro tincture
bottles, which is an excessive dosage.
Towards the end of your detoxification programme you may like to
increase the dosage slightly, but if you do so, increase very slowly
and notice the effects it has. e.g. only after 2.5 years of heavy
detoxification, was I able to take 60 drops 2-3 times a day. When
you are taking a large dosage at once, be wary that sometimes two
drops may emerge from the dropper bottle at once but may form
one (large) droplet as they fall down. If this occurs with half of your
drops, and you are taking it 3 times a day, then you may well
exceed for comfortable detoxification capacity. Be aware of how
many drops are really going in. Droplets may be smaller when you
first use a bottle and become a little larger as the level of liquid goes
down - this may of course vary according to bottle and dropper
design. A pipette build into the lid of the bottle will of course
dispense the same volumes regardless of the liquid level in the
bottle.
It is best to take cilantro 30 minutes after taking chlorella/bentonite
or just before a meal. The idea is that the cilantro stimulates
increased bile release, which then mixes with the cilantro/bentonite
clay in the intestine, which helps to absorb all the toxins and metals
present in the increased volume of bile.
If you are taking your maximum comfortable level of cilantro, and
are not experiencing any side effects (headaches, fatigue,
constipation etc) be very careful to monitor your water
consumption. Maintain at least the same level of water consumption
every day. If your routine changes and you neglect to drink enough
water for just a day or two, you may experience severe fatigue and
a gradually increasing headache. If this is the case, then you are
starting to retoxify yourself, and you need to immediately drink
more water. The symptoms should disappear once you water
consumption is back to what it should be. During this 'retoxification'
period, whilst increasing your water consumption, you may also

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wish to temporarily decrease your cilantro dosage slightly.

Depending on the exact toxic elements being removed from your
tissues at any one time/stage, the exact detoxification symptoms
may vary. At one stage they may take the form of a slight skin rash,
usually on the face or cheeks. Later on, the symptoms may take the
form of acne, minor swellings or boils on the scalp. If these
symptoms become unbearable then reduce the dosage of course,
but otherwise just ignore them and carry on. Signs of
over-detoxification include headaches, fatigue, liver pains and
constipation. If you experience any of these, in particular within a
hour or two after taking the Cilantro, then you have either taken too
much at once, or too many times within a 24 hour period (at that
dosage level) or you took it on an empty stomach and did not
follow it shortly after with food. It is important to try to take the
Cilantro immediately before a meal or if in leaf form, mixed in with
one's food. If you continue to take too high a dosage for you at that
point in time, whilst experiencing these sings of over-detoxification,
then it is likely that you will 'burn out', both in terms of your general
energy levels and also your liver's energy levels, and be forced to
take several weeks or months break before recommencing your
chelation programme, which of course is counter productive and
will simply drag out your chelation programme rather than speed it
up. You also run the risk of liver damage.
At the beginning stages of a chelation programme, you may find
that you cannot sleep (that night) if you take the chelation agent
too late in the evening. However, towards the tail end of your
chelation programme, you may well find that you can take a high
dosage in the evening (i.e. just before your dinner) and feel no ill
effects.
Please note that depending on your personal choice and the advice
from your practitioner, you may choose to use one, two or three
products together (e.g. Cilantro with absorbant, PCA and/or NCD).
If you use multiple products, you may choose to take each one for
a month or two, before rotating to the next one. Or you may
choose to take all at once, but at lower dosages. However, if you do
take more than one product at once, you need to be aware of the
relative dosages to each other, which is something that is not that
hard to figure out if you listen to your body's response.
Please note that the herb cilantro has a warm/hot energy
component according to Chinese Medicine and with prolonged use
will create an energetic imbalance in the body (with excessive
heat). This effect may be slightly less when using a tincture as
opposed to the leaves themselves.
You may find when consuming significant numbers of drops of

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Cilantro tincture, or any tincture or combination of tinctures for that

matter, that the alcohol volume may be a little high for you. This is
especially important if you are chelating already, when the liver
does not want additional alcohol to have to process/destroy. You
can get around this by putting the Cilantro tincture drops into a cup,
then adding a couple of fluid ounces of boiling water and leaving for
a few minutes or so. This will evaporate off most of the alcohol.
If you are using large quantities of Cilantro tincture (which is very
much inadvisable), then you may want to consider making your
own, as it is far cheaper. It just requires a little leg work, to find a
local (organic) farmer's market and a grower who can sell you a kilo
or two of organic Coriander leaves. If stalks are provided you may
want to consider picking the leaves off and just using the leaves. It
isn't so important if you have enough alcohol volume to work with.
You also need to find a supplier of grain alcohol - this does not have
to be local but could be mail order. Then it is simply a case of
throwing the rinsed herbs into a volume of alcohol in a suitable
receptacle (e.g. a sealed kilner jar) - pre-chopped or crushed or not
- and keeping the jar somewhere warm and shake it a couple of
times a day. You may wish to leave the leaves in there for a few
weeks and at the end of it strain the liquid away into a (e.g. empty
vodka) bottle and discard the leaves. Please see the Recipes page
for more information.
William Rasmussen stated in his book Natural Mercury
Detoxification that Cilantro contains a toxic enzyme that is
destroyed by heat, namely boiling water, and recommends putting
Cilantro tincture into a cup of freshly boiled water or tea prior to
drinking. Cilantro leaves eaten with food may be best cooked if
eaten in any quantity. I personally like to take most of my tinctures
this way anyway as it eliminates most of the alcohol content. I am
unaware of any specific scientific studies to actually verify this,
although some people do have an adverse reaction to Cilantro. This
could possibly be it's chelating abilities, and if they do have toxic
metals in their system, then they may feel unwell. However, some
report a revulsion to its smell even. This may be psychological
possibly. A link discussing this issue is listed below.
www.whoknew.us/archives/000464a_question_about_cilantro.php
Please see the Chelation vs Mobilisation section and the Low
Frequent Dose Chelation section regarding the best time and
manner in which to use Cilantro. As Cilantro is a mobilising agent
primarily, it should not be taken at the start of a detoxification
programme, but be used in the latter half of a chelation
programme, and should ideally be taken in conjunction with another
chelating agent to bind with the heavy metals that are
mobilised/drawn out of the blood and tissues.

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Other Chelating/Mobilising Herbs:

Besides Cilantro (Coriander Leaf), other important chelating herbs
include:
Hawthorn
Bugleweed
Chaparral
Yellow Dock Root
Carrageenan (sulphated polysaccharides from red seaweeds and Irish
Moss)
Other herbs to assist in blood cleaning (i.e. kidney function) and
circulation include:
Red Clover
Burdock Root
Blue Flag
These may be taken in tincture form or as fresh/dry herbs. Some
Cilantro tinctures, for example, also contain Yellow Dock Root. One
can also use a dedicated Yellow Dock Root tincture. One dried herb
formula is Herbs of Grace's Heavy Metal Purify, which contains all of
the above dried herbs (except for Cilantro) in dry capsule form.
These herbs may well be worthwhile taking in conjunction with
Cilantro, or on their own, as a break from Cilantro in one's
detoxification regime. One may choose to alternate the herbs used
in order to utilise the different chelating abilities of the compounds
contained in these herbs. Judging from my hair analysis results, and
the temporary elevation in hair heavy metals levels when using
Hawthorn regularly, I believe it might even be a more effective
mobiliser of Mercury than Cilantro or Humic Acid. Hawthorn is
discussed on the Cardiac Insufficiency page. Remember of course
to use an absorbant, such as Chlorella, in conjunction with any
mobilising agent.
Certain herbs, commonly used to dissolve Kidney Stones, such as
Hydrangea Root and Gravel Root, are also somewhat antimicrobial.
They may also be a little harsh on the liver, especially Gravel Root,
so one may wish to exercise caution if one's liver is weak or if one is

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taking them for prolonged periods. Taking significant quantities of

these herbs, in addition to one's normal chelation dosage of another
chelant product or herb can result in over-detoxification symptoms.
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Mobilising Products containing Cilantro:

Besides using a Cilantro tincture or making your own, there are a
number of products on the market that contain Cilantro as well as
other herbs, and even those which combine Cilantro and Chlorella
into one product. I have not yet tried these latter alternatives, and
whilst they may be convenient and highly effective, they are
certainly MUCH more expensive - and are they really any better
than using a Cilantro tincture and Chlorella tablets? If they contain
other chelating agenets, they may utilise the 'mobilising' property of
Cilantro with the chelating properties of other chelating agents for a
smoother and more effective detox.
Chelorex:
Science Formula's product Chelorex is a mixture of Cilantro, Lipoic
Acid, Chlorella, MSM, L-Glutamine and a variety of minerals and
vitamins. It is not specified if Chlorella is 'nanised' or not. If not
then as the Chlorella will not be absorbed by the body and will
remain in the GI tract, i.e. the Chlorella will act as an intestinal
absorbant and not a blood stream chelating agent. Chelorex is
available in both capsule form and in liquid form.
www.scienceformulas.com/primer.html
"Q: What is the best Chelating agent?
A: In addition to the ability to bind and remove toxic metals, an
ideal chelator can do so without producing adverse effects. Some
chelators have an increased risk of adverse reactions for four
reasons. 1) Synthetic chelators must be detoxified. A high portion
of people have inefficient glutathione dependent detoxification
mechanisms and are already chemically sensitive, leading to severe
side effects. 2) Synthetic chelators cause excessive toxic metal
release in persons whose antioxidant defenses are depleted due to
chronic metal poisoning resulting in immune suppression and free
radical damage to the body. 3) EDTA has been shown to form a
toxic complex with mercury which can damage the brain. 4)
Chelators can cause significant essential trace metal depletion.
Q: Why do you prefer natural chelators?

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A: Synthetic chelating agents have a higher incidence of adverse

reactions because they release toxic metals in persons whose
anti-oxidant defenses are sub optimal. Following a course of
chelation, levels of toxic metals, especially lead, tend to rebound
after an initial decrease because of ongoing release of lead from
bone or recurrent environmental exposure. Clearly, what was
needed was an effective chelating agent for all toxic metals, based
on natural ingredients that penetrates the blood brain barrier and
can be taken safely for an extended period of time at a reasonable
cost with minimal or no side effects. Using my background in
biochemistry and my clinical experience, I formulated a combination
of individual natural ingredients that performed well on individuals
without adverse side effects. Using the most cost effective natural
chelators available, we performed clinical testing which thus far has
exceeded expectations with removal rates on 16 toxic metals in the
normal reference range as high as 98% for a (90 dose 45 day)
regime."
It should be noted that using mobilising agents with a chelating
agent can potentially involve generating excessive blood plasma
heavy metal levels with associated free radical stress and toxicity in
the body, even if taken at a low dosage over a long period of time.
Chelorex's ingredients are examined below.
www.scienceformulas.com/misc_images_07
/chelorex_supplement_facts.jpg
www.scienceformulas.com/text/how_text_07.html
Science Formula's web site contains a comparison of chart of EDTA,
DMSA, DMPS and Chelorex at the link below.
www.scienceformulas.com/compare.html
Alan Greenberg Chelorex study can be found at the link below.
www.detoxhealth.com/oral-chelation-greenberg-study-page-1.html
A review of Chelorex by Morten Walker in the Townsend Letter for
Doctors & Patients Aug/Sept 2005 can be found at the link below.
www.detoxhealth.com/walker_tnl.pdf
Science Formulas list their own studies on Chelorex's effectiveness
on their web site below.
www.scienceformulas.com/how.html

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Phospholipid Therapy:
Role of Phospholipids:
Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids help to constitute healthy cell
membranes, including the mitochondrial membranes. The uptake in
many individuals may however be very poor. However, one of the
major constituents of inter- and intra-cellular membranes are
phospholipids. Phospholipids are to be found in all the cells in the
body, and in particular the inter and intra cellular membranes. They
make up a substantial proportion of the body's total mass (besides
water). The brain cells are made up of 70% phospholipids and 30%
proteins. The cells of the nervous system are 25% phospholipids
and 75% proteins. Of all the muscles in the body, the heart muscle
contains the highest phospholipid concentration. Cells in the body
are being continually regenerated, and all the cells in the body are
replaced on average every few months. However, if the body does
not have the proper and sufficient quantities of building materials,
then the body will never rebuild itself properly. The body naturally
produces phosphatidyl choline by a process of Methylation and if
methylation is impaired (which it frequently is in individuals with
CFS, ME or FMS), then phospholipid production in the body will
consequently be imparied too. This is why a course of phospholipid
supplements may indeed help with proper cell membrane
construction and composition. Phospholipids are absorbed by all
cells, and it is believed that those cells that lack phospholipids can
absorb them from adjacent cells. It is therefore believed that they
can be absorbed from the GI tract and be redistributed throughout
the body as required.
http://researchednutritionals.com/FactSheets
/NT%20Factor%20Energy%20PowerPoint.pdf
There are four major phospholipids that help to constitute cell
membranes in the body. These are Phosphatidyl Choline (PC),
Phosphatidyl Ethanolamine (PE), Phosphatidyl Serine (PS), and
Phosphatidyl Inositol (PI). The body in normal circumstances
produces these in the relevant proportions required. Phosphatidyl
Choline is by far the most important of these, constituting up to
50% of the cell membrane, Phosphatidyl Ethanolamine being the
second most important, constituting up to 35% of the membrane.
This is why most Phospholipid Therapy programmes concentrate on
Phosphatidyl Choline (or indeed Lecithin extract which contains both
of these compounds). However, supplementation with other
phospholipids or their precursor is also important.

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In many individuals who suffer from CFS or related conditions,

these cell membranes may be partially oxidised and/or constituted
with less than ideal long chain fats. This is often as a result of low
phospholipid levels in the body and high free radical levels.
Mitochondrial inner and outer membranes are particularly at risk
from free radical stress through the process of metabolism and
energy production and insufficient levels of the body's natural
antioxidants can result in excessive oxidation of the membranes.
Impaired cell membranes do not function as they should and are
not as permeable to nutrients such as oxygen, and also partial
detoxification products may attach themselves to the mitochondrial
membranes, further impairing mitochondrial function (energy
production). It is possible also that free radicals such as Superoxide
may escape out of the mitochondria because of these damaged
mitochondrial membranes; and that mitochondrial DNA may
become damaged by free radicals.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phospholipid
Phosphatidyl Serine (PS), as helping to repair cell membranes, also
acts to facilitate the repair of the cortisol receptors in the
hypothalamus. It is believed that cortisol receptors become
damaged by elevated cortisol levles, reducing the ability of the
hypothalamus to detect and correct excessive cortisol levels. In
individuals with elevated cortisol stress hormone levels, PS can be
useful in lowering this cortisol level to the normal range.
www.advance-health.com/cortisol.html
Phospholipids, in particular Phosphatidyl Choline, are also one of the
main constituents of bile and helps with the breakdown of fats in
the liver and proper absoprtion of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
Phosphatidyl Choline also helps to reduce LDL 'bad' cholesterol and
increase HDL 'good' cholesterol, as it is an unsaturated
phospholipid, working in a similar way to unsaturated Essential
Fatty Acids. Phosphatidyl Choline also encourages the liver and
gallbladder to produce more bile (thus enhancing the breakdown of
fats in the liver; assisting in essential fatty acid absorption; and also
promoting digestion), and probably enhances brain functioning (as
Phospholipids as well as Omega 3 fatty acids make up a signficant
part of brain tissue also). Bile is a detoxification medium as well as
digestive aid. Also, when phospholipids come into contact with the
mitochondrial membranes, they help to 'flush out' the neurotoxins,
which glutathione attaches itself to, and which are removed by the
liver. Phosphatidyl Choline ensures good cell membrane fluidity in
the body - used in rebuilding the inter- and intra-cellular
membranes and to help promote the elimination of glutathione
conjugates or neurotoxins that are attached to and impairing these
cell membranes (known as Neurotoxic Membrane Syndrome or

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NMS).
Choline, as well as being a constituent of Phosphatidyl Choline, and
a precursor to its production in the body, is also a precursor to the
neurotransmitter Acetylcholine and also the myelin shealth lipid
Sphingomyelin that surrounds the nerve axions. Sphingomyelin is a
combination of phosphorylcholine and ceramide.
If an individual fasts, blood choline levels tend to be in the range of
8-12 micromoles. However, when blood choline levels are less than
14 micromoles, choline flows from the brain cells into the
bloodstream. This is a form of auto-cannibalisation, the choline
containing phospholipids from the brain cell membrane components
is broken down. This is why people on juice fasts are recommended
to take Lecithin or equivalent supplementally to prevent this
auto-cannibalisation.
Excessive
levels
of
neuronal
auto-cannibalisation of choline over many years may contribute to
decreased brain function and senility. The reverse is true, that when
blood choline levels are greater than 14 micromoles, choline flows
from the blood into the brain.
Phospholipid therapy therefore is a nutritional therapy, a
mitochondrial therapy, a neurological system therapy and also a
detoxification therapy. In the latter application it helps to release
partial detoxification products attached to the cell membranes. This
is examined below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lecithin
In addition to cell membrane integrity, Phosphatidyl choline is a
major component of our body's naturally produced lecithin which
helps to break down/emulsify fats in the liver, as mentioned above.
Phosphatidyl choline is also an important constituent of bile, which
the liver and gallbladder use to excrete toxins into the digestive
system. During a detoxification programme one is actively releasing
toxins from the tissues and filtering them out through the liver and
kidneys, and so more bile needs to be produced to help in the
excretion process. Phosphatidyl Choline is also a precursor to the
catecholamine 'stress hormone' neurotransmitter Acetyl Choline,
appropriate levels which are required for proper brain chemistry
functioning. Clearly maintaining reasonable phospholipid or
phosphorus input levels during a detoxification programme helps in
this respect.
One may also perhaps consider that if there is excessive cellular
inflammation and Peroxynitrite build up on account of immune
modulated activity, then supplementation with Phosphatidyl Serine
may be of benefit, as it may inhibit iNOS enzyme activity, which is
responsible for the immune system mediated release of Nitric

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Oxide.
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Soy Lecithin:

Phosphatidyl Choline is one of the major component of soy lecithin.

Lecithin is composed of phosphoric acid, choline, fatty acids,
glycerol, glycolipids, triglycerides, and phospholipids. Lecithin can
be purified using fractionation, working on the principle that some
phospholipids (particularly Phosphatidyl Choline) are soluble in
alcohol whereas others are less so. By adding alcohol (or instead
glycerin), mixing and separating this solution from the lecithin
sludge, a purer form of lecithin is obtained with contains a higher
concentration of phosphatidyl choline.
Phosphatidyl Choline supplements are all based on soy lecithin. The
average concentration of phospholipids (phosphatides) in Lecithin
granules is approximately 97%. The average Phosphatidyl Choline
concentration of products on the market is 22-25%, the remainder
of the phospholipids being made up of Phosphatidyl Ethanolamine,
Phosphatidyl Inositol and a small amount of Phosphatidyl Serine.

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Lecithin-based products are therefore a useful dietary source of

Inositol (Vitamin B8). I am not certain whether these Lecithin
granules or Lecithin based products have been purified by
fractionation. However, the availability of some sources of Lecithin
with as low a Phosphatidyl Choline concentration as 15% would
probably imply that they have, unless the 15% sources are from a
more 'poor' form of bean. 15% sources are however not the norm.
The lower the Phosphatidyl Choline concentration, the more likely it
is that there is more sludge and impurities present - which is
probably not a huge big deal, but it is preferable to have less rather
than more if one is taking it long term or in large quantities. but this
is unusual, and presumably indicates a higher concentration of
impurities or inferior bean source. Always check the label.
Soy Lecithin contains roughly 4g of fat (more than 3g of this
unsaturated) and 2g of carbohydrate per 7.5g (1 Tablespoon). In
terms of Polyunsaturated fats, 7.5g of Lecithin (taking Bluebonnet
Nutrition's Lecithin Granules as an example) contains 260mg of
Linolenic Acid (presumably just ALA (Omega 3) and no GLA (Omega
6)) and 2210mg of Linoleic Acid (LA - Omega 6). This is roughly a
1:10 ratio of Omega 3 to 6, which is below the optimum ratio.
Whilst a good source of Omega 6 polyunsaturated fats, the average
content being around 29% of total Lecithin weight, if one is
consuming significant amounts of Lecithin, one should also be
supplementing an Omega 3 fatty acid source. Some Phosphatidyl
Choline supplements contain additional Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA)
to boost the ratio up to 1:4, e.g. E-Lyte's BodyBio PC. However, if
one is engaging in a Phospholipid repair programme, it it unlikely
that one is not already supplementing Omega 3 anyway. One could
also argue that one might prefer to supplement fish-based Omega 3
EFAs such as DHA and EPA rather than just ALA.
Oral and IV Phosphatidyl Choline treatments have been used for
over 50 years and are well established in the treatment of a variety
of illnesses.
As Soy Lecithin and most lecithin extracts contain very low levels of
Phosphatidyl Serine, it may be worth considering a dedicated
Phosphatidyl Serine supplement, which is extracted from lecithin, if
one is looking to utilise the inhibitory effects of PS in immune
system (iNOS) mediated Nitric Oxide release (induction), as
described above.
An article on Weston A. Price's web site about the less desirable
aspects of soy lecithin and phosphatidyl choline supplements can be
found below. This article to be put into context is however
concerned with the generic use of soy lecithin as a supplement
rather than the specific and short term usage of Phos Chol for
detoxification.

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http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/lecithin.html
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Oral Phosphatidyl Choline supplementation:

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Concentration:
Phosphatidyl Choline can be taken as a supplement as either
Lecithin granules, Lecithin liquid, or in capsule or tablet form.
Lecithin granules are the cheapest form and the most cost
effective, in general. The gelatin-based capsules generally
contain just Lecithin liquid (equivalent to the same weight as
granules). Most capsules marketed as Lecithin capsules or
Phospatidyl Choline capsules contain around 22-25%
Phosphatidyl Choline. The composition is usually 25%
Phosphatidyl Choline, with varying amounts of Phosphatidyl
Inositol and Phosphatidyl Ethanolamine, other other lipids,

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depending on the exact source.

There are some capsules on the market that contain a higher
concentration of Phosphatidyl Choline, namely 35%, e.g.
Jarrow PC35 and Now Foods' Triple Strength Lecithin. I
suspect that these have been produced by fractionation and
use of ethanol or glycerin, as there is a slight smell of ethanol
or glycerin from such capsules. Another source of 35% PC is
Cytoplan's Phospholec Lecithin Granules.
Otherwise, the most concentrated form of Phosphatidyl
Choline (but not necessarily the most cost effective is E-Lyte's
BodyBio Phosphatidyl Choline range.
These more concentrated sources are discussed in the
sections below. It is also possible to buy Lecithin in liquid form,
either in standard strength or in more concentrated forms
(e.g. BodyBio PC Phosphatidylcholine liquid)
It should be noted that there is no such thing as 'pure'
Phosphatidyl Choline for all intents and purposes, as it is not
possible to cost effectively separate the Phosphatidyl Choline
fraction from the other phospholipids in Soy Lecithin. Anything
marketed as 'Phosphatidyl Choline is in fact Lecithin or Lecithin
fractionate. Please disregard any statements by William
Rasmussen or others relating to 'pure' or '100%' Phosphatidyl
Choline in E-Lyte's BodyBio range as they have simply been
confused by the slightly misleading marketing material.
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Storage Considerations
Lecithin granules, or lecithin-based phosphatidyl choline
complex capsules, like other polyunsatured fats, oxidise readily
when exposed to air, light or heat, and should be stored in a
cool, dark, dry place. If room temperature is warm to very
warm, then it is recommended to store these item in your
refigerator. One can taste when lecithin has gone rancid, much
like one can with Omega 3 fatty acids when they have become
partially oxidised. Discard any lecithin that has become rancid
as it will do you more harm than good and will likely make you
feel sick.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Membrane_lipids
http://www.steve.gb.com/science
/lipids_and_membranes.html

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Dosage Considerations
If one requires large quantities of Phosphatidyl Choline (PC),
then one may wish to toss up the benefits of a 35% capsule,
for example, containing gelatin potentially, a rich source of the
excitotoxin Glutamate); or take it in a slightly weaker form
(Lecithin granules) which do not require any capsules in each
dosage. Many people take Soya Lecithin (granules) anyway as
a dietary supplement, as it is a rich source of phospholipids,
dietary phosphorus and the B-vitamins B8 (Inositol) and Bp
(Choline). Please note that taking soya lecithin will increase the
body's phosphorus levels slightly.
One may also want to consider the Essential Fatty Acid content
of Lecithin, if one is consuming it in significant quantities.
Lecithin is a rich source of Omega 6 Fatty acid Another
important factor is the carbohydrate content of Lecithin. The
more you take, the higher the carbohydrate intake also, which
may have implications for those individuals with dysbiosis or
systematic pathogen infections. For example, Phospholec
lecithin granules by Cytoplan (33% PC) comprises 8%
carbohydrate, of which 4% is monosaccharide and
disaccharide sugars, and 4% is polysaccharide sugars. Clearly
the less lecithin you physically consume, the less additional
sugar you will consume, so it may be worth your while
choosing a more concentrated source of PC and consuming
less of it.
In general terms, the more you take, the more you will
produce bile, so the more gelantinous your stool will become,
and at too high a dosage you will simply experience a
detoxification headache, where too many toxins have been
released at one, and there is some reabsorption into the blood
stream. The headache symptoms may take a day or two to
appear from overstepping your maximum dosage at that time.
If you are increasing the dosage, it is best to do so very slowly
and to observe what happens. Other detoxification symptoms
may include acne or boils, perhaps on the shoulders, neck or
skull. Or even an increase in production of oil from the scalp
(resulting in a nasty, greasy feeling in one's hair/scalp
sometimes merely hours after washing it). These types of
symptoms are more typical of detoxifying the cell membranes
of drugs and chemicals rather than heavy metals, but of
course this may vary according to the individual. The general
recommendation is to take it daily, normally two to three times

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a day, with a meal. Some practitioners recommend one day

on, one day off, doing the FIR Sauna and taking the
Phospholipids on the same day.
A typical daily dosage of (standard 25% PC) Lecithin granules
for someone embarking on an oral phospholipid programme
for mitochondrial membrane repair and detoxification would be
in the order of 4-6 teaspoons per day (each teaspoon being
approximately 3.5g),taken with meals, in other words 1-2
teaspoons of lecithin granules per meal. This would provide
approximately 3.5 - 5.25g of Phosphatidyl Choline per day.
e.g. Lanes.
If one was to take Lecithin Concentrate capsules instead, e.g.
35% Phosphatidyl Choline (1200mg) capsules, then this would
be equivalent to approximately 8 - 12 capsules per day, or in
other words, 4-6 capsules per day with meals if taken twice a
day, or 3-4 capsules per meal if taken 3 times a day.
Spreading the capsules out over 3 meals will likely be easier to
tolerate in terms of toxin and bile release and demand on your
liver. In general, Lecithin capsules of varying quality and
potency are going to be more expensive than simply
purchasing Lecithin granules, but may be more convenient for
some to take.
It is best to take the dosage of PC with a meal, or immediately
before a meal, to aid with fat digestion and also absorption of
fat-soluble vitamins. You might want to take your daily dosage
in three goes rather than twice, for example, at breakfast,
lunch and dinner, depending on what suits. One practitioner I
know argued that it is best taken with a protein meal, as there
will be likely to be more heavy metals binded to with the
increased amino acid levels in the blood, which would be
excreted more easily from the liver/gallbladder with increased
lecithin (to make bile with).
Lecithin granules have a crunchy texture, and are best eaten
straight away, either on its own, mixed into a beverage or
mixed into food. It is best to avoid excessively heating it (i.e.
adding to it food that is cooking on the stove etc.) as it will
oxidise it. If left to stand in water it loses its crunchy texture
and becomes oily and gelatinous.
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35% Phosphatidyl Choline

One example of a 35% Phosphatidyl Choline capsule-based

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supplement is Jarrow Formulas MEGA PC-35, marketed as

'Triple-Strength Lecithin'. Each capsule size is 1200mg Lecithin
(concentrate), containing 35% Phosphatidyl Choline and 5%
Phosphatidyl Ethanolamine. No Phosphatidyl Inositol is listed
on the ingredients, but one would assume some is present.
NOW Foods also make a Triple Strength Lecithin (1200mg per
capsule) product containing 35% PC, but I would probably
prefer to use Jarrow Formulas as they are a very high quality
brand.
The total Phosphatide content of such 35% PC capsules is
likely to be in the region of 40-45%.
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BodyBio PC
E-Lyte's BodyBio PC is a concentrated Phosphatidyl
Choline/Lecithin product. It is available in liquid or capsule
form. Clearly with the liquid then although you need to
measure it up, there is no capsule consumption each time.
Each capsule contains 900mg of 'phospholipid complex'. Of
this 900mg of phospholipid complex, approximately
450-605mg is Phosphatidyl Choline, according to the
manufacturer's UK distributor, although this fact is not stated
on the product packaging. According to this source, the
average content of Phosphatidyl Choline per capsule is 528mg,
with and a smaller amount of Phosphatidyl Ethanolamine and
Phosphatidyl Inositol and minor glycolipids. If this is indeed
correct, then it would make it the most concentrated source of
Phosphatidyl Choline capsule on the market, at 58%. The
quoted phospholipid content is quoted at 66%.
BodyBio PC also contains a 4:1 ratio of Linoleic Acid (LA Omega 6) and Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA - Omega 3) Essential
Fatty Acids (EFA), but it is not known what the exact ratio of
Lecithin concentrate to EFAs that make up the 900mg of
'Phospholipid Compex'. The ingredients state that the total fat
content is 900mg, of which the saturated fat content is 200mg,
the polynunsaturated fat content is 600mg and the
monounsaturated fat content is 110mg. As the ingredients do
not specify the exact amounts of each, and polyunsaturates
describes both the Phospholipids (propotion of the Lecithin)
and the Essential Fatty Acids, then it is not very helpful
(presumably for anti-competitive reasons). However, the
figures cannot be quite correct as the ingredients are listed as
being solely fat, yet the total calories per capsule is 9 (of which

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8 come from fat - the other 9% coming from carbohydrates which are not listed on the ingredients).
BodyBio PC is also available in liquid form, where 1 tsp
(teaspoon) contains 1500-1800mg of Phosphatidyl Choline.
The downside with BodyBio PC is that it is extremely
expensive, disproportionately (and almost ludicrously) so.
However, if you can afford it, it is a great product to use, but
for those on a limited budget, 35% PC capsules or Lecithin
granules offer hugely better value for money and arguably
equal benefits. E-Lyte products are not available by personal
parallel importing and must be purchased by one's local
distributor at local prices (for those outside of the USA). If one
is engaged in a Phospholipid Therapy programme, one should
be ingesting significant amounts of Omega 3 and Omega 6
Essential Fatty Acids, so the relative proportion in the BodyBio
PC capsules is really neither here nor there. But it is of course
a small added bonus.
The target daily dosage of Body Bio PC capsules is 4 capsules
twice a day (or 3 capsules three times a day - which is slightly
more), providing between 3.6 - 4.85g of Phosphatidyl Choline.
You may wish to increase the dosage over time, but this is
best done with advice from your medical practitioner. Some
people, including myself, have found at certain points in time
that taking 4 capsules 3 times a day (i.e. a total of 12,
providing between 5.4 - 7.25g of Phosphatidyl Choline) is a
comfortable upper limit (after a few months at 8 capsules a
day). This clearly depends on the individual however. Indeed
at other times, a much reduced limit was tolerated, depending
on general liver health and glucuonidation pathway efficiency in
the liver.
Below is a link to an article on Nutri Link's web site by John
Foster, M.D., Patricia Kane, Ph.D., Neal Speight, M.D., entitled
'The Detoxx System' (also found elsewhere on the web),
relating to membrane toxicity and overall lipid status.
http://www.nutri-linkltd.co.uk/elyte_news1.htm
Below is a link to a pdf fact sheet by E-Lyte on Phosphatidyl
Choline (simply left click to open, or right click and select 'Save
Target')..
www.bodybio.com/downloads/phosphatidylcholine.pdf
Below is the Questions and Answers page from E-Lyte

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regarding the Phos Chol product.

www.e-lyte.com/main/products/bodybiopc_qa.htm
Please see below BodyBio's Bulletin 'Phosphatidylcholine Life's Designer Molecule' by Ed Kane & Patricia Kane, PhD.
http://www.bodybio.com/BodyBio/docs/BodyBioBulletinPhosphatidylcholine.pdf back to top

NT Factor
NT Factor by Nutritional Therapeutics, Inc. is a proprietary
blend of phosphoglycolipids (i.e. phospholipids, glycolipids etc)
extracted from soy. How this differs from other phosphatidyl
choline supplements and indeed soy lecithin, I am not exactly
sure of. It seems to be 'stronger' weight for weight than other
regular lecithin supplements, perhaps twice the strength of
35% Phosphatidyl Choline capsules (comparable with E-Lyte
BodyBio PC) so perhaps the Phosphatidyl Choline content is
relatively high - or perhaps this is the effect of containing
additional MSM and Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) (in the Healthy
Aging product). It is marketed as a mitochondrial supplement
and to assist in rebuilding oxidised/impaired mitochondrial
membranes. It was originally created in conjunction with the
Aller Avert product to treat Leaky Gut Syndrome and
Dysbiosis, as well as treat and repair intestinal cells damaged
by oxidative stress (e.g. allergens).
www.ntfactor.com
www.ntfactor.com/how-it-works/
NT Factor contains the following ingredients, besides the
Phospholipids ; Bifido and Lactobacillus probiotic bacteria and
also Growth Media for the probiotic bacteria consisting of
different types of Prebiotics as well as cofactors for energy
production and nutrients for liver function (small traces of
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)). The amount of NT Factor from
product to product varies slightly. Healthy Aging contains
1300mg of NT Factor in a serving size of two tablets. Propax
contains 1560mg per serving (bag). I have been advised by
Nutritional Therapeutics that NT Factor contains less than
20mg of Lipoic Acid per 1350mg of NT Factor, so that's
roughly 10mg or less per tablet of Healthy Aging. Clearly as
there are a number of ingredients in NT Factor besides
Phospholipids, then the total Lecithin content of NT Factor will
be less than the stated weight of NT Factor per product. I have

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also been advised that NT Factor contains approximately 250

million active cells of Bifido and Lactobacillus bacteria at the
time of manufacturing, and the presence of the various growth
factors allows the bacteria to multiply twentyfold in the GI
tract.
Each product contains a range of other ingredients besides NT
Factor depending on what area that product is targetted at.
For example, each tablet of Heathy Aging contains 59mg of
'OptiMSM', under licence by Bergstrom Nutrition.
www.ntfactor.com/nt-factor-natural-ingredients
www.optimsm.com
Nutritional Therapeutics sell a number of products containing
NT Factor, including Healthy Aging, Aller-Avert, BreatheClear,
Propax, PropaxGold, and Healthy Curb. Healthy Aging seems
to be the most cost effective mitochondrial repair product.
Propax is more expensive but is a broad spectrum nutritional
supplement as well as mitochondrial repair supplement.
NT Factor is sold under licence to various supplement
manufacturers who use it, along with other mitochondrial
cofactors, in their own mitochondrial assistance formulations.
Examples include Researched Nutritionals 'NT Factor Energy'
and ProHealth 'Mitochondria Ignite'.
https://www.researchednutritionals.com/store
/item.cfm?code=CRN101
https://www.prohealth.com/shop/product.cfm/product__code
/PH195/tab/Label
Nutritional Therapeutics also sell their own NT Factor
mitochondrial support product, called Propax, in addition to a
number of other NT Factor containing products, the most
economical of which is 'Healthy Ageing with High Potency NT
Factor'. Healthy Ageing with High Potency NT Factor contains
per tablet: 650mg of NT Factor and 100mg of 'Mitochondrial
Fuel Blend' (Potassium Pyruvate, Alpha-Ketoglutaric Acid,
L-Carnitine-L-Tartrate and Creatine Phosphate).
www.propax.com
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Phosphatidyl Serine

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One type of dedicated Phosphatidyl Serine supplement is

Jarrow Formulas' PS100, each capsule containing 100mg of
'Cogni-PS' Phosphatidyl Serine and 60mg of Phosphatidyl
Choline. It is virtually impossible to separate PS from all other
phospholipids by fractionation, so lower levels will always be
found of the other phospolipids, even in a dedicated PS
supplement. This is no bad thing. As stated above, PS
supplementation may be geared more towards lowering
cortisol levels (repairing damage caused to cortisol receptors
by (possibly temporarily) elevated cortisol levels, but can also
help to repair cell membranes.
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Citicoline (CDP Choline)

Citicoline is also known as stabilised CDP Choline - an
abbreviation for Cytidine-5'-DiPhosphoCholine (a.k.a. Cytidine
DiPhosphate Choline). Citicoline serves as a choline donor in
the biosynthesis of acetylcholine and phosphatidylcholine,
providing cholinergic and neuroprotective activity. It is the
intermediate to the body's production of Phosphatidyl Choline
and Phosphatidyl Serine etc. Citicoline, a precursor to PS and
PC, may perhaps be preferable to taking PS or PC. By taking
Citicoline, the body can effectively produce the exact ratio of
phospholipids that it requires. Citicoline is readily absorbed in
the gastrointestinal tract and easily crosses the blood-brain
barrier. Two well known brands for Citicoline (CDP Choline) are
Thorne Research, Jarrow and AOR.
Some patients may benefit from taking both Phosphatidyl
Choline (half of above dosage, i.e. 2 capsules twice a day) and
also Citicoline orally (four or more 250mg capsules twice a
day). It may pay to experiment with the exact ratio and
dosage, perhaps even taking exclusively Citicoline (e.g. 4000+
mg daily) to find what feels best and most effective.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citicoline
Below are 3 pages from the AOR web site containing
information and magazine articles and abstracts.
www.aor.ca/us/related_research/cdp-citicoline.php
www.aor.ca/us/magazines/citicoline.php
www.aor.ca/us/abstracts/cytidine_5-diphosphocholine.php

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Alpha GPC and Sphinoglin

L-AlphaGlycerylPhosphorylCholine (a.k.a. Alpha GPC or Choline
Alfoscerate) is found on the outer surface of red blood cell
membranes as well as a phospholipid metabolite and a
constituent of Sphingomyelin, the myelin sheath protein found
in the nervous system. Alpha GPC crosses the blood brain
barrier easily. Supplementation with GPC also helps to increase
production of the Neurotransmitter Acetyl Choline. An example
of an Alpha GPC supplement is Jarrow Formulas Alpha GPC.
Sphinogomyelin is a combination of phosphorylcholine and
ceramide. Bovine sphingolin (myelin sheath) is a rich source of
naturally occurring myelin basic protein (in enzymatic form).
One example is Ecological Formulas' Sphingolin 200mg
supplement. It may be of benefit to take in conjunction with
phospholipids in neurological conditions where myelin sheath
damage occurs, e.g. Muliple Sclerosis (MS) or Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphingomyelin
back to top
Soy Specific Considerations: GMO and Phytoestrogens:
Most sources of soy lecithin seem to be from undisclosed sources,
meaning that they may contain lecithin from genetically modified
(GMO) soy beans, or may be made extracted from GMO soy beans.
Any lecithin or phospholipid supplement that does not state
'Non-GMO' on the label can be assumed to be as above. To what
extent the inbuilt pesticides present in GMO soy are actually present
in such soy lecithin I do not know. For example, E-Lyte's BodyBio
PC, Jarrow Formula's Mega PC-35 and NT Factor make no reference
to being 'Non-GMO'. There are a few Phosphatidyl Choline
supplements that state 'Non-GMO', including Carlson Labs'
Phosphatidyl Choline and Now Foods Lecithin capsules.
However, when it comes to Lecithin granules there are many more
Non-GMO products, e.g. Now Foods Lecithin Granules, Bluebonnet
Nutrition Lecithin, Lanes Lecithin, Cytoplan Phospholec High Potency
Lecithin Granules (35% Phosphatidyl Choline).
There are not many sources of Organic (and Non-GMO) Lecithin

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granules, the only examples I have found are Now Foods Organic
Lecithin Granules and Mountain Rose Herbs Organic Lecithin Liquid.
The Now Foods product seems to have been discontinued.
However, I have tried the Now Foods Lecithin product and did not
like the taste compared to the other Lecithin granules he tried. It
had a bright yellow/orange colour. There is always some difference
in texture and colour between Lecithin granules, but usually they
are relatively pale in colour. Whether this was an indication that the
Now Foods product was actually superior, or inferior, I cannot say!
Bear in mind that just because a Lecithin-based supplement is
Non-GMO or Organic does not necessarily mean that it will work
better with your body than one that is not. A product made from
non-organic ingredients may sometimes be of a higher quality than
one from an organic source, and also may contain less
contaminants (depending on the extent of pollution in the area of
the organic farm). Also the body is often quite fussy about what it
likes and does not like and there is sometimes no predicting what it
prefers.
Soy lecithin may be cheap and convenient for many vegans. Soy
lecithin is the most common source of lecithin. Soy lecithin does not
contain the protein portion of the Soy Bean, and so those allergic to
Soy may not be allergic to Soy Lecithin from a protein perspective.
However, many detractors of soy consumption point out that soy
contains Phytoestrogens. These have been shown to migrate with
the protein portion of soy, so the phyoestrogen content of soy
lecithin is relatively low. However, from a kinesiological perspective,
not everyone's body may want or get along with soy lecithin. I have
only ever tested positively for Jarrow Formula's Phosphatidyl Serine
(PS100), and only neutrally for Lanes Lecithin granules; and
negatively for a handful of PS supplements.
back to top

Other Sources of Lecithin - Egg Yolk and Sunflower:

Egg Yolk Lecithin
Lecithin, and indeed Phosphatidyl Choline, was first isolated from
egg yolks and was only later isolated from soy beans. Egg yolks
have been used in baking historically because of their lecithin
content, which helps bind baked items together. Soy lecithin can be
used for baking but is inferior in certain application. Of course, here
we are not interested in the cooking aspects of Lecithin but its
Phospholipid content and medicinal applications.
Egg whites contain nearly all protein, whereas egg yolks contain

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virtually all the fat. Eggs protein is rated at 100% in terms of Protein
Quality and so are highly assimilable, probably more so than Soy
Protein. Whilst eggs do contain cholesterol, there is no evidence
that consuming eggs has ever raised a person's serum cholesterol
levels. It is thought that the presence of the Lecithin helps to
prevent its absorption. Eating meat, fish and milk dairy is a different
story (but even then direct dietary sources only make up a small
part of total cholesterol intake/production in the body). Egg Yolk
Lecithin is arguably more bioavailable than Soy Lecithin.
Sources of Egg Yolk are of course, chicken eggs (preferably eaten
Free Range and Organic), duck's eggs and quail's eggs. Chicken
eggs are the most commonly available and cheapest. Duck's eggs
are slightly larger than chicken's eggs, up to twice the weight.
Quail's eggs are roughly a third of the size of a chicken's egg.
A whole, large, hard boiled chicken's egg (weighing 50g) contains
roughly 10.6% Fat, 12.6% of Protein and 1.12% Carbohydrate
(including shell weight).
In terms of Phosphatidyl Choline content, the figures are rather
hard to come by, but figures for a raw egg yolk, weighing 17g, from
a large egg, according to Wikipedia are 116mg of Choline and 66mg
of Phosphorus. So perhaps this is around 182mg of Phosphatidyl
Choline. The Cholesterol figure is around 210mg per egg yolk.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_yolk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_(food)
According to Wikipedia, these figures are based on a large US egg,
minus the shell, total weight 50g. The shell comprises 12% of total
egg weight (around 7g in this case). Normal egg weight varies from
35g to 71g, depending on egg classification (small to very large).
One internet source states that in two 30.2g eggs (presumably),
there is 4.1g of Lecithin. If we assume that there is 182mg of PC in
a 50g egg, then there is presumably around 110mg in a 30.2g egg.
If each such egg has 2.05g of Lecithin in it, then the PC content of
egg yolk is approximately 5.4%. This is roughly a quarter that of
typical Soy Lecithin granule sources, although still very significant.
This may not be an accurate figure of course, as I have no way of
verifying the internet source in question.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question
/index?qid=20090618132021AAIVPtG
There is no calorific benefit (in terms of dieting) to just eating the
yolks compared to eating whole eggs, as the egg white is virtually

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all protein, and a good source of nutrition. Two chicken eggs a day
may provide roughly the same amount of Phospholipids as half a
teaspoon of Soy Lecithin.
Eggs are rich in Omega 6 fatty acids, but contain no Omega 3 fatty
acids, so it may be as well to supplement with Fish oil or Flaxseed
Oil if you are consuming significant amounts of egg regularly.
It is well to vary one's lecithin intake, in any case, e.g. changing
egg type a couple of times a week, or take breaks, e.g. a couple of
days a week, as eating chicken eggs EVERY SINGLE DAY is not
really a good idea from a nutrition perspective, as the body likes a
change in its dietary inputs, rather than the same food types every
day.
An alternative to eating eggs is Egg Yolk Lecithin supplements,
made from Egg Yolk Concentrate. One example is Nature's Plus Egg
Yolk Lecithin 600mg capsules, which contain 10% PC. This is
manufactured from Egg Yolk concentrate. This is not organic (and
probably not derived from free range egg sources).
Meat and fish do contain some Phosphatidyl Choline, on account of
the cell membrane content of these muscle fibres, but the
concentration is not as great as in eggs. Vegetables do contain
some lecithin of course, but generally in relatively low quantities,
and certainly not enough for phospholipid therapy purposes in
those with particularly oxidised cell membranes.
Sunflower Lecithin
A vegan alternative to soy lecithin is in the form of Sunflower
Lecithin. This can be purchased in liquid form (as can soy lecithin)
and also in capsule form. Examples include LoveRawFoods' Raw
Sunflower Lecithin (liquid) and Now Foods Sunflower Lecithin
(1200mg capsules). These are Non-GMO, Soy-Free, the latter
containing 3.6g (3600mg) of Sunflower Lecithin per 3 capsules,
equivalent to a heaped teaspoon of Soy Lecithin Granules. The PC
content of Sunflower Lecithin is 17.5% which is roughly equivalent
to Soy Lecithin (granules). It does however smell disgusting in my
opinion, but that isn't so much an issue if you are taking capsules.
It did neutrally muscle test on me (meaning nutrition).
back to top

Phospholipid Exchange (PLX) - IV Phosphatidyl Choline Infusions

Phosphatidyl choline (abbreviated to phos chol) is usually orally
supplemented. In extreme cases, IV therapy or injection is

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prescribed by certain doctors in addition to oral supplementation,

for example for the removal of high levels of glutathione conjugates
from the mitochondrial membrane and to rebuild the inter- and
intra-cellular membranes (i.e. cell membranes and mitochondrial
membranes) from oxidative (free radical) damage.
Phospholipid Exchange (PLX) Therapy is the intravenous push of
phosphatidyl choline into the blood stream. Usually a combination
of Phos Chol and Glutathione injections are used. A similar effect
can be had from oral consumption of high levels of Phos Chol.
However, when ingested orally, it is likely that because the blood
supply from the digestive tract goes straight to the liver, that the
liver and gallbladder will utilise most of this PC for bile production,
pushing it straight back into the digestive tract, expelling a number
of toxins with it. Injecting it bypasses the liver and allows the
tissues to absorb the PC as required before eventually being
captured by the liver (assuming it has not all been absorbed by the
tissues). Thus one can try to replicate a PLX by large quantities of
orally ingested PC, but this will result in considerably more bile
production/ejection than with the injection.
Phos Chol treatment is usually combined with oral omega 3/6 intake
and glutathione supplementation/injection. Where Phos Chol
injections are prescribed (usually once a week, but may be up to
three times daily for those suffering from chronic diseases), a daily
oral regime of Phos Chol intake is also accompanied to boost the
effectiveness. Your consultant should be able to advise you of what
is appropriate and what dosage and frequency.
An example of a typical Phos Chol PLX injection might consist of two
5ml ampoules of the Lipostabil brand of phosphatidyl choline (i.e.
10ml in total) and 20ml of Glutathione (100mg/ml concentration,
i.e. 2g). My PLX injections with Nutrition Associates were in this
format, injected intravenously over a period of 5 minutes or so. I
have known some practitioners to recommend 3 ampoules of
Lipostabil injected via infusion (IV drip) over the period of an hour,
followed by a Folinic Acid (Leucovorin) infusion for 30 minutes,
followed by another 3 ampoules of Lipostabil by infusion (drip) over
the period of an hour. A slower delivery is likely to be more effective
and spike levels less than a rapid injection.
Each 5ml ampoule of Lipostabil N i.v. contains phospholipids
composed of 93% 3-sn-Phosphatidyl Choline (250mg) in a base of
96% alcohol (i.e. 4% phospholipids). So two ampoules of Lipostabil
provides 500mg of Phos Chol, which does not seem much, but it is
available in the blood stream immediately, as opposed to orally
where it has to pass through the digestive tract. The phosphatidyl
choline is administered first, following by the glutathione (to bind
with any neurotoxins released by the PC coming into contact with

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the mitochondrial membranes etc.), and finally saline (3-5ml).

Lipostabil is manufactured in Germany. There are numberous
negative stories about Lipostabil on the internet, but these relate to
the subcutaneous injection of it for weight loss purposes, which is
not recommended by the manufacturer. A fact sheet by the
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in the UK is
listed below regarding this matter. The injections we are concerned
with here are I.V. (i.e. straight into the blood stream), which is
what the product's intended usage is.
MHRA Fact Sheet about Lipostabil:
http://www.mhra.gov.uk/home/groups/is-pol/documents
/websiteresources/con019454.pdf
Wikipedia defines 'saline' at the link below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saline_(medicine)
Please see the B-Vitamin Dosages section on the Nutritional
Deficiencies page for more information on Glutathione injections
and the Myer's Cocktail.
Some people report feeling very ill after a PLX for a couple of days.
Others report feeling actually much better after a PLX injection for a
couple of days. This may be in part on account of the increased
levels of glutathione in the blood. Usually the patient may take one
or two PLXes to get used to it, and so normally a half dosage (i.e. 1
ampoule of PC and 10ml of Glutathione) is administered for the first
one or two PLXes, before subsequently administering full strength
PLXes. It is normally played by ear and if the first half dosage PLX
goes ok, then a full dosage may be administered for the second
PLX.
If one is consuming ionised water or ERT/MRET water (as discussed
on the electromagnetic page) on the same day as the PLX, the
effect of the PLX may be greatly enhanced, depending on the
individual's electromagnetic balance and amount drunk. It may or
may not also result in an increased likelihood of the vein collapsing,
when first consumed. These factors clearly depend on the
individual. Combining ERT/MRET water with PLXes may however
help to accelerate the overall detoxification programme.
PLXes may also be taken in conjunction with a B12 injection, which
is performed IV using the same needle and vein. This are can be in
the form of, for example, a 5000-20,000 mcg methylcobalamin
injection, or a 2000mcg cyanocobalamin injections. Clearly the
former is much more effective than the latter, as methyl B12 is
more readily absorbed than Cyano B12. The B12 can be

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administered either intra muscular (IM) or intra venous (IV). If

given IV in the same vein as the PLX, a 5 minute gap is usually
observed from having the PLX, to having the B12 injection, to
optimise the extent of absorption. 3-5ml of saline is also injected
immediately after the B12. Please see the section above on The
Body's Natural Mechanisms For Detoxification on this page, and
also the Nutritional Deficiencies page for more information on
B-Vitamin deficiencies and methylation.
A personal web site on one person's experiences of Phospholipid
Exchange (PLX) Therapy is shown below. A very useful web site
with an excellent links page.
www.zipworld.com.au/~ataraxy/plx.html
PhoenixCFS has an overview of treating methylation problems
which includes references to supplementation (Vitamin and
Phospholipid etc) and detoxification.
http://phoenix-cfs.org
/GSH%20Methylation%20Treatment%20Konynenburg.htm
It may help to avoid any mineral supplements (for example,
essential minerals (metals) or trace minerals (metals)) on the day
of the PLX, so that the PLX can more effectively act to remove some
of the heavy metals that are attached to the inter- and intra-cellular
membranes.
back to top

Combining PLX with FIR Saunas

If you are undergoing FIR Sauna or OAPD treatments, it is highly
recommended to avoid having an FIR Sauna 24 hours prior to
having a PLX injection. Otherwise it may have an effect on your
veins and the ease of physically administering the injection
successfully (e.g. effects may include collapsing veins or Phos Chol
coming out of the vein and spreading out under the skin). The
precise effects may vary according to the individual. There is no
hard and fast rule about how soon to have your next FIR Sauna or
OAPD session AFTER the injection - this is something you will have
to learn to play by ear. You may find it optimal to wait at least 2-3
days after the injection before starting your FIR Saunas or OAPD
sessions up again (i.e. if you have the PLX on day 1, you would
have the FIR sauna on day 4), or your tolerance to the saunas may
be very low and you will have to take a break before you can
resume your normal schedule. You may find that you may have to
build up the FIR Sauna intensity and frequency over a few days and

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not dive straight into 2 saunas a day (for example) the next day.
Some examples are shown below of FIR sauna schedules for a
person who can comfortably do 10 minutes in the sauna at a time.
Please note that Day 8 is the same as Day 1, and so on.
With PLX: 4 x 5 min saunas per week. Day 1: PLX; Day 2: Nothing; Day
3: Nothing; Day 4: 5 min FIR; Day 5: 5 min FIR; Day 6: 5 min FIR; Day
7: 5 min FIR.

With PLX: 2 x 10 min saunas per week. Day 1: PLX; Day 2: Nothing; Day
3: Nothing; Day 4: 10 min FIR; Day 5: Nothing; Day 6: Nothing; Day 7:
10 min FIR. Please note that one may wish to do the 2nd FIR treatment
on Day 6 and leave Day 7 and a rest day, depending on how one finds
the PLX.

Without PLX: 3 x 10 min saunas per week. Day 1: 10 min FIR; Day 2:
Nothing; Day 3: 10 min FIR; Day 4: Nothing; Day 5: 10 min FIR; Day 6:
Nothing; Day 7: Nothing.

Without PLX: 4+ x 5 min saunas per week. Here you could experiment,
and do 2 days on, 1 day off, or 3 days on, 1 day off.
The general recommendation is to take Phosphatidyl Choline oral
supplements daily, normally two to three times a day, with a meal.
Some practitioners recommend one day on, one day off, doing the
FIR Sauna and taking the oral Phospholipids on the same day.
If you are engaging in a serious FIR sauna program, then it is
unwise to exceed your comfortable normal amount of oral
phosphatidyl choline on the day before or the day of an FIR sauna.
Otherwise, if you do push your limits on the phospholipids, you may
find that you cannot perform your usual FIR sauna duration as it
gives you a big headache early on.
I personally found that after approximately 6 months of taking oral
phospholipids (e.g. 8 capsules of BodyBio PC per day), FIR saunas
2-3 times a week, and roughly 20 PLX injections, that there was no
longer no ATP blocking on his mitochondria translocator sites, but
that there was still rapid depletion of energy on energy demand.
After approximately 9 months of taking oral phospholipids (the last
3 of those taking equivalent of 12 capsules of BodyBio PC per day,
or a combination of BodyBio and Citicoline), FIR saunas 2-3 times a
week, and 30 PLX injections, all the (previously very high levels of)
glutathione conjugates of a drug or other chemical and traces of
toxic metals on the white cell mitochondrial membrane had
disappeared.

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An ATP Profile and Translocator Protein microscopy should highlight

any issues around the inter- and intra- cellular membranes, as
described on the identification page. A metabolic profile (organic
acid analysis) based on a urine sample may also provide indirect
evidence of ATP efficiency, which may provide a rough idea of the
efficiency of the mitochondrial membrane. Phospholipid therapy
may work very well in conjunction with regular FIR sauna usage,
and I consider both to be an essential part of a detoxification
programme that is concerned with heavy metal and organic toxin
removal from the inter- and intra-cellular membranes.
FIR saunas are examined in more detail in the section below on light
therapies.
back to top

Light Therapies
Therapies:

Electromagnetic

Radiation

(EMR)

Introduction
There are a number of light-based detoxification treatments on the
market, such as far infrared (FIR) saunas, infrared heat pads, detox
food pads (discussed in the section below), laser energetic
detoxification (LED), low level laser therapy (LLLT) and many
others. These work on the basis of heating the inside of the body
through infrared light, of which approximately only 20% heats the
air and 80% of which heats the skin and penetrates the body. It
acts to dilate blood vessels and increasing blood circulation, and
probably increasing cellular activity. This may increase the body's
ability to detoxify itself through its natural mechanisms. LED is
different as it also utilises principles of homeopathy.
Light-based therapies work on the basis of draining toxins from the
lymphatic system as well as stimulating the release of toxins from
the inter- and intra-cellular membranes (cell and mitochondria
membranes). The toxins themselves are then freed up in the
bloodstream and are eliminated mainly by the liver and kidneys, but
also though sweat and breath to a smaller extent. Light-based
therapies are commonly used to help promote the elimination of
glutathione conjugates or neurotoxins that are attached to and
impairing the inter- and intra-cellular membranes, especially the
mitochondrial membranes. Such a condition is known as Neurotoxic
Membrane Syndrome or NMS.
Depending on what types of toxicity you are suffering from, they
may help you as part of your detoxification programme, as indeed

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will any activity that makes you eliminate toxins through your skin
as sweat, to a lesser extent (such as saunas, hot baths etc.).
Please note that anyone who engages in regular activities involving
sweating (!), whether they are saunas, work outs etc., it is very
important to replace the lost electrolyte minerals calcium,
magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride either in one's diet or
through supplementation (or both) as otherwise this can result in
severe mineral depletion over time and mineral deficiencies. One
does not actually have to sweat during a light therapy session to
obtain the detoxification benefit from it. However, it is a good idea
to shower afterwards to wash off any toxins from the surface of the
skin that have been excreted in sweat, so that they are not
reabsorbed. Although specific light therapies can be extremely
powerful detoxification methods in themselves, I do not personally
recommend to use a light therapy as your ONLY mechanism of
detoxification, but for optimum results should be used with some of
the other methods described on this page. Links to information web
sites about light therapies can be found on the links page. Some
light therapies are listed below.
back to top

Far Infrared (FIR) Saunas

What is FIR and how does it work?

Far infrared radiation (FIR) is a component of sunlight and has been
the subject of various studies, focussing on its effect on
cardiovascular conditioning, similar to exercise. The infrared
spectrum ranges from 0.75 micrometres to 1000 micrometers
(formerly known as microns). The shorter wavelength (0.75 to 1.4)
is known as 'near-infrared' and is visible red, followed by shortwavelength infrared (1.4 - 3). Mid-wavelength infrafred is between
3 and 8 micrometres. Long-wavelength infrared is between 8 and
15 micrometres, and finally Far infrared is defined as being 15-1000
micrometres (0.05 - 1 mm). All forms of infrared radiation are
below the microwave radiation band which is from 1mm wavelength
and upwards.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared
Far Infrared (FIR) Saunas (a.k.a FIRS) are devices that use a
particular set of infrared wavelengths to stimulate the body. Most
FIR sauna manufacturers devices seem to output from around 4 to
14 microns. This is claimed to be the most beneficial frequency for
humans, and indeed matches the wavelength of radiation emitted
from humans. This would more accurately be defined then as being

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mid- to long-wavelength infrared rather than far infrared, however

the manufacturers all seem to define FIR as being 5 to 1000
micrometres (approximating the CIE division scheme, but most
schemes including the above do not) so they use the nomenclature
'FIR'.
http://www.firsauna.info/
FIR Saunas do not use hot air or steam convection and conduction
to heat the body as do steam and dry saunas (i.e. direct contact
with skin). They use a series of bulbs or heating elements that
radiate FIR radiation at the user that passes through the skin.
Those who do not react well with steam saunas or hot baths (on
account of over stimulation of the endocrine system and inability to
sleep) will more than likely not have this issue with FIR saunas.
FIR penetrate deep into the body's tissues (approximately 4-5cm)
and heats water molecules and thus the body (in a safe way
compared
with
harmful microwave
radiation),
increasing
cardiovascular function and blood circulation, whilst also perhaps
energetically stimulating the cells and helping to release toxins. It is
probably a combination of the heating of the tissues and the dilating
effect the radiation has on the blood vessels, combined with their
electromagnetic stimulation, that results in the release of mainly
organic toxins into the blood stream and lymph (from the lipid/fatty
compartments of the body), and the mobilisation of waste in the
lympathic system. However, I do not believe that FIR can effectively
mobilise the entire lymphatic system - it depends also on how
clogged up it is. Other benefits of FIR are decreased joint stiffness,
increased extensability of collagen tissues and pain relief.
http://206.174.208.50/~saunac/wp-content/uploads
/dr_aaron1.pdf
FIR saunas help to energise the cells of the body. They are
sometimes used by the elderly to improve circulation and increase
energy levels, and promote a healthy metabolism. They may for
example assist in bowel movements on the day of the sauna. It is at
higher levels of energetic functioning that cells are best able to
function on a biochemical and metabolic level. If we consider the
fact that cells that are at a higher state of energetic functioning will
more readily rid their membranes and fatty cells of toxins, then one
can probably safely assume that conversely that neurotoxins on the
inter- and intra-cellular membranes decrease the potential
maximum energetic states that the cells can actually reach and their
biochemical efficiency. Once the body is rid of the majority of its
neurotoxins from the cell membranes and fatty cells, then light
therapies like FIR saunas can then really be used for longer periods
at each session, where the focus can be on increasing the energetic

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state of the cells, without having to worry about the side effects and
limits imposed by the release of toxins in a controlled manner.
Some links showing additional information about the effect of FIR
saunas are listed below.
www.steamsaun.com/saunas-infrared-more.html
www.jashbotanicals.com/articles/far_infrared_saunas_1.html
pages)

(12

The long term effects of FIR sauna usage have not been studied
with closely monitored trials, so the effects are still somewhat
unknown, but informal studies by the Russians since the 1950s
have revealed a number of beneficial effects.
An important effect of FIR is to replicate the effect of a fever to
some degree, i.e. a raised internal core body temperature to around
38C (hyperthermia), which can help to kill pathogenic organisms by
boosting the immune system temporarily (increase levels of disease
fighting white blood cells, antibodies and interferon. The
temperature rise also activates the sweat glands which may help
the body to excrete toxins. Heart rate is also known to increase,
with a corresponding increase in flow rate of blood throughout the
body, increasing nutrient, oxygen (and possibly mobilised toxin)
levels. It is also reputed to detoxify fat cells (adipose tissue). Toxic
substances are secreted during sweating through the dermis-layer
fat glands.
back to top

Types of FIR Sauna:

FIR Saunas are not commonly available to the public for use,
although certain health spas may use them. In general, steam
based heat saunas are more popular and common. A purchase of
one's own Far Infrared Sauna may be therefore required if one
cannot locate one for use at a sauna, health spa or fitness club.
This may work out cheaper over the medium term than renting on
or paying per session. There is no reason however that you can't
buy one for yourself and allow your friends and family to use it. Or
club together and buy one. One UK supplier for infra-red sauna
rental is listed on the links page.
If you consider the cost of certain types or a combination of
detoxification supplements over 6 months or even 18 months, then
the one off capital cost of purchasing an FIR Sauna is actually quite
small and relatively good value. It can also be shared by a number
of people. I strongly believe that the use of an FIR Sauna is an

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important part of any cellular detoxification programme.

There are a wide variety of FIR sauna products, including portable
saunas, domes, mattresses and blankets, as well as the tradition
wooden sauna cabins. There is some evidence to suggest that
saunas made from poplar are preferable to cedar on account on
cedar wood's potential to release gaseous toxins, so bear this in
mind if you decide to purchase a wood cabin FIR sauna. One can
also purchase FIR heaters individually and set up a sauna in your
bathroom - this is a cheaper way to set up an FIR sauna in your
home. The differences between them are clearly cost, the total
bodily surface area that the FIR heating elements are able to radiate
onto, proximity to the skin, power consumption issues, the posture
you wish to adopt in the unit, and the ease of which you can move
or wipe sweat from your body with a towel or paper towel. Consider
the relative benefits of the different FIR sauna models or options
available.
A portable tent-style or dome style FIR Saunas are available. Also
wood cabin style saunas. One can purchase dedicated FIR heaters
also.
Below is an example of how FIR Heaters can be set up in your
bathroom if you want to try that method.
www.xmission.com/~total/temple/Soapbox/Articles/brsauna.html
There is some speculation that an FIR blanket/coccoon sauna may
be optimal as it puts the elements into very close contact with the
skin. The FIR blanket sauna (like a sleeping bag) can also be used
to target specification sections of the body as it has 3 channel
(area) settings, each with adjustable temperature and timer
settings. If you wish to sweat during an FIR session, then a blanket
style sauna may be optimal as the 'blanket' is in contact with the
skin and does heat up - and a suitable temperature can be selected
to promote sweating if desired.
Below is an example of a 'blanket' or 'sleeping bag' style FIR sauna,
that I have used.

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Close up shots of the control unit for the above sauna are shown
below.

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A shot of the sauna open to dry after use is shown below. Only the

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main rectangular area would emit FIR radiation when in use.

Probably the cheapest way to detoxify your body with FIR is to

simply buy a couple (up to say a maximum of 5) of red 250W
Infrared Reflector bulbs and a couple of Porcelain Lamp Holders or
similar heat resistant lamps and mount them in a suitable manner.
Just be sure to check to wattage of the bulbs and the maximum
wattage capability of the light fitting or lamp you are using. Often,
regular desk lamps etc have a rating of 60 or 100W. You may be
able to get away with using a 100W light fitting with 125W bulbs for
very brief periods of usage, although it is not recommended for
safety reasons. If you elect to install lamp holders, then you will
need to be experienced in DIY or have a qualified electrician help
you (for safety reasons).
Choosing to buy your own infrared bulbs might only cost you 5% of
the cost of buying a FIR sauna. These would be in the other end of
the infrared spectrum, closer to visible light, and produce a red light
- they may tend towards Near-Infrared and Short-Wavelength
Infrared (the visible end). The bulbs should probably be mounted
20cm apart (centre to centre) to ensure even heat radiation
distribution. You could mount the bulbs overhead or on a wall,
depending on what angle you want the light to hit you. With
vertically mounted (overhead) bulbs, you would lie underneath
them. With horizontally mounted bulbs, you would sit on a wooden
chair (for example) and face the bulbs. Never leave the infrared

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bulbs or FIR sauna on unattended. An example of these items are

shown at the links below from a UK on-line supplier. They should be
available from electrical suppliers in your country.
www.lampspecs.co.uk/Light-Bulbs-Tubes/Infra-Red
www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=26765&doy=16m5
An example of horizontally mounted 250W infrared reflector bulbs
(i.e. 250W per bulb) is shown in the picture below, using the above
items, as set up by a friend of mine.

Bear in mind that the electricity consumption of a blanket-style FIR

sauna with a total (maximum) power output of 300W (at 36VDC)
will be massively less than an array of 250W (at 230V or 110V AC)
infrared reflector bulbs, and so if used in the long term, the latter
solution could well become more costly, depending on the number
of bulbs used.

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Regarding the magnetic fields that are produced by different types

of Infrared saunas, the majority of these are produced in the
control unit or power supply (if separate), so if this is kept away
from the body then there is no significant magnetic field exposure.
Many FIR cabin saunas (very costly) incorporate the main power
supply and control unit into the wall, often including an FIR or IR
heating element. If you do purchase such a sauna, then be aware
that it may be best not to sit next to such an element. Infrared
bulbs have a negligible magnetic field. Regarding the electric field,
an FIR sauna with a separate power supply/control unit such as a
sauna bag will be running at a lower voltage (36V DC) than the
cheap type of FIR sauna pad that plugs straight into the mains,
which will be 110V or 230V AC very close to the body, which will
produce a much stronger and alternating electric field. The control
unit of a sauna bag will of course be at mains voltage so it is best to
keep this away from your body, especially your head, but usually
the cables are long enough to enable this. Infrared bulb arrays of
course are at mains voltage (110 or 230V AC), and they tend to run
at high wattages (e.g. up to 250W per bulb), so the electric field
from these, even a few feet away, is likely to be extremely high
(and alternating). If you are sensitive to EMFs then you may want
to bear the above considerations in mind. Regarding critique of FIR
compared with IR bulbs, I have yet to see any evidence that FIR
emits actual microwave radiation. FIR is close to the microwave
spectrum but it is not actually microwave. IR is reported to have
similar effects. When I have more information on this, I will
comment further.
back to top

FIR Sauna Duration:

At the start of a detoxification programme, one may elect to start
with 5 minute sessions every other day and built up slowly over
time, as one would with a detoxification supplement. If one has a
weak cardiac function, then one may want to start off with 1 or 2
minute sessions to start with.
Before increasing session lengths by the next 5 minute step (i.e.
increasing from 5 minutes to 10 minutes), one can try having 2
saunas per day, for example of 5 minutes duration each. One can
start off with every other day, then increase to 2 days on 1 day off,
3 days on 1 day off, and finally moving to every day. It depends on
the individual and which pattern one feels most comfortable with.
However, be aware that doing the maximum number of minutes per
day, every day, may well take its toll on the liver and adrenal
glands, so remember to pace yourself for the long haul rather than
burn yourself out in a month or two.

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Once one is used to FIR, then the most usual duration/frequency of

FIR sauna use for detoxification is approximately 20 minutes per
session, approximately 3 times per week, or every other day. The
maximum duration recommended is 30 minutes in one session. But
it may take many individuals a long time to build up to this.
Dr John McLaren Howard, of Acumen and ex-director of Biolab
Medical Unit (UK), has stated that FIR is best used in short-sharp
treatments, and should never be used like an ordinary sauna, as
one only sets up an equilibrium between excretion and reabsorption
through the skin. He recommends short durations in the FIR Sauna
(e.g. 10 to 15 minutes), followed by immediate, rapid showering off
- to get the best from this technique. He has also stated that longer
periods in an FIR sauna (and indeed a steam sauna) can also
deplete potassium, which may have an adverse cumulative effect on
heart function and also adrenal function. This may be in addition to
the cardiovascular effect of FIR being equivalent to mild exercise,
putting a workload on the heart in any case.
Potassium deficiency may be physically felt by muscle twitches, for
example, in the eye lid or perhaps upper arm etc. If you do
experience such symptoms it would be best to desist from FIR
usage for at least a week, supplementing Potassium all the while,
with Potassium-rich foods, and/or in supplemental form. When you
start back up again it may be wise to only use the sauna every
other day as a maximum. As mentioned, mineral supplementation
during an FIR sauna programme is of paramount importance.
It may be useful to keep a record of your FIR sauna usage, noting
down the temperature, duration, and number of sessions performed
at each setting/duration, and which part of the body has been
exposed (whole body except head, head only, etc.) In this way, you
can see patterns that emerge and see how many sessions you have
performed at any one duration, so you know roughly when to next
experiment with slightly longer durations etc.
How long should you continue to use your FIR sauna? Well, if you
can get to the point where you can use it every day for 30-60
minutes or so with no detoxification side effects over a prolonged
period, then you have probably completely detoxified your body's
tissues. Unless you have actually reached this point, then you
should continue your FIR schedule and not quit or give up unless of
course you need to take a break for a few weeks or so to rest your
liver etc. In any case, once you have reached this point, you can
use the sauna a couple of times a week to energise the body's cells
and to relax in any case.
However, you won't know for sure unless you actually perform a

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Translocator Protein Studies test to examine if there are any partial

detoxification products stuck to the mitochondrial white cell
membranes; or indeed a Fat Biopsy to examine the levels of organic
toxins remaining in the adipose fat cells. Please see the
Identification page for more information regarding suitable tests.
The reason we say 30-60 minutes maximum is that over time
although the maximum comfortable duration that you can use the
FIR sauna gradually increases through use, there may be a certain
limit on the amount of time you can spend in the FIR sauna before
your endocrine system becomes overstimulated. You will notice this
as you will fail to fall asleep the night after an FIR sauna session. If
you are taking adrenal stimulating supplements (e.g. herbs or
glandulars), you may wish to cut back on these to a dosage where
you can fall asleep at night again, and if necessary cut them out
completely. In most cases, it is the act of taking adrenal stimulating
herbs or supplements which restricts your FIR sauna duration, if
you have progressed this far, and simply by cutting them out you
can increase the duration (without overstimulating the endocrine
system) and simply be limited by the actual detoxification limit
instead.
I have tried this, and it seems to work fine. e.g. I could do 35
minute sessions whilst taking an adrenal stimulating supplement but
no more without incurring insomnia. I was however able to do 60+
minutes (not advisable) without taking an adrenal supplement at all.
Another approach is to omit the adrenal stimulating supplement(s)
on the day of the FIR sauna, but continue with your normal dosage
on all other days. As you increase the level of stimulation, your
endocrine system may well no longer require an adrenal stimulating
supplement at all (even on FIR-free days).
If none of the above options are possible or work for you, then cut
back on the FIR duration until you reach a comfortable level. The
amount of EM stimulation your endocrine system can cope with
every day may well change with time, and you may well quickly
adapt or get used to higher levels of stimulation, and so it may well
be possible to increase the FIR duration with time. Experiment. It is
something that you will have to figure out for yourself.
I have experimented with FIR Sauna duration, and have performed
session durations up to 80 minutes. I however found that at 70-80
minutes, one may experience palpitations of the heart and a strange
feeling in the heart muscle. This may build up over time, in terms of
one's susceptibility to develop these symptoms with consecutive
long FIR sauna sessions; or from one very long FIR session; to the
extent that the heart nuscle may feel uncomfortable for days on
end. If this happens to you then it is best to lay off the FIR saunas
for a week or so or until you feel totally happy to continue again

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(and also avoiding anything more than light exercise, hot showers
and lying on your left side in bed). The heart muscle in such
instances may well be overstimulated electromagnetically and also
in its cardio-vascular capacity (as FIR saunas are a method of
burning calories, and it may be easy to exceed one's cardiovascular
capacity by just lieing down in the FIR sauna!) It is therefore
probably wise not to exceed 60 minutes in one session - 45 minutes
may be the optimal maximum for one session if performed 3 times
a week. If one requires more session time to reach the maximum
level of comfortable detoxification, then it may be better to break it
up into more sessions, and perform say a 30 minute session every
day (rather than 60 minute session every other day). Try and
experiment and stick only to what feels comfortable for you.
As a general rule, you should not engage in a single session of FIR
longer than you can perform moderate exercise for (without a
break); and you should not do more FIR sessions per week than
you can comfortably perform exercise sessions per week, without
wearing yourself out. Also bear in mind that if you do exercise
during the week as well as FIR sauna sessions, then you have to be
able to cope with both!
If you reach the limit of what your endocrine system can cope with
in terms of FIR (i.e. insomnia at night), then that is not to say that
you are not still detoxifying your body at each FIR session, it is just
that you are not able to reach the optimum limit. Keep using the
FIR sauna regularly for many months until you feel you have
finished detoxing. Of course, many people choose to use FIR not
for detoxification but for increasing cellular energy levels, so there is
no reason why you should necessarily stop taking FIR saunas just
because you feel you have finished detoxing for the moment. All in
all an FIR sauna is an excellent tool, and one of the most important
for cellular detoxification.
Towards the end of your FIR sauna detoxification programme,
which may be after a couple of months or perhaps a year and a
half, then you may well find that you can take a whole body FIR
sauna late in the evening and not have this interfere with your sleep
pattern in any way. This is also true if one is doing higher durations
on body parts such as the feet.
back to top

Considerations for FIR Sauna Usage:

If one feels fatigued or experiences headaches immediately or hours
after a sauna, then one has overdone it, and one should ideally wait
until one feels normal again, and wait a further day, before

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resuming the sauna programme on the following day. You may find
that if you have overdone it, you can't simply revert back to the last
schedule that worked comfortably without any headaches or fatigue
without at least a day or two's break. If the day after having felt
fatigued from saunas you revert back to your previous schedule,
you may find it still continues to give you a headache. This is a sign
that the liver needs time to clear all the toxins that have been
released from the tissues and that are floating around the blood
stream, before you release any more. Otherwise the toxins in the
blood don't have a chance to go down sufficiently to a comfortable
level and remain elevated (hence the headaches). If you are feeling
temporarily run down for other reasons (overdoing things etc.),
then you may find your body and liver unable to tolerate the normal
amount of FIR sauna treatments, so it may be best to recover
properly first before resuming.
Other detoxification symptoms may include acne or boils, perhaps
on the shoulders, neck or skull. This is more symptomatic of drugs
and chemical detoxing rather than heavy metals, but of course this
may vary according to the individual. They are a sign that the liver
and detoxification pathways of the body are overburdened (i.e. an
adverse inflammatory response, and that one should consider
lowering one's exposure to FIR in order to keep toxin relase within
the body's ability to eliminate them.
In general, when using FIR saunas, the body will feel the most
warmth in areas where the circulation is strongest, and less warmth
in those areas where circulation is weak. FIR Saunas may also help
with muscle and ligament injuries (and healing in general) on
account of their deep heat penetration and stimulation of the body's
circulation and internal organs. Although you can indeed purchase
your own FIR Sauna, it is highly advisable to seek professional
guidance as to how to structure your FIR Sauna programme, as
there is a fine line between optimum detoxification and release too
many toxins at once (causing a bad/splitting headache and other
detox symptoms, much like taking too much Cilantro).
Remember to always drink a glass of water before and after the
sauna, preferably at least 2 x 8 fluid ounces for every 15 minutes in
the sauna. And also don't forget to replace any electrolyte minerals
as described above. In addition, a small amount of chlorella can be
taken 15-30 minutes prior to the FIR sauna, to help absorb any
heavy metals released from the tissues into the blood stream.
The mineral loss results from sweating, and the more you sweat,
the more minerals you will lose, particularly Magnesium. Toxins are
released into the bloodstream and also escape from the body in the
sweat. The more you sweat the better, as you are removing more
waste from the lymphatic system, but it is not a big issue if you don

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not sweat (very much) at all, as there are other pathways for
removal of the toxins. Increased temperatures can promote
sweating, particularly in a sleeping bag style FIR sauna. If you do
sweat, it is a good idea to actually wipe or mop up the sweat with a
towel or with paper towels, rather than simply leaving the sweat on
one's skin, where some of the toxins may be reabsorbed. This is
clearly easier in a tent style FIR sauna than in a sleeping bag style
FIR sauna. Otherwise one can simply ensure that one goes
immediately to the shower and does not hang around after leaving
the sauna bag, maybe wiping and cleaning it after your shower,
rather than before. Be aware than regular use of FIR saunas, where
sweating occurs, as indeed any other regular activity or regular
exposure to environments where you sweat profusely, can result in
mineral depletion, and one should try to remineralise effectively as
one goes along. It is also a good idea to have a mineral level blood
test every 3 to 6 months to proactively ensure that any significant
demineralisation does not occur.
One may find that FIR usage is most needed or effective in the
winter, as the body is subjected to less natural light (i.e. radiation)
and tends to sweat less (depending on clothing and home heating
etc.)
I personally prefer to have a sauna first thing in the morning. I have
noted that more sweating occurs when there is food in the
stomach, although it is probably advisable to avoid an FIR
immediately after a meal as blood will be concentrated more around
the stomach rather than around the body as a whole.
One other possible factor to bear in mind when using FIR saunas is
that according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, too much exposure
to strong light, especially those frequencies that which heats the
body, either internally or on the surface, may result in a large
increase in yang in the body (and heart fire/hot energy). According
to my acunpuncturist, FIR Sauna usage may well help the body to
build up yang energy and also build up Qi. If one is suffering from
excessive heat energy in the body and also yin deficiency, whilst
very short durations may be useful up to a point, it may also result
in excessive heat energy in the body. Some constitutions may
tolerate FIR more than others clearly. Whilst building up yang
energy in the body with FIR or exposure to light, one is clearly
doing nothing to increase yin energy, so simply doing more and
more FIR is not going to help you in this respect. Long term it may
exacerbate any hot energy issues you have, creating more
imbalance in the body, not less. So, with regular usage, and for
those individuals who are yin deficient (e.g. most CFS sufferers)
this may be a price that one has to pay, in the short term, to enjoy
the detoxification and increased blood/lymphatic circulation benefits
that FIR offers. See the Digestive Disorders page for more

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information.
back to top

Combining FIR Saunas with Other Detoxification Protocols:

If you are commencing on a regular FIR sauna regime, it may be
wise to temporarily suspend taking any oral chelating agents, or at
least allow for enough days after the FIR Sauna before you start
taking chelating agents, and of course not to take any additional
chelating agents on the day of the FIR Sauna. Otherwise, if you do
the maximum comfortable duration/amount of FIR saunas, plus the
maximum comfortable daily dosage of chelation product, then you
will in effect be loading the liver twice as much as you would if you
only stuck to one. If you do both in this manner, then at some point
your liver will start to become warn out and it may affect your
energy levels, and you may notice some physical liver discomfort. If
this occurs then you should stop all chelation and mobilising
products and FIR saunas for at least a couple of weeks until your
liver recovers (and preferably have an energetic treatment on your
liver to increase its qi levels).
FIR Saunas may work well in conjunction with high dosages of
Niacin (Vitamin B3). High dosages of Niacin produce an effect called
skin flushing, but doses slightly lower than this but way above
'normal' may assist in vasodilation and the effectiveness of the FIR
sauna treatment. Dosages of between 50 and 1000mg have been
tolerated by different individuals, so it is best to work your way up
slowly, rather than try 1000mg initially! If you do take too much,
then you will experience a temporary redness and stinging
sensation which will disappear after a little while. Prolonged
ingestion of dosages of Niacin that cause flushing may well cause
liver damage, so it is important to stay within this limit. It is best to
take this Niacin dosage up to an hour before the FIR Sauna. I have
not tried this protocol but will be investigating it shortly. This is an
optional addition to the FIR Sauna treatment programme and is of
course not strictly necessary; and you do so at your own risk. To
read more about Niacin, please see the Nutritional Deficiencies
page.
Another protocol that may help your FIR treatments is to take an
enzyme such as Bromelain (on an empty stomach), which can help
to remove stagnant substances and waste that might be clogging
up the lymphatic system and bloodstream, which might assist in
releasing more toxins from the fat cells. Bromelain is also an
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. More information on Bromelain
can be found on the Nutritional Deficiencies page. However, some
critics argue that such Enzymes are really for anti-inflammatory

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use, and if you do not have an inflammation problem, then they are
really just fancy antioxidants (and possibly not the best use of your
money).
FIR Saunas may also work well also in conjunction with the use of
detox foot patches, which also utilise FIR. FIR Saunas also tends to
complement Phospholipid Therapy. Phospholipid Therapy helps to
promote bile production and ensure the effective functioning of the
pathway of the liver for excretion of toxins, and so helps to eliminte
the toxins that are released from the tissues into the bloodstream
and lymphatic system during FIR sauna use. Please see the
Phospholipid Therapy section below for additional sauna schedule
considerations. Remember that if you are taking one or more
chelation products, or Phos Chol, then they may have a cumulative
effect in the number of toxins that are released, and so may affect
the intensity of FIR saunas that you can comfortably have. A
balance must be struck.
If you are undergoing FIR Sauna treatments, it is highly
recommended to avoid having an FIR Sauna 24 hours prior to
having a PLX injection (described below in the Phospholipid Therapy
section. Otherwise it may have an effect on your veins and the ease
of physically administering the injection successfully (e.g. effects
may include collapsing veins or Phos Chol coming out of the vein
and spreading out under the skin). The precise effects may vary
according to the individual. There is no hard and fast rule about
how soon to have your next FIR Sauna AFTER the injection - this is
something you will have to learn to play by ear. You may find it
optimal to wait at least 1-2 days after the injection before starting
your FIR Saunas up again (i.e. if you have the PLX on day 1, you
would have the FIR sauna on day 4), or your tolerance to the
saunas may be very low and you will have to take a break before
you can resume your normal schedule. You may find that you may
have to build up the FIR Sauna intensity and frequency over a few
days and not dive straight into 2 saunas a day (for example) the
next day. Some examples are shown below of FIR sauna schedules
for a person who can comfortably do 10 minutes in the sauna at a
time. Please note that Day 8 is the same as Day 1, and so on.
With PLX: 4 x 5 min saunas per week. Day 1: PLX; Day 2: Nothing; Day
3: Nothing; Day 4: 5 min FIR; Day 5: 5 min FIR; Day 6: 5 min FIR; Day
7: 5 min FIR.
With PLX: 2 x 10 min saunas per week. Day 1: PLX; Day 2: Nothing; Day
3: Nothing; Day 4: 10 min FIR; Day 5: Nothing; Day 6: Nothing; Day 7:
10 min FIR. Please note that one may wish to do the 2nd FIR treatment
on Day 6 and leave Day 7 and a rest day, depending on how one finds
the PLX.

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Without PLX: 3 x 10 min saunas per week. Day 1: 10 min FIR; Day 2:
Nothing; Day 3: 10 min FIR; Day 4: Nothing; Day 5: 10 min FIR; Day 6:
Nothing; Day 7: Nothing.
Without PLX: 4+ x 5 min saunas per week. Here you could experiment,
and do 2 days on, 1 day off, or 3 days on, 1 day off.
back to top

Experimentation:
It appears that the predominant cardiovascular effect on the heart
is due to direct FIR radiation striking and heating up the heart
muscle. Of course, FIR will generally warm the inner core and
stimulate blood circulation locally also. Bearing this in mind, if one's
heart is the limiting factor in one's FIR usage, particularly for those
with weak Cardiac/Mitochondrial function, one may wish to expose
the mid abdomen down to FIR. This is easiest achieved in a
sleeping bag style sauna, and one can climb inside, with the top
edge of the 'sleeping bag' touching the bottom of one's rib cage,
which should ensure that the heart muscle does not receive any
radiation directly. I have tried this, and it appears that I can spend
at least twice as long in the FIR sauna this way than I can if doing
FIR on the neck down. If you can comfortably do 10+ minutes in a
normal fashion, then clearly it is not really worth doing the above. It
is only really if you cannot do more than 1-2 minutes in the sauna
on account of cardiac issues. Clearly the more of your body you
expose to FIR during your sauna times the better, and the above is
really just a compromise.
The sleeping bag style FIR sauna can also be used to treat the soles
of the feet. Normally whilst lying in the FIR sauna, the head or soles
of the feet are never exposed directly. What may be helpful is to do
5 minutes or so, sitting on a chair, with one's feet inside the sauna,
a couple of times a week. This provides part of the effect of Detox
Foot Patches, in terms of FIR output and stimulation of acupuncture
points on the feet corresponding to different organs of the body
(and encouraging release of toxins from these organs) and also
opening up the meridians in the legs; but does not provide the
negative ions that detox patches do. However, using the sauna in
this way may in some cases increase the rate of absorption of the
detox foot patches, e.g. 5 - 15 minutes of FIR on the soles of the
feet may reduce the amount of time required for the detox patches
to be worn each day for a couple of days.
You may also choose to actually lie with your head and neck inside
the FIR sauna bag, making sure you can breathe of course, and try
perhaps 5 minutes initially and add this to your sauna routine. This

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could either be achieved by laying on your side, with the back of

your head and neck in the folded section of the sauna bag, so that
the sauna is in contact with your skull on three sides (e.g. the left
side of your head is touching the bottom of the inside of the sauna
bag, the right side of your head is touching to top of the inside of
the sauna bag). You may need to use a few pillows or cushions
under the sauna bag, to keep your neck in line with your spine.
Lying like this is probably preferable to lying on your back, as in this
case, your eyes (even with eyelids closed) may be subject to too
much FIR stimulation. In many cases, there are a number of
neurotoxins in the brain itself, which is high in fatty tissue, and as
such any FIR treatment on the head should be treated as a normal
FIR session according to one's FIR sauna schedule. The throat also
contains the thyroid gland, and the back of the neck below the skull
contains two lymph nodes, and these are all good glands to detoxify
with FIR. Although using the FIR blanket sauna is meant to
stimulate the entire body indirectly, targetting the head specifically
may well provide more detoxification from the head and neck
specifically. The extent of penetration of the skull with FIR is
another matter (which is why it is good to combine this type of
therapy with phospholid therapy - perhaps it could be determined
by brain biopsy (joke!)) Try these alternative methods of usage out
and experiment, to see what pattern of sauna usage suits you best.
I found that I tended to lose weight quickly (if not doing weight
training regularly) when performing 2-3 FIR full body saunas per
week. This did not appear to be the case when only performing FIR
sauna treatments on my feet.
You may well find that if, for example, you just use the FIR sauna
on your feet (i.e. soles of feet) or other parts of the body (excluding
the heart), then you may well be able to build up to much more
than 45 minutes per day. For example, I initially could only do 15
minutes on his feet, but after a 16 months of FIR sauna usage was
able to do several hours a day on his feet, which would not have
been possible for a whole body FIR sauna session (as the heart
would probably not cope with it!) I found that in the early stages,
that the maximum duration of a whole body FIR sauna was roughly
the same as the maximum duration of just his feet. Towards the
end of my FIR detoxification programme, whilst I respected the
amount of FIR that the heart can take, I built up the duration of FIR
on his feet up to 5-7 hours a day, when it became totally
impractical, whereupon he moved onto other detoxification
methods instead for a while (i.e. chelation or EM Stimulating Wrist
Bands, etc.) I would not really recommend such extended usage on
the feet however. I would also probably not recommend doing this
excessive FIR duration with your head either! Experiment and find
where your comfortable limits are. Use your common sense. At
your own risk.

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back to top

Light Beam Generator (LBG)

LBG, also known as Oxygen-Assisted Photon Detoxification (OAPD),
is a lymphatic detoxification therapy, using extremely low current,
cold gas light photons to transfer energy frequency patterns to cells
in the targeted lymphatic regions. Frequency modulation is
accomplished using a sweep generator, which sweeps all
frequencies from 0Hz (through ELF waves, radio waves,
microwaves) to visible light wave frequencies. In normal use, a high
frequency is used (i.e. visible light frequency). The photons are
pulsed at approximately 1 to 1.3 Hz. The photons pass through
pressurised oxygen, which is claimed to impart 'oxygen's energetic
signature' to the photons. The body utilises those frequencies that
are needed. This sounds a little like pseudo-science (and
homeopathy) but I can confirm that OAPD really does work. For
more information on electromagnetic radiation from cold sources with frequencies of low visible light (not invisible frequencies such
as FIR or below)- see the electromagnetic page. LBG is claimed to
work by rebalancing the charge of the cells electromagnetic field in
the lymphatic system, to separate them from each other and their
accumulated fluids and waste protein structures (such as artificial
hormones found in non-organic meat that accumulate in the body
through meat consumption), thus removing blockages in the
lymphatic system, improving lympathic circulation efficiency. Please
see the Immune System Impairment page for more information on
the lymphatic system.
LBG/OAPD can also help to restore electromagnetic balance to cells,
restoring any frequencies that may be deficient. The therapy is
performed using a device known as Light Beam Generator, which
normally has between 4 and 6 probes. The LBG device mst be
primed with oxygen from an oxygen cylinder. The probes emit
photons and are placed over the lymph nodes on the body, usually
in symmetrical pairs (one of each side of the body). The probes can
be laid on top of cotton underwear or a cotton shirt (with no print
on it) for example, but more layers are probably not a good idea. A
typical treatment lasts for 2 hours, and up to 2 treatments can be
performed in one day, or 4 treatments on two consecutive days per
week. If treatments are recommended for an individual, a minimum
of 6 sessions is usual required, up to a maximum of perhaps 12 in
extreme cases of lymphatic blockages or electromagnetic
deficiencies. If you do intend to have a course of OAPD sessions,
make sure that you target the right lymph nodes, especially if you
have an enlarged ones (e.g. a back of the neck).
I noticed that adrenal function had significantly improved after 4

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sessions to the point where fewer adrenal supplements were

required (i.e. one might notice that one cannot sleep unless one
reduces the dosage! One may want to review whether one needs to
start taking adrenal supplements again further down in one's
treatment programme however.) A good and targeted OAPD
session feels a little like an acupuncture session, or being treated
with negative ions. I did however notice that OAPD did not really do
much to reduce the size of a moderately swollen lymph node on the
right side of his neck, despite many sessions targeted specifically at
the neck lymph nodes. Unlike FIR, the radiation does not heat the
body, nor does the treatment release toxins from the tissues across
the body to the extent that FIR does (FIR radiation is normally
spread over the whole body, rather than targetted at the relevant
lymph nodes for an individual). See the Immune System
Deficiencies page for more information on the lympathic system. It
is best to avoid an OAPD session the day after a PLX injection, as it
may leave you feeling excessively tired and with a headache for 24
hours. And it is probably wise to avoid any FIR sauna treatments
the day after an OAPD session or sessions.
www.lightbeamgenerator.com
www.quackwatch.org/04ConsumerEducation/Nonrecorg/elf.html
www.chironclinic.com/cc-pain.htm
www.chironclinic.com/cc-beauty-detox.htm
www.chironclinic.com/cc-detox.htm
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LymphStar Pro
LymphStar Pro by Alt Med Services is a type of light therapy device
used to stimulate the lymphatic system and to break down physical
blockages in it, by passing light through a gas prior to striking the
body, in a similar way to LBG/OAPD (as described above).
However, it differs in that it does not utilise oxygen, but 'ionised
noble gas technology'. Noble gases are those elements that are
those relatively unreactive gaseous elements with a complete outer
electron shell. It utilises Xenon, Argon and Krypton in a properietary
combination within a Pyrex tube. These gases are electrically
excited, causing an energy field, or plasma, to emit form the glass
tube and onto the skin. The device is said to emit energetic
"information" to the body via the harmonics of sound and
frequencies of light to the energy field of the cell. The pattern of
frequencies used is highly complex and designed to include the

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minimum of repetition, to provide the broadest spectrum of

beneficial EM frequencies to the body. The method has been found
to be effective in re-polarising the electrical charge of proteins in the
lympathic fluid in order to break down blockages of such proteins
where present and restore proper and healthy lymphatic circulation.
The LymphStar Pro device is shown below. Alt Med Services also
offer an ionising foot bath generation device called a Cygnus
Aqua-Cleanse.
www.lymphinfo.com/equip-lymphstar.htm
www.wonderworkers.com/lymphstar.html
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Lustre - Electro Lymphatic Drainage/Therapy (ELT)

Lustre is a light generation device created by a company called
Lustre Tech. It is said to utilise cold-gas-ionization technology to
produce negatively charged light photons (negative quanta charge).
These light photons are set to a specific frequency and are able to
penetrate up to 2 inches below the skin into the tissues. The
negatively charged photons affect the flow of both blood and
lymphatic fluid. Substance P, lactic acid, neurokinins and other
substances are claimed to be released from the muscles which
subsequently relax, relieving muscle tension and creating more
space to allow fluids to flow more freely. It is also said to break
congestion of red blood cells and waste protein materials that stick
together on account of insufficient negative charge in the
membranes of the red blood cells. The treatment is thus intended to
restore cell membrane electrical charge. The design seems similar
to LymphStar Pro, and it appears to work on the basis of passing
light of specific frequencies through an ionised gas inside a 'wand'.
Whether this is the same gas mix as LymphStar or not has not been
declared by the manufacturer.
www.lustretech.com/product.php
www.longevitytherapies.com/id4.html
www.thewindsorclinic.co.uk/#/howdoeseltwork/4529844485
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Laser Energetic Detoxification (LED)

LED therapy works on the basis of shining a laser light beam

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through a homeopathic substance (to be detoxified from the body)

which then stimulates the body's ability to detoxify that particular
substance. The type of substance that is an issue can be
determined kinesiologically. This method is reputed to be successful
for the detoxification of sulphur-based antibiotics, benzene, zylene,
toluene, gasoline and pesticides, for example. It can also be used to
stimulate the immune system to help assist in the elimination of
bacterial infections, for example, lyme disease. Laser Energetic
Detoxification (aka LED) should not be confused with Light Emitting
Diode (LED)!
Dr W. Lee Cowden, MD is a lecturer in a variety of disciplines
including applied kinesiology (muscle testing) and has authored a
number of books. He also developed the Laser Energetic
Detoxification (LED) method. He is currently based in Chandler,
near Phoenix, Arizona. He runs the Academy of Bio-Energetic and
Integrative Medicine (ABEIM), which runs a variety of related
seminars nationally as well as internationally.
www.abeim.net/seminars.htm
www.nuchoice.com/about/cowden.shtml
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Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

LLLT is used in conjunction with a variety of therapies such as
acupuncture and physiotherapy for sports injury rehabilitation. LLLT
can use a variety of frequencies depending on what the purpose of
the treatment is.
LLLT tends to use red light at the very edge of the normal visible
spectrum. The wavelength is typically around 655nm, or 0.655
micrometres (microns), as per the RadiantLife LT nasal LLLT device.
Infrared spectrum does not start until around 700-750nm. LLLT
does not penetrate very far into the tissues or skin, compared with
far infrared (FIR) radiation, which is why applications tend to focus
on surface muscles or the nasal passages. In the latter application,
a 665nm red laser LED is inserted up the nose and clipped onto the
side of the nose to hold it in place. Here, blood vessels are within
easy reach of the laser light which can then condition the red blood
cells to hopefully promote more efficient oxygen transport. A
RadiantLife LT session lasts 25 minutes and is suggested for use
twice a day, although users may wish to use the device less
frequently perhaps in combination with other therapies. One may
want to build up to 25 minutes over a period of weeks or months as
it may be too much initially (causing headaches or palpitations).
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Other Electromagnetic Stimulation:

We have examined above how electromagnetic radiation based
therapies, such as FIR saunas, can play an extremely important
part in a detoxification programme. There are other techniques for
simulating the body's electromagnetic field. This include those
magnetic products that stimulate the body's own electromagnetic
field. These come in a variety of forms such as magnetic wrist
bands, Teslar (pulsed) bracelets/watches, and unidirectional
magnetic fields such as that found in a magnetic sleep pad. Whilst
sounding rather strange, they can be very powerful detoxification
tools, at least as powerful as FIR saunas. Detailed information on
how such electromagnetic therapies work and detoxification tips is
available on the Electromagnetic Therapies page.
back to top

Foot Detox Patches and Tourmaline:

back to top

Foot Detox Patches

Detoxification patches (applied to the foot) were developed by
Japanese scientists and work on the principle of using reflexology
points on the foot to detoxify varies organs or groups of organs or

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body parts. The patches are attached to the underside of each foot
with an adhesive pad. They help to improve circulation and to
remove toxins from the lympathic system. A patch is required on
each foot and are usually positioned on the instep of the foot,
although the position is varied according to where the most toxins
are being drawn from (which corresponding organs). The patch
absorbs moisure and may turn from a white colour to a brown or
black colour after use. So you can actually see how much
absorption is occurring, and when the process has been completed
(in as far as the respective targetted organs releasing as many
toxins as they are able/willing to into the lymphatic fluid using this
method of stimulation). When detoxing is complete (with the
patches) they no longer become damp and brown, but stay dry and
white. The patch may be worn longways or sideways, but longways
may provide the greatest coverage for the largest number of
organs. The duration of usage varies from 6-12 hours (or until
extremely damp) depending on the supplier's recommendations and
they are usually worn at night, under a pair of socks. Patches are
usually worn on successive nights until the patches no longer show
any discolouration. Some users may find that they cannot sleep
very well whilst wearing the patches, so may elect to wear the
patches during the daytime, in which case, additional microporous
tape may (or may not) be required to hold the patch in place
properly for the duration of its use (applied slightly loosely as to not
constrict the foot during normal motion). In addition, if patches are
worn during the day, then by the nature of the fact that the user is
walking on them, depending on where the patch is placed, the
contents of the patch may not remain completely evenly distributed
within the patch itself, resulting in a slightly smaller surface area of
the foot receiving treatment, and on occasion feeling 'lumpy' and
uncomfortable. This will of course vary according to the patch
manufacturer and the wearer's habits. The patches seem to
increase Qi circulation somewhat which may be felt in the legs many
hours after removing the patches and may help to raise one's
energy levels slightly also. It is a good idea to clean the feet prior to
use each day. It is also wise to wash the feet thoroughly after
removing the patches for the day, and dispose of the patches
hygienically. One may also consider exfoliating excessive dead skin
etc if this has built up over time at the start of a detox foot patch
regime.
Using microporous tape to fix the patches onto the foot may only
be necessary when worn on the heel in particular or sometimes on
the ball of the foot, when being worn during the day. If the rate of
absorption varies from day to day, you may find it useful to peel the
patch up every few hours to have a 'peek' at how much has been
absorbed, and taking them off and washing your feet once all white
patches have disappeared from the middle of the patch and the
'goo' has started to come onto the edge of the adhesive pad.

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Two pictures of Champney's (now Serenity)'s Detox Patches being

prepared for use are shown below.

A picture of Champneys (aka Serenity)' Detox Patches after use is

shown below.

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The ingredients of the patches varies, but may include wood

vinegar (a distilled compound from tree sap), Tourmaline (a
semi-precious stone), Pearl Stone, Highly Purified Silica, Chitosan
(extract from exoskeleton from lobster/crab/shrimp - usually only
hundredths of a gram), Polyolic Alcohol, Starch, Mugwort Extract,
etc.

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The wood vinegar is dried and is a powerful absorbant. Tourmaline

emits a warming, far infrared (FIR) radiation and negatively charged
ions. These two ingredients appear to be common to most detox
foot patches, however the amount and purity in each patch will of
course vary according to supplier and brand. When the patch is
placed in contact with the sole of the foot, the warming effect of the
FIR radiation stimulates blood and lymphatic circulation, and also
opens up the pores on the skin (in contact with the patch), causing
more perspiration. The lymph system beings to move toxins to the
patches where the some of fluid is claimed to be absorbed. The
negative ions stimulate the reflexology meridian points on the foot
resulting in the targeted organs releasing stored toxins into the

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lymphatic system. The negative ions are also said to stimulate the
production of serotonin. The body usually only transports a small
quantity of toxins to the entire surface of the skin (via sweat)
relative to those eliminated by the liver and kidneys. The excess
lymphatic fluid is eliminated via sweat and absorbed by the detox
foot patches. This fluid contains toxins. The brown or black
colouration of the patches is a result of them absorbing liquid and it
is the colour of the contents of the patch becoming damp. It is not
necessarily indicative of the colour of the toxins. The toxins are
likely invisible to the eye within the sweat. If you were to pour
water onto a patch, it would likely go brown. However, the body
tends not to release so much lymphatic fluid when the lymph is
circulating properly and does not contain too many toxins. The
organs also do not release more into the lymph once they are
cleansed.
Tourmaline is sometimes embedded into clothing or used in jewelry,
to provide an energising effect from the negative ions released and
absorbed by the body. This is discussed at the end of this section
on foot detox patches.
Beneficial effects of negative ions (as emitted by detox foot
patches) are documented in a variety of research papers and
studies. Negative ions seem to stimulate the nervous system and
also may have an anti-oxidative effect.
www.sleepgrounded.com/Electrons%20as%20antioxidants.pdf
www.detoxfullbody.com/negative-ions.htm
Detox foot patches do seem to work very well indeed. I have
trialled a variety of different brands, and so far I have found the
Serenity (formerly branded by Champneys), Bodytox, Patch-It! and
Detoku brands to be the most effective (probably in that order).
They are not as powerful as using an FIR sauna by any means (in
terms of FIR emission), but can be used as a beneficial
accompaniment to a detox programme. There are many different
types and brands, and some are very cheap indeed, and good for
the money, but tend to have correspondingly less filling in each
patch. This may result in not enough absorptive capability and
excess sweat and fluid leaking out of the patch and onto your
socks.
Bodytox offer 2 types of foot detox patches, 'Detox Foot Patches'
and 'Detox Warm Patches'. The ingredients are slightly different in
both, but they are both designed to emit FIR radiation and negative
ions, and absorb excess lymph. The warm patches differ in that
they are designed to stimulate circulation in the feet to assist in
alleviating the symptoms of cold feet. However, whilst I was quite

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happy with the Detox Foot Patches, I was less convinced by the
Detox Warm Patches. The Detox Warm Patches perhaps worked too
well, as they felt like I was wearing red chili peppers on his feet
after 3-4 hours to the point where it almost became unbearable.
This is a shame as the patches can take much longer to actually
absorb as much lymph as they are able to, sometimes up to 12
hours. I do not personally recommend the Detox Warm Patches.
Certain brands of detox patch do no contain chitosan (i.e. are
'vegetarian'), for example, 7, Patch-It! or HealthyDirect Detox
Patches. One is however not supposed to eat the patch (!), so
whether it can really be called vegan or vegetarian is another
matter; and some may view a lobster as a lower life form than a
large mammal such as a cow that is used to make leather shoes
worn by many people who do not eat beef. This is clearly a personal
decision. Those with an allergy to shellfish are unlikely to have any
adverse reaction (e.g. slight skin rash in the covered area on the
foot) with detox patches that contain chitosan.
Patch-It! detox patches are somewhat different to all the others I
have tried, in that they seem to stop working after 7 hours or when
the patches are moist, whereas the other patches seem to keep
going and get gooier and gooier until fluid starts to leak out of the
sides etc. In addition, they do not produce a goo as such, but the
absorbent filling merely becomes moist, its appearance not
changing that markedly the more is absorbed, and so it is hard to
determine just how much absorption has actually taken place and
when they should be removed. My evaluation is subjective, and
suggests that those who are interested in using them try a few
different brands for themselves. I have an associate who tried the
same top brands and she believed that Serenity/Champneys
patches were the best overall also.
Additional patches can be worn on other areas of the body (not
instead of on the feet) to generate heat and increase healing at
injury sites. Please follow the manufacturers instructions. Detox
patches are not to be worn over broken skin.
If one's feet become cold, then one may notice that the level of
secretion of lymph from the body (i.e. the amount or rate at which
the patches absorb) declines. If your feet are cold (in relative
terms), then you may just wish to either warm your feet up by
wearing more socks or simply wear the patches for longer each
day. Similarly, secretion may be greater whilst awake rather than if
worn whilst one is asleep, on account of greater circulation to the
extremities and an increase in one's pulse and metabolic rate etc.
As a general rule, patches should be worn until the 'goo' starts to
leak out of the side and onto the adhesive pads, which may be 6-8
hours or may be shorter or longer. Over time, one will find that the

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rate of absorption of toxins into the patch (if repeatedly worn on the
same place on the feet) slows down gradually, and if the position of
the patches is changed, fast secretion may well resume again.
When one has got to the point where hardly any toxins are released
from anywhere on the sole of the feet, then one has finished
detoxing using the patches. Wearing more than one pair of patches
on your feet can be done, but is probably not advisable as it may
over excite your nervous system, and cause problems for you when
trying to get to sleep at night.
The amount of toxins that the patches absorb may be increased if
additional FIR treatments are used concurrently. For example, if FIR
Sauna treatments are used, if a detox patch is worn on the same
day, it will tend to absorb slightly more toxins and be much
damper, but this of course depends on the individual. There is no
reason why you cannot use an FIR sauna every other day and wear
detox foot patches every day, until your detoxing is complete.
Some manufacturers recommend 5 days on and 2 days off for
detox foot patches. Others recommend every day use until all
toxins are eliminated. This may take a few days or maybe a few
years depending on the individual. For those with CFS or related
conditions, it is likely to take at least a few months if not years
using this method alone. I highly recommend that people try a
reputable brand of detox foot patches, as a brief trial at the
minimum.
You may find that when wearing detox patches on different parts of
the feet, if you wear the patch close to your toes, then you may
towards the end of the time you wear the patch that day that 'goo'
may leak out of the sides of the patch and make the area around
your toes moist. If worn in such a manner regularly, they may
potentially encourage a condition like athlete's foot. You may thus
wish to keep the patches sufficiently away from the toes during use,
and stick to all the other areas of the foot for everyday use.
You may find it useful to keep a daily record of detox patch usage,
and marking down each day that you wear a pair of patches.
Alternatively, if you record the date when you first started wearing
them, assuming that you use them every day, then this could
suffice also. You may wish to keep a note of the part of the foot
used and the number of days of patches on each area.
Some research data on detox foot patches can be found at the web
site below.
http://www.detoxi.co.uk/research.htm
The BodyTox, Patch-It! and Detoku brands of detox food patches
have been medically approved by the FDA. Approximately 15 million

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detox food patches have been sold in the South East Asian market
up to 2006. Most appear to be manufactured in South Korea.
Some people might argue that foot detox patches are a big con,
and that they simply absorb sweat and go brown, and there is little
detoxification benefit nor evidence of actually detoxifying specific
organs or parts of the body. Whilst detox patches do indeed
become damp and go brown when they absorb sweat, lymph or
even water, for some bizarre reason beyond my understanding,
they only seem to absorb the lymph from the body part they have
targetted. For example, if one places a detox patch on the sole of
one's foot, and one has been using the patches on this part of the
foot for some months, the patches will gradually absorb less and
less toxins from the corresponding body parts and start to develop
white/dry patches. However, if one is then the move the patch
slightly, so that it covers an area corresponding to organs/areas
that have not been detoxified before, then instead of the whole
patch going brown, only that part of the patch corresponding to
those organs actually goes brown. Presumably if all the patch was
doing was absorbing lymph or sweat, then the whole patch would
go brown. However, this is not the case. There are of course
various other ways of quantifying the detoxification process,
including blood tests, urine tests and hair analysis tests which can
be conducted during the detoxification process to measure how
much progress is actually being made. However, the reliability of
such data is in question if one is engaging in multiple detoxification
protocols simultaneously, as one cannot then assess individually
which protocols are more effective than others. One could engage
in one protocol at a time, but there is little benefit in dragging the
process too much longer than is necessary. One has to use one's
common sense.
I had been using foot detox patches pretty solidly for 2.5 years,
between January 2007 until June 2009, using a total of 856 pairs!
This equates to a total cost of 1835 if buying patches at a
discount! I started off with 200 pairs of patches in the middle of the
foot, and as the patches gradually absorbed less fluid from this
area, he wore them alternate days on the ball of the foot and the
heel of the foot. I wore them during the day as I found that I could
not sleep after the first few hours of putting the patches on. Clearly
this meant frequent foot washing; and also soiling many pairs of
socks, which were more or less ok after washing each time. At the
time of finishing, the detox patches were still absorbing fluid from
each part of the foot, slightly less so from the middle of the foot.
There was more absorption in the winter than the summer. I could
have continued but felt that I really couldn't be bothered. As to
whether it is an effective detoxification method is hard to say, as I
was during 2007 and 2008 detoxing heavily using other methods
concurrently. As a detoxification method then I would not rate it as

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the best method by any means - or indeed a method to be used in

isolation. However, even after 2.5 years I still liked the negative ion
emissions (and also the FIR emissions) from the Tourmaline in the
foot patches, as this continued to stimulate my nervous system.
However, this is certainly not the cheapest way to achieve this! And
a number of chunky pieces of tourmaline jewelry could be
purchased at a fraction of the cost. Whilst wearing jewelry has
similar effects in certain respects, it does not work on the
reflexology points on the foot like detox foot patches claim to do,
does not absorb toxins in the same way (with the except of Ki Flow
jewelry, and do not feel as intense as the foot patches. However,
the jewelry can be worn around the clock if required, whereas the
patches are only worn for 6-12 hours at a time, although the after
effect of tingling on the soles of the feet may continue for may
hours after the patches have been removed. Clearly each individual
has different detoxification requirements and variable levels of
detoxification efficiency, but I do feel the manufacturers' claims are
heavily exaggerated.
So all in all, I don't regret using the detox foot patches for so long,
although I wish I hadn't paid quite so much for them. I could also
potentially have gained main of the same benefits from other
technologies including placing my feet on flat quartz or other
crystals (if sat at a desk, for instance), or using an FIR Sauna or
getting more sunlight (for significantly higher exposure to FIR
radiation). If they did actually do any detoxification, it would have
been indirect via stimulating the endocrine system and blood
circulation, but probably little more. Tourmaline jewelry is discussed
below.

back to top
Tourmaline Jewelry:
Tourmaline, one of the key ingredients of foot detox patches, is
sometimes embedded into clothing or used in jewelry, to provide an
energising effect from the negative ions released and absorbed by
the body. It is an inexpensive mineral (crystal) and the main cost of
beads is the actual manual labour than the raw material cost. The
more finely polished and shaped the beads are, in general, the more
expensive they are. Part of the cost is also how fancy the necklace
is. Jewelry varies in terms of actual mass of tourmaline used.
Tourmaline comes in a variety of colours, including black for a more
manly look (!) There are other types of mineral than also emit
negative ions, including Amethyst. You can purchase these minerals
or crystals on a famous auction web site or at your local jewelry or
'crystal' store.

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Ki Flow are manufacturers of tourmaline and zeolite jewelry, two

minerals which ground up and mixed together produce
approximately 8x more negative ions than tourmaline does on its
own. They have some research to prove this on their web site.
Rather than produce intolerably powerful pieces of jewelry, they
have elected to simply use a small amount of this mineral mixture
instead, inside a silicone porous tube, allowing the jewelry to be
extremely
lightweight.
The
zeolite
component
of
the
tourmaline/zeolite powder inside can absorb toxins (and dirt) and
over time they tend to darken and need replacing. It is estimated
they last for 1-2 years. Of course, whilst pieces of Tourmaline can
be strung together as a bracelet or necklace, such a
Tourmaline/Zeolite mixture needs to be kept in a housing, and Ki
Flow achieve this by using a Silicone rubber perforated tubing. The
zeolite in the bracelet or necklace tends to absorb toxins over time
and the bracelet becomes darker, and is normally discarded after up
to 12 months of use (if worn daily).
I have tried a few different types of necklace, one with black
tourmaline, and another with amethyst, sodalite, hematite and clear
quartz. He found both to be beneficial, improving circulation and
resulting in a tingling in my legs and the soles of my feet (not unlike
wearing a foot detox patch). I did however find that when used in
combination, e.g. wearing two necklaces together (i.e. in the same
place), or wearing a foot detox patch on the ball of the foot
(corresponding to the upper body), the amount of stimulation was
too much and I felt slightly strange and could not sleep. Removing
one piece of crystal containing jewelry or the foot patches caused
this sensation and these symptoms to gradually subside. I also
found that when at the limits of detoxification capability (from
chelation or phospholipid therapy - i.e. experiencing a headache
etc.), adding a crystal necklace made the over-detoxification
symptoms worse and they continued to intensify until the necklace
was removed.
With tourmaline or other crystal jewelry, depending on the number
and size of stones on the piece, there is likely to be more of a
detoxifying effect (negative ions and FIR) than there is with foot
detox patches. This should be noted when wearing other EM field
stimulating devices, such as Teslar or Magnetic Wrist bands, or
when using FIR saunas, or when undergoing chelation as
mentioned above. In terms of cost effectiveness, they are also
much better value than foot detox patches, as it is a one off
purchase, versus a regular purchase for foot detox patches, which
can mount up to thousands of pounds if used daily for a number of
years!
One consideration for Foot Detox Patches vs Tourmaline or
Amethyst Jewelry, other than cost and logistics, are the properties

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of the crystal over time. One can speculate as to why such crystals
emit negative ions and FIR radiation, and according to the law of
conservation of energy, cannot do so indefinitely. Whether this
emission is therefore 'fuelled' in any way by absorbing light
(radiation), heat or otherwise from the environment, I cannot say.
Some people believe that crystals need to be 'cleaned' every week
ideally, by placing them outside on some soil, grass or rocks/stones
(preferably not on concrete or tarmac etc.) overnight or for 24
hours. One can similarly immerse them in sea salt over night. This
is said to 'clean' them by absorbing the energy that themselves
have absorbed from the environment, in particular the wearer who
is in close proximity to the jewelry on a regular basis. Some say this
works on a similar basis to bio-energy healing, as discussed on the
Energetic Therapies page, drawing out 'bad energy' from the body.
By the same logic, it is considered by some to be useful to have
large crystals around the house to 'absorb negative energy' and
indeed when one has received a piece of crystal jewelry, one may
want to 'wash' it prior to use as it may have absorbed 'energy' from
the manufacturer's employees who have handled it. Whether you
believe this to be true or not, and if it is one step too far into 'new
age hocus pocus', you can try it and feel if it makes any difference
or not. I am not aware of any research into the FIR and Negative
Ion emissions of crystals before and after such treatment and most
people who believe in such ideas tend to accept it on faith and
experience rather than subject the notion to scientific analysis. This
is not a consideration for Foot Detox Patches which are disposed of
each day.

back to top
Centrophenoxine (CPH) / Meclofenoxate HCl:
Meclofenoxate Hydrochloride, also known as Lucidril or
Centrophenoxine (CPH), is a nootropic drug used to successfully
treat a wide range of diseases and psychoneurologic disorders,
including Senile Dementia and Alzeheimer's Disease. It is also
believed to be a useful anti-ageing, life extension and memory
enhancing drug and extended life spans have been demonstrated in
mice and fruit flies treated with CPH. The anti-ageing properties are
largely due to the drug's ability to detoxify the cells of excessive
Lipofuscin accumulation, which prevents proper intracellular
functioning and communication and greatly accelerates the ageing
of cells. CPH also enhances mitochondrial activity in the brain,
including associated brain glucose and oxygen uptake and CO2
production. It also increases neuron RNA and protein production
(which tend to decline with age).
CPH was first developed in 1959 at the French National Scientific

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Research Centre. It has been studied extensively since the 1970s.

CPH is an ester of the Neurotransmitter precursor DMAE
(Dimethylethanolamine) and also pCPA (4-chlorophenoxyacetic
acid). DMAE is a precursor (and metabolite) of Choline, which is
used to make the Neurotransmitter Acetylcholine (Ach), and also
the essential brain and nervous system lipids Phosphatidyl Choline
and also Sphingomyelin. Increased Ach levels can help with focus,
memory and learning (if levels are low to start with). DMAE is
produced in the nervous system, but is also found in high relative
concentrations in fish. pCPA is a synthetic version of the group of
plant hormones known as Auxins. It is reputed to directly stimulate
the activity of DNA and RNA.
CPH is absorbed well orally. After absorption, a small percentage is
broken down by the liver to yield DMAE and pCPA. The DMAE is
methylated by the liver to Choline. The pCPA stimulates RNA and
protein production (as Auxins do in plants) except in humans it is
stimulated in the neurons. The Choline and action of the pCPA both
help to increase the repair of synapses.
The remainder of the CPH is circulated in the bloodstream, and
accumulates especially in the heart and brain. Here the CPH
removes Lipofuscin from the cells, the cellular debris and pigment
waste that tends to accumulate in cells with age, particularly in the
area of cellular membranes. This can result in improved cellular and
membrane hydration and function. Cellular dehydration is believed
to be one of the factors in the premature ageing. It is also claimed
to help remove liver spots (brown spots) that tend to form on the
skin with age. Studies on ageing rats revealed that CPH was a
highly effective agent a removing Lipofuscin, reducing Lipofuscin
levels in the brain by 28-42% in 8 weeks of CPH treatment.
Pharmacokinetic studies also reveal that much higher levels of
DMAE are found in the brain after CPH supplementation compared
with supplementation with DMAE which does not so readily cross
the Blood-Brain-Barrier. CPH can also help to increase the activity of
Acetylcholinestase (AChE) enzymes, which are responsible for the
breakdown of Acetylcholine. The cholinergic system tends to decline
with age.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meclofenoxate
www.antiaging-systems.com/ARTICLE-501/centrophenoxinelife-extension.htm
www.smartnutrition.info/JamesSouth-centrophenoxine.htm
www.antiaging-systems.com/ARTICLE-500/centrophenoxine-brainbooster.htm

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www.antiaging-systems.com/ARTICLE-613/theories-of-aging.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auxin
'Professor Zs-Navy himself became involved in research to find
substances that could aid in the removal of lipofuscin deposits and
improve cellular lipidity and communication. The development was
Centrophenoxine (Lucidril ) which is perhaps the most efficient
substance currently available; (interestingly, Professor Zs-Navy is
currently working on an analogue). Other substances that have
shown an ability to remove lipofuscin include DMAE and the
amino-acids Acetyl-L-Carnitine and Carnosine. Possible side effects
include nausea or mild dizziness. High dosages may cause jaw
clenching. It is contraindicated for use in those with high blood
pressure or convulsive disorders such as Epilepsy.'
The Membrane Hypothesis of Aging bulletin by Prof. Imre. Zs.-Nagy
can be read at the link below.
www.antiaging-systems.com/ARTICLE-552/membrane-hypothesisof-aging.htm
One supplier of Centrophenoxine is Profound Products. This comes
in a jar of 60 tablets, of 250mg. This brand muscle tested positively
on me in October 2010, and is the brand I have continued to use
ever since, as the quality seems higher than cheaper alternatives
from my experience.
www.profound-products.com/nutrition.htm
A compilation abstracts from different studies on Centrophenoxine
can be found on the Life Extension web site link below.
www.lef.org/prod_hp/abstracts/centrophenoxineabs.html
A typical dosage of CPH is around 250mg twice a day. I have been
taking around 250mg twice a day since 2009, which for the large
part has been a comfortable dosage. At various points I ceased to
take it because it resulted in too much heavy metal mobilisation.
Doses should only be increased slowly and under supervision. As
part of the CPH is broken down into DMAE, it is possible to have
adverse effects from excessive DMAE levels (i.e. neurological
toxicity effects such as seeing stars etc.) from taking too much
CPH. The amount of CPH required to produce this toxic effect may
depend on how low your Ach neurotransmitter levels are. Less
acute symptoms of elevated Ach levels can include muscle tension,
headache, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, and restlessness. Elevated
ACh can result in increased Peroxynitrite production and free radical
activity, ironically, via Hyper-Excitement of the Muscarinic

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Acetylcholine Receptors. CPH in of itself however is non-toxic. CPH

use may require additional Choline or Phosphatidyl Choline
consumption.
Alternatives to Centrophenoxine as stated above may include the
amino acids Acetyl-L-Carnitine, L-Carnosine, the Neurotransmitter
precursor DMAE, Ginkgo Biloba and possibly the nootropic drug
Piracetam (only demonstrated on rats). These compounds may
however not be as effective, although may work well in combination
with Centrophenoxine (e.g. Dr Perlmutter's NeuroActives
BrainSustain that contains ALC and Ginkgo Biloba). In isolation,
they do not also have the stimulating effect on brain efficiency and
function that Centrophenoxine has (with the exception of
Piracetam). DMAE is a site-specific hydroxyl radical (OHR)
scavenger. Piracetam is sometimes used on combination with CPH
in order to enhance its effects.
Piracetam consists of 2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetamide and is a cyclic
derivative of the Neurotransmitter GABA. I have personally found
that it has a more pronounced effect on mental sharpness than
CPH, almost to the point of providind a feeling of a 'headrush', at a
dosage of 200 to 400mg, which wears off after about 60 minutes.
Piracetam does not break down into DMAE but aids to stimulate
brain circulation, although is not adaptogenic like Gingko Biloba. I
have found that Piracetam is quite harsh on the kidneys,
comparable to EDTA in this respect. There are analogues to
Piracetam available, as well as different classes of nootropics, that
are more potent, that I have not yet tried.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piracetam

back to top
Example of a Liver and Gallbladder Cleanse/Flush:
The example of a liver and gallbladder cleanse below is based
broadly on that described by Andreas Moritz in his book 'From the
Amazing Liver and Gallbladder Flush'. This has been included for
information purposes only. There are many other types of liver and
gallbladder cleanses and some may be equally as effective. Andreas
Moritz has authored a number of other relevant books such as
'Timeless Secrets of Health and Rejuvenation'. For further
information, please purchase the book. It is important to follow a
gallbladder flush to the letter, and to ensure that you have all the
required ingredients before starting. Failure to follow the procedure
properly may result in becoming very nauseous or in the worst case
scenario having to go to hospital to have gallstones surgically
removed from your billiary tubes if they get stuck and are not

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flushed out properly.

It is important to first conduct a colon cleanse prior to starting the liver
and gallbladder cleanse. The colon cleanse could take the form of a
successful Psyllium and Bentonite Regime or it could take the form of a
Colonic Hydrotherapy session (using filtered water and no anti-biotics).
For 5 days prior to the cleanse, follow an alkaline or vegan diet. Either
drink a litre of preferably organic apple juice each day (on an empty
stomach). Apples/apple juice contains malic acid (more than citric acid)
which is the active ingredient in the preparatory phase. If you have/are
suffering from candida/parasite/bad bacterial overgrowth, then do NOT
drink apple juice, but instead take a malic acid supplement. Either a
dedicated malic acid supplement or a supplement that happens to
contain malic acid (for example, Nutri's Ultra Muscleze). 1-2g of Malic
acid a day is equivalent to a litre of apple juice, make sure you are
consuming at least 1-2g of Malic Acid a day in whatever form it may be.
It will also help to eat a few apples a day as well, and they are good for
you! Malic acid helps to soften the gallstones so they they can pass out
of the biliary tubing (bile ducts) more easily when we do the actual
cleanse.
After 5 days on the above regime, we come to day 6, the day of the
cleanse. For breakfast, eat some hot oatmeal/porridge (just oats and
water) if you are hungry. Maybe eat some apples if you are peckish
mid-morning. For lunch, eat plain steamed vegetables with white,
basmati rice, i.e. without any condiments, sauces, etc. Try to drink all
the water you need for the day before lunch. Do not eat or drink
anything after 2pm.
Prepare an epsom salts (magnesium sulphate crystals) solution. Take 4
tablespoons of Epsom salts and add to 24 fluid ounces of water. Stir until
all salts have dissolved. Divide into four servings of 6 fluid ounces each.
Drink the first serving at 6pm.
Drink the second serving of epsom salts solution at 8pm. If you are
chronically deficient in magnesium, at least the first serving will help with
your daily requirement.
The purpose of the taking the epsom salts is to dilate the bile ducts (this
can be achieved with any form of Magnesium that is readily absorbed)
but also to induce diarrhea in order to flush out the gallstones once they
have been blasted out of the bile ducts into the digestive tract. The
reason a functioning bowel is specified above prior to starting the
cleanse is to ensure that regular bowel movements can occur and indeed
that the diarrhea can come out quickly and unimpeded. So make sure
you have had a bowel movement in the last 24 hours before you start
the cleanse or you may want to consider aborting it. If you have not,
then your diet needs examining, but more importantly, you need to

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induce a bowel movement with a water enema. This is however an

emergency measure, and should not be necessary for the vast majority
of patients.
Just before 10pm, squeeze enough fruit (either lemons, oranges or
grapefruit, preferably organic) to make 6 fluid ounces of juice. Add 4
fluid ounces of cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil and either stir or mix in
a juicer/blender. Pour into a pint glass.
[You may optionally want to try adding an inch of ginger root to the
above mixture prior to blending/juicing, in order to help suppress
feelings of nausea that you may perhaps experience later - I have not
tried this - it is a recommendation from Dr Richard Schulze.]
Prepare yourself for bed! Now at 10pm, give the mixture in the pint glass
a quick stir and drink. It doesn't taste that bad, so it should be easy
enough to drink it all fairly quickly. If not, then try holding your nose. Go
to bed immediately (you may want to quickly use some mouthwash first
to remove the taste from your mouth and to stop rampant tooth decay
during the night!) Lie immediately on your right side in the foetus
position, with your knees pulled up towards your head. It's not great for
your back, but lie as still as possible like this for 20 minutes. Then you
can adopt your normal sleeping position, but it helps if you remain on
your right side. You may feel nauseous or feel the need for a bowel
movement during the night. Do what you have to do, but don't force
anything. If you can't sleep, try not to worry to much about it.
At 6am the next morning, i.e. day 7, drink the third serving of the epsom
salts solution. It may be practical to keep the third and fourth servings
near the bedroom but in a safe location.
At 8am, drink the fourth serving of epsom salts solution.
10am onwards - you can start to eat and drink again now. Your stomach
may be a little sensitive, so perhaps start on fruit juice, or go straight to
fruit if you are comfortable with this, moving onto very light
vegan/alkaline foods for the rest of the day. Don't plan on doing
anything the rest of the day as you are likely to feel somewhat tired. For
monday to friday workers, it may be best to co-ordinate the cleanse
schedule so that day 6 is a saturday and day 7 is a sunday.
[It is a good idea to drink a Milk Thistle tincture or other strong
detoxification herbal tea as soon as you have finished the
Liver/Gallbladder Flush, to help coat the liver cells and assist in
digestive function and effective elimination through the digestive tract.]
You may have diarrhea early morning or late morning, and this will
mostly likely include very small, soft green chunks ('floaters'). They are
not necessarily round, and vary from a few millimetres in diameter to
perhaps a centimetre in diameter. These are gallstones/mineral deposits

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from the gallbladder. You have successfully removed them! Be sure to

drink plenty of water that day as you will lose plenty of fluids in your
diarrhea.
Perform a colon cleanse once the above liver/gallbladder cleanse has
been completed, preferably within one to two days of passing the
gallstones (e.g. day 8). This would be in form of a colonic hydrotherapy
session (using filtered water and no anti-biotics), to help remove any
accumulated toxins and gallstones in the colon.
It may not be possible to flush out all the gallstones/mineral
deposits from the gallbladder in one go, so an additional gallbladder
cleanse may be necessary. It is generally a good idea to leave 6
weeks between cleanses to allow the stones to build up a little, to
create more pressure for when they are blasted out during the next
cleanse. A gallbladder cleanse will most likely deplete your energy
levels greatly, in addition to the colonic hydrotherapy which
accompanies it. This procedure is likelyt to impact your energy
levels in the short term. Repeated colonic hydrotherapy and/or
gallbladder cleanses over a number of months (e.g. more than 2)
are not recommended as it will likely greatly impact the CFS
patient's energy levels.
A point worth remembering is that those with an impaired digestive
system, perhaps most people trying this cleanse, that betaine HCl
(the dose you normally take with a meal) and digestive enzyme
capsules should also be taken together with the cleansing mixture
(fruit juice with olive oil). Otherwise the cleansing mixture has a
tendency to remain in your stomach all night undigested and make
you feel slightly nauseous during the early hours of the morning,
which is highly unpleasant. If necessary, depending on how
sensitive your stomach is and how little stomach acid you produce,
you may want to take some additional betaine HCl and digestive
enzymes during the night. You will know when you have taken too
much by the sensation of heartburn. You may also want to take
Betaine HCl with the glasses of epsom salts, see how you get on.
Suppliers of epsom salts and malic acid supplements can be found
on the links page. Epsom salts can also be purchased at a
dispensing chemist.
Another Variant of the Gallbladder Flush can be found below. It is
based on Dr Richard Schulze's method. I have not personally tried
this and cannot vouch for it.
www.jonbarron.org/barron_reports/8-1-1999.php
Dr Richard Schulze's Liver/Gallbladder and Kidney/Bladder
cleanses, and indeed other Kidney/Bladder cleanses, are described

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in the Detoxification Diets section below.

Another variant is the coffee enema. This is perhaps less fatiguing
than the above, which involves the absorption of caffeine directly
into the bloodstream, bypassing the filtering of the liver, to
stimulate the liver from the outside, the increase the gallbladder's
output. It may be accompanied by taking Calcium Magnesium
Butyrate for a few days beforehand, to provide the liver with
enough calories to burn to function faster during the actual coffee
enema. Butyrate is the produced in the colon by the fermentation of
soluble fibre by good bacteria under normal circumstances.
Herbs can be used to cleanse the gallbladder and to dissolve
gallstones. Hydrangea root and Gravel root described below can
also be used to dissolve gallstones. Gravel root may be somewhat
harsh on the liver. One may debate whether it is preferable to blast
out the stones as described above rather than slowly dissolve them
and introduce the dissolved toxins contained therein into the GI
tract slowly over time where they can be reabsorbed. Reabsorption
cannot be ruled out during a traditional gallbladder flush however
but the transit time of the stones in the GI tract is usually short and
many but not all of the toxins are within the matrix of the softened
stones. Peppermint leaf, cramp bark, wild yam root, fennel seed,
barberry bark, ginger root and catnip leaf can all be used to cleanse
the gallbladder.
http://www.herbsgallbladder.com/herbs_gall_bladder.htm
http://ezinearticles.com/?7-Herbs-That-Help-FlushGallstones&id=540743
back to top

Kidney Stone Elimination:

Kidney stones are one of the most common disorders of the urinary
tract. Most kidney stones pass out of the body with any
intervention. However some do not and require treatment. Some
individuals may be more prone to developing/forming kidney stones
for genetic reasons, but on the whole it is dependent on diet and a
high 'oxalate' intake (e.g. chocolate, rhubarb, spinach, wheat germ,
tea etc.) One of the most important things is to drink enough water
so that one is drinking enough water and not consuming too high
dissolved mineral concentrations (e.g. excessive supplementation)
or consuming too much oxalate.
www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov/Kudiseases/pubs/stonesadults
/index.htm

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There are of course medical procedures for removing kidney

stones, but what we are proposing here is to remove them
naturally, using highly effective herbs, as a first point of call, before
cutting up the body unnecessarily.
A number of different methods for kidney flushes are described on
CureZone.com. CureZone also describes two teas which help to
dissolve kidney stones:
- Melon seed tea
- Celery seed tea
These are produced from crushed seeds (in a mortar and pestle).
For example, melon seeds can be taken from each melon you eat,
and rinsed/cleaned, dried and stored; and crushed in a small mortar
and pestle as and when you wish to prepare each cup of tea. Please
note that melon seeds can be extremely difficult to crush - as I
found out - even with a heavy duty mortar and pestle. One can
however purchase pre-crushed celery seeds, although this may be
regarded as 'cheating' and the packet should no doubt be well
sealed in between uses. I personally find crushed celery seed tea
somewhat disgusting, but is isn't that big a deal! They are quite
acidic though in a tea or tincture. I have not tried all of the methods
for kidney flushes and dissolving kidney stones on CureZone.com
and so cannot vouch for them as yet, but will update this section
accordingly in the future.
http://curezone.com/cleanse/kidney/default.asp
According to Dr Richard Schulze, the key herbs used by Schulze
that help to dissolve kidney stones are:
- Hydrangea root / Hortensia root
- Gravel root (Eupatorium purpureum)
These will also help to dissolve gallbladder stones or gallstones,
although some may wish to 'blast' these out rather than slowly
dissolve them, as dissolving them will also dissolve the toxins
contained therein and increase chances of their reabsorption in the
GI tract.
Hydrangea is actually a genus of 70-75 different individual species,
rather than a particular species itself. One species commonly used
is Hydrangea arborescens. Hydrangea root is a diuretic, but is also
a very powerful stimulant of the GI tract, more powerful than a
laxative, and classed as a cathartic. Be cautious in your dosages of
Hydrangea root or it may result in diarrhea. Hydrangea root is not
recommended for long term usage, which should not be the case

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anyway with a kidney cleanse.

Gravel
root
has
many
beneficial
qualities,
including
anti-inflammatory properties, but also contains hepatotoxins and
decreases blood supply to certain liver cells, and may exacerbate
liver problems/disease and is also known to cause stomach pains.
Certain herbs, commonly used to dissolve Kidney Stones, such as
Hydrangea Root and Gravel Root, also appear to have chelating
qualities from my experience. Taking significant quantities of these
herbs, in addition to one's normal chelation dosage of another
chelant product or herb can result in over-detoxification symptoms.
Other herbs for removing kidney and gallstones include:
- Stone breaker leaf (Phyllanthus niruri)
- Burdock seed
The chelating agent EDTA can also be of use to dissolve kidney and
gallstones, as it tends to bond with valency 2 metals, both
nutritional metals like Calcium and also heavy metals, but it does
strain the kidneys somewhat.
According to Schulze, a number of herbs and plant extracts may
also help to help 'flush' the kidneys. Many of these herbs are simply
diuretics to promote more urination and also anti-bacterial herbs.
These are listed below.
-

Uva Ursi leaf

Arctostaphylos uva ursi
Juniper berries
Juniperus communis
Corn silk
Zea mays
Horsetail herb
Equisetum arvense
Burdock root and seed
Arctium lappa
Parsley leaf and root
Petroselinum crispum
Pipsissewa leaf
Chimaphilla umbellata tops
Goldenrod flower tops
Solidago virgaurea

An example of a product containing all of the above herbs is Dr

Schulze's Kidney/Bladder Formula). Please note that this herbal
tincture and tea is used as part of a Kidney Flush programme to
ensure maximum benefit. However, the Hydrangea Root and Gravel

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root can of course be purchased separately as a dry herb or in

tincture form, from a number of organic herb suppliers, and used
not necessarily as part of a formal 'Kidney Flush programme'.
Kidney/Bladder Formula
Kidney/Bladder Tea
Ojibway Tea herb powder (aka Essiac tea - after Rene Caisse who
treated and cured cancer patients in the 1930s and 40s using it)
contains Sheep Sorrel, Burdock Root (mentioned above), Slippery
Elm and Turkey/Indian Rhubarb).
Dr Joseph Mercola adds some additional herbs to the list for
treating acute incidences of kidney stones. Most of these are
diuretics:
-

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

Cleavers (Galium aparine)
Crampbark (Viburnum opulus)
Khella (Ammi visnagi)
Stone root (Collinsonia canadensis)
Seven barks (Hydrangea aborescens) - mentioned above

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/06
/23/Who-Knew-Preventing-Kidney-Stones-was-This-Easy.aspx
www.urologychannel.com/kidneystones
/alternativetreatments.shtml
Potassium Citrate is more frequently used to treat kidney stones,
although this is probably partly due to the citric acid, and partly due
to the alkaline properties, which help in the prevention of growth or
formation of kidney stones (kidney stones tend to form in acidic
urinary environments).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_citrate
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Fluoride Elimination:
How does one remove Fluoride from the blood, tissues and bones?
Well the first thing to do is to stop taking in Fluoride, from
toothpaste or drinking water (if applicable) etc. Fluoride blood and
tissue levels SHOULD drop off fairly quickly, but if not, one can
perhaps consider ensuring one's Calcium and Boron levels are
sufficiently high (not in the low range) so that there are plenty of

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cations to bind with the Fluoride for removal from the body. Calcium
carbonate or calcium rich foods can be consumed. Boron can also
be supplemented, and is found in some Calcium/Bone growth
supplements, and in dedicated supplements such as chelated Boron
(bound to an amino acid for easy absorption). Some practitioners
recommend Steam saunas and exercise, and indeed any activity
that generates sweating (!)
www.tldp.com/issue/202/Notes_Fluorine.htm
www.emedicine.com/emerg/TOPIC181.HTM
Toxic cations, i.e. positive ions, can be removed from the body with
chelators, as is discussed on the Detoxification page. Toxic
(inorganic) anions are not usually so difficult to remove from the
body, but certain anions like Sulphites and Fluorides etc. are toxic
and may have severe effects on the endocrine system and nervous
system, amongst other effects, depending on concentration.
Some practitioners recommend Borax, a.k.a. Disodium Tetraborate
(a salt of boric acid) - a mineral salt containing Boron. It is
commonly used in detergents. I have no personal experience of this
and cannot comment on the appropriateness of its usage.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borax
www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/borax.html The article 'Clinical
Experience with Inorganic Non-radioactive Iodine/Iodide' by David
Brownstein, M.D. can be read at the link below. 94.7% of 500 of his
patients tested (various conditions) were deficient in inorganic
iodine. He also found a link between hypothyroidism, breast
diseases and low iodine levels. In addition, he found that
supplementing with iodine increased the rate of excretion of toxic
halides of Bromide and Fluoride, as well as Mercury (actually
chelating out Mercury from the tissues). The proliferation of fluoride
and bromide intake from oral sources appears to inhibit the update
of iodine from our diet.
www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/IOD-09/IOD_09.htm
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Skin Cleansing:
back to top

Bentonite Clay Bath

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Bentonite clay, whilst described above for internal use, can also be
used for external use.
Bentonite clay can be used in the bath. This can help to absorb
toxins present in the outermost layer of the skin. Remember that
the skin is the largest organ of the body and is one of the body's
natural pathways for detoxification. So, if you are undergoing a
detoxification programme, it is useful to cleanse the skin of toxins
on a regular basis. Gently heap 2 or 3 ounces (70-100g) of
Bentonite Clay onto the top of the hot/warm bath water and wait for
it to sink to the bottom (perhaps 5-10 minutes). Then mix
thoroughly and bathe as usual. Your bath water will take on a
slightly dark, milky appearance. This isn't that much more
expensive than buying those bubble bath fizzy balls and is so much
better for your skin! Make sure you shower down afterwards and
rinse away all the clay residue from your bath tub. Please note that
using bentonite in a bath requires considerably more than you
would use in a P & B Shake and may exhaust your supply quickly.
Probably the optimum length of time for a soak in a mild clay bath is
30-60 minutes. Make sure you rinse and wash yourself down
thoroughly afterwards, as Bentonite clay may clog up the pores in
your skin and prevent the skin from 'breathing'. Some people find
that if they have such a bath too late in the evening (e.g. much
after 6pm), then they are unable to get to sleep later that night.
However, this may well vary from individual to individual. If one
does not have a bath tub, one can try using a foot bath instead,
although clearly the surface area of skin being cleansed is hugely
less.
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'Mud' Pack
An alternative to a clay bath is to apply a clay paste (mud pack) to
the skin. Because the clay is much more concentrated when applied
to the skin in this way than when in a bath, it may provide a great
detoxification benefit. Take a bowl of filtered water and add enough
clay chunks (an external clay is recommended, see below) so that
the water level just covers all the chunks. Leave for a couple of
hours and it is ready for use. You may find it a little cold to apply.
You can make it using freshly boiled water instead, in which case
you probably need slightly less water volume to make the right
consistency paste, and by the time it has cooled down to luke warm
it is ready for use and application. If you are using a fine internal
clay, then sprinkle it on the top of the water and leave it to settle
overnight. Rinse yourself off in the shower (so that your whole
naked body is wet). Then take the bowl into the shower with you.

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Scoop up small amounts of thick clay at a time and apply to the

skin. Cover your whole body, including your face, ears and scalp. If
you are confident about your balance, you can apply to the soles of
your feet as well, although this may make things a little slippery, so
proceed with caution and stand with a wide shoulder width stance.
Once applied, stand in the shower for at least 20 minutes. During
this period of standing you may find that certain parts of your body
dry, in which case take a little more clay or water from the bowl and
apply/rub in to those dry areas. Occasionally you can massage the
clay around your body. You could try listening to some music or
doing some breathing exercises if you get bored. Afterwards, rinse
off with warm water using a massaging or rubbing action to make
sure all the clay comes off. You may indeed make quite a mess in
your shower cabinet, so taking a brush in there and using the
shower to rinse/scrub it off the walls should only take 5 minutes or
so. Don't trip over the glass bowl on your way out of the shower.
Remember the clay pack in the shower does not have to be a solo
activity and can be enjoyed with your husband, wife or partner.
Remember, detoxification can be fun!! You may find that if you
spent too long with a clay pack on or if you do it too late in the day,
you may have trouble sleeping. Try it first thing in the morning and
limiting the time initially and see how it goes. Whether it is the act
of cleansing the skin and stimulating the body, or the negatively
charged anions that stimulate the nervous system and adrenal
glands (like other minerals like tourmaline or zeolite that emit
negative ions), I am not certain.
There are a number of detoxifying clays available on the market, for
example, Argiletz clays (montmorillonite or green clays). The purity
of clays varies very greatly. The actual chemical composition also
varies greatly also. Typically the cheaper clays are for external use
only, and are of much lower purity than clays for internal use, and
may contain grit and the occasional stone or rock! External clays
often come in hard chunks, and do not have to be crushed prior to
use. They can simply be placed into bath water or in a bowl of
water (if being applied as a mud pack) to soak and crumble apart.
Be sure to rinse off afterwards, as you may well get thick silt in your
ears and eyes. Only certain clays of high purity are really optimal for
internal use (i.e. eating/drinking), typically containing the cations
calcium, magnesium and sodium in specific proportions. These
come in the form of a very fine dry clay powder. You may elect to
use a cheaper clay for external use and the more expensive
bentonite (montmorillonite) clay for internal use. Having said that,
when you have a clay bath you may require two to three times
more of a cheaper, external clay compared to how much of a pure,
internal clay. The cost for either type however is quite small in the
grand scale of things.
Suppliers of bentonite clay can be found on the links page.

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back to top

Skin Exfoliation

You may find it useful to use an exfoliating pad or glove (for

example sisal natural fibre glove) to scrub the skin, whilst in the
shower for example, which will help detoxing via the skin. Brush
towards the heart. Continue to scrub a given area until it feels
slightly sore (temporarily) or until it goes a little pink colour
(whichever comes first). Start from the feet and work your way up
the body - first scrub the soles of the feet, then the whole foot, the
ankles, the calves, thighs, then stomach and buttocks, chest, then
your back (strokes moving upwards and towards the heart. Go
slightly easier on the breasts. The nipples don't require scrubbing
and are more sensitive than the rest of the skin. Next scrub your
arms, starting from your hands and working up to your shoulders
(i.e. towards the heart). Finally, scrub the head, ears, throat and
neck. Skin scrubbing/exfoliation is best performed with dry skin, as
wet skin is more likely to stretch. A good rub down with a pair of
exfoliating gloves is also a form of tip to toe massage. Perhaps have
a wash and shower after the skin scrubbing exercise. Don't forget
to rinse off your exfoliating pad or gloves after use. It is best to
dedicate one set of exfoliating gloves or a scrubbing pad per
person. You may not wish to do this every day, but maybe once or
twice a week. Find a rhythm that suits you. Above is an example of
a pair of abrasive, exfoliating gloves that I picked up at his local
Holland and Barrett store. You may want to clean the gloves
periodically as they will become greasy and slightly smelly. Always
dry out before use.
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Skin Brushing
An alternative to skin scrubbing as described above is gentle skin
brushing. This is probably not particularly effective if at all at
exfoliation, but is primarily a lymphatic circulation stimulating
exercise. This can be performed with a gentle brush, with a long
handle. Natural fibres are preferable. As above, brush strokes

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should be performed towards the heart (to encourage it to pumped

around). This can be performed up to twice a day and helps to
stimulate your lymphatic system as well as help to remove excess
dead skin. You may want to avoid the nipples as they can become
quite sore if brushed daily (the same problem long distance runners
sometimes have with their T-shirt or vest rubbing against their
nipples repeatedly - very uncomfortable - cured by putting a plaster
over each nipple!) There is no need to brush the face. Ideally, take
a shower after skin brushing.
www.naturalhealthtechniques.com/healingtechniques
/Dry_Brushing_Technique.htm
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Himalayan Crystal Salt Bath

Not strictly related to bentonite clay, but Himalayan Crystal Salt can
be used in a bath to assist in detoxification of the skin through
osmosis. 1 to 2lbs of the rock salt is placed into warm water, and
once dissolved, one should bath in the water for 30 minutes
maximum (using no soap or shampoo). Allow the skin to dry
naturally and rest for 30-60 minutes afterwards. On account of the
large amount of Himalayan Crystal Salt required, this is however
MUCH more expensive than using bentonite or other clays as
described above.
For information relating to Skin Elasticity and the Fountain of Youth,
please see that section on the Effects of Toxicity page.
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MSM Bath
According to William Rasmussen in his book 'Lead Detoxification
Naturally', MSM can be used externally as well as internally. MSM
baths can be used to assist in Lead detoxification, in place of using
clays like Bentonite in the bath, or Bentonite or other clay packs on
the body. MSM is not however able to bind with organic toxins like
clays are. Rasmussen writes that MSM has such a strong affinity for
Lead, and is able to penetrate into the pores and outer layer of skin
where it may come into contact with lead-carrying blood and
lymphatic fluid. Here it binds with Lead. Lead-bound MSM is unable
to cross cellular membranes easily as the molecule is very large, so
the pathway for excretion from the skin is through sweating. This is
why it is important to use quite hot water in the bath (or foot bath),
to encourage sweating, or to at least take a hot shower afterwards

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to build up the sweating process again. Rasmussen discourages

prolonged use of such a bath, when the temperature becomes too
cool to allow sweating, as Lead-bound MSM may be trapped in the
skin. Usually 20-30 minutes is optimal and after that it becomes
counterproductive. One can get around this problem potentially if
one wants longer in the bath or foot bath by adding more hot
water. It is likely that some MSM is absorbed directly into the
bloodstream and tissues with an MSM bath, and this may cause
potentially adverse detoxification side effects in some individuals
through heavy metal mobilisation (according to Andy Cutler, who
opposes MSM supplementation. Rasmussen states that 2
tablespoons of MSM is sufficient for either a full bath or a foot bath.
Rasmussen mentions using such a bath 2-3 times week. One
example of a large capacity source of MSM is Jarrow Formula's MSM
Sulfur Powder (1lb/454g - also comes in 2.2lbs/1kg size), which is
relatively inexpensive if obtained from the USA. Other sources of
MSM include horse feed suppliers. Alternative sources of Sulphurcontaining minerals can be used, instead of MSM, including sulphur
mineral concentrates from natural sulphur springs (more expensive
than using MSM).
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Other Detoxification Methods:

Below are described some other methods for detoxification, some
of which I have personally tried. They are listed for completeness,
but in my experience and personal opinion are not of that great
interest (in relative terms). They may not be as effective as the
techniques mentioned above, in isolation, but may perhaps
supplement the procedures described above. However, please feel
free to come to your own conclusions.
back to top
Detoxification Diets:
Whilst there are undoubtedly many variations of detoxification diets
promoted in the media and in alternative health circles. Detoxification
diets tend to be very slow and gentle - but not necessarily (e.g.
consuming berries for detoxification purposes). They are probably best
suited to individuals who have fully detoxed at least once during their
life, and so have a much smaller burden of toxins to eliminate. They are
a good long term solution for periodic bodily detoxification, for those
who have a commitment to alter their diets for greater health. One
example of a detoxification diet is described in the Detoxx Manual, as
described on the links page.

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As an emergency measure, the actual effectiveness of (most)

detoxification diets is rather limited, and the process may take many
years. In the case of CFS sufferers or those who are chronically ill
because of toxicity problems, then taking one or more of the above
mentioned detoxification supplements is essential. However, this is not
to say that certain foods cannot be consumed in addition to one's
detoxification programme, to aid in detoxification, such as raw garlic,
etc. (see the body's natural mechanisms for detoxification above.)
Ayurvedic detoxification diets seem to be more effective than most
detoxification diets, as practitioners use the whole 'system' and
compliment their detoxification diet with herbs such as Triphala,
massages, meditation and enemas. To be effective, one cannot pick and
choose a particular part of the programme, but must really embrace the
entire system, which of course requires dedication. If you are interested
in this approach, a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner may be able to advise
you.
Some severe detoxification programmes recommend a 100% 'juiced
fruit/vegetable' diet for a period of 1-3 weeks. Such detox programmes
are not only very taxing on the digestive system, as a pure raw food diet
is often very hard to digest and has a very cold and damp energy, but it
is also are conducive to severe weight loss (if not enough raw green
vegetable juices are actually consumed which is not stressed enough by
Anthony Robbins' seminar), and potentially nutrient depletion from the
body. Some detoxification may occur, but at what cost? Tony Robbins'
Unleash The Power Within seminar proposes such a detoxification
regime, to be done a couple of times a year. My account of his
experience with such a detox regime can be found on the Digestion page
and also on the Tony Robbins UPW Review page. When such methods
are available as described in the rest of this page above, it is perhaps
rather foolish to engage in such a severe dietary programme, especially
so if one has had not consulted with a proper dietician or GP.
Juice fasting is discussed on the Mucoid Plaque page, as it is a strategy
of many for mucoid plaque removal.
Some approaches to Detoxification Diets, including that above, rely on
reducing bodily fat (i.e. reduced calorific intake) and also targetting
mucoid plaque with the high fibre intake. The idea of detoxifying by
burning one's fat is based on the principle that most toxins are stored in
the body's fat cells. This is indeed correct, but does not take into
account the toxins that are stored in the brain - it is not possible to
consume one's own brain whilst on a fasting type diet! And indeed one
would not want to. The brain is predominantly made up of phospholipids
and fatty acids and is a place where lipophilic toxins can attach and
'hide'. Indeed it is also not possible to 'burn up' the lipids that make up
one's inter and intra-cellular membranes and those of the nervous
system. Toxins can often to clog up cell membranes and no amount of

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dieting will get rid of these. It is possible some of the nutrients that are
consumed in special diets can help in this respect, but many of the
methods described above on this page are far more effective in this
respect. Such detox diets cannot effectively remove many toxins from
the brain and elsewhere in the space of 1-3 weeks. In addition, by
burning up the body's fat, what also happens is that the body also
consumes its own muscle, resulting in dramatic weight loss both in
terms of bodily fat and muscle mass. Proponents of fasting and
eliminating body fat often also promote exercise as a valuable
detoxification tool. This is very true as it speeds up metabolism in
general; and indeed any activity that promotes sweating as it is a good
way of expelling toxins from the lymph. However, if combining
cardiovascular exercise with a low calorific juicing type fast diet, then
this could potentially increase the rate of starvation and
self-consumption that occurs in the body.
Lipotropic compounds that improve fat metabolism in the body, or more
specifically assist in the catalytic breakdown of fat in the liver.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipotropic
Examples include phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl inositol as
described above. L-lysine and betaine may also help, although there are
no clinical studies in humans to suggest they are effective as far as I am
aware.
Betaine, also known as trimethylglycine (TMG), is derived from sugar
beet. Betaine has many commercial uses for example as a homocysteine
regulator and a restorer of the body's osmotic balance. It has many uses
in agriculture in animal/fish food. TMG is a methyl-group donor and can
be used to treat high homocysteine levels, turning it into methionine and
itself into DMG (dimethylglycine). TMG is commonly used with the amino
acid lysine in livestock to decrease fat and increase muscle mass,
although this effect has not been observed in humans with TMG.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trimethylglycine
One proponent of fasting and exercise for detoxification is Dr Vincent
Bellonzi, who can be seen at youtube below.

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I myself did a fast eating/drinking just blended raw green vegetables and
green soups for 7 days (as opposed to an actual juice fast, as I had not
understood the difference at the time), and after this, I was extremely
skinny, had lost many kilos of muscle also, and my face looked bony and
gaunt and was compared with a 'concentration camp victim' by some of
my friends. My error was to not take vegetable juice hourly but to have 3
or 4 blended green vegetable 'meals' a day. If one is doing such a detox,
it is hard to tell that one is getting thinner as one loses one reference
points easily. It is often only others that can tell at what point during
such a cleanse that one should stop as one has become 'too thin'. I felt
great after my cleanse, but it was clearly very severe for the body, and if
it is anything to go by, the results were temporary and I become
extremely ill 6 months later. This is described on the other pages
mentioned above.
It is known that if one's choline intake is too low, as it will be in juicing
fasts if one does not supplement a little lecithin or similar, that one
literally breaks down the Phosphatidyl Choline in the brain, reducing
brain function. This effect is likely to be significant, even with short juice
fasts, so care should be taken.
Such blended vegetable fasts, performed in this manner, are arguably
mainly for the morbidly obese or cancer victims rather than the 'average
person'. If the average persons them to such severity, they should only
be performed for brief periods of time, and under observation (or simply
performed more gradually and conservatively). A juice fast if performed
properly with sufficient supplementation may not result in severe weight
loss at all. It is recommended that a professional sees on every day in
any case. Rather than simply locking oneself away and wasting away to
a 'bean pole'. It should also be considered that whilst the actual dietary

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intake during such a regime may be lighter on the liver, being low in fat,
consuming and burning one's own fat will of course release all the toxins
held in those fat and lipid compartments into the blood stream,
overloading the liver as well as effectively starving the body. The
techniques on this page are effective at removing toxins from all fat cells
and lipid compartments, including the brain, without having to starve
oneself and become unhealthily thin (with too low a ratio of fat to body
mass). Having no fat remaining also allows newly introduced toxins
nowhere to hide and may make one more susceptible to toxic overload.
Some natural medicine practitioners recommend a 'juice diet'
detoxification procedure for severe medical cases, such as those with
terminal cancer, with weeks to live. In such cases, any issues
surrounding 'cold energy' may not be such a big deal as one is
concerned with the short term and not the long term, and perhaps such
an approach followed by the above detoxification protocols may be of
benefit. Such fasts are not intended to go on that long in any case, so
such concerns are also perhaps not so critical. Dr Richard Schulze
(picturely amusingly above) subscribes to this approach. He uses
targeted herbal products in combination with a juice fast to achieve the
cleansing of the liver and kidneys, for example. With his juice cleanse, he
affirms the importance of drinking enough juiced fresh fruit and
vegetables - approximately 8 Fluid Ounces per hour during the day!
Clearly if you just eat/drink three juices per day, in place of meals, you
will lose a catastrophic amount of weight. This type of cleanse is
supposed to clear out the liver, colon, blood, fatty tissue (adipose) and
organs.
http://curezone.com/schulze/handbook/TNIP.asp
http://www.herbdoc.com/p62.asp
For less critically ill patients, but where the patient is still very poorly,
Schultze recommends a purely raw food diet, rather than a juice cleanse,
which is supposed to be a sustainable, long term diet.
http://curezone.com/schulze
www.herbdoc.com
Dr Schulze's Liver and Gallbladder Cleanse is described below. The
ingredients of his products are examined in the Herbs section above.
http://curezone.com/schulze/herbal_5day_liver_cleanse.asp
Click on 5-day Liver Detox
Dr Schulze's Kidney and Bladder Cleanse is described below. The
ingredients of his products are examined in the Herbs section above.

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http://www.medicalinsider.com/toxicity3.html

http://curezone.com/schulze/herbal_5day_kidney_cleanse.asp
Click on 5-day Kidney Detox
Dr Schulze features some introductory videos on his web site at the link
below:
www.herbdoc.com
You can order a free CD from Dr Schulze's web site at the link below.
https://web2.herbdoc.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&
id=212
A list of testimonials from patients of Dr Schulze can be found at the link
below.
https://web2.herbdoc.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&
id=27&Itemid=106
A personal web site summarising many of Dr Schulze's methods and
protocols can be found at the link below.
http://healingtools.tripod.com/DS_pages.html
This web site also contains links to Schulze's Herbal Therapies and
Natural Healing Crusade videos. They are hosted on Germany's Google
Video.
http://healingtools.tripod.com/DS_pages.html#videos
MP3 files of Curezone's Bob Mantz Jr interviews with Schulze can be
found at the link below.
http://home.comcast.net/~gnxfan/page2.html
My friend Aaron has personally tried all of Dr Schulze's main cleanses,
the Liver cleanse, the Kidney cleanse and the Bowel cleanse, and whilst
all three cleanses seemed quite good, he still had issues in all three areas
subsequently. So he remains slightly sceptical about the claims made by
Dr Schulze with regards to his products in these areas; but without
examining what issues were present before and after, an analytical
review is not really possible at this stage.
See the above Digestion page links regarding my view of the raw food
diet. It should be noted that I do not automatically dismiss all of
Schultze's ideas, but try to look at the pros and cons, and indeed share
some of my ideas (e.g. the idea of clearing the organs of elimination

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prior to a serious detoxification programme, e.g. a liver/gallbladder

cleanse cited above; also ideas regarding supplement and herb quality,
etc.) I take the view that one should look at the individual on an
'individual basis' and not just apply a 'one size fits all' approach.
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Homeopathic Remedies for Detoxification:

There are various homeopathic remedies for removal of heavy metals
from lymph and tissues, which I have limited personal experience of
(and enjoyed little success with), but if homeopathy is your preference,
then it is recommended to consult a qualified homeopathic practitioner to
device a detoxification programme for you. General comments on
homeopathy can be found on the Energetic Therapies page.
Some practitioners regard homeopathy as a flawed approach to help to
physically remove toxins from the body, although they believe there are
other useful applications for it.
www.chelationtherapyonline.com/anatomy/p150.htm
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