chelation therapy

noun

: the use of a chelator (such as EDTA) to bind with a metal (such as lead or iron) in the body to form a chelate so that the metal loses its chemical effect (such as toxicity or physiological activity)

Examples of chelation therapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 2005 a five-year-old autistic child died of a heart attack as a result of chelation therapy. Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Nov. 2024 Lead screenings are now recommended for all young children, with treatment such as chelation therapy available to remove the poison if levels are high. Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 4 Dec. 2024 Can chelation therapy treat autism? Chronic and acute poisoning with toxic elements like arsenic, uranium, mercury, and lead is sometimes treated with chelation therapy. Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Nov. 2024 Despite a proliferation of claims, there is no evidence that chelation therapy treats autism, says Stephen James, a researcher at the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 27 Nov. 2024 The agency has approved chelation therapy for particular uses, like treating lead poisoning, but has warned about companies marketing unapproved, over-the-counter versions. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 15 Nov. 2024 For very high exposures, a treatment known as chelation therapy, which involves an oral medication that binds to lead so that it can be excreted in urine, has been shown to be effective at reducing blood lead levels. Aaron Specht, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2024 Any child whose blood lead level is above 45 µg/dL may require hospital admission and chelation therapy. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 14 Nov. 2023 Over the next several days, Buttar treated Desiree with IV chelation therapy, vitamin cocktails and a lotion chelator rubbed on her arms. Brandy Zadrozny, NBC News, 4 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chelation therapy was in 1960

Dictionary Entries Near chelation therapy

Cite this Entry

“Chelation therapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chelation%20therapy. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

chelation therapy

noun
: the use of a chelator (as EDTA) to bind with a metal (as lead or iron) in the body to form a chelate so that the metal loses its toxic effect or physiological activity
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